PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

A special 'LOCAL VISITOR VISITS LOCALS' post

As much as we love Vancouver, sometimes even the locals need to become visitors. So we packed our bags and spent a week in Providence, Rhode Island. We were there to meet our new nephews (aka 'new'phews), which provided the chance to explore Providence through locals' recommendations. 

Providence was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, who had been exiled from Massachusetts for his religious beliefs. The city was one of the first to industrialize, and became known for its jewelry and silverware industry. While it has retained its manufacturing industry, the city is now known for its service industries thanks to the eight hospitals and seven higher-learning academic institutions that call Providence home. Providence has been rebranding itself as the Creative Capital to put more emphasis on its educational and arts community, which makes the city fun to visit and explore! 

The city is only 66 square kilometres in area (about half the size of Vancouver), but is divided into 25 distinct neighbourhoods, often grouped together by their character. The city is amazingly walkable, but also has an intuitive transit system (with very tourist-friendly drivers).

The East Side is home to the charming Hope Street, with  boutique shops and cafés. Some of our favourites on Hope Street include Stock Culinary Goods, a kitchenware store that has everything an amateur chef  could need, and Seven Stars Bakery, a bustling bakery with a great hidden garden patio. For a great sandwich, head to The Cook and Brown Public House, and then indulge in a cone from Three Sisters for dessert (we highly recommend Dirty Garden Mint). If you happen to be in the area on a Saturday morning, Tippet Park hosts The Hope Street Farmers Market every week between May and October. The stalls of local fruits and vegetables, seafood, baked goods and artisanal crafts cater to the large crowds that come out every weekend.

Downtown Providence is the city's urban centre, with everything from 19th Centrury Victorian architecture to post-modern and modernist buildings. We wandered up and down Westminster Street, which features tree lined brick sidewalks and suspended fairy lights. Small shops and restaurants open onto the street, providing lots of visual interest with window displays and people watching. The street is also home to the Arcade Providence, America's first enclosed shopping mall. Built in 1828, this Greek Revival structure is beautifully maintained, with shops on the main floor and micro lofts on the second and third floors. Living up to its moniker as the Creative Capital, Providence is proud of the large public art pieces on buildings all over the downtown core. Between The State of Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, The Public Art Committee of Brown University, and the Rhode Island School of Design's (RISD) emphasis on public art, there seems to be something to look at from every street corner. One of our favourites was the Providence Industrial Mural (50 Aborne Street) by Shepard Fairey, a RISD-educated street artist. 

And if you want to immerse yourself in academia, visit College Hill, an old residential neighbourhood that also includes the Brown University and RISD campuses. More interesting than the campuses may be the surrounding homes, many of which have historical plaques with the year they were built and the homes' first owner. Nestled among the houses at Prospect Terrace Park is one of the city's best lookouts - but try to get there before the tour busses arrive.  

The creative and academic population has also given way to restaurants and cafés that focus on local, high quality ingredients.  The small and aptly named Kitchen (94 Carpenter Street) in Federal Hill is known for its phenomenal breakfast and (with under 15 seats inside) lineup. If it's coffee (or tea) you're after, try The Shop in Fox Point. This small coffee shop focuses on quality and hospitality. Downtown, places like Birch Restaurant and Gracie's offer prix fixe tasting menus that feature local and seasonal items. Birch has a clean interior with exposed brick walls and a u-shaped table offering a communal dining experience. Next door, Gracie's hires staff from the local Johnson and Wales Hospitality School and serves up meticulously detailed meals as impressive in taste as they are in presentation.  

KARAMELLER

Candy shops aren't just for kids.

Growing up in Sweden, Louise Schönberg remembers spending her weekly allowance on Saturday sweets. Nostalgic for that memory, she and her husband Luis Giraldo opened Karameller (Swedish for hard candy) in Yaletown in July. The 300 square foot space was designed by Michael Leckie of Leckie Studio - it is bright and contemporary, with hints of the olden days with hexagon tiles at the entrance and light box near the counter. A row of clear bins lines one side of the shop with paper bags and scoops for customers to choose their own candy. Despite the numerous options, the candies are rotated often to ensure you are always able find something new on which to spend your allowance. Imported from Scandinavia, the candies are free of GMOs, trans fats, and high-fructose corn syrup. Bags are $3.49 per 100 grams, $10 for a small glass jar, or $15 for a large.

Louise recommends the Sorbisar (liquorice and raspberry) or the Choko-Banan (marshmallow, banana and chocolate). We recommend anything in the shop - we had to use some serious self restraint to stop ourselves from trying it all.

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THE BIRDS & THE BEETS

Just like its name, The Birds & The Beets combines the familiar with the unexpected, creating a refreshingly unique coffee experience. Instead of the traditional model of coffee and baked goods, The Birds & The Beets focuses on local and house-made items prepared behind the counter - turkey is sourced from the Abbotsford's Rossdown Farms, pork comes from Chilliwack’s Johnston’s Farms, and the whole-grain granola and baked goods are made in house.

That’s not to say the same amount of care is not taken with the caffeine (this is Vancouver, after all). The coffee is from Victoria roasters, Bows & Arrows Coffee Roasters, and the local Matchstick Coffee Roasters. The tea is from Main Street’s Cultivate Tea Brew Bar.

The simple (but delicious) menu is on the wall behind the counter off the Powell Street entrance. If you aren’t pleasantly surprised by the personable, friendly staff when you walk in, you will certainly notice the café’s décor, which fits perfectly with its charm. The exposed old brick walls contrast the new white walls and millwork. Flowers and succulents adorn every nook and cranny, adding to its familiarity and unexpectedness.

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POSTMARK BREWING

If you’ve ever wished that you could bottle up the westcoast and take it home with you, wish no more – Postmark Brewing has you covered. Co-founders Nate Rayment (formerly of Howe Sound Brewing) and Steve Thorp opened Postmark Brewing in 2014 to make good beer for their friends – something that could replace the larger brewery’s 12-pack. What started out in four tanks has very quickly turned into a 15 tank production, holding 80 hectolitres (8,000 litres) – their friend list has definitely expanded.  In fact, the production is growing so quickly that Postmark has taken over the neighbouring building to house its own bottling station.

Located within the Settlement Building, Postmark has a growler station for those on the run, complete with twelve taps to fill up on your favourite beer. If you’re less committed to one type, there’s a fridge stocked with cans of their Blonde beer and 650mL bottles of the staples. Postmark currently has five staples that are offered year-round, and a rotating list of seasonal beers. A full list can be found here.

The brewery aims to create approachable and flavourful session craft beers that celebrate the westcoast and its lifestyle with beers for every occasion. While the cans show off their original branding vision, the bottles’ labels are more westcoast inspired, with photos shot by their friends or revered photographers.

Part of the westcoast influence comes out in their focus on collaborations. From music to photography, art, clothing, and events, Postmark has paired up with other local companies to create some unique and interesting products, many of which are conveniently sold between the growler station and the fridge. 

And if you’ve got some time to spare, put your name on the list for a bite at Belgard Kitchen, the brewery’s tasting lounge.  We hear they serve an awesome weekend brunch, and can speak to their amazing their dinner menu. Make sure you stay for dessert – the Baked Pistachio Yogurt is worth any wait.

A: 55 Dunlevy Avenue | T: 604.699.1988 | W: postmarkbrewing.com

Hours: Monday – Friday 11am – 11pm | Saturday – Sunday 10am – 11pm

LA CASA GELATO

As you may have heard / experienced, Vancouver has been having a very hot and very dry summer, which isn't showing any signs of abating.

Will all this hot weather, Vancouverites have developed an affinity for ice cream. Thankfully, La Casa Gelato has us covered. With 518 flavours, it would take you nearly a year and a half to try all the flavours (even more if you have a double scoop - think of all the possible permutations!). That's right. It would take you 17 months of trying a different flavour every single day to get through each type. 

This gelato, sorbetto and frozen yogurt establishment originally opened on Commercial Drive in 1982 serving pizza, panarotti, panni and 12 flavours of gelato and sorbetto. It has since grown into the only gelato factory and store in the world that consistently has 218 flavours on location at all times. Choosing a flavour is half the experience (the other half is the décor, atmosphere, and that first lick). 

It's almost impossible to make a recommendation, as we've barely scratched the surface of the available flavours. Regardless of what you choose, we recommend you get it in a hand-made-in-house cone and eat it in the parkette across the street (easily identifiable by its vibrant pink walls). 

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APERTURE COFFEE

Situated on West Broadway, Aperture Coffee Bar is a quiet oasis on an otherwise very busy corridor. It's easily distinguishable by its location in a historic house, nestled its more contemporary surroundings. The character of its storefront is carried inside through the vintage furniture, exposed brick walls, and floor to ceiling bookshelf. Sitting here feels a little like having a cup of coffee at your best friend's parents' kitchen table. 

This coffee bar offers everything from cold to hot drinks, and sandwiches to baked goods. They serve Intelligentsia Coffee, which prides itself on working with the coffee growers to provide coffee that is, "revered, yet democratic, approachable and accessible" (intelligentsiacoffee.com). The staff at Aperture is friendly and unpretentious, and wifi is an added bonus - it's one of those places you may never want to leave. 

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HERITAGE WALKING TOUR WITH JOHN ATKIN

Heritage preservation in Vancouver recently came back to the forefront with the ongoing review of the Heritage Action Plan. Vancouverites have been lamenting the destruction of some of the city’s oldest homes, often replaced by large, characterless construction that seems out of place with the remaining streetscape. Despite our appreciation for the city’s built heritage, most Vancouverites are can identify with the saying ‘familiarity breeds contempt’ - we walk along city blocks without truly understanding how the streetscapes and neighbourhoods that we are trying to protect came to be.

Except John Atkin, whose familiarity with Vancouver’s neighbourhoods has bred insight and a deep appreciation for the city’s streetscapes and heritage conservation.

John grew up in Victoria, surrounded by conversations about heritage, architecture, and city planning. When he moved to Vancouver for art school, he realized there was little awareness of Vancouver’s history and how that had affected the built form. In 1991 John co-founded the Heritage Vancouver Society with Michael Kluckner, an independent heritage advocacy group dedicated to “Creating a Future for Vancouver’s Heritage”  (Heritage Vancouver Society). John also offers heritage walking tours, which are extraordinarily insightful and interesting – he is a walking repository of information and can tell you something interesting about almost every house on the block (check out his website for the next tour date).

We were fortunate enough to have John give us a walking tour of the Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood, and while we learned lots about a neighbourhood that we thought we already knew well, what we really got was a new way of looking at our streetscapes. Heritage preservation is about more than conserving perfectly restored houses with all the quintessential architectural elements. It’s about understanding how history has influenced a streetscape, the growth of a neighbourhood, and the landscape of the city.

The eastern boundary of the Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood is at Nanaimo Street (everything east of Nanaimo Street was the Hastings Townsite which didn’t join the city until 1912). Investors in the area thought the advent of the Nanaimo Street streetcar would help open up the area, but with limited service on a single track development in this area lagged behind that centred around Commercial Drive’s Interurban streetcar line. Instead, development around Nanaimo Street came gradually, though the School board did construct Lord Nelson Elementary School at Charles Street and Garden Drive, which opened in 1911.

Development in Grandview-Woodland occurred in waves, which is evident in the character of the streetscape. Looking along Charles Street, the Arts and Crafts and Edwardian homes were built by small-scale builders prior to the start of the depression in 1913. John is an expert at describing the events and people involved in shaping the neighbourhood. He has researched the history of Grandview-Woodland, as well as most other neighborhoods in Vancouver, with a level of rigour that would rival that of a crime detective. With this knowledge, John describes different urban planning phenomena such as the large retaining walls that hold back the front lawns of several houses. These are a byproduct of the city levelling the street grades and therefore lowering the elevation of the land in front of existing homes. The walls were constructed to prevent the homes from tumbling into the new road. John also describes the history behind street names, such as Kitchener Street, known as Bismarck Street prior to World War I. Residents living on Bismarck Street demanded that the German name of their street be changed to something that showed their support of the British Empire. The evidence of this name change can still be seen on the sidewalk where city labourers removed the concrete embossed with Bismarck and replaced it with Kitchener.

The Canadian Pacific Railway was instrumental in shaping Vancouver west of Ontario Street – as the developers, the company was able to lay down a comprehensive grid system and prescribe things like setbacks and building height. East of Ontario Street, however, the road layout developed organically, as development occurred at different times and by small-scale builders. As a result, the grid system is arbitrary in some areas with roads dead-ending at what was formerly a field or orchard. The small-scale developers that first built in the neighbourhood typically owned enough land to construct two or three houses and repeated the design to save money. Today, these "house twins" are often disguised by nearly one hundred years of renovations. However, John is quick to point out the similarities in the windows, the design of the roof line, and the layout of the front porch. One developer built eight homes along Lakewood Drive using the same plan. Today, however, their likeness is almost indistinguishable. 

Building largely stopped until after World War I, at which time infill houses were built around the previous developments. Vancouver Specials popped up in the 1960s, followed by another surge of new buildings in the 1990s. While some might overlook this patchwork streetscape, John showed us how this lack of consistency has created the neighbourhood’s character (though arguably some houses have more character than others). Hundred year old homes that have been painted in vibrant colours and smaller infill modern homes that recall the vernacular architecture of the area are a new phenomena that allow the neighborhood to evolve and remain liveable.  It seems that the historical houses and planning anomalies have fostered a neighbouhood that is active, engaged, and forward-thinking.  This is seems to be the true value of heritage and neighbourhood preservation.

John offers several other walking tours, which can be found on his website.  They are each as fascinating as the last for both visitors and locals and are, in our opinion, the only way to learn the true history behind the city. The next time you are wandering down a city street, take some time to look at how the neighbourhood developed around transit, schools, and economic forces. Not only does each house have its own story, so too does each street.

FOOD CART FEST

Back when we were growing up the only food sold out of a cart in Vancouver was hot dogs and chestnuts. Kids these days don't know how good they have it - with over 100 food trucks, carts, and vendors permitted to sell food on Vancouver's streets, the options are endless. There's even an App that locates the food truck hours and locations, allowing you to find a vendor by name, location, or food type.

And just in case you're not much of a food truck hunter, you're in luck. Food Cart Fest Vancouver gathers over 20 food trucks to the Olympic Village every Sunday through the summer. Their website lists all the participating carts - there is definitely something for every budget and taste. But be prepared to wait in line for the most popular trucks (like Tacofino). And if you're thirsty (and over 19), we've heard the beer garden is a great thirst-quencher. 

Admission is $2.50 or free for Vancity members or with a non-perishable food donation to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society.

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BESTIE

Everyone has a bestie - that person you don't need to make plans with cause you're always together and who you trust above all else... That friendship might be in trouble, though, when you start spending all your time with your new Bestie, the delicious German street food inspired sausage and beer parlour in Chinatown.  Even if your old bestie is happy to visit Bestie with you, they won't be happy when you refuse to share - the food it just too good.

The menu at Bestie is simple with a choice of several sausages to make up either a Currywurst or a Sausage and Sauerkraut.  Both the Currywurst and the Sausage and Sauerkraut come with crispy golden fries that form the perfect addition to the meal. A selection of salads and pretzels are also available. Bestie values community and supports local growers, butchers and brewers. The sausages are made at Oyama Sausage on Granville Island and all the produce is sourced from local farms (as local as the urban farm three blocks away). There are four taps at the bar that serve up a rotating cast of local craft brews, available in a massive 24 oz. ceramic stein that really rounds out the Vancouverized German street food experience.

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LIBERTY BAKERY

If running a successful café is an art, Liberty Bakery takes the cake.

Liberty Bakery was originally established by  Swedish baker named Gunnar Gustafson and his wife, Liberty, as a 20-year long retirement project. In June of last year, artist Shannon Skansen, musician and photographer Scott Livingstone, and artist Rodney Graham took over the coffee shop, allowing Gunnar and his wife to enjoy their re-retirement. The trio renovated the space, giving it their own personal touch with tables designed by Livingstone and signage designed by Graham.

The artist touch can be seen in the baking, too - from gingerbread cookies shaped like Totoro (the cartoon character), to the chocolate cream puffs that look like oysters, to the sprinkle cookies probably modelled after a Pollock painting. And although we (clearly) have a sweet tooth, Liberty Bakery also offers beautifully (read: artistically) prepared salads, soups, and sandwiches. 

It's impossible to recommend only one thing from Liberty Bakery but we highly suggest accompanying any drink with a baked good. And if you eat it there, you will probably be able to feel yourself becoming more cultured as you are surrounded by the artistry of its three owners.

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EDIBLE CANADA

At nearly 10 million square kilometres in size, most people don't get the chance to visit the country from coast to coast. Unfortunately, it also means most people miss out on all the distinct foods that are available within the five regions that span this great country.

Unless you visit Edible Canada, a self-described culinary tourism and locavore retail company.

Edible Canada on Granville Island selects the very best from Canadian farmers, butchers, foragers and brewers to create a local dining experience. In addition to the Bistro which serves brunch, lunch, dinner, and cocktails, Edible Canada also hosts tours and events throughout the year. And if you want to bite off a slice of BC to take home with you, the retail store sells a curated assortment of edibles made in the province.  

You really can't go wrong here, but we are particularly fond of anything with hollandaise sauce for brunch, with a tall glass of Mike Weir (a Canadian take on the Arnold Palmer). And if it's sunny, a seat on the patio makes for great people watching.

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BEAUCOUP BAKERY & CAFE

Trying to find a seat in this tiny bakery and café off Fir Street is almost as difficult as trying to choose only one thing from the display of French-inspired pastries and baked goods. It's easy to understand why people flock to Beaucoup - with an extensive menu of nibbles (six different croissants alone!), Bellocq Tea from Brooklyn, and Forty-Ninth Parallel Coffee, the café has all the ingredients for an afternoon coffee with your in-laws, to discuss weekend plans with friends, or to spend time alone imagining you are in Paris. And when it's not raining, there is ample seating at the park across the street.

Beaucoup was started by Jackie Kai Ellis, a designer turned pastry-chef. Jackie studied the art of French baking at Paris Ecole Gastronomique Bellouet Conseil before returning to Vancouver in 2012 to open Beaucoup. Since opening, Beaucoup has won several awards and continues to be touted as a "must visit" in the big travel guides.

You can't go wrong with one of the croissants, but we usually bee-line for the peanut butter sandwich cookie and the Earl Grey financier (paired with an espresso and Earl Grey tea of course). Bonne appetite mes amis!

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HOKKAIDO RAMEN SANTOUKA

Vancouver has seen a surge in the popularity of ramen over the last five years, most of which seem to be located in the West End neighbourhood around Robson and Denman Streets. While there are many to choose from, Hokkaido Ramen Santouka consistently makes the lists of best ramen restaurants in Vancouver. The restaurant is part of a chain from Hokkaido, Japan's most northern island. The restaurants were started by a man called Hitoshi Hatanka who was unhappy with the ramen available in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. He decided to open his own restaurant, which quickly became a local favourite. Today he has restaurants in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, the United States, and Canada (Toronto and Vancouver). 

The menu has multiple pages, but we recommend their signature topknots toroniku ramen. For those new to the ramen experience, it comes in four flavours here: shoyu (soy), miso (soybean paste), shio (salt), and kara miso (spicy soybean).  

There's bound to be a line up out the door, but it's worth the wait. Seating is either at a large circular table where you can watch how the locals eat the long noodles, or at booths.

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CARTEMS DONUTERIE

It started with a dream... Literally.

In 2004, Jordan Cash was travelling in abroad when he dreamt he would one day open a donut shop called Cartems (a word that has no meaning). Fast forward ten years and Jordan's dream became a reality. The first Cartems storefront opened at Hastings and Carrall Streets, and eventually moved to further along to Pender Street. Cartems recently established a presence in Mount Pleasant in the historic Ashnola Apartments building, bringing their imaginative and tasty flavours across the bridge. 

All the donuts are made from scratch on a daily basis, including the gluten-free and vegan options. The ingredients, from the flour to the spices and dairy products, are sourced locally with a list of local suppliers available on their website. And this isn't just a donut shop - the shop is inviting, and the staff (and Jordan) are friendly and welcoming, and the donuts are worth waiting in line for.

For tea lovers, the Earl Grey doughnut is topped with rose petals. If you're feeling adventurous (or haven't had breakfast), the Canadian Whisky Bacon has real bacon pieces on top. 

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FINCH'S MARKET

Words can't even begin to describe the wonderfulness of Finch's Market... But we'll try.

It's located deep in Strathcona, on a quiet, unsuspecting residential street. Walking in is like stepping back in time, with its exposed beams, wooden shelves stocked with jars and cans, and long wooden counter. The food is fresh, unique, and thoughtfully prepared. And if you happen to have run out of milk at home, don't worry, they sell that too. 

We strongly recommend the pear and proscuitto baguette with a chocolate chip cookie for dessert. And if you'd prefer your food to go, have it wrapped to go in a brown paper package tied up with string.

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VANCOUVER CANDLE COMPANY

Vancouverites are unapologetically proud of their city and display their affection at every opportunity in any way possible, from sports paraphernalia to Van City t-shirts to bottles of 'I Love Van' water. The Vancouver Candle Company (VCC) has developed a completely different (and arguably much more sophisticated) way of displaying their love - through candles.

The company started in 2014 as an alternative to the chemical-infused candles that could be found in stores. Instead of paraffin, lead, and chemicals to create their candles, the Vancouver Candle Company uses soy-based wax and 100% cotton wicks. They use perfume-grade fragrance oils to create their scents, and look for locally-sourced materials as much as possible. Even after all this, their candles still stack up to the alternatives - VCC's candles burn for 60 hours and won't force you into debt.

Each candle is carefully handcrafted by Nick Rabuchin in their 150 square foot studio in Mount Pleasant. Nick produces the candles in batches of 50, numbering and signing each box (which he also folds). It truly is a labour of love!

To date, Vancouver Candle Company has six scents: Gastown (also known as the 'mandle' for its musky leather and tobacco scent), Mount Pleasant, Fairview, Strathcona, Point Grey, and Kitsilano. The company chose to name the candles after some of their favourite neighbourhoods to set themselves apart from the candle-naming trend of flowery names. The boxes are also beautifully designed with geometric patterns in bright colours, allowing them to stand out from the traditional white and ivory packaging. 

The candles are available in stores in Gastown, South Granville, Kitsilano and may other neighbourhoods across the Lower Mainland. Vancouver Candle Company also sell their candles from their website making it easy to have your house to smell like Vancouver, even if you live somewhere else. They make a great gift (for someone else or for yourself) and every sale supports the local artisan community. 

ARBUTUS COFFEE

Now considered part of the Kitsilano neighbourhood, this quaint little café was once considered part of the Delamont Park area. The building was constructed in 1907 and was the home of Eureka Grocery, owned and operated by Thomas Frazer. The grocery store later became Arbutus Grocery Store, and is now Arbutus Coffee. Many of the building's original heritage features remain, including the fenestration and corner entry. It was named as one of the Places That Matter by the Vancouver Heritage Foundation in 2012 for its importance to the city.

Like the shops before it, Arbutus Coffee remains a neighbourhood favourite. All their pastries and dishes are made in house, and coffee comes from North Vancouver's Bean Around the World. The café's character and its charm make it worth a visit for breakfast, lunch, or coffee (or tea)!

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GREENHORN ESPRESSO BAR

Nestled among the West End's heritage houses, apartment buildings, and tree lined streets is Greenhorn Espresso Bar, an independent café that has gained notoriety since opening in 2014. Owners Gango Jolicoeur and Walter Le Daca named the café after three Englishmen (William Hailstone, Samuel Brighouse and John Morton), who purchased the 550 acres of the West End in the 1860s for $1.00 per acre. They became known as the "Three Greenhorn Englishmen" because it was believed they overpaid for the land. 

Greenhorn marries vintage and contemporary décor, with its reclaimed wood bar and tables, glass beverage bottles and metal stools providing a contrast to the concrete floors, succulent plants and bright red chandelier. A mezzanine level at the back of the café is an art gallery and record shop with vintage bikes and poster art. 

The menu is written on brown paper affixed to the wall (and available online). For an espresso bar, Greenhorn features an extensive menu including a variety of brunch and lunch items made in-house. Of course there are also baked goods to accompany your coffee, which is brewed from North Vancouver's Moja Coffee Roasters. And in true Vancouver style, gluten free options are available. 

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THE SETTLEMENT BUILDING

n the heart of Railtown, The Settlement Building is a perfect representation of the neighborhood as a whole. The five tenants of the space each display a creative and collaborative approach to their craft while focusing on the promotion of Vancouver's identity and West Coast lifestyle.

Postmark Brewing is a microbrewery that serves an extensive list of beers brewed in small batches right in the building. Patrons can glimpse a behind-the-scenes view of the brewery's inner workings from the growler fill station. Large, chrome vats of beer fill the double height space and contrast nicely with the exposed timber beams supporting the building's structure. Growler sales are the obvious retail choice but Postmark also offers a variety of apparel with their west coast inspired branding. We particularly like the topo lines on select growlers.

The Vancouver Urban Winery (VUW) is the second major tenant in The Settlement Building. The VUW operates as a boutique winery, and supplies wine for The Settlement Building and for several other establishments around the city. The VUW also has a tasting room that serves several different wines from across British Columbia. The tasting room hosts tasting events throughout the year that are open to the public, but often require tickets to be purchased in advance.

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BUTTER BAKED GOODS & CAFE

Although not technically in Kerrisdale, Butter is close enough that if the wind is blowing east, the smell of its baked goods probably wafts over. 

Butter Baked Goods and Café was started by Rosie Daykin, an interior designer with a passion for baking. In 2012, Butter opened on Mackenzie Street and has become a popular destination for anyone with a sweet tooth.

The décor is the epitome of what little girls dream of when they think of tea - rose wallpaper, pastel coloured paint, whimsical lighting, and display cases filled with cupcakes, cookies, squares, and cakes. Lewis Carroll's characters would feel quite at home here.  

Butter is not only one of the best spots in Vancouver to push the limits of sugar consumption, it is also the official home of the number one selling cookbook in Canada, Butter Baked Goods: Nostalgic Recipes from a Little Neighbourhood Bakery. And if you'd rather leave the baking to the professionals, you can always take the baking to go - a full list of the goods is available on their website. We would strongly recommend The Chocolate Sandwich Cookie, paired with a tea or latte. 

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