Jesstours.com is a travel website that details my adventures from around the world. It’s a mixed bag of travel experiences, stories and insights. It’s also a blog that doesn’t take itself too seriously but will provide my family and friends with an outlet to keep track of my travels as well as hopefully serve as an interesting and entertaining read, with some helpful travel maps and tips for those who simply stumble across this page. Happy reading and happy travelling!
Brunch – Vancouver
Apr 2015
As a lot of you know, over the past few months I have had the pleasure of writing a weekly brunch series for Vancity Buzz, here in Vancouver. Such an undertaking has allowed me to not only enjoy and indulge in copious amounts of delicious food (all in the name of research) but also discover fabulous must-visit eateries, as well as new and exciting parts of the city. Having now eaten my fair share of weekend brunches, I thought I would spill the beans and share with you what I deem to be the highlights of Vancouver’s brunch scene, so that if one day you find yourself in town, hungry for excellent brunch fare, you’ll know exactly where to find it.
Tuc Craft Kitchen (Gastown)
Tuc Craft Kitchen serves up a delicious weekend brunch featuring a number of small bites and nibbles, as well as larger more hearty dishes. Expect to find offerings such as lamb and eggs, a vegetable frittata, eggs any style with pork belly crackling, an Irish stew skillet, and the kitchen’s signature plate — crispy fried chicken and savoury waffles.
Ask for Luigi (Railtown)
Offering a range of tempting Italian-inspired brunch plates, Ask for Luigi is a must-visit brunch destination in Vancouver. Sitting on the edge of Railtown, Ask for Luigi’s non-traditional brunch items make this casual eatery stand out from the rest. The house-made Pappardelle alla Bolognese and the kitchen’s freshly baked banana bread with white chocolate chips and a wickedly good whipped salted caramel butter are highly recommended.
Belgard Kitchen (Railtown)
With a long list of appetising brunch fare, a casual vibe, attentive service and a gorgeous, rustic dining space, brunch at Belgard Kitchen hits all the right spots. Occupying space in the Settlement Building, Belgard Kitchen focuses on sourcing as many local ingredients for their dishes as possible, dishes that include smashed avocado on toast, maple bourbon bacon, coconut quinoa porridge, a meatball skillet, and more.
L’Abattoir (Gastown)
Housed in a refurbished brick and beam building, brunch at L’Abattoir is exactly what brunch should be – leisurely and delicious. The food is excellent, the service top notch and the ambience causal yet refined. The expected brunch essentials are all here (poached eggs with pork belly, three egg omelette, buttermilk pancakes, and a breakfast burger), as well as a range of innovative dishes, irresistible house-baked pastries, and creative morning cocktails.
Catch 122 (Gastown)
Reasonable pricing, quality food, friendly staff and an inviting interior make Catch 122 the perfect spot to enjoy a lingering brunch. The menu features a variety of classic brunch dishes with a standard pricing of $13 and includes house-cured bacon and eggs, duck prosciutto Eggs Benedict, brioche French toast, mushroom omelettes, and more. Brunch is not just limited to the weekend, the restaurant offers brunch until 4pm seven days a week!
Burdock & Co. (Main Street)
Come here for as much the food as for the restaurant’s warmth and charm. Located on Main Street, Burdock and Co. dishes up both traditional and inventive locally-sourced organic meals in a gorgeously lit and tastefully laid out space. The seasonally-inspired menu has been crafted to include unique dishes, bold flavours, and delightful food pairings. A side ordering of the grilled maple fennel bacon is a must!
Address: 60 West Cordova St, Vancouver V6B 1C9
Neighbourhood: Gastown
Address: 305 Alexander St, Vancouver V6A 1C4
Neighbourhood: Railtown
Address: 55 Dunlevy Ave, Vancouver V6A 3A3
Neighbourhood: Railtown
Address: 217 Carrall St, Vancouver, V6B 2J2
Neighbourhood: Gastown
Address: 122 West Hastings St, Vancouver V6B 1G4
Neighbourhood: Gastown
Address: 2702 Main St, Vancouver V5T 3E8
Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant
Coffee Houses – Vancouver
Mar 2015
Despite the fact that downtown Vancouver is plagued with an absurd amount of coffee shop chains, there are a number of quality independently owned and run coffee houses too. Coffee houses that not only care about how they source their coffee beans but also how they brew it, making sure each pour of espresso is consistently smooth and delicious in taste.
A daily dose of caffeine is just as essential to many local Vancouverites as it is to those who visit the city from afar. Indeed, one of the first questions visiting friends ask is “where can I find good coffee.” As such I thought I would go ahead and compile a handy list of Vancouver’s top coffee houses.
Revolver (Gastown)
Located in the heart of Gastown, Revolver offers its patrons a rotating menu of their favourite coffees from world-class roasters around North America. With a team of passionate baristas, expect superbly made espresso, drip, and filtered coffee drinks. Revolver is the perfect spot to grab a coffee to-go, to purchase a bag of beans, or to sit in and enjoy a hot drink in the cafe’s small but funky surrounds.
49th Parallel (Main Street)
A thriving cafe and roasting business, 49th Parallel runs two shop fronts in Vancouver, offering a drink menu with a variety of South and Central American blends, which boast a range of tastes and textures. Hand picked quality beans, custom roasting, and dedicated baristas ensure a fantastic cup of coffee each and every pour. 49th Parallel also supplies a number of cafes around town.
Timbertrain (Gastown)
The team at Timbertrain are committed to the fundamentals and the science of brewing perfection into each cup of coffee they serve. With an overriding dedication to taste and flavour, baristas who take pride in what they do, carefully roasted beans, mastered brewing methods, and an inviting space, Timbertrain Coffee Roasters is a must try for any coffee lover.
Musette Caffe (Downtown)
Musette Caffe serves a range of carefully crafted espresso drinks and a selection of light snacks. Using coffee beans from Vancouver’s own 49th Parallel roasting company, talented baristas pour a fantastic cup of coffee. Drinks include milky lattes, frothy cappuccinos, and more. (NOTE: Slated to reopen December 2016)
Cafe Medina (Downtown)
Perhaps best known for their delicious food offerings, Cafe Medina also serves a great cup of coffee. From expertly poured cappuccinos to lavender lattes, Cafe Medina offers its patrons a range of caffeinated beverages. If you’re in a hurry be sure to get a coffee to-go as a wait for a table during rush hour can be rather lengthy. Yes, their food and drinks are that good!
East Van Roasters (Gastown)
Located on Carrall Street, East Van Roasters is a tiny yet inviting cafe devoted to making great coffee, as well as wickedly good artisan chocolate (made-on-site). Coffee connoisseurs can pick between a range of caffeinated delights made from organic fair trade beans, while non-coffee drinkers can indulge in the cafe’s delicious signature drinking chocolate.
Small Victory (Yaletown)
Using Canadian roasters Phil and Sebastian and Bows and Arrows‘ beans Small Victory offers a variety of espresso-based drinks. Pouring cappuccinos and drip coffee, Small Victory’s well trained baristas have got you covered. Drop in to Small Victory and grab a take away espresso or if time is not a factor sit-in and enjoy a relaxed cup of coffee and a fresh baked good or two.
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm / Sat 9am-6pm / Sun CLOSED
Address: 325 Cambie St, V6B 1H7
Neighbourhood: Gastown
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-10pm / Sun 8am-9pm
Address: 2902 Main St, V5T 3G3
Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm / Sat 10am-5pm / Sun 10am-4pm
Address: 311 West Cordova St, V6B 4K2
Neighbourhood: Gastown
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm
Address: 1325 Burrard St, V6B 1Z1 (entrance from rear alley)
Neighbourhood: Downtown
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-3pm / Sat-Sun 9am-3pm
Address: 780 Richards St, V6B 3A4
Neighbourhood: Downtown
East Van Roasters
Opening Hours: Tues-Sat 10am-5pm
Address: 319 Carrall St, V6B 2J4
Neighbourhood: Gastown
To Do List – Vancouver
Feb 2015
Like with any move to a new city, one is forced (in the best possible way) to connect quite swiftly with their new surroundings. Connections that usually involve making friends, establishing ties, becoming familiar with the area, and (my favourite thing) discovering new and exciting local hangouts.
Once all the big ticket items like an apartment, a job etc … which are crucial in setting up home, have been secured I am always incredibly keen to formulate a list of things to do, see and eat, and begin scouting neighbourhood hotspots for must try restaurants and bars, as well as areas in general to check out.
No matter how long or short a time Nick and I have lived in a city for I am constantly adding to my to do (and try) list. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that things are no different here in Vancouver and as such, I thought it time that I share my list, so family and friends back home can have a better idea of what we’ve been getting up to, and those who are planning a trip to Vancouver have a bunch of recommendations to refer to.
CAFES
RESTAURANTS
COFFEE
BRUNCH
LUNCH
BARS & HAPPY HOURS
DOUGHNUTS
ICE CREAMERIES
FOOD TRUCKS
PIZZA
BAKERIES
MARKETS
NEIGHBOURHOODS
PARKS & WALKS
Food Guide – Seattle
Jan 2015
A perfectly packed Seattle long weekend consists of many things: sightseeing, coffee shop hopping, a trip to Pike Place Market, a photo of the city’s infamous gum wall, a ride up to the Space Needle’s observation deck, and the consumption of copious amounts of great food and wine. In fact, with a new generation of chefs and restaurateurs leading the way, Seattle is fast becoming a food destination all on its own; a food destination with an eclectic mix of cuisine and dining venues.
I was absolutely blown away by Seattle’s diverse selection of food and culinary offerings, as well as by the affordability of the meals in general, and as such I have compiled a small Seattle food guide, where the places listed below ensure some truly sensational grub. So if you are planning a trip to Seattle this year please take note as you’re in for one unforgettable foodie adventure where your tastebuds won’t leave the city disappointed!
The London Plane
Part cafe, part specialty foods grocer, and part florist, The London Plane is a one-stop-shop where locals and visitors alike can sit and enjoy a lingering bite to eat, pick up a range of pantry staples, grab a bunch of flowers and peruse the sweet homewares section. With a thoughtfully decorated open space and a warm atmosphere, The London Plane is the perfect brunch spot, where every moment is savoured.
Tavolàta
Located in the heart of Belltown, Tavolàta is a thriving neighbourhood dining hot spot serving generous bowls of house-made pasta, as well as wood-fired pizza, delicately prepared fish, and tender cuts of steak in a beautifully lit and decked out space. Do yourself a favour and order the rigatoni with Italian sausage, tomato, and marjora — the sauce’s rich yet subtle flavours make this a truly wonderful dish.
BRGR BAR
Fresh, flavourful, satisfying burgers are the name of the game at BRGR Bar. Located in Seattle’s Pioneer Square BRGR Bar provides its patrons with a pretty chilled setting. The atmosphere is relaxed, the menu uncomplicated, and the burgers made-to-order. With a juicy, locally sourced beef patty and an organic seeded brioche bun, the classic burger is mouthwateringly good, as are the hand-cut fries!
Trove
Don’t be fooled by Trove’s nondescript exterior, this 4000 square foot restaurant houses four unique dining concepts under one roof. In addition to a walk-up ice cream window serving frozen layered custard, there’s a noodle counter (the rice cake and chipotle Pad Thai are a must), bar/lounge and Korean barbecue dining area. Exceptionally friendly and accommodating staff, quick service, fair pricing, a well thought out layout, and fantastic food make this place a true gem.
Storyville
There are plenty of Starbucks in Seattle (the world’s first Starbucks opened in Pike Place Market in 1971) but there are also lots of unique and indie coffee houses. Renowned for its devotion to the perfect cup of coffee, Storyville pours a range of well-made espresso drinks and drip coffee. They also bake in-house every day a delicious range of baked goods, like frosted cinnamon rolls, danishes, and lemon cake.
Market Grill
Teeming with fresh produce, specialty foods, and made-to-order meals, Pike Place Market offers visitors an astounding amount choice when it comes to edible fare. While each stall has their own speciality, a meal at the popular Market Grill should not be missed. Cooked before you, perfectly grilled fish (try the tuna) is heaped onto a fresh baguette or added to a combo platter of rice, salad, sweet onions and garlic bread.
Purple Cafe & Wine Bar
A downtown Seattle favourite, pairing a global wine selection with a menu that combines classic American cuisine with seasonal North West ingredients. While you can opt to have a sit down meal it’s also fun to pull up a stool at the bar under the spiral staircase, which is shelved with and extensive (and impressive) wine collection and sample some of Washington’s best local wines and cheeses.
Pintxo
Pintxo is a modern tapas bar offering a range of small plates designed to be sampled and shared. Seated at either the bar or an individual table enjoy the sophisticated yet laid back atmosphere, house-made Sangria, along with a selection of the kitchen’s exquisite small bites, including bacon wrapped dates and salt roasted potatoes, which are served with picante paprika, aioli, and salsa verde.
Top Pot Doughnuts
With an outstanding variety of hand-forged doughnuts (baked, fried, yeast raised, old fashioned, cinnamon, glazed, frosted, sugared, filled) Top Pot Doughnuts is sure to satisfy any doughnut craving. Indulge yourself with a fluffy ring of doughy goodness (or two) and a cup of coffee, while enjoying the donuterie’s relaxed space. The two-story 5th Avenue shop boasts an impressive floor to ceiling bookshelf and plenty of seating.
Neighbourhood: Pioneer Square
Neighbourhood: Belltown
Neighbourhood: Pioneer Square
Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill
Neighbourhood: Pike Place Market
Neighbourhood: Downtown
Seattle – USA
Jan 2015
With family and friends back in Sydney, Nick and I decided to head to Seattle for a few days. Arriving by bus from Vancouver on Christmas Eve, we were not too sure on how our four days in Seattle would pan out, with our trip coinciding with the festivities and all.
We wondered whether the city’s downtown shops, restaurants and bars would even be open. Apart from Christmas Day they were, so thankfully what unfolded was a fantastically fun four days jam-packed with exploration and a whole lot of eating!
While the colours and sounds of the holiday season most certainly filled our time in Seattle, an endless supply of great dining options and things to do ensured we got much more than just a few festive days away.
Aside from enjoying the twinkling lights and holiday displays on show in the city’s downtown area Nick and I also admired stunning views overlooking the city, from the towering heights of the city’s iconic Space Needle and Queen Anne Hill at Kerry Park.
We also ate our way around Pike Place Market which overflows with fresh produce and specialty foods, wandered around the EMP (Experience Music Project Museum) which dedicates itself to contemporary popular culture, visited the Boeing factory which is not only the world’s largest building by volume but also where they build 747, 777 and 787 aeroplanes (a production line that is truly incredible to observe), and strolled the city’s streets both day and night.
Although more hilly than we expected, Seattle is an extremely walkable city. So much so that Nick and I found ourselves pacing all over the city, from one side of town all the way to the other and back again. In doing so we discovered some incredibly cool and distinct neighbourhoods like First Hill, Capitol Hill, Belltown, Queen Anne, and Pioneer Square.
We also made it our mission to check out as many of the city’s dining hotspots as possible, which meant eating our way around the city, experiencing first hand Seattle’s vibrant cafe culture and dynamic restaurant and bar scene.
Both Nick and I were absolutely bowled over by the quality and affordability of Seattle’s genuinely delicious food scene. Every meal we ate, whether it was dished up at a food truck or served at a more upscale restaurant was top notch, as were the amazingly fluffy Top Pot Doughnuts!
In many ways Seattle’s food scene reminded me of NYC’s, in regards to the diverse selection of food on offer and the vast number of independently run eateries and drinking establishments, however, on a much smaller scale of course.
Nick and I savoured every bite at Italian bistros, Spanish tapas bars, Korean noodle houses, local bakeries, cosy cafes, candle lit wine bars, and all American burger joints. Not surprisingly, with such an overwhelming amount of great food on offer I will be posting a Seattle food guide next.
Stepping away from Seattle’s culinary delights, and moving onto the city’s scenic highlights, let me just say there’s a reason why Seattle is often referred to as the Emerald City. Surrounded by lush, green forest and comprising of more than 6000 acres of parkland within the city limits, Seattle is a positively green city.
In addition to its greenery, Seattle is also surrounded by water. Sadly, the expansive Elliot Bay waterfront that lines Seattle’s downtown is mostly off limits thanks to a massive double decked highway that spans its entire length. A project to demolish the 62 year old structure and build a 3.2km tunnel under downtown Seattle is currently underway and is scheduled for completion at the end of 2016. The tunnel’s construction not only aims to solve the viaduct’s traffic limitations but also allow better uses for the waterfront real estate, including parks, housing and retail development.
Despite limited walking access along Elliot Bay’s shoreline, there are still many opportunities to enjoy the waterway. A cruise along Elliot Bay on a Seattle ferry is a great way to experience the harbour in all its glory. Unfortunately, Nick and I didn’t get the chance to take a ferry on this trip but hope to on a return visit.
Needless to say, Nick and I had a brilliant time in Seattle, owing largely to the city’s outstanding food scene, coffee culture, stunning panoramic views, eclectic neighbourhoods, and compact size.
Visitors to the city who are only in town for a few days (like we were) can really cover a lot of ground and work through a heavily dotted to do list marked with outdoor attractions and places to eat, drink, and shop with ease.
This iconic Seattle landmark, provides visitors with spectacular panoramic views of the city from its observation deck 520 feet above the ground.
Kerry Park
Atop of Queen Anne Hill, Kerry Park is the perfect spot to take in the sweeping views of Seattle and Elliot Bay.
Seattle's Pike Place Public Market is home to a wonderful array of fresh produce, specialty foods and hand crafted products.
For a morning tea treat or an afternoon pick-me-up head to Top Pot Doughnuts for fluffy round rings of doughy goodness!
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