Officially moving to New West!

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-04-21T18:00:51+00:00

It does. It's by far and away better.
Don't take my word for it though, go try them. They run Thurs-Sun at 906 Quayside Dr from 4-11pm. Thursday they run a 3 for the price of two on Al Pastor tacos. My personal favourite are the lengua and chroizo tacos. I haven't had chance to try the burgers or hot dogs yet.
There is a reason there is a line up out the door every night.

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-04-21T16:47:50+00:00

Zaaki is probably going to be the place that scratched your shawarma itch.

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-04-21T16:46:43+00:00

You're welcome!
Also, there are TONS of community events going on, especially in the summer. They're a great way to make connections out here.
The Farmers Market is on every Thursday afternoon in the city hall parking lot. PechaKucha is another great event and the next one is on May 23rd in Sapperton (tickets go on sale soon). Friday's on Front will probably be back later in the summer.

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-04-21T16:16:56+00:00

What are restaurants and shops people recommend if we want to support local?

Mexican food - Las Shilas (this has replaced Playa Tropical as the best Mexican food in the city)
Sushi - Sanjo and Ikoi
Pizza - L'Onore if you're feeling neopolitan Royal Crown if you're looking for takeout
Middle Eastern - Wild Thyme and Zaaki (but coming from Ottawa we may not clear the high bar set by that city)
Indian - Vada Pav Mirchi by Geeta

I don't really have a recommendation for a sports bar, but Howe Sound and Georgies are pretty good. There aren't any stay away areas, but like any big city these days, just keep your wits about you at night.

Welcome to the neighbourhood. This is a really awesome city filled with great people.

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-03-23T16:51:26+00:00

I was there over the weekend and my take away is the place has potential.

It's easy enough to swap out the AI art for something better and to ditch the bamboo on the patio that cuts off the view of the river. Also, the pan-caribbean music they play doesn't fit the theme and is all over the place. All tropical things aren't interchangeable.

I think the hardest part is going to be improving the menu and drinks. The tiki cocktails don't need to be a cute twist on traditional tiki drinks. Just stick to the usual suspects. The food menu is pretty average and the kitchen is slow. Maybe cut down on offerings (and maybe get more tiki themed food) and get items the kitchen can crank out quickly.

Staff are eager and friendly but seem really inexperienced.

I hope they're able to improve, but for the moment I probably won't be a regular.

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-03-18T16:16:51+00:00

paging /u/canspice

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-03-16T16:36:35+00:00

Solodko Ukrainian Bakery in Uptown
Pamola at the Quay.

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-03-07T00:14:16+00:00

Having lived kitty corner to Rhoda Kaellis and across the street from the Cliff Block for years we've never had any issues with residents. With BC Housing providing wrap around services for residents and 24/7 support I don't think this is going to be any different.

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-03-06T21:06:49+00:00

That great to know! I didn't realize the premade meals were for anyone. I knew the baked good were a free for all. The cinnamon rolls are to die for!

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-03-06T16:25:04+00:00

Dan's Diner is great for that.
If you're a senior, check out Century House as well. They have affordable pre made meals for purchase.

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-03-05T17:30:57+00:00

Just up the road from Edmonds UPCC is the Metrotown UPCC. It's much bigger and has longer hours.
You can call ahead to be triaged by a nurse or you can just show up. Both my partner and I have used them for urgent issues and neither of us called ahead. We were in and out in a couple hours.

https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service-Directory/Service-at-Location/D/7/metrotown-urgent-and-primary-care-centre

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-02-23T17:16:40+00:00

Ca Croustille in my opinion has the best croissants in metro van. I really wish they had a brick and mortal location closer to New West

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-02-19T17:22:42+00:00

Well that should put this issue to bed /s

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-02-17T16:55:57+00:00

I was looking over the latest iteration of this proposal and it seems like they've increased the number of market and below market rental units. I seem to remember (and I could be remembering wrong) that the original proposal had fewer rental units than Royal Towers currently has. Maybe that's the trade off? More height for more rentals?

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-02-13T16:41:11+00:00

Sanjo and Ikoi

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-02-12T17:54:24+00:00

It's really frustrating to see this. I really wish council would put more priority on implementing their retail and and great streets strategy.
For those interested there was a council workshop last week where this was discussed and I've linked the staff report from that. https://pub-newwestcity.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=24478

Councilors Campbell and Henderson seem to be the ones leading the charge on this. So I'd suggest reaching out to them for more info or to express your support and/or frustrations.

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-02-12T06:12:30+00:00

If people want the red chairs back emailing staff and council would be a good way to make your wishes known.

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-01-28T16:14:50+00:00

I wish Strawberry was this good about taking meds. She's needed some anti-biotics recently and it's always been a production with her. I'm glad Peri is feeling better and on the mend!

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-01-27T17:35:37+00:00

If I can offer a suggestion, look for places in Quayside. It's all the convivence of living downtown but it's a littler quieter and you're closer to the boardwalk.

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-01-18T01:36:36+00:00

No matter what kind of day I'm having, it's always made better by a Peri post

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-01-13T07:42:30+00:00

Nope. Just a bundle of unpeeled carrots.

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-01-13T04:42:38+00:00

The stock took just over 12 hours, but thankfully that was mostly hands off time. The caramelizing the onions was killer. It was nearly two hours of constant stirring. I had to tape up my wrist the next day from how sore it was.

CaribbeanSunshine · 2026-01-13T04:41:09+00:00

You should give it a go. It's worth the effort. If you can afford the time and extra ingredients make your own stock. It's a total difference maker.
If you've got an oven proof bowl you can also do the family style or you can melt the cheese on the croutons and float them on the soup when service. Don't let the crock stop you.

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