(WARNING – If banal cliched anecdotes so saccharine that you suspect they were written by local tourism public relations outfits make your teeth ache with dull rage, DO NOT READ FURTHER. Honestly, no one will think less of you, hell, I’d probably stop reading right now personally speaking.)
I had the nicest Vancouver day in ages on Saturday. The weather was postcard perfect, a cool breeze off the Salish Sea kept suns burning rays at bay. My family got on our bikes and boarded the Canada Line, a model of pleasant efficient urban transit, and headed to the Yaletown station. We got off and met another family of four at in front of the Roundhouse. Off we set on the seawall towards Stanley Park. Stopped at Second Beach so the kids could clamber over the fire engine and then off again around the seawall. It was such a ridiculously pleasant day that it rattled true Vancouverites that weather could be so perfect.
Made our way around the wall and began to get hungry. The Teahouse at Ferguson Point was our agreed upon lunch spot. A Quick call and a table for eight was prepared for our arrival. Drinks all around then lunch was ordered. A perfect venue for the circumstance. Service was smart and professional while maintaining an informal edge as suited our group of four kids and four adults. Salads, burgers and fish & chips were all prepared well and enjoyed by all. The setting on the patio is perhaps the nicest in the city, high enough to collect cool breezes while providing a panoramic vista. There’s a reason it’s survived so many years that may escape the criteria of the local food geek community; It’s pleasant, very pleasant.
Back on our bikes and back towards Yaletown with a stop for ice cream at Sunset Beach. Happy hour(s) followed on our friends deck.
Truly, without a world of a lie, it was perhaps the nicest day ever. We discussed how if we had had the same day while tourists in our town from anywhere on earth we’d be completely blown away. It goes a very long way to explain Vancouver’s perpetual top spot in The Economist’s Most Livable Cities ranking, even considering our problems on the Malahat, (did I spell that correctly? I have absolutely no idea, I don’t think I’ve ever even used the word in conversation.)
Should any tourism boards feel the need to cut a cheque due this mash note, forward to me here at Urban Diner.
~KT
