Vancouver Broadway and Commercial city Planning Meeting

On July 6th the city organized a community planning forum for the area around Broadway and Commercial Drive. This meeting came from the uproar by the residents of this area over the city's proposed three high rises in the area.

I must say I'm impressed that the city took a step back and sought the input from the residents. The meeting/workshop had over 90 in attendance. Each table discussed and planned what the future would look like. The four hour meeting produced interesting and unique input.

Some ideas included covering some parts of the Cut for housing and parkland, and putting some lower high rise towers in strategic areas.

We'll see what comes of this.

Belgian Fries on The Drive gets a bad rating!

Belgian Fries usually doesn't disappoint. Today must have been an off day for them. I had paid for my bill which included two dipping sauces but I only received one. I had fight for it and when they acknowledged their mistake I still had to fight to have someone get me the sauce.

Too bad for them. They have lost my business for now. Such unprofessionalism is totally wrong!

Italian Day on The Drive

Well, it turned out to be a beautiful day for Italian Day on The Drive in Vancouver. Commercial drive has become quite multicultural but the essence of Little Italy still is strong. From the intersection of Broadway and Commercial going south towards Hastings, The Drive is blocked to all traffic to let thousands walk and enjoy the food and entertainment.

Marcello's on The Drive

Marcello's offers fine Italian cuisine plus thin crust pizza made in a wood burning oven. The ambiance is classic Italian.

Marcello's has been around for ages on 1404 Commercial Drive. When many restaurants have a life span of less than 5 years, Marcello's has stood the test of time.

I've found the food to be very delectable and satisfying. Their thin crust pizza is my favourite. The choice of wines is good.

The quality of service can be sporadic.
At times you couldn't ask for a better waitress and then you seem a little neglected. Even so I would recommend this restaurant.

I would give Marcello's an 8 out of 10.

Cafe Calabria

The Cafe Calabria on The Drive has been there years and is a Vancouver bastion.

The coffee tastes different from the franchise coffee shops on The Drive, for me that's a bonus. The thick syrupy coffee gives a distinctive flavor you can only find there.

The Italian decor and the service are great. If you're looking for a quiet place to do your homework then find another coffee shop. Customers at Cafe Calabria are boisterous and happy.

The brothers who run this cafe have good customer service but don't put up with crap. So if you think that you can diss the Barista and get away with it you've got another thing coming.

I give this cafe a 9 out of 10.