Asakusa Sushi: Burnaby

Overview:

Small but clean and bright on the inside. Good food and a decent selection. Lots of lunchand dinner specials and combos. Rolls were a good size. Good prices on some rolls.

Pros:

Prices were ok for the quality

Cons:

Mainly pay parking unless you park at the mall and cross the street.

Contact Info:

4729 Kingsway, 

Burnaby, BC 

V5H 2C3

Phone: (604) 436-5505

Sushi Royal House: Vancouver

Overview:

Sushi Royal House is a fun and welcoming place to enjoy simple, fresh and delicious food crafted using a combination of Japanese ingredients and fresh products.

Thoughts:
Nice and clean on the inside. Quick service and decent prices. The parking lot was a bit tight and a lot of reserved parking making it hard to find a spot.

Pros:

Decent food for a decent price and close to the Skytrain.

Cons:

Small parking lot making it hard to find parking.

Hours:

Mon-Wed, Sat 11:00am - 9:00pm

Thu-Fri 11:00am - 9:30pm 

Sun 12:00am - 9:00pm

Contact Info:

2893 Grandview Hwy., 

Vancouver, BC 

V5M 2E1

Phone: 604.436.0890

Phone: 604.568.0941

Website: http://toktokvan.com/sushiroyalhouse/menu1.php

Bentei Sushi: Burnaby

Thoughts:

Super friendly service and very quick. The prices are also on the lower end which is good for the quality of the food. The rolls were decent size and the rice and roll contents were very good but the seaweed wrap was a bit chewy.

The restaurant was a little unsettling from the outside and the inside looks like an old diner but very clean.

Pros:

Other than the seaweed the food was good and the prices were even better.

Cons:

Chewy seaweed on the wraps and looks a little rough. 

Contact Info:

#5-5901 E. Broadway St.,
Burnaby, BC
V5B 2Y1

Phone: 604.291.0080

Website: http://www.benteisushiburnaby.com/

Gaya Sushi: Burnaby

Thoughts:

Small place with limited parking but quite a few seats.  Very busy at lunch and had to wait a fair bit of time to even be seated.

Nice decor and very clean looking.

Pros:

Lots of seating and better location is decent for people in the area. 

Cons:

Small parking lot and food was just ok 

Contact Info:

105 - 2900 Bainbridge Ave
Burnaby,  B.C.
V5A 2S8

Phone: 604.368.0086

Chettinad Dosa Palace: Burnaby

Overview:

Exquisite Menu and Ambience is a matter of pride. They serve both South and North Indian cuisine and have more than 25 varities of dosa to choose from.

Thoughts:
Very busy and small area. Quite a bit of group seating though. The outside does not look like much and doesn't get too much better. The service was quick but it took a bit to get the food after ordering. Probably because of the number of patrons.

The prices were not cheap and not too expensive.  More like high mid range.

Pros:

Good food and welcoming atmosphere. 

Cons:

Terrible parking lot and small interior.

Contact Info:

5081 Canada Way
Burnaby, BC
V5E 3N1

Phone: 604-544-1561

Website: http://chettinaddosapalace.ca/

Sushi Garden: Burnaby

Overview:
With lineups during lunch and dinner most days, Sushi Garden on Lougheed Highway next to Staples is a very busy restaurant. They serve delicious sushi with a good selection of rolls, nigiri, and sashimi.

Thoughts: 

Nice open space and very modern decor. Great food at a very good price. Friendly staff and a good menu selection. It gets very busy there though so try to avoid standard lunch and dinner times in order to eat within a reasonable time frame.

Pros:

Great food and good prices.

Cons:

Usually very busy and could take some time to get a table and your food.

Contact Info:

4269 Lougheed Hwy,
Burnaby, BC
V5C 3Y6

Phone: 604.294.0104

Norland Grill: Burnaby

Overview:

Family run diner serving breakfast and lunch to local workers.  Located in the heart of Burnaby, this small restaurant gives you fast service with good food.

Thoughts:
All new interior gives the place a nicer feel than before (see Cafe Burger Time). The prices and food seemed have remained the same though.

Still wouldn't go out of my way to eat there but would not object if someone else recommended it.

Pros:

Only restaurant in the area and newly renovated.

Cons:

Food was just ok and price a little high. Nothing special really.

Contact Info:

2701 Norland Ave
Burnaby, BC
V5C 5B7

Phone: 604-291-0931

Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa: Harrison Hot Springs

Overview:
The contemporary guest rooms at Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa are equipped with cable TV and pay-per-view movie channels. A refrigerator and coffee maker are provided.

This resort boasts an indoor mineral pool and a large spa bath with a 30-foot high pavilion. There are 3 outdoor pools, one of which is a 1,000 square feet adults-only mineral pool.

The historic and upscale Copper Room features local cuisine and live music. The Harrison Hot Springs Resort is also home to the Islands Bar, offering cocktails and views of Harrison Lake from the patio.

Thoughts:
Amazing amenities and a beautiful resort. The resort is broken up into 3 distinct parts, the original area, the newer poolside area, and the new tower rooms.  The original side is their heritage area and is definitely classic, if possible try not to get a room in this part of the hotel as the walls are thin and the floors offer nothing in terms of dampening those above you.

Although the pools are amazing and the hotel is immaculate, it definitely comes at a cost, even if you manage to get a decent price for a room, try to make sure the breakfast is included or else you will be paying $18 per plate for a breakfast buffet. This could be avoided in the summer season by eating at one of the other restaurants but during the off season you may be hard pressed to find something open.

Pros:
Amazing facilities and very relaxing atmosphere in a wonderful setting.

Cons:
Very expensive and seemed to be charged for all the extras.

Contact Info:
100 Esplanade,
Harrison Hot Springs, Canada
V0M 1K0

Phone: 1 855-634-8331

Black Forest Restaurant: Harrison Hot Springs

Overview:

Authentic German food that is both memorable and fresh but right here at Harrison Hot Springs. The Black forest restaurant over looks beautiful Harrison Lake just 10 km off Highway # 1. The restaurant is family owned and operated since 1975 in Harrison Hot Springs. Come and enjoy delicious European food !

Thoughts:
Nice rustic German decor and atmosphere.  Restaurant was clean and serving staff was beyond friendly.

Menus prices are a little above average but the portion sizes definitely makes up for that.  Great tasting food and a wonderful atmosphere make this a must when in Harrison.

Pros:

Nice place and great food along with a wonderful staff.

Cons:

Rather pricey like most places in Harrison.

Contact Info:

180 Esplanade Ave.,

Harrison Hot Springs, B.C.

V0M 1K0

Phone: (604) 796-9343

Fax: (604) 796-9342

Email: info@blackforest-restaurant.com

Kita Sushi: Burnaby

Thoughts:
Clean and plain id best to describe the inside of the restaurant. The pricing is pretty average but the taste is above average.  The rolls had minimal filling and a lot of rice. The seaweed wrap was very chewy.I don't think this is a place I would try again with better choices in the area.

The rolls are on the smaller side which probably helps keep the price down.

Pros:
One of the few good sushi options in the area. The food tastes good and is not too expensive.

Cons:
Smaller portion sizes. Small interior making it very busy at times and might be better for take out.

Contact Info:
# Dawson St.
Burnaby BC

Phone: 604.

Website: www.kitasushi.ca

Krakit: Burnaby

Overview:

Enter a Krakit Escape Game room, where SOMETHING  has happened.  Once the door closes behind you, your challenge is to find the clues hidden right before your very eyes to ESCAPE. There are four Krakit Escape Game rooms each with a different theme.  In some rooms, you may find your heart pounding and your palms sweating but be assured all of this happens in a make belief world with no danger.  Krakit is a unique way for everyone (ages 8 and up), to have fun, challenge yourself, host a birthday party or special events (stag/stagettes), host staff/corporate events and team building activities, or to create a date night that you'll never forget! It’s as simple as picking the room theme you want to escape from and then challenging fate.

Thoughts:

The idea is great and the execution is well done at Krakit. It was good fun and the staff was friendly and helpful, ecen joined in on the joking around with our group.

The room we were in was not very big and might have been a bit small for a group of 6. The room details were not as in depth or as extravagant as others like it. We did a zombie room and didn't see or hear a single one.

There was a good variety of clues but some were a little far reaching. The location was great as this is the only one like it not in Richmond.

I would recommend giving this a try as it is a good small group activity that does not rely on only one attribute.

Pros:

Close to locations other than Richmond giving people the opportunity to try without the long drive. Updated seasonal theme rooms with varying levels of difficulty. Fun for a small group of people.

Cons:

Some of the clues were hard and not overly relevant. The fine details could have been better in the room design.

Address: 

4035 North Road,
Burnaby, BC,
V3J 1S3

Website: http://www.krakit.ca/

Phone: 604.868.5512

Email: info@krakit.ca

Price:

$22.00 (taxes included)/ perosn

Monday-Wednesday: $18/person (taxes included) *excluding holidays

Free *when within 3 days of your birthday

Hours:

Monday-Thursday 3:00pm - 11:30pm

Friday 3:00pm -12:30am

Saturday 11:00am - 12:30am

Sunday 11:00am - 11:30pm

East Side Craft House: Vancouver

Thoughts:
Nice place with good food and a good selection of beers. Unfortunately they were out of some of the advertised brands and seeing how it was a Tuesday at lunch I am guessing that tgey ran out on the weekend and didn't bother getting more.

The food was good and the large portions made the above average price seem ok.

There didn't seem to be a lot of seating but based on it's location I don't see it getting too busy.

It was ok if you are in the area but could probably find better a short drive away.

Pros:
Good menu of food and drinks.

Cons:
Above average price and seemed out of stock on a few beverages.

Gold Creek Falls: Maple Ridge

Overview:
The Gold Creek Falls is a short hike that is perfect for the beginning of the season or in combination with a camping trip to the Golden Ears Provincial Park.

Thoughts:
This is a recently re-done trail making it nice and easy to walk through the forest up to the falls location.  Along the way there are plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the creek, either for the view or in the hotter months you can take a dip in the water.

The trail is compact gravel and very wide so it good for walking with a stroller, no bikes or horses are allowed on the trail either. The distance ends up being 5.4 km return (2.7km to the falls) and takes about 40 min to walk one way with minimal stopping.

A little ways to drive as it takes about 30 min from downtown Maple Ridge to get tot the trail head but if spending the day out there or just going for a walk up to the falls it is worth it.

There is also plenty of parking at the trail head but does get busy during the summer months and you may need to park further back up the road.

Pros:
Nice trail and easy to walk along wit strollers and not too physically challenging. Good swimming all along the creek

Cons:
A little ways out of tow to get to.

James St Cafe and Grill: Burnaby

Overview:

James Street Café & Grill boasts an array of dishes that are characteristic of East African cuisine with a hint of Western fusion. Your taste buds will take you on a journey to Dar es Salaam, Nairobi and Kampala, although you will really be on the border of Vancouver and Burnaby at Canada Way and Boundary Rd.

Thoughts:
Not the cheapest place around but definitely one of the better tasting. A good selection of both Indian and Western cuisines,  Jame St. Cafe and Grill will have sonething for everyone.  The burgers are big and flavorful and came with a good serving of fries. The butter chicken was very tasty as well, not too spicy but very good and filling.

We did get our menus relatively quickly but after that the service slowed exponentially.   After we got the orders placed the food came quick but then had to ask for the bill after waiting at the empty table. Thia has happened on a few visits.

Pros:
Good food and nice size portions.

Cons:
Above average prices and slow service.

Contact Information: 

3819 Canada Way 

Burnaby BC
V5G 1G6

Phone: (604) 676-1876 

Fax: (604) 676-1874

Email: jamesstcg@gmail.com

Cultus Lake Park: Cultus Lake

Overview:
Many recreational activities can be enjoyed in the area, from boating, fishing and swimming, to picnicking, playground and walking.

Thoughts:
Although a long ways out this is a great way to spend the day at the lake.  The park is large and offers a good variety of things to do.  The swimming area is very large with a big dock and shallow waters. Unfortunately the "beach" is a bit rocky and gets worse in the water.  Because of the shallow waters though it is quite warm at this end of the lake.  Plenty of parking in the 2 main lots, unfortunately it is pay parking ($6/day). Lots of picnic tables around both on the beach area and the grass and a large playground for children of all ages.

Boat rentals are close by (http://www.mainbeachboats.com) as are large bathrooms, a concession stand and even a market on Saturdays.  Parking lot B is shared with the Cultus Lake Adventure Park giving you a change of scenery if needed and the Cultus Lake Waterslides are just across the street.

Pros:
Warm waters and plenty of things to do to keep you busy for the day.

Cons:
A far drive for anyone not in Abbotsford and Chilliwack areas.  The beaches are a bit rocky.

Contact Information:
Cultus Lake Park
4165 Columbia Valley Highway
Cultus Lake Park, BC V2R 5B5

Website: http://www.cultuslake.com/

Hot Summer Nights: Maple Ridge

Overview:
On Thursday evenings in July and August, the Maple Ridge Fire Department visits various community neighbourhoods, both pre-announced and random locations, after 6:30 pm.

Thoughts:
This is great fun for kids of all ages.  The fire department sets up a couple of hoses and sprays water out at the kids.  They also let the kids control the hoses (supervised), open up the fire trucks for tours and hand out informational kids packages.  They usually set up at a park giving the kids a playground to play at when they are tired of the water.

Pros:
Different locations throughout the city allowing for people in different areas to enjoy this event.

Cons:
A lot of people showed up and sometimes the park is not set up to handle that amount of vehicle traffic.

Contact Info:
Website: http://bc-mapleridge.civicplus.com/434/Hot-Summer-Nights

Miki Sushi Japanese Bistro: Burnaby

Thoughts:

Nice decor and decent looking. The price was on the cheaper side but you get what you pay for. The rolls had minimal filling and a lot of rice. The seaweed wrap was very chewy.

I don't think this is a place I would try again with better choices in the area.

Pros:
Nice restaurant and cheaper priced menu.

Cons:
Food could definitely have been better.

Contact Info:
#1 4461 Logheed Hwy
Burnaby BC

Phone: 604.299.2798

Peace Portal Golf Course: Surrey

Overview:
The Peace Portal Golf Course located in White Rock/ Surrey, British Columbia, near Vancouver and Seattle. Established in 1928, Peace Portal has achieved a 4 star rating by Golf Digest and a "Top 100 Public Course in Canada" by Canada's Golf Ranking Magazine.

Thoughts:
Great course and well maintained.  The course started out nice and open with the tree line being very playable to progressively getting harder with the addition of some water hazards towards the end of the course.

Grounds:
Well kept greens and fairways, it was hard to find any problems with the course.  In some areas of the rough the drainage could have been a little better but that is really just looking for something to complain about.

Staff:
The clubhouse staff and cafeteria staff were friendly and nice.  Did not see a snack cart on the course though, could have been the time of day but I am not sure.

Amenities:
Nice Clubhouse and patio. As well there looked to be a cafeteria and bar side to the restaurant. There was a chipping and putting green but no range for warm up.

Facility:
Large clubhouse with pro shop and restaurant and patio.

Price: 
Weekend ( Saturday, Sunday & Holidays): $66.00
Weekend Twilight (after 3 pm): $49.00
Weekend Super Twilight (after 5 pm): $31.00
Weekend Sundowner    (after 6 pm): $25.00
Weekend Super Sundowner (after 7 pm): $18.00

Dawn Patrol (before 8am Monday to Friday): $45.00
Weekday (Monday & Tuesday): $52.00
Weekday (Wednesday -Friday): $56.00
Weekday Twilight (after 3 pm): $43.00
Weekday Super Twilight (after 5 pm): $28.00
Weekday Sundowner    (after 6 pm): $22.00
Weekday Super Sundowner (after 7 pm): $15.00

SENIOR RATES (60 years and older)
Weekday (Monday & Tuesday): $47.00
Weekday (Wednesday-Friday): $49.00

JUNIOR RATES (18 years and younger)
Weekend: $49.00
Weekend twilight: $31.00
Weekday: $43.00
Weekday Twilight and Dawn Patrol: $28.00

Course Type:
Parkland | Public | 18

Par:
72

Pros:
Well kept grounds and open treeline make finding and playing your ball fun and easy.

Cons:
Long ways out there being right at the border.  Unless your in the White Rock area it is a bit of a drive.

Contact Information:
16900 4th Avenue
Surrey, BC, V3S 2Y9

Phone: 604-538-4818
Toll Free: 1-800-354-7544
Fax: 604-538-5232

Website: http://www.peaceportalgolf.com/
Email: golf@peaceportalgolf.com

Exit: Richmond

Overview:
EXIT has four themed rooms: The Lost Ship, Ancient Egypt, Prison Escape and Laboratory Escape. Groups of anywhere from two to six people have 45 minutes to figure out how to get out by using critical thinking skills to solve challenges and riddles.

Thoughts:
A great idea and very well executed. The 4 different themes offer a good variety for returning groups. The rooms are small and hard to move around in with 6 people, but it is not cramped if everyone spreads out. The clues were sometimes hard to find and it was definitely better to have 6 people that may come across the answer. Although not overly expensive at $25 per person it would have been nice to make an evening out of it somehow as the time limit of 45 minutes almost seems not worth the drive in from far even though it was.

Pros:
Fun and able to do as a group of 6. Not too expensive per person and very challenging.

Cons:
Nothing else really around in the area and hard to make an evening of it, must plan to go out after or before.

Price:
$25 per person

Hours:
Mon - Thur: 3:00pm - 11:45pm
Fri: 2:00pm - 11:45pm
Sat: 11:00am - 1:45am
Sun: 11:00am - 11:45pm

Contact Information:
Shop 2115
4653 Garden City Road
Richmond, BC
V6X 4A9

Phone: 604.370.5555
Email:  info@e-exit.ca

Website: http://www.e-exit.ca

Taves Family Farms Applebarn: Abbotsford

Overview:
One farm quickly grew to a few, and now we harvest everything from apples to heirloom tomatoes to pumpkins. We decided to share our gifts by creating an agritourism attraction called the Applebarn. Every September, our communities tell us that they eagerly wait for the doors to open so they can pick their own apples or bring their families out for some fall family entertainment!

Thoughts:
This is a great place for a variety of reasons.  Farm fresh produce, U-Pick fruit, family attractions and fun,  this place has it all.  The attractions were targeted more for the smaller kids with a petting zoo, bouncy castle, swings/park, push tractors and slides, but older kids will also have a blast with the corn maze, bouncing pillow, or corn/pumpkin cannon.

The store had a few fruits and vegetables or farm fresh cider for sale, as well as local honey.

If you are going to get some local fruits and vegetables then there is always something else you can do while there but, to visit for a couple of hours it is definitely geared more towards kids 10 and under.

Pros:
Lots to do and see for the little kids and some stuff for older kids too.  I like that it is not just an attraction but also a local market as well.  Decently priced.

Cons:
Parking was a bit confusing with 3 lots and no one directing traffic,  had to circle the lot a couple of times to find a spot.

Price:
Children (2 and under) FREE
Children (3-17 years of age) $7.00
Adults (18 yrs and older) $5.50
Senior (65 yrs and older) $4.50
Family (2 adults and 2 or more children) $24.50

Hayride $2.00/person
Corn Gun $2.50/3 shots
Pumpkin Cannon $5.00/shot
Ponyride $5.00/person

Hours:
August 6 – August 31: Friday to Sunday (10:30 am to 5:30 pm)  
September 1 - October 31: Seven Days a Week (9:00 am to 5:30 pm)
October 10- October 26: Extended Hours! Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 7:00 pm
November 1 – December 22: Thursday to Saturday (10:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Open all Statutory Holidays!

Contact Information:
333 Gladwin Rd
Abbotsford, BC
V2T 5Y1

Phone: 604.853.3108
Toll Free: 1.888.345.0193
Fax: 1.888.345.8972

Website: http://www.tavesfamilyfarms.com/
Email: info@tavesfamilyfarms.com