I’m going downtown for dinner tonight.
Now going downtown Vancouver can be a little sketchy. If you’re not aware the progressive left has done their absolute best to turn the city into an outdoor insane asylum.
But have you been downtown this summer?
What a difference hosting the World Cup has made. The politicians have actually done their job a little and cleaned the city up a bit.
I guess when the province is on the world stage for a few weeks you realize you actually need to do something about all the drug addiction, drug paraphernalia, homelessness, begging, street poop and awful smells.
I’d really like to know how they got this past the woke idiots who think it’s “kind” to allow open air drug use and the streets to be used as toilets? I can’t remember the last time I walked down Granville Street and didn’t get overwhelmed by the smell of stale urine and the body odour of vagrants who haven’t bathed in 6 months.
We better enjoy it while we can. I’m sure Eby and his clown brigade will have us back to “normal” by the end of the summer.
I walked up Robson and wasn’t accosted even once by beggars.
I walked up Granville with only the smell of fun and food hitting my olfactory senses.
I walked around Yaletown and didn’t see any addicts shooting up in doorways.
I didn’t see human feces anywhere on my travels. They have now instituted “Poop Fairies” to clean the streets up and they seem to be doing a pretty good job. Only 18000 poops a year cleaned up off of our streets. (don’t kid yourself, it’s not all from dogs)
Then, as I strolled the sea wall on the north side of False Creek, with only the smell of sea air in my nostrils, I came across Provence Marinaside.
It’s not quite on the water — it’s just across the street from the sea wall — but it has a great view and the atmosphere of the whole area is great. Is it so posh around here the authorities make sure to keep the degenerates away?
The restaurant has a modern, airy feel with large windows that open right up in the summer with colors that feel like the south of France. I was fortunate enough though to get a seat on the patio with great views of False Creek.
And sticking with the seaside theme I am having seafood tonight.
Lobster Bisque
Compared to other lobster bisques I’ve had, this was not as creamy and I was unable to taste the brandy. There were multiple huge chunks of lobster in it though, way more lobster pieces than most bisques I’ve ever had. The crème fraîche may have been a touch heavy-handed. Nevertheless, it’s lobster bisque and I’m not going to complain too much.
Hokkaido Scallops
Hokkaido scallops have a natural sweetness and the chef nailed the cook. You could come here just for this appetizer and be happy.
I enjoyed two glasses of Sauvignon Blanc with my meal, both were fine but not good enough to bother remembering where they were from.
I decided on the fish trio for my entree.
Salmon, halibut and tuna with peas, peppers, quinoa and arugula.
Admittedly not the finest looking plate ever presented to me, but it’s mostly about the taste.
Of the three fish the halibut was the best. There was a really nice char on it giving it lots of flavour. The tuna was cooked very well, rare as it should be, and the salmon was perfect too, even down to the pepper’s perfect crunch. Nice dish overall.
I’m having a lemon tart for a dessert.
They really nailed the crust on that and the lemon Curry was delicious. Light and refreshing. I think the lemon tart is just the perfect dessert. It really helps clean up your palate after a fine meal.
Provence Marinaside would be an excellent choice next time you are looking for something to eat and you’re near False Creek. Great food, very good service and a nice view made for a really nice summer meal
And even though I was sitting right by the sidewalk, I managed to enjoy an entire meal without being accosted by one crazy person the whole night.
Is Vancouver changing for the better?
I suspect not. Not as long as the left wing nuts are in charge.
8/10