A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

Mike Shum Does ‘The Dishes’

We asked a bartender at the Fairmont Pacific Rim's Lobby Lounge to take us to some of his favourite spots across Vancouver.
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Mike Shum Does ‘The Dishes’

The Dishes is a repeating Scout column that asks Vancouverites to walk us through a map of their ideal day and night on the town. We’re talking breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner and late night cocktails. Tax and tip included.

For this edition of The Dishes, we tag along on a whirlwind crawl with Mike Shum, bartender at the Fairmont Pacific Rim’s Lobby Lounge.

Lobby Lounge And RawBar, The 1038 Canada Place MAP

Good morning! What’s for breakfast/brunch?

Hunnybee is just around the corner from us and they have great coffee. I’m not much of a morning person but if I’m having a big breakfast I like their lox and lebneh on toast.

Hunnybee Bruncheonette 789 Gore Ave. MAP

Where should we meet for coffee/tea?

Greenhorn in the West End is my favourite hangout for coffee when I have a chance. Their coffee and pastries are very good, and the patio out front is rad.

Greenhorn Espresso Bar 994 Nicola St. MAP

Now we’re hungry again. What’s for lunch?

This question is hard, so I’m giving two options. Either have the seafood soup or beef pho at Hai Phong in Chinatown, or the negi-goma ramen at Danbo. The line up at Danbo can be pretty intense though, so if it is too long I usually wander a block up to Horin for their ramen instead.

Hai Phong 186 Keefer Pl. MAP
Ramen Danbo 1833 W 4th Ave. MAP

Who has you figured out at Happy Hour?

L’Abattoir still has the best Happy Hour in the city. Although their baked oyster dish isn’t on the Happy Hour menu, we always have at least one order.

L'Abattoir 2178 Carrall St. MAP

What’s for dinner?

Lately I’ve been most excited about Anh and Chi. They have beautifully presented, amazing food, as well as a great bar program.

Anh and Chi 3388 Main Street, Vancouver, BC MAP

Where are you taking us for late night cocktails?

Boxcar is my favourite place to end up. The cocktails are solid, lots of great stuff on tap, and some great people behind the bar.

Boxcar 923 Main St. MAP

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We already know that the local clothing designer and owner of Main Street boutique and spa, Sunja Link Body Shoppe, has discerning taste when it comes to the products and items that she puts on her body. So we're unsurprised that she's equally thoughtful about what food and drink she prefers to put into it.