Once or twice a week Scout poses 60 questions to a different individual. They pick and choose which ones they’d prefer to answer, with a minimum response rate of 20. It’s some sort of Rorschach test, for sure.
We’ve never before presented three Q&As at once, but separating the boys of The Corner Suite Bistro De Luxe didn’t feel right. To that end, we introduce you to Steve, Andre, and Jason…
Steve Da Cruz | Proprietor
Three things about the West End that make you want to live there: I love [it] for it’s proximity to everything, it’s diversity, and its cherry blossoms.
The thing you eat that is bad for you that you will never stop eating: Blue rare steak with blue cheese butter. You will pry it from my cold, dead hands.
Default drink of choice whenever you walk into a restaurant: If I don’t know the bartender, gin & tonic. If I know the bartender, an old fashioned.
Drink you’ll never have again: Grasshopper. Good God.
Sexiest fashion item for women: Wicked heels on women. Men should stay away from trying to be fashionable. Just have style.
Favourite Vancouver bridge: The bridge over Crab Park. I love trains, and the mix with the ocean and mountain views are stunning.
Best Vancouver patio: CinCin.
What intimidates you the most: Nothing.
One thing you’d like to change about Vancouver: Access to what the rest of the world drinks.
Bartender who could see you anything: Colin MacDougal at Bluewater. I like that guy.
Print magazine you’d subscribe to: The Paris Review.
Best cheap place for dinner: Motomachi Shokudo.
The most impactful book you ever read? The Seagull, Chekhov.
Last place traveled: East Van.
Biggest fear: My parents dying separately. I never want them to be without each other.
Worst cliche: No Fun City. I love this city. It is fun.
If you could rename yourself: Amaro Da Cruz.
Best sneaker in the world: White, low cut Chucks with the red and blue thin trim.
Actor you’d punch: I wouldn’t mind a few rounds with Errol Flynn. He’d probably be a good go. I’d also take a swipe at John Wayne just for good measure. And if scrapping with dead guys doesn’t cut the mustard, tell Mel Gibson I have his number.
Your ancestry: Spanish, Portuguese, Irish.
Circumstance in which you’d join the Army: If Army was playing Navy and was down a point guard, I’d sign up.
Biggest challenge in your professional life? Patience & Money. Which is also the name of my record label.
Andre McGillivray | Proprietor
Three things about the East Side/Strathcona neighbourhood that make you want to live there: Au Petit Chavignol, Commercial & Main Street, good coffee everywhere…
The thing that you eat that is bad for you that you will never stop eating: Mayonnaise. Damn you mayonnaise!
Default drink of choice when you walk into a bar or restaurant: Espresso and a bottle of water
Drink you’ll never have again? Flaming Lamborghini. You have to try everything once. Still have the scar.
Sexiest fashion item for women? An unfashionable sense of humor.
Favourite Vancouver bridge? The wood bridge in Stanley Park.
Best Vancouver patio? Doc Morgan’s on Bowen Island. Does that count?
What intimidates you the most? Kittens. hundreds of kittens.
One thing you’d like to change about Vancouver? What everyone wants: the Downtown Eastside turnaround with proper housing, programs and solutions.
Bartender who could sell you anything? Vancouver is blessed with artists in this profession. Take your pick and you’d be right.
The one print magazine you’d subscribe to? If there was one about cheese I’d subscribe to it. Online. Print is a waste.
Cheap place for dinner? Au Petit Chavignol. Le Faux Bourgeois.
Last place traveled: New York City.
What terrifies you? Kittens. hundreds of kittens.
Best sneaker in the world? The usual, Chucks & Adidas. Nike blows. Although they own Converse, so what do I know.
Your ancestry? Scottish-French-Canadian.
Biggest challenge in your professional life? The Corner Suite Bistro De Luxe.
Dumbest purchase ever? Dog carrier for my wife’s bike. A disaster. That and the liquid nitrogen experiment.
Luckiest moment in your life? Meeting my wife Erin.
What are you most proud of? My daughter, my wife, my marriage.
What makes you angry? Dinehere.ca.
Have you beat an addiction? Several and none.
Best brand of jeans? Haven’t owned a pair since I was 11. Not a fan.
Talent you wish you possessed? Speaking all languages or knife juggling.
Musical instrument you long to play? The world’s biggest xylophone.
Sport you gave up? Volleyball. Most annoying day of my life. The shoes, the knee pads, the short shorts. It all felt wrong.
The game you’re best at? Checkers (when playing against small children).
Have you ever fired a gun? Yup. Over-rated.
Scariest situation you’ve ever been in? Being at gunpoint. Being run over by cars (plural).
Three things of no value that you will keep until you die? Bob Mould’s autograph, Mr T lawn sprinkler, Bad Brains limited edition Vans sneakers.
Have you ever worn argyle? Not to my knowledge. Socks maybe.
Describe your tattoos: Symbol on arm from when I was 18. Looks like I got it in prison or in a moving vehicle. Terrible.
Favourite Canadian town we’ve never heard of? Moose Factory. Because it’s called Moose Factory.
First memory? A leaf with sun coming through it while eating cookies.
First album that made you love music? The Stooges. I was 6. Don’t remember where it came from but I remember everyone hating it which made me like it more.
The one country that you have no interest in ever visiting? Antarctica. Boring restaurant scene.
The first three things you do every morning? Shower. Coffee. Cigarette.
Jason Liezert | Chef
Three things about downtown that make you want to live there: My apartment, my
shower, my bed.
What intimidates you the most? This questionnaire.
The thing that you eat that is bad for you that you will never stop eating: Chocolate.
Default drink of choice when you walk into a bar or restaurant: Water.
Drink you’ll never have again? Coffee.
Sexiest fashion item for women? Bathrobes.
Favourite Vancouver bridge? Burrard.
Best Vancouver patio? Any beach in town.
Bartender who could sell you anything? Steve Da Cruz.
The one print magazine you’d subscribe to? None.
Cheap place for dinner? Hernandez in Victoria.
The most impactful book you ever read? Into the Wild by John Karhaur.
Last place traveled: Seattle.
What is the worst cliche ever? “Foodie”.
Best sneaker in the world? Flipflops.
Actor you’d punch: Why would I do that?
Your ancestry? Canadian.
Under what circumstances would you join the army? None.
Dumbest purchase ever? Sulphuric acid.
Luckiest moment in your life? Moving to BC.
What are you most proud of? My Dad.
What makes you angry? Staff.
Best brand of jeans? Quicksilver.
Ice cream flavour? Any.
Talent you wish you possessed? Juggling.
Musical instrument you long to play? French Horn.
Sport you gave up? Volleyball.
The game you’re best at? Lacrosse.
Have you ever fired a gun? Yes.
Scariest situation you’ve ever been in? Customs at Heathrow airport.
Have you ever worn argyle? No.
Describe your tattoos: Young and stupid ones.
First memory? Playing with my dog.
First album that made you love music? Hank Williams.
The one country that you have no interest in ever visiting? Iceland.
The first three things you do every morning? Brush my teeth, drink juice, shower.
One thing you’d like to change about Vancouver? More street food.
Biggest challenge in your professional life? Opening the Corner Suite Bistro De Luxe.