MY FAVOURITE PLACES - WEST VANCOUVER

I am really fortunate to be able to spend a lot of my time in West Vancouver in British Columbia, a very beautiful part of our planet.  So, while my favourite places in West Vancouver do not require any “travel” for me they might involve some travel for you!  I just have to start somewhere!

Among West Vancouver’s many shops and restaurants, I have a few favourites that stand out for different reasons.  My lunch order during my corporate work days was typically a soup and salad at my desk.  My current work habits have enabled some of my lunch breaks to consist of  a coffee (sometimes a croissant) and gift shop inspiration followed by an occasional walk along the sea wall in Ambleside and Dundarave. The beach in West Vancouver offers stunning views (don’t miss the sunset) and plenty of foraging (driftwood, smooth pebbles, foliage and more). If you do have a chance to spend a day or an afternoon in West Vancouver you should visit the following places:

THIERRY PATISERRIE (AMBLESIDE) 

1343 Bellevue Ave, West Vancouver, BC V7T 0B9 Phone: (604) 912-0700

Thierry in West Vancouver is the newest of Chef Thierry’s  locations around Vancouver and, in my opinion, is the most beautiful, comfortable and has the added bonus of a sea view!  It is most certainly a world class place to visit for a coffee and a wide variety of French patisseries, cakes and luxuriously packaged Parisian sweet staples.  As Thierry is open quite late it is also a go to for me for a hot chocolate whilst watching a beautiful sunset across the Burrard Inlet.

Just a few steps away from Thierry going west on Bellevue you will find:

DA VINCI’S HOME

1461 Bellevue Ave, West Vancouver, BC V7T 1C3 Phone: (604) 921-3344

Da Vinci’s Home is an interior design boutique established in 1996 and owned by Christin Fernandez.   It is one of those interior design shops where I feel like I could just move in! It is filled with carefully curated European modern and classic furniture, lighting, art, rugs and ornaments that are displayed in a way that, whichever direction you look, you see a stylish vignette that would just look great at home!  In addition, Da Vinci ‘s has the best selection of elegantly bottled European scent diffusers that I have seen in Vancouver. I have purchased many gifts here – with gift wrapping to die for!  This is a place for special purchases, great service and inspiration. 

A few minutes by car along Marine Drive (or a half hour walk along the sea wall) you will find Dundarave Village, the home of:

TEMPER CHOCOLATE & PASTRY

2409 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, BC V7V 1L3 Phone: (604) 281-1152

Temper Chocolate & Pastry is a patisserie and chocolatier that has won accolades and international gold awards for their chocolate.  We are really lucky to have the internationally experienced Chef Steve Hodge in our midst in Dundarave Village.  In my opinion, they make one of the best croissants in Vancouver; they are buttery, with a super flaky exterior, soft honeycomb interior and are simply delicious. You must give it a try, as well as their other patisserie, cakes, sandwiches, baguettes and of course their exquisitely packaged chocolate!  Please note it is closed on Mondays.

RED HORSES GALLERY

2412 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, BC V7V 1L1 Phone: (604) 922-3933 

Just across the road from Temper you will find another of my go-to hostess gift shops. Jocelyn Mange, the owner, curates a fine array of greetings cards, small gifts, puzzles, ladies linen clothes and much more.  They also have the friendliest assistants ready to help.  I defy anyone to not find a small gift or card in this store that will meet all tastes.    Knowing that Jocelyn attends the Maison & Objet Paris Exhibition regularly, helps to us to understand her beautiful choices.