Sekoya (myspace) is a Vancouver based band which is pushing the boundaries of the jazz genre into the new realms of electronic soul. Their performance at the 2007 Vancouver International Jazz Festival was a high energy blend of electronic and acoustic beats with soulful vocals by Amalia Townsend and very jazzy horn lines by Alvin Cornista (saxophone/flute) and Kent Wallace (trumpet). You can listen to some of their recordings by visiting their myspace page.

Honjin Sushi Japanese Restaurant (dinehere.ca link, 138 Davie Street, phone (604) 688-8808) is a popular place in Vancouver’s downtown Yaletown neighborhood for excellent sushi, teriyaki, tempura, and other delicious Japanese items. It’s located near False Creek in the same complex as the Roundhouse community centre. The menu is a-la-carte, large, and varied, with a wide selection of everything from ebi gyoza (dumpling with prawn, $9.50), to the assorted sashimi (pictured below, $11.95), and the assorted sushi (pictured below at bottom, $10.95). If you’re feeling adventurous, be sure to try one of their specialty rolls such as the Sunshine Roll (which is topped with mango), or the Yaletown Maki (a prawn tempura roll wrapped with sliced raw seafood).

The Yaletown Brewing Company (web site, 1111 Mainland St. phone 604.681.2739) is one of Vancouver’s most popular brew pubs, located in the downtown Yaletown neighborhood. It’s a great place to hang out, share good times, and have a beer or two. Yaletown Brewing Company serves casual pub-style food. At lunch their sandwiches, burgers, and pizzas are a good bet. I enjoyed my Singapore Street Noodles ($14.99, pictured below) which was a dish with fresh chicken and shrimp, yellow curry, and thin rice noodles, served with cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and green onions.