Wild Ginger (web page, map, reviews, 2015 – 88 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-893-8608) is a Korean – Chinese fusion restaurant in the International Village Mall, hidden away behind the Tinseltown Mall food court. To find this restaurant, go up to the food court level in Tinseltown / International Village mall and look across from the center escalators for the entrance to the restaurant in the middle of the food court. (The food court is one level below the popular Cinemark Tinseltown movie theatres.)

Wild Ginger has quite an extensive menu, with a range of Korean dishes (including Korean BBQ), Chinese food, and even some western-fusion dishes. The Beef Tenderloin (around $18, pictured below), was quite a treat – tender slices of beef were served atop potatoes and stir fried vegetables, with accompanying Chinese egg fried rice that was arranged quite artfully in the shape of a fish. The restaurant is quite large and could easily accommodate a large group (but please call ahead to make reservations so that they can be ready for you!). There is free parking in the mall (upon validation by the restaurant), and the restaurant is very close to the Stadium Skytrain station (Vancouver’s subway).

One thing to note is that this restaurant doesn’t have very many choices for vegetarians. My friend wasn’t too impressed by his “vegetarian delight” ($11) which was more of a side dish. But for those who enjoy eating meat or seafood, Wild Ginger has plenty of enticing dinner selections. Check out their web site for the current menu. For another photo and more info please view Part 1.

Beef Tenderloin at Wild Ginger (with egg fried rice, potatoes, and stir fried vegetables, around $18)

Earl’s (web site, map, reviews, 1601 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-736-5663) is a popular chain of restaurants that serves casual Canadian and American-style cuisine. There are two Earls locations on West Broadway in Vancouver, one at Fir street (which I visited) and another just east of Oak street (901 W. Broadway, Vancouver, phone: 604-734-5995). For a complete list of the other Earl’s locations in the Greater Vancouver area, be sure to visit their web site.

Earl’s offers a good selection of pizzas, soups, burgers, sandwiches, pastas and wok dishes, as well as signature entrees such as steaks, seafood, and chicken. The prices are quite reasonable, with most dishes in the $10 to $20 range. I especially like their pizza. Pictured below is the Californian Pizza (around $12.50), which is made with shrimp, pesto, sundried tomatoes, and feta. The Margharita pizza ($10.50, also pictured below) is a simple but tasty pizza made with fresh basil, rich tomato sauce, mozzarella and white cheddar. We also enjoyed the Calamari (deep fried squid, pictured below, $10) which was served with sweet red onions and a special tzatziki sauce made in house.

The Earl’s location at Fir and Broadway is quite large, easily accommodating large groups, and has a bright solarium that is great for dining on sunny days. There is limited free parking available (provided you register your license plate with the host/hostess) and the restaurant is also on the Broadway bus route.

(above) Californian Shrimp Pizza ($12.50) at Earl’s Restaurant in Vancouver

(above) Calamari appetizer ($10) at Earl’s restaurant on Broadway at Fir

(above) Margharita pizza at Earls in Vancouver ($10.50)

Megabite Pizza (web site, map, 1005 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-687-0002) is a great place to stop for late night pizza in downtown Vancouver. It’s located in the middle of the Granville Street entertainment and night club district, on the corner of Granville and Nelson street. It’s across the street from the Cellar night club, and close to a late night sushi place, Kuroshio Sushi Express.

Pictured below is a slice of their vegetarian feta pizza, which was $2.50 including tax. Interestingly enough, this Megabite Pizza location was used as a film set for the upcoming movie Personal Effects, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Ashton Kutcher, who was seen wearing a chicken suit in front of the restaurant, which had temporarily renamed itself to “Megabird Pizza”.

Vegetarian pizza slice from Megabite pizza in Vancouver. ($2.50 for a slice)