Market Square (map, 560 Johnson Street, Victoria, BC, Canada) is “one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world”, according to their website. Much like Pike Place Market in Seattle, Market Square is a place you don’t want to miss. Over 35 unique shops and restaurants surround a large courtyard that has frequent live music and events.

Below is a photo essay from my visit to Market Square today. The sushi pictured below was from Asahi Bubble Tea (#69 Market Square, phone 250-382-2305) and was delicious!

Bill Johnson, blues guitarist, performing at Market Square in Victoria

Popcorn Machine at Market Square in Victoria

Popcorn Machine Detail

Sushi from Asahi Bubble Tea and Japanese Food ($9.95)

No smoking sign in Market Square

Garden in Market Square courtyard

Seagull and Market Square sign

Musicians from the Victoria Conservatory of Music Summer Jazz Workshop Student Ensemble, getting ready to perform.

Radha Yoga and Eatery (web site, 728 Main Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-605-0011) is a yoga studio in Chinatown that offers high-quality, 100% vegan dining, from Thursday to Saturday.

Trentm writes on Dinehere.ca (read review):

Radha has a great atmosphere, with hardwood floors and exposed brick in a big, open space. The live folk music really added to the relaxing, calm feel of the place. It’s also such a treat to go out for dinner on a friday night and not have to fight the crowds or feel rushed. The food was tasty and presented well…

Pictured below is the Nori Roll (Japanese Seaweed) appetizer, $7.00, which their menu describes as “raw sunflower-hempseed paté, julienne vegetables, sprouts and avocado in toasted nori with homemade pickled ginger and orange dragon dip”. The orange dragon dip is a light soya sauce with a touch of orange juice. Also pictured below is one of their featured main courses for the summer, the Southern Style Tempeh ($13.00). Maple-barbecue glazed tempeh – like tofu but coarser – was served with cornbread, warm summer greens, and seasonal vegetables. It was delicious. My only wish was that there was more glaze / barbecue sauce to soak into the cornbread!

The Chinatown area of Vancouver (where Radha is located) is one of the more graphic neighborhoods, but is quite safe to visit.

(above) Maple Barbecue Glazed Tempeh ($13) from Radha restaurant in Vancouver.

Raw Nori rolls at Radha restaurant ($7.00)

Nu Restaurant (web site, 1661 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-646-4668) is an award winning Vancouver waterfront restaurant with fabulous views and upscale, modern food. The style of cuisine at Nu has definite French/European influences and a west-coast twist. The decor is space-age, the atmosphere is light hearted, and the patrons are stylish!

Nu Restaurant is located right out on the water on the north/downtown side of False Creek, underneath the Granville Bridge. There is ample free parking available in a lot shared with the Stonegrill restaurant (another restaurant worth visiting which is located in the same building, one floor above Nu).

To start, I enjoyed the Pan Seared Bayne Sound Scallops, with pickled mushrooms, cauliflower puree, and red wine jus ($16.10, pictured below). The scallops were really tender and tasted great! As a main course, I tried the Roasted Cornish Game Hen with smoked local gouda, braised swiss chard, wild BC mushrooms, and rich chicken jus ($26.10, also pictured below). The serving of Game Hen was fabulous, with a really prime cut of meat and a great combination of the cheese, mushrooms, rich jus and vegetables. I finished off this fantastic meal with a Passion Fruit Sponge Cake ($7.90, pictured below) which was light and refreshing.

The restaurant also features live jazz for Sunday brunch with Juno nominee Melody Diachun. Please call the restaurant (604-646-4668) for more info about the live music, or check out their web site for their menu.

Pan Seared Bayne Sound Scallops ($16.10) at Nu Restaurant in Vancouver

Cornish Game Hen at Nu Restaurant in Vancouver ($26.10)

Passion Fruit Sponge Cake at Nu Restaurant in Vancouver, BC, Canada ($7.90)