The Scotiabank Theatre in Vancouver (map, 900 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone 604-630-1407) is a large movie theatre located in downtown Vancouver at the corner of Burrard and Smithe. Formerly named the Paramount, this movie theater has 9 screens and shows all the latest new releases. Inside the Scotia Theatre you’ll find stylish, modern decor, big screens with comfortable reclining seats, and several fast food restaurants including Taco Bell, Burger King, and KFC.

View the theatre’s website for the latest showtimes. Below are some photos of the Scotia Theater taken from Vancouver’s Burrard Street (which is accessible by the Burrard Skytrain station (subway).

If you’re actually looking for a Scotiabank Banking Branch with ATM, there is a full service branch just up the street at the corner of Burrard and Nelson (map).

Another movie theatre in the downtown area is Tinseltown Theatres, which is in the International Village Mall at 88 W Pender, across from the Stadium Skytrain station.

(above) Scotiabank Theater in Vancouver

(above) Scotia Bank Theatre in downtown Vancouver

Ridge Gardens Chinese Restaurant (map, visitor reviews, 3113 Arbutus Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-736-7006, fax: 604-736-5231) offers above-par Chinese food in the affluent Arbutus Ridge neighborhood of Vancouver, which is close to Kitsilano to the north and Kerrisdale to the south. It’s in the same strip mall as the Ridge Theatre.

My family always chooses to dine at Ridge Garden for big get-togethers, where we order off the banquet menu and share many dishes.

Prices are reasonable: for a huge meal including soup, crab, and at least one dish per person, the total cost came out to around $20 each including tax. There were enough leftovers for a couple more meals at home too! The Ridge Garden restaurant also offers Chinese food delivery to the nearby Vancouver vicinity, as well as take-out.

Pictured below are the Hot and Spicy Crab (market price), the hot pot with chicken and black fungus (very tasty, believe me!), and the house soup (flavorful and savory). Ample free parking is available in the lot just north of the restaurant on Arbutus street, and the restaurant is also accessible by bus (view easy transit directions to the restaurant).

Hot and spicy crab, prepared Chinese style

Chicken and black fungus Chinese hot pot

Chinese soup (very flavorful)

Bo Kong Vegetarian Chinese Restaurant (map, 3068 Main Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone 604-876-3088) is a popular Chinese restaurant that serves tasty vegetarian cuisine. Even non-vegetarians won’t miss the meat after trying some of the traditional Buddhist dishes that are made with substitutes such as gluten or tofu. Also a good bet are the noodle, vegetable, or rice selections.

The wonton soup (pictured below) was nicely flavored and made a good start to the meal. We also enjoyed the Fresh Enoki Mushroom Chow Mein noodles, the Sweet and Sour Pineapple Delight, and the Steamed Chinese Brocolli (all pictured below).

The prices at Bo Kong are quite reasonable: a large meal for two people including three dishes and a soup came to about $20 per person including tax and tip.

View Part 1 for more photos.

Vegetarian Won-ton Soup at Bo Kong restaurant

Sweet and sour pineapple delight at Bo Kong

Steamed Chinese Brocolli at BoKong Restaurant

Vegetarian Chow Mein with fresh Enoki Mushroom (at Bo Kong restaurant)