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Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1505828
78 BCBUSINESS.CA SEPTEMBER 2023 TREASURE HUNTING ON THE DRIVE Between Napier and Parker streets on Commercial Drive, East Van residents have a veritable smorgasbord of international treats and vintage treasures By Stacey McLachlan B L O C K PA R T Y ( quality time ) 1 LUNCH LADY There's no shortage of great Viet- namese street food on the Drive, but for our money, Lunch Lady does it best—maybe because it serves up cocktails like a pho-spiced old fash- ioned alongside elevated twists on Southeast Asian comfort-food classics (think wagyu beef noodle soup). 2 MI TIERRA LATINA Our cover star is right at home alongside the plentiful specialty grocers in this vibrant 'hood. Stock up on authentic Latin American ingredients (Dona Maria mole), treats (El Salvadorian yellow cherries) and snacks (De La Rosa mazapan). 3 BOMBAY KITCHEN AND BAR Whatever you choose from the inventive Indian- fusion menu here—like the Bengal fish curry (made with salmon for a West Coast twist) or crispy chaat papri—you'll have it served with a side of people-watching, thanks to the garage- style doors that open up right onto the street. 4 COMMERCIAL DRIVE LICORICE PARLOUR Finally: a place where licorice lovers can embrace their passion in peace. The hyper-specific candy shop specializes in you-know-what, offering 100-plus types of imported licorice, alongside chocolates, waffles and (in true Commercial Drive fashion) hula hoops. 5 MISCELLANY FINDS Miscellany isn't just a spot for treasure-hunting second-hand gems—it's also a social enterprise, run by social justice coordinator Portia Sam, that offers gainful employment for marginalized women and youth who are facing barriers to finding work. 6 MOGU FRIED CHICKEN We're not knocking Downlow Chicken, but just down the street, Mogu Fried Chicken has quietly been honing its own special take on poultry. Here, you'll find a Japanese twist on the globally beloved dish: boneless, umami-rich and accompanied by izakaya-style sides. 7 CHOICES MARKET Choices is the locavore's alternative to Whole Foods, and has been since the '90s; on the Drive, where it's been since 2015, the Vancouver- founded grocer continues to thrive as a hub of produce sourced from the Lower Mainland, with organic, non- GMO and vegan products galore. 8 TURNABOUT For a more upscale thrifting experi- ence, there's Turnabout, a Vancou- ver-based fashion consignment shop (sorry, "luxury resale boutique") that label-hounds love to explore. n Lunch Lady Turnabout Miscellany Finds Bombay Kitchen and Bar 4 6 8 5 3 2 1 7 C O M M E R C I A L D R PARKER ST NAPIER ST