Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/810732
tourismvancouver.com 27 SEAN DAVID PHOTOGRAPHY (THE ACORN), CHRISTINE RONDEAU/FLICKR (SMOKING LILY), JAMES CRIDLAND/FLICKR (REGIONAL ASSEMBLY OF TEXT), COURTESY CRAFT BEER MARKET™, TVAN/SCIENCE WORLD BRITISH COLUMBIA, COURTESY THE CASCADE ROOM EAT & DRINK Mount Pleasant's restaurants are eclectic and exciting, spanning the globe from east to west. Veg out: The Acorn has received accolades from the New York Times for its revelatory vegetarian dishes (try its pâté) and sexy decor. Cocktails are perfected too, with drinks like The Royal, made with B.C. distilled Stump Gin, St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur and green chartreuse, among other ingredients. Go global: Satisfy your craving for spice at East Is East Chai Lounge (try the Tibetan mantu) and finish up with liquid dessert: chocolate chai. Nearby, chow down on Peruvian-inspired tapas and pisco sours at Chicha. Keep it casual: The Cascade Room offers a tasty take on classic Brit- meets-West-Coast, with gastropub fare (go for Sunday roast dinner), local beer and a long cocktail list, including sips like the London Calling. Mount Pleasant This East Vancouver village lives up to its charming name F orget about glamour and glass; Mount Pleasant on Vancouver's East Side has unvarnished charisma. Low-rise buildings hug its buzzing artery, Main Street, with most of the shopping and dining stretching from Broadway to King Edward. Here, a blend of local boutiques, breweries, antique shops, homespun bakeries and hip cafes cozy up against one another. In-your-face murals add extra character and colour to the community. 3 Drink: Sidle up to the bar at CRAFT Beer Market for session ales. 2 Learn: Explore the interactive exhibits at Science World British Columbia. WORTH THE DETOUR Three reasons to head north on Main Street to Olympic Village. SHOP Boutiques bursting with local fashion abound on Main Street. Smoking Lily, a stalwart since 2002, still uses vintage fabrics and non-toxic ink on its clothing. Still Life sells cool kicks by Vancouver's own Native Shoes and Devil May Wear brings its eco-friendly fashion to conscious consumers. PLAY Mount Pleasant embraces its artful side. Write a letter on a typewriter at Regional Assembly of Text. Take lessons (no experience necessary!) at Goh Ballet, which offers drop-in dance classes. And visit Fox Cabaret; it has shed its infamous grit and been reborn as a hotspot for independent acts, like comedy shows and DJs. 1 Shop: Visit Portobello West, a seasonal market with local fashion, food and art at Creekside Community Centre. London Calling cocktail The Acorn OFF THE BEATEN PATH: Relax in Dude Chilling Park (two blocks east of Main on Brunswick at East 7th Avenue). Officially called Guelph Park, it got its #veryvancouver nickname when a guerrilla artist's prank sign stuck. GOOD TO KNOW: Join the party during the Main Street Car Free Festival (June 18) for live music, street food and more. Veggie pâté Smoking Lily Regional Assembly of Text