Travellers Deck to Shop and Dine
byI was recently giving two packs of the Travellers Deck for review and giveaway. The deck of cards is a “Best 100” list of places to eat and shop in Vancouver.
Colour-coded by neighbourhood, the concept is to grab the deck, give it a shuffle, and draw out a random location when you’re ready to hit the town. I looked through and made some observations. Neighbourhoods include: Kitsilano, Downtown, South Main/Cambie Village, South Granville/Granville Island, and Commercial Drive.
The Pros
The deck is great for discovering new places to have breakfast, lunch or dinner around Vancouver and it also offers discounts. For example, if you shuffle and cut the deck finding Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe you can stop on in and get a free root-beer float with your purchase.
The cards are waterproof (handy for Vancouver weather), the website says the reviews are all honest and that no outlet could pay to be a part of the deck, every card has an exclusive discount or incentive and the decks are available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese.
The selection for downtown makes up almost half the deck with fewer options available for South Main and Commercial Drive. However, they did manage to include some of my personal favourites. I admit that at first I thought the cards were one-sided and thought that the selection was pretty scarce. However in a moment of true genius I flipped over the cards to reveal even more listings.
I’ve actually been approached recently by another card deck company that’s doing something similar so this is perhaps a new tourism trend.
The Cons
One thing that threw me off was the “Canadianisms” card which is obviously aimed at visitors. It explains some key terms such as “Canuck”, and “The Grind”. There’s nothing terrible about that, it was just slightly odd but I suppose useful for those who really wanted to know what a “Cougar” is.
The downfall is that updates aren’t too easy to do on the printed cards but Travellers Deck does have an updates section of their website. If they had a iPhone version it would be good, sort of like the shake n’ shuffle Urbanspoon application.
I think they have some nice dining selections and even though some of the suggested retail spots are a little too rich for my blood, it does showcase local stores. The discount on the card also helps ease that a bit, for example you can get 10% off at John Fluevog, 10% off at Zebra Club, 15% off at Gravity Pope.
Overall
This old-school method does have its charm though and would be great for people who do not live in Vancouver or those who want to explore other neighbourhoods. Also, not everyone has a smart-phone and being available at major retail outlets gives tourists optimal access to the deck.
The decks can be purchased at outlets like The Bay, Chapters, Pharmasave etc. or online for $11.95.
I’ll be giving away one of my review decks and keeping the other around for when the in-laws visit and we’re looking for a great place to eat, outside of the downtown core perhaps. Travellers Deck has also offered up a gift certificate for Charm Modern Thai, which is listed in the downtown section of the cards. You can read a review of the restaurant on the Chow Times blog.
The Contest
To enter to win a Travellers Deck for Vancouver and a $75 Charm Modern Thai gift certificate leave a comment on this post listing your favourite place to eat or shop in the city.
You can also re-tweet http://bit.ly/ax5hPn & @Miss604 if you can fit your favourite within a 140 character update.
Update February 8th 2010: The winner drawn is Laura, congratulations!
Fine print: Contest will run until February 8th, 2010.
Disclosure: cmp.ly/2 I received two decks and will be keeping one of them.
99 Comments — Comments Are Closed
Wow, hard to pick a favourite, but for a great burger…it’s Splitz Grill!
A little pricey for what they are.
My question would be do they support multi language?
French is an official language of canada, and if they want to market
to “Canadians” or other countries they should include more then just english.
One thing I’ve found is its difficult to get french tourism material in vancouver.
My favourite place to eat in Vancouver has to be East is East, either on Main street or on Broadway. It’s simply delicious, the staff are wonderful and they give free refills 🙂
@photodreamz I did state that they are available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese. Was wondering about the French as well though.
Favourite place to eat in Vancouver? That’s a tough one. I’ve always found good ambiance and hearty food at The Naam. Could be biased though as it’s close to our home.
I see that now. I’m not sure if the french cultural centre has tourist info or not. But I think its a big over-sight on tourism vancouvers part to not make french material available. If you get more inquiries you should suggest this option to the people making this type of thing. May be a niche market.
We had difficulties finding material for my father in law whos from quebec.
Favorite place to eat in Vancouver would be Guu on Thurlow. Love the izakaya dishes and the ambiance that location provides. The shouting and the liveliness really gives you an unique dining experience.
I’m pretty sure my favourite ( right now) would be Au Petit Chavignol. Not too expensive and the food is amazing!
Havana on Commercial
The Grind, at Main and East King Edward. best 24 hour coffee shop in town.
There’s so many choices, but the most memorable has to be West.
Sushi Mart (on Robson across from Capers) serves up some of the best sushi I’ve had, at very reasonable prices. Nice place, too. Decor is simple but interesting, and presentation is well-done. Free tea and miso if you’re eating in.
Kam’s on Davie is the runner-up. Grab the coupon in the Straight, and you’ll get 2 for 1, which is really more like 4 for 1 considering the portion sizes and already-cheap prices.
My favourite place to eat is at Oysi Oysi Japanese restaurant (by Thurlow and Alberni St). Staff are always so friendly there! The menu selection is great.
Great to hear my fave place to eat is Charm Modern Thai and that they;re offering a GC 🙂
I love going to Bistrot Bistro on 4th. Amazing service and I’ve never had a bad meal.
My favourite place to eat is at Guu gastown – trying Guu garden this friday!
Shanghai River in Richmond.
The Cannery.
Some many good ones. For fast and inexpensive: Kintaro on Denman, ShaLin Noodle on Broadway….. For views: Salmon House on the Hill in West Vancouver, Harizon on Burnaby mountain….
Favorite place to shop/drool will always be Fluevog – rather then shop it is more like visiting a gallery where you can fondle the art.
Favorite place to eat I’d like to pick 2. Bandidas on the drive (I heard they are in the deck!) and Presto Panini downtown. Basically the best Mexican and best Italian you can find in our city… according to me at least 🙂
My current fav is The hub on Mainland. So good.
My fav place to eat in Vancity is Phnom Penh. Nothing better!
Great review – thanks for posting! 🙂
My favourite casual place to eat in the city is Modern Burger in Kits (on Broadway). Great atmosphere, even better burgers!
Hmm I love Chambar …
Cafe Medina for Pistachio White Chocolate Mocha, fresh Belgium waffles with Berry Compote and of course one of their signature brunch dishes. Feels like you’re in a cafe in Europe, high energy and welcoming vibe, and definitely a place where “everyone knows your name”.
Love it!
My absolute favourite place to eat in Vancouver is Seasons Hilltop Bistro. The food is delectable and the view (from the top of the hill in Queen Elizabeth Park) is truly unparalleled.
It’s also the first place I dined upon visiting Vancouver ten years ago… and where my husband proposed in 2005.
I’m not alone in my love for Seasons: Bill Clinton dined there and reportedly loved it. Sarah McLachlan had her wedding reception there. That’s pretty dang good company to be in.
As for shopping, that’s a toss-up between The Cross in Yaletown and Stepback in Kitsilano.
My favourite place to eat is Motomachi Shokudo on Denman St.
I love Chambar and Cafe Medina! I haven’t tried it yet, but you get 10 percent off with the card. 🙂 Thanks for a great post Rebecca!
my favourite place to eat in Vancouver is Phnom Penh in Chinatown, order the chicken wings!
My favourite place to eat in Vancouver is probably Banana Leaf in Kitsilano. Great food, good price for the lunch specials and the manager is so nice!
Hi! its Ros here from Travellers Deck! Thanks so much for the review Rebecca, great to get your balanced feedback.
Loving all the suggestions and glad to see that so many people’s fav’s are our fav’s too! Good luck everyone : )
P.S (if you win, you gotta try the tamarind duck @charmmodernthai. AMAZING!)
Mmm, so many great places but a favourite is Foundation. Good cheap eats.
My favourite place? The alibi room, for all the awesome beers, and usually in good company.
If I had to pick one place in Vancouver to eat, and thankfully I don’t, it would be Savary Island Pie Company in West Van, amazing brunch, soups, pies, brownies…
Best place to eat. Chilly pepper on Rupert. Best Chineese/Indian I’ve ever had, and reasonably priced.
Favourite place to eat is the Pan Pacific Sunday buffet brunch 🙂
Memphis Blues is one of my favourite places to eat.
I agree Chris, Phnom Penh is one of the best! Butter beef, chicken wings with lemon pepper sauce, moo lychee shakes – I’m hungry!!
Best place to eat: Zero One Sushi on Pender
Definitely LouLou for exquisite accessories!
Ebisu at downtown robson !
fav eats – ajisai sushi, rodney’s oyster bar, phnom penh
fav shops – the block, club monaco, holt
I adore eating at Nuba Restaurant! Thanks for the contest.
Favourite eat? There’s too many…Van-ya, Gingeri, Sawasdee Thai, Seri Malaysia.
Favourite places to shop: Holt Renfrew, Sephora, Beautymark, Daiso.
Favorite eats? Too many to name, but when I’m in town I usually wind up at Cheesecake etc. for dessert.
Terra Breads on 4th, or Granville island, for their delicious tarts.
Kintaro, because it has become like a bowl of comfort to me.
Favourite restaurant? Salade de Fruits Cafe. AMAZING mussels… and with their bread dipped in the ‘soup’? DELICIOUS.
Anything on Robson!
Sign me up! So many good restaurants here, but I love Kingyo Izakaya on Denman.
Samurai Sushi on Davie!
mexican sadwich at Las Tortas on cambie
Earl’s downtown
i love splitz grill.
Front and Co on main street. has the coolest clothes and then next door the nest nick-nacks
Bridges, Granville Island
The long table dinner series at the Irish Heather has been my favorite place to eat recently.
Shopping would be Main St – everything from high end designers to consignment cloths, it’s the perfect mix!
I would love to wn this set; love discoverng new areas of vancouver and Thai is one of my favorite cuisines
I’m always down for a good burger! Cedar Cottage Neighborhood Pub, Kings Head Pub, Veras, the list goes on.
Shopping? Main St. and the Drive.
Favorite place for breakfast….Sophies on 4th…mmmmm….
As for shopping? Love Main Street…oh so many places in Vancouver…Robson Street is wonderful too…
Cool beans!
Humble little Japadog on Burrard is an awesome spot for any famished fellow, regardless of whether he’s a visitor or a local. It’s a Vancouver must, a contemporary classic in my book. 🙂
I love Guu in Gastown!
I love to eat at sanafor; unique plates and greta atmosphere! i would love to win this package
My favorite place to eat is Cactus Club. I love the top Canadian beef they use in their steaks.
Capers is my fave place to shop for food.
Seasons at Queen Elizabeth park
Best place to eat: hmmm gotta say I love Vij’s!
Fav restaurant is Toshi Sushi! Fresh and deliciuos and Count me in for the contest
A favourite restaurant of mine is Bouzyos on Commercial Drive. Yummy Greek food!
Vijis
Guu on Robson. Fun and delicious!
Best Greek for value and yum factor in downtown Vancouver…Stephos on Davie. Always busy but worth the wait.
Bo Laksa King around Joyce Skytrain Station is my favourite.
I love stephos
My favourite place to eat is the Memphis Blues BBQ.
Hi, I don’t think I’d pay to have a card tell me where to eat, but I’d still love to win the $75 gift certificate! My favourite place to eat is East is East, either location, but we usually go to Main, since we live near there. We go nearly every week.
I would say Memphis Blues for their pulled pork nachos
I would say Bau Chau on Hastings and Slocan it has awesome pho and spring rolls!
My fav restaurant to eat at in vancouver is la terrazza, it has amazing italian food and is sooo romantic! (L)
FYI: it is a bit pricey so good for special occasions
Sunday brunch at Nu on False Creek -love those apple and pear fritters!
My favourite place to eat is Guu with Garlic!!
Please enter me to win!
My favourite place is Samurai Sushi on Davie. Such good value and great portion size! Guu is also another fun one. In Kitsilano, The Eatery is a fun choice 🙂
My favorite place is Antons.
My absolute favourite place to eat in the city is Chambar! Nothing beats a big bowl of moule frites 🙂
Zakkushi Charcoal Grill on 4th Ave is also a close second… mmmmmm pork and mochi skewers…
The Elbow Room!! For the food the fun and the charity!
Hard to pick just one… but I recently tried Boneta, and it was great!
I love Hapas and also the Eatery!
I’m relatively new to Vancouver and haven’t experienced a lot of the fantastic restaurants or shops around the city, however, among my favorites for delicious food thus far is Cafe Mumbai on Broadway.
love the eatery
i like lombardos
It will be La Brasserie (if we ever get a table!)
I love shuraku sake bar/bistro
so good, and the service is awesome
My pick is Lupo Restaurant and Vinoteca.
You mean I have to pick one? Yamato for good tasty sushi (used to be around the corner from me), Nuba for just ambiance and good food, Guu because now it is near to me and love it, cafe medina for breakfast, la taqueria for tacos…I have no idea my favourite.
Six Acres in Gastown!
My fave place to shop for food is Capers, nice place:)
My fav restaurant would have to be a restaurant called “Vanya”. It’s this amazing japanese restaurant near joyce street in Vancouver. The prices are really reasonable and its the perfect place if you like authentic japanese food. My favorite dish is their barbecue squid, it is a rare dish that I haven’t seen anywhere else and is DELICIOUS! 🙂
From the choices with your selection of cheesecake tasty recipes, I will very easily make this tasty dessert for any celebration and any tastes.