Paul McCartney

I am lucky that I have quite a few items on my "Cool Stuff I Have Seen or Done List." I have seen Mikhail Baryshnikov and Karen Kain dance, The Nutcracker by the Bolshoi, seen art by Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Bernini that made me weepy. 

Last night's performance by Paul McCartney is definitely going in that list. How cool is it to witness and be part of this legendary person. I am not a fanatic music or Beatles fan, but you don't need to be one to fully appreciate this very affable Brit. 

He may be 70, but this doesn't stop him from giving a fantastic (and long) performance (2 encores with 4 or 5 songs each time, I think).  At the end, he finally had to say, "you know, we're all going to have to go home sometime."

Read the reviews, but it is the best concert I have ever been to. 

Neon | Ugly Vancouver at the MOV

Also at the MOV until August 12, 2012, is Neon/Ugly Vancouver, a collection of neon signs from Vancouver's past. I have to warn you, though, that you may end up with a headache as I did. The usually high up on the building signs are all in small enclosed space. This exhibition would have been better if placed in a more spacious room. Nevertheless, they are fun and definitely an interesting look of the "ugly" Vancouver.

Architetural Interest: Woodward's SFU Atrium

If you are in this area, check this out. It's in the atrium. It reminds me a bit of the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Construction is interesting - a lot of steel to hold it up (the top is suspended). Don't jump, though, it shakes a bit when you do.


It is by Gregory Henriquez, the architect responsible for many outstanding Vancouver projects.

SFU Woodward’s

149 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada

Restaurant: McLean's

This place is in the heart of gastown in the Le Magasin building, a few steps from the steam clock. Despite being owned by our former Canuck goalie, Kirk McLean, it is not a "hockey themed" place.

The ambience is nice. It has an interesting contrast of sophisticated chic with some subtle edge (thick beams of raw lumber). I liked the ceiling of what looks like cast plaster. It has three areas -- bar dowstairs, lounge and the dining area. There are fresh flowers on the tables (altough, the roses look like they were on their last breath).


We ordered a plate of charcuterie (sopressata, capicola, genoa, bocconcini, pecorino and variety of marinated olives). This was a nice variety, it had a good range from the mild to a bit of a bite. I wish that they didn't bring in the bread before they served us the charcuterie because we ended up eating it all by the time the order came. We followed it with mussels in white wine with a side of fries with some tarragon aioli. The wine flavour was quite pronounced, it was nice. I would have prefered if maybe they use a bouquet garni that they can pull out before serving, and sparingly sprinkle with the herbs for garnish. I don't really like biting into too much rosemary, it's way too pungent. If you don't like garlic, don't have this dish because there were plenty of huge cloves.


For dessert, we had the classic crème brûlée. It was a little too much on the brûlée side, it was, therefore, a bit bitter. It was a garnished with some raspberries and coulis.

The service was good. It wasn't very busy (Tuesday night), so the bartender was attending to our order. He was quite attentive, coming back every so often to check if we needed anything.


I would like to go back there again and try something else.



I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

McLean's

200-332 Water StreetGastown, Vancouver, BC

604.669.1112 

http://www.mcleansrestaurant.ca/index.html