The main reason I like going to see a show a the Scotiabank Theatre is because of the food. While most theatres have the usual selection of processed cheese soaked nachos and xxl boxes of junior mints, this location serves up fro yo, burritos, burgers, and even bubble tea. I’m certain it’s the lighting or industrial design that makes me so hungry, but I don’t ask questions, I just eat.

There are three floors to this complex, and both the second and third serve food. Both levels house the usual popcorn-nacho-soft-drink stations, however on the second floor you’ll find a glistening foot court. There’s ample seating, an arcade, and usually a life sized cardboard cutout of your favourite action hero to take your photo beside.

TBCY, Burger King, KFC, & Taco Bell are all located on the second floor. And while most items cost a lot more than if you were to buy them down the street and smuggle them in, there are still good deals to be found. A large, fibre packed bean burrito at Taco Bell will only set you back a twoonie, and it’s an ample meal. Large popcorn and drinks have free refills, so buy one and share. Another good bet is the kids pack.

The Scotiabank Theatre is sorely missing a slush machine and the requisite overpriced candy dispenser. However, the bubble tea booth makes up for all this. It’s like they took the overpriced candy and jammed it into the frozen, creamy goodness of bubble tea slush. It tastes good and leaves you feeling mildly cultured.

If you were roped into seeing a film that involves Keanu Reeves as a romantic lead, there’s a Starbucks outside on the first floor.

There is pay parking under the theatre, as well as a few great restaurants and bars nearby, just in case that tub of parkay popcorn didn’t already burst your belt.

Address:

900 Burrard St.
Vancouver, BC
604-630-1407

A thought that pervades most when thinking about food courts is that once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. In the case of Metrotown, I’ll admit that this is true- but only to an extent.

The fact is the Metrotown food court (and if you live in Vancouver and go shopping it’s likely you’ve been here- I’m not sure why we’re reviewing it, actually) is a very grand food court- far grander than the food courts of other malls in BC. I’ve not ventured to West Edmonton Mall, but I imagine that it too is grand.

At the Metrotown Food Court there is magic in the air, and not because The Disney Store up the way is playing its music too loudly. There is magic because there is selection. If you want it- it’s bound to be there. Now you can’t be unreasonable and seek out something like sturgeon roe on melba toast, but if you’re in the mood for, say, Thai, you can have Thai food as there’s bound to be a Thai kiosk. There is also a Korean place. It’s quite something, actually.

I enjoyed some splendid calamari on Caesar (yet another restaurant with Caesar salad- and even less forgivable because it was Greek!) from Opa!, which is, in my opinion, probably the greatest fast food joint known to man. Yet, had I wanted to indulge more internationally, I could have had some sushi, paired with the calamari. Screw the fusion trend- just order two dishes; it’s not like you have to walk far. If you would like to revert back to the standard, thumb sucking comfort of the known, you can always go to A&W or Burger King. A step up in the adventure: Arby’s (there’s so much beef!).

Address:

604-4720 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC
604-438-4700