Calabash Bistro just opened up in Chinatown, on the edge of the Downtown Eastside and Gastown.  They are a delicious addition to our neighborhood, and only too welcome with their Jamaican flavor, art and music.

Calabash Bistro Chef Cullin

Last week I had the Fry Fish sandwich with homemade Jerk Fries and Jamaican ketchup.  OH MY WORD.  It was simple, delicious, and I had to go back again this week!  This time I ate the Jerk Chicken sandwich with Jerk Fries and salad.  The chicken was made with the chefs own house made jerk sauce.  Speaking of sauces..  I’m a sucker for them!  So their Jerk Aioli and Jamaican Ketchup threw me over the edge.  And OH MY GOSH..  Their homemade Coco Bread..  It’s a light sandwich shaped bread that they use for their sandwiches or make into a patty.  And it is wonderful.

Dayna, Calabash Bartender

Both times I’ve dropped in, the servers were really friendly and they are on the ball with great service.   The upstairs is comfortable posh, with local art work and Caribbean décor, with the chefs cooking in the background wearing their colorful tams.  We tried a couple of their drinks, and I would definitely recommend the Ginger Ale which is made in house and is strong and nice.

A unique aspect of Calabash is their desire to bring art and music into the eating experience.  Their downstairs lounge is host of Foundation Radio, an online radio station that plays roots, reggae, jazz, blues, motown and funk music.  They often have live music with DJ’s spinning and local artists performing reggae, hip-hop, funk, and poetry.

Natalie, Server and weekend DJ

If you haven’t checked it out, come in at lunch for their daily special sandwiches that are very reasonably prices ($6-$12), or come in the evening for their delicious Mains ($10-13).  I haven’t tried the sides yet, but I’ll have to wait for next week to check out the Plantain Chips and Fried Coconut Dumplings.  J

I just had the little point and shoot camera with me, but they were nice enough to pose.

Calabash Bistro

BOB is pleased to announce a joint project with the Museum of Vancouver that has led to the creation of 500 gorgeous pins featuring the iconic Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret sign (left). BOB will be giving some of these awesome pins away to lucky people, all you have to do to win one is be a current Facebook friend of Building Opportunities with Business or BECOME ONE.  Two draws will take place, one for our existing friends as of today and one at the end of March for all our new friends. 6 pins in total will be awarded to 6 lucky Facebook friends of BOB! The winners will be announced at Kaleidoscope: A celebration of art, culture and entrepreneurial spirit in the Downtown Eastside a charity benefit concert to be held at the Rickshaw Theatre on March 27th featuring local bands Rodney Decroo and His Convictions, The Left, Spoon River and Boombox Saints.

The Smilin' Buddha Cabaret sign still looked cool in the daylight, here it is seen in 1958 above a bustling Hastings Street.

For decades the Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret was a legendary music venue in Vancouver. In the 1960s artists like Jimi Hendrix and Jefferson Airplane headlined there, then in the 1970s and 80s it became a favorite spot for legendary punk bands like DOA, Black Flag, The Ramones and countless others. Vancouver’s own 54-40 even played their very first show there. Subsequently when the venue closed down in the late 1980s the sign went into storage. The band, recognizing the value of the iconic Buddha sign, rescued it from its dusty corner and after naming an album after it took it on tour. 54-40 then later donated it to the Museum of Vancouver, where it is currently housed. Immediately making them one of the coolest bands of all time.

Help us celebrate the musical history of Vancouver and it’s colourful legacy as one of the world’s most prominent neon cities by winning one of these pins! For more information on the how BOB and the City of Vancouver are working to relight the inner-city in the proud vibrant neon it was once renowned for go here.

Regardless of fabric or colour these pins will make any clothing item look and feel that much more awesome(r), as is clearly demonstrated by this photo of the Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret pin which is firmly attached to my cardigan.

What do you get for the man who has everything? How about for that special lady with refined tastes? Might we suggest the Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret pin, brought to you by BOB and The Museum of Vancouver. Available through this special one time offer, Facebook message checkers are standing by.

Cute as a button but a thousand times cooler