Kerrisdale Neighborhood

Kerrisdale has the feel of an old fashioned, if upscale, village. Many of the shops have been around for a long time, and the best of them exude secure self-confidence; they are well established and sure of themselves.

Getting There: The easiest way to get to Kerrisdale from downtown is to cross the Burrard Street Bridge and turn right into Kitsilano at the end of the bridge. Follow Cornwall to Arbutus and turn left on Arbutus. Follow Arbutus to 41st Avenue. (Arbutus becomes West Boulevard right around there, but don't worry about that.)

Another option, especially if you're coming from the airport, is to take Granville Street north to 41st street and turn left. Follow 41st to West Boulevard, and you're in the heart of Kerrisdale. If you're coming from Oakridge Centre, go west on 49th to Granville, turn right on Granville then left on 41st to West Boulevard.

One of the best reasons to take the Arbutus route from downtown is that you'll pass a beautiful patisserie (French bakeries). La Petite France is located at 2655 Arbutus Street at 10th Avenue. The pastry is so beautiful, you'll almost have trouble eating it. Almost. If you haven't been to France, you may never have seen pastry this beautiful. Even if you're not hungry, stop and have a look. Think of it as a trip to the art gallery.

Once you get to Kerrisdale, find a parking place on the street and stroll around. The shopping area is only a few blocks long. One of the best places to visit on West Boulevard, just north of 41st, is The Secret Garden Tea Company.

The Secret Garden looks like your grandmother's parlour. It has beautiful music, fresh flowers, overstuffed furniture and comfortable chairs and tables where you can enjoy a traditional high tea. You'll find an astonishing selection of tea to go with the wonderful, miniature pastries and baked goods. The Secret Garden is located at 5559 West Boulevard. You can call them at 604-261-3070.

At the corner of 41st and West Boulevard, you can either go east or west, left or right. Go to the east if you want to eat at The Red Onion with its traditional burgers, fries and good homemade soup. The other interesting store on the east end of the Kerrisdale's 'downtown' is Please Mum, a Canadian children's clothing chain. This famous company carries an excellent array of children's clothes, all at reasonable prices. It's a great place to stock up on basics or an entire wardrobe.

If you go to the right or west on 41st, you'll find three of the best stores in the area: Hills of Kerrisdale, Thomas Hobbs Florist and Currans of Kerrisdale. Hills is an old fashioned department store that is still in business because it's managed to integrate the best of the old with the new. Fashions are high end and current, and the selection is excellent.

Thomas Hobbs Gifts at 2129 West 41st Avenue, 604-261-5998, you'll find excellent gifts for others or for yourself. Everything is beautiful, and, consequently, Hobbs is a great place to browse or buy.

Currans of Kerrisdale, 2247 West 41st Avenue, 604-261-7071, is an old-fashioned lingerie shop with a better assortment than you'll find in most big department stores, and the service and atmosphere are better. You'll find local designers' underwear and sleep wear and, in winter, one of the largest flannel pajama collections in town. Currans has been around for a long time and they are experts in their field.

Across the street from Hills is the best restaurant in Kerrisdale, Le Petit Geneve. Like the rest of the best in Kerrisdale, it's a neighbourhood fixture. It serves excellent, continental lunches and dinners. The food isn't flashy, but it's well prepared, sophisticated and delicious. Le Petit Geneve is located at 2106 West 41st Avenue. You can call them at 604-266-9611.

Kerrisdale is a great place to come for lunch or high tea and shopping. It is, in truth, a place women will enjoy more than men. It's a good place to go with a group of women, and not necessarily young women. Exciting and hip are not words that naturally gravitate toward Kerrisdale, but it's a great place to hang out if you're a woman on your own or spending an afternoon with 'the girls'.

Take a look at the Kerrisdale Village website for more information.