VC09 - Commercial Drive

Victoria Park has toadstool shaped picnic tables, a busy playground, pathways that wind through the landscape, and is surrounded by colourful heritage houses. One block east of Commercial, between Kitchener and Grant streets.

The staff at Harry Rosen will send you to Angelo Tailors for difficult suit repairs like invisible mending. The shop also offers made-to-measure shirts and suits using imported Italian fabrics. Closed Sundays. 1501 Commercial Dr., 604-253-7633.

There’s no livelier place than Caffé Roma Sports Bar to watch a Canucks game — armed with a trademark Italian sausage on a bun. (When the Fifa World Cup is on, these are the most-coveted seats in town.) 1510 Commercial Dr., 604-215-8801.

Coffee culture thrives on the Drive, with a number of cafés appealing to different tastes: Turks Coffee Lounge has a low-key vibe and aromatic Milano coffee; Prado serves organic fair-trade coffee (custom-blended by 49th Parallel Roasters) in a spare white space with worn wood floors; JJ Bean is a locally loved chainlet, brewing its own roasts and — bonus! — it opens at 6 a.m. Turks: 1276 Commercial Dr., 604-255-5805. Prado Cafe: 1938 Commercial Dr., 604- 255-5537. JJ Bean: 2206 Commercial Dr., 604-254-3723.

Bleary-eyed parents come to Little Nest for the delicious, organic, and locally sourced menu (fruit and granola, fluffy eggs, grainy toast) and the strong coffee, all served in a tot-friendly, if chaotic, space complete with play area and custom-built toy kitchen. 1716 Charles St., 604-251-9994.

The message on Barefoot Contessa’s front door is “all things lovely” — an apt description of the unabashedly girly clothes and accessories inside. A sampling: twee hankies, frilly blouses and tops from Spicy Sugar, and handmade stuffed toys by Vancouver’s Miss Audra. 1928 Commercial Dr., 604-255-9035.

If there’s a better place than Dandelion Kids to find children’s gifts, we haven’t found it. Classic wooden toys line the shelves; whimsical mobiles from Djeco and local Contexture dangle from the ceiling. A second location opens this spring in Port Moody. 1206 Commercial Dr., 604-676-1862.

Timbre’s version of Sloppy Joe’s substitutes sweet and spicy ground bison served on a grilled hamburger bun (recommended with a heavy pint of Hoegaarden). On Fridays, the cabin-like spot hosts live jazz; arrive early to snag a table. 2068 Commercial Dr., 604-215-7515.

La Grotta del Formaggio has Italian pantry staples like Illy coffee, olive oils, and vinegars, plus made-to-order panini, but as the name suggests, cheese is the main draw. There are strong Parmesan Reggianos, glossy bocconcini, and an ever-expanding selection of B.C. cheeses — any and all are recommended. 1791 Commercial Dr., 604-255-3911

A 750-millilitre container of Dolce Amore’s velvety-smooth gelato easily feeds a family of four and can be loaded with up to three flavours for $14, plus taxes. 1590 Commercial Dr., 604-258-0006

Spank Shoes stocks the season’s must-have footwear from fun lines like London Underground and Seychelles at reasonable prices. Four blocks down, Kalena’s — a Drive mainstay since 1967 — stocks quality Italian brands for the whole family. Spank Shoes: 1181 Commercial Dr., 604-568-1229. Kalena’s: 1526 Commercial Dr., 604-255-3727.

STATISTICS

Average age - 36
Residents per block - 128
Percentage of renters - 67
Median household income - 52,182
Typical household - Families

REAL ESTATE MARKET PLACE

2050 Graveley St.
$939,900
{Specs} Totally restored 1906 home, with 5 bed/2 bath and a two-bedroom suite down