Two Vancouver Restaurants in 50 Best North America List

North America's 50 Best Restaurants were unveiled last night

Last night was the inaugural North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025, and two Vancouver restaurants made it on this prestigious list -- fine dining Thai Baan Lao at No. 12, which was also named Best Restaurant in West Canada, and Published on Main at No. 28.

"We are very happy and blessed," says Baan Lao executive chef and owner Nutcha Phanthoupheng. "We are profoundly grateful to our loyal guests for their support and thank North America's 50 Best Restaurants for the recognition. I am immensely proud to showcase authentic Royal Thai cuisine."

Also thrilled to land on the list was Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson, executive chef of Published on Main.

Fine dining Thai Baan Lao was ranked No. 12

"I am so proud of our team. Accolades like this are so validating for all the hard work our team puts in, day in and day out. Being recognised amongst our peers as one of the Top 50 restaurants in North America is a bit surreal. The topic of World's 50 often comes up when we're sitting and eating staff meals before service, and now for us to be included amongst such highly regarded restaurants is really a dream come true."

The unveiling of the list was held at a live ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas, where Atomix of New York which serves 12-course refined Korean dishes reigned in top spot. No. 2 was Mon Lapin of Montreal, and Restaurant Pearl Morissette, near St Catherine's Ontario was No. 3. 

William Drew, director of content for North America's 50 Best Restaurants says, "We are thrilled to unveil the inaugural list of North America's 50 Best Restaurants, celebrating the extraordinary diversity, creativity and excellence that define the region's dining scene. From pioneering fine-dining institutions to bold new voices, this list reflects the rich culinary landscape of the US, Canada and the Caribbean. We're proud to honour these exceptional restaurants and the individuals who bring them to life."

In total 20 North American cities were highlighted, featuring 11 restaurants in Canada, 37 in the United States and two in the Caribbean.

Junghyun and Ellia Park's Atomix was No. 1

Susan Bae of Moon Rabbit in Washington DC was named North America's Best Pastry Chef, and Chutatip "Nok" Suntaranon, chef-owner of Kalaya in Philadelphia won the Best Female Chef award.

The restaurants were chosen by 300 anonymous experts made up of chefs, restaurateurs, food and restaurant journalists and gourmets, led by a group of industry Academy Chairs.

However, surprised not to see restaurants like Burdock & Co. on the list for its emphasis on local and sustainable produce, or Botanist for its creative dishes as well, and its drinks have landed its bar on the North America 50 Best Bars list. 

Nevertheless, with the establishment of North America's 50 Best, restaurants may choose to pursue this path or Michelin as a way to market themselves. However, 50 Best is more of a popularity contest (in other words deep pockets), whereas anonymous Michelin inspectors go under cover to dining establishments to grade them.

It will be interesting to see which direction these fine dining restaurants gravitate towards, and more importantly, figure out how to survive in these difficult economic times with fewer people willing or able to pay to dine out.

Canadians Keeping Their Elbows Up

Canadians are showing their true colours this year

Ever since Donald Trump tossed out the possibility of Canada becoming the 51st state, Canadians have fought back with their "Elbows Up" mentality and there's now a lot of data proving that.

Travel is the biggest sign in Canada shunning the United States. When it comes to Canadians traveling across the border by car, there is a whopping 34 percent drop in August compared to the same month last year. That's the eighth consecutive month of declines apart from the Covid-19 pandemic period.

Many are upset by Trump's calls for the 51st state

There is also a lot fewer Canadians traveling by air to the US too. In August, the number of Canadians returning from the US by plane fell 25.4 percent compared to the same month last year too.

Canadians used to love traveling to Las Vegas for entertainment, gambling, and food, but not so much anymore.

Flair Airlines saw the biggest plunge of 62 percent of Canadian passengers, while Air Canada's was 33 percent, and WestJet 31 percent. As a result the airlines have shuffled their planes and are using smaller ones going to Vegas these days.

Instead Canadians are traveling to Europe, the Caribbean, South America, and Japan. This year Air Canada added 28 international routes to satisfy demand.

Meanwhile when it comes to books written by Canadian authors, Indigo reports a 25 percent jump in sales compared to last year, and the CBC has seen a 34 percent increase in people checking out Gem, its streaming platform.

Even Historica, which promotes Canadian history through programs like Heritage Minutes has seen a noticeable uptick in the number of people checking out the Canadian Encyclopedia with more than 14 million views this year.

It's great to see how Canadians are determined to do as much as they can to keep their elbows up!

A New Sign Lights Up Kits

A new sign has popped up in Kitsilano thanks to Chip Wilson

There's a new neon sign up on the corner of West 4th Avenue and Yew Street in Kitsilano. There are various arrows pointing to Jericho Beach, Kits Beach, Sunset Beach and Wreck Beach, as well as Love and Peace (in different directions).

The retro-style sign was put up by Low Tide Properties, owned by Lululemon founder and billionaire Chip Wilson, who says it's a nod to his family's love of the neighbourhood.

"My wife, family and I have been in Kits since the 1986 World Fair. We live and breathe everything that's Kitsilano -- from the beach to tennis to volleyball to the amazing people who have a way of living that elevates the world," Wilson said in a statement.

The neon sign gives off 1950s Las Vegas vibes

"Our family has been involved in the ownership of 23 locations on West 4th. The unveiling of Kits Corner is the icing on the cake after nearly 40 years of living, working and investing in this neighbourhood. From Westbeach to lululemon, Ride Cycle Club, Peak Performance, Arc'teryx, Kit and Ace, TurF and more, we're committed to keeping the spirit of Kits alive."

Perhaps that explains why Lululemon's headquarters is on Cornwall Avenue, and is Wilson naming some of his tenants?

Apparently the corner of 4th and Yew is where many run clubs finish their runs, and cyclists end their rides, while the sign gives off Las Vegas 1950s vibes with the neon signs.

Kits Corner also appears to be the name of the apartment building nearby. Units in the building are about C$2,800 for a 595 square-foot, one bedroom place, or C$3,600 for an 870 square-foot, two-bedroom unit...

Helping Out a Friend in Need

The wildfires in Los Angeles are still not under control

The Los Angeles wildfires are still raging, with at least 27 people dead and damaged or destroyed over 12,000 structures and displacing over 100,000 residents.

My sister-in-law's family is safe, and another relative was offering their place as a respite for their friend who escaped the fires.

But this evening I found out someone I know has lost her home and only has her son and all her possessions in two carrier bags.

Gu tracked down Ngoy to make a documentary

I interviewed filmmaker Alice Gu in 2020 about her documentary, The Donut King, about the rise and fall of Cambodian refugee Ted Bun Tek Ngoy, who once owned 65 donut shops making him worth US$20 million.

However, once he visited Las Vegas for the first time, he soon became addicted to gambling...

Her film was outstanding, and was awarded Special Jury Recognition for Achievement in Documentary Storytelling at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas.

Over the years Gu, a Taiwanese-American, and I kept in touch briefly on social media.

This evening on Instagram I saw her friend posted a video, pleading for viewers to donate to a GoFundMe page for Gu. He explained she was a friend for over 26 years, but that she had lost everything in the LA wildfires.

I felt bad making only a small donation, but every bit helps. 

She thanked me for the contribution, and admitted she reluctantly agreed to the GoFundMe page, but that expenses had been adding up.

While it's understandable that it's hard to accept help, I have found over the years that it really does take a village to help; just relying on a friend or relative is not enough financially, emotionally, practically. And as humans we all want to help our community.

I hope people like Gu will eventually get back on their feet bit by bit. And we can all help them do that.

Macau's Gambling Days are Over

Pre-pandemic Macau was the top gambling hub in the world

The glory days of Macau's casinos raking in US$36 billion annually -- six times more than all of Las Vegas combined are fast evaporating thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, and President Xi Jinping wanting the former Portuguese colony to pivot away from baccarat tables and slot machines.

And in another sign that this is happening, casino suppliers are quitting Macau for Singapore and the Philippines.

Macau has been told to pivot from gambling

Light & Wonder Inc is a leading provider of casino products and it's relocating its expat staff to the Philippines, the company's top market in Asia, while another equipment maker in Japan is moving 30 percent of its employees to the Philippines and Singapore. 

The Japanese company has also taken half of its inventory out of Macau, as its revenues have plunged 90 percent because of its prolonged slump.

Macau's casinos aren't buying any new equipment until they get licenses to continue operating at the end of the year, and without new sales, Light & Wonder is only getting limited revenues from maintenance and technical support.

Meanwhile, Macau Gaming Equipment Manufacturers Association Chairman Jay Chun said he knew of at least four multinational casino suppliers relocating manpower and resources overseas. The trend could accelerate after the government had announced a cap of 12,000 gaming machines across the city for 2023 under a new casino law. In 2019 there were 17,000 machines.

Though Macau did well for most of the pandemic -- keeping casinos open and allowing a trickle of mainlanders in -- it was hit hard this June when China suspended quarantine-free travel with Macau for more than a month. Tourist numbers were only 300 a day in July, with casino revenue only at US$49 million that month, as casinos were closed for two weeks for a lockdown.

Covid-19 has exacerbated Macau's woes

Many are worried about China-style lockdowns in Macau, which is why they are staying away from the city.

"Singapore and the Philippines are growing exponentially," Chun said. "Macau has already lost its shine."

The devastating economic blow to Macau is only going to make it even easier for China to turn the pliant city into one Beijing wants it to be. Whether it will be a success or not is another issue.