EnRoute Magazine
Actress Jennifer Beals' Commercial Drive
Jennifer Beals was propelled to fame as a welder in the 1983 film Flashdance. Now she's better known as workaholic Bette Porter in The L Word. Entering its 5th season, the TV drama is set in West Hollywood but filmed in Vancouver, where Beals shares a home with her husband and two-year-old daughter.
Britannia Centre -
1661 Napier St. 604.718.5800
It's the centre of everything. There's ice-skating, a pool and a gym, and it all costs about $5. The whole notion of a community centre was a revelation to me; you wouldn't find this in L.A.
Joe's Cafe -
1150 Commercial Dr. 604.255.1046
The Drive is so ethnically diverse and driven by music and people and soccer. I used to live in the area, and during the World Cup, it's just so alive. Joe's Cafe is a popular place for games, and they have great coffee.
Dandelion Kids -
1206 Commercial Dr. 604.676.1862
They have fun toys and clothes and carry a lot of wooden items and things you won't find anywhere else, like unusual puzzles and mobiles.
Havana -
1212 Commercial Dr. 604.253.9119
At almost any restaurant on the Drive, you'll usually hear live music playing or people talking about their band or a short movie they just made. This place has a warm atmosphere, the food is cuban-and-latin-influenced and one of the cool things about it is the art gallery in the back.
Little Nest - 1716 Charles St. 604.251.9994
This is a comfortable new cafe that's really family-oriented. There's a play area, which is fun for kids. It's like eating in a living room. They server great sandwiches and soup.
