Early Game Plan
The proactive Seattleite’s guide to enjoying a super-sliding, high-flying, great-dining time at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
By Kathryn Robinson and James Ross Gardner
Pacific Coliseum
Fire on Ice
Don’t give a puck about the host country’s favorite sport? Don’t count the ice out. Men’s, women’s, and pairs figure skating are among the most sought-after events. Competitors aren’t cloaked in a helmet, goggles, or mask, allowing the audience to connect with the athletes. Plus, there always seems to be some juicy rink-side drama (thank you, Tonya Harding). But if the prospect of jealous, thug-hiring starlets doesn’t satisfy your urge to see aggressive behavior, there’s always short-track speed skating, in which four to six skaters battle for position around a tight, 121-yard oval.
Washingtonian to cheer
Speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno (Federal Way)
Where you’ll eat
Pacific Coliseum is situated just beyond a district that’s evolving from Little Italy into an epicurean world tour. One of the newbies, Me and Julio (2095 Commercial Dr, Commercial Drive, 604-696-9997; www.meandjulio.ca), playfully celebrates alt Mexican novelties, like plantain- and ancho-chile-crusted wild sockeye salmon and prawn-and-grilled-pineapple tacos, all within a beach hut of a room overrepresented by palm fronds, tequila bottles, and people who really ought to be carded. (In this happy province, that’s anyone who looks younger than 19.) Or consider La Casa Gelato (1033 Venables St, East Side, 604-251-3211; www.lacasagelato.com) for a spin around the gelato rink. Dozens of Vince Misceo’s 500 rotating flavors—mango candied ginger, pear Gorgonzola, chocolate super Montego—line the huge room, sample-spoonfuls free for the asking.
Published: September 2008
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