I really love Shabusen. Its Japanese and Korean menu has all the usual staples of both types of cuisine, but it's their Korean BBQ--which you cook yourself at the table--that's my favourite reason to visit.

Each table (the sushi bar, too) comes equipped with its own mini-grill, to cook at, and you don't have to have any culinary talent to prepare the fabulously-marinated meats (beef, chicken, pork) or seafood. In my opinion, the beef is the best. The portions are large--this is definitely a dish that's meant to be shared.

Like (seemingly) all Vancouver restaurants that have sushi, Shabusen has its own $21.95 all-you-can-eat option, and it includes the Korean BBQ. So if you've never tried it--or typically prefer Japanese--you can sample the BBQ alongside your sushi, tempura and udon bowls.

The only downside to Shabusen--aside from dinner-time crowds--is that the quality of fish in the sushi / sashimi varies tremendously. Sometimes, it's divine. Other times, not so hot. The last time I went the salmon was perfect but the tuna was chewy.

The BBQ's great every time.

_{Photo by Dana Lynch}

Vancouver's summer pleasures continue this weekend, August 15 - 18, with parties and films at the Queer Film Festival, Kitsilano's Hippie Daze street party, and the parade-and-more Latin Summer Fest on Commercial Drive.

• 20th Annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival
  The Vancouver Queer Film Festival not only brings the best in queer independent cinema from around the world to Vancouver, it ties in some of the best parties, too. Opening night is Thursday, August 14, with films and parties scheduled throughout the next two weeks. Parties on Friday, August 15 include the "We're the World Mine Youth Party" at Vancity Theatre Atrium and "Sexnoys" at Lick. For complete film and party schedules, check the official site.

• Kitsilano's Summer of Love / Hippie Daze
  West 4th Ave celebrates Kitsilano's by-gone "Hippie Daze" with a street festival that includes live music, sidewalk sales, dancing, sing-a-longs and more, on Saturday, August 16, between Balsam and Fir.

• Latin Summer Fest
  On Sunday, August 17, this Latin-culture festival begins with a parade down Commercial Dr. and culminates in a party at the John Heady (Trout Lake) park, with live music, Latin food, Flamenco and Cuban Rueda artists, kids’ activities and more.

As a commenter pointed out recently, I need to update you on the status of the Richmond Night Market.

Back in May, I blogged that the Market was canceled this summer due to a site dispute, and didn't do an update to say: Hey, the market is back on after all! Organizers got their act together and the summer staple is back in its traditional home, at 12631 Vulcan Way.

Market hours are 7pm to midnight every Friday and Saturday, 7pm to 11pm Sundays, and 7pm to 11pm holiday Mondays (including Labour Day), until October 5.

I haven't had a chance to visit the market this summer (yet), but a friend told me it's scaled down from previous summers, because of the earlier almost-cancellation (not all the usual vendors were able to rally). If you've been, I'd love to hear from you: Is it much smaller? Still worth the trip?

And, to Walter, who reminded me to update on this--Thanks!

OK, I admit it: Even though I've lived in Vancouver for years, I'd never been to the Vancouver Maritime Museum before last week (when I went to write about it for the site). Unless you're a genuine boat lover, the words "maritime museum" probably don't inspire a "that sounds like fun!" enthusiasm. (Or am I totally projecting?) I wasn't all that enthusiastic, anyway.

But colour me pleasantly surprised by this little museum. Not only was it way more fun than I thought, it was...kinda cool. There's a 1928 RCMP schooner there, the beautifully restored St. Roch, that you can tour and climb all over (literally--there are ladders), a mock tug boat bridge, a mock Pirate Ship interior, and several other interactive displays, plus incredibly detailed model boats of all types.

It may be scandalous--or possibly just weird--to say this, but I enjoyed the Maritime Museum more than the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre (which, except for the planetarium, seems a little sad). And the two little girls who were clambering all over the St. Roch, pretending to pilot the ship, made me think a lot of kids might agree with that assessment, too.

So, the Maritime Museum? Actually fun, and very much worth a trip.

_{On the deck of the St. Roch. Photo by Dana Lynch}