Incredible Views from the Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant - Vancouver

Notes by Jenavieve

Activity:

Can somebody please tell me what all the fuss is about turning sixteen?  Surprise parties with lots of people, candles, cake, singing, I didn’t want any of that.  I even remember, months ahead of my 16th birthday, watching the movie “16 Candles,” and making a point of telling my Mom, “Whatever you do No Party on my 16th ”!  I mean, it doesn’t get any plainer than that.  Mom gave me her word.  And besides, knowing how hard Mom finds it not to blab a secret, I was pretty sure I’d find out ahead of time if something was going on.  Most of the time I’m right about stuff; but not this time.  Let me tell you what happened that fateful day at the Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant.

I didn’t have a clue that Mom and Dad sneaked behind my back until I saw all my friends huddled around a table at the Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant.  Everyone was so excited because they’d taken me by surprise.  Quite frankly, I hate surprises, and if they truly were my friend they would’ve known that.  I knew then and there it was going to be a long night.  My friends couldn’t stop oohing and aawing about how cool the restaurant was.  I even heard one person, I think it was Rylie, blurt out that it seemed like we were on top of the world.  Not quite, but I guess there aren’t many buildings in Vancouver with more than 45 floors.

Sharon was over-the-top happy because there was a vegetarian risotto on the menu.  I wasn’t into vegetarian food at that point so I ordered a curry chicken dish.  Coleman, as always, ordered without looking at the menu, and ordered what he always orders, chicken strips and fries.  I glanced at the menu, and sure enough there were no Chicken strips and fries to be seen.  The waiter assured us the kitchen would take care of Coleman’s request; which surprised me, because usually restaurants don’t go out of their way to make ten year-old boys happy.

Speaking of Coleman, he’s a bit off the wall.  You never know what random idea he’s going to come up with next.  That night it was, “Hey, why don’t we put something on the window ledge and wait for it to re-appear again after we go around.  That way we’ll know when we’ve made a complete circle.”  “Great idea Cole, what should we put there?” Becky asked him.  He thought a spoon would do the trick, but I assured him somebody would see it and take it away.  I left the matter with him and turned to talk to my friends.  Big mistake.

I was mid-sentence with Becky when I noticed her jaws dropping and eyes literally popping out of her head.  “I just saw your brother tear out a chunk of his hair,” she burst out.  Apparently Coleman couldn’t think of anything else to leave on the window sill but his own hair.  One strand of hair maybe; why he needed a whole pile I have no idea.  I saw Mom go over and tell him not to tear out anymore of his hair or he’d be sitting in the hot seat between her and Dad.

Getting back to the sweet sixteen birthday party I didn’t want.  I looked over at Mom and Dad.  They were clearly enjoying themselves, seemingly in their own little world.  I could hear Mom say, “Look, there’s our old apartment building on Haro Street; it looks exactly the same.”  Dad was pointing out one landmark after the other.  I wanted to go over and give them a piece of my mind, but didn’t have the heart to break their moment.

I have to agree, the view is amazing.  You can see the entire city.  What’s even better yet is that you’re always looking at something different.  One minute you could be gazing down Robson Street, and fifteen minutes later you’ll be staring at English Bay.  What’s also cool is when the sun goes down and the city lights take over.

Seriously, if you have out-of-town guests, this is the place to take them.  Mom says the food doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and it’s tasty.  She’s the ultimate food critic.  Plus you can use your Entertainment Card to help pay for it.

After, we went home and Dad, believe it or not, dropped my Sweet Sixteen birthday cake onto the floor, just as everyone was singing, “Happy Birthday.”  It was the perfect ending to a perfect night.

Age group:

Bring your relatives, bring your friends, everyone will enjoy the views.

Expense rating:

$$$

:

  You're 42 floors over Vancouver and the restaurant revolves, giving you an incredible 360 degree view of Vancouver.  Make sure you go on a clear day.

:

The restaurant is a bit on the pricey side.

Details:

The Cloud 9 Revolving restaurant is on the 42nd floor of The Empire Landmark Hotel located at 1400 Robson Street.  For more information please check their website: www.cloud9restaurant.ca

Area:

Vancouver

Season:

All year round

Educational highlights:

A revolving restaurant revolves on a turntable-like platform that revolves slowly allowing diners a 360 degree panoramic view.  John Graham, a Seattle architect was the first to design a revolving restaurant in 1961, and was awarded US patent 3125189 for the invention in 1964.

Fun for the adult?:

Take it from me The Cloud 9 Revolving restaurant has some of the most incredible 360 degree views of Vancouver.  We took our relatives from Holland there once and they were so impressed.