I recently spent a week test driving the Acura MDX Type S Ultra 2026 around Vancouver visiting some new cafes and restaurants as well as to see the Bruno Mars concert.
One of my favourite musicians was performing a sold out 5 night run, and we had tickets to the 4th night in downtown Vancouver at BC Place Stadium.
Mandy’s Salads opened their first location in Vancouver this Summer in Kitsilano. I had tried their salads a few years ago in Toronto and was curious to try them again here. Bringing its signature Montreal flair to the West Coast with locations like Kitsilano, Mandy’s Salads proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. Known for its vibrant, ultra-fresh gourmet salads and hearty grain bowls, the menu is packed with creative flavor combinations, crunchy textures, and house-made dressings that turn a simple lunch into a crave-worthy feast. Rounding out their offerings with refreshing smoothies and decadent sweet treats, it’s a go-to destination when you want something nourishing yet deeply satisfying. I had the Peanut Satay Salad.
At the center of the SUV is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Power is delivered through a 10-speed automatic transmission paired with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which actively distributes torque for improved cornering and stability. Acura also equips the Type S Ultra with adaptive air suspension and Brembo front brakes, giving the SUV sharper handling characteristics than typical family-oriented crossovers.
Lawrence and I took a drive to Richmond one evening to check out a fairly new café. More than just a spot for your daily caffeine fix, H & A Art Caffè blends specialty coffee culture with a lively, creative community space. Founded by trained fine artists, this welcoming café pairs Armenian baking and aromatic coffees with hands-on artistic experiences—including the chance to paint your own cake. With European music playing in the background and fine art surrounding the space, it offers an inspiring, social atmosphere where food, art, and conversation naturally come together. We had their delicious Ube blueberry baklava, chocolate baklava and birds nest along with Ararat Armenian specialty iced lattes.
The next day I headed to the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood for a delicious brunch at Tamaly Shop. This spot stands out as Canada’s first tamaleria, celebrating traditional Mexican culinary craft with certified-organic BC heirloom corn nixtamalized and stone-ground in-house. Their naturally gluten-free tamales come stuffed with rich, comforting fillings—from shredded chicken in classic house mole to tender pork with tomatillo salsa verde—topped with feta, sour cream, and vibrant salsas. Pair your meal with a cup of spiced café de olla or house-pressed horchata for an authentic, deeply satisfying taste of Mexico. .
I had the delicious Chicken Emmoladas, latte and a concha. I also added a Cheese Tamal.
The next night we headed over to the Metrotown area for a 2 part dinner of sorts; first up was for some tasty Cantonese dishes at Yin Ji Chang Fen.
Hailing from a time-honored Guangzhou tradition dating back to the 1950s, Yin Ji Chang Fen is renowned for its delicate, made-to-order Cantonese rice noodle rolls. Crafted using traditional cloth-steaming techniques, the noodle sheets arrive silky-smooth, paper-thin, and lightly bathed in savory sweet soy sauce, wrapped around generous fillings like shrimp, marinated beef, or barbecued pork. Alongside comforting bowls of slow-simmered congee, it’s an essential stop for classic, fast-casual Cantonese comfort food. I loved the Chicken congee, Steamed fish rice rolls and the Cucumber salad.
Then enjoyed the second part of our dinner nearby at OYes Turkish Restaurant. Here is is about bold, smoky flavors and generous hospitality, OYes Turkish Restaurant (O Yes Kebab) delivers an authentic taste of Turkish cuisine. Their menu shines with charcoal-grilled specialties like juicy Adana kebabs, tender lamb shish, and crispy, thin-crust lahmacun, alongside fresh meze platters and warm, house-made bread. Be sure to save room for traditional desserts like flaky pistachio katmer or warm, syrup-soaked künefe to finish the meal on a sweet, memorable note. I loved the Lamacun (aka thin crust pizza) and the Chicken Sish kebab.
Inside, the MDX Type S Ultra leans heavily into luxury. Quilted leather seating, massage-equipped front seats, ambient “Iconic Drive” lighting, and a digital-focused cockpit help distinguish it from lower trims. Acura has also emphasized passenger comfort with a long wheelbase and refined suspension tuning aimed at balancing sportiness with long-distance usability.
I really enjoyed the Acura MDX Type S Ultra 2026 it was a great car to drive in and around Vancouver and to get to the Bruno Mars concert.
By: Richard Wolak
Disclosure: Acura Canada provided me with the Acura MDX Type S Ultra 2026 for a week to test drive, and photograph.