190 replies to this topic

[Daddy-A]

Is it bad form to start Foodblog admitting to be lightly intimidated? I mean, seriously, having to follow Kew & Tepee's blog is like a comic having to follow Robin Williams! I hope I am worthy.

My name is Arne Salvesen, I'm 39 (40 in August - egads!) and live in Burnaby, BC, Canada which is the next municipality east of Vancouver - home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games Bottom line, I'm no more than 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver.

My family consists of my two sons (who gave me the Daddy-A handle) who live with their mother in Pitt Meadows (we'll be making a trip there this week), my wife "J", and our two Jack Russel Terriers, Ringo & Gromit, who graciously allow us to share our home with them. I'll be posting dog pictures later, but in the meantime my avatar will have to suffice.

My connection to the "food" scene is completely amateur in nature. Never worked in a restaurant and have only really thought about it as a "hobby" over the last couple years. Professionaly some of you already know I am a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD), so that is probably my closet "professional" connection. My web site is in my sig line, or you can PM if you'd like more information.

Still, one of the greatest joys I have in life is cooking for my family & friends, or enjoying a meal out in one of the most vibrant food scenes anywhere. That is what I hope to share with you this week: a small sampling on how Daddy-A cooks & eats his way through a week in Vancouver. We'll visit some of the better known places, but I hope to also introduce you to something new. Along the way we'll also meet a few of the local eGulleters, and see what I can do with my brand new Weber Smokey Mountain!

Heaven help my waistline!

A.

[peppyre]

Yay!!! The long awaited Daddy-A Blog! Looking forward to this.

Don't worry about your waistline at this point, just think of this as just another week.

[*Deborah*]

The rumours are true!

Looking forward

[spaghetttti]

Arne, my secret wish for a Daddy-A blog has finally been granted! Congratulations on your new Weber, this is sure to be a smokin' week!

[rjwong]

So, you're the famous Daddy-A, ehh?

I enjoy reading the Vancouver forum threads and the name Daddy-A keeps popping up, as though Daddy-A is as famous as Stanley Park (uhh, are you?).

I look forward to your foodblog. Thank you, Arne.

BTW, turning 40 isn't all that bad ... yet ...

[Tepee]

Why don't we all help you celebrate the big four zero right here in your blog??
Really looking forward to some real blogging now....

Is it bad form to start Foodblog admitting to be lightly intimidated?  I mean, seriously, having to follow Kew & Tepee's blog is like a comic having to follow Robin Williams!  I hope I am worthy. 

Um...I'll take that as a compliment. After all, Robin Williams does share his initials with our world...the Rambutan World, whatever that means.

[Ling]

Really looking forward to this.......

[Radio7]

I'm excited to be hearing from someone in my old home of Vancouver.
It's been too long since I visited, and it's such a rapidly changing place I can't imagine what its like these days.

My strongest culinary memories:

It was traditional, on my birthday, for me to have dinner with my dad at The Cannery; beautiful view of the water, with the odd seal-sighting.

The "Capers" health food store. Are they still in business?

[Daddy-A]

Thanks for the welcome everyone! The encouragement is serving me well this morning, as I didn't sleep to well last night You see ... Mr. Mooshmouse & I (aw hell, his name is Ian!) go for an extended bike ride every monday afternoon. I'm not hurting fro the ride, but rather from the fall I took in the middle of the Lions Gate Bridge [insert collective AWWWWWWW here].

Other than the fall, it was a great ride. Started at Kit's Beach, over Burrard Bridge, to Stanley Park ... through the Park to the Lion's Gate Bridge, fall ... ride up into the British Properties, across to the Cleveland Dam ... back over Lions Gate, through Stanley Park, through English Bay and back to Kits.

Did I mention the weather has been very nice lately? 17C (64F) and sunny.

Anyway, I'm a little stiff this morning. Time for breakfast:


This is the Java Altar in our home. It will be making a regular appearance at this time every day.


Guess which mug is mine, and which one is J's We re-fresh our mug supply everytime we go to Disneyland. They're looking kinda old don't you think?


I use JJ Bean "Nero Forte" beans for my espresso. The portafilter only holds enough for a single shot, so I pull it a little long for our morning lattes. JJ Bean's newest store is on my visit list today, so more on them later.


I'm a creature of habbit. This is my breakfast 90% of the time, with the dry cereal switching between Vector, Raisin Bran or whatever looks good at Costco.


Breakfast & the morning news. First "hobbit feet" comment gets a virtual whack on the head!

More in a few ...

A.

[Daddy-A]

Don't worry about your waistline at this point, just think of this as just another week.

That's been my problem ever since starting with eGullet!

Arne, my secret wish for a Daddy-A blog has finally been granted! 

I enjoy reading the Vancouver forum threads and the name Daddy-A keeps popping up, as though Daddy-A is as famous as Stanley Park (uhh, are you?).

Me & Lord Stanley's Park? My name keeps popping up because I spend way too much time here! And now I'm blogging! I have the most understanding wife ...

It was traditional, on my birthday, for me to have dinner with my dad at The Cannery; beautiful view of the water, with the odd seal-sighting.

The "Capers" health food store. Are they still in business?

I'll try to stop by The Cannery for a photo ... it's still a landmark. And yes, Capers is still around ... there's one going in just across from my office in fact.

A.

[Marlene]

I have the exact same mugs Arne! And a few other Disney ones as well. Looking forward to this!

[lexy]

Did I mention the weather has been very nice lately?  17C (64F) and sunny.

ooh, I'm so jealous! I fear this blog is just going to make me want to move out west even more (the weather, the skiing, and now I'm going to hear all about the great food … )

[Mooshmouse]

Thanks for the welcome everyone!  The encouragement is serving me well this morning, as I didn't sleep to well last night You see ... Mr. Mooshmouse & I (aw hell, his name is Ian!) go for an extended bike ride every monday afternoon.  I'm not hurting fro the ride, but rather from the fall I took in the middle of the Lions Gate Bridge [insert collective AWWWWWWW here]. 

Other than the fall, it was a great ride.  Started at Kit's Beach, over Burrard Bridge, to Stanley Park ... through the Park to the Lion's Gate Bridge, fall ... ride up into the British Properties, across to the Cleveland Dam ... back over Lions Gate, through Stanley Park, through English Bay and back to Kits.

Anyway, I'm a little stiff this morning.

Arne, Ian said that you were a real trooper, especially considering that the fall took place at the beginning of that ride. When he said bridge deck, I winced big time. Hope you're doing okay.

That aside, Arne's in blogland... whoohoo!!

[Daddy-A]

Before I head out this morning, a few shots of the neighbourhood ... more reasons for you Easterners to feel envious

My first pet shot ... that's Ringo on the left & Gromit on the right. This is my view most mornings, and the reason I am able to continue eating.




It's not officially Spring yet, but don't tell the gardens & trees here!

Now, off for some coffee!

A.

Edited by Daddy-A, 15 March 2005 - 02:44 PM.

[Safran]

Arne, geez, that's cruel!!!! Those pics of spring...looks to me like it HAS arrived. Here in Ottawa, we still have 3 feet of snow in the back yards, so no local asparagus just yet, or local anything for that matter! Fun, fun having you blog!!
We will, of course, be taking notes of all these food places for our next visit.

[Priscilla]

Cute doggies.

D-A, it would it be possible, as you blog along, to have a little information about what a kitchen designer chooses for his own cooking environment? I for one would be interested.

In the espresso machine photo above, what material is the strip of molding along where the counter meets the backsplash? I think this intersection point can be a problematic detail in a lot of kitchens, but yours looks clean and finished.

[Rhea_S]

We'll sorta be neighbours when I move back to the west coast in June. My temporary (or possibly permanent) home will be in Coquitlam.

[fifi]

Thanks for doing this, Daddy-A. Vancouver is one of my favorite cities in the world. It is truly a beautiful place. Stanley Park has to be one of the most spectacular pieces of real estate to remain from the British Empire. Have you ever read any of Jan Morris's pieces on Vancouver, or some of her writings as James Morris in the Pax Brittanica trilogy? I don't know of a writer that captures the spirit of the place, or "gets the hang of it," quite as well.

I have to believe that your food sources are unmatched in the world. Beyond that, some of your kitchen renovation experiences would be fun.

Blog on!

[Fritz Brenner]

i'm really glad to see you blogging, Daddy-A. vancouver's forum has become so active, and it really seems like a great place to eat/live. i'm looking forward to reading about daily life in the area.

thanks!

[Viola da gamba]

Hooray for Daddy-A - man those pictures of spring remind me how much 6 degrees of latitude (give or take) can make - while the weather's been good here, we're still only just getting shoots & buds - although the pussy willows are well out.

Blog on!

[therese]

Before I head out this morning, a few shots of the neighbourhood ... more reasons for you Easterners to feel envious 

Hey, I'm an easterner and we've got the same weather but warmer. Oh, hold it, I'm a southeasterner.

Really looking forward to Vancouver, a very cool place in many respects.

[Daddy-A]

D-A, it would it be possible, as you blog along, to have a little information about what  a kitchen designer chooses for his own cooking environment?  I for one would be interested.

Inasmuch as those details fit into the "food" aspect of the blog I'll give you a tour this evening when I cook dinner perhaps?

In the espresso machine photo above, what material is the strip of molding along where the counter meets the backsplash?  I think this intersection point can be a problematic detail in a lot of kitchens, but yours looks clean and finished.

The countertops are Corian. The "molding" to which you refer is in fact part of the countertop. My fabricator calls it "tile cove." It's like a regular seamless backsplash, but It's only about 1/4" high. Nice and clean, and keeps the inseam dry.

We'll sorta be neighbours when I move back to the west coast in June. My temporary (or possibly permanent) home will be in Coquitlam.

People leave here, but they always come back

I have to believe that your food sources are unmatched in the world. Beyond that, some of your kitchen renovation experiences would be fun.

I'll be "revealing" some local sources this evening when I post today's pictures. As for my renovation experiences ... today you wouldn't want to hear about them Let's just say I've been on my cell-phone far too often today!

i'm really glad to see you blogging, Daddy-A.  vancouver's forum has become so active, and it really seems like a great place to eat/live.  i'm looking forward to reading about daily life in the area.

Back at yah Fritz! J & I love Portland and will be down for the Brewer's Festival in July! Just hope it's not as HOT as it was last year

A.

[SethG]

Is that Gromit as in "These are the WRONG TROUSERS, Gromit!"?

[Daddy-A]

Is that Gromit as in "These are the WRONG TROUSERS, Gromit!"?

I was thinking more of "Cracking toast Gromit!" Yes, that's the source of the name. I'd wanted a dog named Gromit ever since seeing Grand Day Out ... and I can't wait for Curse of the Were-Rabbit!

A.

[Varmint]

My goodness, Arne has been blogging for the entire day and has yet to mention anything about beer. And he calls himself a Canadian??

[Jake]

Looking forward to your blog, Daddy-A. I haven't been to Vancouver for about 5 years now, unfortunately as it is a great place to visit. I'm sure your blog will be great, I confess to popping over to read the Vancouver forum frequently just to see what's going on. Thanks for taking on the challenge.

[Jensen]

I'm really looking forward to this, Daddy-A. Try not to make me too homesick, eh...

[Jensen]

My goodness, Arne has been blogging for the entire day and has yet to mention anything about beer.  And he calls himself a Canadian??   

I bet he's been drinking it though. You know, most Canadians would rather do something rather than talk about it.

(And on that note, I think I'll have a beer!)

[Daddy-A]

My goodness, Arne has been blogging for the entire day and has yet to mention anything about beer.  And he calls himself a Canadian??   

Well .... I haven't posted pictures yet (this damn job thing keeps interfering) but I did manage to drop by the Granville Island Brewery this morning to pick up a couple of their proto-brews ... a little something for St. Patty's Day

I haven't been to Vancouver for about 5 years now, unfortunately as it is a great place to visit.  I'm sure your blog will be great, I confess to popping over to read the Vancouver forum frequently just to see what's going on.

I'm really looking forward to this, Daddy-A. Try not to make me too homesick, eh...

You know, you guys can always come for a visit. We have a spare room ...

Teasers for tonight (when I can post my pictures ...):

• The first in a series of Vancouver coffee houses
• Granville Island and viscious seagulls
• What's up with Kolachies?

A.

[canucklehead]

Dude

Very excited about this blog. Looking forward to showcasing some of the best of our local scene. For a week - you have the perfect excuse to super indulge.

May your sushi tray always land toro side up my son.

Edited by canucklehead, 15 March 2005 - 05:18 PM.