young one

just wondering how much an evening for 2 at El Bulli might cost?

SAVEUR!!!!!!!!! on Thurlow (old Piccolo Mondo)

Also, CALL AHEAD to make sure it is okay!! No showing up and just whipping it out.

edm, Perhaps you should try contacting the establishments directly when you have a disappointing experience, since it is obvious that your comments were meant for the bosses. It is never difficult to find a phone number or email for a Vancouver establishment. In fact, Gerald even included the website in his signature...

Crispy fried grasshoppers and beetles from a street vendor in Thailand. Intestine of unidentified animal also in Thailand, cooked up with a tasty sauce. Just kind of like slithery, firm pasta tubes. Also paddled in the river uprooting lotuses to make a fish and lotus stem soup that was delicious.

The Health Board prohibits dogs on patios. A restaurant can lose their patio permit if they are caught being too friendly to dogs. Usually okay to tie the dog on the other side of the railing.

Having just read the Bis Moreno DOV thread and then this I have a few things to say. Like others, I think this event is great because it fills the restaurants up at a typically quiet time of year. Unfortunately, alot of people will probably have experiences where they feel rushed or that the service is inattentive. I'm not sure about all the math but I think that in order for the event to be profitable in the short-term (especially for a smaller restaurant) you really have to cram alot of people in. I truly do not feel that it is a particularily good showcase of what each restaurant is really about and perhaps it would be a good idea to keep that in mind when you are judging each place you visit over the next few weeks. Some other minor points: If you have to wait for your table it is probably because the people before you were late or are lingering longer than expected. If your service was lacking it may be that all the FOH staff is way too busy and try as they might they can't be with you as much as they would like to. If you are feeling disappointed try to find a moment to communicate this to someone at the establishment. Remember, when complaining, do it nicely and you will be more likely to get a positive result. Keep in mind, this is NOT business as usual for many of the restaurants. Everyone who works at the restaurants is working their asses off in order for things to come off as smoothly as possible. May everyone have many great Dine Out experiences!!! Good luck to all staff at DOV joints!!

Wanted to clear something up. Marc-Andre is the Chef of both Lumiere and Feenie's. Wayne is the Sous-chef at Lumiere.

Harrison Pizza, they are open the latest of anything. I like the pink diner for breakfast, it is the last restaurant before the hotel on the main strip. Have a nice snack in the hotel lounge. There is of course the Copper Room at the Hotel. Also, a long running french restaurant in town, can't remeber the name, one of the owners passed away last year so I don't know what is going on there. I've never found Harrison to be a culinary hot spot but maybe I don't know where to look. I say focus on the hot springs and spa aspect.

This has been going on in Van for a few years now. It is on the sly so of course, no one is just going to just tell you about it. It operates on an invite only basis and as far as I can tell occurs on a somewhat monthly basis. You definitely have to know someone who knows someone! Good luck.

perharps the goup ahead of you took longer than anticipated, perhaps half their group showed up late. it may not have been due to the previous group at the table taking the extra time that caused your wait. as for a long time for drinks; sounds like it was busy. being busy is not a reason for poor service but remeber to take it all into account. i believe it is a good idea to mention your dissatisfaction to a manager as that may be their only way of knowing something is wrong and being able to sort it out. remember, you will always get the best results by being polite.

CityFood magazine is generally hard to find. I once contacted them to drop off a stack at the restaurant I was working at. They dropped off about 10 one time then never again. The most recent issue (2004 Annual guide to Eating & Drinking in Vancouver) is not to be trusted. There is misinformation about every restaurant that I am familiar with (places that friends own or work at, places I work at, places I frequent). Beware what you believe from here. I have liked it in the past but now don't trust it at all. I don't like being so harsh and I know they have alot of listings; but they should at least make an effort to double check thier info. Make sure the hours are still right, the dish they are spotlighting is still on the menu, the same chef is still there or even that the restaurant is still open for business!!!! Here's to a better run next time.

The Fish House in Stanley Park also has a wine cellar type room.

I grew up eating lots of asian fare and started mighty young, high-chair sized. Our fave as kids was definitely dim sum. I suggest sticky rice, har gow and shui mai (I absolutely do NOT know how to really spell those). Orange crush is a must. The long flat white rice noodles wrapped around beef/pork drizzled with brown sauce. Shanghai Noodles is a super yummy kid friendly dish. You guys should get all the kids together and go as a big group. Most restaurants that do Dim Sum are kid friendly. You will be able to order enough good stuff so the grown ups don't feel like they are giving up flavour. The kids can check out the live lobster tank. When they're done eating they can play under the big round table you are sitting at while you calmly enjoy the rest of your food and conversation. For us, this was the dads thing and there were usally at least four kids. Moms relaxed while dads nursed hangovers. Have fun!!!!

Pho Tang Long...Main and 21st.

Went to Bis the other week for dinner. The service was very good with good wine selections. We went on an empty Monday night and chose the Chef's Menu and the Signature menu. Most of it was great but we both felt the mains were a little confused and not very well seasoned (neither of us finished them as we had with every other plate). I've heard that the Pasta Tasting Menu is to die for. I'm sure I'll catch an earful for saying something negative about it cause as far as I know, I am the first to do it. Don't forget that I DID say most of it was great. As for other suggestions... FICTION Tapas and Wine Bar on W. Broadway. Am I crazy, you wonder? No. This reataurant has recently expanded with an elegant, warm and stylish room. There is even a fire place. Chef Kris Barnholden (previously of Lucy Mae Brown) is cooking up a fantastic menu. You can check it out at Let's Go For Dinner. There are Small plates and Mains as well as Charcuterie plate options. You can also do "Tastes" -$3.75 for oneor $10.00 for three. How cool is that? Some fantastic stuff I've tried so far: Ahi Tuna Nicoise, Roast Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Cannelloni, Fois Gras...mmmmmmmm, Citrus Dusted Spring Water Trout. Okay, I've just convinced myself to go back tonight. Fiction is also totally affordable, you don't have to wait for your tax return for this one. Oh yeah, talk to the managers for wine suggestions, knowledgable and lots to choose from. I know nada of scotch but they sure do... There is hig demand for this place and they do not take resos, so have a martini while you wait for your table. I'm also a big fan of Parkside Restaurant. Every experience has been great (especially b-day dinner, my stepmother declared that she was so satisfied she could hapilly die right there and then). Wine : 60 under $60. Food: 20 under $20, rustic elegance. Serivce is absolutely impeccable and friendly. If you have time check these places out. Anyone else been to the new incarnation of Fiction? Happy eating!!

Here's a quetion about wine etiquette. My friend and I recently went to Wabi Sabi (everything was fantastic). He ordered us a bottle of wine. When our server brought it to us she poured him a taste. once he accepted the wine she proceeded to fill his glass first and then mine. I'm not super stuffy about pouring etiquette but it prompted some theories. We thought perhaps it was just a small mistake having to do with unfamiliarity with wine service or maybe having to do with more sake drinking than wine in Japan. We even thought it might have to do with the Geisha traditions of serving the men first (I'm a girl)... Then the other night we went to Yoshi and the same thing occurred when I ordered the wine, she poured me a taste then filled my glass before my friends. Just curious if there is something to this or if it is just a strnge coincidence. If anyone has any insight please let me know. Thanks!

sad to say that the hot pepper is no longer. grumpy and the family packed up and left with barely any notice. he actually said goodbye to one person that i know of who ate there everyday for years. they went to japan. the spot is now known as irene's (i believe) and the friendly family atmosphere just ain't the same. tried it out once but i was looking for those perfect hashbrowns with the eggs done just right and the gruff service: irene and the family just couldn't deliver. breakfast will never be the same.

May be time to give this place another try. I've been hearing some good things on the street about this place. Van Geest is a young chef that is trying an interesting take on things and has a clear direction in mind. There is room to grow which is great; any chef that thinks they know everything will become stale in their creative capacity VERY fast.

Aurora's brunch is very nice. Something for everyone; egg stuff, waffle stuff, sandwich stuff (mmmm...B.E.L.T.) They are open saturday and sunday for brunch. I believe they open at 10:30 and close at 2:30. Dinner is everyday from 5:30. Not a bad idea to call for a reso.