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We've always tried to be transparent in our procedures, however hopefully this discussion throws further light on how we manage the process, which, as mentioned earlier, has been refined over the past 16 years. ← I didn't intend to imply that you were not transparent, Jamie. That is not what I think; I'm just interested in the details of the process.

Well I can't pretend to have done testing as extensively as Ling has, but the cakes at Ganache Patisserie on Homer are really good. And the desserts at West are always extraordinary.

Great questions, Neil. Like you I don't question or disagree with the results but I am interested in how the judging works. I've found the Van Mag awards to be a useful tool for myself and visitors over the years. It's just more interesting when the curtain gets lifted a bit and we get to see the behind-the-scenes workings.

Well many of the Iranian restauranteurs here have the word "Persian" in their restaurant's name, so it does not seem unreasonable to refer to Persian food.

Thanks for all these replies, it has been really interesting to read the various perspectives. My views are probably most closely aligned with Jamie's and Ann's. But then I have the luxury of taking the ferry over so I don't worry about parking. I can deal with the traffic, strollers, tourists and the not so great stores (yes, tourist tat Sam S) and restaurants (and even the rats, Merlin) because there's so much of the Island that I like. I know how important the tourists are to the craftspeople and other businesses on the Island. I love the diversity that has been accomplished in that very small space. I know how hard it is to balance all the interests and politics of place like this. And I just like looking at those old wooden beams, chains and hooks overhead in the market and knowing that it wasn't all razed for a new development. Is it perfect - no, but it's still pretty good. I often head over to the Island early on the ferry, have a little breakfast and read the paper, wander around to see who and what's at the market, check out the craft shows, meander up to South Granville and look at the galleries and shops, eat at Rangoli, meander back via Les Amis du Fromage and pick up groceries on the way home - a great day in my world! What I wish for most: Longer hours - even a few evenings a week. I just can't get to Granville Island from work by 6:00 pm, and I work downtown. Surely there is some compromise, flex schedules, optional late openings or something that can appease the vendors and service the customers at the same time. Better BC wine selection - A better wine store with a fuller selection of BC wines would be great. A chance to actually drink wine with food at the market would be great too, BYOB would be even better. I like Jamie's ideas of a Best of BC concept for tourists. I often hear tourists trying to figure out what to buy to bring back home, BC wine could be part of this concept. Better food in the market restaurants - Especially fresh fish. I don't eat a lot in the market except breakfast, but I wish there was a Go Fish in the market.

Thanks for a good read Jamie. Where in False Creek will Nu be, or is it already there?

Here's a link the Granville Island web site with contact information should any of you be inspired to send in some recommendations: (click for link) There's also a Granville Island Business and Community Association contact link there. Keep the suggestions coming.

Today's Sun has a story about the Granville Island Public Market and how it is losing custom to the many other competitors that have entered the downtown grocery market place. The Island merchants have always passionately opposed increasing the market hours, even though that seems to be an obvious step to take. I am sympathetic to their concerns about working longer hours, but it is pretty obvious that changes are needed and I would appreciate a later closing hour. I've been going to Granville Island Market since it opened, so it is part of my culinary history. I'm also interested in arts and craft and many craft guilds and associations have a home on the Island, so I will always be a regular. But others don't have those attachments. What would it take to get you to go more often to Granville Island? Is it the hours, the parking, or ?

As far as I know the entire empire is closed. It was reported in a couple of papers - maybe the Straight. He's off doing property development or something like than now.

There's also Arian in West Van that just made the news because of the new "anti-restaurant smell" bylaw: CBC on West Van Bylaw

I remember Mama Gold's - on Yew right? Was it a Cougar Bar? I would have been far too young and self-absorbed to have picked up on that.

I have no restaurant jobs to report but thanks for the stories!

Yes, I think that is right. Although I think he continued to make bread and I believe still sells bread at the Farmer's Market.

Wasn't there a cookbook store on Broadway near MacDonald previously - maybe 1980's. Called the Pink Peppercorn, unless I am totally delusional. Nothing compared to Barbara-Jo's but then there's a lot more cookbooks being published these days.

Lots of good suggestions already but, if you are considering Italian, Villa del Lupo is a great choice.

Eddy, I'm sorry I never got back for another wondeful meal. I went by on Monday and could tell that there had been changes. I'm glad you are having a good holiday. Be sure to let us know where you end up.

Hmmm, yes that was a rather obvious clue I overlooked!

I believe Aphrodite's is vegetarian, so I don't think they use lard.

I don't remember the food being all that great at Expo. I agree completely with your point about it bringing expansion. Just think what 2010 holds for us. I didn't mean that the food at Expo was great, but more that it seemed to me that a lot of restaurants started/expanded in response to the expected crowds. Maybe I was just becoming more aware of what was already present. ← In addition to initiating the redevelopment of Yaletown, painfully slow at first, and general expansion of the industry, in hindsight I view Expo as a catalyst for chefs and farmers. Perhaps the reason was that the provincial and national pavilions were forced to provide something determinedly indigenous to their place of origin. And it soon became competitive between the Commissioners General and their chefs. A poor luncheon in front of a sophisticated international crowd proved just the impetus for many to research locality. The Saskatchewan Pavilion provided the most memorable lunches, and I like to think that we did a pretty good job at the Canadian Pavilion as well. Expo also launched an interest in sushi to a more general denominator. But its downside, as we would see in the forthcoming decade, was a culinary trainwreck called fusion, with many of the 'creations' of (especially younger) chefs looking much like failed Grade 8 Home Ec experiments. As it turned out, it was just one of those adolescent phases that even the best families have to weather. ← Yes, that focus on the regional is exactly what drove some change. I was stumbling around trying to define the Expo influence, but you have nailed it. Of course that focus was already in the air, but Expo pushed it along. And I think lots of locals did try things that they had never even seen before - all part of that "World's Fair" ambience. Fusion too was in the air, or at least in the US, so I don't think we can blame it entirely on Expo.

I don't remember the food being all that great at Expo. I agree completely with your point about it bringing expansion. Just think what 2010 holds for us. I didn't mean that the food at Expo was great, but more that it seemed to me that a lot of restaurants started/expanded in response to the expected crowds. Maybe I was just becoming more aware of what was already present.

The Timber Club in the Hotel Vancouver. We can all laugh now at what a stuffy place it was, but that was my first real "fancy" dinner date. Pheasant under glass, actually brought by the waiter under a silver dome and unveiled (undomed?) with a flourish. I'm a little embarrassed to admit how impressed I was, but going out for dinner was a much bigger deal then than it is now.

Cherrystone Cove

Thanks Mooshmouse and agog. I remembered the Portuguese part, but forgot the Bino's connection.

Yes, I remember the Bread Line. Jam jar glasses and all that.

Fado - where was it? I have have a wonderful. if vague, memory of a dinner at Fado. I can't remember any details (that mists of time problem), just that for a long time that dinner at Fado was my benchmark. I went back a second time and was disappointed. Sometimes you should just treasure a good memory and not try to reproduce it.