[Awesome restos in local hoods]

Chambar definitely seems to be the poster child for breaking new ground in Vancouver. Although in the novel Stanley Park ,by Timothy Taylor, a fictional but very trendy restaurant was located in the Crosstown area well before Chambar got there.

I think Henry's Kitchen was in the La Buca space and was pretty popular so I might put an asterisk beside that one.

[Local Food Blogs]

Regarding that Urbanspoon list...it is interesting to note that 8 perhaps 9 of the top 10 blogs are run by Asian bloggers. I think that these bloggers are filling a void that is largely being ignored by traditional-media food writers (most of whom just don't understand the Asian palate and way of dining).

I agree about bloggers filling the void with regard to Asian cuisine. I'm not Asian and really don't have a clue, but blogs and folks like Canucklehead, you, Kentan and others have helped me learn much more than any traditional media source.

[Local Food Blogs]

Thanks for posting that list Kentan. I haven't been following any blogs lately but the list inspires me to do some reading and see if there's a couple that I might want to bookmark.

[How was the food/service at ...?]

Hang on, no said you're not allowed to discuss anything. You can discusss anything you want.

Fact is fact, and opinion is opinion. But when bloggers write " The prices are up there" without telling you what the prices actually are, or that "I found the service unprofessional" without giving any examples, you kinda figure that that person shouldn't be writing anything if they can't back up what they say.

So....Maybe I can comment on the building you live in or work in, and hap-hazardly guess/predict on it's construction, or it's impact on the neighborhood?

Opinion without supporting facts or examples is not going to get much traction with me. Of course there is a lot of crappy and unfair stuff written about resaurants all over the web. My point was just that you can't stop the tide. I think most people are discerning enough to know the difference between an ignorant rant and a thoughtful analysis. If not, do you really want them as customers?

Unfortunately diners are often not well served by newspapers, commercial websites or blogs. There's lots of places just recycling publicists' news releases so it is not surprising that diners turn to other sources for information.

Let's not fight - I'm sure it is crappy to read unfair stuff about your business.

And of course you can comment on anything you want about me too. I trust that the discerning reader will decide for him or herself whether you are being fair or not.

[How was the food/service at ...?]

n owner myself, I get kinda squeamish about internet reviews.

opinions are highly subjective. What one person finds reasonably priced another will find expensive or cheap. Same goes with service.

I don't mind discussions on facts: Prices in dollars, menu ideas.

When my place opened up, it was disccused here, had good comments and I had people using the opportunity to whinge about the location, and the actual building itself.

This is a forum to discuss dining, what's the point of trying to tell people what aspects they can and can't discuss.

We've had lots of owners, managers and servers here criticizing diners and our comments and trying to put the genie back in the bottle. Not going to happen.

There's much more positive commentary than negative here, I really don't think there's much to fear. And if it is not posted here, it will still go on Chowhound, Dinehere or elsewhere.

[Dine Out Vancouver - The Topic (2008-)]

At the same time as I remember it.

[The Vancouver Dining Landscape in 2010]

Thanks for resurrecting this thread. It's always fun to look back at our predictions.

Like Vandan, I have to admit that I did not see much about Vancouver restaurants and what I did see seemed to be pretty standard reporting of the usual suspects.

[Openings and closings (2009– )]

interesting, i was by delilahs today and there was a sign saying closed for renos and listed their web-site which also says that its only closed for renos

Hmm, well we'll see. Delilah's is owned by a company with a number of restaurants so it is possible that they are "rebranding" or just truly renovating. But the poster on Urban Diner was clearly stating "closed". Denman Street isn't looking all that healthy right now at that end.

[Openings and closings (2009– )]

I read over at Urban Diner that Delilah's is closed.

Also interesting news at City Food about the old Salt Builing (not Salt in Gastown) in the Athlete's Village that will become a brewpub, bakery, coffee shop. Nice looking building: Salt Building to become brew pub for Mark James

[Vancouver dining circa 1992]

I think a lot of those were safe choices, but it is hard to remember back that far with much accuracy.

Le Crocodile around that time was still on Thurlow I think. Was Cherrystone Cove still around then? That was a great restaurant. Angelica was good, I think that was Mark Potovsky post-Cherrystone Cove, but didn't last long. Rob Feenie worked for Potovsky at Cherrystone Cove and also at Le Crocodile.

[Gill Review of the Week]

Gill reviewed Bao Bei this week and she loved it:

I can't remember the last time (if ever) I went to a Chinese restaurant, sank in at a dark corner table, nibbled at a succession of delicious dumplings, soups and wok-fried small plates, drank a few excellent cocktails and then finally looked at my watch 4½ hours later, pleasantly shocked to discover how much time had passed.

Bao Bei is a self-styled Chinese “brasserie,” recently opened in old Chinatown's fashionable up-and-coming fringes. I enjoyed it so much, I went back the next night with a different group of friends (and had another fantastic experience).

Full column here: Restaurant review:Bao bei

Last week was Poor Italian Trattoria Ristorante, which she loathed:

All in all, the best thing I can say about Poor Italian is that they certainly got the name right.

Full column here: Restaurant review: Poor Italian Trattoria Ristorante

[Openings and closings (2009– )]

Yet another Guu has opened according to today's Georgia Straight:

Going Guu Guu Gaga

Six. That’s how many Guu izakayas there are now, including the recently opened Guu Toronto. Guu Garden at M101–888 Nelson Street (enter via Hornby Street stairs) is the newest and largest in the Vancouver-based chain. The menu is smaller and a little different from those of the others. Highlights include grilled miso black cod, yam miso oden, and sake cheesecake.

[Openings and closings (2009– )]

According to their website, the corner suite bistro deluxe is open: The corner suite. Let's hope they live up to the advance billing and have a long successful run.

[Yatai shows up in Richmond]

Wow, thanks for those pictures.

[NYT Articles on Food, Drink, Cooking, and Culinary Culture (2005–2011)]

I see it is the 4th most e-mailed article in the NYT today.

[As Others See Us]

I don't like lining up either, but it seems like lots of Vancouverites do.

If you read Joanne Kates in last Saturday's Globe it sounds like Torontonians do too. That's how you know you are at a hip place, accordning to her.

I've heard good things about Vij's, but just don't understand ist no reservations policy. I'm not travelling from W Van to stand in a que. It's a business model that works for casual dinning places like, dare I say it, White Spot, but high-end establishments - I just don't get it.

[Gill Review of the Week]

Gill reviews three chain restaurants this week:

Chains from New Zealand, Taiwan and Turkey are testing the Canadian appetite for their pizza, beef noodle soup and baked potatoes

She likes the baked potatoes:

Mr. Kumpir

The humble potato takes the cake.

I have no idea why this North American farm staple has become such a huge hit in Turkey. But Mr. Kumpir, whose stuffed snacks have taken Europe by storm, certainly knows how to stuff a spud.

It’s hard to go wrong with a thick-skinned russet, baked until the starchy innards are flaky-soft. But here, they take the tuber straight out of the oven when you order, slit the jacket down the centre and fork-mash it with butter and blended cheese until creamy.

Full story here: Fast-food eateries from afar debut in Vancouver

[Gill Review of the Week]

Care to recommend any?

I generally don't read print media critics. I much prefer on-line blogs (with lots of photos).

[As Others See Us]

Mia Stainsby reports that Conde Nast Traveler thinks we have the best Chinese Food in the world.

Canucklehead where are you? I want your take on this.

Gee, shucks. Can we take all the compliments?

First, The Economist tells us Vancouver is the world’s most livable city (2009 ranking) and now Conde Nast Traveler tells us in its February issue that we have the best Chinese food in the world.

Here's the link to Stainsby's story: Conde Nast Traveler magazine says Vancouver has best Chinese food in world

And here's the Conde Nast story: Canada wins Chinese Gold

[Gill Review of the Week]

So who, if anyone, in Vancouver do you think is a good food/dining journalist?

name='Mark Donnelly'

Hard to belive she gets paid to write such drival. My 13 year old daugther's Facebook wall displays better journalism.

[The eGullet Hall of Shame]

Wow, the power of suggestion! Last night I actually considered buying a can of cheddar cheese soup - something I've never purchased before - and looked at the price of a package of KD - something I haven't eaten in a decade or so.

As for my shame, I go with the OP:

I am ashamed to admit that I do not own and have not read Mastering the Art of French Cooking, nor have I ever made a single recipe from either volume.

and add that I didn't much like Meryl Streep as Julia in Julie and Julia.

I'm not ashamed that I use tetrapak chicken stock, that I buy ketchup as an emergency replacement for tomato paste or sauce, or that I use canned beans pretty much all the time.

That KD is still calling to me though.

[Gill Review of the Week]

Gill reviews LUPO and she likes it:

If there’s anything I love more than a great meal, it’s a good story. Especially when the yarn involves a talented underdog who’s thrown for a loop and comes out on top in the end.

Consider the game of musical chairs that had Julio Gonzalez Perini cooking in circles until he recently returned home to the newly launched and highly recommended LUPO Restaurant + Vinoteca.

Full column here: LUPO: Underdog chef finds you can go home again

[Milk in BC / Vancouver Island]

Excellent question. I don't know the answer but here is a link to a recent Globe and Mail article on this very question: Is organic milk a healthier option?

Aside from the feed difference you've identified, the treatment of cows with antibiotics seems to be the other key difference:

On a conventional farm, the milk from the treated cow is discarded for a period of time referred to as the withdrawal period. This includes the time the cow has been on the antibiotics plus the time it would take the drug to be excreted from the system.

On an organic farm, once a cow requires antibiotics, its milk is never again used for human consumption.

In either case, strict guidelines and testing are in place to ensure that the milk that reaches the consumer is free of antibiotic residue.

[Openings and closings (2009– )]

One more I forgot to mention: Chocolatl in Yaletown is closed.

[Gill Review of the Week]

In the February 20th Globe and Mail:

As The Globe and Mail's Vancouver restaurant critic, it's usually me on the other side of the table driving everyone crazy. Some say I can be harsh on wait staff, an opinion that puzzles me since I often refrain from commenting on the service – unless it was exceptionally good or egregiously bad.

Yet I firmly believe that one shouldn't dish out criticism unless one's willing to eat what's flung back, or at least try to understand it. So I recently spent a week waitressing to gain a better appreciation of what servers endure from their customers and how they perceive us.

For full story click here