Daddy-A

My last 3 places were all last night! J & I had a tough week, so we needed to unwind, and with the fiasco that is DOV out of the way, last night was the night ... Nu - cocktails & appie hour (or Cinq á Sept as their website calls it) at the bar. Damn I like this bar! Perfect view as we watchd the winds pick up at the beginning of last night's storm. My usual Negroni & a couple Boddington's and J's various champagne cocktails and the week's worries were washed away. The appetizers were really tasty (smoked salmon quiche, and roast duck) but we only saw them twice. I feel ingrateful for nagging on something that's being offered gratis, but for whatever reason I felt ... neglected?? No worries ... the drinks, the view, the bar staff and the company were all excellent. Shiro-Bay - My first visit (now dutifully crossed of my must-visit list) to this much touted izakaya joint. I think many people must not like the communal table because our host seemed quite suprised when we cheefully agreed to sit there. Hell, we had no reservations wo I wasn't about to be choosy. Had the obligatory Ebi-Mayo, along with the Kobe Carpaccio, Lamb Cheeks and something else ... ?? Washed that down with a bottle of sake (something organic ... I put my pen away last night so no notes). Verdict? Both J & I prefer Hapa, and I would even put Guu in front as well. Nothing wrong with Shiro Bay ... just not as tasty. The Ebi Mayo was good, but too much mayo for this palate. Service was good, especially for an izakaya joint, but our server wasn't as well versed on the sake's as I would have liked. If you're going to set yourself up with premium sakes, at least be able to explain why you're charging $30+ for a tiny little bottle. HSG - Isn't it mandatory to visit now? Just popped in for a couple ports. Neil had left early (not feeling well I was told) but Jude brought us the "NEW" HSG menu to inspect. A 40 oz. Bone in Rib-Eye???!!! J's eyes lit up and said "I'll bring a girlfriend and we'll share!" A number of DOV items have made their way up to the big-leagues as well. Sipped some Fladgate and watched Carter & the Twins lite up the Flames. Say goodnight Gracie A.

How's that for service Jamie? Thanks for this Andre ... and thanks to Ling & D90 for an amazing report! I'm horribly jealous. As to the drinks ... I'm with OG. Gimme a lager with my Beausoleils! A.

[host] Ive just merged another thread on West Coast cuisine into this one. If you read from the beginning, a lot of great ideas to add to Jamie's menu have been made! A. [/host]

Well, I once showed up with some smoked chicken, some shiso, and eggplant, and assorted other veggies from our garden for Jeff & Kurtis. It became a staff meal (lasagna iirc) for them. Keep in mind I delivered the food to the back door and not during business hours. Why the gift? Because these guys "get it." Sure they run a business ... but they love food and wine. It shows. Amazing what happens when you give a damn. A.

Lots of independents in Vancouver have very noisy rooms too, so you can't pin that soley on the CFD chains. I don't believe I did. I pinned it on Cactus Club. A.

And so the beauty of eGullet (and DOV) is revealed once again. Ducky, you may rue the day this forum "outed" one of your "under the radar" favorites. I've driven by this place for quite a while without thought of ever passing through its door. Nothing to do with trendy. Just too many other options. Don Francesco is an afterthought no more! A.

Warning! Host about to show his age I've said it before ... I like the food at Cactus Club. The roast chicken and grilled veggies they do are very tasty. The burgers are pretty good too. In fact, I would eat at Cactus Club a lot more often if they would just turn down the f-ing music! I don't care what they're playing, just allow me to speak with my dining companion without having to break out the napkins for some improptu semaphore! Damn kids! A.

[host] I've just merged a couple threads on "old-timer" retaurants in Vancouver. Thanks to Mr. Maw for reminding me about the original ... A. [/host]

And therein lies the rub. I believe this market, while a great incubation site for CFD endeavours, is also an extrememly competitive market place. There's just way too much competition for the dining buck. I was in Winnipeg about 8 years ago, and the only place worth eating (and that I could afford) was an Earls. Consistent food, in that it was exactly what I had eaten a dozen times at Earls in BC. There's a lot to be said for that. It may not be mean a lot to many of us who post here, but for many many people it's pretty important. A.

I hear the German luge team loves their grits! I need to go pay Al a visit ... A.

If you haven't already done so, THIS SEARCH will give you all the threads on catering in this forum. One day I'll get around to merging them A.

Brian would win ... I'm all talk. A.

[host] Good afternoon ... Please, let's re-focus on food & dining. eGullet is not the place to discuss fashion faux pas'. A. [/host]

Gee that's funny Brian. I always thought it was my back yard. When did you move into my garage?? A.

Point taken ... and I stand corrected. The link winegeek posted to the Monteray Bay web site is very informative. HERE is a direct link to their Seafood Guide. A.

[host] No OG (et al) you're just within the limits. But further discussion is warranted ... just not here. Perhaps somebody could start a thread over in General? As far as an Osters 101 goes ... might be worth a road trip I think! A. [/host]

Never too busy for you BC! A.

Rice served with rice? Genius!!! A.

Chris, Tiresome whining? On eGullet? Really? I should have been clearer. I used "perserverance" in terms of staying the course and doing what you know will work, in particular the all-BC wine list. Many folk raised an eyebrow over that, but as you said, it works wonderfuly well. A.

I'd also add that I've removed ahi from my personal dining list due to sustainability issue. It's being over fished. Nothing wrong with a nice piece of albacore however. Currently, the smoked albacore at Cru is tops on my list. A.

Add to that the difficulty in finding oysters anywhere other than the more establisged fish mongers. But I feel that's a probalem for local seafood in general here. I've told this story before: how my son & I were looking for oysters on the Sunshine Coast, and could find diddly-squat in the way of any fresh seafood. It seems incredible, but there it is. Where of where is the fresh seafood? Daddy-O's???? That's damn near copyright infringement! Where's my lawyer?? A.

Just wanted to say "Congrats" to Jeff & Kurtis for the fantastic write up they received in The Straight! CLICK Go back and read this thread from the beginning. Amazing what a little perserverance and a lot of talent can do eh? A.

Speaking as Lee's dining companion that day ... I gotta say that cold dish tasted way better than it looks! The noodles were very tender, but my favorite part was the cucumber. Odd I know, but so very good! MMMMMMMMM ... leftovers! Thanks dude! A.

Methinks this answer is closest to the truth A.

As always, you put things nicely in perspective Andrew! A.