Xando Head

Here in BC, I tip the same as I do when I'm traveling. 20% standard. More than that if I had a wonderful experience, and/or if I am dining in an establishment where I am a regular. 15% if the service is off/poor. If the night was an abysmal screw-up, I have left as little as 10-12%. Though I don't do it often -- maybe three times in the past 2 years or so.

I had lunch (portobello soup) at Wink today. It was my first visit. First, a little note about my perspective -- I don't mind reading critical reviews, as long as they're fair. But after having dined here, Ms. Gill's "review" feels even more mean-spirited and hardly close to fair. I mean, did she even take a look at the place before selecting it as a place to go for wine and dinner with a self-proclaimed food snob? As someone said upthread, Wink is what it is -- and to judge it as something it's never claimed to be just seems ... unfair is the only word that comes to mind.

After living in this fair city for five and a half years, I finally had my first meal at Vij's tonight. I am writing this so early in the evening (it's not yet 8:30) because we arrived at 5:30 on the dot, in hopes that my impatient mother in law wouldn't have to wait. We didn't; we got one of the last free tables in the house. Today is my wedding anniversary, and my husband is traveling abroad. When my in-laws asked me last week if they could take me to dinner, my first response was "Let's go to Vij's." I've been wanting to go forever -- I'm a frequent customer at Rangoli -- but had never made it to Vij's. The meal didn't disappoint. I prefer my hot drinks to be on the not-too-sweet side, and the chai was flavorful, rich and sweet, but not overly sweet. Very nice. To start, my father in law and I shared the prawns in mango reduction. Prawns were flavorful and juicy -- nice that the prawn flavor was an integral part of the dish, and not just the delivery system for the sauce, which is what I find often with prawn dishes. I would have liked to have sampled more of the starters, but since we weren't dining on my dime, I held myself back For my main, I had the lamb popsicles. I SO agree with everyone here -- this dish is so flavorful, with the lamb cooked to perfection and the fenugreek curry so completely addictive. The sublime creaminess with the spicy kick is something I'm sure I'll be craving. I had lovely kheer and more chai to finish -- on the kheer, nice balance of creaminess and nuttiness, not too thick but not thin at all. In all, the food was fabulous, Vij was working the room (does he ever sleep?!), and the chefs in the kitchen were turning out an impressive amount of dishes, all the while with big smiles on their faces and no visible signs of stress -- quite a treat to see. I do love my in-laws, but I really can't wait to come back to Vij's and experience it the RIGHT way (well, MY way, anyway) -- with more sampling and a more relaxed vibe at the table. (I won't air my dirty laundry, but dining with people who are not easily satisfied can be stressful. )

are they open for lunch? anyone know?

Husband and I went to Diner for the first time on Friday night. We were the only ones there for the duration of the meal, but since I had a 6am flight the next morning, we were there pretty early -- around 6pm-ish. This place has the potential to be a complete gem. Service and flow is a little new; as Neil says, you can feel it. But it's very friendly and I am quite sure they'll find their groove in a short while. I had the perogies with german sausage and husband had the carbonara -- and we finished our meal by sharing the lemon meringue pie. (and I do believe that husband was with the PaoPao group last night for dessert -- I'm sitting here jet-lagged in Washington, DC, and I do believe he'd forgotten to mention the whiskey-laden milkshake to me! ) The perogies were delicious -- so fresh and flavorful -- and even light, if that's possible with perogies. I am not a carbonara fan, so didn't try it but husband was very satisfied. I can't wait to try the meatloaf. That's definitely next on my list. My only very mild complaint was that the seats in the booths near the bar seemed to be placed a little too close together, but if that's the only complaint, I ain't complaining. Maybe husband and I just have big feet and sharp knees I really am happy to have a more casual place like this in Yaletown. I know this isn't in the cards yet, but while we were eating, I said to husband, "Can you imagine if they did breakfast?!"

I had a heated frozen burrito with a hunk of aged gouda and a London porter ... at my desk as I worked. Sigh. No rest for the weary.

1. Amarcord, tonight. Manlio is one of the most gracious hosts in town, and always makes us feel as though we are guests in his home. 2. Vera's Davie St, last night before Keane at the film festival. I've got a new favorite combo -- Veras with cheddar, fried onions, fried mushrooms, ketchup and mayo. Simple, yes. Expected, yes. But delicious... oh, yeah. 3. Chambar, a few nights ago with four friends -- all from different countries, which was fun. Had to try the duck with nectarine (versus cherry). Delicious, but I do miss the cherry. We also went to Nu late night last weekend for the first time. Sat out on the patio with the "industry types" and enjoyed ourselves, although that green neon "chandelier" hypnotized me for sure (even through the glass ).

I do wonder if the donut thing is partly nostalgia -- as someone who grew up in the States, nothing in my mind beats a Krispy Kreme. Back when I was young, there were no stores where I lived -- you could only get them boxed at the grocery -- and they were the cheapest, which is likely why my parents bought them. Now are they the best? Surely not. But for me, they are. Nostalgia wins in this category.

When I lived in Whistler, it was the spicy tofu from Sushi Village. I swear there's opium in the sauce. Here, I find myself craving a dish I've only had three times -- the duck breast at Chambar, though I've just heard that they've changed it to a nectarine gastrique. I loved the cherry.

Is this place in a strip shopping center? I've seen place from 301 in a shopping center, haven't tried it. ← Yes, it is. There's a place called Yum's or something just in front of it, and a Dollar Store to the right of it.

I had lunch at Pho Hiep Hoa last week. Had a very mixed experience. Food was very flavorful and fresh, with an excellent balance of spice, but the service was really, truly, horrid. I've tried to forget the mishaps that occurred during the meal, but they included the server not knowing which dish had pork and which had beef (my dining companion and I had to explain it to him -- and he argued with us), not getting silverware despite asking twice (we finally snagged from a nearby table), not getting plates to share our appetizer (despite asking twice) until we grabbed a busboy -- then my plate was dirty. Spilling both drinks when the server absentmindedly threw them onto the table with his back turned, waiting forever to get our check and then having to go up to the register to pay because our server had forgotten about it and was sitting down at a table by the door, staring into space. We told the woman who rang us up that the food was great, but the service really horrible, and she somewhat apologized, saying that two of her servers were new, and there was a "guy in the kitchen who was driving her crazy." Hmmm. Okay. The food was tasty enough for me to give it a second chance next time I'm back in town, and they're a new restaurant, so I'm willing to give the servers a little break-in time, but if it happens again, don't think I'll be going back.

Lefty's Barbecue off of Route 5 just after you enter Waldorf (just south of the Mattawoman Beantown turnoff). Used to run their business out of a small portable just as you entered St. Mary's County, been here at this Waldorf location for years. Every time I'm back in town I end up at Lefty's several times -- between "Big Mama" cutting the meat to Lefty and his family serving you, you can't go wrong with their tasty Q.

I was lucky enough to see a preview of this show recently, and to have a lovely long conversation with Chef Bourdain about it. The show looks fascinating on many levels, and while I was at first a little dubious about the whole chef/Travel Channel, it really does seem to be a great fit once you've seen an episode. I, too, wish we could get this series in Canada. They are still filming, by the way. Bourdain mentioned that he was headed to one of the "istans" (can't remember which one -- sorry) to shoot the next episode.

Luckily my husband and I (and our dog) didn't get hit by the Hummer that ran the red at Beatty and Cambie, and we were able to pick up lunch -- 3 steak and guinness and a mushroom pesto between us. The beef was very moist, and I appreciated the peas, too. Would love to see this special return. I had never had the mushroom pesto before today and will undoubtedly order it again. An abundance of mushroom, and a subtle yet flavorful pesto -- which is good, in my opinion (I am personally not a fan of the very strong pesto).

Having grown up on the Chesapeake, I'd be THRILLED to be a part of this. Crab bakes (though we just called it "steamin' a few bushels of crabs") are something I grew up with and one of the few things I miss most about "home." Along with Vancouver Lee, I'd be willing to share some of my precious Old Bay -- and I'd like to cook a pot done "Maryland-style" -- with lots of Old Bay and rock salt, and served with side dishes of vinegar, onion and black pepper instead of butter...

I am not usually a fan of chocolate, but I am in love with Provence Marinaside's version -- warm, oozing chocolate and a (small, but) tasty, flaky pastry.

Picked my copy up at Urban Fare last night -- had two big stacks in the back at the magazine section. Was it just me, or was that the wrong caption on the dosa photo on p. 12? Enjoyed this issue -- thought the Vancouver chefs photo was splendid... And it's also very interesting for me to read about the Victoria food scene. After living in BC for 7 years, I still have never been to Victoria...

One question about Umami -- I just did a search but couldn't find an online menu. Are there a sufficient number of non-seafood items on their menu? I have been dying to try this place out, but my partner doesn't eat seafood and has been reluctant.

The original post in this thread and follow-up question was about the DESIGN of Afterglow. Not the food or the drinks or the service or the popularity. And to me, the low seats and tight spaces around the tiny tables are indeed very uncomfortable. While the space may look nice, I do not like to have a cocktail there because it is so uncomfortable ... So while this is obviously a matter of taste, the DESIGN of the seating doesn't work for me. But like someone else said, they're busy enough. They don't need me :)

I can tell you from a non-designer perspective, I find it incredibly uncomfortable ... especially in a skirt (!).

As someone who flies between Vancouver and the U.S. all the time (twice this week, in fact), I wouldn't risk it. First you have to go through Canada Customs, then if you leave the airport, you'll have to go back through U.S. Customs for your Philly connection ... and with the lineup I endured yesterday to clear Canada Customs (nearly an hour and a half), I would worry about the timing. Of course, sometimes you can sail right through Customs on both sides, but you never really know... The most I would do would be Globe at the Fairmont ... and having eaten there three times, I can tell you that the food is indeed very very good. Being in a hotel, it won't really give you a "Vancouver experience," IMO, but you'll have a good meal. Sorry, but I wouldn't risk leaving the airport, not even for Chinese in Richmond. There's always Tim Hortons (just kidding).

Perhaps it might be a regional thing... When I lived in Washington DC, you could find Twice Cooked / Double Cooked Pork at any Szechuan or Hunan restaurant, but I don't think I've ever seen it in a Szechuan restaurant here in Vancouver.

Decided to give Firewood Cafe a try tonight for delivery. Well, it's now 1 hour and 20 minutes since I ordered, and still no pizza. Think I'm going to just cancel it. I called at the 50 minute mark, and they said they were "very busy and running late." I didn't think it'd be yet another 30 minutes or more... Sigh. I was looking forward to trying the pizza.

My personal opinion/thoughts after watching the first episode? My background for full disclosure... Vancouver eGullet member, live in Yaletown, not in the restaurant business, but in the television business for over 15 years. (Am not in any way affiliated with this series or network...) I agree that for any television or film production, authenticity of setting is key. In a fictionalized drama, clever, sharp dialogue and believable acting is also just as important. While many have been critical of Godiva's for its portrayal of life in a restaurant, as I watched the first episode I felt as though the writers/producers were trying almost TOO hard to be "authentic" to the setting -- and thus much of the dialogue and "lingo" seemed overwraught and more than a little cheesy. Ditto with some of the Vancouver references -- Wreck Beach, pot, etc. But hey, it's fiction. Fiction writers -- be it in literature or film -- often take stereotypes and blows them into what are believed to be more interesting characters and/or situations. Is that "real?" Nope. Does it make for "good TV?" Sometimes, sometimes not. Depends upon the skill in which it's done. In Godiva's case, the jury's still out in my opinion. I'm sure Bravo is hoping that this drama will be a success across the country and with all different types of households, not just with the urban foodies. I'll watch the next episode.

I went to Phat's this morning -- but was planning to go soon anyway -- so no one blame the Chef, please!!! While doing the Yaletown stroll with my dog, husband and a Starbucks latte in hand (hey, it's the law around here!), I realized they were open for breakfast. Quickly wished I hadn't gone to Starbucks, as their espresso smelled fabulous. In addition to their lunchtime sandwich menu, which looks delish (yes, I have a date for lunch there tomorrow) -- they also bake their own bagels, croissants and pastries -- and I have to tell you, the pastries looked great. This is NOT good news for my diet. Stopped myself from getting a chocolate croissant ... but watching the guy behind the counter drizzle chocolate over another batch tested my willpower... We both had a bagel -- I had a toasted whole wheat bagel with plain cream cheese, he had an onion bagel with the same. Both husband and I agree that the bagels are quite good-- chewy and light, just the way I like them. P.S. -- Edited to add that I too was brought up around NY-style delis, but thankfully I travel to NY 7-10 times a year so can get my fix that way. I am really looking forward to the Montreal smoked meat experience tomorrow.