SBonner

Still good when I was there 6 weeks ago. Cheers, Stephen

The Adore late harvest wine was given to Hiro by the winemaker; unfortuntaley it was un-labled so Hiro and I were making educated guesses as to what it was made from...none the less it was delightful. Stephen

Yes... there are lamb and beef dishes as well as some pasta's with an Asian twist. Cheers, Stephen

This wine and food oriented restaurant compared to Hapa...which I like... has an slighltly older and more educated clientele who are into wine and food pairing and the drinks selection blows Hapa away. I'm more than willing to do a wine presentation if Andrew wants to set it up. Stephen

Umami... the fifth element of wine and food pairing 28th April 2005 Helen and I enjoyed another (of many) late night dinners at Chef/Sommelier Hiro Shintaku's Umami restuarant on Davie Street. Tonight we did four courses: 1st course: Albacore tuna spring rolls $10 cooked rare and wrapped with Nori and shisho leaves with a thin light tempura batter coating. Accompanied by a wasabi-soy dip and balsamic red wine drizzle on the plate. Perfect pair witha glass of Blue Mountian Brut (B.C.'s best bubble) for $9 a glass. 2nd course: Dungeness Crab Rolls $10 2 sticks of phyllo wrapped crab accompanied by a wasabi mayo and soy dip and amazing avocado and tomato salad. Paired with a couple of glasses of Yaluma Viognier $9 ...stellar match. 3rd course: Braised eel and foie gras $15 or in North American terms "surf and turf" or as they say in Spain " Montana y Mer" a great combination of Quebec organic foie gras with West coast eel on a bed of poached Diakon with a rich and fresh dashi broth. Great with the Wynns Coonawarra Shiraz (Australia) and Township 7 Merlot (BC) 4th course: Cheese plate 3 choices for $9 or 5 for $14. We opted for the 3 cheeses: St. Andre (pungent and Brie like), Manchego (Spain), and Poplar Grove Tiger Blue (mild creamy blue) paired up with the Lustau Amontillado Sherry "nice match for $6" Hiro graciously opened a bottle of Adora estate late harvest wine (Viognier, chenin blanc, Gewurztraminer, and pinot blanc) to finish off the cheeses....nice!!! Umami has 18 wines by the glass ($6-$10) that constantly change and each works well with the whole "umami concept" . Venta, the most visible server, is a Canadian with an Aussi accent. who offers great service, engaging conversationion, and also works part time at Chi. Okay... we spent $120 plus $25 on tip to have a great evening here; but there were only 3 other couples there from 8:00pm to 10:00pm... E-Gullet readers...check this place out!!!! If you have not you are missing out on a great wine and food experience. Umami received great press last year....but what happened? This place deserves so much more foodie attention. Andrew... are you reading? Let's do a dinner here!!! Cheers, Stephen and Helen Bonner

I'm a huge fan of arugula "rocket" and I'm just waiting for some seeds from a friend in the U.K. so I can start growing the European strain (smaller leaf, more peppery). I'm curious to your favourite salad (chef, restaurant, and dressing)utilising this delightful green. Stephen

I've always enjoyed "C" in the past and present. Fiction wine bar is another choice for great wines and small plates. Chambar is recommended for Australian inspired martinis, cocktails, and of course Belgium beer. Cru and Parkside are high on my list. For Dim Sum try Imperial on Burrad Street...great food and service. Enjoy, Stephen

Having dined at all the Conran restaurants; Bluebird is my favourite. Our last trip to London last year was no exception. Paternoster on the other hand was unimpressive and I will not return. Cheers, Stephen Bonner Vancouver

no kidding...same thought crossed my mind and so I inquired over at the Spain/Portugal board. I have not travelled nor as a consequence dined very much in Europe but was advised that the "wine pairing" aspect of tasting menus is not as in vogue there as it is here. Again that is second hand information. I am sure others can speak from first-hand knowledge as to whether this is correct or not. The wine component did not seem as "staggering" ...price-wise...as it can be on "this side of the pond"...many recommended Cava...not surprisingly given it is Spain and a still bottle of white or red or both...and a driver. If I win the lotto I will post because Barcelona and El Bulli have been added to my "foodie fantasy list"....mind you, just tasting the jamon in that shop before he went to the "laboratory" looked fabulous. ← "Wine and Foamy food".......Looking at regionality; Cava, Priorato (foie gras foam) and white Euro blends work well with this type of food. One of the most amazing pairings we had was a foam made from blood oranges added to a glass of olorosso sherry paired with a tuna sashimi and grapefruit foam...yummy!!!!! Just envison the foam as a piece of protein without the textural element and you can come up with some wonderful wine pairings.. Maybe we can discuss this at our table at Chambar tonight. Cheers, Stephen Bonner

Always a pleasure to read this thread whenever it resurfaces! It is also great to see that the Irish Heather is just as busy or more so than prior to the start of this thread. See you all for a pint or two possibly after the Chambar dinner on Monday. Stephen Bonner

Well put Keith, This city is so backwards in its bylaws and rules and regulations. I'm told today city bylaw officers were on Commercial Drive taking photo's of various patios so who knows what they have planned for that street which is lined with coffee shops and restaurants. I guess they are getting ready for crackdowns on snowmen and ice statues for 2010. Stephen Bonner

I just noticed that a Mexcian restuarant is opening on the corner of Abbott and Cordova in the next several weeks. Strange location that has never worked. Stephen

If you've experienced some of the amazing flavours created at E Bulli or Comerc 24 you might change your mind. We create foams at home as a accompaniment to an appy or entree. The real skill lies in creating complex flavours and the correct texture. They are fun and a lot of work. Stephen

Try Aurora Bistro on Main Street for 100% B.C. food items including an all B.C. wine list. The chef, ex Bishop's, does a great job. For Chinese; I enjoy the dim sum at Imperial and our newest and hottest restaurant Chambar would be fun for a Belgium inspired menu. Cheers, Stephen

Jamie, I guess the the key word is "Asian". I think the wine lists at Chi, Wild Rice, and Vij's have great lists if you classify them in this broad catagory. Cheers, Stephen

I believe O'Doul's has live jazz two-three nights a week and Rime on the Drive seems to have something happening every night but they do charge a cover charge so beware. Stephen

Jamie, Great read....and to think back in the 70's the ocean was considered an almost unlimited source of protein for future generations. I hope more restaurants and foodie's take note of your lists. I'm curious about oysters and mussels which are on so many restaurant menus here and are they also in danager? Stephen Bonner

I'm curious to how the wine list is... the pastry chef is also a sommelier. Cheers, Stephen Bonner

How I miss living in London... here in Vancouver unless you have a seeing eye dog no restaurant is dog friendly. I'm curious how this thread developes as we are in London several months each year and usually dog sit for our friends who live in Canary Wharf which seems very un dog friendly. Stephen Bonner Vancouver Canada

We usually eat Sunday Dim Sum at Imperial in the Marine building... great service. For Indian try Royal India, Vij's and Rangoli. For a twist on Asian try Wild Rice with their modern interpretation of Asian cuisine. For all out Japanese; a seat at Tojo's never fails. Cheers, Stephen Bonner

Royal India on Water Street has closed down... going to miss the butter chicken. It's re-opening as an Italian restaurant! I doubt it will survive much past summer based on the previous restaurants at this location. Stephen

Incendio in Gastown is our choice...we can walk there. They do not deliver themselves but a couple of the on-line delivery companies do offer their pizzas for delivery in the downtown area. Cheers, Stephen

Andy, Thanks for the images of the Brighton Market....Maybe after all the Granville Island Market is not such a bad place - I''ll stop complaining. Stephen Bonner Vancouver

I'd start off in Yaletown by visiting Barbara's-Jo's Books to Cooks then walk around the corner to Urban Fare supermarket then off on the Aqua bus to Granville Island. From there jump in a cab or bus and head up to South Granville street for lunch at Rangoli and a quick peek into Meinhardt's. Have fun. Stephen oops sorry wrong thread!!

I was down at the market today for a lunch time wine tasting at Bridges...parking was an issue even at 12:30. After the tasting, dropped in for some shopping, and realised that the VQA store there really needs some work with selection and service. Overal got some good deals on sausages, meats, and baked goods...but went home empty handed in the wine department. Stephen