SushiCat

I'm pretty sure it is mostly wheat, but regardless it is heavenly and should be tried ... unless you have a wheat alergy in which case you could certainly investigate.

Thanks Sashavan for the reminder that Irish Heather is a great local spot. We decided to try it during DOV ... now we have learned that trying during DOV is dangerous - as in other threads there seems to be some agreement that places may not be tops during DOV. Sean I hope we haven't upset you ... if I were in your position I would be happier to hear the news directly and still have had so many of us trying the place as opposed to what many of us did with with Bis Moreno. I'm somewhat sorry that I posted ... one of those times when it might have been best to be a quiet Canadian

Really this thread has become quite interesting! I too thought what do you expect for $ 15. and I also thought about what SBonner says about a beer and a burger ... well if my $ 15. DOV at Irish Heather had been a good burger and beer, and if that is what I had been expecting then I wouldn't have posted. Instead, I was lead to believe that they had good pub food. Perhaps they normally do, but not what arrived at my table the night I was there. What I find interesting is this: *probably the night I was there, Sean wasn't, if he is a) moving house, b) running three establishments; * in my past experiences a well run business of any sort should be able to keep on going even when the key FOH person is not present; * perhaps the overall combination of all the factors is just too much for the Irish Heather this year. I agree with what has been said about not judging a place solely on one night, but it is also important to realize that the dining (and drinking) public does have a choice, a wide choice in Vancouver of places to spend $$, so one bad or indifferent experience leaves a mark...

It is clear to me why some restaurants and also some patrons avoid dine out ... overall discussions have enlightened me, imagine if you had nobody to discuss such points with ... anyway just wanted to say that at Brix I have had crabcake and springrolls and many other delicisious food items as well as a number of good wines - almost always recommended by our server / FOH staff.

Since Friday evening I have been trying to figure out what to write about our experience at the Irish Heather. We decided to try it after seeing that other eg-ers were heading there for dine out, researched a bit, thought the menu sounded enticing etc. They were having the same off night in my opinion on Friday. We did summon the chance to discuss the difference between the $ 15., $ 25., and $ 35. price points ... but for us it was not only the food, but poor service, or maybe this is just current pub service and I have not been paying attention ... kind of felt like the wait-staff would just rather we all went away and they could go back to whatever normal is for them. I would assume that 830-1000 on a Friday night is normally a relatively busy time, we were there, empty tables were in sight, but every time a waiter was in our earshot, they muttered something about being SO busy. Also every time plates came to us or tables near us, the wait-staff asked the diners who was having what etc. Anyway, I wasn't going to post, because our previous meal was at West (enough said), also I just assumed it was an off night ... but after seeing this other posts, decided that Sean probably wanted to know. We left feeling like you get what you pay for! I did notice, sadly too late to change my order, that the nut pie looked like the best thing coming out of the kitchen. Sadly we didn't get any at our table Came home and had some leftover cheesecake to tide us over to our next meal. Next DOV dinner for me is Parkside, looking forward to it!

Gourmet Warehouse usually has a pretty good selection.

Dang! I almost went there today ... but one of my regular meetings which promissed to end early went late and work intervened with eating! Glad to hear of your enjoyment and comments, I'm next - hopefully tomorrow (in case anyone wants to join me). Sushi-cat - looking forward to barbecue and/or reuben kolachy!

Kaffir Limes / Kaffir lime rind is also available, so you could make kaffir-cello if you want in this way. I'm a die hard limoncello fan - my gioia luisa from last trip to Italy is gone - glad I looked on the gullet - always a good place to find these interesting tidbits. I'm thinking of starting two batches at once, lemon and blood orange. I'll report - don't worry, I will!

I've been wondering about Raga for years, but never make it there, just last night I was driving past and thought how does this place stay alive. Is it worthy of being added to the must try list? What else have you had there or was it your first time?

Or at the European Warehouse ... it is one of the reasons to go to this place. do let us know how the waffles turn out, and your various recipe tweakings ... I like regular waffles, but would like to expand my waffle options at home.

Have to credit Neil for starting the laughter, but Keith you always have me rolling on the floor, often with tears - too fun! I'm so glad I'm only on the dining side of DOV - thanks to all in the industry for making it happen for us !

PastryBoy, you can have them flown in to you from LobsterMan in Vancouver. It is the only reliable source, I was in Toronto for 4 years and really missed these - finally had to move back out west! Let me know if I can help

A little behind on my posts as I've been eating all weekend and had to work today I was also at HSG on Saturday night ... didn't know to look for Chocoholic, and as we arrived at 7 to a nearly packed restaurant, and I knew I would meet Neil on Sunday at West, I didn't try to get a moment in there either. However I did ask our server for a special favour ... to substitute my regular $ 25. menu dessert with the gingerbread pudding, and I agree it lives up to all expectations and beyond - I believe I tasted cardamom ... big fan of that here! Surprise, surprise, I had the hanger steak - very flavourful and delicious, as were everything I tasted. I normally dine out with my husband and we try to order a variety so that we can try as many things as possible. He had the lamb shanks on polenta, even though polenta is not usually his first choice. He kept commenting throught the main at how good it was, maybe it was the inclusion of aged cheddar, or perhaps just extra cream, it was definately extra creamy in taste. He didn't let me have any onion confit though - so I had a few extra little forkfuls of polenta! We also had a diner eating the salmon who was most pleased! And I haven't yet mentioned the chowder to start ... delightful, both delicate and creamy. I shared my gingerbread and there was plenty for everyone to have a nice taste of that - in turn I had several bites of the creme brule. At our table we had bar drinks, beer, wine pairings as suggested and pelligrino. We decided to head out for coffee - stopped in to see Alistair - it is customary in Italy to walk after dinner and before coffee ... it was a bit wet, but we had a little stroll. But before I leave off on my first HSG experience, I have to comment on the lively buzz in the room. Lots of energy, people eating good food and having fun. Friendly, welcoming and comfortable, delicious and satisfying food make it very easy to see how many people can addopt this as their yaletown social centre. Thanks to Neil and all the crew at Hamilton Street Grill!

Welcome transfattyacid! Don't be shy, none of the rest of us are ... Daddy-A, I know you like to welcome people, but didn't want to neglect our newcomer. Good to hear you had something yummy at Parkside ... I'll be there shortly for DOV.

We attract a different crowd than the green machine. Just as there is a big market for fast food, it's not the place you go if you want a real burger. Coffee is just like food or wine - once you have the really great stuff, you realize how wretched 99% of the stuff out there is, and you can't go back. At least I can't. ← Just to be clear, I meant to suggest that you are above and beyond those others ... coffee and the cafe have moved forward

Nice to hear everyone's comments. It was our second time dining at West and it certainly sears it in our minds as our special place. The food really is WOW as everyone has said, each component on every plate is like a work of art! I did not take notes, and don't drink much wine ... our table opted to chose from the shorter list of what was matched to the food, and the glass I had was the Kettle Valley Naramanta Pinot - I overheard someone say they didn't like it after I had been enjoying it as a great complement to the veal! I believe it has been said, but still I must add my kudos Peppyre, as you hear/see, we all are quite grateful for the work you did to organize the evening, and act as hostess in addition to the warm welcome that West FOH staff provide - brava and many thanks! Also congrats on your new title of Auntie, I hope you enjoy that role as much as I do in my family FOH West crew - you are inspiring, with warmth, knowledge and finess! Seemless placings, never interrupting and yet always being there if needed - it is very impressive. Chef Hawksworth, your humble personality on the floor, and your inventive creations with food are truly awe inspiring! I am inspired by the creativity - it is always a treat to see and taste your creations! Thank you for circling the room and stopping at each table - this was a touch above what I could have anticipated, and much appreciated, nice touch that made us feel truly special. Gulleteers ... I still didn't get to meet everyone, but you each added to the night. Here's to more fine dining and fun food events in the future

Coffee updates As we hear from Barrett Artigiano is openingin Kerrisdale and I heard they will have not only *$ to compete with, but also Esquire(s?) ... I would say that Artigiano will do well as everyone I know in that area has been missing Torrefazione. Good for me, as this will be the easiest Artigiano to get to, however I do have some allegiance to hopkin a la chambre elysee I also stopped in at Brazzo on the weekend ... dare I say I was an e-glutton this weekend! Fit in two DOV dinners, as well as gelato at Brazza and several 'extra' coffees! But I digress... Brazza uses Intelligentsia beans, Black Cat to be exact in their espresso ... had to try it! The coffee was quite delicious tasting, very clean espresso flavour, by which I mean it tasted roasty and smooth. I confess to not having ordered straight espresso as I usually do when trying a caffee for the first time ... so really detailed comparisons on the quality/flavour are not valid. They also have a very sleek macchina al caffe The overall experience, atmosphere etc. was not something I would gravitate towards, but I can't fault the quality of the coffee. Also I couldn't walk away without my own pound of Black Cat ... I'll let you know how it fairs for home brewing ... supposedly relatively fresh (within one week of roasting) and in a flavor-lock bag, but pretty steep on the $$. It was worth it all, the dollars, the coffees (forgot to mention that I was also at Elysian on Saturday after DOV at HSG for coffees! I get around , now it is time to repent ... tonight for dinner, water and steamed broccoli with lemon ... and extra cardio at the gym!

getting back to the gelato in vancouver aspect of this thread ... I managed to fit in a scoop at Brazza over the weekend - mostly because Chef Metcalf indicated they use Intelligentsia beans in their coffee bar ... will post my comments in the appropriae coffee thread. Gelato not worth the drive. If you live close by and can't get to Mondo, then it might do in a pinch, but not at all close in quality to Mondo. We had hazelnut, coffee, lemon, grapefruit and strawberry. These are inside our core flavour groupings so it seemed worthwhile, also there were a number of flavours that just did not appeal, like bubble-gum. Tasted pistachio while deciding, it was not properly flavoured and seemed artificial to me. Grapefruit was the top flavour that day, my guess is it was freshest. Overfall the mouthfeel was not as creamy as Mondo or La Casa / Marios. Also the flavour intensity was lacking ... enough said.

Nah, you're not the only one.... I too have yet to delve into the world of kolachy. I don't venture into Yaletown very often but am thinking that one day soon I'm going to have to make the trip over on a lunch break or day off just to see what everyone's going on about. The one with goat cheese is extremely alluring...... mmmmm ← I'm still uninitiated. I suggest Appreciator, Hayasaka.k and I have a Kolachy party ... we could try more at once that way - Fridays I can often go out for lunch

huh? sushi I cant believe i gotta explain this to ya! latte art defined: espresso, crema and lusciously steamed milk gracefully combined together. the way that latte art is poured leaves the crema layer with the silky foam on top - the two sweetest parts of the drink. it somewhat seperates the 4 elements (espresso, crema, milk, foam) for a more complex experience. compare this with *$ or any big chain - espresso that has steamed milk dumped on it, crema all mixed in, bubbly foam spooned on top. yuck. two dramatically different drinks. if you need proof i'll make 2 for you. you're due for a visit anyhow! ← Ok, guilty as charged ... yes I'll pop by soon and no need to make me a BAD drink!!! What I was thinking when writing this, was about an old colleague who used to sculpt foam on the top of drinks - his orca comes to mind. In my mind, this was also latte art maybe I'm just way off base. Anyway, hopkin, my bad! I agree with all you have said in regards to crema and the seperation / combination as well as skill. My real point was what is the point of latte art if you don't know how to pull a decent shot of espresso and/or if you can't steam up some nice smooth foamy milk.

So, Daddy-A, you have NEVER gone for an extra dish to see what the "pepper ring" is all about ... I'm disappointed. Next time I suggest you go for it. On the Thai front, Sala Thai is one of the best That restaurants in town, IMO, so worth getting take out even though you have to pick it up (if it is not too far out of your path). However, I'm now ready to drive across two bridges to try the Thai that Andrew mentioned ... the one that was donating to Tsunami victims last Monday ...can't remember the name. On the Chinese front, in past years we always, (seriously twice a week addiction) ordered from Golden Great Wall. Something happened there and now the chef and FOH staff are changed. We have had excellent meals from Golden Szechuan (Broadway/Burrard) although usually in the restaurant, as well as from New Grand View - mostly delivery. Special note to Peppyre, New Grand View is the speediest delivery - sometimes as short as 20 minutes. Appreciator, can you PM me your list of Chinese rejects ... I could eat Asian 2 or 3 meals a day, and most of them would be Chinese. Toko is another great spot for casual lunch/dinner or take out. They are on 7th a few blocks east of Cambie Has anyone tried the place that is in the location where Vong's used to be - on Fraser/27th -ish ...? Curious minds, haven't had a chance to get there of late.

You may like to know that the Kerrisdale store is having a silent opening on Friday, the 28th. ← Barrett, are you telling us Artigiano is opening in Kerrisdale the 28th ... former Torrefazione location?

Just promise not to stop, you always have me in stitches ... keep the comments flowing!

Alistair, you are quite eloquent in your comments, and I just wanted to add that like JJBean and Artigiano, Starbucks has a role to play in our current coffee scene. It is all too often that I hear many coffee snobs (I am one too ) bad mouthing the allmighty *$, but you know we wouldn't be where we are today without these folks. The good news is with more and more educated consumers, and proprieters willing to go for quality over total profit, we get better coffee in more cafes, restaurants and perhaps someday even the bars (like in Italy). I for one am grateful that in Vancouver we can easily find good coffee beans to brew at home, and in many locations good espresso drinks brewed by our local baristi ... it is part of what makes Vancouver !

my two beans worth ... couldn't resist. the true definition of latte art doesn't really have anything to do with taste, so the crema of the coffee in that sense wouldn't be that essential ... Hopkin, not sure if you agree, it is one topic on my list to chat with you about! That being said, there is no point to drinking coffee/serving coffee or focusing on latte art if the espresso is without crema, espresso without crema is something like a bicycle without wheels. Chefpeon, you are lucky to have offers from Abra and Shel, take them up on it and have fun!