FannyBay

I still say Gyoza King is great value. Other great value restaurants in town are the Earls. They have a pasta dish in their menu that is excellent and at $9.00 is large enough for 2. I get dinner then take the leftovers home for lunch. Their wine list is also very good value as is Ousi Bistro up on Granville by Meinhardts. Ousi's food is excellent, large portions, very good prices and I think they may have one of the cheapest wines list in town as well. I had a bottle of wine there that was $20.00 less then the same one at the Bin! and they use those really nice glasses, no matter how cheap the wine (Under the worst value category might be Meidhardts, bought some pate there and actually yelped out loud when I saw the price!) The sushi at the 2nd floor restaurants on Broadway and Fir is good and the prices very good. I just can't go to those really cheap sushi places, no matter what you say, raw fish is one dish I prefer to pay for, as in you get what you pay for! Raw fish food poisoning, uh! Ohama sausage at the market is amazing value. You can buy duck confit already prepared, just heat it up with a salad and you have a gourmet dinner at home. They often throw in extras, and their pate is a very good price. Bad value at the market is Dusso's cheese... I tried Kolachy a few times now and have had mixed results. First time, I got the buns cold (no one offered to heat them up and I didn't know to ask) there was very little filling and I didn't like the bread. Second time, the bread was totally different and filling was OK only, and not very much. Third time (I kept trying it as you guys are all so enthusiastic about it) was very good, the temperature on the bread great. The filling tasty and filled! Tomato Cafe is great value, and the food is very high quality. Best Feenie deal is the tasting bar, not Feenie's. The tasting bar food is fabulous and everything is only $12.00! Some thing better value then others but the mac and cheese, to die for! Hamilton Street Grill, that Gingerbread pudding is not only the best dessert in town, but it's the best deal, and I actually find all their food to be very reasonably prices and great value. I haven't been to La Regalade in West Van in over a year but last time I was there, their portions were incredibly huge and the quality great. Definitely the best prices French food. Only problem is that damn bridge! And finally, Whitespot! Great value, kid friendly, good menu selection for the whole family and I do love those Triple O Burgers!

We went to an amazing Korean BBQ place a few weeks ago. Of course I can't remember the name, and it was a bit tricky to find, and it's tiny, but it is on Denman Street. I think there might be a dairy queen beside it. The food was incredible, and the place had lots of foodies in it so somebody knows about it. Packed with a lineup out the door. It is on the North side of the street, 1/2 a block from Robson Street, just off the alley. They have bizarre reservation policy's like - if you are two you can only sit at the bar, not a table, and they only take reservations until 6:30, and they give you an out-by time...but all worth it, the food was fabulous. Next time I drive by I will note the name and post it.

Does anyone have link to the Mark Laba article they can post?

Does anyone have link to the Mark Laba article they can post?

Daniel Frankel is George Frankel's son, I guess he is being groomed to take over his Dad's places. George was (is) an original owner/investor in Bridges, has owned Prospect Point Cafe for years (he is the original owner) and as of a couple of years ago, the Mill. I don't think Daniel was even born when George opened Bridges… I would love to know all the details of that original Bridges partnership, there is an Urban Myth out there that they pay almost nothing for the lease of Bridges and in particular the deck because of some connection with CMHC. Are all the original partners still there? Anyone have the scoop?

Hi Zucchini Mama, that restaurant was Frank Bakers, located first for many years near Park Royal in West Vancouver, then on Cambie for not too long. I remember being taken there for my birthday as a little girl and being mortified when I pulled the leaf over the male statues "parts" and the bell rang. I think I hid in the bathroom for the rest of the night! Mama Gold's, interesting you would mention "snow" in connection to that place… Bruno Born owned The Chef & Carpenter first. He was the chef and another German guy was the carpenter. The Carpenter (Hans?) opened Mama Gold's, but I don't think Bruno was involved with that. Bruno then opened a place on Granville and 41st, then the Coq d'Or on Broadway (somewhere in little Greece) or perhaps it was the Broadway place first then Granville? He now owns a place on Broadway, just past McDonald, and has for some time now. Is it called Zepppo's? I think that's close but not quite right…Han's? Went on to open a place on Cornwall, which was quite short lived, can't remember the name. Now there's a great example of a bad location for your bad locations thread, has any restaurant lasted along that 1-2 block stretch of Cornwall and Cypress? I miss the original William Tell, Il Palazzo and The Devonshire Seafood House. Never went to the Savoury but at the time it, Francesco Alongi (in which dinner there I believe resulted in the loss of my virginity), and one of Umberto's restaurants were considered the only decent restaurants in Vancouver. Trader Vicks and the Roof because my first serious dates were there and they served me under age! All those great old Chinese restaurants, whose names I can't recall, and a great little restaurant in West Van named after an old Movie Star, Dietrics, Garbo's, something like that… I miss the Drive-in's at the Whitespot, though someone told me they still do Drive-in at the location on the Lougheed Highway. I remember ordering a coffee in one the restaurants at The Hotel Vancouver, I think it was called the Spanish Grill, and when I asked someone for cream was informed I wasn't sitting in her section and I would just have to wait for my own waitress (something's never change) Not a restaurant, but before it was The Gap and its predecessor Marks and Spencer's, that site in the Pacific Centre Mall was a great nightclub run by the Four Seasons called Annabel's. Recent years…well I miss Mark Pretofsky's cooking at all the restaurants he managed to run to the ground with his cocaine habit. Man he was talented…I miss the old Teahouse, just who the hell can remember how to spell Sequoia Grill? The absolutely fabulous Falafel place on Broadway replaced by the Steamrollers, and I miss the innovation and incredible futurist thinking of Janice Lotzgar and her team of talents gals like Rebecca Dawson and Karen Barnaby. I miss the English Bay Café, Red's (which was where Raincity Grill now is) and does anyone remember what that great late night restaurant on Davie Street was called, the one that served the hugest mushroom burgers know to man/women kind? I am sure in about a year and half I will not miss that restaurant that's about to open, and will inevitably close, on Kits beach. Unfortunately the building is built like a concrete bunker and looks like it will survive a nuclear war - It and the roaches. What was the Parks Board thinking leasing that out to a restaurant group that has owned, and closed, some of the worst restaurants in Vancouver? The Animal House, nope that's not right, the Rain Forest Café, now there was a successful franchise... Can't wait to see what tacky restaurant goes in after that. Will it become a bar for all the basketball players from Seattle who come up every year to pick up blond beach babes, then a drug dealers shop? After that it will sit empty, covered in Graffiti, for the nice folks in the neighborhood to look at for years to come. Well at least if no ones goes there, they won't have to worry about the total lack of any parking…

Before Marcello had Marcello's, he and his wife owned Lombardo's, a small Italian eatery located in that pink mall on the corner of Commercial and 1st Avenue. They, as often happens to those who work together in the restaurant business, split up with the ex-wife keeping the original location as well as many of the recipes which I understand were hers. Marcello eventually took his tighty whitey's and opened his own restaurant in the 'hood. Now there has been a great debate for many years since as to which one of the restaurants is better but particularly which one had better pizza. I have tested this out many times as most of my friends like Marcello's and granted, it's much bigger, has, or should have, a much better atmosphere, and is more of a full service restaurant. I have to say though, Lombardo's gets my vote, not just for the food, but I actually prefer the service and ambiance even though you are basically sitting in a mall. My first experience at Lombardo's was some years back, I was invited to dine there with someone who worked for the Italian consulate, he felt quite strongly that it was serving the best, and most authentic, Italian food in the city. I recall the night. I was expecting some glamorous Italian restaurant and there we were in a small mall on commercial drive. He ordered for me choosing a large pizza as the appetizer, which, as there were only two of us, I was a bit surprised by. Then he went on to order the pasta Putanesca (sp?), a litre of house red of some kind and a bit of salad. The pizza when it arrived was paper thin, lightly covered in a beautiful tomato sauce and some anchovies. No problem eating half, it was a perfect starter. The pasta, which translates into something like fast and spicy, was delicious. Hot and spicy with fresh olive oil and pasta made in house. It was fabulous! I have been back many times to Lombardo's for the Capriccioso, (sp?) which I can say is the absolute best pizza in the city. Light crust, delicious mix of Italian meats, olives, artichoke hearts and I have compared that pizza and others with Marcello's many times. Lombardo's wins hands down! And the service, casual to say the least, is actually better. I am never disappointed at Lombardo's where at Marcello's, I have yet to not be disappointed. A note to this, I have tried picking up the pizza from Lombardo's and bringing it home, I live about 10 minutes from there, but with such a thin crust it's very hard to keep it hot enough by the time you get it home so, no matter how fast your drive. I suggest you eat there. PS Very kid friendly!

I don't know if the powers that be at Granville Island Market were reading e-gullet but here's a recent communication from them. For immediate release March 22, 2005 Granville Island Announces New Hours for the Public Market Vancouver, British Columbia: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announces the extension of Granville Island Public Market's and the Net Loft's hours of operation. CMHC's Island Managers, in consultation with the many small business operators in the Market and the Net Loft, worked together in responding to customer demand for later shopping hours. Beginning July 1st, the Market and Net Loft will be open until 7 PM, year-round. "We worked hard to strike a balance between meeting customer need while maintaining quality service and product freshness," says Lino Siracusa, Island Director. "We're willing to try staying open longer because the customers really want it. Staying open until 7 PM is totally reasonable to see if this will work," says Mark Mercier of Granville Island Tea Company. "I think it is wonderful - longer hours are long overdue," says Joseph Stewart of Blackberry Books. "Our customers want it and it just makes sense for a retail community in the heart of the City to have later hours." CMHC took into consideration the unique nature of the variety of operational needs that exists with over 65 different merchants, many of whom are owner-operators, as well as the crafts people and producers who are periodically in the Market at day tables. In staying open until 7PM, CMHC believes that it will be possible for many people who work in the area be able to shop at the Market before heading home. A property of the Canadian Government, Granville Island is managed by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. "We are very proud of the Island - it is a jewel in the Canadian Government's crown and is treasured by the locals and tourists for its unique offerings," says Siracusa. "Our aim is to continue to improve this well-loved Market for our customers." -30- Media contact: Gloria Loree Granville Island Manager, Public Affairs and Programming (604) 666-8779 gloree@cmhc-schl.gc.ca For more information about the Public Market and other upcoming Granville Island events, visit www.granvilleisland.com or call (604) 666-5784.

I seem to recall, correct me if I'm wrong as I can't be bothered to do research on a Sunday morning, that NU is a Greek letter, I think for the letter G? Anyway, Kambolis is Greek, C is just the letter C, but it really means Sea as in fish, so the play on words here seems as clever as the first restaurant C.

I think Granville Island is a wonderful place, but… - Provide a free shuttle bus! That way grocery shoppers who are not in walking distance can take their car but don't have to take it onto the island and visitors with small children and elderly people can go to the Island without cars (as no busses go right onto the Island) - Totally separate the gift booths from the food booths so the market does not get so crowed with tourists (except for those interested in the food stalls) - Have general foods/dry goods shop so you really can do all your shopping. I often shop at GI for my fruit, veg and meat but have to go elsewhere for flour, sugar, puff pastry etc. - Lower the prices of the booths for the food merchants, I am going to guess that is why it is so much more expensive to shop there then on West Broadway (as surely they get their vegetables from the same place!) - Lower the price of the groceries, it's quite expensive to shop at the market and the prices have been creeping up year after year. It' s much cheaper to shop on West Broadway (for exactly the same products) and way, way cheaper to shop on Commercial Drive. The restaurateurs got a 10% discount, maybe they should get more then that so they use the market more. Regular locals shoppers should be able to purchase a discount card (like a co-op card) for $5.00 or so and also get e-mail news and updates about special events, specials etc. Have a good host program for merchants, they can often be quite unfriendly, particularly (and please don't take any kind of ethnic offence from this) the Asian vegetable and fruit merchants (who seem to run every one of the regular fruit and veg stalls and often speak poor English) Have more organic produce available year round, not just during the truck market Have a bigger wine shop Perhaps have food/grocery market only stay open until 7:00 pm Be able to drink a glass of wine in the food market

Dijon Mustard Pesto Grainy Mustard Honey Mustard Franks Red Hot - Hot Sauce Mayo Chutney - Mango Chutney - Apple & Onion (Mum's)

Double Dog at Red Onion gets our vote as well! ← Too bad about Jonny's, the product was good, the concept was good, the service sucked! It was at best disinterested, at worst snarly. Vancouverites will put up with a mediocre product when the service is great, the staff friendly and happy to serve but won't put up with really bad or really unfriendly service, even if the product is excellent!

Aprés - Never open? Arbutus at the Brentwood Bay Resort Aqua Black Tuna Bouchons (Kelowna) BravoBistro - Blahhhhh Brown’s Cactus Club Café (Park Royal) Cassis Bistro, Tapas & Lounge - Looks run down and shabby Chambar - Love the room, nothing like it in Vancouver. Lots of unique design elements. Clove Coast - Hated the open kitchen, it's like a scar across the room. They should have left it sleek with the kitchen totally hidden. That way the cooking table would be the only place peoples eyes would travel, now you don't even notice it. Culinaria - Cafeteria looking Dan Dundarave Fish Market & Restaurant Fifty Two 80 Bistro and Bar - Gorgeous when full, are you in a lobby? when empty at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler Go Fish! Best Concession I've ever seen Gyu Japanese Teppenyaki - Wow, that wood. Love the private rooms. Did you see the bathrooms sinks, gorgeous! Henry’s Kitchen Kingston Taphouse & Grille La Boulangerie (Kelowna) Libby’s Kitchen Lift - Boy, those waiters are going to get their exercise. Love some parts, hate other parts. Memphis Blues (Commercial Drive) 9th Avenue Grill One Restaurant Lounge - Gorgeous room, masculine. Need a central something.... Pacific Crab Co. Pair Bistro Rangoli - Love the food, hate the teeny weeny tables and teeny weeny chairs Relish River Rock Casino Resort – (Lulu Lounge, Sports Bar & Grill and Runway 26) Sejuiced - Wheel chair ramp is a nice touch Sequoia Grill - the left side (as you face the restaurant) What a beautiful room, the far right side (used to called the atrium) what a shame some designer ruined it! Shiru-Bay Chopstick Café Tamarind - Cheap and cheerful, comfy Indian decor Toshi Sushi Vintropolis Wine Bar & Bistro Wilson’s Steak House Yuji Tapas Zen Fine Chinese Cuisine

I think Mrs. Moreno should speak for herself. As of now, this is all hearsay. That is the beauty of eGullet ... it gives the restaurants a chance to answer comments made by their customers. If they think customers aren't already saying things about them, good or bad, they're dillusional. The difference with eGullet is that there is a much wider audience ... and the audience can talk back. FannyBay, what about the comment annoyed you? That Mrs. Moreno made it, or the subject of her comments (i.e. Ling). I wasn't quite clear on that. A. ← I do agree that it was somewhat presumptuous of me to share Mrs. Moreno's comments. Now that I think about it she may not have wanted me to and I might be sharing an opinion she didn't really want to share with all of you!? But as I brought it up, and she, having heard about the comments from one of her staff, took the time to read it and share a few opinions with me, I thought you all might want to get feedback on your performance. As for "what about the comment annoyed me" question from A. - I was annoyed that Ling didn't share the fact that she was home so early because she lived just an elevator ride away. I never said she was lying, I just felt that the omission possibly created an incorrect perception of time lines. Gee wiz, what would you think if I said, "service was a bit slow, I got there at 7:00 pm and didn't get home until midnight" but it turned out I lived in Hope, BC! Now however I'm annoyed that Ling assumes that this forum is so cliquey that everyone knows each other's business, including who they are and where they live and we all should have known she lives in that building. I have been reading the site for well over a year, may even 2 years, joined the site about 5 months ago but up until this week have been a very casual observer (thanks to new high speed internet at home I have been able to jump on and have a look more often then before) I certainly never knew she lived in the building… PS - Question about e-gullet etiquette? Am I supposed to sign each letter or reply or does the site automatically show who it's from, making that unnecessary?

Best burger atmosphere and location as well as a darn good, grilled Angus burger is Jericho sailing club. Having said that, tried out the Red Lion in West Van this weekend (24th and Marine Drive) and had, I think, the best beef burger I have ever had. Hand ground Angus, really, really good!

We were in Bis Moreno for dinner last night before the Symphony, we can finally go there pre-theatre now that they changed their menu format to include regular menus so there are no longer just those set menu's. It was great to be able to eat just a couple of light dishes as I didn't have lunch yesterday until 2:00 pm and nice we can start going their for non "special" occasions when we only have an hour or so to eat. We have been in enough to consider ourselves regulars and chatted with the owner's wife about the stuff that was written about them on e-gullet. She was aware of the comments and had some very interesting observations...on a positive note, she said it was interesting to read the site as she felt it was a bit of a barometer of how the general public felt about the local dining scene but thought it had gotten a wee bit out of hand with everyone thinking they were now restaurant reviewers thanks to the power a certain local food writer in town bestowed upon them in a recent article. She was less then impressed about all the comments on Dineout, (various restaurants) feeling that peoples expectations were way to high. She commented that they may have made a mistake in going in to Dineout as they just couldn't serve customers the same quality of food and offer the same quality of dining without actually losing money each night for 35.00. They did it because they wanted to introduce the restaurant to a new batch of customers by offering them a "sample" of what they did but realized that people were expecting the same thing they normally served at a 1/3 of the price. She said the customers that came in didn't seem to care, or even know for the most part, that they were being served products that were 10 times the price of similar products available, that the labour in the kitchen was just as high as everything was still made from scratch and that her husband was unhappy that they had taken so many reservations. It wasn't that they were greedy she said, it was just that so many people wanted to dine there and didn't want to say no. I think they are rethinking whether or not they will do it again as they felt they weren't offering the experience and food that they were known for. Anyway, I ramble. The real reason I posted was because she said something that rather annoyed me and that was that the poster who seemed to start the negative discussion, actually lives in the same building as the restaurant so saying she was home by 8:30 was very unfair (and just a bit unethical) as she never mentioned she was only a elevator ride away. I must say she gave them the impression she was rushed right out by saying that, when in fact she probably wasn't. Mrs. Moreno said that the poster in question had never been in for their regular service and also added that another poster who complained about the food being tasteless was suffering from a severe enough cold that she and the staff actually commented when they first sat that it must be waste to go out when you are both so sick and unable to taste anything. She actually said she wished they had told them she would honour the Dineout reservation another time and sent them home with some chicken soup!

How is it possible you all missed Gyosa King!? A great little Japanese place on Robson, down near Cardero. Always a wait to get in, always full of "industry types" The food is excellent, the prices CHEAP! Also hear there is another Japanese restaurant on Denman between Robson and Georgia, always seems to have a line-up, prices are supposed to be great. Can't recall the name and haven't tried it bit plan too soon. Another great deal, staying with Asian food, is a Chinese place on the corner of Broadway and Heather. It used to be called Grand King but changed their name a couple of years ago to?... The Dim Sum lunch is a steal, and great quality. You can stuff two people, and I mean stuff! for about $25.00. Always full of Chinese people. I think the #6 at Steamrollers is a fabulous price and great value. A huge chicken thing, ask for extra hot sauce. One is big enough for 2 people but at $7.00 it's a great price even for one.

I have been waiting to see how long it would take someone in this group to comment on how sweet the food in Vancouver is. It seems that so many of the chefs both over use sweet to enhance their food, or they are failing to use salt correctly. Is it the Asian influence in so much of the food? A palate trained by eating pop tarts for breakfast as youngsters? I run in to this over and over again. I agree with the Bins, especially the Granville St location, especially their reductions. Wild Rice as well and West for sure! Lumiere seems to really get seasoning, not sure if that carries through to Feenies, and Chambar seems to get it when they should (though I find the Tagine, which I know is supposed to be sweet, just a little too....)