PaoPao

I had this burger about two weeks ago and agree with Ling that it was very tasty. If it wasn't for the fact it took an entire hour to get it in front of me from when I ordered it I would probably be back. I've heard this was unusual, but nonetheless especially for a lunch I thought it was just annoying.

Well, I thought it was new and exotic, but really I was just a fool. Returning on a cross USA road trip we stopped at a Key West Super Market to stock up on some groceries. I was in the mood for Bagels and Cream Cheese. I get back to the bakery, pick up a few Bagels and see a display of different types of Cream Cheese. Walking over to this display I am thinking to myself "Gee, how clever, Cream Cheese that you don't need to refrigerate!" I select one and proceed to eat most of the container on our way up Florida. That night on my turn for the drive my tummy started to feel a bit funny. As we were crossing "in the middle of nothingness" Texas the next morning I thought my bowels we're about to explode. For the next 30 hours at a motel it was nothing but Hot sweats and cold chills, and unfortunately not the good kind. So, if any of you are up to topping that exoticness (or stupidness), I'm all ears.

So I was in Lilykate today getting my staples (Buttermilk Choc. Cake, Coconut Cake, and Rice Krispy Bar dipped in chocolate) and I couldn't help but notice their menu's we're down. Come to find out the old Chef is out, and the new Chef who took his place is bringing in a new menu. I'm looking forward to see what the new menu entails, along with hopefully better flavours for the $$$. Ooh exciting!

More for convenience really than anything else, Urban Fair in Yaletown seems to be where I end up most of the time. They have a rather large cheese section that I have always been able to find interesting things (at least to me). Sure I know there are better deals elsewhere, but when I factor in getting in my car and going to them, I don't think the deal is as good unless I'm already in the area.

I've been to the Kolachy shop three times now trying different types that they offer. I'm amazed at the Woo Woo reviews this place gets because I just don't think they are that great. Different Tastes and different people I know, but the hoopla that this thread just goes on and on makes it sound like a phenomenon. Maybe they are slipping a little extra "something" into the Kolachy's the regulars are getting...

Deep-fried S'More Bars? Holy jumpin' cholesterol fix Batman... now that's showing some serious potential. ← We tried the deep fried snickers at a now defunct little cafe on Denman. It was interesting. The crust was like a tempura type batter that they fried just long enough for it to get crisp. Then they topped it off with a huge mound of Whip Cream and strawberries in syrup. It makes my mouth pucker right now remembering how sweet it was.

My wife and I awhile back wanted to go to Bin 941. It was a 25 min wait or we had the option to sit at their bar immediately, so we took that. Have to say we had a great time talking to the Chef and watching everything get prepared.

We enjoyed a King Crab at Pink Pearl. This thing was so big we asked that half be cooked in their House Garlic Sauce and half in their black bean sauce. The Garlic Sauce was much tastier out of the two and we both stunk of garlic for a few days. Does anyone have a recipe for the garlic sauce and how they deep fry the crabs? I'd like to try doing this at home with some Large Dungeness I saw at T&T. Also, every few days or so a duck into our fridge and chomp on a few pieces of spicy pickled garlic. It never fails to scratch my itch for garlic in a pinch.

Last weekend my boo Yummy, Dining Diva and I drove out to the Westham Island Winery to sample their fruit wines. On the way we passed a few u-pick farms on the island. Here is a link to a map of the Westham Isl. Winery which will get you to the u-pick farms as well. As of last week there wasn't much in the way of picking. Another 2-4 weeks I was told should land you in the middle of the season.

My wife and I ate at the Fish House on Sunday Night. Have to say it was very good. We started out with Cesaers, and for our main courses my wife had the 1/2 lb. King Crab Legs while I had the Seared Scallops wrapped in prociutto. The service and food we're very good and we will be back again. Since it was a Holiday we couldn't use our E-book coupon, but even without the discount we thought it was a decent value. Sunday Morning Brunch was with friends at Coast. My wife had the Lobster Rosti and I had the Crab Frittata. Excellent Brunch and a big thanks to the Manager for getting us in at the last minute. Either place I'm sure you will get a great meal for a special night.

It is too bad. I've enjoyed the pizza there and the friendly staff. We've eaten there twice with one take-out. If it we're closer to where we lived and we didn't have to drive by Marcello's and Lombardo's plus add another 15 min, we would have probably eaten there a bit more.

Glad to hear you liked my to fav desserts there. They have a new one that is a chocolate layer cake with vanilla crème and raspberry. It's pretty good. If you take one of the Chocolate Buttermilk Squares home I recommend chilling it for about 15 - 20 minutes. To me doing this gets it a bit more dense and rich while still being just as moist.

A place on the corner of Davie and Hamilton called "Don't show the Elephant" cafe has pretty exotic looking tea arangements, for those of you into that. My wife likes to go there and hang with friends. They have pastries as well. I would provide a review of this place if it weren't for my complete and utter lack of desire to step in there. Just not a tea and danty pastry kind of guy.... Here is a picture of the place.

Rodney's Oyster House on Hamilton. On weekdays between 4 - 6 pm it is "Happy Hour". As the traditional happy hour doesn't do much for me in most places, Rodney's on the other hand is a definite winner. They have a special menu available during that time that is delicious and full of great deals. When we we're there we had Steamed Mussels, Pan Fried Oysters, a dozed mixed raw oysters, and their very tasty bread. Everything was prepared perfectly and tasted delicious. We'll definitely be back to try other items on the menu. Lift in Coal Harbour next to the Westin. Yesterday was such a beautiful afternoon that after walking around we thought a visit to Lift's deck would be appropriate. We used to live in Coal Harbour until moving to Yaletown, and while we loved the views of the harbour, Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge, and Grouse Mt., we felt it was getting a bit sterile with all the tall glass high rises. It's so nice to visit Coal Harbour with the addition of Lift. What a gorgeous place! We we're seated right away at a great waterside deck table. The sun was shining, and the place was starting to get busy. We had a couple of refreshing lemonades then ordered a few items from their afternoon menu. We decided on the Stuffed Portobello with Cambozola and the Fish and Chips to share. Both tasted every good. I wish the portions we're more generous. The Portobello plate came with about a 1/4 of one 'shroom buried in a mountain of toast and greens. The Fish and chips came with a plate size pile of fries with two small breaded pieces of fish. Everything tasted great, just not enough. We we're warned about this from friends so it wasn't unexpected. Rounding the night out we drove over to Pink Pearl on E. Hastings. This is the first time we ventured here for dinner. All other times have been a feast of Dim Sum on Sunday mornings. The last time we we're here, while waiting for our table in the entry, we couldn't help but notice the Alaskan King Crabs in the tank. So this was our objective. When we arrived they had one left, an 8 pounder. So after they brought it out to show us we decided on trying half the crab with Black Bean Sauce and the other half deep fried with Spicy Garlic. They brought out two huge platters and we dove in. I've never had crab cooked really any other way except steamed with butter. This was exceptional and the way they prepared this little monster was delicious. Also in the preparation I really appreciated how they made it so all you needed to eat the crab was just a small seafood fork. All the meat was readily accessible without much trouble. Not the cheapest way to go at $18 per pound but it was sooo good.

As I have different tastes than most, restaurant critics in my book are in the same category as the Horoscope column. Just a persons opinion that I may glance at for entertainment but don't give much if any credit. The best places I have eaten at have been from the suggestions of friends, etc. Even then some of my current favourites were not love at first bite, I had to go a few times. What is much more interesting to me is when I read about or watch someone (A Cooks Tour) explore new things that push their own boundaries, and then talk about it. I could care less about reading if the server kept your coffee cup full or dribbled a few drops.

Just read the review about Lilykate. While I don't really care for her style of writing (Sounds snobbish), with my experiences there, it isn't a far off review of the sit-down service. I am in this place probably once or twice a week picking up items at the counter. Last Sunday we had Espresso's and dessert there as well. My lovely wife accented the trip with a run around the corner to Ganache to get some additional desserts to enjoy there as well. All very good and very reasonable priced. For what we ordered: a slice of their coconut cake and three 2x espresso's the bill came to under $9 . I thought they made a mistake and asked if it was accurate because it seemed low, but the server said it was correct. The main dish flavours in time I'm sure will get better (hopefully). For now I order at the counter for to go. Usually some side dishes and / or desserts to accompany a main dish I prepare at home. The atmosphere I really like, they just have a few kinks to iron out which is totally understandable for a new place.

I think I'll break this topic into meals: Breakfast I would nominate either the PHAT Benny (Everything Bagel, Montreal Smoked Meat, Poached Egg, and Holl. Sauce) or the Nutella French Toast, both at PHAT. For a Lunch dish I would say the "Bandeja Paisa" at Banano's Cafe. This great dish has ground beef, rice, beans, fried plantains, a fried egg, special sausage, avocado, pork puff, and an arepa. Dinner, hmm, this one is tough. Probably the Osso Bucco at La Terazza on Pacific Ave. would get my vote. Very simple and delicious served with a risotto. Dessert is going to be the Tropical Carrot Cake at Picnic on S. Granville.

Has anyone tried Vera's Chili Burger? They don't have it available for take out and I haven't had time to dine in yet. Vera's is a once every couple month place for me. It hit's a bullseye everytime though I get a burger craving. Another good burger is served up at the DQ on Denman. Followed by a vanilla cone. That's just good eatin' folks.

$15 for 10 to 11 days? Man, budgeting like that takes me back a few years. When I had budget constraints like that the main staples of my diet we're pasta (no sauce) with a little salt, fruit (whatever was cheapest), and peanut butter sandwiches (no jam but sometimes banana). My treat at the end of the week was saving my change for a $5 DQ Burger Meal. So, I empathize with your situation. I remember always finding odd jobs to do for my neighbors who we're amazing cooks and would often invite me to dinner.

Very good Soup and Sandwiches. The stand out there for me is the Chocolate Eruption dessert. It's basically a Chocolate Cheesecake with alot of chocolate bits all over it.

My view point is that is if a waiter or waitress has a problem with it, that's their issue, not mine. The restaurant owner has the choice to be involved in the program and they have a choice to work for that restaurant. Maybe it's one of those self fulfilling proficy things where they expect a bad tip from a coupon holder, so they give bad service, then surprise-surprise .... they get a bad tip. Who knows. I don't usually give the card until I ask for the check anyway so it's never been an issue.

I must say - the picture makes very curious... but the name "Secret Garden Tea Company" makes it - literally physically impossible for me as a man to walk into their shop (or 'shoppe' in girly land) . Much like no man can drive the new beatle - I mean am in touch in with my feminine side - but I cannot drive a car with a built in flower vase. BTW - Mooshmouse - have you checked out Michelle's in Kerrisdale (on West Blvd)? Insanely good egg tarts - done in the Macau (or Portegese) style with a flakey crust and burnt top. The rest of the Chinese style baking is also good - esp BBQ pork bun. ← I did high tea once with a girlfriend at The Empress in Victoria. They whole experience just bothered me. Paying an insane amount of $$ for some tea, sandwiches, and pastries. Yes I got picked out to be the "Tea Daddy", all that meant was I had to monitor the tea level. Ugh. Gotta second Canuckleheads mention about Michelle's. A friend brought over 6 of these little morsels of heaven once. Our first time trying them. The next day (Sat) we went out and bought about 30 of them. They we're gone by Sunday with just the two of us around.

It's so good that if you do go with 3 other people and order just one croissant; your inner gluttons will be sure to appear and we'll be hearing about the results on CTV that night: "In the news tonight, evidence that people really are not that removed from the animal kingdom. Three, what friends and family report as being very courteous people had ordered one Ultimate Croissant with the intent on sharing it. What began is a dis-proportionate slice escalated into mayhem and unbridled taunting as to who was the best eGulleter. The conclusion was a poor innocent Ultimate Croissant torn to crumbs lying on the pavement. An investigation has ensued to get to the bottom of this tragic event." C'mon, these Croissants are mostly air, don't let the size intimidate you ...... hah, that's some good advice that could be applied to many things on this site ..

A friend of mine told me that John Travolta's diet is to eat anything he wants, whenever he wants. The deal he made with his trainer was just to tell him how many hours per day he had to work-out to compensate. The resulting figure was 3 to 4 hours per day. I think this is perfectly reasonable..... With adding PHAT now into my mix of restaurants, I'm just adding another 30 min to my already 8 hour daily workout.

I don't know where to find it but it sounds amazing. I'd love to try it. I'll be on the look out too ...