Andrew Morrison

Scout has some video up of the new Miku restaurant opening up next week in the old Spotted Prawn location, plus some footage of Pan, the new Asian fusion joint in the former Tony Roma's spot on Pender.

Can't say just yet, Matt. Sorry.

Had a first whirl at La Brasserie. Suckling pig, hanger steak, bratwurst...so very good, and if you dig rotisserie, welcome home.

Yesterday. Lunch at Salty Tongue (Prague ham & cheese) Beers at Salt and Boneta Dinner at Cibo (Pemberton Meadows brisket with gnocchi - can still taste it).

In order to concentrate full time on a new project, I have resigned my position as the Vancouver Editor at EAT Magazine. I want to say a big thank you to our readers for their support and encouragement, and to Gary Hynes for both the opportunity and the education. EAT is truly a one of a kind publication, one that celebrates our food culture smartly and without compromise. It’s a genuine British Columbian asset, and I’m very proud to have played a role in shaping its Vancouver content over the last couple of years. The upcoming November issue may be the last that will see my name on the masthead, but I will always remain an avid reader and subscriber.

You should come over to the dark side, Mark. Cibo has had plenty of press in the last month. Tim, Alexandra, and Mia all reviewed it very positively, as did I. There is more good press for them on the way, too. All well deserved.

Thanks for the plug, Barolo!

Jean-Georges Vongerichten is confirmed for the Shangri-La Hotel. His restaurant will be called Market. Opening this January.

The new Irish Heather has opened across the street from the original (and there was much rejoicing). Just finished uploading some video of the new digs at UD. Take a look here.

I'm going up with a small crew for Feast of Fields on the 30th, but I understand it's in Whistler proper this time and not at Pemberton's North Arm Farm. The cycling sounds like fun, but I'll probably be stuffing myself somewhere in the sitting position.

Mon Bella going into the former Vintropolis space in Kitsilano. On Main St. the boys from Fuel are bringing us Campagnolo.

I checked out the pre-opening dinner at La Quercia tonight. They appeared to have everything totally dialed. Video on UD here.

Yes to your first question and no to your second. Lion's share, maybe not, but my tray-carrying efforts subsidized quite a few incomes over the years. It's a fact of life on many floors. I'm not sure if it was here or on the "other" forum, but it's been a fact of life that's been discussed to death already. Thanks for the link to the article. Depressing read.

^ No idea. I think Rare was supposed to reopen in May. I assume Brian is focusing on Metro.

I just don't how the two cities can be connected using some arbitrary currency of "worth". To say that one has been left behind the other suggests two food cities competing for the same market. A cursory read of the facts on the ground shows that nothing could be further from the truth. For three centuries London has been the unofficial capital of the world, whereas Vancouver is still negotiating with its midwife, trying to be born. It's a nonsensical discussion, like judging a book by its potato. Rare, by the by, closed several months ago, and I doubt it will reopen. You should have taken visitors there more often!

I think the difference is a lengthy and predictable essay on history, culture, and capital that would conclude thusly: their run can be measured in centuries, ours in two decades. Many think we're doing exceptionally well, all things considered, including the international food media and some of the world's greatest chefs. More importantly, no one ever said that fine dining is the exclusive measure of a city's culinary prowess. We'll never be a fine dining town. At least I hope not. To most, I think accessibility and a breadth of cuisines are more valuable assets than Michelin stars. In the end, pooh-poohing Vancouver's progress (or perceived lack thereof) is an exercise in pointless silliness, like eating an ice cream cone from the bottom up and complaining about its crunchiness. We may never amount to what you hope we'll be. We might even be terminally adolescent. Who knows? In the meantime, I'd be very curious to hear what Vancouver restaurants you'd feel comfortable (read: not embarrassed) recommending to visitors from Copenhagen.

I will report on it, but I want a couple more test drives.

I'm not going to review it. On another note, I was there for a private function this afternoon. I wasn't aware that they'd closed for lunch indefinitely. Bummer.

For kid-friendly full meals I highly recommend Sobo and the outdoor Wildside Grill (in the little "strip mall" outside of town just after the Wick). Sugar Shack for hot dogs. Shelter and Raincoast may be trickier avec kiddies, but hit them up just the same if you can steal away. For breakfast I get a ham and egg croissant with pesto mayo at Cafe Vincente in town. For coffee and picnic fare I go across the street to Breakers. Coincidentally, I'm soon to return too, for a week starting July 1st. The new EAT will be out within the next few days. Pick it up if you can find one. My feature story this month is on Tofino's food scene.

It's going to be a PHAT. From the Urban Diner archives, two months ago: I spoke with Kaminsky just a few nights ago and they're on track, give or take a few days (probably give). I'm looking forward to it.

Moderne Burger pics are here.

Some video from the Trattoria Italian Kitchen opening last night. Pretty place. Kinda gaudy for Kits, but I'm sure it'll do gangbusters.

Here's a first look inside the new Irish Heather, coming next month.

I enjoyed Rhonda's take, too, but it isn't panning out that way. Gill and Stainsby are the only ones who've reviewed it since Geraghty took over. One was good, the other not so much, while the rest of the food pundits have so far stayed mum, Rhonda included.

Here's the link, but you'll need a subscription now (poor Globe, still in the web Stone Age). It's was discussed ad nauseum in the forum over at UD, as well as on the blog. I thought it was a very well written review, but arguably the worst that West has ever received. A quick skim through the comments, however, show that mine is the minority opinion among our readers.