Andrew Morrison

I can throw a rock from my house and hit the Dundarave location. I take my family often. The staff at the Beach House do a "Vera Run" almost every day they're open. I second Chef Metcalf's suggestion that you don't change a thing. Nice to see you "out", Gerald.

I'd suggest the Beach House, too. All disclosures aside, that is...

Glad to know our tax dollars are hard at work protecting our shores. Personally, I'd never go fighting at sea without the promise of mignonette.

I gotta say, it was a relief walking in tonight and having Sean say hello. This thread had me worried I was part of the darken the doors club (a fine bunch then and now ). I'm hella glad I'm not. I like the place. I like Sean. The first time I ventured out to meet eGulleters was at Sean Heather's invitation. It was the first time I met Neil, Brian, Ling, Mr. Maw, HKDave, and many, many others. It was a great night, the first (for me) of what has become many. We tasted many cheeses and whiskies and never got a bill. Hands were shaken, little conspiratorial nods and "Who are you?" shrugs made the pints that came next all the more memorable. I still find that incredibly generous of him. Anyway, I'm glad we shook hands. It was worth the trip across the bridge.

Above well said, Lee. Kudos. I was at the Irish Heather last night at closing time with Chef Fowke and Neil for a pint and some pot pies. Gosh, I miss the Heather. I hadn't been in ages. It was just nice to sit back and shoot the shit on a hard bench without the foo foo. The worst possible thing happened, though. When I paid the tab at the end of our meal I accidently stiffed our server. I gave her 5 bucks on 65 when it was supposed to be 15. I only realised this when I was already across the bridge on my way home, going over the evening in my head. Why on earth did Neil drop a twenty on the table as we were getting up to go? "What's that about?" I asked. "It's the tip, Andrew." he says. "But I already took care of the bill." "Fine" he says with a shrug. I felt like such a complete jackass when it all finally registered - and it was too late to go back. Waiters don't stiff other waiters, even if they cut you open and drool on your spleen. It's just not done. I spent the rest of my night (until 4am) like a deranged, fairweather criminal, all fidgety and manic with the guilt of Ages. And just so we're clear (Neil and Brian), I went back to the Heather tonight to make peace with the person I'd mistakenly short-changed. And now I can sleep. There is balance to the force.

great name.

For the record, although the article that quotes me suggests I post a record of bad tippers on waiterblog I can assure you I don't. It's bitterwaitress.com that does. Not that I don't think it's a great idea... I keep a mental registry for that sort of thing.

Lately impressed by the Red Lion next door to the DFM in Dundarave. The whole crew from the Park Royal Hotel has taken it over, including Senor Corsi at the helm. I'm there at least one evening a week with the family, it having recently overtaken the White Spot as our "Aw, shit - I'm hungry, lazy, and dirty" place.

blogging is fun. mix it with food and it gets better. best of luck. They're nervous.

Have you tried Tangerine or Adesso?

New Issue out today. Absolutely excellent section entitled Deconstructing Dinner within. Learned much.

Just left lunch at the Dundarave Fish Market. There was a time last year when I was there all the time (disclosure: I fathered their website on the fly) and I haven't been in much since the good weather started. They're alway too busy. Today, it's raining over here so I thought the lack of a patio crowd would have slowed things down. Not so. They were packed inside - so chock a block I had to sit at the bar (fave perch anyway). The DFM is a step or two back from fine dining. There is no pretension, no airs, and the service reflects that. It looks like the same team that opened the place (most culled from Saltaire) are still there, serving the West Van bigwigs whenever they decide to shun the foofoo and chow down. It had to be a quickie so I tried the sesame seared tuna on mixed greens with wasabi lime dressing ($11.95) and it was excellent. Great texture, not over the top with the sesame and portioned just right. I know not many of you make it over to the North Shore but should you ever find yourself wandering around Dundarave do yourself a favour and check this place out, day or night. The owners (Frank and Kim came to the Chambar dinner) are sea-loving sweethearts and their chefs, Corbin Roger and Shaun Spooner, are young, ambitious, and very much hands-on. They also love where they work, which shines through in the plates. They've made an otherwise grey day a good one for me.

Anyone know the way to Dunkirk? I'm feeling thoroughly strafed. Thanks for the information, Irwin.

And for the record, they sell it as flat-iron on the menu, not hanger. I was told it was the same thing. I love eG for setting me straight. Thank you. Still pretty darn tasty.

Perhaps you can have that one answered on another forum... I just don't know.

I feel so betrayed.... The walls...are...closing...in... Damn chefs. Tricksters, the lot of them.

Brown's is a welcome addition to the North Shore. Nice people. Great food beyond the burgers, too...but I must confess I dig the burgers! And most of all, the Hickory Burger. Great housemade BBQ sauce with a tang kick and zero spice heat. The bun was soft and easy to manage - built to maintain a patty I thought was just the right size (though I could imagine folks who like big Vera burgers and the like to hmm on the size). Add a thick slice of bacon and skip the tomato. Just right in my books, so much so that I'd claim this was the best damned burger I've had in recent times. The whole package, really. The fries were awesome. They were one size up from those "hickory stick" chips you've been able to buy from gas stations for decades, yet moist...just pliable enough to drag through the cranberry basil mayo. My wife and I set upon the Key Lime Pie like ravenous squirrels. The two pints were great, too. Thanks for the company.

Spelling is optional here, right? More like 5:1 on my end, Koo. It doesn't have the same legendary aura of the HSG plate, and though I'm a fan of the desserts that follow, they aren't in the same mystical league as gingerbread pudding.

Ha, Koo! My post shift dinner at work tonight? Hanger steak with potato leek cake sauced with a portobello mushroom and pearl onion demi. The thing sold like bics at a Foreigner concert.

Mr. Bonner, I am at your disposal.

It appears as if you've got it all sussed out with your selections. Everything is bang on. Vij's is a great start, and though I know nothing of Saturday brunch at Lift, I'd love to hear your report! C is a no brainer. Go for it. With your remaining choices of West and Chambar, you've nailed it. Sounds awesome. Have a great time and don't forget to keep us up to date on your impressions of our little city.

I had a quick bite (Kung Po) and a Red Stripe stumpie at Wild Rice right before the Chambar dinner and was a happy camper as per usual. Really superb group there. It's team service, which I've alway feared as a bizarre concept. Beyond the staff being great - vets for the most part (several have been there since the first year) - the food is always unique. If you like things busy and cool, best go on Thurs, Fr, Sat. Speaking of Back of Bus advertising a la Feenie, Wild Rice is doing the same.

Can anyone name all the Oceanside restaurants on both shores? This isn't trivia, just getting stumped after five or so. I mean real oceanfront, on a beach, shore pier, etc. Lift Sequoia Beach House Carderos C Nu Watermark Bridges What else is my Dimetapped brain missing?

If you're looking for places that do well in defining Vancouver on the food front then I think C should definitely be on your list, and Raincity Grill. Others not mentioned but worth checking out because they are unique to our little nook of the world: Fish House Brix Wild Rice Lift Coast White Spot Feenies I'd also suggest that you try and squeeze in a day trip to Victoria. Have a great time while you're here.

Congrats to Travis, Luciano, Carol and Gianfranco at Adesso Bistro for passing the Tim Pawsey test with flying colours in the new Vancouver Courier. Must...have...vitello...tonnato...