Feedbag

Don't think I've ever seen this mag. Where else is it available? Regular joints like London Drugs, Save-On, etc??? Does it have a website?

As I said in the wrong forum, good to hear it went well. Look forward to the pix. And the burgers....?

Champ's (in Burnaby) used to be great -- until a big ugly conglomerate swooped down and swallowed the joint. The pub was fun, the screens big and plentiful, and the staff whooped and cheered almost as loud as the patrons. Many a playoff night it was jammed most likely beyond fire regs. Food was astonishingly sub-par but ehh, eat before and no prob. And now? Well, dunno, really. Where to go, where to go IF, that is, the CBC allows the broadcasts. I prefer to stick to Burnaby on a weeknight (Mountain Shadow? whatever the new NBI is called? Hop and Vine?), but Checkers at Denman and Davie can be fun. And in between periods you can play trivia. Food's just OK, though. Never watched a game at Tatlow's but yeah, the food's pretty good. Cedar Cottage is OK, food's boring. Good topic; keep the suggestions coming.

As long as we're heaping praise on Neil, I got a release today announcing he's co-heading (?!) some kinda Yaletown food fest in Oct. Could this be elaborated upon here or in another thread?

Gak!!! A venue I indirectly recommended and I didn't even know about the event!! I've been off the site for a while and completely missed this. Bummer, man. If I recall, last weekend was dreary, which would definitely adversely affect the total Jericho experience. That deck is the best for city views -- on a clear day. Bleak? Not so much. Since there's been no posting about the experience, good or bad, it musta beena wash? Sorry I missed it anyway...

You have to use the word travel "writer" as loose as change when referring to the NYT. The paper staunchly refuses to use any pro writer who's ever accepted a freebie -- from the time they were born. Doesn't matter if the story they're pitching was not funded. If they EVER accepted a free trip/meal/hotel, theyre blacklisted for eternity. And zay have vays of finding ziss out... And since the NYT -- and every other newspaper -- pays next to nil for stories, the only people who can afford to "write" for it are wealthy retirees on safari in Africa. I don't want to open a whole juicy can of ethical worms here re press trips, but without them, and without papers and mags that cover expenses (count those on one hand), you get the kinds of articles you see in the NYT. Now, the fact this particular Times writer was "hosted" by Neil's neighbours begs some questions...

Hi guys, Haven't been on the site in a while; lovely summer weather does that to you.... Just had to report, though, a coupla burgers I had recently that were superb. First, the bar and grill at the Bayshore (I think it's called Marina Bar & Grill). Second, Jericho Sailing Centre (Captain's something?). Absurd, really, that I can't specifically remember their names, since I'm at both often. Anyhoo, I can easily categorize them the same: thick, juicy Angus beef, despite being well-done (which I prefer; don't fancy dying from e-coli...). Patty was same size, if not bigger, as the bun, which, at Jericho (can't recall Bayshore) was whole-grain. Jericho's was a cheese burger with REAL CHEDDAR. Fries at both were so-so. Views at both were nothing short of spectacular, although you pay nearly double the price at Bayshore for the privvy. Any time you guys wanna organ-cize a club at Jericho, I'm in! Just stay away during weekends if you don't handle crowds well.

Burgers Etc. is now open in Burnaby at Hastings and Gilmore (I think?). Anyone anointed themselves yet? Arne? I keep speeding by and noticing it in a blur, and a mile down the road think to myself, I shoulda stopped there to check it out. But haven't. Yet.

Doesn't/didn't BCIT have a butcher program and shop? Kamloops is the only place in the province to learn butchery?

Isn't there a place to buy crabs across the line, to avoid the smuggling scenario?

What's going on with that place on Davie near Denman opposite Checkers? Think it used to be one of those silly Irish places, but last time I was by it was closed. Has it reopened? What is it? Worth checking out?

Hey guys, thanks a bunch for the recommendations! Lucky you, Deborah, getting to go to West. I don't have that kinda scratch these days.... I think I'll try the Beatty Street Grill. The words "martini specials" popped out at me. Besides, "It's not unusual to have fun at any time...." Will let you know how it goes. Now where are those French lace panties... Tom Jones!!!!!!

Hey there, Wondered if anyone had any recommendations about where to get a quick bite before a concert at GM Place? (I'm going to see Tom Jones!!!) I've frankly never dined before a show, so can't think of a ding-darn place. Nothing fancy, ethnicity not a consideration, just quick and good (insert sex joke here). Any and all suggestions appreciated!

That's it, thanks, Paul. Good to hear of an OK review. I've tried their frozen dim sum (purdy good) but will now try their take-out, preferably around lunchtime. Agree, Arne, I'm "starved" for news of places to go nearby, so I'll definitely post new finds. Not Chinese, so I'll slip this in quick, but there's an Indian take-out in the same block as the Top Quality, other side of the street, called Heavenly Bites. Once I try that, I'll add it to the boonies thread, or whatever it's called.

I feel your pain, Arne. The Burnaby Palace used to be quite reliable for decent take-out but there's that health board thing that stopped me going back. Now I don't know of any other place, really. There are lots on Hastings, but I've never given them a shot. Same up around Metrotown, but again, I have no experience with them. I tend to make the trip cross the border (Vancouver) for Chinese, and even then it's not take-out, since I agree some take-out just wasn't meant to travel far. I'd be delighted to hear of a good place in Burnaby! PS - There's a Chinese store on Hastings just east of Willingdon on the south side that has lots of frozen dim sum but they also have Chinese take-out. Looks good but I've never indulged. Do you know of what I speak?

This may need to be a thread unto its own, but I'll test it here first. WTF is up with apples? Specifically, why are they allowed to be sold year-round? Apples are harvested in the fall, yet you see them in the stores all year. I'm not talking about the Granny Smiths havested in NZ, or even the Japanese varieties. I'm talking about the apples proudly advertised as BC apples. In June!! That makes them nearly a year old! And it shows. They're mealy, woody and dry. It's an inferior product, why are they allowed to be sold? Am I missing something? Is it possible they're used for pies and apple sauce and work out just fine for those purposes? I don't get it. Am I alone here?

In Greece many years ago and was shocked to discover Greek food is infinitely better here in Vancouver. Which should tell you something. Probably spent too much time in the Plaka and not enough in the small villages but was way disappointed. As for other cuisines that don't translate, don't forget Mexican (in Canada), but there's a whole other thread on that. Still waiting for a decent burrito, decent salsa and a damn fine margarita... Italian food in Italy is superb no matter where you go, small village or big city. It's all about the fresh. And simple. I hate fussy food.

"... a dark shade of black." Huh? Would love to see a light shade of black :) In any case, do tell all about this lip-swelling, teeth-cracking, ear-steaming, eyeball-melting spicy food! I used to go to Szechuan Chongqing on Kingsway and Willingdon in Burnaby - until the health board shut it down. I even kept going after finding a mothball in a dish, it was so good. The one on Commercial and Broadway doesn't seem to be doing as well, but I get there as often as I can for the fried green beans alone. Not exactly tongue-splittingly spicy, but good all the same. Agree the Chinese here in Vancouver is the best in North America. Even better in China, although I didn't sample from all regions; I would have loved to have tried Szechuan and Hunan provinces to see if the source of the spice was just as good as here and Hong Kong. In fact, anyone know why there are so few Hunan Chinese restaurants here in Vancouver? I've only heard of one but never tried it. It's even spicier than Szechuan, so I'd love to find a local outlet.

Way, way too many to list, but I guess lobster drenched in sweet butter and garlic would be tops. And I lately described Neil's gingerbread pudding as an oral orgasm, so I guess that counts. So much food, so little time.... PS - Bergerka, re your photo, are you a fan of Maureen Dowd, or ARE you Maureen Dowd??

Iced tea. Whenever I'm in the states people push it on me. Coming from Canada, it's odd to have servers in the US ask "hot or cold?" when you order tea. Tea is hot in Canada; I don't know anyone who drinks iced tea here (in the west, anyway). I think it really is an American thing. To me it tastes like bitter water. I don't get it. And liver, egads, what vile stuff. Upchuck city. My mum, being Scottish, would try to force it on us as kids but when we dry heaved for the fifth time she gave up. But then she pulled this evil trick. She'd buy us pork chops and a piece of liver for herself. Cook the liver in the frying pan, then, get this, cook the pork chops in the same pan without first washing it. The taste and smell of the liver covered the chops and we couldn't eat those. Then she'd complain it was just her cooking we didn't like. Well, yeah, there's that too (she was British, after all) but liver is gross!!! Thank god she didn't force haggis on us....... And I agree with the coffee comments. It always smells better than it tastes. But I drink it anyway; I'm addicted. I just add cocoa to it to cut the bitterness.

Having travelled to nearly 60 countries and tried some pretty odd food, the oddest I ever tasted was right here at home in B.C. What was it? A barnacle. Yep, a barnacle. At the Wick in Tofino, of all places. Actually, it wasn't bad; tasted kinda like a clam. Actually, now that I think of it, I did try whale blubber in Greenland. Slightly fishy, chewed on it forever before discreetly spitting it out. Like swallowing at thick wad of bubblegum, so I didn't. As for salted licorice, yes!!!, love it!!! And, Chocoholic, if you know of places in Vancouver to get it, do tell. I used to get it from the little chocolate shop on Commercial and Venables, but the proprietor said she might not be able to get it in anymore for some strange reason. I haven't been to the place in New West for a while, so hoping they still sell it. In fact, I haven't had a double zout fix in ages!!!!

Running errands around False Creek and, since it was a hot and sunny day, decided to take the recommendations of previous posts to hunt down this restaurant with the big deck overlooking the waterfront called Ocean 16 (might have that name wrong). Looked up and down Leg in Boot Square for it and all we could find were Stamps and the place next door that's been there seemingly forever. Figured that couldn't be it because it doesn't really have a view (obscured by stairway and boats) and its deck is so small only about four or five tables could fit on it. But as we approached and saw the name, sure enough, that's the place everyone was raving about. Weird. Not at all what I'd imagined from the postings. I had this vision of this vast, Monk McQueen's-sized deck jutting out into the water. Anyhoo, checked out the menu and, since it was afternoon - too late for lunch, too early for dinner - we thought we'd stop in for a snack. No such luck. There were just four items listed, and none appealed. So we went up the stairs to good ol' reliable Stamp's. Homongenized food, but good view. Fish and chips at the Windjammer on Main and 15th (I think). Humungous fish - cod, halibut and salmon - all good. This time I tried the scallops and chips. Lots of big plump juicy scallops. Plus I asked them to throw in an oyster to taste. Even though it was deep fried, it still tasted like the sea. Over at Bowen Island, Blue Eyed Mary's and the pub on the waterfront (can't remember the name) too packed so we jumped the ferry back to Horseshoe Bay and were told by locals to try out the Bay Moorings right across from the ferry dock. Large deck overlooking the bay, terrific thin crust pizza and fat prawns in garlic sauce, sopped up with homemade bread. Yum. They make their own dough on the premises for that and their pizza. Nice atmosphere, friendly waitstaff, reasonably priced menu with lots of Greek and seafood selections and, man, what a view! Speaking of Bowen, anyone eaten over there? I've only ever had a snack at that pub that I can never remember the name of. Apparently the Italian place called, Tuscany, I think, is really good, and Blue Eyed Mary's is supposedly great, but never tried them. Interested to hear reports. I don't think I've ever seen reports of Bowen on these threads. Guess I better start a new thread or Arne will be all over me for going off topic......

Congrats, Andrew. You've got all the right stuff for that gig. How often will your reviews appear? And Neil? Your attempts at curmudgeonocity fall flat as a souffle in a hurricane. Best leave that to a greater Talent. You're way too cute for crotchety.

Always wondered why it is that pubs in this province all serve the same thing. It's like a law, or something. Why aren't pub cooks more inspired beyong the wings, nachos and calamari crap? Most of the time I glance at the menu, hungry, then ..... uh, not so much. Last time I was in John B. they were still serving up creative dishes. I like that they stray from the norm, get all ambitious and actually try a few Asian-inspired dishes. Kudos for effort, and accomplishment. The Raven in North Van, as I recall, served some tasty fare. Sorry I can't be more specific, just remember not being grossed out or bored by it - the usual pub grub measuring stick. Actually, the Hop and Vine in North Burnaby does a good job of adding different things to the menu - seafood, Asian, Indian influences. I'd love to hear more recommendations. So tired of Costco-style pub grub.... Would also love to hear from those who work in pubs what the reason is.

Interesting theories, ducky. You may just have something there.... But I think I may be on the way outta the darkness and into the light, thanks to the "What did you make for dinner" topic on the Cooking thread I just discovered. (I think that's what it's called.) Anyhoo, interesting contributions, and the pix even look appetizing. I'm gonna take some of those ideas and see what happens.