canucklehead
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Posts posted by canucklehead
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It 's classic, but arguably gilding the lily, to add a pat of butter to the top of a bowl of New England Clam Chowder.
oooh yeahhh - I love a little pat of butter on almost any soup. I made oxtail soup the other night and a little butter on top - yikes!
In the cereal department - and I only did this when I was a kid: chocolate quick AND strawbery quick (it tasted like neopolitan ice cream to me) in my milk with frosted flakes. Then settle into 3 hours of a cartoon induced coma.
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Mia Stansby also gave a thumbs up to Hoi Tong in Richmond (on no. three road). There a are number of very good dished that she did not order. They have a good chinese chicken salad - thin strips of chicken dressed lightly with shredded cantalope and honeydew melon, excellent roasted squab - bronzed and crispy on the outside - rich and juicy within, and rice in lotus leaves - fluffy rice with shreds of dried scallops and aromatic from the leaves.
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Excellent pictures and write up - thanks for sharing. Looks like you had a great time. I am assuming that you brought back enough to share with everyone.
In particular the lamb and trio of steaks sounds tremendous. Mmmmmm.
Now, about the Clamshack...
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Great segment - I am always moved by the rabbit story and how he had to kill and dress a delivery of them on his own. That ingrained respect for the raw material and always remembering that something DIED for you to eat is something that informs and gives depth to his cooking. Incredible.
I agree with Soup - Food TV where are you? I would trade this one segment in for the entire run of Top 5, Secret Life of..., and Unwrapped. Well - I would actually rather watch white static then any of those shows.
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You may be tempted by Sav-On Meats on Hastings - don't do it. My brother bought a roast there (just to satisfy his curiousity). It was not pretty. Single A beef - is'nt that basically utility grade?
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We were just up the block from you this evening at Hapa and strolled past Norboo to walk off a few of the thousands of calories that we consumed at dinner. Question: how did this meal compare in quality to Jang Mo Jib? I've been quite curious about Norboo for a while and am more than happy to read your take on it.
SIDE NOTE: Holy freakin' food geek Batman... 1,000 posts? Someone rescue me from the time-sucking vortex that is eGullet!
I am not sure - I think that they are both good - but Norboo seemed like it was generally very sweet. Also - you did not get some of the side stuff that Jang Mo Jib that really rounds out a meal. Such as the iced barley tea and the sweet rice drink that you get at the end of the meal.
Norboo however, seemed like prices were much better and I really enjoyed the sashimi rice.
I think that further tasting is required!
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I am posting particularly regarding the Ambleside market. The market as far as I understand was not a sure thing before last Thursday. The locals were scared we would defecate in their stairwells. I heard that rumour before, but I am not sure it's true. Regardless, they were not sure they wanted us. So, Lyn, the lady who organizes these events for the Artisanal Market Soceity asked many of the Lonsdale vendors to fill a spot. And we did. My guess it was just too late for produce vendors. They need to have much higher lead time. Please give the market another chance. There will be produce venders there (I am a foodie too, so I love the produce venders).
Please give Ambleside another try. It will be every Sunday from 1 until 6. And if you see a cute Chinese girl selling soap, and a less attractive guy hanging around her selling some pottery, come and say hi.
Mark,
Thanks for the update - I got there at about 1pm - so I may have beat the food vendors. I am really hoping that you guys are successful - so I will continue to come down and visit - just to support the market.
West Van government and the locals can make things needlessly tough. I would think the Ambleside store owners would like to see events that would draw more people to the area - in fact there was a sign at the farmer's market encouraging visitors to also support local stores.
BTW - I did see the pottery that you were selling - and it is good stuff. My house is so full of nick nacks and clever little bits of crap (isn't amazing what you thought was cool in your 20's) - that I may have to open an Ebay store to get rid of some of it and make room for some new stuff.
So if you see a overbearing Asian guy harrassing the cute chinese girl over getting a two-fer on the soap and asking why she does not stock Gucci or Armani - it is not me - that's my brother.
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Took my aunt and uncle today for father's day - and went to Norboo on the 1500 block of Robson. This place always seems very busy and full of Koreans and Tawainese Students - thank goodness for the english language schools.
The kim chee was very good - this always seems like a bit of test for Korean restaurants. Should taste fresh and homemade - I've been to places were the kim chee tasted like an old dim sum platter - not a good thing.
The L.A. style kal bee (short ribs) were juicier than the other kalbee that I have had. Tasted like it was marinated in fruit juice.
Seafood pancake had squid, octopus, scallops, and unfortunately - pollock (fake crab). Nice and crispy- but got greasy as it cooled.
This was probably the best thing - sashimi rice. Peices of salmon, tuna, and tobiko over just barely warm rice with shards of iceberg lettuce (it works - here). You added as much of a sweet spicey sauce as you wanted. It was light, refreshing, and substantial at the sametime. Perfect as the days warm up.
Also had a bowl of dumplings and rice cake noodles - no picture though. Sorry. But Koreans make a mean beefy broth. Sweet, clean tasting and fortifying.
All in all - a nice father's day lunch. With Tax and Tip - $48 for a pretty subtantial meal. I picked a Korean place for lunch because I figured most of the students would not have their fathers with them and so these places would not be too busy. And I was right.
My only problem was that Korean food seems to have an underlying sweetness that can be cloying after while. The ribs in particular where quite sweet. Still - I think that we should be thankful for the authentic Korean food we have due to the students. For great deals on beef and fish - I also went to Hannmee grocery store in Coquitlam. The short ribs alone are worth going for - thick and meaty - perfect for a slow braise (and at 4.99 a pound for really well marbled specimens). They had fresh whole halibut for about 8.99 a pound - good for those who know how to dismantle such a catch.
I went to Hannmee with my brother who looks very Korean. This sales lady was demonstrating a new product (spicy pork belly - delicous) and yelling at my brother in Korean. He stared at her politely - but clearly not understanding a word she was saying - I think that she took it to mean that he was hard of hearing - because she really started to yell at him. Maybe she was saying "Why don't you speak Korean anymore! Have you forsaken your mother tongue! You parents should shoot you!!" Not sure though.
I think that the schools should now target French and Italian students - who knows what further food developments it could lead too.
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Paul B - I went to the West Van market today and I have to agree with you that it was a sad affair. I bought one of those maple syrup things on a stick - just to support somebody. Did not want the baby clothes or the cd's of guitar music ("Starry Starry Night" must be the most common market music ever). You could see WV Council's fingerprints all over the enterprise - it stunk of compromise. I will continue to check it out during the summer - support what I can just to encourage it. Thank goodness for the First Nations band that owns the land under Park Royal - without them - we would not even have the Whole Foods.
DillyBravo - where on Granville Island is the truck market? Sounds like thing that I am really craving - a farmer's market with a high ratio of produce.
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[seriously, where does one get a copy of Vancouver Life magazine?
I got the name wrong - its Vancouver Lifestyles Magazine, and I get for free. Otherwise not sure where you could get it. Its a thick glossy magazine. I got a feeling it is aimed at the BTC (me) - not the young urban sophisticates like yourself.
Did you know that Ling losing her appetite is one of the signs of the Armageddon? I think that Neil must save us all and give as much HSG GBP as she can handle and hopefully set the cosmic forces in balance again. Please do it for us.
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Has anyone tried the Alibi room's brunch menu?
Yeah I went a while ago (I mean something like 9 months ago) - and it was dissapointing. I wanted to support a place that is making a go of a tough locale - but the food was not there. Service was good - but I don't think they get enough turnover to keep the brunch stuff fresh and hot.
The most egregious fruit salad ever. If you can't get good ripe fruit - please take it off your menu.
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I guess White Spots don't count - because you have to technically serve food - right?
Just joking! Give that man a Grill and Greens.
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What is Vancouver Life Magazine ? And where did they get my picture ? I have never heard of it.
Huh... that would explain the grainy web cam look of the picture and why you are in the shower... I was confused what it had to do with wine - I just thought it was cutting edge..
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Fist the Gill article and now this morning - I was flipping through Vancouver Life Magazine (I get it free) and along with an article on HSG featuring the mug of Neil - was a quick blurb on Fatburger. And also a quick mention of Vera's Burgers.
It seems like Vera's has become the gold standard of the local burger in the media. Everytime Fatburger is mentioned - so is Vera's. In fact I have not seen so much mention of Vera's in a long time - good for them. Talk about turning an challenge into a triumph.
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This is a mean cruel joke... right? No... really - it's just not right.
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A new farmers' market will debut this Sunday in West Vancouver at Marine and 14th. It will run from 1-6. I don't know if it will be any good, but please please come out and support it! It almost didn't happen because the same misanthropic troglodytes who complained so much about the smell of non-Caucasian foods that the council passed the justly ridiculed smell by-law said that a market in the empty lot beside their building would "ruin their lives." They predicted (I kid you not) that West Van would be overrun with rats and outsiders would defecate in their stairwells. Saner heads on the West Van council finally prevailed and the market just got the green light. So please come out, buy something, and moon the people in the building on the other side of 14th. The Ambleside neighbourhood of West Van desperately needs something like this and I need someplace besides Whole Foods to buy interesting produce.
If you do come, look for a guy in glasses who occasionally giving the finger to a condominium. That'll be me.
Paul - I'll be there since is close to where I live (I am constantly asked to produce ID in WV to prove this). You will recognize me because I will be the large Asian man wearing flip flops, combat shorts, with frosted hair - carrying a ghetto blaster with canto-pop; going around asking the locals - "is this the night market?"
Seriously though- I hope that they have decent stuff - I love WF's but would also like altnernative. But - please I hope that it is mostly food orientated - I will personally set fire to any stand selling lamps made from drift wood or clocks with orcas painted on the faces. And if there any wind chimes... you will see me on the cover of the Province with the headline "RAMPAGE"
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Dude - I hear you - it borders on Renaissance Fair at times. I want the cranky Chinese farmers that snap at you if you handle the produce too much.
Have not checked out the Nat Bailey farmer's market yet - but it sounds like it may be the same cast of characters as from Trout Lake. Looking forward to summer when more local fruit makes its appearance. I saw the strawberries last week - but they looked very soft (as noted upthread).
Well - there was a vendor that was selling really beautiful baby greens - and it included pretty hardy stuff like baby kake and chard - so I was not sure as to whether I should have sauteed it or eaten like a salad. It made a really sturdy salad - I will try cooking it next time.
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Doing some solo recon and had the following burgers in the last two days:
Yesterday Aft: White Spot at the Airport.
Just before my flight to Winnipeg - I was desparate and I thought, what the hell. Well - this was the best WS Burger ever! It was like a miracle! Everything that was supposed to be hot was hot (ie burger and fries) - and everything that was supposed to be cool was actually cold (ie drink and coleslaw). The fries were crispy and fresh - I tell ya, I was a little afraid to get on the plane because I thought that I must have used up all my good luck with that meal.
Yesterday - Midnight: Winnipeg Sals
Had the infamous Nips Burger. Check it out:
I think that the slightly racial undertones of calling a product "Nip's" becomes more evident when you see the menu somehow. Plus - an Asian man ordering a "Nip" seemed to make everybody uncomfortable.
Okay - I can see how the Eastern European use of the onion has pervaded all prairie cooking. The onions in this thing were cooked to an inch of their lives - parts were raw while others were almost black. The bun was toasted but very soft.
It was a very sad little diner - one of the customers wanted all this extra stuff on there burger and it did'nt come with it - so he was yelling and the waitress brought it out but had to charge him for it. I actually changed seats so that I could watch the action and also keep an out for any flying debris.
So - is there a winner between the two hometown favorites. I think in this case - the merits are all so relative, that declaring a 'winner' would be both unfair and inaccurate.
BTW - I ate this instead of the experiencing the wonders of Schezwan Restaurant. So if you sense any bitter undertones - you know why.
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If you want to eat it hot - you could pre-cook them, cool them, break em up and then roast them at high heat with a sauce or dressing. Karen Barnaby has an interesting recipe in the Passionate Cook.
To have them cold - again pre-cook them, cool, break em up and serve them with a lemon vinegraite (sic - I know I can't spell), with chopped garlic, basil, and parsley.
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However, I was trying to get to Tiem bahn dong. Vancouver, I walked up and down the street but couldn't find another banh mi shop nearby. Is it really in the same parking lot as Kingsway Deli at 1188 Kingsway? Is it a banh mi shop, or is it more of a grocery store with a banh mi counter? Help!
Same parking lot! When you are facing the Kingsway deli from Kingsway it is 2 or 3 doors to the left. It is a bakery - hence very fresh bread.
Cheers!
Is this the same bakery that has the Durian Buns? If it is - try 'em. You will either wretch or be in heaven. I plan to bring them to the next egullet event - they will be a rite of passage.
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Tojo's throws his weight behind wild salmon Vancouver Sun Article
More discussion in the debate.
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Tops on my list is cotton candy... I must be the only person who hates the stuff, even as a kid. My wife and children torture me with it when we go to the ballpark, carnival or fair. I'm swallowing hard just writing about it. Yuk!
Dude - I'm with you an cotton candy also - candied apples. They are absolutely wretched. Teeth sticking sweetness meets sour mealy apples - what for?!. The combo brings out the worst in eachother. Worse are those 'gourmet' candied apples with sprinkles, m&m's, and icing. Sickening.
That being said - I like just about everything else at the fair. Put a stick in it and deep fry it and I'm there!
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Just wanted to show you what a Chinese Egg Tart - Portuguese Style looks like from Michelle's bakery in Kerrisdale (it was briefly discussed up thread).
These are definitely best when eaten on the same day they are made. Preferably you should be eating them on the way out of the store. The filling is very eggy - some are put off by how eggy the first time they have one (think creme caramel). The crust is wonderfully flakey. They are about a buck a piece and I think the best ones in the city.
Worth dropping in if you are in the neighbourhood (West Blvd and 48th or so).
It's funny - Michelle's walls are decorated with loaves of crusty bread and multigrained studded buns and epi's. But they sell none of those things - only Chinese style baked goods and a white bread loaf that is so soft and white that Wonder Bread should be taking notes (great for toast though).
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And I feel that these facts are stangely realted to the other two threads that are raging in the Vancouver Forum. ( Lumiere and are egulleters soft on restaurants )
Neil
I was thinking the exact same thing. psych!
Actually - you guys are all doing something that I would cannot imagine doing - there are easier ways to make money. But as a customer - I am glad that your passion over rules your common sense and we are the glad recipients of your labours and generosity.
Chinese in Vancouver 2002 - 2006
in Western Canada: Dining
Posted · Edited by canucklehead (log)
Went to Kirin for dim sum today - downtown location. I really prefer the ala carte method of ordering. I know it is a pain in the ass for non-chinese - and CBC's like myself - but the freshness and immediacy of the dim sum is so much better than the cart method.
I know that we have spoken about this before - but I can't understand why there can't be pictures in the menu. I mean for god sakes - with digital camera's it takes all of three seconds. I mean between Mooshmouse and myself - restaurants around the city are going to be able to cut and paste the pictures from egullet soon.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - this is why we have jobs boys and girls - so we can eat in a civilized manner. Civilization.... aaahhh.
Stirfried Ricecake - Shanghainese Style. Thick chewy disks of rice noodle stir fried with shredded pork and spinach.
Wontons in a spicy sauce. Not a lot of heat - but rich and garlicky.
Steamed pork ribs - these were super fresh and hot out of the steamer - not a popular dish among the non-regular dim sum crownd. Delicous today!
And because there were only chinese people eating with us today - Chicken Feet! All hail the glorious Chicken Feet!! About the only people who are willing to put more chicken parts in their mouths are the French. And look at what great civilization they have (okay - no body odor cracks please.)
Lunch for two - about $30 tax and tip included. Ahhhh - to be a grown up is a good thing.