canucklehead
-
Posts
1,610 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Store
Help Articles
Posts posted by canucklehead
-
-
Deborah - then is the WH going into 485 West 8th project. That would make much more sense to me.
-
This store seems to be quite some ways off. The project (525 W. Broadway) has only received a preliminary approval from the Development Permit Board and still has to proceed for final approval which is currently not scheduled.
Privatejet - how did you get the address? I was thinking that the store would be located in the new development on along the rise on Cambie. But if you are right - it would seem to mean that the whole Fairchild building must be coming down or being redeveloped. A new store is then a couple of years down the road. But I am guessing that plans are pretty firm - they even have estimated square footage on the website - and at 55k - it is a pretty big store.
But maybe not so quick.
-
I was just surfing around and noticed that Whole Foods has made plans for a 2nd lower mainland store - Cambie and Broadway. WH New Stores
I am surprised that they are moving so quickly. The West Van store does well and I shop there - but I did not think that it was doing super killer business. That being said - I don't think West Van would ever be the biggest grossing store - people on the North Shore just don't blow money on groceries that way.
The Cambie and Broadway location is a smart one and will could Caper's hard. Should pull in alot of Yaletown business as well as people from the westside and Main street. Just look at the kind of business that MEC does there.
-
Just to let everyone know - Bis Mereno will prepare horse if you give them a couple days notice. I spoke to Chef Miotto - and he would like a minimum of two people order it so that he can get properly sized roast.
Unfortunately - my dinner companions would rather have a pasta tasting menu. So - I don't want the kitchen to have to jump through too many hoops. They were very willing to try to accomodate us - but since I am not a big drinker - I did not feel it was fair.
Still - I am looking forward to trying cavello at Bis. It will only taste sweeter for the wait. All I need are brave companions on this quest...
-
"It is a good burger that is brought out to you quickly without the hassle of Vera's or Purple Onion."
canucklehead
As someone with more than a passing interest in vera's and fatburger, what is the hassle you were referring to, we are always looking for ways to improve our business.
Hey Gerald
I only meant to say that Fatburger is much faster at getting out their product. Let's face it though - they are fastfood, your are not. It is a different experience and I will be honest - Vera's burger are clearly better quality. I did not mean to say that a Vera Burger experience is unpleasant - but things are cooked to order - so there is a wait.
The Fat burger price points are right in Vera's range - so it does the beg the question of speed vs. quality. Fat burger looked like they were staffed to the hilt - so it feels like there needs to be a very high sales volume for their model to work. They are built for turnover.
I lived in California for a spell and the Fatburger does have the In'nOut flavor that I crave once in a while. So will I go back to Fatburger? Yes. Will I continue to go to Vera's? Yes - most definitely (if I am still welcome
)It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the burger competition - but to be honest - I would favor the local guys. Vancouver is definitely about value for money - and as I said in my original posting, Fatburger prices are quite steep for what you get.
I hope that clarifies my posting. Let me know if can be of further help by - oh say free comparision tastings....
-
Fatburger w/cheese, fries, rings and a shake...
2550 Calories. 1152 of those from Fat.
128 Grams of Fat
265 mg Cholesteral
and 223 Carbs.
sounds like it just might have been worth it!
Let me be clear - my meal was shared with my brother. There is no way that I could have had a burger+fries+rings+shake all by myself.
But - you know what - it did'nt seem like THAT much food to be 2550 calories. I shudder to think of the calorie counts when the egullet lunch mafia hit a place.
-
How could I pass by an new burger joint?
Went and had lunch there today. And it was good.
It was kind of crazy packed - being opening day. But there did not seem to be any real hiccups. Except for the yelling teenagers from - I guess - King George Secondary (I thought the school had been shut down). I know that I was not neearly as irritating as today's teens when I was a teenager (and dinosaurs ruled the earth).
The burgers are very much in the same vein as InandOut burgers (but with frankly better fries). The meat was fully cooked - but was juicy. The condiments were very good and you got that nice juxtaposition of hot meat with cool tomatoes and lettuce. For a 1/3 pound - it did not seem like a HUGE burger - but it was very good and satisfying. After you ordered at the counter - the food was brought out to your table.
Got onion rings and they were good also - more breaded than battered - but for me that was a good thing. The star of the meal was the milkshake (in my case vanilla). You could really taste the ice cream in it - thick (but slurpable) and cold. Very nice.
Price wise - it was kind of on the steep side. A normal combo of 1/3 pound burger, fries, and a drink will set you back about $8.50 - so you are getting into that Vera's and Purple Onion price range. I won't metion White Spot - but 'kicked' and 'curb' come to mind.
Do they have a market here? Yeah - definitely I will go back to satisfy my InandOut cravings. I would have liked to have the bun a litte toasted but I suspect that they have a secret ordering systems much like InandOut (I heard what sounded like special oders). It is a good burger that is brought out to you quickly without the hassle of Vera's or Purple Onion.
Even with them slammed today - service was very fast and the counter staff had the fresh scrubbed InandOut young American look to them (not quite as aryan as the US chain). The place is well done, clean, and seemed very organized. There were some people up from the Head Office helping out around the restaraunt - and they were friendly and chatty with the guests.
Worth checking out.
-
This would explain why when my friend went the last couple of times and asked for linguini - he was told they were out. How one runs out of linguini at an Italian pasta joint was a mystery - until now...
I am surprised that they are shutting down shop. The place was always reasonably full of people whenever I went. Maybe the pizza take out was not as brisk as they hoped. Too bad, it may not have been destination dining - but it was a great neighbourhood joint.
Keith, I know exactly what you mean: the great and powerful Gullet...well maybe (if this is true) people will stop blaming us for their ruin when we say something we ate somewhere wasn't perfect, too
But - I am always surprised by the who is wathcing us out there... I was at a place recently that has gotten the 'egullet seal of approval' and the owner/manager had printed out the thread and shared it with his friends. Needless to say - I flashed my egullet decoder ring around - and all I got was an open-handed slap to the face.
-
Went for dinner last night and it was good. The first warm days and some good press and the place was slammed.
Dinner for three with booze and three course came to about 140.00 Nothing on the menu was over $20 bucks. You could see the how the chef spent time at Bin 942 and Elixir.
Paticularly good were:
- A seafood sampler with a tuna/jicima tartar - spicy, fresh, with the right amount of gingery kick.
- I had the Halibut with lemongrass/coconut sauce - delicous.
- My friend had roasted chicken with cumin reduction - crispy skinned flesh with a warmly spiced sauce was comfort food and exotic at the same time.
- The warm chocolate cake mentioned above. Something different from usual molten chocolate cake - very mexican, mousselike cake with flecks of coffee bean and sweet spice.
Like I said, the place was slammed so the service was slow - but no matter. Dinner took about three hours, but on the deck with a great view - who cares.
One thing about leg in boot square - it is a perfectly preserved slice of late 70's urban planning (one wonder how yaletown will age). With all the cedar decking around me I felt like I was in a time warp - I kept expecting to hear Fleetwood Mac over the speakers and seeing cocobuttered grils in jean cutoffs and feathered hair.
Good thing the food is a bit more up to date.
-
Wanted to test the waters at some places that I have been dismissing out of hand - so was my inner food snob correct?
Hon's for lunch today - it was worse than bad, it was dull. Just big mouthfuls of overcooked noodles in not enough soup. Potstickers were bland and understuffed and came with a dipping sauce that was too sweet (where's the vinegar?). I had wonton noodles that I could not finish - not because it was too much - but it was so dry it was like trying to choke back cotton batting.
Stepho's for dinner on Tues. Okay - this place really baffles me. It is food value run amok. Got there about 5:30 and there was line up already. WTF!? Big platefuls of rice and lamb etc... Again - that feeling of trying choke back mouthfuls of tasteless cotton. I don't mean to sound cruel - but why put food like that in your body? It just seems so unthinking - like cows at the trough.
So - to save the week
Had lunch at Kirin with Mooshmouse. Fresh hot morsels of dim sum in civilized suroundings. This is why we have jobs (or for some of you trust funds) - so that we can be grown ups.
Dinner last night at Budepest Cafe. Great homestyle food, generous portions, and friendly service. Again, had one of their huge Transylvanian Platters - very very good schnitzel - thin and crispy.
-
Even if you don't want to eat at 5:30 - don't arrive at 6:30 - there will be a huge waiting list already.
I went a few weeks ago and got there at 6:00 and it was very full already. I got a table (barely) - and even I as we were ordering, I could hear Vikram telling people that the wait would be about 90 mins from that point onwards. People were eating next door at his other place instead.
Could you incorporate the south granville thing into the evening - you know, get your name down ASAP and then hit some of the stores or galleries in the area? Then come back at a time you want to eat at - and you would be at the top of the list. Work out something with the host/hostess before you do your walkabout.
-
While strolling the neighbourhood last evening we noticed that the o;d lobster space adjacent to Adesso is under renovation. It will be called The Burrito Brothers and promises fast Mexicali with a patio and some stools. Fish tacos? Stay tuned.
I have noticed recently a few Taco Del Mar's opening in Vancouver. The most recent one on West Broadway. Anyone tried their fish tacos before?
Yes- the one I had was basically like a frozen fish stick in a taco.
However, everything else I have had there was pretty damn tasty
for fast food.
I had them at one of their California outlets and it was closer to what Keith Talent was describing as authentic fish taco. I had one here - and tasted a little tired - but not bad for fast food.
-
I am not sure if you mean to serve it in a restaurant - but pork belly makes really good vindaloo. The hot sour sauce is the perfect foil for the rich fatty pork. I have a friend that makes it - the recipe is embarassing easy - and I wolf down the pork with basmati rice.
-
Slow Roasted in a 275 oven for about 12 minutes. Super moist and rich - kind of a easy replacement for poaching (I know - it hard to get any lazier than poaching, but this method is..)
Broiled under a rub of crushed cumin seeds, salt, pepper, and brown sugar to taste. Very high payoff for low effort.
-
Was someone recently exclaiming on the virtues of the Kiwi Pie Company? If so you might want to know that they've opened new storefront at 542 Robson according to today's Georgia Straight: Kiwi Pie Company
Yeah! That was me - I really do like their savory pies. But barolo, linking it to the Georgia Straight - ack - they are dead to me!
But - do click the link to the Georgia Straight today - the 'Single of the Week' looks suspicously like a certain bespectacled forum host.
Daddy A - there are easier ways to get a side dish.
-
Probably the most underrated - The TC Lions Pub on Cordova St. is a favourite place of mine. It definitely has an old English flair to it, and can serve up the best pub grub in the city. Best of all, the prices are very reasonable and the food leaves you full! (and not of grease!)
Heh there LMB... welcome
Can you provide a wee bit more detail about the grub available at the TC Lions Pub? From your description above... "leaves you full and not (full) of grease".... it would be interesting to hear/read what they have on offer. Ta
.LMB - I always assumed that the TC Lions Pub was part of the Terminal City Club and therefore access was restricted to TC members - am I wrong? It is open to the public?
-
Almost bought the Savary blueberry pie from Stong's today and saw Kiwi Pie Company's pies in the freezer.
The Checkerboard Crumble pie with apple, roasted pineapple and caramel is warming in the oven and my place smells soooo good.
I also bought a mini New Zealand Minted Lamb and Butternut Squash pie.
If all fares well, I'm back to try the berry pie and other savoury pies from the Kiwi Pie Company.
BTW, the only Savary Island pies available at Stong's were Apple, which I believe is the best I've ever tasted, and the Blueberry, which is well worth it at this time of the year (it's a huge pie and no chintzing out on blueberries!)
The Savary Island sour cherry and buttermilk (w/ or w/o blueberries) are also truly excellent.
I am glad that Kiwi pie company has made it into a local supermarket. I know that they have been negotiating with other supermarkets - but the markets would like them to package the pies either pre-cooked and then frozen, or in a microwavable box that would crisp the crust (a la Marie Calendar's). The supermarkets were trying to make them more 'convienent'.
I really like the Kiwi pies and try to have them on hand in the freezer (from their store). Just just bake them up in your toaster oven for about 45min's or so and the pastry comes out soo flaky and crisp. I like their more tranditional pies the best, Steak and Mushroom, Chicken and Ham, and Turkey w/ Cranberry stuffing.
It is one of life's great pleasures to have one their pies in front of the TV with a glass of cold milk and revert to being an 8 year old again.
-
The only place that I can think of that serves it regulary may be Hon's. Though I slag the place sometimes - I do have very fond memories of growing up and having either the cold sesame 'soup' or cold red bean 'soup' during the summer.
Both are sweet and a little grainy but it a good way. Like when a watermelon is so sweet and juicy - it seems almost sandy when you eat it.
The black sesame soup is made from ground black sesame seeds and sugar that has been cooked down a little. It has a nutty slightly bitter darkness too it. I have seen some places mix in a little almond 'tea' - which is a wonderful contrast.
-
Irwin - stop - you are making me cry.... dry aged Hanger Steak?
Too much goodness on one plate...
-
I think that to be an over-orderer - there is the assumption that you cannot finish the vast amounts of food that is on the table. My brother and I are the worst at this cause we egg eachother on - we want to try all the house specialities - and what ever the chef has featured - AND then whatever the waitstaff thinks is particularly good. Dear God - it is endless.
We will eat ourselves absolutely sick - with the waitstaff usually congratulating us (and I am sure horrified) on our achieving our Herculean task. Sure we bring home leftovers - but it kind of feels like we lost our battle.
Of course - as with all fatal character flaws - it is our mother to blame. When I was a kid - she would say "this food is getting into you one way or another - even it I have push it up your bumhole".
My sympathies if you ever got invited to one of our family dinners.
-
Not to be picky - but there is a big disparity in quality once you go with the carts (vs. a la carte). I went to Imperial last week and the food had a slightly overcooked quality. I prefer Kirin on Cambie (or downtown) - where things are a la carte.
That being said - Imperial definitely had their customer service on. Everybody spoke english to me and were really friendly and very good about introducing us to new items.
I've noticed this trend in alot of Chinese reastaurant - where service is generally reserved even when you can speak the language. It is a bit of a social test in Chinese circles to see how well you can order and how wordly you are. I am glad that at least some Chinese restaurants are reaching out to a new audience.
-
So, which is better, the flatiron or the hanger?
I prefer the Hanger steak. I think the first time I had a true Hanger steak was at HSG - and experience was suprising to me. I had been expecting something closer to a skirt steak - but the Hanger steak was taller (as opposed to a flat or thin steak) and had a statisfying chew and a really big beefy red flavor.
Flat iron steak - while nice, is served thinner and did not have the same big taste. I had flat iron steak while I lived in the US - so I have not had tried the versions up here.
For that real Flinstone's steak-y chew, the hanger steak is the winner for me. Though I will now think twice about putting something called a 'hanging tender' in my mouth.
So - I wonder what Joe Forte's is serving? It is a true Hanger steak that I have come to love at HSG. Neil - don't be so quick to take it off your menu yet.
edited - because even by my low standards of grammer and spelling - the orginal post was horrifying.
-
Actually - it may be another store. I was in Barbara Jo's in yaletown yesterday and overheard her talking to someone about opening another branch.
Good for her. Perhaps one location will be more dedicated to books and the other to the cooking classes. I could see why she would want a larger space for cooking classes - they are popular and (my guess) provide her with most of her profits.
I buy alot of my cookbooks there - but I am noticing that Book Warehouse stocks many of the same books at a much lower price. Oh the conumdrum of which local cause to support.
-
Got this from Nigella Lawson - very similiar to the Pat Wells method above. Dressed very simply with lemon juice and very good extra virgin olive oil - trying not to overdress. Salt and Pepper with shavings of parmesaen. Kind of cliche - but really simple and fresh.
Great as an accompaniment to grilled steaks.
WH makes its Vancouver Move
in Western Canada: Cooking & Baking
Posted
Holy Battle of the Markets!
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. WF is actually not too bad on prices if you don't get sucked into their gourmet foods - and that is a big 'if'. They know where there margins are - and it is in the prepared foods area and they sell alot of cooked foods. They are also really pushing their house brand (365) which is very good value.
WF in West Van is located right by a Super Value and down from Safeway. Just from walking around - it looks like both Super Value and Safeway have been pretty negatively impacted by WF.
I am sure that Overwaitea will bring out their big guns. I am suprised that Vancouver Planning has allowed big stores to open so closely to eachother. Traffic will be insane.