Vancitygirl

I spoke with Brent the Oysterman the other day. Oyster farming is becoming less prevalent in British Columbia because of the fact that farmers are not able to make a descent living at the trade. Many oyster farms are being replaced by honey mussels, or just being phased out as farmers take up another form of employment. In Vancouver, suprisingly enough, prices are too low and the various oyster sellers are not willing to pay a little extra for oysters. Vancouver is not doing it's part in terms of oyster consumption either! Shame on us! Many of our BC oysters go off to Calgary and Toronto where, suprisingly enough, consumers will pay a fair market price. Brent compared the problem to fair trade coffee. If we were able to pay 10 cents more per oyster, oyster farming in BC will survive. If not we will see a huge decline in BC oysters and availablity. I, for one, will gladly pay more (oysters are usually around 70 cents to $1) to keep my favourite bivalve readily on hand. So - get out there, get slurping and demand that your local supplier bring in more BC product.

Kurtis, I thought you ranked all egullet members number 1! "Don't you know who I think I am" Do you mean you really treat everyone that nicely? That is great to hear. I like your positive attitude! I did dineout at Star Anise. We were there at 7 pm and didn't get rushed out. It was a Sunday night though, and it seemed our table was not needed elsewhere -(edited to say afterwards, thank god it wasn't needed elsewhere - I don't know any restaurants that lease out their tables.) The owner was there and provided excellent service. His stepson was working as well and just arrived at the table without speaking to us and stood there until we took the initiative to order anything. It was really odd. The food was good, but just that, good. Also went to the Hotel Georgia and sat at the bar at Casablancas. They had a $15 deal, but it the portions were small. Excellently prepared though. I had the ahi tuna, seared scallops and clams. They plated the tuna and scallops together, and I have a picture, but I have not idea how to upload pictures. Maybe someone can PM me and help! ?? Cassandra

Bistro 1734 is set to open at - SURPRISE - 1734 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. French theme. Owners are Daniel Thomas (Cafe de Paris) and Bill Mari. The chef hails from Monsoon Restaurant on Main Street - Patrick Lynch. When Chef Alain Raye of La Regalade (neighbouring French restaurant) was asked to comment he stated "I have bigger cats to spank.". Look forward to a late February opening. ***edited to correct Patrick Lynch's name

One Restaurant Lounge on One West Cordova Street seems to have closed. Rumours are that the rent wasn't paid.

Oh to apprentice under him. Oh - As I writer, of course.

If you are at Cru anytime soon - PLEASE - ask when the Oyster dinner will be held this year. I missed it last year and apparently it was incredible. http://www.vancourier.com/issues05/042205/dining.html

Could someone please enlighten me in me as to Yuzu. I am from the land of Vegemite and Sauvignon Blanc.

I have been on both sides of the equation. I think I worked in every Greek Place in the city. Did "time" at El Patio as well.

From an article in todays Toronto Star: Japanese rice burgers join our foodscape "Burger lovers have been devouring them in Japan for 18 years — and Richmond Hill for 14 weeks. They are rice burgers — two all-rice patties shaped like buns and used to envelope tempting combos of meat and veggies." Has anyone seen these in the Lower Mainland? They look very tasty. http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentSe...ol=969048867839

Here is the update on "Big Al's". It is called Cameo and is on 295 West 2nd. They are officially open on this weekend. It is owned by Dina Livranento, a graduate from VCC who is part Portuguese and part African and Ken Burks, hailing from the Bahamas and owner of the Lions Den on Fraser and 15th. Big Al is leaving Rossinis in Gastown (where he has been hiding) to cook on the weekends. I stopped in for a quick bite today during the soft opening period. I was the second diner in on their very first day. The colours are bright - the room resembles a funky cafeteria. Menus are not printed, but the server rambled off gumbo, catfish, salmon and chicken cooked with a southern cajun influence, and Al's signature dishes such as smothered red cabbage and red beans. I went for the jumbo and it was filled with tender shrimp, chunks of sausage, red pepper, clery and tomato. Perfectly spicy in a rich tomato sauce. Dina brought me some fresh banana muffins and I had to pack them to go, as the gumbo did me in. Look forward to some great International Flavour with tunes and personalities to match.

Big Al's (formerly and 1st and Renfrew/Rupert?) has opened in the 300 Block of West 2nd. More news to follow.

The Grammercy Grill is doing a regular menu and a prix fix for all of January. It is my neighbourhood haunt and the service and food is really top notch now. There was a big piece in Alive Magazine on them recently. Young chef, award winning bartenders, the possibility of running into me! What more could you want. Happy dining! Cassandra

I am watching the newish TV series which premiered on Bravo tonight. This is a sad representation of Vancouver and any restaurant I have worked in. What are your thoughts?

You should check out the deal at Bymark in Toronto where for $35 bucks during Winterlicious if you go for the Tuna app - regular $20.95 - the chicken or Seabass (not sure why places keep serving this) ← I have been staying clear of seabass, which was previously a favorite of mine, since I become aware of the sustainability issue. I visited few different restaurants, and a few fish mongers carrying it and had to put in "my 2 cents" on the issue. I now have to retract some of my previous statements, as seabass is a word for a number of different fish, some of which are sustainable. From the Monterey Bay Aquarium site: WrecKfish - also called Seabass - Wild Caught in the Atlantic Ocean is a great choice, and Black Seabass - Wild Caught in the Atlantic Ocean is a good choice. It is just the Grouper - Seabass - Line Caught in the Atlantic Ocean and U.S. Gulf of Mexico that is the problem. Now - what I am wondering is how we are really going to know what we are eating? Ahh - That's right, Vancouver's Oceanwise program.

I heard that Gord was opening up Bin 943, 944, 945, 946, 947, 948 and 949. They will be located in Vanderhoff, Terrace, Trail, Princeton, Powell River, Tumbler Ridge and Bella Coola. He is also producing a line of wines with the same Bin names, partnering with Wayne Gretzky, although he will source the grapes from a variety of producers from Fort St. John. He has purchased a helicopter so he can travel from restaurant to restaurant all within a day. His future plans involve more restaurants further north.

There is another Whole Foods coming on Cambie Street. That might help, ah, AFTER the rapid transit line is in.

Why is this post too wide for my screen? What happened here?

Solved my own mystery. Arian Kebab House opened. I went in today and the concept seems to be fast-food Persian. It smelt great, some lamb shanks were simmering away. All sorts of Persion rice, french fries!, obviously Kebabs. Not much atmosphere, but the prices looked very reasonable. Finally Persion Food in Kits. I'll post more once I have been.

Damn! I missed the leak. Looking forward to the reveal Andrew. I wait with hunger pangs.

OHHHH! I am so curious.

Hello fellow Westcoast diners. I am wondering what you are all doing for the big countdown to 2006. I'll confess if you will! 1) Fairly quick Dinner & Drinks at my place with my girlfriends: Appies: raw oysters with mignonette tuna tartare with crostini wild mushroom risotto with seared scallops and white truffle oil. 2) Stop in at a house party. 3) Off to the Jet Set Party at the Stanley Park Pavillion via the Hotel Vancouver Hotel on a double decker bus. DJ's, 8 cocktail bars, go go dancers, hors d'oevres at midnight, bubbly champagne lounge. 4) Bed (at some point)

I drove into town today past 1st and Commercial and noticed that a Restaurant called "The Red Burrito" was opening up on the south east corner. Go Mexico! Does anyone have any details?

Joie, If you don't like the glasses I sent, please just call me. I am very ashamed that you had to make this so public. I suppose you didn't like the plastic chandelier I sent last month either. Oh well. At least you have good taste in shoes.

Stongs is a market on Dunbar that delivers: http://www.stongs.com/ They have a great meat selection and a lot of specialty items.