Vancitygirl
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Posts posted by Vancitygirl
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A few things...
~ Further east on Broadway, by Oak(ish) there's a new "Argentinian Cusine" place whose name escapes me. I'm trying to reflect on what cuisine made Argentina particular (from the rest of S.A.), I only have spent time in Buenos Aires but who knows, maybe I missed somethin'. Anyone got details on the place?
I posted about that ahiwle back in the thread.. the name was.. something and Tango IIRC.
Ambrozia Restaurant and Lounge is also open at 911 Denman St.. anyone know what was here before it ? (possibly Shiraz?) I haven't been by myself, but have seen an ad they put out.
Ambrozia has been opened by Stefan Michev - previously the manager of Fleuri in the Sutton Place Hotel. Billed as "The Esssence of the Mediterranean". I spoke with him yesterday and he mentioned there is also a touch of Bulgarian (Stefan's home country) on the menu.
Website still under construction.
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Does anyone know what is going in across from Kits Workout?4th avenue between Cyprus and Maple next to the Kohinoor Tandori.
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We are looking to entertain 15 of our Scientific Advisory Board in Washington in November. Looking for a reasonably priced higher end restaurant that would do the trick. Any thoughts??
Thanks!
Can you give a a hint about what "reasonably-priced higher end" adds up to?
I'd consider Marcel's, or maybe ask if the back room at Restaurant Nora is available (a nice space).
And, of course, there are steakhouses galore. What do you think they will want to eat?
We are thinking of about $70 a head. Steak may not be good with everyone. Thanks for the other suggestions. I will check them out.
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We are looking to entertain 15 of our Scientific Advisory Board in Washington in November. Looking for a reasonably priced higher end restaurant that would do the trick. Any thoughts??
Thanks!
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Cedar Jelly is a matter of infusion with young Cedar branches and jelly sheets - according to chef Jeff. I will leave it to him as to the precise method. Many thanks to Joie for her amazing blog and most accurate description of our fabulous meal!
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I would love to here more about the dinner and the pairings. I went to Vintropolis for a Gray Monk wine tasting this afternoon and I was suprisingly impressed with the Pinot Noir. I say suprisingly because I have been a devotee of their Pinot Gris - both of the Pinot Gris', but never thought much of their reds. Tasting now, with older vines and some time in the bottle, the 2003 was very fresh, lively and smooth. Flavours of ripe cherry and raspberry rang through the finish. I believe the price point is around $14.50 and available at most VQA stores. Worth a try!
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Cycling by you notice that the waiter is polishing his car? Do you know the waiter? How do you know that the person polishing the car is the waiter in this restaurant?
He's the same guy I see serving tables when I cycle by.
Do you know any restaurant owners that would let a waiter polish his car in his uniform, risking it getting soiled?When you've lived in a city like Vancouver as long as I have you'll see a lot of strange sights-someone polishing their car on a break is no stranger than someone smoking a cigarette-tobacco or otherwise.
Since when did dark pants/white shirt constitute a 'uniform'?
So then I wonder who that winsome looking blonde is gazing out when the place is empty-the Chef?Did you know that they don't employ a hostess?Excuse me if I don't interpret your observations while "cycling by" as being very accurate, given the fact that it is upstairs.Given as how you're a 'cager' you have no idea how much someone standing on a bicycle can see.
I can tell you this-if the window seats are full the place is doing well-if Staff is standing gazing off an empty balcony prime time on a summer night it isn't.
Sam - I am proud of your polite and articulate response here.
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Vancouver For being lost in translation - certainly pizza. What has happened to pizza at these 99 cent pizza joints is just criminal.
That the savoury pie has been so badly injured in Vancouver (it amazes me what people will settle for) suggests it may never recover, especially now that new build wood-burning ovens are no longer permitted. Perhaps Mistral's version (they opened last night) of pissaladiere will help push it back where it belongs: it's virtually impossible to purchase a retail pizza in Vancouver worthy of oral gratification.
I had a wonderful pizza at Savory Coast the other night. I had to share it, unfortunately. It was called Speck Pizza - smoked proscuitto, tomato sauce, grana padano Thin crust, just the right amount of sauce and cheese. Those brick ovens do wonders.
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For what it's worth. Growing up we had a huge huckleberry tree in the back yard in Kelowna.
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Pan-O-Pan Fine Foods & Catering 235 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5T1W4 (604) 879-9146
I have sampled some amazing items at Marquis wine cellar when she catered their wine tastings. All from a small toaster oven yet!
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Helen and I popped into Watermark yesterday for a bottle of bubble and some appetizers after a walk along the beach. Service was on the ball but the food.... We had the lobster dumplings (way too doughy), vegetarian gyosas (dried out) and the chickpea and lima bean puree (not bad and refreshing with our wine). Wine service sucked; I ordered a bottle of Blanc de Noir Brut from Domaine Chandon, It arrived without an ice bucket and no glasses
After a five minute wait the glasses arrived and the wine tasted pretty good while admiring the view. We both ordered an Irish coffee to warm up after 40 minutes on the patio...they showed up luke warm, with no whip cream, or sugared rim (not a big deal) but I like my coffee hot.Just short impression of this place and no plans on going back in the near future.
Cheers,
Stephen
After all the comments we've read here, I am curious why you would go. It's like touching the element just to see if it's hot.
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Oh ... Chambar and Nu are off my list since I've spoken to both of them and they can only take us at around 5:00 pm on the weekend I want. Coast is off the list because the group's dined there recently. Would love to have the dinner at any of the three but circumstances prevent it.
Bluewater might work. Hadn't thought of them.
Savory Coast would be at the top of my list. Fresh fresh seafood, excellent service ad if the weather holds, the patio is fabulous.
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The ingredients may be top notch - but when I was there - the bevy of bartenders (while you can give them 'A' for effort) - were mixing off of recipe cards and the drinks were not being made with a sure hand.
Now to be fair - I am not sure how much this effects the quality of a drink (as opposed to food which obviously would be really adversely effected).
Oh Lee - this kind of talk could get you in trouble! I sometimes wait for my favorite bartender to return to the bar before ordering my next drink. The mixologist has a huge influence on the end product. It is a science!
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A little off topic, but this Sake is at Kits Wine Shop. Think I might stop by on my way home.
Biko Sparkling Sake 330ml (NV - $29.40)
"We fell in love with this when we tried it. Fermented in the traditional champenoise method, the yeast in the 2nd bottle fermentation imparts a delicate salmon tinge, and adds a richer note to the palate. The only one of its kind, and just delicious."
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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?
Vancouver, BC: Food and wine lovers are invited to take their seats this fall and eat up the deals offered by Yaletown’s top restaurants during a ten-day dining promotion October 3 - 13. The first annual Taste of Yaletown event, presented by American Express, will highlight the quality, variety and hospitality of the area’s creative chefs. Participating restaurants – from French Bistro and Italian Enoteca to Japanese Izakaya and Southern Barbecue – will offer a cornucopia of special menus, progressive tastings, gift certificates, complimentary appetizers and desserts.
“Yaletown’s diverse restaurant scene offers exceptional choices from quick and casual to high-end and extravagant,” says Neil Wyles, co-chair of Taste of Yaletown and owner/chef at Hamilton Street Grill. “People love to eat and meet in Yaletown.”
The event is also being led by Jack Lamont, Director of Operations for Glowbal Group Restaurants. “This ten-day affair is our way of marking a celebration of the district's success on everyone's calendar,” says Lamont. “We hope to make Yaletown Vancouver’s preferred ‘dining destination’ for locals and visitors.”
American Express is the premier sponsor of this event. “Our goal at American Express is to create and provide the very best in value and service for the merchants that support us, as well as for our Cardmembers,” says Andy Van Ruyven, Director, Client Management, American Express. “And by getting involved in the Taste of Yaletown we have a great opportunity to do just that."
Other proud Taste of Yaletown sponsors include Finlandia, Labatt Breweries of Canada, British Columbia Wine Institute, CFUN's Best of Food & Wine Show and the Vancouver Sun.
Participating restaurants will donate ten percent of their receipts from one Thanksgiving weekend evening to A Loving Spoonful – a volunteer-driven, non-partisan society that provides free nutritious, meals to people living with HIV.
More details about special offers and participating restaurants during Taste of Yaletown will be available by mid-September.
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Is the menu available anywhere on line? I would love to see it.
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SAVEUR!!!!!!!!!
on Thurlow (old Piccolo Mondo)
Really??? Oh my how opinions differ. My Dad and I had a really bad experience there. Overcooked fish and the wrong dinner dish was brought to our table after the owner had come back and asked a second time what we order. I also think they need to tone down the formality of the tableclothes and atmosphere. It would serve them better to be more bistro like. Oh well....so many good places to go in Vancouver.
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I am going to have to add the Gramercy Grill - Arbutus and 11th. Here you will get the best service in town - thank you Trevor - at the bar and some really incredible food. Try the spinach salad with pecan encrusted portobello mushrooms and the blue cheese macaroni and ribs. I always grab the nightly special. Still we see no big write ups in the local mags - Jamie - please go back now that young chef Nick is onboard.
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I have done a little research myself and think we will definately try Vij's and either Simply Thai or Phnom Phen and/ or Banana Leaf. Also possibly Hon's Won-Tun House. I am also considering trying Rangoli's (possibly for lunch).
Absolutely try Vij's, Phnom Phen and Banana Leaf. Hon's is kind of cool if you are a vegetarian because they do interesting things with tofu. Rangoli is great for lunch, it is the casual side restaurant of Vij's and you could hit some interesting shops and galleries in the area.
I have purchased the Vancouver entertainment book and would like opinions on some of the restaurants I am looking at:Mona's on Hornby Street
Zachary's on Robson Street
India Gate on Robson Street
Ashiana Tandori Kingsway
DV8 Davie Street (is it open - I read it had a fire)
da Pasta Bar Robson Street
Francescos Pasta Bar Robson Street
India Gate Robson Street
Others I am tempted by include Earls on Robson and Il Giardino on Hornby St.
Mona's is interesting. Habibis for lebanese (On Broadway) would be my choice.
All others - ummmm hmm. If you can't say something nice........
Hapa Izakaya expanded into Francescos old space. So that is off your list. Hapa is very good Japanes Tapas. Don't think that the vegetarian option is large there though.
For Italian - I would go to Cioppinos over Il Giardino - far more consistent. Indian is also good at Maurya (fancier Indian restaurant on Broadway) and Chai (casual place further down Broadway past MacDonald).
I would call ahead to some of Vancouver's best and most talked of restaurants. Cru, Aurora, Chambar, Cassis and see if they can accomodate your needs. You should also stop by Hamilton Street Grill for at least the Ginger Bread Pudding (which I still haven't had, but comes highly recommended).
Also, any recommendations places for breakfast near the Sutton PLace Hotel would be great.I would walk to Yaletown and go to Provence Marinaside.
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HUGE omissions of a number of places and PLEASE - Lift???? I guess if you came to Vancouver for a great balcony view and little else. oops. Sorry. Where was Aurora, Cru, Sun Sui Wah......and so many spots. Thank you Rob. We need a real food writer with real Vancouver passion.
Jamie - can't you force those bigwig US mags and newspapers to publish some of your well thought out phrase and recommendations??
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Please help - where is Shanghai Wind and what is the big deal. Should we go? - what should we eat there?
Signed.
Helpless Anglo Girl
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Just got back from another fine wine tasting at the HSG, this night being a special edition to raise $$$ for Cops for Cancer. Enjoyed the fine company of Mamacat, Mr Cat and Vancitygirl (great website, by the way, girl!), and the emceeing of Edible Vancouver Eric.
Had a Hawthorne Mountain Pinot Gris paired with a delicious fried oyster (in the yummy cornmeal batter that adorns the fish of the 'fish and chips' on the menu). Followed that with a Sumac Ridge Gewurtztraminer and a goat cheese soufflé with Raincoast Crisps, which turned out perfectly, to Chef Neil's delight. Even Mr Cat, an avowed goat cheese hater, scarfed down the whole thing with much aplomb. Finished up with a Jackons Triggs Private Reserve Merlot - a 2002, which was a yummy year indeed. Paired wth a beef tenderloin - for what would a visit to the Hammie be without some cow? - atop a polenta ckae and grilled zucchini, all topped with a veal reduction. And, of course, the evening ended with some GBP.
Snacky cat was dead on with the commentary on Hamilton Street Grill. Great to meet the cat family and share some wine and food talk. Eric from Edible Vancouver was a great additon with his wine commentary. He is certainly up to some cool stuff. Wish I was a whisky drinker! See his site for details - Edible Vancouver. Must go back to see Neil for the GBP and hanger steak some time soon. Had to leave early to hit Capones 12th year anniversary party. Good drink - passionfruity martini.
Other restaurants lately included the Grammercy Grill last night. I practically live there and ever since they welcomed young chef Nick to the kitchen I have been exptremely pleased with my meals. The spinach salad with pecan encrusted portobellos, thinly sliced proscetto and a warm tomato dressing is spectacular. They have great specials, so I always go for something different. Yesterday it was the duck breast with a salad of cherry tomato and sharp cheese. Very good. I drank the Gray Monk Pinot Gris - not a traditional pairing, but it had enough guts to get me throught the meal.
Last weekend we did Whistler. Had breakfast both days at the Marriott hotel (hey it was free) that was mostly bread and hard boiled eggs. They did have a cool make your own waffle thing, but they really weren't that great. Dinner first night at Caramba. Really good pan fried calamari, with a garlic mayonaise. I order a muscle and tomato pasta dish, and my companion the ahi tuna. Tuna was apparently tasty, but the past was so boring I tried to add some of the mayonaise from the appetizer to the dish to create something edible.
Next night fared much better at the Bearfoot Bistro. Markus from Cru restaurant - he won the server of the year from Vancouver magazine last year - is now a Whistler resident and, although I will miss him here, it was great to see a familar face and receive top quality service. Thanks for the BC Bubbly and making us feel like queens! Highlights were the Pinot Noir blue stripe label from Blue Mountain. I had a wonderful scallop and pork belly appetizer and the lobster trio for dinner. My companion did a salad and the beef tenderloin followed by some wonderful chocolate brownie and sorbet. Very pricey, but we had done the 5 peaks trail run (10 km with an elevation climb of 1600 meters) so we felt we deserved it.
Yesterday I had sushi at the place across from the Bread Garden on first. I keep going there because I work upstairs and everytime I swear it will be the last. This time, I think I mean it. Worth a drive down Broadway to Hoshis, which I will do next time for sure!
This week the Queen of Cuisine is back in town, so I look forward a repeat visit to Phnom Phen, checking out the Richmond Market, dinner at Nu and dim sum. Better stay home and save up my money for some decadence!
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First night open, the food was great, service was attentive, friendly. Of course the view and the patio are killer. For the bar food alone I wil be back late night to twill a few drinks and munch (it's basically old style Earls appies for the same price but way better) I look forward to going back and trying some more of the mains.
Lumiere
in Western Canada: Dining
Posted
Please someone post the names. Yesterday, Rob mentioned that there was someone from Terra Breads, but he did not know the others.