Vancouver

Hi. Thanks for recommending Kaplans. I had lunch there today. I had a brisket sandwich, knish and cel-rey soda. The brisket was quite good - tender, warm, moist. The rye bread was ok - it wasn't real NY deli rye. (Most particularly the crust was a bit different - wrong texture.). But overall I enjoyed the sandwich, and it was better than any other brisket I've found in Vancouver or San Francisco. The side slaw was tasty - and not overly mayoed up. It had a pleasant crispness to it. The knish was a round one, no square ones available. It was served plated much more fancily than in NY - it came with lettuce and tomato garnish as well as sour cream to dip into. The cel-rey soda was authentic. Overall I was happy to have tried the place and will certainly return. Thank you!

Just to clarify - I wouldn't want a Montreal experience. I'm looking for a NY experience. Wouldn't want to start the discussion on the relative merits of Montreal vs. NY for anything related to deli or bagels. Cheers!

Good idea!

Ok, the Kaplan's website sounds promising. I'm going to try it and hope for the best! Cheers!

Ok, I finally snagged a chocolate ganache today before Lorna could get them all. (They actually had about 10 left when I was there at 5:30.) It was pretty good. But Lorna, I have to give you my "Grandma's Cake" recipe. I think you may just like it better! Cheers!

Hm....I'll have to try Kaplans. Is Kaplan (I assume that is the owner or founder) from NY by any chance? I'm having a serious brisket craving. Cheers!

He is pretty funny. The last time I was in there someone came in asking for cheddar and he said, "You don't want to be here. You want Safeway." He also kept everything in ziplock bags. The cheeses I picked up there were good quality. But my favourite is still Les Amis de Fromage. Parthenon also sometimes has whole milk mozza very reasonably priced. Cheers!

Quick Deborah! Get her hooked on something new so the supply is made available for the rest of us! Oh, and then make the chocolate oblivion cake available to the rest of us. I've got a killer recipe for chocolate cake as well which deserves a name like chocolate oblivion, but is just called, "Grandma's Cake" in my recipe file. Grandma was quite the dessert maker!

I wouldn't dream of separating anyone from a ganache. But the trick will be to find a new desert to distract her with so I can finally taste the chocolate ganache she has recommended. Cheers!

True or false: There is a real NY style deli someplace in the Vancouver area? Requirements: Steamed brisket overstuffed on NY deli rye with NY deli mustard Square knishes Dr. Brown's sodas Hebrew national franks Full dill pickles Bonuses: A good coleslaw Curt efficient service Help?!?!?!?!

So YOU'RE the one that ate up the entire supply when I went! Cheers!

I didn't try any yet - but several looked worth exploring! I'm still waiting to go to get that chocolate ganache cake from your signature - that sounds fabulous! Cheers!

Funny coincidence - I just tried Mix for the first time today! I had the potato dill bread. nice crust, and tender centre.

There is also rose water available of at all places Real Canadian superstore in the ethnic foods aisle. I don't think they have lavender though. Another place to try is the small persian shop on Robson street immediately east of Denman (next to the bookstore that burned down last year). The name of the shop is slipping my mind right now. It is across the street from the Safeway all the way on the left. Cheers!

The press release at: Fat Burger's Website mentions plans to open in Canada. So I'll agree with Ling - it must be real! Cheers!

1) Nigiri in the Japanese food court downstairs on Alberni street just west of Burrard. Had the $4.50 special which included 2 generously sized o-nigiri (Japanese rice balls), one filled with ume and dried bonito and the other filled with ikura, 4 pieces of chicken karage which had a delicate hint of ginger and were perfectly fried, and miso soup which was fairly standard fare. Decent lunch special overall. The ikura o-nigiri was particularly tasty. 2) Budapest on Main street. Had a lovely kalbschnitzel which was perfectly prepapred and served with spätzel, and apple purple cabbage. Appetizer of gurken salad was tasty with well marinated fresh cukes and a nice coating of paprika. Desert of apple strudel had a nicely warmed filing. My partner had goulash which was hearty and tasty - ended up cleaning the plate out with a piece of bread! 3) Go Fish. Had the grilled tuna sandwich which was excellent as usual. Cheers!

I also just saw a selection of dried chilies (including chipotle) at Que Pasa down in Richmond on No. 5 road. Here is their link. I just read that thread eatrustic linked to, and saw a mention of Fonda San Miguel in Austin, Texas. Now THAT is an amazing restaurant. I haven't found anything like it elsewhere in the U.S. or Canada. Their website is Fonda San Miguel if anyone wants to check it out and recommend local options! Cheers!

In Wednesday's Courier newspaper, Tim Pawsey does a review of Black Tuna Japanese Bistro and confirms that the chef did indeed once own Taka. Yah!.... I'm hoping they will serve the special yam tempura rolls... crispy yam on the outside, marinated something or other in the inside... ← Ooooh! Ok, so now I HAVE to try it soon! Has anyone tried yet?!?!?!?!?! Cheers!

It definitely has the remnants of an Italian flag under the sign on the right hand side of the building. Perhaps picture worthy. I just looked up the address, and it is officially listed as 5975 McBride Blvd, but is actually on Kingsway. Cheers!

I had dinner last night at Pho Hong on Kingsway in Burnaby (a bit east of metrotown). The salad rolls were large, fresh, with nice shrimp and crispy veggies. The Pho itself had an excellent broth, and generous amounts of beef flank and tendon as well as generous amounts of basil, bean sprouts, chilis, and lemon (I prefer lime myself, but that is just personal preference). Yummy overall. The one thing that intrigued me about the place is that it seems to have been an Italian restaurant that was converted to a Pho place? It still has remnants of an Italian flag below the sign outside, fake wine barrels with fake grapes on the walls, ads for capucino ice cream under the glass on the table, etc. What was it before? Anyone know? Cheers!

Oh! THAT unnamed restaurant! I can now just picture the food review in the newspaper of all the places in Vancouver with no name that can be remembered! On my next drive on Kingsway I may just have to take notes! Cheers!

Is it the one with a yellow sign in a stand-alone building that shares a parking lot with a small korean grocery store and focuses primarily on Korean BBQ dishes? The name escapes me too... And on the Taka question - I heard from a friend that one of the chef's from Taka is now at Black Tuna Japanese Bistro on Denman but haven't checked it out yet. Any truth to this? Cheers!

I know exactly what you mean, but can't remember the name of them. I've had them at the little counter restaurant that is behind the korean supermarket on North Rd and Loughead Highway. I can't remember the name of the restaurant. I'm sorry. But in that area of town I'm sure you can find them in several places. Cheers!

1. Guu with garlic - had to wait about 45 minutes. Found out they now take reservations (ok, so I'm slow.). Tuna tataki was deliciously fresh, takoyaki was decent (but I long for the ones from the street vendors in Osaka which I haven't found a true equivalent for in Vancouver). 2. Que Pasa - finally tried the deli there after meaning to for a long while. The taquitos were good. Crunchy, and perfectly fried. The soft taco was bland, even after adding the "hot" salsa. The tortilla on the soft taco was a bit too hard - as if it was old and had not been heated up. No horchata to be found - anyone know a good source? 3. Ho Yuen Kee - the meal itself was good as usual. The highlight was the ginger custard. Yum! Had to order it 15-20 minutes before wanting it as it is made fresh. Came out steaming hot, creamy, with a pleasant sting of lots of ginger. The perfect end to a meal! Cheers!

I hope it has a roast date - Peets normally does when you buy it at a market. But I've never bought it in Vancouver - only across the border. I'll let you know what I find. Cheers!