kontemporary

Andy, I'm interested in hearing how Vij's compares with many Indian restaurants popular in Britain, as curry is quite probably one of the most popular and enjoyed dishes over there since the influx of South Indian/Pakistani immigrants.

From reading your review, I can't help but think of what idea Watermark was thinking putting so many Asian-themed selections on the menu.. Or why any non-Asian restaurant chooses to carry out this phenomena because.. 1. It's really competitive in terms of food cost to the customer - Asian cuisine can found all throughout Vancouver, and usually at very highly competitive prices (nigiri at EN for $2-4 whereas blue water cafe $3-5.5) (or even the sizzling hot pot at watermark, which felt like a bad deal) 2. Preparation & cooking is difficult or subpar - especially if the chef cannot match the experience of chefs specializing in Asian cuisines (though that is not the case with blue water who hires their own sushi chef) 3. Quality control becomes a more difficult problem if dishes go across continents.. I think restaurants should be more inclined to "explore" with their specialized cuisines rather than lump dishes from here and there. It may end up looking like a menu right out of Cactus Club.

Brix/George? Lucy Mae Brown? Bistro Pastis? If at complete loss.. Nu (does it have a bar? if her birthday is within 5 days)?

I'm thinking of either Elixir @ the Opus or Café Crêpe..

Don't get me wrong or anything, I fully support same-sex marriages, adoption, and equality, but I just find it a bit humourous to open a restaurant such as "Theresa's Family Restaurant" on Davie

Haven't done a review for awhile.. so here's my contribution of my experience on the opening day of Watermark on Kits Beach. We were seated promptly after arriving at 7 - the restaurant had a few tables left not yet occupied. Service for the most part was very relaxed and casual. I believe our server was the maitre'd (he seemed very professional and had the folded cloth over his shoulder at most times). Our table had also seven people, of whom three were missing. He was quite tolerant of our hurdle in trying to find out why our late-showers were late and if they were coming. As the night progressed the restaurant began to fill up, eventually leading to a small lineup for tables with the server rush was very noticeable. The food came out a bit slow, though that is understandable for its opening day. It was a thirty to forty-five minute wait which was bearable. Dessert was much quicker and came within fifteen minutes of order. There were some significant 'glitches' so to speak though: the oven was not working, and therefore one of their entrée menu items, a tart, was unable to be ordered. There was also no martini list (they did have a wine list), but the bartender was open to any cocktail orders. After our main dishes arrived (the crowd decided not to have appetizers), service disappeared. Our glasses of water were left unfilled, and not once throughout the entire meal were we asked how we were doing. I also asked for a second glance at the wine list to one of the servers, whom eventually forgot my request and I was forced to ask a different server. To the food.. I had the Surf Clam Vongole, which was done quite mediocre. The pasta was cooked al dente and perfect, but the sauce was very bland, and the clams, overcooked. The dish was also mildly warm, with suspicion of being under the heating lamp for too long. My friend next to me had the Lemon Thyme Chicken Linguini, which was also quite mediocre. The sauce was not a "light cream sauce" as its description, but a sauce of a buttery taste that minimally coated the pasta which did not suffice. My other friend had the burger, which I found to be excellent after taking a bite out of it and sharing the curly fries. Burger was very flavourful, and the fries crispy. Adding some aioli would have made a perfect dish, and I'm sure you can order it even though I believe it was not listed on the menu as an option with the dish. The desserts of the night were very wonderful. I had the chocolate orange brulée which was very good. It was in a dish the shape of a snail, which made it harder to eat, but was visually pleasing. My friend had the lemon cheesecake which was also very good. Dessert definitely saved our experience - compliments to the pastry chef. The atmosphere was very eclectic and upbeat. Background music was a mix of lounge and techno electronica, with a strong but fluid bass. The crowd seemed to be of a normal Kitsilano dinner crowd, though there were some people coming in from the beach just wearing jeans (like me). And of course, there is the biggest and arguably the best aspect of the restaurant which is the patio and beach view. It was very nice to have a 180 view of the mountains and the beach, going right to sunset and enjoying the weather while dining. It was stunning. However I'm sure some patrons had problems with the sun being directly in their line of vision and the server has mentioned of perhaps setting up blinds for some hours in the day. Overall it was a mixed experience. There were some aspects that were enjoyable and others not. But of course, this was their first day, and many of these bugs will be fine-tuned out in the weeks to come. It was still enjoyable (the dessert was awesome), and I will be sure to re-visit Watermark once it grounds its feet in the near future. EDIT: so many grammar mistakes after reading my post again.. sorry i was abit tipsy the night before

Indeed they are running today.. and not taking reservations until Monday :( I'll be dropping in regardless though.. hopefully it won't be too long a wait.

You might want to check out a thread I made earlier this month regarding restaurants that do catering. I'm not sure if that qualifies for "small catering company" though.. but I'm sure they do crowds of all sizes.

Isn't that Czehoski's slogan, the restaurant on Queens in Toronto? "drink locally, act globally"

Seemed inconsistant with Vancitygirl's post though, saying they weren't gonna open for "a few more days". I'll phone in tomorrow to check.

Does anyone know the exact date they're planning to open now, after the last pushback?

I find nothing beats the Banh Mi at Ba Le on Main Street in Chinatown - especially the shredded chicken one. The place has been there for ages.. and the prices have always stayed the same too.

Last time I was at Bin941 they were serving Ahi three ways. It was.. seared ahi, an ahi salsa (if i remember right?) and a stir-fry.

But what about the Yellowtail drinkers? :(

Depends on if you like it or not. Read the page I linked to, it's a good article on it.

Gah.. it's even worse when you're a student! I had a server that explained to me what TAPAS were in a restaurant that won't be named that prides itself in selling "tapas" when these small entrées were FAR from being tapas.

I'm sure this question is due to the fact I'm an idiot, and once explained will be as clear to me as a certain local culinary writers fixation with Scandanvian balls, but what the hell is Brett? A heroine from a Hemmingway novel? Abbreviated region of France? Unfunny Brett Butler, butch ex-famous comic? Inquiring minds want to know. ← "Brett is basically one of the many natural species of yeast that begins to make its presence known in red wines after fermentation, while they are aging in the barrel. Although I have found few vintners anxious to discuss this, in recent years it has been understood that Brettanomyces, more than anything else, is largely responsible for the earthy, leathery qualities long associated almost exclusively with European wines." http://www.wineloverspage.com/randysworld/brett.phtml

Mexican fusion restaurant. No other details. ← Are you serious? I was hoping it was Random going under renovation or something.. I liked the 'ol restaurant. :(

The pairing is true.. but for 11.99 I'm hoping you either get a lot of cheese in that dressing or a lot of those baby shrimps.

ICEBURG LETTUCE? Blasphemy.. especially for one dollar more you can get the dungeness crab salad.. But the menu looks like an eclectic Vancouver mix with a large price range going from the burger to the steak. Ultimately.. my prediction is that the restaurant will live not off of its food, but largely it's great view, patio, and convenience for those who happen to be in the neighbourhood. A case probably similar to Cardero's and Aqua Riva. The food is good, but nothing amazing. I'm not sure how the direct clash of sandal-wearers and white tablecloth (if there is even white tablecloth) will fare out.. but we'll see how the restaurant tackles the menu from the awaited opening.

Well I suppose they enjoy pairing weiners with sweet liquids.

hm, Dairyland has cultured butter.. I will have to check that out. Anyone know of any more cultured butter around town without hitting the big artisan French brands if they're even imported here?

But but.. does anyone know where to get butter that's cultured? I usually use the Lactania sticks, which are generally good.. but I want European butter. I've ran into the "Normandy-style" butter from President's Choice in Superstore (shame on me, I know), but have yet seen a place that sells.. everyday, good cultured butter for regular use.

Another push-back? Last time I heard it was early July When is the August long weekend?

Cloud Nine at the Empire Landmark has a piano lounge, and I do believe there's one at the Pan Pacific Waterfront as well..