Dumpling Girl

In the question of Dix vs. Memphis Blues, I'd have to go MB, for flavour, texture, and value. Too much sauce wouldn't bother me. I just like how the meat is done at MB. But I've never been when the meat is dry at MB. Except for maybe the chicken. On the platter, it's my least favourite item, because it's dry, as chicken breast can so easily get. It's never really been an issue though, because there's so much food on the platter anyway. I've only been to the Broadway one. And yes, it's been at least 6 months for me. What a sad thought that they might be losing their touch. Come to think of it, I've only been earlier in the evening, so maybe that does help (if the meat is getting dry over the course of the night, as BBQ Brian mentioned holding the meat over time. I think Samba is like that too - the meat is better if you go earlier, as you're more likely to get rarer bits early on). By the way, does anyone else dislike MB's potato salad? It may be different now, anyhow, but when I first went to MB, it was the first potato salad I ever met that I didn't like.

Just read upthread. Someone mentioned that Savory Coast was offering their whole menu - any appy, any main, and any dessert for $35 for Dine Out, and that immediately peaked my interest. The deal sounded too good to be true. And when I looked on the Dine Out website before making my reso, it said that too (and I browsed the restaurant's own website menu extensively too after making my reso last week). Now the restaurant's own website has a Dine Out version of their menu posted (with all the more expensive items removed). But this information came too late for me. I had already booked, and browsed and had my heart set on rack of lamb or a steak, and the cheesecake, and found out about the revised menu after arriving at the restaurant. Just wanted to give a heads up for anyone else who might have been in the same situation as me. The Dine Out site, as of this minute, still says "Entire Menu Offered at Dine out price of $35.00. Enjoy any appetizer, main course and dessert from the entire menu for $35.00 per person." without mentioning that it is a special "Dine Out menu" and not their regular menu. I find this misleading, and it led to unnecessary disappointment.

Just wanted to report back, and give warning to anyone else going to Savory Coast for Dine Out. I went last night, and found that the entire regular menu was not offered, so this explains how they can afford to do it. They just didn't do it. I'm not sure when exactly their website was updated, maybe in the last couple of days, but not when I booked last week. Now you can see the menu there, but I think there are still a couple of items missing even from the online Dine Out menu. Their Dine Out menu is still pretty extensive (compared to most restaurants that offer a few choices for each course), but big items such as the half rack of lamb, porterhouse, all beef steaks (the online menu has one steak but I don't think there was one last night on the menu), lobster, some of the desserts (the ones I was looking forward to) are not on there. I was pretty disappointed, as the idea of having the whole menu offered was what drove me to making the reservation. Our meal was hit and miss. Both our appetizers were interesting, and delightful. I had the crispy potato ravioli salad, and my friend had the potato and octopus salad. My roast pork loin main, while having a nice crispy crackling bit on the outside, was very dry and overcooked (yes, I regret not mentioning it to the staff now, but at the time, I was trying not to be a difficult guest, having already asked the waiter if their bread was their normal bread. Their house made foccacia is very dense, and ours was a bit charred on the outside). The dish comprised of three thin medallions. Saucing wasn't that impressive either. Admittedly, my expectations were pretty high as the only other Dine Out I've done this year was Parkside's remarkable meal (for only $25, while Savory Coasts was $35). My friend's osso bucco was tender, and was a nicer dish than the pork loin, but still not impressive. Despite the disappointment of the tiramisu and chevre cheese cake missing from the menu, I did enjoy the vanilla pannecotta that I ordered. Beautiful texture. It was really the only dessert of the choices that I would have wanted. The thin slice of apple tart tatin (as it was called in the menu. It didn't really have the caramel that I would normally expect) was nice enough. Drink menu was interesting though. All wines were BC wines, at $30 a bottle (with a few choices available by the glass for $6, and $11 for a half). I enjoyed the white sangria (reisling, peaches, liquers) that I started with. Basically, I had a good time, the meal was hit and miss, but we had a nice table by the window, and staff were quite nice, and efficient, and now that their Dine Out menu is online, hopefully no one else will be disappointed in the menu change like I was. I wish I could go back in time and order a pasta or a fish dish for my main. Full description and pics to come to my blog soon, but I thought I would put a warning here in case anyone was inspired to book a table due to this thread. Nancy

Damn, if I had read that in time, I would have looked around the room for you. edited to add: Okay, if anyone is at Savory Coast Friday, Jan 27, I'll be there 9:30 pm onwards. Say hi to girl with the camera flash (taking pics of food), if you see me!

Wow! How many eGulleters did I get to breathe the same air as?? I was there for my 8 pm reservation on Friday night, and it was an incredible evening! I've been to Parkside before, and love it, and the DOV experience only compounded that love. Full report on my blog to come soon, but I went for the terrine, beef short rib, and sticky toffee pudding, and was ever so sad that I couldn't fit more of the dessert in. So portion size definitely wasn't an issue. Everything was delicious. Service wasn't rushed at all. Corners weren't cut for DOV at all - little touches like the biscotti with my coffee were still there, the server decanted our Chianti, and was perfectly attentive without being disruptive. Nothing was done to make our $25 meal feel any less than their normal $45. Hmm...now I want to get my eGullet decoder ring. Did anyone notice me? I was the one with the flash! Taking pictures of the food at my table for two near the entrance. Heehee.

I couldn't resist the idea of being able to authentically try out a restaurant at a Dine Out prix fixe price, so I booked Savory Coast [sic] for next week after seeing this thread. I've been wanting to go there for a while anyway. Anyone else watch Gaslight Gourmet sometimes? Romy Prasad (I think) seems to do a lot of guest spots there, and is very charming on the show. I called late last night, Thurs, Jan 19, and I know that they still had several spots open on Sun, Jan 29. Possibly other days too. There was a 5:30 pm for Fri Jan 27th too. And, um, yah, I was thinking of having the half rack of lamb, or the Porterhouse for two (if it's available, and my dining companioin is in the mood for a big hung of meat, heh)...so I can't imagine they'd make any money on the food these two weeks if offering their entire menu. But it gets the people in, and buying booze at least. And very importantly, possibly up the stairs for the first time. Seriously, if I'm impressed (i.e. they don't futz it up), this place is close to where I live, and I'm sure I'll be back. Not only would I be more likely to think of them for a nice planned meal, I am already more likely to think of them for a spontaneous one. Until I checked them out for Dine Out, I had no idea that they would have pastas on their menu for only $12 - 16 dollars, and wouldn't even think of them if I was in the area and wanting something nice but simple like that for a snack. They have some pizzas too ($12 - 16). And I just never seem to climb stairs up to a place unless I'm actually going to that place, so I don't even know what the place really looks like, despite walking past hundreds of times. So I imagine the kind of promotion that gets people (locals) in the door the first time would be very good for them. I hope it works out for them. Mmm, there's lots of exciting food in my immediate future. Parkside, Savory Coast, Yuji's (non DOV), AND Chinese New Year's eve dinner is within these two weeks too! Ug, I'm going out for a run now...

Yah, I was just specifically talking about the one route that I was talking about in the original message.

I agree, and in fact have planned a non-DOV dinner during the DOV period at Yuji's - just wanted to mention my blog's birthday party (1 year, yay!) to everyone here. I've chosen to invite foodies that I've never even met to have dinner with me at Yuji's, so that's an indicaton of how much confidence I have in them to impress. There's an open invitation to my party on my site, incidentally. All are welcome to join us, Tues, Jan 31st, 6:30. Contact me through my blog's email, or PM me here. Nancy

Just wanted to add that I think I like the fish quality at Sushi Maki more than Kadoya and Samurai at the moment. I had a surprisingly bad bento box for lunch one day at Samurai, so I've been a bit leary since (even though I have had a very nice dinner there). I've been to Kadoya once. Would be interested if anyone else has been to Sushi Maki (900 block Hornby). I discovered it accidentally one day when I was trying to get to Okada Sushi (higher end sushi place) nearby, and they were closed. It's really close to the Paramount too, so handy for a pre-movie bite. Their $9.50 chirashi is quite good, and they do a mini version too.

Wow, you're allowed to drink coffee with the books?? It's own coffee stand AND fireplace? Any other part of town, and the librarians would be hyperventilating, and getting ready to smack you upside the head for getting coffee close to the books... Hearing this is just like the time I went to Park Royal in West Van to check out Whole Foods, and saw everyone using courtesy umbrellas without any vandalism or theft problems. It's like visiting another freakin' country or something. Yes, I can imagine it's very cozy and civilized...

India Bistro (1157 Davie St) is surprisingly good. ← Weird, I've never noticed it. Thanks, bccoati. It's now on my list (of places I want to try). Trillium, hope all goes well for your partner's granny.

When there are set meals with choices, I just force my dining companion(s) to order whatever I'm not, so that I can steal food off their plate. Oh, doesn't everyone do this? (It doesn't always work...)

I've gone in later in the day a couple of times since the hours were extended, (and promoted it in my little way on my blog when I found out in the summer), but I too will likely take advantage of it more when it stays light out til 7 pm. I definitely sympathize with the vendors though, and would like to see more promotion of the new hours. Another hurdle to consider - during the fall and winter, the aquabus (reduced to just weekends), False Creek Ferries, and the historic railway from Main St./Science World) shut down their operations, making it a bit more awkward to get to Granville Island during that time from that area (if you don't like driving there, like me), and I tend to ride my bike less due to the weather too. There is the occassional tourist who asks about the aquabus routes during the weekdays, but I guess this would not be enough to support the route during this time. Maybe there is some opportunity for cross-promotion here though...Granville Island and the Aquabus and False Creek Ferries could do some joint marketing to get the word out about the extended hours, and show people they have a way to get out there that's fun and easy. With enough promotion, maybe there would be enough people to run say a 7:10 pm aquabus, and one earlier in the day. There is another option for people on transit is to go to Granville skytrain station, and get out and transfer to the #50 False Creek bus, but it's just kind of a round about way of doing it.

Wow, Eatruistic, I'm impressed with the stollen quest. I was just glancing at this thread again, and I'm wondering what your stollen total count for the season was? It took me nearly the whole season to work my way through the one large stollen I had from Choices (Yum! A gift from my Choices friend, after I raved last year about the one she gave me the previous year). Nancy

Sala Thai across the street on Burrard, just off Robson, is Thai food, and they're pretty good. For comfort food, I go to Hon's on Robson, about 4 blocks from Burrard, for a bowl of noodle soup or congee. Pretty much everything there is good, but it's a bit noisy and bright. Go a little further down Robson for Korean restaurants. There's a place called Copper Onion next to Hon's that just serves mainly japanese curry (made using the Glico brand prepackaged curry). I know it's an odd concept, but this can be a surprisingly comforting spot. It would be like if there was a restaurant that just served Kraft dinner. For lunch, I keep meaning to try One Saigon Deli (979 Hornby) for vietnamese sub or pho, that might be comforting. It's also next to a hole-in-the-wall sushi place called Sushi Maki that has better sushi than you might expect just walking by (open for dinner) and good value. As much as I love Bin 941, it's clubby-loud music and cramped interior is probably not what he's looking for at this time. Kam's Place is Singaporean and close by, so might fit the category, but it's not going to be spectacular food, might hit the spot though if you don't expect too much. I wish I knew of a good Indian restaurant to recommend down there, but don't. If he's willing to make the trek, I like Banana Leaf on Denman, at English Bay. Nancy

Out of curiousity, what do you like to eat at Locus? Nancy ← Maybe I was just lucky? And maybe the time you went to Locus the chef was smoking a doobie and forgot to take out the chicken in time? I am pretty sure I had their chicken dish as well. I always try to follow my cardial rule about going out to eat and I will share it with you. Don't go to Denny's and expect French Laundry, in either the service or the food. So when I go to the Locus, I stick to items which are hard to screw up, even if they tried (like a burger). Now mind you, I haven't been there in about a year because I used to go there with my gf who is now my ex... Not that I'm bitter!! By the way, anybody visited The Main? Went there once last year, was not impressed at all. I think the place has so much potential, and its not that I found the food to be bad, just not very original. Just like dozens of other family-run Greek places around the GVRD. Any thoughts? ← Don't shoot the messenger. I wasn't expecting the best duck of my life. I was expecting edible, though. And actually, if I went to Locus expecting Denny's standards, I'd have been even more disappointed. No self-respecting Denny's cook would have let that duck breast get out of the kitchen (if they decided to serve duck, that is). I'm not talking personal preference in doneness here, it was actually hard to chew. Denny's wouldn't have ever taken that long to get us our meal, either, or if they had, there would have been more acknowledgement of it. The comments on your link suggest that my experience wasn't an isolated incident, anyway. Just so you know, it does take a lot for me to dislike a restaurant this much. I've been to the Main a couple of times, and enjoyed it both times, and would go again. Nothing fancy, but everything, food and service, was executed very well. Other Main St. favourites include Sweet Revenge for desserts, Aurora, one of the little pho places (sorry, don't remember what it's called), Kam's Bakery, Whip Gallery, Slickety Jim's, Bo Kong, Sun Sui Wah, Helen's Grill, The Reef, and Accord. I'd like to try Toshi's, Habit, and go to Cafe Montmartre again (just had a drink there once).

About Locus, maybe it's a matter of them operating really poorly for a while, and then later improving, or maybe you've just been lucky. I've had one of my most unpleasant Vancouver dining experiences there. The one time I went there, I enjoyed the funky atmosphere, but I remember our food taking a really long time to get out to us. Then when our meals did arrive, my duck breast was so overcooked, it was hard to chew. It was so bad, I still somewhat regret not speaking with the manager, but I was stuck in a situation where I couldn't. I'm not one to send things back, but if I hadn't been starving by that time, been with a group (3-4 people eating while one person waits is awkward) plus I didn't know everyone that well, and we had plans to go somewhere else afterwards, so I was thinking if it took them that long to get our food to us in the first place, I wouldn't get anything to eat if I sent it back. Anyway, too many good restaurants in Vancouver, and even in the main st. area, that it's not worth worrying about. I just have never gone back. Out of curiousity, what do you like to eat at Locus? Nancy

Hee hee! Entertaining thread! Just found it today, just in time to catch Godiva's tonight at 10 pm for the first time. Anyone up for a drinking party?

Went to Gotham during a Dine Out (I think it was the year before last), with a large group, and had extraordinarily good service. Our server (don't know his name) had a great understanding of the potential of the event to gain new customers for the restaurant, and was a real pro. He was also very clear with explaining how they changed the portions for the Dine Out Menu, and that the steaks would be much different on a regular night. They had cut them much thinner horizontally, rather than having a smaller chunks of the same thickness as their normal steaks. To be honest, I was more impressed with the bread than the steak (probably would prefer a mini thick steak), but had a great time, and felt quite full afterwards, so the reduced portion wasn't really an issue. Just can't say enough about the server though. That's amazing how restaurants are selling out two weeks of reservations in one night!

Maybe restaurants should start asking if customers are only going to be ordering tap water or tipping lightly when they take reservations during DOV so that they can turn away all those undesirable customers . ←

I tried to be clear in my original message by saying it wasn't the cap itself, (and it's not even the mentioning of the cap), but people seem not have gotten my point. I am talking about the tone of voice. I work customer service myself, and there's always a nice way to say something, and a less than nice way, and a horrible snarky way (which we keep in our heads, and possibly tell to a co-worker later to vent). To the customer, whether Dine Out is a huge fricken pain in the ass to the staff or not, you should use the nice way. He wasn't horrible on the phone, and I do appreciate being up front with the time cap, and agree that's what must be done. My post was all about style. Again, to be clear, I said I hadn't decided yet, so it wasn't really that bad, which would make the decision clear. It was borderline. And yes, of course, I have the good manners to call as soon as possible if I'm cancelling, so someone else can grab the reservation. When the previous person who replied to my post said "Let us know" does that mean you are from Parkside, btw? The post was not intended as a slag, it was intended to improve the event by getting people to think about the way they approach the warnings when dealing with customers. The title of the thread was "How do we improve it" and I realize there are a lot of issues to address to improve it for the restaurant, but there's also ways it can improve for the customer, making for a successful event. Just making the point that if I'm sensing a bit of attitude, whether it's founded or not, I just wanted to let everyone put themselves in the shoes of more typical customers - those who aren't so into the dining scene and might not have experienced the restaurant before, how they might experience Dine Out and assume any snarkiness is the norm for a given place. Just trying to help, folks. Best wishes with the event. Nancy PS. To end this post on a more positive note, which is a much more enjoyable thing, kudos again to Leonard of Nu for his style in customer service recovery in another thread. He always seems to be going above and beyond. PPS. Yup, I originally asked for an 8 pm reservation. Post edited cuz I kept forgetting to answer this question.

With some of my previous experiences and the points brought up in this forum, I was a little bit leary, as a consumer, to participate in this year's Dine Out Vancouver, for fear of substandard service. I decided to do it anyway, and picked Parkside because I have had phenomenally gracious service there in my one previous visit, and figured they would be too professional and nice to let Dine Out Vancouver muck up the beautiful atmosphere they normally achieve. I'm crossing my fingers. I'm not really talking about small pacing issues or simple mistakes - I'm very forgiving when I can see a restaurant is busy. I just wanted to be treated nicely, and expect the same sort of politeness and hospitality that one would give anybody because they are a human being in civilized society (irregardless of whatever assumptions my server is making about who I am), and not be pigeonholed into the cheapy diner category because I'm ordering off the dine-out menu instead of the regular one. I called to make my reservation, and had to leave a message, and received a message in return to confirm. But included in that was a very pointed remark about a 1.5 hour (not two hour) seating time. Am I being pigeon holed already as a guest who will overstay? I'm tempted to cancel now not because of the time limit itself but simply the tone of voice of the remark. I haven't decided yet. In general, I just don't think it's worth tarnishing your restaurant's image to participate in this event unless you can pull it off graciously. Food for thought.

Anton's?? If it is that place, personally I wouldn't reccomend it. The portions are huge, but it's all noodle and no sauce!! You can't eat it because it's so dry and you'll end up choking on your linguine. ← Dear God, let's not lump Anton's in with anything that implies BEST quality. Anton's is simply QUANTITY ... which is good if you're a starving student and want one dish to feed you for 2 or 3 meals, but not so good if you're looking for something with TASTE. If I had to pick something in QUANTITY genre, Anducci's would get the nod. But only if I was to drunk to cook my own pasta. Home made is always best A. ← If you want to have it at home, and don't happen to have your own pasta roller machine at home, I'd recommend Raviolino's Pasta on W. 4th. for buying some fresh pasta to boil yourself, or even better yet, they'll do it all for you there. It's really more of a take out shop, but they have a couple of tables in there. For a nice place to sit and eat, I'll second the Amarcord recommendation too. The gnocchi are really wonderful there. As is their lobster pasta signature dish. But my new fav (new to me, very old to the city) is the restaurant at the Italian Cultural Centre: La Piazza Dario. Mmmm, makes me happy just thinking about pasta (and makes me want to slap some sense into the next person I meet that is doing low-carb).

Oh I bet the beets and fried eggs would have a huge following. There are plenty of Aussie expatriots around here who seem to miss some really weird stuff from their homeland. One word - vegemite. Need I say more? Burgers with beets (make sure you cook your own, as I've been told the canned pickled beets available here just don't cut it) and fried eggs are pretty common over there.