grayelf

A report from my first visit with somewhat Chow-ish work colleagues at the end of March: So five of us hit Lin's for lunch today, eschewing the 6.99 lunch specials as we had a big enough group to try out the a la carte options. We ordered the XLB (6 for 4.99, number 6 on the menu "Shanghai style juicy dumplings", handmade in front of us 'cause we had the back table near the kitchen), tan tan noodles 5.99, number 36), lemon chicken (10.99), fried green beans Szechwan style (9.99), braised beef noodle soup (6.29, numbeer 44), pan fried dumplings (6 for 4.99, number 7) and sizzling house special fried noodles (9.99, number 96). The last two items were add ons when we decided we hadn't ordered enough food. General comments: The room is pleasant and a bit cosier than many Chinese restos IMHO. The service started out well but fell apart a bit in the latter stages, as it appears all servers serve all tables (potential for chaos and wasted steps very high with no overall plan). Oh and we had to ask for tea which was a bit strange. Communication was a bit of an issue as one of the servers only spoke Mandarin, as we discovered when one of my Cantonese-speaking fellow diners attempted to request something. In their defense, they were pretty slammed by 12:20 and stayed busy for the full hour and a bit we were there. On to the food: the XLB were X-L-ent (sorry, couldn't resist). I'm no expert but yum. I forgot to warn one XLB newbie about the squirtiness but hey we've all been there, right? We would have had another order but by the time we asked for it they had run out (downside of making them by hand I guess). Tan tan noodles: very different than any I've had before, crushed peanuts on top only, broth very dark (almost black) and super garlicky with almost none of the sweetness that often characterizes this dish. The noodles themselves were delightful, soft but firm, I suggest housemade or at least super fresh. I really liked this version of a favourite dish. Lemon chicken: I have a soft spot for this dish when done well (thin coating, yellow not nuclear pink/orange sauce, tender chicken) and we all gave high marks to Lin's version. Green beans: really well executed, done to the perfect tender crisp, dried garlic topping not too gnarly but flavourful, perhaps slightly less spicy than the other local contender at Szechuan Chonqing, which I think these beat. Another winner for all. Braised beef noodle soup: same noodles as tan tan and just as good, beef was tender and not gristly (except for one small piece), group was split on the broth, which a couple found an odd colour and oddly spiced but others liked. All but one felt it might have benefited from the addition of spinach or sprouts. Pan fried dumplings: very tasty, thin but not too thin wrappers, nicely fried, not too greasy House noodles: probably my least favourite as it was basically a version of chow mein which I'm not a huge fan of. The veggies, chicken and shrimp were all nice but likely would not order it again because I think there are other more unusual dishes to try. Summing up: no failures, some really great dishes and some good dishes. We paid $14 each including tax and tip. Will definitely be back to try more of the dumpling options. Great to have this option so close to both work and home. *Note: I have seen the service issues mentioned in postings on other boards so I think this may be a bit of an on-going issue.

I've been back a few times since as well. I have to say my favourite dishes there are now the sesame flatbread with cumin beef (served as a deliciously spicy and crunchy sandwich), the lamb dumplings, and the shan-xi noodle soup (one of the chefs makes it with a nice spice kick). ← Vancouver, that cumin beef dish is so tempting but every time we've been back it's with new people. I just have to get the Peaceful roll so they can try it and I've resisted getting the cumin beef on the grounds that it may be too similar. Can you comment? Also thanks for the tip on the shan-xi noodle soup. We tend to focus on the snacky things they do so well and have been missing out on the noodle soups.

Do you mean MOTOMACHI SHOKUDO? It is owned by the Kintaro chef and offers a "healthier" alternative with only chicken-based broths, which might explain your reaction. I haven't been yet but have read several good reviews which commented not only on the quality of the soup and noodles but also on the attractive decor. ← Two things: At Kintaro you must ask what is the best today, never chose for yourself. On Saturday Kitaro does a special ramen (I think it is chicken based)....worth the hour wait in the winter rain with a hang-over. ← On your first point, that's good tip that I for some reason never thought of applying at a ramen place (have certainly done it many times in other Japanese restos).

Too bad if they are gone for good. In addition to the Hungarian food (plate size schnitzels etc.), they had some killer old school pastries. Specifically, a very decadent and large Mille Feuille. ← NOOOOOOOOOOooo!! I loved their Transylvanian Wooden Platter with spaetzel The Alpen Club on Victoria Drive is sadly just so-so, and the Old Bavaria Haus in New West is good, but Budapest Cafe's schnitzel was GREAT... they will be missed... Has anyone tried Jagerhof Schnitzel House on Lonsdale? ← I just did a quick Google and can't find any other references except DineHere which says it is closed. No more langos and goulash on cold days -- sniff.

Or how about no qualifier at all: "We have a sundried maple serrano ham with a yogurt whisky reduction and a poppy pollen garnish."

Sam, mmm [said in Homer-Simpson-talking-about-donuts voice]. So shoulda won.

Could be, but I would say that Chef McEwan and his staff in Toronto do show a lot of class and professionalism sans the F'ing word. I see you hail from Vancouver? Wonderful restaurants in your city. ← Joking aside, I've never witnessed the kind of Ramsey-esque profanity that you are describing in any restaurant I've eaten in, either here in Vancouver or elsewhere. It hardly seems the sort of behaviour that would promote a world-class dining experience, especially in a smaller venue where it would be hard to hide it from the patrons. PS We don't get Top Chef till later on Food Network so I suppose I am risking spoilers by following this thread, but I'm still looking forward to watching it. PPS We are indeed blessed with many and varied good restos here, but what I am coming to realize is that the secret ingredient is value: our prices are still so low compared to other cities such as San Francisco.

Maybe Canadian chefs are less prone to swearing than American ones

Do you mean MOTOMACHI SHOKUDO? It is owned by the Kintaro chef and offers a "healthier" alternative with only chicken-based broths, which might explain your reaction. I haven't been yet but have read several good reviews which commented not only on the quality of the soup and noodles but also on the attractive decor.

Prasantrin, you and Lonefoodie bring up an interesting point. What is considered acceptable in North America may not be (and vice versa) in other parts of the world. edited to correct typo

Perfect, I'm in the picture now, and onto the list goes Tequila Kitchen... such a long list...

Thanks for the clarification. Cobre is definitely pan-Latin, and I'm probably mis-using the term fusion but I would say it does not hew too closely to "traditional" foods of any of the countries rep'd. Which is not to say it isn't great food with recognizable nods to many Latin American cuisines I have sampled in situ. I like their interpretations very much, and it sounds as though the same could be true of Tequila Kitchen albeit more focused on one area of Mexico. I'm always nervous about using quotation marks to describe food but that's a whole 'nuther discussion along the lines of the "authentic" argument (and here come the quotation marks again )

Fun topic, that actually addresses two issues that are pet peeves o' mine: 1) is the resto serving the tea "properly" -- pouring boiling water over the teabag in a receptacle devoted to tea making (not a coffee carafe or <shudder> a cup) and 2) do they offer a variety of teas including but not limited to "real" black tea? Things here in Vancouver are pretty good re variety but I still often run into the "here's your hottish water and separate tea bag" scenario. Perhaps they are worried about overstewing the tea? I generally find if I remember to ask ahead they will add the tea bag first. Being picky about both tea and coffee (often left sitting too long which is sad given all the coffee preservation options available these days) leads me to not order them as I prefer to end my meal on a high note. I don't know if I could bring myself to bring tea bags to a dinner out though. The one exception to the bring your own tea bag scenario for me: I used to go to a resto that had a breakfast special that included a bottomless pot of tea or coffee. I would often spend a couple of hours there solving the world's problems with my brother, and would drink way too much caffeine (no decaf available, it was a greasy spoon after all). So I hit upon the idea of bringing my own decaf tea bags. Worked a treat, and the owners didn't seem to mind as it was the same amount of work and actually saved their teabags. I sure miss the Nemoto...

I second the thanks for the great report, Vancouver. I keep hoping that our Mexican offerings will expand to include more than "restaurant" Mexican and I see positive signs in the success of the redoubtable Dona Cata and the more fusiony if I may use that word offerings of Cobre and now TK. Speaking of Cobre, if you have been there, can you offer any comparisons?

Not to go too far OT but I believe that you have to be born to Marmite to love it. I am surrounded by English rellies who adore it but have yet to meet anyone who has acquired a taste for it past childhood

From City Food today: Tequila Kitchen will open for lunch this Wednesday (March 19th) with a “Soft Opening” limited a la carte menu. Soft opening remains until March 31st with a limited a la carte menu at lunch and dinner as well as an evening tasting (or sampling) menu at $25 per person. Lunch 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Would frozen tomatoes do? One of the vendors (Klippers, I think) at the Winter Market had frozen tomatoes on offer. They were whole, in their skins and would be suitable for cooked dishes. ← While you're at the Winter Market, pop across to Bosa's. I know they have jarred tomato paste, maybe whole tomatoes too? Worth a look...

I've never met another person who posts on or reads eGullet -- I guess I'll have to settle for the virtual Rancho Gordo but since I just discovered you have a great blog that should be enough Will definitely look up the RG staffers in April though. Enjoy your Saturday sleep ins!

Did I read that right? No more Rancho Gordo at the Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market? Not even on Saturdays? I can't tell you how many directives I have received to visit your booth, and now that I am coming to SF in mid-April, I hear this? May have to rethink the entire visit... Seriously, though, might one of your special appearances happen to be on April 19? edited to fix typo in date of visit ← The booth and the product are still there -- more than aptly manned by his trusty side-kick, Joan. But the Man Himself, Steve Sando, I believe is now taking weekends off after working 7-days a week for the past five or six years... ← Many thanks for the clarification. While it would have been great to meet Mr Bean (sorry, couldn't resist) himself, I'm sure Joan can help us out. ← Wow, I guess it was my lucky day back in September when I met Steve on a Saturday. ← I don't know when Sr Steve stopped working weekends (sounds like it was well deserved though) but I must say I was looking forward to meeting him after hearing so many good things about him and reading his great posts. Guess I'll have to head to Napa again one of these days...

Did I read that right? No more Rancho Gordo at the Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market? Not even on Saturdays? I can't tell you how many directives I have received to visit your booth, and now that I am coming to SF in mid-April, I hear this? May have to rethink the entire visit... Seriously, though, might one of your special appearances happen to be on April 19? edited to fix typo in date of visit ← The booth and the product are still there -- more than aptly manned by his trusty side-kick, Joan. But the Man Himself, Steve Sando, I believe is now taking weekends off after working 7-days a week for the past five or six years... ← Many thanks for the clarification. While it would have been great to meet Mr Bean (sorry, couldn't resist) himself, I'm sure Joan can help us out.

Did I read that right? No more Rancho Gordo at the Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market? Not even on Saturdays? I can't tell you how many directives I have received to visit your booth, and now that I am coming to SF in mid-April, I hear this? May have to rethink the entire visit... Seriously, though, might one of your special appearances happen to be on April 19? edited to fix typo in date of visit

It would appear we Canucks will have to wait to meet Spike and the gang. No sign of the new season on the local provider here in Vancouver, anyway. Anybody out there know when the show will be aired in Canada?

Why am I not remembering a San Francisco epsiode of "No Reservations"?? ← It has not aired yet. Tony mentioned all the upcoming shows in his blog on TC. That is where the list comes from. ← ahhh. OK. I guess I got confused somehow. I thought grayfel was listing odd episodes that he would be seeing in Vnacouver in the near future. Thanks for clearing it up. I look forward to seeing Tony spending more time in San Francisco. We only got a small taste in Cooks Tour since most of it revolved around TFL (not that there is anything wrong with that!!) ← My bad if my post was confusing -- I only wish that we were getting new eps (this season or next!) in Vancouver. There was some info about the new (4th) season on the Travel Channel blog which was indeed what I was referring to. And FYI (although you'd have no way of knowing it) grayelf is a female elf

Not sure but apparently they've already taped four and will start taping more in the summer...

Since we are still not getting new eps here in Vancouver (they are now repeating the Malaysia ep), I thought I'd check and see what was in store next season: Laos Tokyo-Kyoto Uruguay Colombia "an haute-heavy" Spain show Egypt San Francisco Azores/New England, Portugese nexus Papua New Guinea I am particularly keen to see the Colombia and San Francisco shows, as it adds a certain frisson to see what he does in places I've been/really like. I'll have to DVR the Uruguay one for my brother who lived there for a while. Looks like a good lineup...