Coop

The Hastings street operation is moving across the street. Went once thought it was just Okay. Hate the nostalgic diner feel though, thought I was on set at Happy Days.

I'm just impressed that the Jerry A family compound has a mail room guy.

I feel so used for starting this thread!! I need a shower.

For beans try Continental on Commercial at 2nd on the SE corner. The best is the Famiglia. You have to ask for it. They sell at least a 40 gallon bin of it every day so it's very freshly roasted. Oddly enough their espresso drinks are crap.

Cyrano's. Planned to go the night they closed their doors. How ironic. So Keith.. Parkside or Cru. Both good food, service prices and the owners are great people. I can't choose.

Please tell me that isn't a cat in that picture on the right.

I punish bad service or bad food with the only weapon I have. They get no more of my money. I would rather die then spend a penny at places like Brix, Elixer or Westwood Plateau Golf Academy, just because of poor service or disagreeable staff. I also make a point of telling freinds and acquaitances of my dis-satisfaction. I even feel the need to bore my fellow e-gulleters with my opinion of some where I was not satisfied with. Don't get me started with the Golf Academy and the head pro there....

I understand the patio is now open at Parkside. Making it an even better bet.

Does anyone know where Brian Fowke is? Did the dream of the super restaurant die?

Jerry A I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience at Cru. The first time we went the one week link was a less experienced waitress, but by the end of the evening she seemed up to speed. The room is indeed tight. I took many hits on the left elbow before I traded seats with my son, who is smaller, at least for now. Although we enjoyed ourselves at Cru, it still comes up short of Parkside on Haro for food and way short of the great attention we have gotten from Andrey and Chris and their staff. I will not be editing for spelling. Like a women who doesn't wax or shave her legs I want to be appreciated for the real me!

I find the sheer number of cheeses available in this shop to be staggering. Have recently had Poplar Grove Blue, cave aged French Gruyere and an aged Mancheggo from this store, all were very good. As for the Pattiserie Le Beau their Pate sandwich was excellent. Both are worth the effort. Bring change for parking meter.

We actually went to Cru to break our Parkside cycle. Both are excellent places. I think one takes a chance going to these popular places (at least in my opinion) Raincity, Glowbal, Cin Cin, Blue Water, Wild Rice and Feenie's. They just don't seem consistent enough. Where as you hardly ever hear negative comments about Cru, Parkside, Gyoza King, Kintaro, The Bins and La Regalade. For me I will never go back to Elixer or Brix, because they were so far short of acceptable in food and service. others may have a great time there, but I doubt it.

The frites I've had at Cafe Campagne have always been very good. BTW they have steak onglet (hanger steak) listed on the menu, but I think the actual cut is Tri Tip (Newport). I was kind of dissapointed.

Mrs Coop and I would definetly be in.

is really good. Went last night with Mrs Coop and the youngest Coop jr. We had dish after dish of perfect food. Cellar Door Ceaser, Scallops and citrus salad, Seafood soup, Bruscettas three way, Duck Cofit, Short Ribs with Macaroni and Cheese, Choclate Sherry Mousse and assorted Ice cream which included vanilla mascrapone. The texture was smooth and boy was it rich. The place was packed, the dishs flew by our table the service was great. The only negative thing were the Americanos which just didn't have the flavour. They were made right but tasted like coffee and dishwater. My geuss inferior beans. The cups said Arrcaffe. New to be, nothing like Illy or Intelligensia that for sure. I love the decor and the room is spotless. What's not to like about this place. The lighting in the door way makes people look awful as they wait for a table though, kind of like characters in a George Romero flick.

Hey I like Fleece! And those Canadian Tire spots ring true for me! That couple is down to earth. They represent what is best about family life in the suburbs. They need all those tools to disguise the fact they have a grow op in their house.

I hope it's over soon. This town is just stupid over hockey. I love sports but I absolutly hate what NHL hockey has become. It's kind of like eating cruise ship food while watching professioal wrestling. It appeals to the lowest common denominator. Now for the next few months the TVs in bars and restaurants will be tuned into games featuring the Maple Leafs and the Bruins. It's depressing.

mot juste thanks for giving me credit for being so witty but what I really meant is try some new Pho places. I'm just tired of everyone recomending Pho Hoang. That's all.

What a disappointment! It's a little box in the Queue restaurant listing with almost no information. This week's choice Hawker's Delight on Main street. I see a definite Main street bias here.

At a recent dinner at Parkside, we had great wine service by Chris Stewart. Very well informed, a great recomendation of a wine we would normally not have tried (Morgante Nero d'Avola) and great glasses changed with each wine, and decanters. http://www.parksiderestaurant.ca/wines.html The real thrill though was the dessert list and Chris' pairing suggestions. http://www.parksiderestaurant.ca/afterdinner.html This was the best I've seen in Vancouver, and not in the most expensive place. BTW we are going to Cru tomorrow night for a return visit.

I like the Chapoutier Cotes du Rhone Belle....something or another, Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare, and Marie Stuart Rose Champagne. I would love to have access to Domaine Tempier again but never see it in BC or in my travels.

Kim Phung-Victoria and 43rd Vancouver Pho Thy-Victoria and 39th Le Do- Hastings near Nanaimo What about Kintaro for Ramen? it may be too famous already.

Shall we start our own list. My suggestions are Kim Phung, Pho Thy and Le Do for Vietnameese.

Mia Standsby did a pretty good article on the kind of places I tend to favour for lunch. This will be a weekly series starting this Thursday I believe. It may be worthwile. She has listed Au Petit Cafe, Duffin's Torta's (across the street fron Au Petit Cafe) and the House of Tofu Soup, amongst others. So she seems to have a feel for this.

I have dined alone at The Oceanaire, Dahlia, Daniel's Broiler, and Campagne. All but Campagne at the bar. All excellent experiences. I find I concentrate more on the food when alone. That is both good and bad. I usually over eat. It's easier to hand in a larger bill on my expense account. That way it looks like I've been extravagent with a client, not with my self. Shhhhh.