Asian Restaurants . . .

[jamiemaw]

Do any of you have favourite Asian restaurants that combine both solid food and wine programs? The Pink Pearl has a well thought out wine list, but what works for you?

Edited April 15, 2005 by jamiemaw (log)

[the Bill]

BYOW

[merlin]

I know that Jamie is speaking of the Vancouver area but here in Edmonton finding an Asian restaurant with a solid food and wine program is similarly problematic. Most of the spots here, if they have wine at all, are limited to a jug of this or one of those pre-poured carafes of mediocre plonk like Castelbello, Domaine d'Or a.k.a. "Garage Door" and the like.

Two that spring to mind are "Lemongrass Cafe" off 51 st Avenue I think it is, west of Calgary Trail and "Wild Tangerine" on 104th Avenue "kitty corner" to the Sidetrack.

I mention the first with some reservation because the one and only time I went to the Lemongrass Cafe I did so at least in part because of the positive comments I had heard about the wine list. It was good and I ordered a bottle of sauvignon blanc from CA's Blockheadia Ringosi [sp?]. Unfortunately it was corked.

I sent it back. Staff tried to convince me that that was the way the vintage tasted. No. Got another bottle. Much better. Have not been back. I will not put up with that kind of crap.

The second is much better. Wilson and Judy Wu used to operate "Polo's" a fusion-styled spot near the University Hospital. It always had a very good wine list as Wilson knows his wine. It was a higher end spot.

They closed it some time ago and went back to visit Asia. They now have opened the Wild Tangerine. I "reviewed" it some time ago. I really like their more casual approach to asian-influenced dining. They have a smaller wine list but it is well chosen. A fair number of good wines by the glass. Blue Mountain Gamay Noir, d'Arenberg Hermit Crab Marsanne-Riesling and quite a few more that escape me at the present.

Getting hungry maybe I'll head there for lunch today as Judy's "popsicle shrimps" with wasabi-yoghurt sauce and their 5 Spice Marinated Octopus salad are to "kill for".

[SBonner]

Jamie,

I guess the the key word is "Asian". I think the wine lists at Chi, Wild Rice, and Vij's have great lists if you classify them in this broad catagory.

Cheers,

Stephen

[Zucchini Mama]

Seems to me Spice Islands near 41st and Dunbar had a better than average wine list

for an Asian resto, but I can't remember. We'd need someone to stop by and do a recon. They are close to a great wine store...

Zuke

[kontemporary]

I think that any Asian/Chinese restaurant with a wine list (rather than just a selection of wines to offer to customers whenever asked) as part of the menu deserves to be mentioned. Few do actually come to my head..

[nwyles]

I think that any Asian/Chinese restaurant with a wine list (rather than just a selection of wines to offer to customers whenever asked) as part of the menu deserves to be mentioned. Few do actually come to my head..

←

I know that Simply Thai has quite a list for such a small restaurant. They were recognized by Wine Spectator for their list last year. Is this what you are looking for ?

[Zucchini Mama]

Spice Islands does have a decent wine list with great prices (Dunbar and 41st). I went there for lunch today and wrote down the B.C selections. There are 5 red "pouring wines" available by the glass, 1/2 litre and bottle: Stonewood Gamay from Naramata is $5 glass, $15 for a half litre. and $26 a litre. Hester Creek Merlot is $28 a bottle. There are 7 white "pouring wines" including Stonewood Pinot Blanc $26 a litre, and Mission Hill Vintners Select Chardonnay at $26 a litre.

Wild Goose Okanagan Falls Riesling is $28 a bottle. Red Rooster Gewurtz is also $28 a bottle.

They also have 2 bubblies, a dessert wine (Hester Creek Late Harvest Trebbiano-glass is $3.95, $20 for the half litre and $28 a bottle), and a port (Ruby Port Kopke). I've never heard of that port-don't know where it's from.

I've had lunch three times there and always love the spicing. My favorite so far is the Nas Uduk Istimewa, which is a coconut milk rice platter served with a tamarind fried chicken drumstick and condiments.

The food is Dutch Indonesian. I've always wanted to get a group of people to try out the Rijstafel-a feast of many dishes (for 22$ each) you order 24 hrs in adavance (minimum 2 people.), but most of my friends are vegetarians.

The lunch prices are around $7.50 for a light meal. If you're a heavier eater you can always order appies.

I popped around the corner to Village wines afterwards, chatted about the Naramata Bench tasting last night (more on that later), and picked up a bottle of Riesling. There is also a women's (pricey) consignment store, a Chinese bakery and "Organica café" in the same block. Also, don't forget the giant used bookstore across the street.

Zuke

[kontemporary]

I think that any Asian/Chinese restaurant with a wine list (rather than just a selection of wines to offer to customers whenever asked) as part of the menu deserves to be mentioned. Few do actually come to my head..

←

I know that Simply Thai has quite a list for such a small restaurant. They were recognized by Wine Spectator for their list last year. Is this what you are looking for ?

←

Yeah, just any Asian restaurant, whether big or small with wine pairings and/or a wine list should have some mention because they are a bit of a rarity in my opinion.