Pregnant foodie coming your way

[aaustin]

Nothing is more exciting than hearing the first heartbeat, but to be frank, nothing is more depressing than dining at stellar restaurants and drinking tonic with lime!

So, I am in desperate need of some help. I'm a Seattle native who now lives in Wyoming, so I'm definitely seeking fish, but of the cooked variety. If, however, you've got a great sushi place that also does great cooked fish, even better--my husband will be thrilled since I'd been talking about sushi in vancouver before we found out about the baby.

We're also looking for a really good mid-week dim sum place. I love Chinatowns, and can't wait to discover yours. If there are several places we should stop, for specific dishes, please do tell.

We might also like any less expensive Thai, Korean, or other Asian spots you can recommend...we're starved for everything but Thai. Indian would be good too, if you've got a great Indian spot.

Thanks in advance!

Ali

Edited May 12, 2006 by aaustin (log)

[Vancouver]

You might want to take a look at this thread: Guide to Vancouver Bests which has links to the thread for many of the cuisines you have asked about.

Cheers!

[sanrensho]

So, I am in desperate need of some help. I'm a Seattle native who now lives in Wyoming, so I'm definitely seeking fish, but of the cooked variety. If, however, you've got a great sushi place that also does great cooked fish, even better--my husband will be thrilled since I'd been talking about sushi in vancouver before we found out about the baby.

I wouldn't rule out sushi (raw fish) completely, although it's your decision to make. IMO, the risk is negligible is you decide to have a few pieces at a place you trust, on the odd occasion.

For Chinese food, I recommend making a beeline for Richmond rather than Chinatown.

[Ling]

There's Phnom Penh in Chinatown for Vietnamese/Cambodian dishes. Tje garlic fried squid, chicken wings, the butter beef, and rare beef with anchovy dressing, green peppers and onions are my favourite dishes at that restaurant. I don't like the Cambodian pho dishes too much.

There's lots of good Chinese food in Richmond. There's a Chinese food thread somewhere...

Edited May 12, 2006 by Ling (log)

[aaustin]

Should we skip chinatown altogether and go to Richmond?

[Vancouver]

I would say yes. Richmond is far superior for Chinese cuisine.

[sanrensho]

Should we skip chinatown altogether and go to Richmond?

←

For food, definitely. For a nostalgia trip into what used to be Vancouver's Chinatown (that title having long been bequeathed to Richmond), I would say it might be worth a tourist visit. Also, Phnom Penh is worth a visit for the food.

Beware that the surrounding neighbourhood can be pretty rough.

[aaustin]

Anyone have ideas for a sushi place with good/great cooked food?

[Susan G]

Congratulations, aaustin, on your pregnancy!

You're not entirely knocked out of the sushi park in your condition: Even at one's most conservative, there are non-raw sushi option:

Cucumber, California , and Alaska rolls; taco (otopus) sashimi or sushi - it's been simmered in a ginger-water bath until gently cooked; tamago sushi(sweet scrambled egg) , crab and shrimp sushis; anything with eel.

Then, too, there are the seaweed salads, the gyoza, and the teriyaki offerings which most sushi places also offer.

Good luck eating your way through Vancouver/Richmond! You can even tell your partner: I need to eat every 90 minutes or I'll start feeling nauseated!

[canucklehead]

If you want cooked japanese foods you could always try the izakaya places along robson. I think Guu with garlic is the best - but the the most boisterous. They usually have nice fried or braised dishes.

For Japanese restaurant with good traditional cooked foods - my favorite place is Okada - which is on Neslson and Homer. Fresh sheet will have an excellent mix of raw and cooked seafoods. Dinner is noticably better - in fact I would not go for lunch as the cooked food seems to be confined to premade items for their bento boxes.

Edited May 15, 2006 by canucklehead (log)

[Zucchini Mama]

The Bluewater Café is an upscale restaurant in Yaletown that has a sushi bar plus an amazing menu, including all kinds of cooked seafood. That way you can have the best of both worlds! Also, one thing that's great about being pregnant in Vancouver is that every time you have to find a washroom, lo and behold a Starbucks magically appears before you! Have fun!

[chocomoo]

If you want cooked japanese foods you could always try the izakaya places along robson.  I think Guu with garlic is the best - but the the most boisterous.  They usually have nice fried or braised dishes.

←

Isn't the most boisterous one Guu? On Thurlow near Robson? Guu with Garlic is further down (up?) on Robson.

aaustin, if you decide to go to Guu (on Thurlow), MAKE SURE they give you a sturdy chair to sit on - the stools have been known to fall apart (the legs snap onto the seat).

Basically, all izakaya places have lots of cooked food to choose from - the focus tends not to be on sushi. And, since the portions are small, you can try a bunch of different things without spending too much money! There are lots of izakaya places in Vancouver (and Richmond). The Guu's, Hapa Izakaya (on Robson), Chopstick Cafe (in Yaletown), Manzo (Richmond - also has a relatively large selection of grilled foods), are just some of them.

[aaustin]

These all sound outstanding! True about the cooked fish and sushi options. I've been eating my fare share of unagi.

And I know what you mean about Starbucks being handy for bathrooms, I just have such a hard time going into one for any reason!

Which brings up another thing---great coffee! Or even a great pastry shop or coffee shop with a great vibe for the mornings (with great coffee, of course). I have not cut out all my caffeine...a girl's gotta live, right?

[aaustin]

OK, no coffee recs?

[Jerry_A]

Ok, I have to recommend this place in case you get any special cravings while you are here:

La Casa Gelato

I know you did not ask for an ice cream place, but I couldn't resist.

Happy eating!!

Cheers, Len.

[Daddy-A]

OK, no coffee recs?

←

Coffee's often discussed here, but rarely agreed upon. With one noteable exception.

The Elysian Room

HERE is the Vancouver Coffeehouse thread for your entertainment.

A.