Here you will find a wide selection of the dim sum staples such as freshly steamed har gow (shrimp dumplings, pictured below), sticky rice wraps, and warm congee soup with classic add-ins (also pictured below). Or, if you like exploring deeper into deliciousness, go for more adventurous dim sum variations like chewy mushroom dumplings or crunchy bean curd and shrimp rolls.

The dining room is large and bright, with all the fixings necessary for a big Chinese wedding banquet (which do happen here quite often). You can expect a bit of a wait on Saturday mornings (as with most popular dim sum places), but with their decently priced menu and large selection of tasty dim sum, Fraser Court is a terrific place to take friends and family. Check out Fraser Court to sample some very competently prepared Chinese cuisine and experience a great Vancouver take on Chinese Canadian contemporary culture.

Har gow (shrimp dumplings) from Fraser Court dim sum seafood Chinese restaurant in Vancouver BC Canada.

More dumplings from Fraser Court dim sum Chinese food restaraunt in Vancouver BC Canada. Great seafood!

Bean curd and shrimp roll Chinese Dimsum from Fraser Court restaurant in east Vancouver BC Canada.

Chinese dim sum Sticky Rice from Fraser Court Seafood restaurant in Vancouver BC Canada.

Chinese style Congee from Fraser Court Chinese restaurant in Vancouver BC Canada.

The good sized and pleasant dining room of Whole Vegetarian is where you’ll find truly delicious Chinese vegetarian dishes, from the crispy and munchable Chef’s Special Chow Mein with imitation seafood (that tastes like the real thing!) to the creative and adventurous Seaweed and Soft Bean Curd Rolls.

Following the principles of traditional Buddhist-style vegetarian cooking, no garlic or onion is used in any of the dishes, but after the first bite you’ll discover that these kitchen restrictions have no effect on the overall flavor of these delightful dishes. My favorites such as the Sweet and Sour Pineapple Delight (a vegan-friendly version of the conventional sweet and sour pork) are always super fresh and mighty flavorful.

This inspired vegetarian restaurant fits in perfectly with the eclectic mix of dining options along the increasingly hip and trendy Main Street. With Whole Vegetarian’s great selection of large and affordable family-style dishes (all less than $15), the restaurant squarely hits the mark for Vancouverites and lucky visitors in-the-know. Here the tasty and satisfying eats might even fool a meat-eater’s eyes, while appealing to appetites of all persuasions.

Sweet and Sour Pineapple Delight (vegan) from Whole Vegetarian Cuisine restaurant in Vancouver BC Canada (Main Street).

Chef's Special Chow Mein (vegan, with simulated seafood) from Whole Vegetarian Cuisine, a vegetarian Chinese restaurant on Main Street in Vancouver BC Canada.

Another great Chinese vegetarian / vegan dish from Whole Vegetarian Chinese food restaurant on Main Street in Vancouver BC Canada.

About the Authors
Tony from RealMenEatGreen contributed to this article. Tony is a Vancouver based writer/blogger on masculinity, food, health, and man boobs.

This article was edited by Geoff from geoffmobile. Geoff also lives in Vancouver and leads a busy life as a software developer, video editor, and food enthusiast.

Our group of incredibly intelligent, geeky, and immensely wealthy software developers from a nearby office were probably some of the most casually dressed patrons at Glowbal today. I’m not sure where all these fancy people come from, but walking through Glowbal at noon on a weekday is like stepping into a movie set from perhaps the opening scene of a Bond spy thriller. The place exudes class and style, and they’ve got everything down from the subtle electro-jazz that pulsates, to the affable and dynamic serving staff who are up to date on the latest social nuances.

The food is some of the best I have tasted in this price range (which can be perused on their menu) and is incredibly flavorful, making use of the full palate and leaves me smacking my lips for every last morsel. Well, maybe this time I toned down the smacking, but beware upon the future occasion!

Today I ordered the Linguini off their lunch menu (pictured below), which came with jumbo tiger prawns, tomato, oregano, capers, stewed tomatoes, and of course olives. I’m sure that if you don’t like olives, or only want to eat olives and nothing more, executive chef Erik Heck and his staff will be able to accommodate your special dietary needs.

Vegetarians will note that this restaurant doesn’t advertise many vegetarian or vegan-friendly items on their menu. However if you end up at Glowbal I think you’ll do fine if you explain your needs to your server and they will be most amenable to providing tasty substitutions and a dish that you’ll likely enjoy.

Delicious Prawn Linguine from Glowbal restaurant in Yaletown, Vancouver BC Canada.

Yummy Seafood Linguine pasta from Glowbal Grill in downtown Vancouver BC Canada.

Tasty Prawn Linguine from glowbal grill steaks and satay restaurant in Vancouver BC Canada.

Located in the trendy Yaletown shopping and restaurant district (which is accessible via the Yaletown-Roundhouse Canada Line train station), Capones features live jazz music 7 days a week combined with their upscale and sumptuous food reminiscent of the great pizza, pasta, and other meat and seafood specialties found in New York’s fine jazz eateries.

Capones recently underwent a major renovation and features a brand new bar area. I haven’t seen it yet and am looking forward to checking it out soon!

I visited Capones a few months ago. For an appetizer, we ordered the baked brie cheese which was topped with fresh sweet blueberries (pictured below). For the main course we tried their pastas, the Carbonera fettucini and the seafood fettucini (also pictured below). As usual the food was very delicious and the portions were just the right size – not too big to be uncomfortable but still enough to be heartily satisfying.

Prices are reasonable considering the restaurant’s location and the quality of the food. A meal tends to be around $20 to $40 per person depending on whether you order appetizers or drinks.

The music that night was provided by Phyllis Adelyne, an accomplished jazz singer with a warm personality and a classic sound drawing back to greats like Ella Fitzgerald.

I can’t wait to see what great performers and tempting dishes Capones has in their lineup next. Highly recommended.

Baked Brie Cheese from Capones Restaurant and Live Jazz Club in Vancouver BC Canada.

Carbonara fettuccini pasta from Capone's restaurant and Live Jazz Club in Vancouver BC Canada.

Frutti di mare (seafood) fettuccini from Capones restaurant and live jazz band club in Yaletown, downtown Vancouver BC Canada.

Phyllis Adelyne singing jazz at Capones Restaurant and Live Jazz Club in Vancouver BC Canada.

It’s a hole-in-the-wall Japanese restaurant on the edge of Yaletown that is popular for take-out but also has a few tables for eating in.

I ordered a bunch of my favorite items including the miso soup, ebi sunomono salad, chopped scallop roll, nigiri sushi (tamago, inari and ikura), and an unagi cone. My friend ordered the vegetarian bento box and an avocado roll.

Everything was really good, but one note is that the rice on the chopped scallop roll seemed not quite as fluffy as I usually like. But in general I have been happy with the quality of food at Yamato and the prices are quite reasonable for the downtown area (my meal including tax and tip came to $19).

I live in the area and Yamato is a place where I often bring my friends, who are visiting from other parts of the Lower Mainland.

I made a video of our food (that’s pretty appetizing I think) and you can watch it on Youtube (or on Blip.tv) or use the player below. Until next time, hope you enjoy the many amazing restaurants in Vancouver and the Greater Vancouver / BC Lower Mainland area.

Ebi Sunomono Salad from Yamato Sushi Japanese restaurant on Davie Street in downtown Vancouver BC Canada.

Chopped Scallop roll and assorted sushi from Yamato Sushi Japanese restaurant on Davie Street in downtown Vancouver BC Canada.

kissy of Coquitlam writes on dinehere.ca:

Love to be there. I have been in this restaurant a few time and every time I was there it was a pleasure for a spicy Korean style. The taste of the food was so impressive with a big portion of Kim chi and beef. Shabu hot pot beef was my favorite food there and big.. even it was a small size. The taste was rich with a healthy vegetable and tasty Kim Chi ingredients. The service was fast and excellent as well. Keep maintain the quality and services like this, I will be back again.

Prices for a full meal range between $10 and $20 per person depending on which dishes you order.

The spicy soft tofu soup (with seafood, pictured below) is $8.99 and comes with a side of rice and all the usual Korean accompaniment dishes like the kim-chee (traditional spicy cabbage), the candied cooked potatoes (my favorite), sprouts, and more. The soup and side dishes are a meal in themselves.

We also ordered some fancy salads such as the Smoked Salmon Salad ($7.99) and the Seafood Salad ($9.99) which were amazing “fusion” style dishes with great Korean influences but also making use of West Coast ingredients.

One great dish to order is the Dolsot Bibimbap ($9.99) – a healthy bowl filled with vegetables, rice, and meat. Here is a video of Gwyneth Paltrow showing how to make Bibimbap:

Below are some photos I took of the restaurant and our meal. I’ll definitely be back!

Korean food from Insadong Korean Restaurant in Coquitlam BC Canada.

Spicy soft tofu soup from Insadong Korean Restaurant in Coquitlam BC Canada.

Smoked Salmon Salad ($7.99) from Insadong Restaurant

Korean Seafood Salad from Insadong Restaurant in Coquitlam, BC, Canada.

Insadong Korean Restaurant interior (Coquitlam BC Canada)

Photo gallery of Insadong Korean Restaurant on Flickr

I think that every successful restaurant needs a “concept”, a unique identity, something that differentiates itself in such an incredibly fierce competitive market that supports the dining industry in Vancouver.

It’s an industry which demands continuous hard work from employees and owners with little respite, where margins are typically low and consumer opinion (or a lack thereof) can make or break a business.

But the rewards from running a restaurant are high: an idea, creative vision, a passion for food and culture – all these can be transformed into a physical space that is temporarily occupied by visitors who seek to experience new tastes, sensations, socialize, be merry, and above all, satisfy their appetites with delicious, healthy food.

I tend to think about restaurants as “experience engines”. As a software developer I like to look at things in terms of the input, output, and transformations that occur during a process. For a restaurant, there are the physical ingredients and energy needed to prepare food – these are the obvious inputs. But there are also the less tangible things, like the moods and attitudes of the serving staff, the restaurant decor, the background music, and then of course the restaurant guests themselves.

But I digress, I really should be talking about the food at Posh.

Posh is an example of an expanding, successful home-grown restaurant chain with an excellent concept: Japanese Sukiyaki (wikipedia).

So what is Sukiyaki you may ask? Well, it’s a form of Hot Pot, where you have a gas burner at your table with a large cast-iron pot filled with a bubbling broth. The broth is made with a combination of Sukiyaki Sauce (soya sauce, sugar, and mirin) and cabbage. You add thinly sliced raw beef into the pot along with assorted vegetables, tofu, noodles and seafood, and everything cooks right in front of you.

The nice thing is that you decide exactly what you want to eat, and if you particularly like a certain item, such as the fish cakes (yum!), just order more of it! Or if you’re vegetarian, there are plenty of options such as tofu, spinach, and several types of mushrooms to make a soup that fits your diet.

Amazingly, Posh provides an “all you can eat” experience for $11.88 per person for lunch, or $15.88 per person for dinner. The restaurant always seems packed at peak times, so it’s a good idea to try making a reservation and coming early to put your name in the queue just in case.

Posh’s other locations include Richmond (map, 1123 – 3779 Sexsmith Road, Richmond, BC, Canada, phone: 604-303-7674), Burnaby (map, 105 – 6462 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC, Canada, phone: 604-434-7674), and Victoria (map, 102 – 1063 Fort Street, Victoria, BC, Canada, phone: 250-382-7674).

Below are some photos from our dinner at Posh on West Broadway. Hope you enjoy!

Everything cooking away at Posh Japanese Hot Pot restaurant in Vancouver.

Guava yogurt mixed drink - nice and refreshing! From Posh restaurant in Vancouver.

More hotpot cooking at Posh in Vancouver.

Vegetarian hot pot ingredients from Posh in Vancouver. Mushrooms, spinach, tofu.

Posh on Broadway Photo Gallery by Geoff Peters.

Restaurant review of Posh by Angela Murrills from the Georgia Straight.

Blog from owner of the Posh restaurant chain.

Posh restaurant on Twitter.

Popular with the after-bar crowd, Tsui Hang is open very late at night (even until 3 or 4 in the morning – but be sure to call them to confirm) and gets busy with talkative night-clubbers recovering from an evening dancing and imbibing.

The airy dining room is well lit and nicely maintained with some beautiful oriental vases displayed high above the dining room floor. Upon overhearing me remarking to my friend on the vases, the waiter interjected that they are “not real”. But although the decorative vases may be imitations, the food at Tsui Hang is definitely the real thing. If you’re a fan of Chinese seafood dishes, you’ll appreciate the menu (which is quite extensive and has a variety of vegetarian items too).

We ordered the Sauteed Rock Cod Fillets ($14.50, pictured below) and the Mixed Seafood Chow Mein ($13.50, also pictured below). The food was really tasty, the fish tender and enveloped in a delectable and nuanced sauce – even receiving positive comments from my dining companion who is of Asian descent. We also ordered a bowl of steamed rice ($2.00) which was quite large and nicely accompanied the two dishes.

Looking for something quick and on-the-go? Tsui Hang also has a take out window facing Davie Street which offers specials like sweet and sour pork on rice and chow mein for around $5.00.

Sauteed Rock Cod Fillets ($14.50) from Tsui Hang Village Chinese Restaurant on Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Mixed Seafood Chow Mein ($13.50) from Tsui Hang Village Restaurant in downtown Vancouver BC Canada (Granville Entertainment district).

Another shot of the same Mixed Seafood Chow Mein dish from Tsui Hang Chienese Restaurant on Granville Street in Vancouver.

Formerly a pizza place called Lombardo’s (which still has a location on Commercial Drive near 1st ave), Pacifico continues Lombardo’s practice of serving pizzas with inventive and complementary ingredients. We tried the “Salmone” ($25 for large, pictured below), made with smoked salmon, capers, and red onion. A delightfully chewy crust was brushed with extra virgin olive oil, and topped with lots of cheese.

We also tried their desserts. The Mud Pie ($6.00, pictured below) was fairly run-of-the-mill (still frozen solid) but the restaurant’s house specialty Tiramisu ($7.00, also pictured below) was heavenly.

Some higher-end restaurants have picked up a trend of serving “deconstructed” Tiramisu – a mix of mascarpone cheese, custard, coffee, and some liquor in a cocktail glass, with maybe a few biscuits hidden at the bottom. This mode of presentation may be satisfying in a different way from a slice of cake on a plate – consuming the cocktail glass version is sans fuss and trendy too.

Irashai Grill, an Asian fusion restaurant in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour, serves their Tiramisu in a sleek porcelain tray, dusted with a dangerously thick layer of powdered chocolate. Both Irashai’s and Pacifico’s realizations of Tiramisu are worthy of a sweet discovery!

Large smoked salmon pizza ($25) from Pacifico Pizzeria Restorante, a great pizza restaurant in downtown Vancouver BC Canada.

Mud Pie dessert ($6.00) from Pacifico Pizzeria Ristorante in downtown Vancouver BC Canada.

Tiramisu dessert ($7.00) from Pacifico Pizza Restaurant in downtown Vancouver BC Canada.

The Georgia Straight, a local Vancouver newspaper, writes in their dining guide:

Traditional barbecue in a young, fun, attitude-free environment.

I enjoyed some beer with friends, and also ordered a delicious burger item, the Drunk and Dirty Chicken ($11.99, pictured below) which their menu describes as chicken “grilled with your choice of: teriyaki, cajun, bbq or pesto – topped with cheddar cheese and bacon”. It was reasonably priced, a good sized portion, and mighty delicious.

View Part 1 for another photo.

Drunk and dirty chicken ($11.99) from Dix BBQ and Brewery in Vancouver BC Canada.

The show ran from May 8th to 10th 2009 – but don’t worry if you missed it; you can soon visit the trade show’s web site for more info about next year’s show.

Highlights included a speech by Summer Rayne Oakes, ‘the Eco super-model’ who talked about sustainability and the environment, as well as her career as an entrepreneur among other things.

Also there were many eco-friendly merchants such as Vital Gifts selling fair-trade and organic foods and gifts.

I checked out the cool electric cars and fancy bikes, and listened to knowledgeable gardener Steve Whysall, author and Vancouver Sun gardening editor, talk about healthy, sustainable and fuss-free gardens. It was interesting to hear how he makes his garden weed-free by pulling up the weeds before they get a chance to bloom.

The trade show took place at Vancouver’s brand new Trade and Convention Centre which is downtown on the waterfront next to the cruise ship terminal, the Pan Pacific Hotel, CN IMAX Theatre, and Canada Place.

I made a video journal of my experiences attending the conference and have posted it below (or you can view it on Youtube by clicking here). Hope you enjoy Vancouver’s great Spring and eventually Summer weather!  -Geoff

Summer Rayne Oakes, the "Eco-Supermodel", talking at the EPIC Vancouver 2009 Trade Show.

THELOOK09 - Vancouver Fashion Show

THELOOK09 Youth Fashion Show (web site, map) is a fashion show hosted by the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver on Tuesday, May 12 2009 (the same night as the BC Provincial Election).

After you vote, consider heading down to the JCCGV at 7:30pm (which is open to all, regardless of faith) and enjoy a lively evening of style and entertainment hosted by Citytv’s Lunch Television personalities Kyle Donaldson and Michel McDermott.

The fashions presented at THELOOK09 are by local designers and fashion boutiques Jules & Eve and FAB Clothing, and the hair and makeup artistry is by Blanche MacDonald.

This fashion show is a fundraising event for the JCC Teen Lounge, making it a great way to show your support for youth in our community:

The JCC teen lounge provides a place for teens to learn skills through sports, leadership programs, afterschool care, fitness and community partnering programs.  Most importantly, it is a safe place with responsible young adults that get to know each teen by name and act as a sounding board without judgment.  It works as a gathering place for fun and mentoring.  Building teens holistic health is what the youth department does best.

Food for the volunteers and models is provided by local grocery stores Choices Markets, Capers Whole Foods Market, and Canada Safeway Limited – Oakridge Centre.

Tickets are only $10 and you can reserve your ticket in advance by calling 604-257-5114 or by sending an email to thelook2009@gmail.com.

Youth Video Contest

THELOOK09 - Youth Video Contest

Attention Youtube fans! Are you interested in the world of fashion design, modelling, makeup, or hair artistry? Here’s your chance to get noticed!

Create a 30 second video blog answering the question “What does living a healthy lifestyle mean to you?” and upload it to Youtube, you’ll get a chance to win two VIP Passes to the fashion show, and have the opportunity to meet some of Vancouver’s top fashion designers, TV personalities, and other people like yourself who are interested in fashion and healthy living.

When you upload your video, make it a video response to this video, which explains the contest rules. The full contest details can be found here. VLOG contest is about Healthy Lifestyle is open to all ages.

Click above for more details on THELOOK09 Youth Fashion Show in Vancouver BC Canada.

THELOOK09 Youth Fashion Show

• On Tuesday, May 12th 2009 (Same night as the election)
• 7:30pm – 9:30pm
• The Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver (open to all)
• 950 W 41 Avenue (map)
• $10 a ticket
• Tickets: 604-257-5114 or email thelook2009@gmail.com.
• More info: www.thelook09.wordpress.com

Izakaya is a Japanese word for a drinking place that also serves food. Wikipedia has a bunch of details; here is a brief excerpt:

The name “izakaya” is a compound word consisting of “i ” (to remain) and “sakaya” (sake shop), showing that izakaya originate from sake shops which allowed customers to remain on the premises to drink.

Vancouver is one of the lucky food cities around the world where you can find a Japanese Izakaya restaurant outside of Japan. Kingyo, located in downtown Vancouver’s West End, is an upscale and trendy Izakaya that provides a modern, intimate, and tantalyzing taste of contemporary Japanese food and drink.

Rated as one of Canada and Vancouver’s best new restaurants of 2007 by enRoute Magazine (the inflight magazine of Air Canada), Kingyo consistently gets glowing reviews by visitors for its friendly staff, creative and innovative menu, and great service (check out some of the reviews at Dinehere.ca).

GoodEats88, a reviewer on DineHere.ca writes (click here to read review):

Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted warmly by the staff and shown to a table quite quickly. Nice hot towels were served to us and our drink orders taken. There was a daily special sheet folded into the menu and the difficult thing was deciding on what to try. We asked the server and he recommended a few dishes. Knowing it was izakaya (tapas), we weren’t expecting huge portions, but trying out several sharing plates. We started with the ahi tuna sashimi (melts in your mouth), then had the calamari (loved how it was made) followed with the Ebi Mayo and the Black Cod.

Below are some pictures of the food that I enjoyed with my friend. Everything was really tasty and I’ll definitely go back again for more.

Salmon Sushi ($8.80) from Kingyo in Vancouver

Three kinds of Japanese sashimi from Kingyo ($18)

more of the sashimi (prawn)

more sashimi

Sashimi

Japanese Tuna Pizza (with chopsticks?) - $7.80

Ron Brill of Martiniboys (click here to read review) writes of “…elegantly simple, modern tapas fare…alluring French flavours…” and I concur. Cassis Bistro is definitely deserving of the positive buzz it has been getting recently.

Pictured below are some of the items we ordered. First was the complimentary amuse bouche, which was olives and antipasto served with French bread. The olives and antipasto were served in an interesting narrow tray and whetted the appetite perfectly. For an appetizer, we ordered a crepe with Brie cheese (around $10), which tasted great. Looking at the photo brings back fond memories! For the main course I ordered the Duck a l’Orange ($17.50). The menu describes this item as:

Duck and oranges: a combination popular in many countries. This dish consists of Muscovy duck braised with oranges.

Let me say, the Duck a l’Orange was fantastic (or should I say merveilleux “en Francais”). I am a huge fan of orange juice and oranges in general, and duck is always a special treat for me since I don’t cook it at home. So this was a match made in heaven.

We also ordered a side dish of some vegetables: beets and zucchini (also pictured below, around $5). This went very well with a side of bechamel sauce.

Amuse bouche (olives and antipasto) with French bread at Cassis Bistro in downtown Vancouver.

Crepe with Brie Cheese from Cassis French Bistro restaurant in Downtown Vancouver BC Canada.

Duck a l'orange (Duck and Oranges), $17.50 from Cassis Bistro, a French restaurant in downtown Vancouver BC Canada.

Side order of market fresh vegetables from Cassis Bistro in Vancouver (beets and zucchini) - around $5.00.

The crepes are made in front of you, by smartly dressed chefs, at round grills at the restaurant’s front window. They are made sweet (try chocolate, or apple and cinnamon) or savory (pick from ham, cheese, or a bunch of other ingredients such as mushroom or spinach). Crepes (such as the ones pictured below) cost in the range of $5 to $8 depending on the ingredients. I really like the rich Emmenthal cheese and spongy crepe batter. For the Foot Long hot dog (pictured below, around $5) be sure to try their French mustard and maybe even mayo if you’re a fan.

There are two locations of Cafe Crepe very near to each other on Granville Street downtown. The smaller one (796 Granville, Cafe Crepe “express”) is located next to Future Shop just north of Granville and Robson. The larger one, further down Granville near the Commodore Ballroom (map, 874 Granville St, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-806-084), has more sit-down tables and even a private room for parties in the back.

Sometimes they get pretty busy and there might be a bit of a wait, especially if you want to eat-in. Take out orders are usually quite fast.

The other locations of Cafe Crepe in Vancouver are:

Robson Shopping District (map, 1032 Robson St, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-488-0045)

South Granville (map, 2861 Granville St, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 604-488-1326)

UBC Campus (map, 103-2151 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 604-221-1142).

French Hot Dog from Cafe Crepe (yum) - click photo for larger version

Ham and Cheese Crepe from Cafe Crepe in downtown Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Cafe Crepe logo on a take-out bag with a glass of wine.

Another photo of the crepe from Cafe Crepe restaurant in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

KimHo has some nice photos online, which you can view by clicking here, and writes, “Food was better than expected, despite my crazy comments about the rolls, sushi and sashimi”.

I had a huge feast: ordered the Sashimi Dinner ($18.95) and shared a spicy tuna roll and gyoza with a friend ($1.48 each). My total bill came to $21.91 before tax and tip, and I was really full. Two of my friends say they come here every week and always order the sushi boat (which looks incredible and costs around $40, but that’s for two people so again it’s a good deal).

This restaurant is extremely easy to get to, even from downtown Vancouver. Hop on the Skytrain and head out to the New Westminster station (about 25 minutes). Walk east down the stairs off the platform, and look across the street (8th street), and you’ll see it. The restaurant is quite large inside, tidy, and is complete with a small fountain and some private booths/tatami rooms.

Below are some pictures I took of the food, using my wide angle lens this time.

Sashimi dinner (also included ebi sunomono, tempura, miso soup, and dessert).

Japanese Gyoza and spicy tuna roll from Ki Sushi in New Westminister.

Ebi Sunomono salad and Miso Soup

Some more sushi rolls from Ki Sushi in New West.

Tempura from Ki Sushi in New Westminister BC Canada.

Spicy Tuna roll from Ki Sushi in New Westminster BC.

Another photo of the Sashimi Dinner from Ki Sushi (formerly Kirin Sushi) in New Westminster.

We enjoyed their special menu for Dine Out Vancouver 2009, which was $38 per person before tax, tip, gratuity, and drinks. The atmosphere is awesome, the service is impeccable, and the restaurant’s food is very impressive. We were a little cowed by the wine list, which had the cheapest wine by the glass at $9.00 and a half litre for $30. So we didn’t order drinks, but the food (as shown below) was fabulous.

I made a video of the dishes (which you can view using the player below).

The menu that was offered that evening is below:

YEW restaurant Dine Out Vancouver 2009 Menu:
$38 (excludes taxes, gratuity and alcohol)
Cuisine Type:
West Coast

RED SALAD
Slow Poached Pear, Beets & Goat Cheese, Red Leaves, Roasted Peppers
– or –

CAULIFLOWER
Cauliflower Soup with Black Cod Cake & Parsley Coulis
– or –

SABLEFISH
Soy Glazed Sablefish, Scallion Pancake,
Micro Broccoli & Mushroom Salad

PASTA
Wild Mushroom Gemelli, Basil Stewed Artichokes & Olives
– or –

SALMON
Miso Broiled Salmon, Chinese Broccoli, Baby Shiitakes,
Squash & Plum Purée
– or –

VENISON
Braised Nicola Valley Venison Shoulder, Winter Greens,
Risotto Milanese

CHERRY
Whipped Morello Cheesecake, Cherry Crumble and
Jubilee Glaze
– or –

CHOCOLATE
Milk Chocolate Cream, Salted Caramel & Cinnamon Meringue
– or –

PINEAPPLE
Pineapple Carpaccio, Lime Sorbet, Coconut Wafers

Still from the video (Yew Restaurant in Vancouver)

We enjoyed a banquet meal at the Kirin on New Years Day 2009, and I took a video of the dishes (you can view it using the player below). The food was really amazing, although a foodie friend commented that the Kirin is a bit pricy to visit just for a casual dinner (save it for a special occasion!).

The menu included the following dishes:

crab meat and fish maw thick soup
sauteed scallop, prawn and chicken
deep fried crab claw wrapped with minced prawn
Peking duck skin with crepe
minced duck with lettuce wrap
live lobster in two kinds of flavor
sauteed beef tenderloin
bok choy and abalone mushroom
lo hon vegetable
stewed e fu noodle
Yang Chow Fried Rice
two kinds of dim sum dessert (cookies and coconut jello)
sweet tapioca soup (dessert)

Still image from the video (Lobster) from the Kirin Chinese Restaurant in Vancouver (City Square).

For more photos and info please view Part 3, Part 2, or Part 1.

Video from Sushi Town:

Uni sushi (sea urchin, $2.50), Ikura sushi (salmon roe, $1.80), Sashimi ($13.95) from Sushi Town restaurant in Burnaby, BC, Canada.

Assorted Sashimi from Sushi Town ($13.95) in Burnaby, BC, Canada.

Soft shell crab ($6.95) from Sushi Town in Burnaby, BC, Canada.

Mangodise Roll ($4.95) and Spider Roll ($6.95) from Sushi Town in Burnaby, BC, Canada.

Awesome Roll from Sushi Town ($6.95) in Burnaby, BC, Canada.

Another pic of the Awesome Roll

Seafood Sunomono ($3.75) from Sushi Town in Burnaby, BC, Canada.

Miso Soup from Sushi Town ($1.00). Had some egg in it!

Bonka, a reviewer on Dinehere.ca writes (click here to read review):

Great place to “chill”. I’ve come here a few times before (always during the dinner hour) and have likened each experience. It’s decorated like a lounge with large (and comfortable) low chairs. [...]the dishes are prepared impeccably well. I will return to try out their brunch/lunch menus.

The crowd is mostly well-heeled twenty and thirty-somethings, who get together to have a good time. The low-light atmosphere is happy, relaxed, and at times boisterous, with much cavorting, indulging, romancing, and “chilling” going on.

To start, I had the Duck Bacon Unwrapped Scallops ($13, pictured below) which their menu describes as “Baja scallop and citrus ceviche topped with coffee and molasses cured duck bacon on brioche”. Phew, that’s quite a description, but my interest was piqued by the creative combination of ingredients. Fusion at its best, I thought while munching contentedly on every last bit of the Ceviche.

The main course I tried was the Sea Tiger Prawns ($25, also pictured below), which are grilled prawns in a lemon basil oil with a spinach and almond risotto. My dining companion commented that the chef had presented this dish differently on a previous visit (my serving was more “aggressive” looking, kind of like an angry crab). An angry crab made of risotto and prawns is an angry crab that I would like to meet again!

Sea Tiger Prawns ($25) from Chill Winston in Gastown, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Duck Bacon Unwrapped Scallops from Chill Winston in Gastown, Vancouver ($13)

In a previous dinner time visit, I enjoyed their ling cod ($22). Since then I’ve been back three times for lunch. Goldfish offers daily lunch specials which are $10 plus tax and tip. These specials really showcase the talents of executive chef William Tse.

Flat Iron Steak (on Thursdays) is served with mushrooms, snow pear, and mustard green salad. On Fridays, their special is the seafood fricassée (pictured below), with mussels, fresh fish, thai basil, coconut, and fresh chiles.

The flavors in the fricassée were fantastic, expertly crafted into bringing out the freshness of the seafood, with a rich broth that went with the rice perfectly. The fresh chiles were extremely spicy but our helpful server warned us about them, and thankfully they were served on the side. Another popular lunch choice from our table was the Shanghai Noodles, which can be ordered with beef short rib or chicken.

Many food fanatics (or “foodies” as they are affectionately known) love Vancouver because of the remarkable East-meets-West fusion that happens in the kitchens of our many talented, daring, and masterful chefs. As a port city we are fortunate to have some of the freshest ingredients arriving in our markets from Asia and the Pacific Northwest. Chefs like William Tse and restaurants like Goldfish are setting the stage for Vancouver as a world-class food city.

Please visit the Gold fish restaurant’s web site if you’d like to browse their menu or see some photos of the room’s cool decor.

Seafood Fricasse from Goldfish Pacific Kitchen restaurant in Yaletown, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Amuse bouche, a little complimentary appetizer created by their chef.

The Westcoast Pocket (shown in video below) is made with wild smoked salmon, avocado, seasoned rice, pea shoots, tofu and tobiko, and is one of my favorite appetizers that Cactus Club serves. For another photo of the Westcoast pocket please view my review of their Yaletown location.

The prawn and scallop spaghettini is a specialty of Cactus Club’s celebrity chef and Iron Chef USA winner, Rob Feenie, and is made with pan seared prawns and scallops, roasted tomato sauce, garlic and parmesan crostini. I was really impressed by the size and taste of the scallops, which were generous in number and hidden throughout the pasta.

I made a little video of the dishes, which you can view by clicking here, or use the player below.

Westcoast Pocket from Cactus Club

producer4000 writes on Dinehere.ca (click here to read review):

You don’t go to a plumber to fix your car, so don’t go to a brewery to eat. Yeah, I know what you’re gonna say. Anyhow, we went at noon on Saturday to sample the important stuff. Of the seven brewed on property, none were bad and three were superb and to my liking. The hefeweisen, Red Truck Ale and India Brown Ale were worth the trip. My beer maid was practically like family and the brewmaster was friendly yet very serious about his brews.

Even though I don’t drink beer at work lunches, the Yaletown Brew Pub is a favorite place for me and my coworkers to visit at lunch. I have been skeptical about the food at YBC having had a very, very greasy pizza there once, and the Macaroni and Cheese at $13.99 seems a bit pricy (but who knows, maybe it’s really good! I wonder how it compares to the Mac and Cheese at the Templeton…)

But the YBC has recently added some affordable Asian-influenced dishes to their menu, such as the Classic Kung Pao Chicken ($9.99, pictured below) which was served with toasted chilies, roasted peanuts, garlic, peppers, and jasmine rice. It was nicely presented and tasted surprisingly good.

I’m not the only one who was surprised! cocoeater writes on Dinehere.ca (click here to read):

Was a bit hesitant on ordering an Asian dish from this brew pub but they do have a lot of Asian noodle dishes on the menu. The Singapore noodles were very good with lots of meat and shrimp. Very surprised.

For more info and another photo please view Part 1. To view their Lunch and Dinner menus, please visit their web site.

Kung Pao Chicken ($9.99) from Yaletown Brewing Company in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

My friends who were dining with me both ordered the Templeton’s baked macaroni and cheese entree (not pictured), which looked incredibly delicious and healthy too: with some creative ingredients like aged white cheddar, gorgonzola, Italian parmesan, fresh tomato salsa, and side organic mixed greens – a huge step up from good ol’ KD (Kraft Dinner).

The Templeton is also a cool place to check out because it has the original furnishings of a classic 1950′s diner, complete with swivel bar stools and a functioning mini jukebox at each table. They show cartoons or movies on the projection screen above the stainless steel bar, and the food is not what you’d expect from a diner: it’s surprisingly modern and updated for healthy lifestyles. They have a good selection of organic and vegetarian entrees as well as some non-vegetarian choices. Serving breakfast until 3pm, the Templeton is open late for dinner too!

For more info and photos please visit Part 2 and Part 1.

Mangled Eggs ($8.00) for Breakfast at the Templeton restaurant on Granville Street

Pictured below is the Smoked Turkey Panino ($8.49) which was really tasty, as well as a Tall Caffe Americano ($2.45). I don’t usually drink coffee, but I’m sure glad that I made the exception and tried the coffee at Caffe Artigiano!

Check out their web site for a list of their other locations in Vancouver and Calgary.

Smoked Turkey Panino ($8.49) and Tall Caffe Americano ($2.45) from Caffe Artigiano in Burnaby.

Sushi combinations (such as those pictured below) go for around $6.00, or for a quick bite, try one of their sushi “burritos” ($2 to $3, assorted varieties) which are a sushi rollup that is not cut into pieces, making it easy to eat on the way to the next nightclub! The restaurant also caters well to vegetarians, with a great veggie sushi combo.

Late at night, Kuroshio takes on a party-like atmosphere with a good subwoofer/sound system, and a steady stream of nightclub goers passing through. It’s next door to the Megabite pizza on the corner of Granville and Nelson streets.

The restaurant also can prepare large sushi party trays for $30 (please call the restaurant a day in advance to order). I live near by, and my party guests have really enjoyed these trays. For more photos and info please view Part 3, Part 2, and Part 1.

Sushi in downtown Vancouver, open late.

Late night sushi in downtown Vancouver on Granville Street.

NancyLand writes on her blog (click here to read review):

I went there for a group family dinner a while back, and everything on the set group menu for six impressed me (you know, the one written only in Chinese.  If you don’t read Chinese, just take a chance and order it.  Make sure they are not giving you a non-Chinese version though.  Not sure if they have that there, but some restaurants have a “western” or “gwai-lo” and a Chinese version of the set menus).  In particular, I remember that the texture of the fried rice was amazing, and may be the best I had ever had. [...]

The most awesome dish we had was the Beijing Duck (aka Peking Duck) which was served in two courses. First the duck skin was served with crepes and a garnish of green onion and carrot, with sweet hoi-sin sauce (not pictured). Second was the “lettuce wrap”: wok-fried duck meat, crispy noodles, and vegetables served in pieces of fresh iceburg lettuce (pictured below). The two course Beijing Duck dish was $28.00 which is a very reasonable price for two large courses.

We also ordered the Oysters with Ginger and Green Onion (pictured below, $15.80) which had the biggest, most tender cooked oysters I have tasted in a long time. Other good dishes we tried were the Chicken with Gai Lan (Chinese brocolli), which was $12.80 (also pictured below), and the Honey Moon Fried Rice. The fried rice was presented in the shape of a Yin-yang with cream and prawns on one side, and tomato and chicken on the other side ($12.80, pictured below).

Reservations at this restaurant are an absolute must, as the place was fully booked. If possible try to make your reservations a few days in advance. The restaurant mostly serves large groups (four or more people) and it’s much better to have lots of people so that you can order many dishes, put them in the center of the table, and share them in a Chinese banquet style (as opposed to European style restaurants where everyone gets their own dish). Highly recommended.

Peking Duck (Beijing duck) lettuce wrap from Western Lake Chinese Restaurant in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Oysters with Ginger and Green Onion ($15.80) from Western Lake Chinese Seafood Restaurant in Vancouver.

Chicken with Gai-Lan (Chinese Brocolli) from Western Lake Restaurant in Vancouver ($12.80)

Honey Moon Fried Rice ($12.80), from Western Lake Chinese Seafood Restaurant in Vancouver

Not only does the restaurant serve a great selection of tasty Japanese sushi, but also included in the price is all-you-can-eat Korean Barbecue that you cook at a grill at your table. Price per person at dinner time (for the all-you-can-eat sushi and BBQ) is $21.95 before tax and tip. Lunch prices are cheaper, around $13.50.

For more photos and info please view Part 1.

Salmon and Tuna sashimi from Shabusen Japanese restaurant in Vancouver (Burrard Street)

Meat for barbecuing (cook at your table), and sushi: Alaska roll, Avocado Roll, and Prawn Tempura roll from Shabusen Restaurant in Vancouver.

Assorted Nigiri Sushi (raw fish on rice) from Shabusen Japanese restaurant in Vancouver.

Gomae Japanese spinach (top left), Sunomono salad (bottom left), Mussels, from Shabusen all you can eat Japanese restaurant in Vancouver.

Angela Murrills writes in the Georgia Straight (click here to read review):

Weekdays at noon it feels like small-town France, where everyone decamps from their office for a couple of hours during which the mark of a truly civilized country parking is free by law. A fresh-fish dish or two, grilled prawns, moules frites, quiche or a sandwich it’s all competently made, sans froufrou, and mostly under $10.

Christine G. Louie describes the food at Salade de Fruits (writing in the Peak, SFU’s student newspaper, click here to read review):

The moules et frites ($11.99) arrived with puffs of steam wafting up, the P.E.I. mussels fat, perfectly steamed little morsels sitting in the most fragrant of broths. Accompanying the pot of shiny black shells lay a stack of fresh-cooked pomme frites, still glistening from their bath of hot oil. Crispy, golden-brown, and thinly sliced, the pomme frites were perfect for dipping into the pool of broth or the little container of their homemade mayonnaise. The calamari dish came in thick ringlets, fried to a glorious golden-brown, and looking ravishingly hot. The smoked-salmon baguette was clean tasting, jazzed up with capers and sweet onions, and sandwiched in the same lovely bread. The steak dish was pounded into a thin large slab, arrived on top of a layer of gravy-smothered frites.

Wow, I love those descriptions, thanks Christine!

Pictured below is some of the food we enjoyed: the Saumon Sauvage (Wild salmon entree, around $16), the Calmars à la Nage (Calamari dish, $9.99), and the Escargots à l’Ail (snail in garlic, $5.99, a French delicacy!). My friend also ordered the T-Bone Steak served with fresh crab (not pictured), which he described as juicy and of really high quality (he’s a regular of steak places around town).

Saumon Sauvage (Wild Salmon entree, $16.99) from Salade De Fruits French restaurant in Vancouver

Calamari dish (Calmars à la Nage, $9.99) from Salade De Fruits French restaurant in Vancouver

Escargots à l'Ail ($5.99) - Snail in garlic, a French delicacy! Food from Salade De Fruits French restaurant in Vancouver.

Fresh baguette (French bread) included with the meal at Salade de Fruits French restaurant in Vancouver

The Noodle Box also has two locations in Victoria: Chinatown (626 Fisgard, Victoria, BC, Canada, phone: 250-360-1312) and downtown (818 Douglas, Victoria, BC, Canada, phone: 250-384-1314).

Thai Green Curry from the Noodle Box restaurant in Vancouver

Cooking Nerd writes (click here for her review, with some more photos):

At most tables you get this little LCD screen that continuously flashes food porn a la Tri-ty, making you wish you had ordered that noodle dish instead of the one you did, then actually making you order more. This is a great tactic!

(above) Large Taiwanese style Pudding Icecream Slushie (around $5)

Earl’s offers a good selection of pizzas, soups, burgers, sandwiches, pastas and wok dishes, as well as signature entrees such as steaks, seafood, and chicken. The prices are quite reasonable, with most dishes in the $10 to $20 range. I especially like their pizza. Pictured below is the Californian Pizza (around $12.50), which is made with shrimp, pesto, sundried tomatoes, and feta. The Margharita pizza ($10.50, also pictured below) is a simple but tasty pizza made with fresh basil, rich tomato sauce, mozzarella and white cheddar. We also enjoyed the Calamari (deep fried squid, pictured below, $10) which was served with sweet red onions and a special tzatziki sauce made in house.

The Earl’s location at Fir and Broadway is quite large, easily accommodating large groups, and has a bright solarium that is great for dining on sunny days. There is limited free parking available (provided you register your license plate with the host/hostess) and the restaurant is also on the Broadway bus route.

(above) Californian Shrimp Pizza ($12.50) at Earl’s Restaurant in Vancouver

(above) Calamari appetizer ($10) at Earl’s restaurant on Broadway at Fir

(above) Margharita pizza at Earls in Vancouver ($10.50)

Roasted Chicken Penne Asiago pasta from Milestone’s Restaurant in downtown Vancouver. (around $17)

This downtown Vancouver restaurant focuses on seafood, with selections such as the ling cod (served with ginger, baby bok-choy vegetable, and a black bean reduction, $22, pictured below), and the wild BC salmon (with Asian BBQ sauce and a snow pea salad, $22, also pictured below). We also tried and enjoyed the miso sake asparagus roll ($8, with mushrooms, marinated tofu, spicy hoisin glaze, pictured below), the wok tossed squid (not pictured, $8), and the creme brulee for dessert (pictured below, $8, served with yummy shortbread cookies).

The restaurant has hip, tasteful decor that is reminiscent of the modern restaurants in recent James Bond movies, and can easily accommodate large groups or provide a more intimate atmosphere for a romantic dinner. Goldfish Pacific Kitchen also has an extensive wine list and a lively bar area that is popular with the upwardly mobile urban socialites of Vancouver’s “yuppie” Yaletown neighborhood.

Unfortunately the restaurant does not cater very well to vegetarians, with only two vegetarian main courses (although the kitchen would most likely accommodate special dietary needs if required). Valet parking is available, and the restaurant is quite near to the Canada Line train station which will be operational in 2009. Visit their web site for the Goldfish menu and more info.

Ling Cod seafood at Goldfish Pacific Kitchen ($22)

Wild BC Salmon at Goldfish Pacific Kitchen ($22)

Miso sake asparagus roll at Goldfish Pacific Kitchen ($8) – the sake is quite strong in this dish!!

Creme Brulee for dessert ($8). The shortbread cookies were so tasty!

This restaurant is so popular among the Asian community that if you arrive later in the evening you’ll probably find a line-up right out the door. Recommended dishes include the Duck with Taro Coat ($13.95, pictured below), the Deep Fried Tofu with Minced Pork Sauce ($8.88, also pictured below), the Pan Fried Pork Buns ($4.50, pictured below), and the deep fried bread served with condensed milk. Also check out their seafood, especially the crab (market price), as well as their fancy Peking duck, and tasty Lettuce Wrap ($10.95).

The restaurant is only a short taxi ride from the Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, and is close to the soon-to-be completed Canada Line public transport train that will connect Richmond with downtown Vancouver. Once the Canada Line is completed (in 2009), you will be able to walk to Shanghai Wonderful Restaurant from the Lansdowne Station. The restaurant is across the street from the Zellers, Best Buy and the Lansdowne Shopping Mall in Richmond.

Click here for a printable copy of their take-out menu.

Deep fried duck with Taro Coat (Half) – $13.95

Deep fried Tofu with Minced Pork Sauce ($8.88)

Pan Fried Pork Bun ($4.50)

Deep fried bread served with condensed milk (tasted like a doughnut, only better!)

Click above for printable take-out menu.

Their downtown Yaletown location (357 Davie Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone 604-685-8070) is conveniently located in one of Vancouver’s most upscale and chic neighborhoods, a short taxi ride from any hotel in the downtown core. They also provide valet parking.

As an appetizer I enjoyed the Westcoast Pocket ($4.00, pictured below), which is an inventive creation that is made from sushi rice, salmon, Japanese Inari (bean curd wrapper), and is garnished with pickled ginger and Japanese masago. The Westcoast Pocket is one of my favorite menu items at Cactus Club and I seem to order one every time I’m there.

As a main course, I selected the 9oz Sirloin Steak (with four mushroom demi-glace: shitake, portabello, button, and crimini mushrooms, $27, also pictured below). The steak was juicy and tender – truly satisfying!

To finish this fabulous meal I enjoyed the fresh baked apple pie ($7.50, also pictured below). If by any chance you have some room left over for dessert, I highly recommend the apple pie! It was made with sweet and slightly tart ripe apples, and the flaky crust was heavenly.

If you’re interested in Live Jazz, be sure to check out their West Vancouver location (855 Main Street, West Vancouver, BC, phone, 604-922-1707) which features the Geoff Peters Trio on select Tuesday nights.

Westcoast pocket at Cactus club- like sushi but better! ($4.00)

Sirloin steak at Cactus Club (with four- mushroom demi glace) – $27

Fresh baked apple pie at Cactus Club ($7.50)

Check out their menu, which includes delicious items such as Oistin’s Flying Fish, a “Delicacy of Barbados”, fried in Bajan spices served with tartar sauce ($9, pictured below), as well as the Jamaican Jerk Wild Salmon ($14, also pictured below), which was really flavorful.

Flying Fish – a Caribbean delicacy ($9)

Jamaican Jerk Wild Salmon ($14)

A reviewer on Dinehere.ca writes (click here for review link):

The ambiance is great[...] Cactus Club is consistent across town with the edamame, curly fries and salads being my favourite. It is a great place to meet a buddy for a quick bite or catch up over a drink and appies. The prices are reasonable and the food quality satisfactory.

Pictured below is the Cedar Roasted Salmon entree (priced around $23), fresh steelhead salmon with a pine nut parmesan crust, served on a cedar plank with roasted vegetables and herb and feta fingerling potatoes. Delicious!

Also check out their West Vancouver location with live music.

Cedar Roasted Salmon Entree at Cactus Club ($23)

I tried the Linguini Vongole, which was made with fresh clams, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan (pictured below, $14.95), and this dish was frankly one of the best clam linguinis I have ever tasted. Sometimes the juice from the clams can make the pasta soggy, but at the Sandbar, my pasta had the perfect texture and the clams tasted great with the combination of garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. 

We also tried one of the signature appetizers, the Wok Squid ($8.50, also pictured below) which was a level above the usual calamari you’ll find at most restaurants around town. We were given chopsticks for this dish, and the squid was pan fried in a light batter with chilies, garlic, cilantro, and ginger. Very tasty!!

Linguini Vongole (with fresh clams, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan) $14.95

Wok Squid appetizer at the Sandbar restaurant (with chilies, garlic, cilantro, and ginger for $8.50)

(for interested camera buffs, I shot the first photo above using candlelight, with my Canon Digital Rebel XT, a Canon F1.4 50mm lens, at ISO 1600, 1/25 sec. and F1.8. I shot the second photo at ISO 1600, 1/30 sec. and F2.2. I had to take quite a few shots because the candle was flickering a lot, casting a different light every second. It so happened that I got a couple shots that I liked. We were sitting in the lounge at Sandbar and there were a number of TV’s surrounding us that were tuned to the sports channels, and these were also casting a variable light on the food. In this situation, with such unpredictable light, the trick is to just take lots of shots and then by chance you’ll get one you like. (I took 18 shots of the pasta and 7 shots of the squid.) I also calibrated the camera’s manual white balance setting by taking a picture of a white piece of printer paper, held up near the candle on the table. For another photo that I did in candlelight, please check out Stephos Greek Restaurant on Davie).