Vancouver Restaurants

Last weekend, we grilled up some beef short ribs, Korean galbi style.  On the side, we also grilled some sugar snap peas, okra, and mushrooms.  A peanut sauce accompanied the snap peas, while I tossed the mushrooms and okra in two chili dressings. The juicy juicy meat was served with steamed rice, a quick cucumber pickle, kimichi, and lettuces for wrapping.  Needless to say, everything was polished off by our hungry friends. Homemade Korean galbi short ribs with sugar snap peas, mushrooms, and okra To kick everyone’s appetite off, I whipped this simple chilled tofu appetizer up.  It was inspired by an amazing meal at a Tofu restaurant in Tokyo.  It’s creamy, savory, with just a touch of acidity. It’s so utterly easy to make, especially if you’re serving a crowd. It just so happens to be vegan too… Simple chilled miso tofu appetizer – perfect for hot summer nights Chilled Japanese Miso Tofu Appetizer Ingredients1 package soft or silky tofu3 tablespoons miso paste2 tablespoons rice vinegar2 tablespoons mirin1 teaspoon brown sugar1 tablespoon sesame seedsDirectionsDrain the tofu and cut into cubes. The size is up to you. Place on chilled plates. Whisk the miso paste, vinegar, mirin, and brown sugar together until smooth. Slather the tofu cubes with the dressing. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Serve chilled.

Restaurant: Aziza (Dessert menu) Cuisine: Moroccan/New American/Mediterranean Last visited: May 6, 2013 Location: San Francisco, CA (Outer Richmond) Address: 5800 Geary Blvd Phone: (415) 752-2222 Transit: Geary Blvd & 22nd Ave Price Range: $30-50+ ($25-35 mains) 1: Poor 2: OK 3: Good 4: Very good 5: Excellent 6: FMF Must Try! Food: 4.5 (based on what I tried) Service: n/a Ambiance: 3 Overall: 4.5 Additional comments: Chef/Owner Mourad Lahlou Innovative New Moroccan cuisine 1 Michelin Star Critically acclaimed Local and global ingredients Seasonal menus Chef Tasting Menus Cocktail/wine program Reservations recommended Wed-Mon 5:30–10:30 pm Closed Tuesday **Recommendations: The 13 course Chef’s Tasting Menu ($95/person) was more impressive than the a la carte, although the a la carte was still very good. The cocktails and dessert menu should not be missed. If you’re ordering a la carte try the Lentil Soup, Sardines, and Duck Confit Basteeya. The desserts change often and according to season, but on the current menu I recommend the Almond-Honey Semifreddo. No, this couldn’t be it. Just let me double check the address. I’m sure it’s called Aziza, or was it Laziza? No, Laziza is the one in Vancouver, I was looking for Aziza in San Francisco. It’s a 1 Michelin Star upscale restaurant featuring new Moroccan cuisine, and it was unexpected to find it on this street corner. The sign didn’t really shout “upscale” and from the outside it looked a bit shady, but I knew what I was getting myself in to. I knew well in advance too, as to why I even made reservations a week early. It is not a restaurant you just happen to walk by, it is restaurant you make plans to visit. The Richmond District is populated with Chinese and Russian immigrants and mom and pop type ethnic eateries (mostly Asian) which dominate the area. Aziza is located in Outer Richmond which is the up and coming part of the Richmond District, as opposed to the inner part which is already full of restaurants. It opened in 2001 and the love for it has only grown stronger. It won reviews from local media early on and has been on the James Beard Award radar most recently. It received James Beard Award nominations for Aziza, Mourad, and his Pastry Chef Melissa Chou, and the restaurant and team is still on the rise. It is not easy to stay in the spotlight after opening for over 10 years (especially for modern restaurants like this), but Aziza must be doing something right or the hype would have died a long time ago. It still remains a neighbourhood gem and attracts locals and traveling food enthusiasts alike. Follow Me Foodie to San Francisco started at Aziza and I was off to a good start. The restaurant was more pleasant once inside and it was a lot bigger than expected. There are 3 separate rooms, each uniquely themed, but still Moroccan inspired. It had the white tablecloths and the service was formal, but the room was trendy and not as committed to traditional fine dining quality. It was stylish and sophisticated, but not ritzy or rich. Before I dwell into the food, I have to state my biases. I actually met Mourad last year at West Restaurant when he was invited as a guest chef. He prepared a New Moroccan Menu and I wrote about the experience here. It can be tricky writing about food when you become friends with the chef, but there is a mutual understanding and respect. Regardless it is not the first time I’ve done it, and if you’re familiar with this blog then you already trust it or you don’t. I can’t say I’ve had much experience with Moroccan cuisine let alone “New Moroccan” cuisine. I refuse to put it under the umbrella categories of Middle Eastern or African food just because it isn’t specific enough. I find it deserving of its own category. Nonetheless I don’t have many point of references for how Mourad’s dishes came to be, but based on reading his book and

I’ve learned to treat espresso with respect. It doesn’t take much to get me buzzed! My cup of choice, when I drink coffee (which isn’t every day), tends to be an Americano. But I love espresso ‘neat’—especially when it’s done right, every step of the way. Recently I had a fascinating (and tasty) hour or so with Brian and Linda Turko of Milano Coffee Roasters at their welcoming, gently hip but homey Gastown Espresso Bar (36 Powell St., 604-558-0999). And, yes, it was seriously caffeine-fueled. A hot espresso lineup I quickly discovered that you don’t just “chat” with Brian Turko. You engage, listen, learn and digest. And, ideally, you stand around the business end of Milano’s espresso counter, where the action is non-stop. Turko (an accomplished musician) laces his espresso discourse with musical and guitar analogies. Aside from tasting and deconstructing a flight of three superb espressos, we also had a wide-ranging chat on the genesis of Vancouver’s contemporary coffee culture. Suffice to say, Turko was there long before coffee became fashionable, before it was de rigeuer to sip lattés outside in your shorts in January—apparently for some a Vancouver rite of passage. Brian caught the coffee bug big time in 1993, when he met the man who would become his mentor, Italian world master Torrefazioni, Francesco Curatolo, at Francesco’s Café and roasting facility on West 8th—now owned by Milano. The Turkos were the first folks of non-Italian descent to open an independent café on Commercial Drive. in 1996. Espresso(s) du jour Brian has a killer palate. He tastes literally hundreds of blends a year—and some of them have become world beaters, winning serious awards in Italy and elsewhere. Even though I loved the award-winning la Futura and the Calabreze, I was absolutely seduced by the richness and complexity of the Conca d’Oro. Later in the week, I returned with my good friends Ross & Brian (the most serious espresso geeks I know). We did a series of flights. One flight is three for $6). Interestingly, this time the Conca didn’t stand out as much. And we worked our way through the entire daily list “on tap.” Different day? Different (still very obliging) barista? Maybe. Even a shift in the barometer can make a difference, as he explained it. Sipping in spacious comfort It’s also a great space: a high-ceilinged heritage room with great lines and a modern personality. its previous incarnation was a de-luxe running shoe store. Brian and Linda worked with a designer friend to retain and re-appropriate as much of what was there as possible. As a result it feels new—but also comfortably worn. Luckily for me, maybe, it takes a certain amount of time and effort to hop down to Gastown for a decent shot. But from now on, when the craving hits, Milano will be foremost in my mind. Besides, much in the way that my beer tastes have changed over the years (I now focus more on taste than volume), so has my appreciation of coffee. The Gastown lounge is one of four locations—and I will eventually get to them all. Brian also builds guitars so, no surprise, there’s a wicked sound system : “120 watts either side, four sets of Totem speakers and two “killer” sub-woofers.” But coffee, and specifically espresso, is front of mind. “I’ve got a bug for it. I can’t stop. It’s my thing. We have eight ‘on tap’ at any given time,” says Brian—who, we suspect, would like to offer 80 if it were feasible! Espresso made easy at home I asked him for some tips about making good espresso at home. Here’s what he said: • Use the right grind. • Keep your equipment clean. • And get it hot. Brian suggests it’s well worth the extra effort to run some hot water through the system first to get everything warm. A couple of times, if you can. Plus, he says, “Take out your basket and wash out all the carbon and deposits that have built up in the spouts…” As to the right grind, they’ll even give you a sample so ou can take it home to see how your own compares. And (if you have an

Restaurant: Aziza (A la carte menu) Cuisine: Moroccan/New American/Mediterranean Last visited: May 6, 2013 Location: San Francisco, CA (Outer Richmond) Address: 5800 Geary Blvd Phone: (415) 752-2222 Transit: Vancouver City Ctr Stn Southbound Price Range: $30-50+ ($25-35 mains) 1: Poor 2: OK 3: Good 4: Very good 5: Excellent 6: FMF Must Try! Food: 4.5 (based on what I tried) Service: n/a Ambiance: 3 Overall: 4.5 Additional comments: Chef/Owner Mourad Lahlou Innovative New Moroccan cuisine 1 Michelin Star Critically acclaimed Local and global ingredients Seasonal menus Chef Tasting Menus Cocktail/wine program Reservations recommended Wed-Mon 5:30–10:30 pm Closed Tuesday **Recommendations: The 13 course Chef’s Tasting Menu ($95/person) was more impressive than the a la carte, although the a la carte was still very good. The cocktails and dessert menu should not be missed. If you’re ordering a la carte try the Lentil Soup, Sardines, and Duck Confit Basteeya. The desserts change often and according t

LFNG: spring white releases top performing 2012 vintage; JoieFarm wins gib at the 2013 Riverside International Wine Competition;  2012 BDO BC Wine Grape Crop Report LFNG: SPRING WHITE RELEASES TOP PERFORMING 2012 VINTAGE Fresh, bright, balanced …  the theme words for our latest white wine releases.  Considered one of the best Okanagan vintages in the past 5 years, the growing season was long and warm.  What better way to taste liquid sunshine than with our 2012 Whites. Pinot Gris 2012 - $22.00 Pinot Gris is one of the darling varietals of the Okanagan Valley. It ripens easily and consistently produces an enjoyable, fruit forward yet food friendly wine. Blind Trust White 2012 - $25.00 Our winemaker has full discretion over the assets so you’ll just have to trust us on this white blend. Blind taste the Blind Trust and try to guess the varietals before checking under the capsule for disclosure of the assets. Order online or call the winery at 250.493.8466and we’ll ship direct to your door.  Fr

Restaurant: Aziza (Tasting Menu) Cuisine: Moroccan/New American/Mediterranean Last visited: May 6, 2013 Location: San Francisco, CA (Outer Richmond) Address: 5800 Geary Blvd Phone: (415) 752-2222 Transit: Vancouver City Ctr Stn Southbound Price Range: $30-50+ ($25-35 mains) 1: Poor 2: OK 3: Good 4: Very good 5: Excellent 6: FMF Must Try! Food: 4.5 (based on what I tried) Service: n/a Ambiance: 3 Overall: 4.5 Additional comments: Chef/Owner Mourad Lahlou Innovative New Moroccan cuisine 1 Michelin Star Critically acclaimed Local and global ingredients Seasonal menus Chef Tasting Menus Cocktail/wine program Reservations recommended Wed-Mon 5:30–10:30 pm Closed Tuesday **Recommendations: The 13 course Chef’s Tasting Menu ($95/person) was more impressive than the a la carte, although the a la carte was still very good. The cocktails and dessert menu should not be missed. If you’re ordering a la carte try the Lentil Soup, Sardines, and Duck Confit Basteeya. The desserts change often and according to s

Follow Me Foodie to San Francisco (Round 2)! The city is synonymous with food and good restaurants, and “good” is an understatement. It’s a food and wine lovers paradise and people visit just to eat. It is truly a treat to be in San Francisco. I’ve been here at least a dozen times, but I’ve never written about its food scene too intensely. I made a good stab at it last time when I was there in 2010 (see my posts here), and I was long overdue for a visit. Things change so quickly there, but they are always on top of the latest “food trends” on the West Coast. Well, LA and Portland would argue otherwise, but I’ll give credit to any of those. These West Coast food meccas are industry leaders and San Francisco is home to some of America’s highly acclaimed best restaurants and chefs. Some of them were collecting their James Beard Awards in New York while I was there too. I was originally in San Francisco to judge Cathay Pacific’s Noodles of Asia contest,

Job details inside. The Alibi Room, a modern tavern in Gastown, is looking for kitchen staff.  Please apply in person from 1:00pm-4:00pm Monday – Friday. 157 Alexander Street | Vancouver Tel: 604-623-3383 Email: eat@alibi.ca www.alibi.ca

I’m on a boat with T-Pain David Suzuki! Follow Me Foodie to BC Spot Prawn Fishing with Dr. David Suzuki & Organic Ocean! A sustainable seafood feast with BC Spot Prawns & Japanese Style Octopus 5 Ways + Recipes. As much as I love restaurants, some of my most epic meal times have been outside of them (see Lamb 5 Ways, 50 lbs of Alaskan King Crab, Epic Summer BBQ Round 1, Ukrainian Easter Dinner), and here’s another to add to the list! Going BC Spot Prawn fishing with Dr. David Suzuki was a highlight on its own, but it was only half the adventure. I was lucky enough to get my hands on the very first BC Spot Prawns of the season, and since it was recreational fishing we didn’t break any rules. Not only was it a gorgeous day, but we were successful with our catch. I got to drive the boat, have spot prawn sashimi for breakfast, kiss a live octopus, and then eat one cooked 5 ways for lunch… next to the 24 lbs of spot prawns we caught that morning. And between the docking of the boat and lunc

Restaurant: Broken Rice Cuisine: Vietnamese (Modern) Last visited: April 16, 2013 Location: Burnaby, BC (North Burnaby) Address: 4088 Hastings Street Phone: (604) 558-3838 Transit: WB Hastings St FS Gilmore Av Price Range: $10-20+ 1: Poor 2: OK 3: Good 4: Very good 5: Excellent 6: FMF Must Try! Food: 4 Service: n/a Ambiance: 3 Value: 3 Overall: 4 Additional comments: Vietnamese family owned/operated Co-owner also owns Green Lemongrass Restaurant Some Authentic Vietnamese dishes Some Modern Vietnamese dishes Clean/comfortable Neighbourhood favourite Family friendly Vegetarian options Affordable Lunch & dinner menu Wine/beer/cocktails Open Daily: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm **Recommendations: Cassava Fries, Uncle Hing’s Garlic Butter Chicken Wings, Salmon Ceviche, Beef Stew Noodles, Pork Belly and Anise, Curried Chicken Ballotine I was invited to try out the restaurant and I was pleasantly surprised with their lunch menu and actually made plans to go back for dinner on my own. Co-owner Nancy kept emphasizing th