Vancouver Day 4: Tourists for the Day

When Mack and Dickson booked their flight for this trip using Air Miles, their choice of return flights were slim. So between late Saturday and early Monday departures, they selected the latter. So I may ultimately have to thank Air Miles for their indirect provision of Sunday as my day to play tourist.

I had in mind weeks earlier that the only thing I wanted to do in Vancouver was to dine at Feenie’s (2563 West Broadway). As I could not possibly afford the expense of Rob Feenie’s other restaurant, Lumiere, it seemed its more casual neighbour was the economical compromise.

I made brunch reservations for us a week earlier (keeping in mind that by the day of the conference on Friday, we had a place to eat on Sunday but no place to sleep). If you know me well, you’ll know that I managed to build up a set of monumental expectations in the time in between. Well, in all honesty, I wasn’t shattered by disappointment, but I wasn’t floored either.

Feenie’s is separated into three dining spaces: a bar area; a sequestered, almost private dining room in the back; and a windowed main room where we were seated. I felt a bit claustrophobic actually, as we were mere inches from the next table. Secondly, this is my personal bias and connotation of the meaning of brunch, but sunshine is part and parcel of my favorite meal. This day offered quintessential Vancouver grey, and is one of the reasons Feenie’s didn’t shine for me.

Dickson and I both opted for the Omelete (which for that day included red – not green – onion and mozzarella), while Mack and Megan selected the Croque Madame, and Megan’s friend Kelsey ordered the Granola.

While the presentation of all three dishes was clean and with good color, the quality of the food left something to be desired. Dickson disputes this, but I found the egg far too runny, though we both agreed the portion size was much too small. Mack surprised me, and out of all of us, seemed to enjoy the restaurant the most, even offering his opinion that the accompanying salad was meant to be a “palette cleanser” of sorts (we will make an epicurean of him yet, methinks). He was, however, quite upset with the fact that coffee cost $4, the price of which we weren’t aware of beforehand.

Feenie’s at last!

Our dining area

Omelete

Croque Madame

Granola

All smiles

Megan, Kelsey and I were pretty excited about Cupcakes (2887 West Broadway), located just a few blocks down from Feenie’s. So after brunch, despite the rain, we trekked onward. Surrounded by pink, the shop was everything you’d expect from a cupcake bakery. I found they had an even better selection than Buttercream Bakeshoppe in Calgary or the Cupcake Bakeshoppe in Edmonton, with the option for mini ‘cakes, which were great for sampling.

Having tried cupcakes from the three major western cities in Canada, I have to say Cupcakes takes the cake – I didn’t even mind the buttercream frosting. So if you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit!

We found it!

Cupcakes galore

Kelsey with menu

Yum!

Our stash

Is it just a coincidence the cupcake is called “Sweet Sixteen”?

I’ve seen this picture countless times, and it still makes me laugh every time…

Mack, Dickson and I parted from Megan & Kelsey (Megan was scheduled to leave that evening), and took the bus downtown, passing up both the Vancouver Art Gallery, and a movie at the nearby Paramount Theatre. We ended up chilling at Blenz, where Mack, ever the blogger, took advantage of their free wireless internet. The “London Fog Tea Latte” I had was a soothing alternative to coffee – a light tasting steamed milk/Earl Grey blend. After days of being on the go, it was nice to be able to just sit and people watch for a while, without having to be conscious of time.

The Robson Rush

Dickson looking suspiciously at Mack

Quick ‘Snack at Tiffany’s’

In my continuous quest to see and do as the locals do, I had picked up one of the Vancouver equivalents to Edmonton’s See and Vue Magazines, The Georgia Straight. In it I saw an ad for an annual festival called Winterruption on Granville Island. The program brochure online listed numerous free events, so I thought it would be the perfect outlet to play tourist.

Entering Granville Island

Boats

This was my first time on Granville “Island,” surprising especially because the area is extremely tourist-oriented, with gift shops and information booths at every turn. The mini-harbor was beautiful at dusk, with docked boats and glassy condos completing the picturesque feeling.

Mack & Dickson on the “harbor”

Not minding the paparazzi

The Public Market was amazing – had we stayed in Vancouver longer, I would have definitely purchased a few bags of groceries to cook with.

Fresh produce

Novel pasta

Amazing seafood (and I despise seafood)

Thumbing through the Winterruption brochure, I came across a free jazz concert featuring the Amina Figarova Sextet. In hindsight, we shouldn’t have sat so close to stage (second row), as the trumpet especially was awfully loud. But other than that, it was quite enjoyable. Though yes, there was a movement during the September Suite where I realized a caffeinated drink at Blenz would have been a good idea.

After the concert, we were right on time to watch the Fire Show performance outside. It was brief but entertaining (though that could be the kerosene fumes talking). Under the twinkly lights of the decorated crane, breathing in the crisp-not-cold air, I couldn’t have been a happier tourist.

Fire Show (Mack’s shot)

For dinner, we selected the waterfront restaurant Bridges (1696 Duranleau Street). Though our dining companion Robert claimed that Bridges was at its best in patio weather, I thought the glass enclosed bistro was a wonderful bookend to a fabulous day. Classy, chic, and boasting a menu with many excellent non-seafood choices, it was my favorite Vancouver dining experience thus far. I ordered the Asiago, Mozzarella & Parmesan Pizza, served with Tomato and Basil. Delightfully thin and crispy (the product of a pizza stone), it was the best pizza I’ve had in recent memory.

Bridges (a beautiful shot by Mack)

Corner view

Mack & I

My pizza (which Mack ordered as well)

Dickson’s stir-fried rice

With that, and an 8am flight the next morning, my abbreviated vacation came to a close. While I will long for Vancouver’s trenchcoat weather, I will always be thankful for friends who are there to remind me to get off the bus. It was a blast guys! Thanks!

Vancouver Day 2: Northern Voice Moosecamp

Early Friday morning, the four of us walked to the nearby Forest Sciences Centre for the “unconference” portion of Northern Voice called “Moosecamp.”

The facility is new, and as with all things sparkly, becomes an object of envy to those who know what it’s like with the Silverfish in CAB or the bunkers in the basement of Tory Lecture. The atrium in particular was breathtaking. Still, with the number of skylights in the common area, I was hoping for windows in the actual classrooms where the sessions took place.

Forest Sciences Centre atrium

The best thing about UBC – Starbucks right on campus!

Moosecamp by nature is ad hoc – topics are driven by attendee interest as garnered from the wiki on the website. When we arrived that day, organizers were putting the finishing touches on the day’s schedule. Although each presenter was given 30 seconds to pitch their session to the group, it was barely audible above the rustle and bustle of opening day excitement. So without a laptop, I had to select sessions blindly, as the descriptions were available only on the wiki, and some with limited detail. Perhaps I’m more traditional that way, but it was too last minute and chaotic for my taste.

Moosecamp schedule

At times, I felt like part of a cattle herd (or a moose herd?). The schedule only had one scheduled break besides the brief 45 minute lunch period, making it virtually impossible to digest the information discussed, get a coffee, or congregate. It made the day drag, and without a constant supply of caffeine, really uncomfortable.

At times, I did feel out of place. Nothing was deliberately exclusive (besides my inability to get online), but between acronym city, a fluency in the proliferation of Web 2.0 companies and services, code, and the incestuous network of attendees and presenters, it was a little overwhelming to say the least.

There were a few bright spots in the day, including two sessions I sat in on in the morning. The first was easily the most accessible to me, and focused on social media’s effects on cultural diaspora. The majority of the time was taken up by personal stories of roots, ethnic identities, community belonging, and increased engagement due to social networking. It reminded me of my English 363 class with this discourse on post-modern lines of thought regarding the fluid nature of identity.

Looking engaged (photo by Kris Krug)

The second session pulled some themes from the previous one, but instead of cultural groups, centred on online communities, in particular, how “communities” are defined (e.g. is active participation necessary? Consensus? Discussion?). Dickson didn’t enjoy this as much as I did, and though I agree that the topic was never fully dissected, and mainly talked around, I still marveled at the fact that everyone was so willing to contribute their thoughts on the matter. And really, the keyword record on the blackboard was pretty cool:

An observation from Moosecamp: multitasking, or multidistracting, which is rude in any other context is not only accepted, but encouraged. People were simultaneously blogging, e-mailing, IM-ing, uploading, and performing other computer-related activities during the presentation. Not doing so, or engaging only in active listening seems to become a sign of disrespect in some way.

By the end of the day, after yes, a session called “Mac Programming for Mortals,” and a “Geowalk” hour minus the “walking” part, I was ready to ship out. Megan felt the pain as well.

Not impressed

Thankfully, it was time for food. The Village (about a 5 minute walk from Triumf), had several non-chain restaurants we ended up sampling over the next few days. A Chinese eatery, University Village Restaurant (5778 University Boulevard), was the first.

We ordered the combination dinner for 3-4, and as you’ll see below, involved quite a bit of food. The meal was nothing exceptional, but because the pictures turned out well, that alone makes them worth posting:

BBQ Pork Fried Rice

Beef Chop Suey

Pineapple Sweet & Sour Pork
Almond Chicken

“Look Mom, I can use chopsticks!”

Next up: Northern Voice proper.

Vancouver Day 1: Getting Settled

As most of my faithful readers know, I went to Vancouver with a few friends this weekend, primarily to attend a blogging conference. Fortunately, we also had spare time to wander around and appease the perpetual tourist in me.

Mack, Dickson and I left Edmonton early Thursday morning, and with the time change, arrived in Vancouver before 11am. We then headed to the Trimf House on the UBC campus to check in. Although they didn’t have hairdryers available as claimed on the website, the accommodations were comfortable enough, with an expansive communal kitchen, coffee machine, and of course, wireless internet access. One inconvenience, however, was the fact that reception staff were only on hand Monday to Friday, so bookings and payments had to be made in advance. Moreover, it turns out they had a policy of not cleaning “occupied rooms” on weekends.

Guest room

Lounge area

Kitchen

After dropping our bags off, we took the bus to downtown Vancouver to have lunch. We ended up in the food court of Pacific Centre.

Enjoying my Pad Thai from Thai Express (where Mandarin seems to be the language of choice)

“Who are you looking at?”

While the boys took care of something, I wandered around Robson Street. Surprisingly enough, I didn’t end up buying anything (that day or any day). But I more than took care of a lack of material purchases in culinary expenses. For example, I finally indulged in something I didn’t get to do in Toronto – buying a hot dog from a street vendor. I must say, the vendor parked on the southeast corner of Burrard and Robson was exceptionally friendly, so much so that he must garner repeat business from regulars (or even tourists – Dickson ended up at the stand two days later). And yes, the ‘dog was worth all $3.50.

Assorted condiments

Later that night, we met up with Mack’s sister Kimmi and two of her friends for dinner. Swayed by a man in a toga offering a free appetizer, we chose to eat at Kalypso Restaurant & Ouzeria (200, 1025 Robson Street). I ordered the Lamb Souvlaki, and was pleasantly surprised that the meat had already been removed off of the stick (it may be less authentic, but perfect for those who don’t like to eat with their hands). While the lamb was tender, and grilled to medium rare as requested, the pieces also contained a lot of fat. Also, the “free appetizer” was misleading, as to eat the Hummus and/or Tzatziki, a few paid orders of bread were needed.

Dining room

Lamb Souvlaki (with rice pilaf, potatoes, and tzatziki)

Dickson, Mack & I

Before heading back to Triumf, Kimmi brought us to the controversial 2010 Olympic Countdown clock located near the Vancouver Art Gallery. To protect the timepiece from damage, the city has arranged for 24-hour security. Indeed, there was a yellow-jacketed guard next to the clock during our visit.

1085 days to go…

We returned to Triumf and waited for Megan to arrive. She ended up waiting at the Edmonton International for several hours, without apology from WestJet for the delayed takeoff. Thankfully, she arrived in one piece, and we tried to get some sleep in preparation for the headache called “Moosecamp.”

“Is it dark enough yet?”: Café Select

Before an 8pm curtain, May and I ducked into the downtown Café Select (10018-106 Street) for dinner. I went to the southside location for brunch on Mother’s Day last year, and wasn’t that impressed – while the restaurant had great ambiance, the wait for food was lengthy, and the portions were small. I was hoping dinner would change my impression of the eatery.

The dining room had the flavor of an upscale European bistro with gorgeous furniture (high-back leather chairs are a personal weakness of mine). However, the design of the space itself was slightly awkward, with an odd partition that ran down the middle of the room, and nooks and crannies that must have made it difficult for waiters operating on line-of-sight visibility to provide timely service.

The menu was impressively extensive (something I don’t smile upon in every instance, but with enough edible variety, I couldn’t complain). Though it was touch and go there for a while, in the end, nothing was standing between me and good old comfort food, which today manifested itself as a burger and fries (their version served with Coca Cola barbeque sauce).

It’s really a shame the cooks thought I had ordered a side of grease to go with my meal, because it would have been a great burger otherwise (the smoked apple cheddar was heavenly). The Coke sauce strangely tasted like anything but.

For some reason, the staff deemed it necessary to dim the lights twice! I felt like Steve in that episode of Sex and the City, where a candle was necessary to read the menu. In this case, I felt the reasoning behind dining ‘al darko’ could have been their desire to disguise the glistening on my plate.

Still, with the most polite (albeit softspoken) waiter I’ve come across in a while, and a Sangria that just about knocked me off of my feet (just ask May), I wouldn’t mind returning again to try the dishes I passed on this first time.

Casual Elegance: Murrieta’s West Coast Grill

It’s no secret that I love brunch, so it’s probably a blessing in disguise that such meal selections are relegated to weekends only, as I’d likely be unable to resist eating out more often otherwise. And really, the food served at brunch isn’t that economical, as most of the dishes can be prepared for much less at home. Still, there’s nothing better than good conversation over a hot cup of coffee in a well-lit, buzzing dining room on a weekend morning.

When May and I decided to indulge in a late breakfast before a matinee on Whyte Ave, I jumped at her suggestion of Murrieta’s West Coast Grill (10612-82 Avenue). I had heard many positive reviews of this restaurant, and thought it was time I experienced it on my own accord.

The hostess led us into a bright dining area, lit by a wall of windows on the right side. With high ceilings, hardwood floor, and a beautiful upstanding wine cabinet, the room exuded a clean elegance. The tables were immaculate with crisp white linens, though I did find it curious that they chose a blue checkered cloth to accent the setting, as the pattern countered the rest of the chic decor.

Although we were given the option of ordering from the regular lunch menu, of course, we decided to choose a more conventional brunch dish instead. I went with the Cinnamon French Toast served with Berry Compote and Lemon Sorbet, while May opted for the Eggs Benedict with Salmon and Asaparagus.

The plating was beautiful – great color and overall presentation. We were both hoping for a bigger portion, but our selections were delicious – the lemon sorbet in particular was an interesting substitute for the whipped cream normally found atop French Toast.

Though the service throughout our meal wasn’t spectacular (our server didn’t split the bill as requested, and only refilled coffee when prompted to), we ended off with a nice surprise – a written Chinese New Year wish at the top of our receipt accompanied by a Red Pocket! Our server was of Asian descent, and though I’m sure we were targeted because we look Chinese, it was a gesture that obviously required some prior preparation. It was definitely a special touch that made our experience that much more memorable.

Murrieta’s – a noteworthy destination for brunch.

Dining room

Dining by the fire

Coffee Fixtures

Eggs Benedict with Salmon and Asparagus

French Toast with Berry Compote and Lemon Sorbet

Quaint but Mild: 9th Street Bistro

Dickson and I went to 9th Street Bistro (9910-109 Street) for dinner last night. About two blocks from my place of work, it was a rather chilly walk with the wind, but we made it. I’ve eaten at 9th Street on occasion with my workmates, but never for supper.

Reminiscent of Rice Howard Way’s Bistro Praha, the decor was old world European – the faded wallpaper, aged wooden tables, and direct but dim pendant lighting created an intimate atmosphere. The menu boasted many mature and healthy selections, but Dickson and I both opted for the day’s Quiche Lorraine with a side of fries, and a plate of Fried Zucchini to share.

There were only two other tables, so the food was naturally prompt. The Zucchini was quite good – tender and crisp, the fried morsels made a surprisingly nice appetizer. As for the Quiche – instead of combining the egg with the filling, the cooks layered the swiss and ham on the bottom crust, poured the egg on top, and baked it as is. The result was a dense, heavy layer of egg comparable to a custard. I didn’t mind it so much (though I now know how much difference parmesan or asiago cheese can make in flavoring baked egg) but Dickson was disappointed, much preferring Urban Diner’s version.

So though the restaurant itself is charming in an inoffensive kind of way, I think we may have to shop around some more to find a Quiche we can agree on.

Fried Zucchini

Quiche Lorraine with Fries

Culinary Q & A with Janice

Occupation: Pharmacy Resident/Pharmacist

What did you eat today?

Dim sum at Golden Rice Bowl

What do you never eat?

Lamb

What is your personal specialty?

Banana bread (I know, it wouldn’t make a meal, but it’s sort of my specialty in terms of baking!)

What is your favorite kitchen item?

Spatula (also a must have utensil for pharmacists, haha)

World ends tomorrow. Describe your last meal.

Mostly Japanese meal: I’d start with some beef tataki or baked oysters, then fill up on sashimi (mostly salmon) and spicy tuna maki. For dessert, I’d want a warm chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream 🙂

Where do you eat out most frequently?

Moxie’s (I didn’t count Chinese restaurants cuz I mostly go to those with family for the sake of convenience/not wanting to cook rather than actually choosing a place to go to for a meal)

What’s the best place to eat in Edmonton?

Well, I can’t say I’ve tried every place in Edmonton, but I think Manor Cafe is a pretty nice place to eat.

If you weren’t limited by geography, where and what would you eat?

I think I’d fly to Hong Kong and eat my heart out! I’d eat everything that I can’t eat here (especially the foods that I miss…too many of them to list) and then some 😛

Not Quite Like Grandma’s: Sicilian Pasta Kitchen

After the movie, both Janice and I were craving pasta (Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore were shown cooking and eating pasta dishes throughout the movie). We tried to come up with a non-South Edmonton Common eatery that offered Italian cuisine, and she suggested Sicilian Pasta Kitchen (805 Saddleback Road) on the south side, something I didn’t know existed.

I had been to the downtown location before, and was fairly happy with their food and service. Janice said this neighborhood version was more casual and family-oriented than its central sister. She was right – the decor substituted dark wood for hand-painted murals, tiled countertops, and carpet. What was disconcerting, and not exactly suitable for Grandma’s kitchen was the hostess – she couldn’t have been older than 15, and was wearing a skirt and top more appropriate for a twenty-something bar patron than a greeter in a supposedly homey restaurant.

Thankfully, our waitress was properly attired. I ordered the Sacchetti Polo (satchels of chicken served with spicy ham and a garlic cream sauce), while Janice opted for the half and half pasta plate special (a novel idea, and great for sampling).

The portion size was fairly generous, but even now, I couldn’t tell you what was actually contained in the satchels. Not quite chicken, and with hints of green, it tasted more like mashed potatoes mixed with spinach. Though I appreciated the crunch provided by sliced green beans, I found both the ham and the sauce to be rather bland. The dish reminded me of something the inexpensive Fiore would serve, and I expected more from Sicilian’s pasta menu.

With decent service, and a quiet venue for conversation, I wouldn’t be averse to returning again, but I’d likely order their thin crust pizzas the next time around.

Sacchetti Polo

New York Style: Caffè Sorrentino

After lunch, May, Janice and I looked to unwind in a coffee shop, and stumbled upon Caffè Sorrentino (10665-109 Street).

Recently opened by Sorrentino’s, purveyors of fine Italian Dining in Alberta, the coffee shop exuded a New York flavor. The black, white and red color scheme was offset by clear light fixtures and stainless steel tables, creating a chic and sophisticated feel. A flat screen television was installed near the coffee bar, where many patrons were situated, fixating on the broadcasted Oilers game. Their menu is very similar to that of Zenari’s in Manulife Place – in addition to the typical coffee break fare, they also offer soups, paninis and pastas. But bonus – they also carry Fantasia Gelato, the must-have treat at Heritage Days. And for those who need an easy-to-make dinner, Caffè Sorrentino stocks convenient, take-home versions of their popular pastas and sauces (I myself wouldn’t mind trying their wild mushroom ravioli).

While I didn’t have the appetite to have anything besides a cookie and a cup of Tazo tea this time, I will be back to sample their Italian plates soon.

Counter

Cafe interior

Table with a view

Unusual napkin holder and mug

Western Sensibilities: Thanh Thanh Oriental Noodle House

After the ceremony, Janice and I accompanied May and her family for lunch. We decided on Thanh Thanh (10718-101 Street), a newly renovated Vietnamese restaurant at Janice’s suggestion.

Just outside of Chinatown, Thanh Thanh offers free parking, always a plus for eateries in the downtown core. The decor is impressively chic – tile floors, brown suede banquets, simple black tables, mirrors to create the illusion of space, and a clean tank filled with blood parrots. While this was my first time at the restaurant, I’m certain the changes have much improved the dining space.

I was surprised at how busy the place was, at noon on a random Saturday. By the time we left over an hour later, there was actually a wait for tables. We ordered a few dishes to share, including hot and sour soup, cashew chicken, beef, chicken and vegetable chow fun, and a sizzling beef and mushroom plate.

The food arrived in no time. Hot, fresh, and of reasonable quality, I was very happy with my experience. I’ll be certain to try their pho in the future.

With large portions and fast service, I can see why Thanh Thanh has become a lunch and dinner destination for those in the know.

Blood Parrots!