Monday, May 30th - Miura Waffle Milk Bar - Accidental Addiction

Miura's Milk and Waffle Bar

D stumbled upon Miura's by accident whilst I was staying at St. Paul's a few months back.  He would come visit me and our lil dude everyday during his lunch.  Miura's was on his path from work.  We'd actually passed by that block numerous times and not noticed it, probably, because neither of us work in the area and so would not have seen it open.  As you may have read around March, we were exploring the near West End for food options as we were chained to the area for several weeks, so D was intruiged by the Miura's concept. 

Miura's Milk and Waffle Bar - Smokin Hot Waffle Irons on the go!

Funny thing is you wouldn't know what it is just by walking by.  The sign has a little sort of Hello Kitty feel and reads only Waffle and Milk Bar.  If I had seen that, and I think I may have, I would have assumed sweets.  Well, if not for the sandwich board sign on the sidewalk out front, D wouldn't have stoppped.  Miura's has taken the concept of Chicken and Waffles to another level.  They've brought it up to date and added a fusion flare that is very Vancouver.  These airy, crispy, made to order Waffles are the casing to a number of savoury Sandwiches!

Miura's Milk and Waffle Bar - Wasabi Salmon Sandwich

Some of the sandwiches, like my Wasabi Salmon, have the protein cooked right into the waffle.  Then the Waffle is used as bread for the rest of the filling of crisp Romain and a light creamy dressing.  And D's is more of a traditional Hoisin Sandwich, which is a Pork Sausage with Bahn Mi top accompaniments like Radish and Carrots.  D loves this sandwich and has had it a few times now and tries to go by on Wednesdays when it's the special of the day.  He would recommend though that you eat it on site, well all of them, because the waffles don't travel well. 

Miura's Milk and Waffle Bar - Hoisin Pork Sausage Sandwich

O, my sister was visiting this time and we knew she'd love it too, particularly the Korean fusion element.  She ordered the Bulgogi one.  The meat tasted right, and the filling items of Kimchee and Sauce we yummo!  Though, admittedly, it doesn't make a pretty picture :^P

Miura's Milk and Waffle Bar - Bulgogi Kimchee Sandwich

My Wasabi Salmon had a nice kick.  I felt it could have had a touch more Salmon versus the Romaine but I still enjoyed it and would have it again.  I can definitely see how D has become addicted to them and agree that the light crispy waffles should be eaten immediately rather than take away.

Cost: $$
Service: Prompt and friendly
Ambiance: Coffee shop

Miura Waffle Milk Bar

829 Davie Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z
(604) 687-2909
www.miurawafflemilkbar.webs.com

for simple Lunch Fare

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Tuesday, February 1st - Lunch in SOMA - 'Wichcraft - *Yawn*



Vegetarian Avocado and Goat Cheese Sandwich at Wichcraft

 (Jumping back to SFO catch up on my postings)

I am not a big sandwich person when eating out.  D is.  He loves a good sandwich for lunch.  I always think, if I had spent a few minutes in the morning, I could have made myself a sandwich, probably with more cheese, at home for about a 10th of the cost at a cafe.  D thinks it's worth the extra few minutes of sleep not to think about it.  Plus, we don't own a Panini press, which I would love to have actually but he doesn't like unitaskers.  We don't even own a rice cooker if you can believe it!  Me?!  No rice cooker!?  Well, I did manage to slip in a microwave cooker from my London days but I'm pretty sure, if I were to go away for more than a week, it would disappear.

Anyhoo, we were walking around in SOMA after seeing the Wine exhibit in at the MOMA when I hit my wall of walking/need for food.  We happened to be near Macy's at that point and I really hadn't the energy to think of an alternative and I know D and my sister O like Wichcraft.  D tried to get me excited about it by telling me it's owned by Thomas C from Top Chef.  I told him that as I have never seen him cook, but once on the show, his culinary prowess or his sandwich skills were not selling points. 

First thing I noticed on the menu (as I normally do) is that the Combo for Soup and Sandwich is actually not a deal.  So don't order it.  The half Sandwich and bowl of Soup is a better deal for the restaurant.  I'm the Rain-man of dubious combo deals.  Trust me. 

I settled on what sounded like a hearty Vegetarian option of  Avocado, Pesto and Goat Cheese on Multigrain bread.  Appearance wise, it was disappoint on arrival.  It well and truly looked like a sandwich I could have made at home.  It was very tastey and a great combination between the greens, Avo and the soft/sharpness of the Cheese.  That said, it had no real oomph or sparkle.  The bread was so plain and boring.  It definitely looked better on paper.  Nice enough but I won't return.  I did appreciate the free bag of Tim's extra thick chips they throw in because I ordered a Tea. 

D ordered a pressed Pork and Provolone Sandwich.  It was a tad dry and skimpy on the meat.   Usually, when the sandwiches are this, well, run of the mill, it's because it's not the main star.  But ... well, it's in the name, so would have liked a bit more of something.... filling, interesting breads, lush ingredients or sides.  If you go to their website, they show you this luscious and decadent sandwich which is nothing like the ones we had.

I can see it as the yuppie lunch crowd joint.  Yeah. Bright two storey windows. White everything. Lots of seating.  Though, I'd probably have to admit falling into that demographic but it isn't my lunch scene. 

Cost: $$-$$$ (for a sandwich)
Ambiance: Light and airy
Service: Friendly counter service

'Wichcraft

(866) 942-4272
868 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94103
www.wichcraftnyc.com/LH-san-francisco

I would have given it a 3.  D's a 'nicer marker'. :^P

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Saturday, Oct 9th - Agave & Salsa Yaletown - Blah Burritos

Blah Shrimp Burrito from Agave & Salsa, Yaletown

We're prepping the house for alot of visitors so D is going, well, completely overboard on the clean up.  He polished all the bottles in our 'essentials' tray by the stove: Pepper grinder, Salt, Olive Oil.... I mean I did go out of my way to take a rag to the stainless steel  timer but D went back over it with stainless steel polish.  I was exhausted just watching him.  He ran out to run some last minute errands and finished up the cleaning to what I thought were reasonable standards, while watching recordings on the PVR since there is a dearth of good TV on Saturday mornings.  Even the cartoons suck nowadays let alone the reruns on Food.

I hadn't thought too much about lunch.  I had planned on running out for a quick sandwich since we did not want to make a mess of the kitchen before people showed up.  So it was a relief when D came back with the last bits and pieces carrying some take-away burritos from Agave & Salsa from Yaletown.  Normally, I would have preferred he asked me for my order but I was grateful not to have to think at all and just eat.

He ordered me the Shrimp Buritto and he had the Carnitas aka Steak.  D eats lunch there quite often as it's around the corner from his office.  I think he misses the plethora of Burrito offerings in the Bay Area and like me with Sushi has done the rounds for a decent option.  He's settled on Agave as a walking distance option.  He does not care enough for the one on Davie to consider it worth the five block walk.  Believe me, he would make the trek regularly if he did think it yummo enough.  Don't get him started on how much he dislikes Steamers.

I honestly did not see what he thought so praise worthy.  My Shrimp Burrito was not so hot.  He took away little pots of Sourcream and Green Salsa.  The Green Salsa was, well green but had no flavour.  I took out our own store bought green salsa from the fridge.  It still only helped a touch.  The Shrimp Burrito was all Rice and Shrimp.  Granted there was enough Shrimp for there to be Shrimp in nearly every bite but with all that rice, it felt heavy and dry.  Toward the end, there were 3 tiny pieces of diced Tomato but as there were only 3 tiny pieces it seemed as though they had gotten there by accident rather than a deliberate ingredient.  I added loads of Green Sauce to compensate.  I would never order a Burrito there unless I had no other option.  I think given the situation where I wanted a Burrito, I'd go out of my way to go to Budgees.

D on the other hand, insists I write that his Carnitas was as good as any day he goes there for lunch.  His Burrito, as I could see and as he states, was full of Beans, Meat, Rice and other toppings.  He said that he did not order anything specific or different for the two and that that was probably the way they came.  All the more reason never to order a Shrimp Burrito there again. 

Ambience: Lunch counter type place with some cafeteria style seating
Cost: $$-$$$ for lunch

Salsa and Agave Mexican Grill

1223 Pacific Blvd
(604) 408-4228
Vancouver, BC V6Z

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Thursday, Sep 1st - Japadog's new Dog House - Not super Veggie Friendly

Japadog Robson Store

When you read the title of the post, you may be tempted to say 'Duh!'.  But hold on now!  Let me dispell the misconception that Vegetarians cannot appreciate a good Hot Dog.  There is something quite comforting about 'Street Meat' for me.  Toronto, where I grew up, is fantastic for the choice and the ubiquitous Hot Dog stand.  Even in London, UK, they come out of the woodworks after the clubs start to close.  They take it to the next level by frying Onions to lure the teetering patrons over.
In Vancouver, they are quite limited and for a Vegetarian, quite disappointing.  They are Shorter, Skinnier and lacking flavour.  If you are an Omnivore, you know the nice fat Tubes that are at least 3 cm in diameter than the vendors will slice on the bias along the Dog to create more nooks and crannies in which loads condiments can nest.  If you try that on the Vegetarian Dogs in Vancouver, they'd simply fall apart.  They are basically the same ones I could buy myself in the supermarket. 

Even the world renown and much lauded Japadog franchise treats the Vegetarian Option as an after thought.  I could try to convince myself that the Veggie Dog used  to be bigger when I bought them from the Street Stall on Burrard but it might have just been the experience.  If you look at the famous menu with unique and creative fusion of the North American Hot Dog with Japanese flavours and condiments, each has been designed with a particular type Dog inside.  You can request that any of them be served with a Veggie Dog and for those dogs where you are replacing an standard Dog, you will get a close approximation of the intended flavour.  Otherwise, it's a miss.  That makes J sad and makes her buy more Sushi at lunch.  It is so strange they have not considered designing a Vegetarian Dog in a city like Vancouver.  Come on!

I chose the new Robson Store for lunch today.  I don't have to speed walk or cop a squat on the planters in front of the hotel who likes to turn the sprinklers on at lunch to scare Japadoggers away.  I can order and be back at my desk within 15 minutes.  And now that they have a store, they have started offering French Fries or as they call them Shaken Fries.  They offer three types of fries shaken in a paper bag with three types of toppings.  I ordered the Anori (Seaweed).  The other two were Butter and a indeciferable Salt of some sort.  I read the description twice and am not sure if I read a chapter from some Manga cartoon or a TV manual but I do not understand what is on the third.

The Store took nearly a year to complete.  I watched every day as it seemed to near completion and then regress into construction mayhem.  It missed the Olympics entirely and when it finally opened in the spring, it was rather disappointing.  It is small with seating for 5-6 at most.  There is a take out window as well but the same people come inside and order from the same person.  There is alot more room in the kitchen so I reckon the biggest improvement is for the staff.  There is a proper grill and no one is teetering in on a small stool or serving cans of soda from a camping cooler.  One noted improvement is the condiment area.  There is a wide variety lined up and you can top your Dog with extra Mayo, Pickles or Peppers to your heart's content.  But you will still wait in long line ups during the peak meal times.  I mean really, I guess for that end of Robson, it was a much needed dash of variety.  We're just that block too far from Yaletown or Burrard for a quick bite and there is only so often I want Falafel.

One thing that did not change is the staff.  The owner still uses a regular stream of Japanese ESL students.  Be patient.  The staff's knowledge of the English language pretty much extends to the contents of the menu.  They're terribly friendly and want to be helpful but they cannot understand more than the simplest of requests.  Perhaps, that is meant to add to the charm. 

Oroshi Vegetarian Japadog and Anori Shaken Fries

As I mentioned I ordered the Fries.  The offer 'Lunch Combo's with fries and a drink.  I ordered the Oroshi Dog, Anori Fries and a Tea.  The fries are a pathetic little sack.  Really a puny serving considering that the standalone prices is over $2 before tax!  My little combo cost me $8 and I had the least expensive Dog!  You know how much Lunch Sushi I could buy with that? :^P   Seriously, it is quite over priced particularly for the limp, sad, little Vegetarian weiner I got. 

It looked like the sad little kid trembling in line to climb the rope in gym class on the grill next to the plump Berkshire Pork or Bratwurst dogs on the grill next to him.  I have had the Oroshi before and I seem to have forgotten how awful it was and ordered it again.  What was I thinking!?  I remembered the minute I got it but it was too late.  The Dog comes topped with Grated Asian Radish, Scallions and some Soy mixture.  I doused it in Wasabi Mayo and in the end it was the only thing that helped.  The Grated Radish is like chewing on a wet sponge and it falls out as you bite it.  It does not even have the nice spicy kick that Asian Radishes have.  There is also a very unpleasant after effect that I recalled only too late.  Do not plan to spend any time in a crowded place after eating the Oroshi Dog.  You will be volcanic.  Let me leave it there. 

I think the next time I tire of my other options, I might have the Okonomiyaki Dog again.  I like the Bonito Flakes.  Too bad it will still be the same Veggie Dog.  They do sell better and fatter ones even the market!

Cost: $$$ (for a hotdog and fries, FCOL)
Service: Comical and confused
Ambiance: Cute but missed the mark on why people go there.

Japadog (Robson Store)
530 Robson St
Vancouver, BC V6B
(604) 569-1158
http://www.japadog.com/

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Monday, Aug 23 - Confessions of a Sushi addict

Alaska and Salmon & Avocado Roll from Bay Sushi Cafe

I have completely gone over the edge on sushi now.  I knew I was in trouble last week when the girls behind the counter at Bay Sushi recognised me and knew my order.  Over the past couple of weeks, I have had sushi as often as I have been downtown which is half the time.  I cannot seem to get enough.  I always order the Lunch Special #1 to go at Bay.  It's become my default go to because of the proximity.  Lately, possibly because of the rotation and the days I'm downtown, I have had Spicy Tuna each time.  I went off special today, shocking!  That's how I knew I had gone over the edge.  In fact, I blame the HST.

You see, when I first got back from Holiday and I went for sushi, the HST was newly added to my bill.  It pushed my lunch, which had be precariously teetering under 7$ to notably over 7$. At first, I was rather ticked off but sucked it up whilst I wait for the legislation to review the annoying, undemocratic tax for the next 5 years.  I was certainly not going to forego sushi in the meantime and it took me a while to find the one I liked.  So much to the chagrin of anti HST campaigners, I found my lunch time range spreading beyond the 7$ mark and today ordered more.   

Sushi in Vancouver is as ubiquitous as Starbucks in Seattle.  You have to be discerning on the lower end of the scale and try them out or read my recommendations.  I have two favourites in the downtown core: Bay Sushi and Excellent Sushi.  Neither are uber classical and both have their quirks but they are affordable with good quality ingredients and turnover.  I would not go near the ones on Dunsmuir, East of Seymour, blech.  Bay Sushi offers more 'raw fish' whereas Excellent Sushi's lunch staples are the beginner friendly rolls like Dynamite or California. Bay Sushi uses far less rice but so much filling that the rolls don't always close up.  Excellent Sushi is on the stodgy side for rice usage per roll but on the price range, Excellent has everyone in the downtown core beat.

On the other end of the scale, you can revel in the top end because the competition is so fierce and the expectations high.  Ahhhh Sushi haven!

Tuesday, Aug 17th - Bowl of Stars - Concept change to "build your own"

Bowl of Stars Satay Udon

I used to like this place.  It is one of the few places near the office that has lunch priced food with decent options.  The majority of the menu was in Chinese and the English translations were of little help because they did little to distinguish one dish from the next.  Perfect.  You needed the server to explain.  Loved it. They had a great Indonesian style noodle bowl that I ordered a few times. 

Well, while I was away and then not eating out at lunch, they apparently had a flood and closed down for a month.  They re opened recently to a whole new concept. One, I fear, will spell their ultimate demise or unexpected success.  I predict the former.  Instead of the magazine thick menu with photographs and dozen asian styles of dishes, they now have two basic options: Soup Bowl or Stir Fry Bowl. 

Each Bowl costs $5.99 to start.  With a Bowl order you pick your 1. Sauce, 2. Starch from 5 different types of Noodles or Rice and 3. two Protein or Veg ingredients.  The dish comes with some additional Veg, mainly Scallions and Beansprouts added.  It is very precarious to assume that a customer will know if a Korean BBQ sauce should be ordered with Black Fungus and Pork Belly on Udon Noodles is a good choice... or Satay Sauce with Tofu Puffs and Pork Intestines on Rice is a better option. 

I foresee many inconceived concotions being ordered and returned... or worse, forced down for fear of reprisal.  I wish I knew which combination of Noodle, Sauce, Protein to pick to get my original preferred order of Hot Indonesian Noodle soup.  Today, I ordered Udon Noodles in Satay Sauce with Prawn and Tofu Puff.  My colleague chose double Chicken with Curry on Rice.  He chose that because he could not figure out what was meant to go with Chicken.  He came pretty close to ordering Kimchee in there.  I advised him not to. 

The Curry was fairly run of the mill with the odd garnish of Coconut Flakes.  My Satay was INCREDIBLY salty, aka a Black Bean sauce but I did not have the time nor energy to send it back.  The Prawn were in shell.  Not a good work option.  I would never order that again.  I am really disappointed.  What will I do out here in the culinary desert that is Joyce Collingwood?

Cost: $
Ambience: Cafeteria/Coffee shop
Staff: friendly and efficient

Bowl of Stars Cafe
3608 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC V5R
(604) 438-4288

Food

Service

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Sunday, August 15 - Re Bar Modern Food r - Vegetarian Haven

I really like the Old Victoria area.  I dare say I think I like the waterfront more than Vancouver's, as a tourist.  There is alot more activity and points of interest.  And the area which is quite similar to Gastown is 'cleaner' and on the harbour.  In the pedestrian mall near the heart of this area, there are a number of bistro's, pubs and restaurants.  I was thrilled to find, nestled between bangers and mash and steaks, a vegetarian restaurant called ReeBar.

You would not know from the sign or markable notables on the outside that it was a vegetarian restaurant until you read the menu.  Wonderful.   It was lunch time so packed solid.  We stood, not for very long, happy to be in the shade, staring at the tempting baked goods on the counter.

Blue Meanie Smoothie

Reebar, apart from their Vegetarian fayre has a wide selection of fresh Fruit Smooties and Juices and Baked Goods.   I started with the Blue Meanie which was predominantly Blueberries and Grapefruit juice!  Yummo!  And D delighted in the housebrewed, unsweetened Iced Tea.  D laments not being able to find Unsweetened Ice tea anywhere. Pick up any bottle, even the greenest, hippie friendly looking bottle and Sugar will be lined up right behind Water.

Blue Corn Vegetarian Enchiladas with Red Rice

I ordered the Enchiladas that were made of Blue Corn filled with Squash and topped with Pumpkin Seeds. It could have had a bit more heat but thankfully there was hot sauce on the table. It was served with a very tasty and sticky Red Rice.  It was really cool.  The red would normally lead you to believe it was either very spicy or tomato based.  It was neither.   It had a deep smoky chili taste.  And the stickiness reminded me of sweet asian rice but at the same time, it was not gloopie.

Almond Vegetarian Burger

D ordered the Almond Burger. It falls in to my Vegetarian Burger category of Pate.  It had a great texture and did not have a pronounced Almond flavour but it did have a nice nutty quality. It was a tad dry but not unforgivably so. The greatest part of a well made Vegetarian Burger that is low in fat and filler, is that it will keep you going for the WHOLE day.  I mean it is better than an energy bar. 

Baked Good Counter

We couldn't help ourselves from getting a Macaroon on the way out.  Lovely homemade, fluffy yet meaningfull coconuttiness.  MMMMM. If I am ever back in Victoria, I am destined for a re visit.

Cost: $-$$
Ambience: Ecclectic cafe
Staff: Friendly

Re Bar Modern Food

50 Bastion Sq
Victoria, BC V8W 
(250) 361-9223
www.rebarmodernfood.com

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Tuesday, Aug 10th - Green Basil - Thai Food with a Rice-free Noodle option

Thai Spring Roll with Lunch Special

I met up with my University friend J for Lunch.  We've both found ourselves working out in Burnaby again.  Well, she's changed to a new exciting job with the Housing Authority and I am leading a new portfolio with a team out here.  While she is lucky to be across the road from Metrotown, I am in a bit of a desert of culinary options nearer Collingwood. I only get to see J every few months.  She has two kids and a commensurate hectic schedule but we try. 

I have known her for ages back to our over indulgent Engineering school days.  Right after University though, J decided to visit an allergist on a hunch and family history.  I guess we can all identify with gaining he Freshman 15 but J thought it could be more than that.  She discovered she was allergic to Rice, Cheese and all things Fermented.  That meant she could no longer have Wine or Beer, Beer!  I mean we were in Engineering.  And with her partial Italian heritage, it was sad to have to bid adieu to Risotto.  It was a very brief grieving period when she lost well over the Freshman 15 after adjusting her diet.  Yay!

That is all well and good but we both love good food and particularly catching up over it.  That can be difficult in such multicultural city as Vancouver and Greater Vancouver to be restricted from consuming Rice.  Not many asian restaurants have the Egg Noodle option anymore.  Perhaps it's gone out of fashion.  Chinese restaurants are definitely easier for her with Egg and Wheat Noodle options.  Thai is virtually impossible.  All the Thai dishes, Curries or Noodle dishes are Rice based or accompanied.  Therefore, J was clearly thrilled when she followed her new boss into Green Basil to discover that she did not have to sheepishly order something 'safe' to be polite.  On the bottom of the menu, it read Egg Noodle option as well as Vegetarian. 

We both ordered the Jumbo Prawn Phad Thai.  I had the classic Rice Stick noodle and J ordered Egg Noodle.  The lunch specials all come with Soup and Cold Spring Rolls.  I don't eat Chicken and J is allergic so we both passed on the soup and they did not have an alternative.  The Spring Rolls were definitely Rice based and filled with Rice Vermicelli and Basil.  It had a very nice Peanut Dipping sauce and a little fresh vegetable pickle salad on the side.  It would have been nice to be offered a Salad alternative for dietary restrictions for the Soup at least.

Prawn Phad Thai with Rice Noodle or Egg Noodle in the back

The Phad Thai was a bit heavy on the Tamarind paste and therefore a bit too sweet.  Though, I would prefer that to the orangy-ketchup alternative you too too often see in  Thai restaurants that have either substituted Tamarind with the cheaper Ketchup alternative or have just adopted that recipe as a matter of preference.   For lunch, it was a decent portion.  I would have like more vegetables in the mix but there were at least a good number of prawn.  It is a very good Lunch deal and the service was quick enough that you could be back at the office (if you're nearby) in an hour.

Service: Quick
Ambiance: Pleasant, unassuming Thai accents
Lunch: Good list and variety of specials

Green Basil
4623 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC V5H
(604) 439-1919
http://www.greenbasilthai.com/

Food

Lunch Service

June 13th - William's Landing, Gibsons - Wedding Brunch

Who's wedding?  Ours of course.  Well, actually, we were married a couple of months ago in Porto Morelos with our Family and Friends.  As far as we are concerned and our rings as well, that was the day.  That said, the government of Canada would not recognise that so we had to trot down to London Drugs pharmacy's insurance department and buy a license and call up a celebrant from the registry.  Seriously, you can buy a marriage license from the pharmacy.  They have an expiry date as well.  So they are much a kin to milk which you can also by at a pharmacy.  Anyhoo, D is all Quebec liberalism and could do with or without this pomp and circumstance.  I certainly did not need the pomp but I wanted it legit.

To be clear, I am not entirely sure which came first... the Bowen Island sail race or idea of a beach wedding.  Let's not speculate.  It'll just end in frustration and eating an entire tube of pickle chips.  :^0

Luckily, there were two celebrants registered in the area.  I called the one with the more authoritative sounding name. I could not really envision being married by anyone with the name of a family member or say, Lulu or Joey or Benny.  'Who married you? Oh, Toby Smith.' Nope. Can't do it.  No offense.  GS could not have been more BC that he had to hike from the road to the cottage and came in dress shoes with no socks.  Our friends B and H agreed to be our witnesses and have the ceremony on the beach in front of their cottage.  We brought bubbly and a check and there it was.  Our friends, the glory of the surroundings, sounds of B and H's kids playing and us.

What I had not anticipated for our low key day was that lovely H had planned such a lovely brunch.  Originally we had thought... or rather I thought, we departing immediately on the 1pm ferry.  H suggested that perhaps in future we should not let the sailors do all the communication for weekends like this.

I have to say, for a 4 and 6 year olds, little J and K have quite sophisticated tastes.  I do not think I would have liked Caprese Salad at their age.  Well, lil K loves it anyway.  J admits on his own that he is not ready for salads.  He will try to eat his vegetables but something lettuce really turns him off.  Not me!  The big leaves of fresh Basil and Ripe local Cherry Tomatoes were bite sized and kid friendly (no knives) but no break of flavour.  I could eat Caprese any day of the week. 

That was only one piece of the grand spread she put out.  We took the kids out on the canoe and came back to more food than I thought we'd be capable of eating so soon after our Croissants and endless pile of pancakes.  There were Bagels, Whipped Cream Cheese, Capers, Smoked Salmon, Tomato and Avocado slices, Fruit, and Yogurt... oh the Yogurt.  Liberte Citrus Yogurt.  It was like a Creamsicle but healthier.  I am buying that again!

What a day! They are off to a grand sebbatical in France for nearly a year next week but I cannot wait to make it up to them.

April 19th - Cafe Babylon - Stale Turnips

You can smell the Babylon Cafe for four square blocks in the middle of Downtown Vancouver.  You can see the line from a few more than that.  To call it a cafe is a bit of an exaggeration except that I think they sell coffee.  It occupies a space of slightly more than 10 sq ft.  The space that is not occupied by the cooking area and the large counter, is just wide enough for patrons to shimmy along it to select their toppings.

In the UK, these are called Kebab Shops.  They specialise in Falafal Wraps, Chicken and Lamb Gyros/Kebab/Schwarma Wraps. They are insanely popular.  This type of business is so big in Germany, that there is an annual conference of several tens of thousands of shop owners get together.  I do not go that often because I miss the places in Montreal that have the big french fry sized pink-dyed pickled Turnips.  There are few places in Vancouver that have them in the condiment bar.  D said he had a craving for Falafel and talked me into it because the sign outside the Babylon Cafe had the turnips.  In the end, he got a Chicken Kebab and I got a Falafel.  The turnips ended up being stale, shavings rather than fresh fingers.  Blech.  At least they offer 3 plump Falafel balls.  Some of the guys down Granville have small dry balls and Nuba down on Davie only gives 2.

They have a fair selection of toppings and are very efficient in loading and wrapping.  They only do wraps, no plates.  They have to be efficient.  The line snakes down the block every day.  The Falafel itself had good flavour, on the dry side but held together.  The peppers, and vegetables were good but those stale Turnips were just sour note.  They did not even originally put them on. I had to ask.  Wish I had not.  D liked his Chicken.  Moist and good flavour and quite loaded.  I thought most of the meat looked over cooked, particularly the lamb.

Chicken Schwarma

 Falafel Wrap with Stale Turnips

Cost: $ (6-8 bux)
Ambiance: Ambi-what?  It is a closet.
Staff: Curt and all about the throughput. If you have a special ask, make it fast.
Location: smack dab in the middle of downtown shopping district.

Babylon Cafe

105-1610
Robson Street
Vancouver
(604) 568-6324

Maybe a Two Maple at most. If you want lots of Chicken or Lamb, go fer it but the stale turnips left me ...well, stale. 

April 12th - Excellent Sushi - Good "Go-To" Sushi for Lunch Downtown

Excellent Sushi is on Granville near Davie so it is a bit of a hike from work.  On nicer days or less busy days, I do not mind the speedwalk to pick it up.  I call ahead to reduce the wait.  It can be very slow.  I have made the mistake of ordering on arrival and waited for a long time.  Bizarre as well, the place will be virtually empty and everyone seems to be waiting. You gotta wonder why they have so many seats when they cannot handle a handful of seated guests and take away.  Perhaps it is all the call in orders.  However, it is cheaper yet without sacrificing the quality like other places like on Dunsmuir, blech.  Plus they give you Miso soup with the Sushi combos.  For 6 bucks, it is the best deal downtown.

That said, it is a total cafeteria style restaurant.  You are not coming for the decor or ambiance.  The staff is friendly and there is a steady stream of regulars.  For a while, the waitress were different everytime I went but recently, it has been the same dude.  I am guessing the owner uses Japanese English Language students like Japadog.  Actually, today, I noticed, that he finally hired some kitchen help too.  There was a new older man on the sushi counter.  I have not tried the other non sushi dishes but I hear the microwave door too frequently back in the kitchen and I hate, hate, hate that noise in a restaurant.  They do their sushi well and I'll stick to that.  Their tempura Yam and Prawn in their rolls is fresh, not nuked so I'm good.  I know you are meant to judge a sushi chef by his Tamago (or Omlette) but in these mainstream places, I think you can best judge by their Yam Roll: Is the Yam cooked through? Is the tempura oily? Has the Yam been soaked through because it has been sitting around?  Is it cold in the middle?  I have seen examples of these in a few of  the places in the downtown area.

I always get the Daily Special to go.  It is a 22 piece Sushi Box that includes 8 pieces of  Tuna roll and then your choice of BC, California or Dynamite and your choice of  Tofu or Yam Roll.  Their California is fairly standard, good, but standard.  Their BC roll is a bit oily but at least it actually has the Salmon Skin and not just chopped salmon.  Their Dynamite is my preference, partly because they do it well and partly because it is a premium roll in most of the places around here. 

One downside is that some of their rolls are very 'ricey'.  Whereas my other 'go-to' place, Bay Sushi Cafe, has so much filling that the rice does not close up,(which is bad form), Excellent can have a tad too much rice.  Sometimes, I peel some of the rice away and leave it because it is too much for lunch.  Today though, it was not too ricey.  It must be the new guy that is the difference here.  I also really like the little bowl of Miso.  I mean it costs nothing for them and it makes a difference to me :)  Just be sure to call your order ahead!

Cost: $
Ambiance: Cafeteria / Dive
Staff: Friendly but slow service
Location: Granville and Davie, downtown

Excellent Sushi
1157 Granville St
Vancouver, BC V6Z
(604) 687-0038

for easy, tasty, affordable sushi

BUT

for dining experience, efficiency of kitchen and over use of microwave