Mar 18th - Olympic Sledge Hockey Semi Finals and BAD Chinese at Yi Kou Xiang

Olympic Semi-Final Sledge Hockey - Norway v USA

GREAZZZY bad Chinese from Yi Kou Xiang

We went to see an Olympic Sledge Hockey game last night. It was a Semi-Final game between USA and Norway. Our friend D had bought them off Craigslist but could not use them. I had not planned on seeing a match but definitely wanted to see one. I had hoped to see a Canadian match but some of the key matches were in the middle of the day and at work right now, not a possibility. So even though, I would not have sought out to see this match up, I am so happy I went.

What I am not happy with was what I chose to do for supper. It was hands down, no other way to describe it, DISGUSTING. It was the Food Fair in the little UBC village on University Boulevard near Westbrook Mall. It is in the basement of the small plaza there. There are about 10 stalls or food-court, styled restaurants who serve entrees at about the 8$ mark. Largely Asian, there was a curry place and a Soup and Bakery.

There are proper restaurants and sit down fast food joints upstairs but we were running late for the game as it was. Clearly the food fair is targeted at fiscally strapped students, that said, this is not what I would want my hardworking, growing child to be eating. I do not know why I remember it differently. I think it was because of the situation. I used to go eat there after a 2-3 hour rugby practice or ultimate game in the cold. I came to an epiphany during the second season, lying in slushy gravel during a rucking exercise, that I was too old to be spending my 'free time' being yelled at and tackled in the winter. Rugby is in the summer in the East. Add to that, having to suffer through GREAZZZZY Chinese food in the UBC Food Fair, I was done with it.

I chose the Chinese over in the far end. The food looked the freshest of all the chafing trays I took a peek at. I couldn't be more wrong. It was either newly out of the fridge or just plain cold. I had Szechuan Eggplant, Shrimp and Celery on large Shanghai style noodles. Really really really bad. The eggplant was COLD. It looked new, like no one had been served any yet but it was cold. As well the sauce had no flavour other than oil. I normally love Szechuan Eggplant but this was GROSS. It was so oil that there was a puddle of it on the bottom of the plate. The Shrimp and Celery was simply that. Shrimp and Celery fried in a bit of peanut oil. It too was oily but not as bad as the eggplant. I picked at most of that. The noodles were under done and cold as well. WTF? How hard is it to properly cook noodles? I left more than half my plate which, knowing me, is saying something. D had the same noodles and some Kung Pow Chicken, that's all. He did not want to go near anything else. The chicken was tough and not spicy at all. He was hungry though so he ate his noodles. The best thing about this night's dinner was the big soft, over-priced Pretzel I got at the hockey arena and even then, the thing was CAKED with too much salt. All this to avoid having to have arena nachos for dinner. In the end, what I had was much much worse. The arena's security was not like the Olympic venues a couple of weeks ago. I could easily have brought a sandwich or food with me.
Cost: $
Ambiance: Food court
Location: UBC/Point Grey
Cleanliness: chaffing trays could NOT have been to code!!!!
Summary: Unless you are starving, eat McDonalds, it will be healthier!!!!

Yi Kou Xiang5728 University Blvd
Vancouver, BC V6T1K6
(Food Fair in UBC village)

Back to the game. This may sound so much like every self-help book motivation tag line but it is worth saying. I was truly inspired by those men. They embodied the spirit of the idea that we are our own only limitation. There were real heroes on the ice. Men without the use of or without legs at all, were moving faster across that ice on one small blade than some can do on two feet in skates. The power, grace and agility demonstrated was mind blowing. I mean, it was FULL CONTACT. I had not anticipated that. I know it is hockey but do not know why I had not thought there would not be body checks, elbowing, and smashing into boards. I was very surprised to see that the blade is only under the seat. The rest of the sledge is suspended. I cannot fathom the core strength it takes to do that!

On a humorous note, I had the great misfortune to have to sit next to a French journalist give the most inane interview I have ever heard in my life. They were sitting on the stairs next to my seat for the whole of the second and third periods!!!! The French journalist was interviewing who I think was the girlfriend of one of the USA players. Here were some of the best of the worst interview questions of all time (bear in mind, this was an interview regarding a paralympic athlete).

1. What can he not do that you like to do? (WTF!??) Answer: (I cannot believe she answered) Jogging. Rebut: What is jogging?

2. Does he wear shorts in the summer? Does he mind showing his legs?

3. Does he like to score? Has he scored yet? (The three scoreboards read 0-0)

As a I normally do, I was naturally drawn to cheer for the underdog. I really would like to have seen Norway win. Over the tournament, they have scored only 4 goals whereas the USA had 14 and Cash, the Goalie had a tournament shutout. Alas, the USA won and will be proceeding to the Finals against Japan. Japan beat Canada earlier in the day in what was quite a bit upset. Even the Japanese coach said that his team could not have beaten the Canadians on any other day. Lucky for them, they only needed to do it today. Canada has won the gold for the last two Paralympics in Sledge Hockey. They will now play Norway for the Bronze. Go Canada! Go!

Mar 11th - Catch-up - Jan 30th - Scotch Pancakes with Carmelised Bananas

Tonight is a catch up as I went to a charity fundraiser at the Four Seasons for the Minerva Foundation, www.theminervafoundation.com. It is a foundation that helps women and girl all around Canada with business consultation, loans, scholarships and coaching. I have been to or volunteered at this 'All About Girlfriends' event for years. It has gotten to be tighter and tigher run event. Almost all the silent auction lots went for more than value. Only a few years ago, I would say half of the lots went far below value which is a shame both for the donars and the foundation. Four Seasons is a fantastic venue for such events and their selection of appetisers and tipples are wonderful. I have been here for other fundraisers including the BC Children's Hospital Crystal Ball and it was stunning. I did win a wonder auction lot there of a weekend in Whistler and an enormous Rocky Mountain chocolate basket that lasted months. I would recommend it as a venue for any event.

I was a tad late though as I had to go past the Robson Square on the way and I knew the torch was on approach and the final carrier to the mini cauldron was Roberto Luongo of the Gold Medal Canadian Men's Olympic Hockey team. Woooo, I mean Luuuuuu! I thought I was being so clever standing near the cauldron but as I was behind the rope and many very tall media, I saw very little. I should have stood out on the sidewalk about and at least I would have seen him run by.

Scotch pancakes are a cross between fluffy North American pancakes and French crepes. In the UK their pancakes are generally of this flatter kin. You can roll them like crepes but they have some bubbly texture like pancakes. Though unlike both their cousins, they're slightly chewier. I used to love getting them fresh and premade in the bread aisle as you would soft tortilla wraps. Like crepes, they're lighter and I can easily eat half a dozen. I'm usually sick of regular pancakes after two even really nice ones. Far too cakey for me. So these are a great compromise.

Scotch Pancakes

1/2 c flour
1/4 c rye flour (or buckwheat)
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 t salt
1/8 c buttermilk (or 1/8c regular milk with 1 t lemon juice)
1/8 c cold water
2 large eggs, beaten
vegetable oil to fry

Whisk all the ingredients together except the oil. The batter will be a loose creamy consistency. If too thick, thin out with milk or water. Heat a non stick pan on medium heat and add a bare 1/2 t of oil. Ladel in about 1/4 c into the pan and swirl around to spread slightly. It will cook faster than a crepe. When the top starts to bubble or doesn't glisten anymore and seams more solid, flip. It should be a light golden colour.

Keep warm in the oven or eat as you go. That's what we do. Eat with Maple syrup, jam or nutella. Or as I did, slice a banana. Heat 2T sugar in a small non stick pan until it melts. Do not stir or move the pan. Just let it go. When it's melted you can move the pan. When it turns slightly golden, add 2T butter and the bananas.. Toss to coat. Add a 1/2 T rum or kalhua.

Feb 28th - Gold Medal Hockey Brunch at Moxies West-End

I keep thinking I'll grow up. One day, I just may entirely lose my sense of humour and playfulness and do that. I just hope it's not anyday soon. After only 6 hours of sleep, I woke up at 8am on a Sunday to stand in line at a bar so that we could have seats to watch a hockey game at noon. Really.

My friend P texted me that we had all finally agreed on the West End so we could be downtown after the game. Since B and V were in the West End, they could easily fall out of bed and go line up somewhere. We had originally planned for the Score but I texted B at 9 while I was enroute and she had said the line was already outrageous. I saw a couple of places on my way but they were on the south side of the bridge. B and V checked out Yaletown and they decided to go back the West End. After a few hems and haws, we landed in Moxies on Davie near Thurlow. There was only a bitty line. B and V were able to snag a small table in front of the TV in the lounge side. It had a fireplace and a decent flat screen. The bar side was already full and the line outside was growing.

Since we were there early, we ordered brunch. The wait staff were well aware that everyone in the house was in for the long haul. Sunday's specials on drinks were the Caesars. Actually, they are in a few places in Vancouver, oddly enough. I ordered the Crab and Scallop Cake Eggs Benedict. Everyone had a variety of scrambles, sausages, eggs and so forth.

M, late arriver, next to me had regular Benedict, B & V had a Meditarranean Vegetable Scramble with Feta. The scramble came in a cute mini skillet with hasbrowns and toast. B and V ordered the same thing but they certainly did not receive the same thing. V's portion was at least 25% bigger and poor B didn't get any feta on top. How weird is that!? The hash was undercooked all around but they're probably not used to the number of people they saw this day. The regular benedict looked rather sad. Instead of an english muffin, they used VERY thinly cut baguette.

Mine was okay. It could have been great but it was a tad salty. The eggs were cooked perfectly with slightly runny yolks. YUMMO! They sat a top small, egg sized crab and scallop cakes. It was full of real crabmeat. Nice portion and well cooked. Actually, the cakes were the only salt issue. That sat on top of the paper thin baguette slice. Over it all was a lovely hollandaise sauce which had a slight curry flavour to it. I'm not sure if it was for my dish and the crab cakes which had a bit of spice and coconut flavour. Eitherway, it was great without being oily or heavy. I would order it again if I knew for sure I wouldn't have the same salt level.

I've had a similar dish at the Reef called Jamaican Me Crabby Eggs Benedict. Fantastic.

Once breakfast was cleared, E went for a bit apple crisp dessert. She was the smallest one there so this was hilarious. Everyone else started to order beers and caesars. Service was prompt, efficient and friendly. Several tables and large groups with several orders and rounds and the bills were all fine. Oh, I almost forgot. M showed up later than most. The game hadn't started but we'd already eaten. There were no chairs to be had. There were these posh, red alligator skin footstool chairs in the ladies restroom in front of the vanity. Our server brought one out for M. I thought that was so awesome. Above and beyond helpful. It was already crowded and we were already in their way as they navigated with pitchers and food. Unlike, the Cactus Club, the servers were very apologetic and considerate. AND it wasn't about the tip. All restaurants in downtown started including the gratuity in the bill during the Olympics. It might sound shocking but other places in the world don't have this in their culture and the restaurants were looking out for their staff.

Cost: $$-$$$

Ambience: Warm, cabin, casual
Staff: Efficient, friendly

Location: Central

Moxies Classic Grill

1160 Davie Street
Vancouver, BC

And of course.... CANADA won! Gold! I will not even attempt the play by play. There are too many sports writers who will do that. I write from an observer's view. Every Canadian goal was pure bliss and every American one was agony. Why Kessler? Why? We had a cheerleader at a nearby table that had the room going in unison.

There was only 1 broken glass despite all the jumping around and nailbiting. I mean who would have guessed that USA could have tied it up with 24 seconds left in regular time. Really!? I was so stressed. Everyone's heart was palpating so loud it was audible. We looked out the window at one point that there wasn't a single car on an otherwise busy thoroughfare. Perfect.

It was a wonderful game to watch and experience. And waking up to meet friends on a sunny day was really the only way to watch that game... to experience it. We took the long way home with a 4-5 hour walk around Vancouver. Mayhem, joy, chaos, elation.. you name it. It was wonderful. What a way to end the Olympics.

That is not to say that it was the end all and be all other than from a chronological standpoint. It was that match up on that day that made it so big for me. For most, it is Canada's game. It is like futbol is to Europe; part of the nation's identity and culture. It was sibling rivalry on a global scale and the little Canuck won!

Feb 23rd - #Olympic Box Seats for Belarus v Switzerland and Rodney's Oyster House, Yaletown for Canada v Germany

Belarus Shootout last try and miss

Last Suisse Shootout Goal

What a day! I had planned for the worst really it turned out AMAZING! D's niece is in town and we were supposed to spend time with her. I was rather excited about it. Unfortunately she's staying with her other uncle in Abbottsford as well she travelled here with her paternal grandmother. She's lovely lady but she's not very mobile. As a result, all the things, I had hoped to do with her sort of evaporated. Oh well, Sunday was very low key as a result and so I had planned for similar audible calls on the itinerary so I wouldn't be disappointed for today.

I had booked Tuesday off to wander around town with her. In the end, they decided not to come in town right away and checked out Steveston and the OZone in Richmond. Well, it was their choice and I had decided not to be disappointed by it. They were going to call us at noon then it got pushed to 3pm. I refused to not take the day off as I'd been looking forward to that at least. The one thing that was pretty bad was that IT POURED like mad all day. ALL DAY!

I walked over the the provincial pavillions hoping that a mid week visit would be better. It was not. The line for Ontario House 4D movie at 10 am was longer than the first Saturday!!!! I visited Right to Play and bought a pin and took some photos. I then hiked it, still in good spirits, to Aboriginal House. Well, I stood in line at Live City Vancouver but it was nearly noon and there was a line and I was expecting the call that we were going to Richmond so I left Canada House for another day. I went to the Bell Cube instead. I got a wimpy Bell cowbell and some nice earbuds. The Bell cube was okay. They had loads of TV screens and you used your new earbuds to listen to the screen you wanted from over head plug ins. I watched a Canadian Women's Curling match between UK go into the 11th end but I didn't stay. I went to Alberta House, which was LAME. It's just a bar/resto. It's normally this really dingy dive across from BC Stadium but they did it up with wood and covered patio. It looks great but there is nothing to see. They have a stage with music in the evenings. Then D called to say that they weren't coming downtown for sure and only after checking out OZone at 3pm. Okay. No problem. I was going to enjoy my day.

I started to walk to D so we could at least walk around together. I'm about a 5 minute walk to his office when he calls me and says we got Box Seats to the mens game at noon. I said, it's quarter to noon now. I was tempted to say what about his niece but decided that I wasn't going to forego box seats at an Olympic Hockey match. After a mad dash in a cab, we were running through security and then ushered into a golf cart to take us to the gates. We only missed 10 minutes. How fantastic is that!??

The seats were amazing. The suite was right behind the press which is lower than normal. We were lined up by the side of the net. NICE. The suite was furnished with cheese, appetisers and sodas. How fun! We ordered a bottle of Robert Mondavi Chardonnay. You could only buy the liquor buy the bottle. Not a problem! Hello? Seats were free!

Suisse won in the end after OT and after shootouts. I was hoping for Belarus because I didn't want Canada to play them later. Now that I think of it, the Suisse had a better chance of taking out the US than Belarus.

We visited the Aboriginal House and saw a nice film. No shows on but I at least finally got in!! We then ran to Rodneys where some of D's work friends had booked a table. We ordered some food and lots of wine and beers.

Fried Oysters

Fresh Oysters

Oyster Condiments

The staff knew them all as regulars so it was like being in someone's living room except they were bringing us food and drinks. We had their specialty of Oysters or at least D did. Aesthetically speaking, it, next to offal, the least appealling edible in the world to me. Their oysters come with a condiment tray full of dressings like red or green hot sauce, chillies, vodka, lemon, fresh horseradish. We always say that if you have to use all that stuff, why do you need the oyster. They smelled okay in that they didn't smell at all. Everyone seemed to enjoy them.

We also had fried oysters. They were great. I'm not sure if it was the breading or the meat but they were quite sweet. Nicely cooked. Nothing raw or slimely left but not rubbery like I've seen in other restaurants. They were enormous but not dominated by breading.

We then ordered some mussels. It was still 'Low Tide', i.e. before 6pm so they have a lighter, less expensive menu. The mussels were not very good. In a small portion, we had three closed or broken ones. The meat was okay but the broth was salty and rather plain. I wouldn't order these again. The best places in town are Chambard and Bin941. Actually, I had a great chowder with mussels at Goldfish which was nice too. Don't get them here. Their daily specials are much better selection. Try to go for Friday for their Fish and Chips. They only serve them on Friday for some reason. Really nice as well as their Fish Club Sandwich is yummo!

The definite gold star for them is the big hunks of bread they serve you . They're sourdough rounds of different varieties like wholewheat, olive, white, walnut. Super tangy and chewy. I wish I knew where they get it.

Cost: $$ (Lowtide)
Ambience: welcoming, casual (Toronto kin is no longer affiliated and a bit posher)
Decor: atlantic/maritime pub
Staff: Very friendly without being overbearing about it.
Wine List: Very decent with great variety. I had the Parducci Pinot Noir. Wonderful!

Rodney's Oyster House
405-1228 Hamilton Street
Vancouver, BC
V6B 6L2‎
(604) 609-0080‎

Feb 22 - Big Mountain Vegan Burgers and Jerked Sweet Potato Fries

I went to the Live City Yaletown last night after work to catch Zapato Negro. I dashed out a tad early only to see them on the big screens as I approached the outer gates. I don't know why but the whole line up was moved up an hour! Oh well, I got to see most of their show and line up for the Samsung house.

The Samsung house was an absolute bore. You line up for nearly an hour from then end of the ropes only to find yourself in line at the games to collect stickers on the inside. Seriously, what a waste of time. There was supposed to be a quiz at 5 and I waited but nothing. If you're keeping track on my

House Reviews:
(on 7 maples)
Samsung house: 1 maple
Ontario house: 3 maples because of the insane line with poor info from hosts
Quebec house: 1 maple
Concord house: 0 maples
Northern house: 6 maples
Aboriginal house (VCC site): 3 maples, mainly shopping
BC House (VAG): 6 maples
BC Power Smart: 3 maples, fun for kids
West House: 3 maples, interesting concept
BC Stadium: 5 maples for set up 1 maple for food cost

So after freezing my arse (not a curse word in Canada, actually an euphemism for us for the real one), off watching Zapato then the Bentalls Barney and his son. Actually it was the son's band, Dustin and his dad was featuring. I think most of the crowd was there for Barney. It was a tad too country for me but the kid did have one good song that I'll look for. 3000 miles....chorus: I like to get high and I talk when I'm stoned... with his dad singing along. Ah BC.

So D was supposed to meet me to watch Colin James at 9 but I didn't think I could make it. We went to Choices market instead and picked up some food for a few options and then made a call on the bridge. We thought about Barley Risotto, Vegan Bolognese and Veggie Burgers with the Sweet Potato I bought earlier.

We chose to do the Veggie burgers since D remembered we had Portuguese buns in the freezer and he doesn't like a crowded freezer. I've tried many many brands of veggie burgers and there are 4 basic styles:

- Cutlet/Pattie where it is not meat like at all. It's a mash of veg in veg form, like carrots, peas with breading. Not a burger at all.
- Lentil or Legume pattie, denser than just a veggie cutlet but not the form of the soy protein.
- Soy/Veg protein meat like pattie that simulates the texture of meat. My preferred variety. Best Brand is Yves. Vera's Burgers has a fantastic version of this. It could also be Yves. They will do all their burgers with a veggie pattie if you ask at no extra charge.
- Soy/Veg protein full meat fakeout.... fakes the texture of the fat and the gristle with some vegan gelatin. This version is gross to me. If I wanted that texture and aroma, I'd eat meat. I am what many might call an aesthetic vegetarian. The best kind, in my mind. I am not a moralist or evangelist about it. I don't like the taste or appearance of it. I will try things and have to spit them out. The aroma of the fat, which as you know gives meat it's flavour, is what I find most difficult to eat. Anyhoo, my choice, not yours. Therefore, if you're like me, you won't like this variety. Boca makes these kinds as well, I can't recall the brand but it's green and you can see the patties in the slide out pack with the grill marks on them.

We bought Mountain Burgers because it was the ONLY type that Choices had in stock though they had loads of Yves stuff. I tried to persuade D to get Tofurkey Kielbasa but he would have none of it. The Mountain Burgers were a lentil based pattie or type #2. It was very very dense and dry. D cooked them in a cast iron pan and they crumbled a bit. He admitted he didn't realise the type it was. He was smart to add some BBQ sauce to the top after the first flip otherwise it would have been terribly dry. It had good flavour but it gets drowned out by the condiments and cheddar. The texture was rather pasty as well. I wouldn't say it was horrible but I wouldn't recommend them.

We garnished our burgers with aged cheddar, fresh tomatoes, pickles and dijon mustard.

Jerked Sweet Potato Fries

1 large sweet potato
1/2 - 1 T jerk seasoning
1/4 t fresh ground pepper
1 T olive oil

Heat the oven to 425F.

Cut the sweet potato in half around the middle. Cut the halves lengthwise so there is a flat surface. Cut those quarters in to 3/4 cm slices. Cut the slices into 3/4 cm to 1/2 cm slices.

Place all the fries in a large mixing bowl that is light enough to toss or have tongs and use whatever bowl you like. Pour half the oil on top and toss the bowl until they all look coated. Add half the jerk and toss again for a minute. Add the rest of the oil and toss for a good minute. Add the rest of the jerk, use more if you want. Toss for another good minute.

Line a baking pan with parchment paper or use a silpat. Even with a non stick pan, it will still stick because of all the sugar, it will still stick.

Feb 21st - Wimaan Thai Restaurant and a Golden Olympic encounter

You simply can't make plans in days like this. I like to make plans but I like to go with the flow. The way I navigate during festivals like this would make most people's heads spin. So when D said that I could go wonder in town while he finished the painting, I jumped. I did watch the Canadian Women's curling team kick British arse. That's not a curse word in Canada :-D.

I headed straight to CTV to see if I could get some pins but the line was too long so. I had decided to head to the #Olympic Aboriginal House. I bumped into Joe Sakic the hockey player who couldn't walk 10 ft without being stopped and all he wanted was to get to the Bay to buy some mitts. But, though I live in Vancouver and work downtown, I can't read those blasted Olympic tourist maps. I headed up Granville for a snack pitstop. Saw a LOOOOOOOONG 4-5 hour line for the Canadian Mint for folks to see real medals. 7 hours if you wanted your photo with them... comeon!

So I headed north but too far and ended up at the Northern House which I was still convinced was the Aboriginal House until I got inside. Lucky break really. It was fantastic. I was first put off by the long line but it moved in large chunks so I didn't wait more than 15 minutes. It was Nunavut Day yesterday so there were presentations I was really fortunate to have caught. I saw the Premier Eva Aariak, the Mayor of the Capitol and the Senator. As well, suddenly, John Furlong, CEO of VANOC appeared with a presentation for Eva. They had throat singers and a Northern traditional atheticism presentation. I was in there for nearly an hour! The artwork and information was just great. I had my picture taken with Eva, who is rumoured to possibly be the next Govenor General but my card reader blipped out and then I couldn't get near her again.

I headed to Livecity Vancouver to meet up with friends for the Hockey Game but the line was like an hour long. I couldn't find them in line so I got in line at the end. Then they decided to go elsewhere because even if you get inside, you need to line up for the beer garden as well. So I left to go find the real Aboriginal House. I got in line but then they cut the line off because it was too full. Nevermind, I headed toward Granville because I had a sushi craving. On the way, I saw a looooong line at a Cheerio booth. I thought, free Cheerios is cool but this line is ridonculous. So I snuck upto the top to see what was going on. Two Canadian atheletes and GOLD medalists, Warren Tanner and Maelle Ricker were signing autographs and taking pictures. I couldn't get past the security but that was okay. I really only wanted a photo. I was only a few feet away from where I was standing.

I then continued to the Granville street and got some great photos of folks getting pumped up for the Canada v USA Game. I bought my sushi and dashed over the bridge to meet up with D and family visiting from Montreal. After some sightseeing and failure to get a seat anywhere to see the game in doors, we decided to go home. We watched it at the open Francophonie stage for the first period but it was pretty chilly by then. All mention of the game stops here.

We were going to order Chinese but Chillies Szechuan was closed!! How odd. We went for Thai food up around the corner on Broadway. We'd taken away and eaten there in the past so we new it was good.

We ordered a few dishes and some rice: Yellow (coconut) Fish Curry, Spicy Asparagus and Shrimp,Tofu Pad See Eww, Sweet and sour chicken with vegetables Pork with mushrooms, Rice

I always get the Phad See Eww or Phad Kee Moew. I like the wide flat noodles and the basil. This was alright though very very dry this time. And not a basil leaf in sight. Still it was nicely savoury and the noodles where well cooked and there was lots of tofu.

I didn't have the Chicken or the Pork so can't really comment. We got them as fairly neutral dishes for some of our guests that we were worried wouldn't enjoy the really authentic thai dishes. D doesn't really care for the chicken because he doesn't like sweet and sour but he did say that both dishes were fresh and well cooked. For those a bit timid about straying from they chinese takeaway, try those.

The Asparagus in spicy sauce with Prawn was fantastic. Large fresh, delicately cooked prawns were numerous. The asparagus were cooked al dente and tasted very fresh. The sauce could have been spicier and it was a tad oily but you could avoid the oil. It was a very tasty dish.

The Yellow (coconut) Curry was a STAR! I believe the fish was sole and nicely cooked. The sauce was rich and flavourful. The fish was complimented with carrots and potatoes. I guess it was their migratory version of Korean and Japanese curry. Very nice. I will have this dish again and again.

We ordered two rice and it was enough for six people. Generally, if we're having asian takeaway, we make our own rice. Seems a bit of a waste to me to pay 2-3 dollars for rice if I eat at home. That's me though and D is kind enough to play along.

Price: $
Ambience: casual, dark, potential for intimate but can be loud
Location: central to Fairview
Staff: friendly

Wimaan Thai Food Restaurant
1063 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
V6H 1E2‎
(604) 730-9963‎

Feb 19th - Olympic concert: Theory of a Deadman & Post concert: Cru Resturant

Theory of a Deadman at Olympic Victory Celebration

CRU Restaurant: Riesling Poached Pear

CRU Restaurant: Beef Tenderloin w Potato Streudel, too salty

CRU: Lingcod

D and got tickets for a #Olympic Victory Celebration at BC Stadium. We'd already come to the disappointing realisation that the medals given at the paid for Victory celebration are rather limited and therefore, a big let down the first time. Many.. no, most are given immediately at the venue. You have to ask why bother? We paid more for these tickets off Craigslist mainly because of the artist after the few medals given live was Theory of a Deadman. I only found out last night that they are a local band. Funny enough, we found that out because in a venue with tens of thousands of people, we were sitting behind our next door neighbours. We had good floor tickets and as it turned out so did they because they knew the lead singer from high school in Delta. Hilarious.

The medals were the #Olympic Women's Snowboard Halfpipe. Two Americans got Silver and Bronze and the Aussie, Torah Bright. They also gave two medals live streamed from Whistler. *yawn*. I could see those on TV. Why not stream the whole day's medals. I would have preferred if they did that.

Theory of a Deadman was fantastic. The sound was pretty bad though. You couldn't envelope yourself in Tyler Connelly's baritone, velvety voice. Still watching the local boys, with the guitarist and bassist, in Canadian Hockey jerseys was great. The effects throughout the show were insane with flame throwers, waterfall sparklers and fireworks. They teased us the the opening of an ACDC and let the crowd sing the opening and then changed course.

On our way home, we found out that Canada had taken gold Men's Skeleton... Go on Montgomer! Woohooo! Earlier in the evening, I was so sad to see us loose the Women's Skeleton. I was doubly devastated by the fact that Elvis Stoiko, Canadian Figure skating legend of my childhood was in the Yahoo venue I was watching the skeleton from BUT I had left my camera battery at home. WAAAAAAAAAAA!

I was still hungry and the energy seemed like waste to head straight home. We decided to go out for Dinner. We had both had munchy snacks but it wasn't enough. Plus, with all the crowds in the streets the restaurants were open! However, our first choice was Bin942 on Broadway but despite the slow Friday, it wasn't slow enough to eliminate the line. That could have been partially my fault because I tweeted that there were no lines at some of the city's favourite places.

We walked across the street to Cru. A very small and intimate restaurant, it is best known for their small plates. They're probably closest to Spanish 'Raciones'. They're the shareable, slightly bigger than tapa sized portions.

We both opted for their Prix Fixe Menu for 42$.... though for some reason, the Beef Tenderloin has a supplemental charge of 5$ even though there isn't the reverse reduction for the risotto. A tad irksome that the Fixe is not really that.

We decided to go for wine by the glass since I was having seafood and D prefers big reds. Though it's generally a myth that it is etiquette or forbidden to drink reds with whites, there are lots of reds that clash. They simply reactly badly with the oils and result in a very unpleasant, metally echo. Blech.

I had two glasses of the Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc. There wasn't another white that really appealed to me that was available by the glass so I stuck with the same. I am not a big proponent of oaky or woody whites with delicate white fish. One usually loses the dance.

D had a glass of the Chiante Ricasoli and a Quattro Malbec. I did not try his Malbec, which came strongly recommended by our server. I did try his Chianti. It was simply divine, luscious, vanilla and dark soused berries. Long though subtle finish. Wonderful. The Malbec had a nice nose but I was well into my Sav Blanc by then so didn't want to try. D liked it.

D's selection on the Prix 'Fixe' menu were:

Cellar Door Caesar, grilled in tact romaine heart half with garlic butter croutons and shredded asiago
Beef Tenderloin with caramelized shallots, blue cheese potato studel, mushroom-merlot jus (with prix-fixe menu, add $5)

The salad was brilliant. Perfectly dressed and though you might think it's alot of lettuce the form it's served allows for easier management. I really dislike navigating on palm sized pieces of romaine in a Caesar. The garlic croutons are dangerously addictive.

The Beef Tenderloin was a saline disappointment. As D put it, each component was too salty, the beef, jus, mushrooms and streudel... all separately slightly too salty. D is nicer than I. I would have sent it back. The only time we've sent something back was at Coast and it was so salty that your fingers pruned upon approach. In this case, it was at the point were it wasn't inedible but it built up as you ate it. Too bad. It looked great on the plate and smelled wonderful.

My selection on the Prix 'Fixe' menu were:

Riesling-poached Pear with gorgonzola, toasted filberts and greens tossed in a dijon vinaigrette.
Pan-seared Lingcod scallion dumplings, dashi ponzu broth, bok choy sprouts, ginger and chillies.

My starter was gorgeous. The pear was perfumed by the Riesling. It was slighly underdone. I did need my knife and needed to 'work it'. The filberts were nicely toasted and paired, excuse the pun, with the gorgonzola. The greens were gently dressed. Very nice.

My main course was perfect. What I hadn't realised however, and would have liked, was that the dish works best when you tear it down. The dish came, as you can see, constructed with the nicely seared lingcod perched atop the baby bok choy topped with the ginger and chillies. The dashi seemed rather plain until some of the relish on top fell into it. When I tore up the lingcod as I tired of using my knife, fork and spoon, the dish sang. Delish combination of flavours and textures. The cod couldn't have been cooked better. Just barely done in the middle and crispy on the top. I highly recommend this dish. I did not have a problem with the seasoning on this dish.

We shared the desserts:

Grand Cru Chocolate Truffle with peanut butter mascarpone mousse
Little Goat Cheese Cake with port-stewed fruits and orange ginger snap

Oh my goodness, if I had only come this night for the dessert, I would have left sated. Fantastic! The I could have savoured the little Goat cheese cake all night. The stewed figs and cherries, I believe were a nice accompaniment. The ginger cookies were nice but not necessary. The Grand Cru Choclate Truffle... sigh.... where do I begin. It was unbelievable. How do you describe something that was simultaneously, decadent, light yet rich and thoroughly chocolatey without tasting it for yourself. That is the truffle alone! The peanut butter marscapone was such a nice surprise. I will try to replicate this at home for sure. I could have a big bowl of just that mousse. D noticed right away that I was intending to bogart most of it. ... though honestly, I did it rather subconsciously. The only detraction on this dish is the raspberry coulee decorating the dish. It was completely superfluous. I don't know if it's just habit for a chocolate dish to require this as an accoutrement. Un-needed, really. Actually the sourness didn't go very well with the peanut butter mousse. That said, I would order these two desserts again and again!

Cost: $$$$ (On five base rating)i.e. dinner for two with wine, ~170$

Ambience: intimate
Staff: knowledgeable, friendly and warm

Location: Invisible. It has a very small sidewalk claim.

Cru Restaurant

1459 West Broadway

Vancouver, BC

V6H 1H6

(604) 677-4111

(Broadway just East of Granville)

Only four because of D's salty main. Frankly, had it been my main that was too salty, I would have given it a two. There is nothing you can do with that but send it back but like I said D is too nice and doesn't like to fuss. For nearly 100$ with tip, I think you should.

Feb 17th - Olympic Street Food Orgy

We hit an all time low today junkfood-wise. I felt bad enough that had had nearly back to back samosa's going to events at the BC Stadium but today was gloriously worse. I met D downtown by Live City Yaletown afterwork.

There was a delightful Canadian cultural show called DRUM! It was a bit odd. It jumped around culturally from African to Aboriginal to Celtic with an underlying story of the expulsion of the Acadians from eastern Canada. If you ignored the choppy story, the music was lovely. The foodcourt in the fenced in David Lam Park come Live City Yaletown, has half a dozen extortionately priced 'Taste of.." booths. Canada, Jamaica, China, and India, that I can remember. I was very disappointed to see that the Taste of Canada was mainly hotdogs and french fries... booo.

D got us an over priced Jamaican Patty from the Taste of Jamaica. Shocking, D had never had a Jamaican patty before. Isn't that crazy!? He got us a veggie one which is normally a pea and carrot based stew. It was not very good. The crust tasted authetic with that flavour that reminds me slightly of a ritz cracker but it was cold, and 70% crust!!! The spice was good but there wasn't much of it.

Taste of Jamaica
David Lam Park - Live City Yaletown
Vancouver (during Olympics)
Cost: $$ (poor value for street food)


We then headed over to Granville Island to meet friends to catch Karkwar on the Francophonie stage. They were great! French version of Radiohead is often said of them. Though I'll say their sound guy must be going deaf because their volume was several hundred decibels way too high for that stage area. It was definitely good to hear french music that isn't folky or celtic. I'm pretty tired of stuff that sounds like our parents used to rock to it. That's all CBC French plays on the radio. Yawn!

On the way down, we bought a family sized bags of Cheddar Sun Chips. D had a decent lunch but I didn't so I headed to the Public Market in the intermission. I had to hustle though because the planners never thought to get the Public Market to consider extending their hours during the Olympics despite the fact that they're surrounded by pavillions. I barely got there in time as most of the vendors were down to their last bits and pieces. I went to a bakery I keep expecting more of and am normally luke warm on the results. Laurelle's fine foods on the Eastside food court near the Arts Club exit. It has lots of tasty looking goodies that look homemade. There are lots of veggie, soy and seafood versions of classic pastries like pot pies, rolles, pasties. That said, they're usually taste slightly old. I don't know if they're baked the night before or if I'm eating yesterdays stuff. The few times I've eaten there, it is under seasoned on top of that old taste. Tonight I had a Wild Sockeye Salmon Roll (like a traditional sausage roll). It was rather small and though had a decent amount of salmon chunks, it was utterly flavourless.

Laurelle's Fine Foods
Granville Island Public Market
Vancouver, BC
Cost: $





I went back to the Francophonie beer tent where everyone was watching the Ladies Speed Skating 500 m medal finals. They were playing that rather than the Medal Ceremony since it was a live event with a Canadian in medal contention. We did see Maelle Ricker recieve her Gold in Boarder Cross after watching Canadian Marianne St. Gelais win Silver in the sprint! I was still hungry after that puny flavourless salmon roll so I got poutine from the poutine truck in the Franco zone.

It is a small, red carnival truck run by what appeared to be a family. Father, Mother and Son. The mom was making the Queue de Castor or Beavertails, which were gianormous and the Pogos. The son was squeezing out fresh BC potatoes into french fries while Dad served up the poutine with a nice load of cheese curds and gravy. Where did this family get so many cheese curds? Whenever we go to the farmers' markets, the curds always sell out so fast! The fresh cut fries fried to order were great. The curds could have been squiggier but they were good. The gravy could have used more seasoning. D thinks it was a celery based gravy. I couldn't pick up on that. I doused half the dish in ketchup like is done by some. Not by the purists, D would say. The fries were crispy and hot with a good texture. The cheese melted under the gravy well.

We both have roots or history in Quebec so we know our Poutine! The best permanent place to get good poutine in town is Fritz on Davie near Granville Street. Actually, my first Ultimate Frisbee team in University was called Cold Poutine! I named it when I had come up with something to put on the form last minute.

Poutine Truck
Francophonie Place - Granville Island Tennis Courts
Vancouver, BC - During Olympics
Cost: $$ (for Street Food)

Feb 15th - Palaak Paneer with Veggie Samosas and Alexandre Bilodeau's Olympic Gold Medal!!!

Veggie Samosas with Spinach and Paneer

Alex Bilodeau's GOLD Olympic Medal!

Dale Begg-Smith, the Big Suck who got the Silver sulking next to Alex in Yellow

We had tickets to a Victory Celebration tonight. Very strange really. We had thought all the medals would be handed out at the Victory Celebrations at either BC Stadium or Whistler but they aren't. We only saw one live medal and four from Whistler. It looks like the skating medals are done right away at the rinks. Booo. Anyhoo, watching the cutie Alex receive his gold medal was pretty thrilling. He marks Canada's first Gold medal won in Canada. Woohoo!

It couldn't have been more inspiring than this diminuitive, young, unlikely Quebecois skiier who looks up to his brother who suffers from cerebral palsy. Well, it would have been even more amazing, I'll admit, if Jennifer Heil had won. Women still don't get the equal recognition or funding in Canada that they deserve. But I'm just as happy that she won her silver! We didn't see her medal though. She received that on Sunday.

I took off early to meet D downtown afterwork but it wasn't early enough to wander too much. I had thought D needed to work longer but he had said that his office was fairly deserted by 4. Oh well. Anyhoo, we walked through Yaletown at he stalls there. Nothing too too exciting, just souvenir stands mainly, no pins :-(. I'm becoming what the media are dubbing a 'pin-head'. Though I don't go out and agressively collect. I keep the ones that come to me. Or as D likes to say 'You mean the free ones and the ones you find.' Yes.

There is stage near Marimekko clothing shop that has live music and dance most of the day. Capones has live jazz all day as well. The ambience is really great though. The streets are full and buskers are capitalising as they should. We decided to eat closer to the Plaza of Nations where we have to enter the security checkpoint for the Victory Ceremony.

On the way, we stopped at La Terazza, an iconic Italian restaurant on the edge of Yaletown. They have an external beer garden from their usual posh restaurant with a BBQ. They were selling Italian Sausage with sauteed onions and fennel. It smelled nice but the hamburger sized bun with the over cooked sausage that D got was not at all worth the 10$

We continued on to the Plaza of Nations where we ate lunch on Saturday. D got another snack. A meat samosa at the Maurya's stall. I love Maurya's restaurant on Broadway. Their curried eggplant is incredible. The food at their stall was not too exciting though but their meat samosa was getting a raving review from a south asian tourist who chatted us up on the topic. He claimed he was picky eater and he loved it. D agreed. It was plump and well seasoned.

I went to the other indian stall for New Indian Buffet. This time I got the Palaak Paneer instead of the curried chickpeas I didn't care for on Saturday. For under a tenner, 2 samosas and a serving of Palaak Paneer is a great deal and perfect for a munch on the run. Palaak Paneer is an aromatic stew of Spinach with Fresh Cheese. It is one of my favourite Indian dishes.

I'm worried I'm going to end up eating like this for the whole Olympics as we run from event to event. Over priced Vitamin water and beer with no gym is brutal.

Feb 12th - Chinese Takeout post Vancouver 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies

Nancy Green to Wayne Gretzky

D and I were lucky enough to go to the opening ceremonies. Our friend S is helping out with the Japanese press and they had tickets they didn't want. I'm guessing they were compt and he just made a cool bit of cash. Too bad I didn't know that before I bid :-P Still a great experience. I paid just the right amount where it was slightly painful but high enough where I wouldn't have had loser's remorse you know.

We had quite good seats. If we were any closer, we would not have been able to make out the effects on the ground. The director used alot of projection effects on the floor and on floor to ceiling props to simulate the ocean, fields of grain, forest of trees, totem poles, and storm clouds to name but a few. We were sat next to an adorable elderly Japanese couple who had no idea what was going on with the directions we were being given for the show. I had to help them along as well as assemble their flashlights and torches. They basically were following my lead.
It was pretty impressive. I won't compare to any of the summer olympics because it's just not fair really.

The summer olympic hosts are obliged to have a much larger stadium and of course they can then accomodate a much larger show. The number of people that the show that the communists coralled in Beijing wouldn't have even fit into BC Stadium including the seated folks. Then there is the idea that we simply can't command 10 thousand people to participate for pennies a day for years. What is amazing really are those summer host countries in democratic nations who have been able to pull of those spectacular shows. Yay Korea, Australia, USA, Spain to name just a few that stir vibrant memories. I mean, just consider the logistics alone of lining the atheletes, spectators and artists on arrival alone! That's what is truly amazing. Not the communist puppet show put on in China where we can never be sure what we saw actually happened. I think there's a term for that.... revisionist history. Of course you can make it look great when you disallow all cameras entry and you have to use the Chinese feed alone. We've all seen proof of that power. It's called Avatar.

I know people have protested here but everyone here has participated and volunteered of their own free will with allowances by their schools, families and workplace. We showed our hearts last night. I am a tax-payer here meaning, to be clear, I WORK HARD and support and am not a tax burden, and I support the investment. I will not necessarily say that it was managed well. I many ways it was not. The budget management was shameful....security and village!! that said, it is my Olympics, it is our Olympics.

My favorite and most moving memory of last night was the introduction of all the first nations who danced into the gianormous drum at the centre of the arena. World's biggest Potlach. Amazing!

Getting inside beforehand was an ordeal though, really only mostly and not entirely offset by the show. It was a bit ridiculous. If you know Vancouver you'll just shake your head when I describe it. If you don't, map my description and then you will shake your head. We arrived at the foot of the Eastern footing of the Cambie bridge where often the lower gates are open for shows by Smithe and Expo Blvd but were told to keep walking. We followed the tent covered fences westward to Cambie and Expo to what is normally a large vacant lot. There was an opening with a Volunteer on a lifeguard chair with a bullhorn telling us.... to keep walking, that that entrance was for sponsor groups only!!! We were directed down under the bridge to the seawall along the water. We had to walk all the way the Plaza of Nations by the Casino. We were guided through the Chinese festival area that reminded me of the Richmond night market. I felt bad for all the vendors as they pleaded that we stop to buy some food but we were all panicked that we needed to be in our seats by 5pm for the rehearsal. (unnecessary). We circled inside the Plaza of Nations eastward toward the Telus World of Science... are you following on a map! Did I mention the entrance is usually Smithe and Expo or Beatty? We were then sent through the open lots that are currently housing some of the provincial pavillons toward the GM place. Inside those gated areas are the security clearance queues. There are 3 zones and we were kicked foward past two of the first ones because they were too FULL. So D and I had to go to the third and last gate across the road under the Viaduct and Abbott. The security was in the lot in front of GM place. Each security entrance had nearly 2 dozen airport level security checks. After emptying our pockets, searching our bags and being wanded, we walked back westward to the front of the Casino toward the footbridge between the Casino and the BC Stadium. From there we were herded to our entrance gates. From start of journey to end, it took us over half an hour. Until our bums were in our seats, probably close to 1 hr. Not bad except for the ridiculous walk we had to take with VERY LITTLE direction. We were basically blindly following the crowd.

After the show, all gates were opened and since were carry so much stuff we bee lined to the bridge home glad to be freed of the cattle herd. It was POURING POURING so we really didn't give much thought to sticking around downtown for the rest of the partying. We were there for over 5 hours!

On the way home, we stopped for milk at Apple Hill market on Moberly and 6th. I was pretty hungry despite the beer and snacks we had. I hadn't really eaten since 3pm when I snatched a slice of pizza from D's office. I decided I needed, of all things, greasy chinese food. That's exactly what I got. I got Sechuan Jumbo Prawn Noodles from Chop and Wok on 6th and Ash.

It is a quick chinese takeaway that reminds me of the old days of quick, greasy, unauthentic Chinese food of my youth. All the ingredients are pre chopped and ready for cooking. There is an extensive menu and with their system, you won't wait more than 10 minutes for an order if there is no queue.

I didn't really like the ramen type noodles that came with this dish but that was the dish I ordered I guess. There were lots of noodles and not too much bean sprout filler like some places. Not very much veg though. There were just a few bits of celery and bell pepper pieces. There were loads of shrimp but hardly what I would call Jumbo prawn. The sauce was okay, spicy but your typical oily, thickened cheap chinese. Overall good in a pinch for a belly full of food but not somewhere I will choose to goto. Next time, I'll cross the road to the Chilli's chinese.


Cost: $, for what it was
Ambience: High school cafeteria
Cleanliness: Not. There was a napkin decorating the top of a computer screen that was FILTHY
Staff: kind
Food: generous portion but not enough veg

Golden Chop and Wok
766 West 6th Ave
Vancouver BC
V5Z 1A5‎
(604) 639-2923‎