Vancouver 2015 Wedding - toshi Teppanyaki, YVR

After a feverish pace to the weekend and gaining a record number of pounds, I found myself back at Vancouver airport going back to trusty old Winnipeg. Flying in the evening meant that I would either need some food prior to leaving or some after. We arrived promptly to the airport with a good hour to go before boarding. I suggested we finish off our food marathon in Vancouver where it all began. We walked around the food court and settled on Toshi Teppanyaki.

I did not have any expectation going into Toshi. It certainly did not help when the owners of Toshi were the same as the bland Western Chinese Food stall right next to it. Lovely. The menu includes a number of quick teppan fried dishes and pre-packaged sushi dinners.

I ordered the Chicken Sukiyaki. A marinated chicken thigh finished on the teppan and served with mixed vegetables and rice. This was altogether disappointing, even for my low expectations. The skin was so soft and devoid of flavour that it was practically inedible. The chicken itself was simply average and the vegetables bland and tasteless.

My dining companion got the Sushi Combo. Four pieces each of pre-packaged salmon and tuna sushi. We felt the need to order some sushi in Vancouver and although this was better than most pre packaged variants, the tasteless and thin pieces of fish were a disappointment.

The truth is, this meal was purely for sustenance and while Toshi has many faults with its food, I do commend them on the large portion sizes and average prices. With that, we left Vancouver with full bellies and fond memories of a wonderful weekend.

Vancouver 2015 Wedding - Cartems

After our incredible lunch, we really needed to walk off some of the calories. Being in Chinatown, we thought it would be a good idea to take the walk back to downtown Vancouver. The idea was that we would be able to burn off some calories, work up an appetite and finish with a last meal in downtown. That is ... until we ran into Cartems Donuterie. A cute, quaint doughnut shop was the last thing on my mind initially, but the description of their offerings made me salivate with anticipation. And so we terminated our plans and quickly re-routed ourselves here.

Cartems is located on West Pender Street in Downtown Vancouver. The large sign beckons you to the deliciousness inside. The interior featured beautiful oak tables and a brightly lit countertop showcasing all of their doughnut creations.

The four of us each ordered one doughnut to share amongst us all. From top going clockwise: Earl Grey, Canadian Whiskey Bacon, Hibiscus and Spiced Run Glazed and Maple Walnut. The Earl Grey is their classic and one of the more popular. A consensus table favourite, the delicate dough is matched well with a subtle earl grey glazed topping. The Canadian Whiskey Bacon is the exact opposite with a bold bacon flavour and a hint of Whiskey aftertaste.

The Hibiscus and Spiced Rum was the most interesting. The hibiscus gave the vibrant pink color and a slight tang which was matched by the rum flavour. Overall a good match but I feel that the delicate hibiscus is lost a bit here. Finally the Maple Walnut was a solid combination of sweet syrup and crunchy walnut.

Overall Cartems is a fun and whimsical take on doughnuts. Although I am not partial to everyone of their creations, I have to commend them on the variety and creativity. This was an excellent way to end our eating adventures in Vancouver.

Vancouver 2015 Wedding - Phnom Penh

When I first arrived in Vancouver, on the night of our first meal, we had all been craving this meal. During that night I was introduced to the wonder that was Phnom Penh. Billed as the best Vietnamese and Cambodian restaurant in Vancouver, my dining companions incessantly spoke of their signature dishes. I was wary initially as oftentimes the hype and excitement overcomes the eventuality of the thing being hyped. However I was reassured and continuously reminded of just how amazing this restaurant was. Well it was settled, we were going to Phnom Penh for lunch.

Phnom Penh is located in Vancouver Chinatown. There is an interesting dichotomy here with the local Chinese residents contrasting a large homeless population. It was odd to see expensive traditional Chinese herbal stores situated next to a shelter and it reminded me of the luxuries afforded to me and that not everyone has the capabilities to splurge on a nice meal with friends at a restaurant.

Phnom Penh is the classic Asian hole in a wall diner. A cacophony of noise welcomes you as you enter the brightly lit, sparsely decorated restaurant. The owners are not shy to showcase the number of awards and distinctions handed out to their restaurant, as evidenced by the sea of accolades on the lobby wall. We put our name down and patiently waited the 15 minutes or so it took for our table.

One of their signature dishes is the Marinated Thit Bo (Butter Beef). A Vietnamese version of Beef Carpaccio, Phenom Penh takes thinly sliced beef and pairs it with a spicy soy and cilantro dressing. Boy was this wonderful. The beef was very fresh and was a basis for the umami-ness of the sauce. The contrast of the crisp cilantro does wonders to the fattiness of the beef and saltiness of the sauce.
 

Their other signature dish is the Canh Ga Lan Bot (Deep-fried Chicken Wings). These wings were excellent! Perfectly deep fried golden brown they are complimented by crispy garlic bits and dipped in a lemon-lime sauce. The addition of the garlic makes this both unique and incredibly tasty. I have to commend them on achieving a balance of nice crispiness of the skin with juicy tender meat.

We were recommended this Banh Beo (Vietnamese Steamed Rice Paste) by one of our dining companions. Steamed rice cake is topped with crispy fried shallots and dried shrimp and paired with marinated rice noodles. This was a fun dish. The chewy rice cakes were a good vessel to hold the shallots and dried shrimp. The overall dish was a touch on the bland side which was a disappointing contrast to the sharp and strong flavours in the previous two dishes.
 

As it was a, somewhat, cold day in Vancouver we ordered a Canh Chua Tom (Hot and Sour Soup with Prawns). The basis of a good soup is the broth and Phnom Penh nails it here! The soup had a good basis of sweet, salty and sour and was an excellent base for the shrimp and bean sprouts. Overall the soup had a delicate but deep flavour and every ingredient worked well to harmonize the taste buds. Needless to say, this dish went quickly!

To finish off we ordered a Spicy Gold Fish (Whole Pomfret). As one of our diners is a avid fish lover, their needs were nicely acquiesced by this dish. A whole pomfret was nicely deep fried and served with a spicy fish sauce dip. The fish itself was simply average and did not hit the high notes of the other dishes here. The spicy sauce on the side did add some taste, but I could not help but be underwhelmed by the presentation, size of fish and overall lack of complex flavour.

Overall Phnom Penh was excellent. I understand why it was the bearer of so many awards, and while I have not explored enough of the Vietnamese cuisine in Vancouver, I can wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant as a great basis to start with. Their signature dishes were truly wonderful and should be the starter of any meal here.

Vancouver 2015 Wedding - Breka

After dancing away in the wee hours of the AM, we, deservedly, slept in the next morning. Waking up, I knew I wanted to take this day and thoroughly explore more of the Vancouver food scene. Knowing that the list of dining options was endless, we targeted a few specific spots for the different meals of the day. Refreshed, rejuvenated and excited, we set out to the busy streets of Vancouver.

Our first stop was Breka Bakery & Cafe. A local favourite and chain unique to Vancouver, the coffee shop is brightly featured and has an eclectic feel to it. I could foresee myself spending hours here on my computer doing work over a cup of coffee.

Breka features homemade coffee and an abundance of breakfast and brunch food items. Knowing we were off to lunch soon, I decided on just caffeine re hydration and a Almond Chocolate Croissant. The croissant was a wonderfully flaky bun with a liberal amount of almond butter and drizzled chocolate. It was a delightful start to the morning and kick started the appetite for a full day of eating.

Vancouver 2015 Wedding - Reception

The night of the big reception dinner! The mornings of most weddings are dedicated to the ceremony and while it was wonderful to see the couple go through the traditional Sikh wedding traditions, I could not help but be a little lost in the circumstances and deeper meaning of their culture. The night was dedicated to the newlyweds and promised to be a night of fun, dancing and exciting meals.

The reception was held at Fraserview Hall located on Fraser Street in South Vancouver. The brightly lit hall was a site to behold! The venue took up the entirety of the second floor and featured a large balcony, seating for a couple hundred and a prominent dance floor.

The brightly lit lobby led us upstairs to the reception. I was impressed by the class and elegance of the hall with its bright lighting, handsome veneer walls and elegant soft carpeting.

The inside of the hall was no different. The wedding party had thoughtfully decorated the hall with Indian inspired themes. The handsome centerpiece of  the table was a conversation topic with its goblet radiating brilliance and warmth. The table clothes were a detailed set akin to Henna and was almost too beautiful to eat upon. Big emphasis on almost. Now onto the food!

I loved this kind of meal. As the guests started to arrive, the hall started shoving plate upon plate of appetizers onto each table. To start, a number of deep fried vegetable appetizers including Pakoras, Samosas and Vegetable Fritters.

We were pleasantly surprised by this Chicken Tandoori. Knowing that traditional Sikh culture is comprised of vegetarian cuisine, we were unsure if meat protein was on the menu. The juicy meat had a nice level of spice on them. Delicious!

Next came the Tandoori Lamb Skewers. Large pieces of succulent lamb were finished off in the tandoori and served with peppers and onions. The lamb had a nice char on the outside while still retained the juiciness of the interior. The dish was lacking in flavour but served well as an appetizer.

The appetizers continued with Fish Pakora Succulent juicy fillets of (?Basa) were finished with a masala sauce and fried. I appreciated the dichotomy of the lean fish with the masala sauce. However the dish was overcooked and the fish a bit too dry for my liking.

To finalize the appetizers we were served a Stuffed Naan. Flaky tender Naan bread is filled with vegetables and lightly fried. I cannot explain how delicious this dish was. The simple Naan bread is elevated to higher levels by the stuffing and slight crispiness from the light fry.

Unsure if the service was complete or not, we were promptly asked to join the happy couple for the dance. It was during the dance when it was announced that dinner was served! Gleefully I galloped over to the buffet line for (top going clockwise): Marinated Carrots, Mixed Vegetable Korma, Lamb Curry, Karahi Chicken, Malai Kofta, Salad and Rice in the middle. The star of the night was the Mixed Vegetable Korma. A delightful mix of Okra, Cauliflower, Zucchini and Eggplant were grilled tender and mixed with Indian spices. I appreciated the chef's ability to keep the vegetables tender and not overcooked, as it so often happens during a buffet service.

For dessert we had a Mango Kulfi and Pantua (deep fried balls with rose water syrup). I was delightfully stuffed at this point but remembered these offerings to be simply average and on par what you would expect from an Indian restaurant.

As always, a photobooth seems to be a standard at weddings.

Congratulations Parichita! You are a wonderful friend and an amazing person. I was so thrilled and honoured to be at your wedding and wish you the best in all your endeavours going forward! Final shoutout to all the Para14zers medical class who were able to make it out to the wedding as well!

Vancouver 2015 Wedding - Japadog

Before I started this food blogging gig I was a fervent fan of the Food Network. There would be days after a long day of school or work when I would return and watch hours and hours of Food Network Programming. One of my favourites (there are a ton ...) was Eat St., a show about the food trucks and stalls popping up around the major cities. While mostly based in American cities, there was one episode featuring Vancouver and their Japadog. I was hooked. The idea of taking an American classic, the hot dog and jazzing it up with extra-ordinary ingredients truly excited me. Ever since then, I had been meaning to try a Japadog.

After our walk through Stanley Park, we had a couple hours prior to going to the Wedding Reception. Making a coy request to the group, I was crying out in happiness when they acquiesced and we made our way to the Japadog store. Apparently the hot dog carts were so popular that the owners warranted creating a dedicated store on Robson street.

I was THRILLED. The aromas and tantalizing flavours wafting through the restaurant were dizzying and drove my excitement level to a frenzy. The restaurant has a large brightly lit menu board featuring their top dogs. I was impressed by the number of creations they were able to pump out the small kitchen.

I had the Kurobuta Terimayo. The dog was a pork berkshire pig product and covered with seaweed and Japanese mayo. This was divine. In all the years I have been dreaming of this moment, I was scared this moment would not live up to the expectation ... but it did! The lusciously fatty pork was contrasted perfectly with the creamy mayo and sharp seaweed. I was also impressed by the bun which was sturdy enough to keep all the delicious contents in while soft enough to not detract from the ingredients.

Another co-diner had the Okonomi. Also a berkshire pork product with Japanese mayo, bonito flakes and fried cabbage. The crispy bonito flakes (dried fish scales) had a slightly creamier taste than the seaweed in the first dog. The addition of cabbage was a thoughtful one as it gave the dish a crisp fresh flavour.

The fries were also excellent here. Japadog allows you the option of six kinds of flavours on your fries, we went with the Butter & Shoyo and the Umekatsuo (Plum & Sharp Jack). Both were excellent additions to the nice crisp fries. The Butter & Shoyo was a table favourite as it added a umami fatty flavour to the fries.

Overall this meal was exactly what I was hoping for after years of dreaming of Japadog. The uniqueness of the restaurant was what drew me in initially, but the depth of flavours and excellent handling of ingredients is what will keep me coming back ... and recommending it to anyone who will listen.

Vancouver 2015 Wedding - Papparoti

In the afternoon of the wedding between the ceremony and the reception, we decided to tour Vancouver and see some of the sites and attractions around town. On a busy Saturday afternoon it was no surprise that Robson Street was hopping. I was impressed by the energy and vibrancy of the city, the eclectic people and the natural beauty that envelops you.

Feeling the need to get refreshed, we stopped by PappaRoti for a quick coffee. A chain of coffee bars unique to Vancouver, I am told of their wonderous coffee and delicious buns. As we were hoping to walk through Stanley Park, it was an short walk to the location on Robson West.

I was told I had to get the Coffee Bun. I was initially unimpressed, what is this ordinary looking bun and why are people so fussy about it? One bite changed it all: super crisp and crunchy on the outside with a slight hint of caramel flavour and incredibly buttery on the inside. The secret apparently lies in their technique of double baking the buns allowing them to get the unique flavour and dichotomy of textures. We ordered the bun with a side of Coconut Cream. While good, I found the sides actually detract from the subtle caramel flavour of the bun. I recommend enjoying these on their own, especially when fresh out of the oven.

With my stomach filled and caffeine receptors filled, we departed for Stanley Park. Little did my travel companions know, but my mind was still swimming in the deliciousness of PappaRoti's bun.

Vancouver 2015 Wedding - Ceremony

At long last, the day of the ceremony arrived! There is something magical about waking up in the AM of a wedding, putting on your Sunday best in anticipation of the celebration for the couple to be. As the hours ticked by in the AM we quickly dashed out and went to Akali Singh Sikh Society for the wedding ceremony.

Having never attended a Sikh wedding before I knew I would be in for a culture shock. The venue was located on Skeena Street close to Burnaby. The gorgeous temple housed a large hall which was used as the reception area on the ground floor. The wedding services and ceremony itself was housed in the upstairs.

As we were asked not to publish any photographs of the lovely couple (as of yet), I will keep this strictly related to the food. Take my word for it though, the lovely couple were stunning. My friend, the bride, was in a wondrous red and gold sari that radiated warmth, passion and beauty. The groom was in a incredible light ivory sherwani that exuded class and brilliance.

The morning started with a few Indian snacks including muffins and biscuits.

Also included in the morning were a number of Indian flatbreads. I tried the Paratha, a lightly pan-fried flatbread originating from South India. The lightly crisp dough contrasted the soft interior and was an excellent starter of the day.

A number of appetizers were made available as well: Vegetable Pakora and Vegetable Samosas were the highlight of this tray. I was impressed by the depth of flavour and the chef's ability to keep the deep fried appetizers light and crisp.

After the ceremony we had lunch catered to us. From top left going clockwise we had: Kheer (rice pudding), Paneer Tikka Masala, Dhal Makhani (Indian lentils), Mixed Grilled Vegetables, Rice with Salad, Masala Spaghetti. The star of the meal was the Mixed Grilled Vegetables which featured cauliflower, eggplant and potatoes in a rich sauce loaded with Indian spices. I had to go back and get seconds!

Being able to witness the marriage of a close friend and loved one is a special occasion. I was inspired and so blessed to be able to partake in her wedding and wish her and her lovely husband all the best in the future!

Vancouver 2015 Wedding - Nor boo

Finishing up at L'Abattoir we took some time to roam around Vancouver. Having done no research I let my native British Columbians take the realm. We traveled up and down Robson looking at the various shops, street vendors and fun eclectic people. It struck me how alive the city felt. We were, admittedly, walking down popular streets on a Friday night but I could not help but feel a vibrant energy in the (warm) air. As the night grew closer to a close I felt a need to refuel and warm my belly again. Thus we decided on Nor Boo, a Korean restaurant in downtown Vancouver.

Nor Boo is located on the west end of Robson Street in a stretch of Korean restaurants. We chose Nor Boo simply because nobody in our group had tried it previously. Plus you cannot really go wrong with a bunch of Korean hipsters billowing in and out of the place!

Nor Boo offers a standard dinner menu which is shrunk down to a late night menu. They pride themselves on Korean Hot Pots and Korean Fried Chicken. Already semi-feeling guilty for eating a second meal, we could not bear to order a hot pot or a entire order of fried chicken. Nevertheless the litany of menu choices is inspiring and dwarfs many offerings by Winnipeg's equivalent restaurants.

We decided on two dishes to share. The Seafood Japchae was a sizable portion of glass noodles, fried vegetables and seafood. The small (from frozen) shrimp and scallops were underwhelming, especially given we were in Vancouver, but the soy based sauce mixed well with the glass noodles and tender vegetables.

Feeling an urge for pork bone soup, I ordered the Gamjatang for the group. A moderately sized portion of pork bones simmered in a spicy broth with vegetables, the offering here was simply average. I commend them on the spicy flavour of the dish, but take real offense on not being offered rice or banchans with my meal. This meant the only thing edible were the two pieces of pork bone and a few skimpy pieces of potato and onion. Perhaps this was an oversight by the service staff, but the lack of a standard offering that all Korean restaurants worldwide do is a huge problem for me.

While I had a ton of fun reminiscing and catching up with friends I have to be underwhelmed by the food at Nor Boo. In a city full of varied and unique restaurants there surely are better Korean offerings around.

Vancouver 2015 Wedding - L'Abattoir

Weddings are a time for celebrations. I find that whenever I attend a wedding I cannot help but be in a good mood. The atmosphere, the music, the food and, most importantly, the lovely couple all come together for happy and joyous events. Weddings take on a larger importance when they involve a close friend. I had the pleasure and luck to meet some incredible people in Edmonton and so I begin this series on my dining, wine-ing and celebrating in Vancouver for a close friends' wedding.

I arrived in Vancouver on a Friday night. Staying with a friend in downtown Vancouver afforded me the opportunity to explore a bit of the city before the wedding on Saturday. After taking some time to reconnect with old friends, we quickly set our eyes on finding food. Exploring Vancouver was incredible. The litany of wonderful restaurants, pubs and eateries were awe-inspiring. We ended up at L'Abattoir, an upscale eatery in Gastown Vancouver.

Unbeknownst to us, L'Abbatoir was celebrating Dine Out Vancouver 2015 that weekend, a celebration of local restaurants where they offer a arrangement of dishes at a set price. We were excited! Usually these types of meals offer significant value and allow you to try a litany of dishes, often without breaking the bank. I have to take the time to commend the service staff who were attentive, approachable and quick to answer any questions.

Feeling the need to refresh myself after sitting on an airplane for three hours, I went with a Four Winds Saison. A light beer crafted similarly to the Belgian Hoegaarden, this beer exudes a light hoppy flavour accentuated with a floral undertone (yes, I know how pretentious this just sounded). Being a fan of lighter beers, I have to give high marks to this refreshing start of our meal.

Two of us started with the Duck Raviolo. A huge piece of al dente pasta covers a delicious mixture of pulled duck breast, mushrooms and squash. This was excellent! The perfectly cooked pasta was an excellent vehicle for the meat and vegetable mixture while the light gravy helped pull the entire dish together.

A fellow diner loves her fish and thus ordered the Cured Albacore Tuna to start. The springy and fresh fish was paired with fried polenta, corn, grapefruit and a jalapeno dressing. I admire the chefs creativity for the dish and am impressed that the jalapeno and grapefruit flavours did not overpower the dish. The star of this dish, as it should be, was the tuna.

Our final dining companion started with a Salad of Winter Vegetables. A mixture of oven roasted beets, squash and carrots are expertly mixed together with toasted oats and homemade yogurt. The tart and smooth yogurt gave a cooling effect on the dish while accentuating the underlying sweetness of the root vegetables.

For my main I went with the Milk Braised Lamb Shoulder. I think I was in heaven. The lamb was exquisitely tender and bursting of flavour. Complimenting the fatty protein were some of the best Brussels I have ever had. A slightly crispy charred outside was met with warm and slightly bitter interiors and together helped to cut down the fattiness of the lamb. Incredible!

The star of the night was the Smoked Filet of Pacific Ling Cod. Vancouver is blessed with fresh fish and this ling cod could have been alive a mere few hours before we had arrived. Its sacrifice was not in vain in this dish. The unbelievably tender fish was paired with a cauliflower risotto. I loved the bite and texture of the cauliflower as it contrasted with the smoothness of the fish.

Finding the space for dessert we ordered between the four of us: Yogurt and Vanilla Pannacotta, Ricotta Cheesecake, and Sticky Toffee Pudding. All three were tasty but my preference was with the pannacotta. It had a great divergence of flavours with the tartness of the apple, the smoothness of the pannacotta topped with the sweetness of butterscotch.

Overall this was an incredible meal to start off a weekend of discovery, friendship and love. I could not be more blessed to be surrounded by incredible people and this weekend was a quick reminder of just how awe inspiring these individuals are. And so after we finished this meal, we were off to explore Vancouver and fill our stomachs with more joy, laughter and fun.