The Best Muffins

Thanks, I m pretty much open to anything in Vancouver or Burnaby or even the Tri Cities. Not so excited to venture out to West or North Van though.

tom_edo in B.C. (including Vancouver)

The Best Muffins

Hey

I m kinda stuck, I havent done a lot of field work yet but I thought I would to turn to the forums first.

Who sells the best muffins in town?

I was kinda stuck cause some of my favourite bakerys don't even sell muffins.

Thoughts?

thanks
Tom Edo

tom_edo in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Recommendations for Steak and Frites in Vancouver?

Ok, a little late but here are the results. I managed to try out five spots for steak and fries in November and then I managed to try Jules in December. Here are the places that I visited.

Save on Meats - purchased the steak in the front and had it grilled in the back. It was a fun experience but the chef didn't know how to grill a steak that thick and it was very rare.
Stella - A good deal for 13 dollars but I would pick something else off their menu instead. I like their burgers.
Jules - wasnt a fan but I remember loving it 3 years ago.
Smoking Dog - i enjoyed the gravy.
Les Faux Bourgeois - for 16 bucks, its a great deal. Good taste and good price.
Pied A Terre - The best. Also the most expensive but I loved everything about the meal, Staff, atmosphere, food. Highly recommend a visit.

I put pictures on http://www.vancouverslop.com for those who would like more details.

tom_edo in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Jamaican Patty Shop-- Vancouver

If you want some good Roti, you have to try Rehanah's Roti in Port Moody. About 9 -11 bucks for a roti, mashes anything from the reef. . Be aware her hours are a little weird. She also serves doubles, haven't tried them.

I just went to Rehanah's the other day for lunch and put up pictures on http://www.vancouverslop.com

If you want Patties get a hold of hibiscus foods, I think he has the best in the city.

The other thing is to wait for Cari fest and eat there. Great Ox tail.

tom_edo in Western Canada Archives

Best Value Downtown Grocery Vancouver BC

In the West End, you have Safeway and Capers which are expensive but I usually get my deli meat from Safeway. You could try the European Deli on Bidwell next to Guu with Garlic for some deli meats and cheeses if you want, I dont remember the prices, sorry.

A trip to Gastown/Tinseltown for T and T is one of your best bets or venture over to Sunrise Market, their produce is cheap.

If you got a car or dont mind taking the bus a trip to Save On Foods (across the Cambie Street Bridge) if you are willing to sign up for a free save on card can be one of your best places.

tom_edo in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Recommendations for Steak and Frites in Vancouver?

of the ones I have been to, I would say Jules wins. What at deal at les Faux for 16 dollars and cheap wine but the beef could of been better quality but for 16 dollars, great deal.

I am going to do some research of the ones listed (Stella and Pat). I m going to try and do 4 -5 spots for steak and fries this month to find the best.

tom_edo in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Recommendations for Steak and Frites in Vancouver?

Hi Vancouver Chowhounders.

Any recommendations for Steak and Frites,

I have tried Jules, Smoking Dog and Les Faux Bourgeois. and plan to try Pied a terre and Salad de Fruits. Any other places with steak and frites for under 30 dollars?

Thanks in advance.

tom_edo in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Vancouver - Does all the ramen taste the same?

I have never had ramen in Japan but my one trip to Ippudo in NY blew me away, I cant talk about it enough, the broth was incredible, slurped every last sip.

I like the term Mc Sushi....

tom_edo in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Vancouver - Does all the ramen taste the same?

I have been to most of the ramen spots downtown and I find that they all have about a similar level of flavour. Some days one may taste better than the other. Here is how I like to think of the breakdown of the three ramen spots downtown.

Kintaro - I get rich soup and the cha shu bowl. It costs about ten dollars for the cha shu bowl but I am happy because I get four pieces of meat. The atmosphere could be a bit nicer but it suits eating ramen fine.

Benkei - Tasty, doesn’t stand out from the rest but definitely hangs in there. The interior is nice and adding extras is only 50 cents so it is a good deal.

Motomachi - Most expensive of the group, atmosphere is nice. I find it is the tastiest but is it worth the price. It is not much more but ramen is supposed to be cheap.

Menya - Lucky they are on the other side of the bridge cause I would always pass them to go to any of the above three. The gyozas are great but I find the soup doesn’t have enough meat or vegetables.

I posted a comparison of these ramen spots on http://www.Vancouverslop.com

Does anyone else agree that none of the ramen spots stand out from each other?

tom_edo in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Best Burger In Vancouver

In September, I tried to find the best burger in Vancouver. I went to Veras, Splitz, Moderne, Red Onion, White Spot, Cactus Club, Save On Meats and Burgers etc. There are some other places I still need to try like Hamburger Marys, Sutton, Red Robin, and others that I cannot think of off the top of my head. I don't think I will do Diva at the Met but I will go to Mortons for Happy Hour. Any other burger spots that I am missing?

I find burgers to be very heavy meals, almost all of them made me want to take a nap after. I definitely put on some pounds this month.

After all that, the winner is easily

Moderne Burger

To see a breakdown of the results go to www.Vancouverslop.com and look at the Monthly Challenge.

Let me know if you agree that Moderne is the best.

Cheers

tom_edo in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Cioppino's or Enoteca? (Vancouver)

I always thought they shared the same menu. The enoteca is more casual, in my opinion.
Soft heart cake is fantastic for dessert.

Vancouverslop.com

tom_edo in Western Canada Archives

Only Seafoods Cafe - Vancouver

I thought about it when I left Save On Meats. I am more scared of that place actually, old seafood can lead to a bad experience.

Vancouverslop.com - updated daily.

tom_edo in Western Canada Archives

Save on Meats - Vancouver

yeah, you can buy a steak in the meat retail section and then pay the chef in the back 5 bucks and he will cook it and add fries and vegetables. That is what I am going to do next time.

vancouverslop.com - updated daily

tom_edo in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Save on Meats - Vancouver

The burger hunt continues... After hearing much talk about Save On Meats and after Bourdain took a visit there, I quickly had to sweet talk a friend into joining me for a burger. Bourdain didn't really describe the taste burger so I wanted to try it out and review it.

We walked into East Vancouver hungry but after walking the atmosphere of East Hastings we slowly became less hungry. I used to volunteer on Columbia and Hastings , so the site wasn't new to me but it is still not very comforting. This area at night reminds me of playing the video game Resident Evil.

We sat down at the counter in Save On Meats and there were two other people eating burgers there. The service was friendly and very attentive. We opened the menu and ordered, I had the burger with cheese, bacon and mushrooms ($6.50), and my partner had the buffalo/bison burger ($7.00). It took about five minutes for our burgers to be ready.

The burgers were made from ground beef, not frozen patties and the fries were fresh cut . The fries were great, fresh cut with potato skin on the sides, and none were hard in the middle. We ordered a side of gravy which was also tasty, thick with a peppercorn taste to it, really enjoyable.

The burgers were a little greasy but really good. The crazy thing is that you get double patties, so two burger patties between your toasted bun. I recommend the buffalo burger because it was a leaner meat and had a better taste. Both burgers are really solid, a bit greasy but sits high on the burger rankings in this city. They could use a little more lettuce but the mustard and the onions really add a nice taste to the burger. The atmosphere in Save On Meats is tolerable but the walk outside can be difficult for someone who is not used to East Van.

Save on Meats
43 West Hastings St, Vancouver
Tel: 604-683-7761

It is not just a cheap burger it is a dam good burger.

pictures available on http://www.vancouverslop.com

tom_edo in B.C. (including Vancouver)

I need a Wally's burger! (Vancouver)

My September hunt is for the best burger in Vancouver. I miss Wally and their banana milk shakes. I just went to Save on Meats for a burgers, its a lot bigger but great.
pics on http://www.vancouverslop.com

tom_edo in B.C. (including Vancouver)

lunch spots within walking of the Vancouver Cancer Clinic/VGH

And if you are there for Dinner make sure you go to TENHACHI, its just down the street from VGH on 12th located in the Shaughnessy Hotel at 1125 W 12th. Don't let the appearance fool you, this place is incredible and priced well.. I love their miso cod.

Their lunch hours arent the best so I would try for dinner if you are in the area around 5pm.

http://www.Vancouverslop.com

tom_edo in Western Canada Archives

lunch spots within walking of the Vancouver Cancer Clinic/VGH

If you got the time, walk down to Granville and go to Rangoli. I love it there.

tom_edo in Western Canada Archives

Opening? Menya Japanese Noodles, Vancouver

its decent but not amazing, I still have to try Motomachi, I have heard good things and bad things.

tom_edo in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Opening? Menya Japanese Noodles, Vancouver

I went.

It was the second day of being open and the atmosphere is quite nice. Looks like a couple of trees were cut down to do the interior but I like the Wood look and feel. The washrooms could use a little bit more of an upgrade.

We walked in and were immediately seated, there were about four other groups in the restaurant already and over 10 Japanese people on staff.

There were two types of tonkatsu ramen on the menu, priced at 6.75 and 7.00. We all added an egg for an extra 75 cents (highly recommend). There were a few other items on the menu such as cha siu rice dish, fried gyoza, rice balls and a few other things I can't recall.

The broth tasted good, I wouldn't say incredible but it was on par with Benkei and Kintaro. The noodles are the thinner type, and the soup is filled with bamboo shoots, some pickled ginger, green onions and 2-3 pieces of fatty pork. There did not appear to be an option to add corn, or more bamboo shoots or butter but maybe you could ask. But we all know what happens when you ask for things that are not on the menu at Japanese restaurants, it causes utter confusion. All in all the soup was good, gyoza ($4.95) was nice and crispy. The meal did not stand out in my ramen experiences but did not rank any higher or lower than the few other ramen spots in this city, could use a few more pieces of pork in the soup though.

Service was good, but they did get a little confused with us paying 13 dollar each on debit. It took three of them 10 minutes with a calculator and a pad and pen to find out they just got a 10 dollar tip.

Menya Noodle
401 West Broadway, Vancouver
Corner of Yukon and Broadway.
I would rate this place at an 8. It is on par with Kintaro and Benkei. I will return as the price is fair. Make sure you get the egg.

pictures on www.Vancouverslop.com

tom_edo in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Jamaican Patty Shop-- Vancouver

Geez, it was a while back. I remember the OX tail was good if you like ox tail. I had to say they were really on island time, the restaurant had maybe 4 people inside already, took about 10 mins to get a seat, 5 mins to get water, 10 mins to get the menu and 10 mins to take the order and then like 30 mins for food. It was like a 90 min experience. Food was tasty but it wasn't as hot as I like (by hot I mean temp. not spicy).

tom_edo in Western Canada Archives

Jamaican Patty Shop-- Vancouver

best place to eat in town and I havent been there.

I just put it on my list, thanks

tom_edo in Western Canada Archives

Jamaican Patty Shop-- Vancouver

If that is the "Patti Shop" I would not go there, I have ordered pattis from them and hated them. My Jamaican friends even tell me not to go there. If you really want some bulk orders of Pattis I would hit up Hibiscus foods in Coquitlam.

For Cari food I would hit up Rehanahs for roti, Lions Den / Cameo for cheap meals, Reef is pretty good - last time I was there I had a good meal, and Kiss Your Mama in Burnaby can be good but that place takes soo long to get your food and eat that I can't ever commit to losing a day there.

tom_edo in Western Canada Archives

Tenhachi in Vancouver - Secret Gem

I came back here because I wanted to show more people how good it is. I ordered the miso saba ($13.00) and it was fantastic, my friend order the amberjack neck ($17.00).

All the Japanese food is great here. My miso saba tasted so good, it just melted in my mouth, such an incredible flavour. The miso soup is the best I have ever had, containing a variety of ingredients (this time it even had broccoli bits in it).

The atmosphere as I have mentioned before is a little un ordinary Tenhachi is located in the bottom of a bed and breakfast / hotel. Here is a picture to better describe what I am talking about.

Bottom line - the food here is great, not your typical Japanese food but really flavourful. I haven't ordered the rolls here because they are very pricey but I will have to try them.
If you really want to show your foodie friends a place to undiscovered place to eat, take them here.

Pictures can be found on http://www.vancouverslop.com

Tenhachi
1125 W.12th Ave. Shaughnessy Village Hotel
Vancouver B.C. Canada
http://www.tamaorganic.com/tenhachi/menu.html

tom_edo in Western Canada Archives

Sushi on W. Broadway or Kitsilano Vancouver?

Greyelf,
I have heard good things about Aoki and I have seen lines outside it. Is it really that good?

Kibune is a good call, forgot about that one.

tom_edo in Western Canada Archives

Sushi on W. Broadway or Kitsilano Vancouver?

I love Yujis on 4th.
http://www.vancouverslop.com/2008/05/yujis-on-fourth-one-of-my-favorites.html
http://www.vancouverslop.com/2008/05/2-days-later-and-back-to-yujis.html

tom_edo in Western Canada Archives

Hi Genki - Burnaby inside the Japanese old folks home

Hi Genki is in the Edmonds area of Burnaby and is located in a Japanese Old Folks home. To some people it is considered a secret gem. Hi Genki is part of the Fujiya family which has been a staple in the Japanese Canadian community for as long as I remember. Growing up my parents would drive to Fujiya just to order sushi platters but now that I have developed a pallet for sushi I would no longer consider Fujiya a good place to buy sushi or sashimi. Its cheap but not that tasty.

If you go on dinehere.ca and look up HiGenki, the reviews are generally exceptional, receiving four or five stars in the areas of food and service. I would best consider the food here as standard. I ordered the katsu curry for nine dollars. The taste was good but for the same price I would easily rather order the katsu curry at Guu or Yoshoko Ya (my favorite katsu curry place). I do want to mention that the value for the other items such as the donburi was great, costing about 6 dollars for the bowl.

The service was decent however my friend's dish came long after mine, one of my pet peeves. My friend also had to pack his own food in a to go container, it appears that the Japanese people at Hi Genki seemed to have learned a lesson from the Swedish from Ikea, (the do it yourself mentality). Japanese people tend to be full of etiquette and manners so I couldn't understand why they made people pack their own food, something that is still only done by a few Chinese restaurants.

I would return if I was in the area but I would not make a trip from Vancouver just to go there. If you want to try a real hidden gem, try Ten Hachi on 12th, really good Japanese food.

Pictures can be found on http://www.vancouverslop.com

tom_edo in Western Canada Archives

Cioppino Yaletown - Amazing Pasta

Oh my goodness, this meal was incredible. My buddy Josh was leaving town and I thought I would take him out for a good lunch as our last meal.

Cioppino / Enoteca in Yaletown has always been one of my favorites. If you drink wine then you are in luck because they have a huge wine list.

My buddy decided to rinse the pennies out of me and decided to order a salad. I guess he is one of those guys that when you say you will buy him lunch he decides to order an appetizer with his meal and an expensive drink although you never seen him eat an appetizer before. The salad was great, not oily, and really fresh tasting. It was a baby lettuce salad mixed with herbs, pear, stilton and honey lemon dressing for ten dollars. A perfect starter. I didn't want the bill to run up so I decided to sit awkwardly while he ate in front of me.

For lunch I ordered the pasta for 30 dollars, it was a garganelli in a red sauce with lobster and crab. This pasta blew my mind, so good!!!!!! There were large pieces of both crab and lobster, and the red sauce was amazing. The sauce was rich but so flavourful.

My buddy ordered the veal, I wasn't loving it but he said he enjoyed it. My pasta kicks his dishes ass, too bad I had to pay for them both.

Bottom line, if you want to spend a bit of money and have a nice meal, this is the place to go. The food is insane. Never had or heard a complaint from all the times I have been there. It has to be one of Vancouver's best.

Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill
1133 and 1129 Hamilton Street
http://www.cioppinosyaletown.com/

pictures can be found on
http://www.vancouverslop.com

tom_edo in Western Canada Archives

A Food Tour of Manhattan

Went to NY for a vacation to see some friends and have some good food. Here is some reviews of restaurants in your beautiful city. Pictures can be found on

http://www.vancouverslop.com

Ippudo
Okay, I am not a ramen head but this was incredible. The broth blew my mind away, my face was so next when I tasted this. It was incredible, I drank every bit of my broth. The ramen is a little expensive for 13 dollars since it is not loaded with meat and eggs etc but the flavor was insane. So tasty. For an extra three dollars you get salad and pork on rice which was hella tasty. I was told you can ask for more noodles if you have broth left over.

Ippudo is a chain from Japan and that recently opened up in New York. If you are in NY you must try this place. Soo tasty. That broth is sooo good, its freakish.

Ippudo NY
65 4th ave
New York, NY
East Village
http://www.ippudo.com/ny

Lupa -
Decided to try some pasta out in New York and visited Lupa. Lupa is a restaurant owned by Mario Batali (author of many cookbooks, and named "Man of the Year" in the chef category in GQ). We managed to get a seat at the bar, and the bartender provided exceptional service. Our glass of water was never more than half empty, and he was very knowledgeable about the food.

My friend ordered a flash fried prosciutto ball for an appetizer and it was quite good. For the main course I had a wide noodled pasta with chicken in a ragu sauce, my friend had the gnocchi and my other friend had a cod that was battered with a salt rub and deep fried. The main courses were about 22 dollars each, you can have a look at the menu here.

The meal was quite tasty but not amazing. The food had a clean taste to it but the flavours did not blow me away.

Lupa
170 Thompson Street
New York
http://www.luparestaurant.com/

Cafe Habana

This is a picture of a grilled beef steak burrito and the famous grilled corn. Lots of good sandwiches here including the catfish sandwich which my friend had but what I want to talk about here is this corn. This corn is absolutely amazing, you get one cob for $1.90. The corn is grilled and then rolled in mayo and then cotija cheese and then finished with cuban spice and paprika. Sooo good, this is one of my favorite things to eat in New York. A must go.

Cafe Habana
17 Prince St., New York, NY 10012
at Elizabeth St

We got it at the take out side but there is a sit down side as well. If you can't make it here try La Esquina

Caracas

My friend in New York showed me this spot, Caracas Arepa Bar in East Village. This is the first time I had Venezuelan food, and it was incredible. The first picture was a tilapia ceviche, the second is a black bean arepa and the third picture is of a dish called sidekicks, it is plantains with mayo and a cheese similiar to cotija cheese. The food here was fantastic, you can see prices on their website located here. I love those fried plantains, going to try and make them.

Caracas Arepa Bar
93 1/2 East 7th Street
New York, NY

Katz
Had to stop by the ever famous Katz Deli ( the set from "When Harry Met Sally") located in the Lower East Side in New York for the pastrami sandwich. We decided to split it since we were not that hungry and I feel that it is an over priced sandwich at 14.95 each. The sandwich was good and the atmosphere better, pictures of famous people from all over on the walls including Wu Tang Clan, Mike Tyson etc.

tom_edo in Manhattan

Social at Le Magasin - Gastown

Went to Social in Gastown for weekend brunch. No jokes here. First off, the service was amazing. The girl was really on point. She knew the products inside out and even spoke to the chef for our special request.

We were given cinnamon raisin biscuits with some strawberry jam as a complementary starter, and they were absolutely incredible. I ordered the eggs benedict and it was done perfectly. Eggs were runny enough, bacon was crispy and tasty and the potatoes were crispy and tasty (served with aolli). My cohort had an all egg white omelet with mushrooms, my spoonful that I was offered was a cup of amazing.

I highly recommend this spot for breakfast/brunch.

pictures can be found on

http://www.vancouverslop.com

tom_edo in Western Canada Archives