Irasshaimase

Cuisine: Cambodian / Vietnamese The Down Low: Just for the food, I give Phnom Penh top marks in Vancouver. Can it be dethroned? Favorite Dish: No one I have talked to about Phnom Penh knows anything about the menu aside from the butter beef and the chicken wings. But when you have found perfection, why take a risk with anything else. Music Pairing: Another one of my Anjunabeats' favorites, Oliver Smith at ABGT250 . He just released a new track called Lovingly which is featured in the set. Vietnamese? Cambodian? Chinese? A bit of an identity crisis Cambodia and Vietnam are in my opinion two of the world's great countries, with food contributing highly to that ranking. While working in Southeast Asia for six months last year, I had the opportunity to visit Siem Reap and Phnom Penh with my family. Unfortunately the only time I ever got sick was while visiting Angkor Wat, and it definitely was caused by something I ate the morning of. Although puking before running int

Cuisine: Western   Rotisserie The Down Low:  With a large portrait of Winston Churchill, a cock room, and a menu that requires a dictionary to interpret, you are sure to impress any guest(s) that you take to Homer St. Favorite Dish:  The meatloaf wrapped in bacon, and the pork belly appetizer will have vegetarians from across Vancouver (>50% of the population) converging on the joint to protest and toss organic tofu at the windows. The rest of us can feel protected by the sharpened silverware. Music Pairing:  If I was really trying to make an appropriate pairing, it would be some sort of jazz, blues or swing, but I have a Jimi Hendrix vinyl on in the background, so bringing back some R&R classics.  Lover Man and Purple Haze Every time I go to Homer St. Cafe and Bar I feel like I should be dressed in some sort of James Bond tuxedo, speaking with a British accent. That's not because the place is overly fancy; it just has this aura of sophistication. A Magh

Cuisine: Seafood The Down Low:  All the boat decorations almost make you feel sea sick after sitting through a big meal. Although it’s more likely the lobster poutine and beers will be to blame, as opposed to the décor. Favorite Dish:  New England Clam Chowder on the West Coast Music Pairing: Alpha 9 in Miami for a State of Trance   Walking into Rodney’s is like walking into a rustic, seaside bed and breakfast. The old lady running the B&B was a decorator in the city before retiring to the coastal village. A lot of thought has gone into making the place 'authentic.' She loves the sea and especially the sea-men. "Wait, what?" That's right, let's address the whale in the room. There are sexual undertones dotting the place. You'd really have to like oysters to confidently wear this shirt in public ...and now I am sexualizing a perfectly normal oyster shucking picture. The old lady at the B&B has me in her trap. Watch ou

Cuisine: Afghan, in case it wasn't obvious The Down Low:  The ambiance of the place is more memorable than the food, but considering how awesome the place is decorated, the chef has tough competition from the interior tent designer for "Horseman of the Year" Favorite Dish: If the dish-looking battle shield doesn't count, then I'd have to say the lamb shoulder takes my second vote. Music Pairing: Jason Ross Live In Amsterdam   It will make you want to belly dance on the floor cushions. From a distance it's easy to mistake it for a massage parlor Unfortunately I do not associate many good things with Afghanistan. I have never had Afghan friends, and the little I do know of the country comes from news coverage on war and refugees. So when some friends in Vancouver suggested Afghan food, I was keen to check it out. One thing I know that can bring the world together is a shared appreciation of good food and music. Now when you walk into the Afgh

Cuisine:  Japanese The Down Low:  Sit at the sushi bar and order something with their homemade miku sauce Favorite Dish: The Champagne (Roll) deserves to be carried out like bottle service at a club in Vegas Music Pairing: As a rock band from Tennessee, the Kings of Leon are an unusual pairing for a Japanese joint, but considering how much I love both KOL and Minami, I am going to make the pairing work. Here is their "new" album Walls Minami was the original inspiration for my food blog, and where I adopted the name Irasshaimase.  The restaurant has a special place in my heart...and my stomach. I live next door, so I go almost every week. It's a problem. But it's a problem I enjoy having.  In the spirit of sharing, some other "Minami problems" that I have, include: Loving the Champagne, Salmon Oshi and Ebi (prawn) Oshi sushi rolls so much that I have explored little else on the menu. Very unlike me to be so close-minded, especially whe

Cuisine:  Chinese The Down Low:  There is no such thing as small portions and the dishes are not cheap, so bring along your entire Chinese-food loving family if you want some variety Favorite Dish: My middle name is Sweet & Sour Music Pairing:  Nothing like the Mulan soundtrack, but The Funk Hunters just released a mix sure to make a man out of you. Night Spell 5 Like any good Chinese restaurant, the place was buzzing when I walked in. The staff operate like a colony of ants, scurrying in-between the tables in the blink of an eye, and managing to carry 3x their body weight in food. Sipping on some tea and watching the dining room floor is both entertaining and nerve-racking. You sit on the edge of your seat waiting for a collision, and never have I seen so many near misses with acrobatic saves.  Maybe an expansion to a mini Cirque du Soleil restaurant is coming? I'm sure it would not be hard to find some spectacular gymnasts, kung fu artists and contortionists