Irasshaimase

Cuisine:  Malaysian The Down Low:  since no one really knows what Malaysian food is, I propose it's an exotic place to take a Valentine's Day date (which is now only a week away). They will have so much trouble reading the menu that they will hardly notice all the stupid things you are saying. Favorite Dish:  The eggplant fries with Thai chili sauce Music Pairing: if you are listening to music then your date is probably not going so well, but if you are desperate for some tunes to fill the awkward silences, throw on Porter Robinson's Essential Mix . It is one of the most attractive things I have ever heard and it will completely drown out any unwanted conversation. Looking to expose an aura of culture and sophistication to impress that special someone on Valentine's Day? Japanese, Thai, Korean and Chinese are all too common in Vancouver, so why not make a reservation for Malaysian and leave him / her too intrigued to turn you down. Hardly a risky bet, as the ...

Cuisine:  Seafood The Down Low:  this place fancyyy, huh? (some of you just read that with a Swizz Beatz voice in your head. Nail done, hair done, everything did) Favorite Dish:  the item that is cheapest, and "a glass of their finest water" (but make sure they realize you are joking because they may come back with triple filtered mountain lake water, bottled in Japan) Music Pairing: When you are going to shell out more than a couple sand dollars, you should be treating your ears with the finest trance chefs in the Anjuna kitchen, Above & Beyond! Their new album  Common Ground  is out, and as my friends can imagine, I've listened to it more than a couple of times. Now I don't consider myself a fine dining type of person. It's weird having people other than your mom call you "sir." So instead of dressing to impress, I remained true to style and went to Blue Water Cafe in my sweatpants. Somehow I pulled it off. They actually gave me a ...

Cuisine: RAMEN The Down Low:  there are so many options out there, and if you are willing to wait in a line, Danbo is not a spot you should miss. Irasshaimase! Favorite Dish: does it really matter? But once I went with a colleague who only ordered the gyoza (known as a "dumpling" among white people, at least from Calgary). Let's just say that my colleague did not last long in Vancouver. Music Pairing: some groovy Jean Tonique and Majestic Casual I don't spend many weekends in Vancouver, but when my brother is visiting and wants a 'real house husbands of Vancouver' experience, I take him to ramen for a hearty lunch. And there are few better ramen spots for house husbands than Ramen Danbo.  I am hopeful to someday be a house husband. I can drop the kids off at school, and pop into a local ramen establishment to inhale the food energy I need for the rest of the day. Stand in line for at least 20 minutes with all the other house husbands. Chat ...

Cuisine: Seafood The Down Low:  This place is almost always dead when I walk in, but I can assure you that the fish cannot have been dead for very long before you receive it on your plate. Favorite Dish: Get the Taco Trio. Unlike many s(h)elfish places out there, they actually give the guac 'complimentary' without having to ask. Sophisticated. Music Pairing: Genix & Sunny Lax B2B at ABGT250  (While the ambiance of the Fish Shack really does not match the set, Granville is a dance-y place and I highly recommend busting a few cray-sea moves on your way home) I'll start by saying that no matter how many times I go to Buck A Shuck, I always look stupider than normal trying to eat an oyster. This last time I went, I drowned my first oyster in too much vinegar and ended up coughing in shock. Fortunately no one was around, and the bartender was busy getting hit on by a guy that looked like Justin Timberlake circa 2000. If only I was sitting closer to him at the ti...

Cuisine: Mexican The Down Low:  The evening tater tots will give you a mini heart attack Favorite Dish: The beef burrito (they describe it on their menu with a lot more detail and finesse) Music Set:  The album  High Noon  from the Arkells Tacofino Taco Bar has a couple of locations in Metro Vancouver. I know of one other in Gastown. As the name suggests, the restaurant originated in Tofino and has since gained popularity beyond the surfing, hipster crowds at the beach. Food preparation is quick and the setting is informal. Maybe one of the only places on my restaurant circuit where I don't look out of place in my regular sweatpants and flatbrim caps attire. You will walk away from this restaurant heavy! I normally have a little penguin shuffle after a big meal there. Gym or squash is essential before a visit, with a trip to the little boy's room to freshen up afterwards. Careful in there. Even looking at the food makes me feel full Taco B...

Cuisine:  Lebanese The Down Low:  I don't feel terribly unhealthy after eating there. Unless lots and lots hummus is bad for you.... Favorite Dish:  The eggplant (paired with some olives) Music Set: Mossy in the Clouds Ah Nubaaaaaaa. Although I'm sure the Lebanese are good at many things, I know they have mastered the art of giving FRESH cuts, and at Nuba they have proven their buds for great food. Now I do not have many points of comparison, but I often mistakenly associate that region to just shawarma. I'm glad I can add some "variety" to my experience. But I think every time I have gone I forget what I ate the time before. Actually putting some thought to it now, I realize I read the menu and jump to the eggplant every time. My vegetable for the week. Careful causing a seizure with a camera flash in this candle-ambiance Lebanese Arabic looks a lot like our alphabet.... Good thing I had a candle to make me feel less lonely this t...

Irasshaimase!  Some of you may have already done the Google search to understand what the title of the blog means. Most of you probably don't care. I'll tell you anyways. "Irasshaimase" is the Japanese phrase for "Come In" or "Welcome to the store." You will hear it from chefs at my favorite Japanese restaurants in the city of Vancouver, including the one featured in my first post.  I am looking for some hobbies and I know I enjoy writing...in small doses. I have been working on a project in Vancouver for 8 months now. I've grown to love the city for one reason in particular, THE FOOD! Don't get me wrong, Vancouver is amazing for many other reasons, but let's just say that I eat at a lot of restaurants. Every night to be exact. I have cooked one meal at my condo. Cooking is currently not one of my hobbies, but when I move back to the real world I may just become inspired to give it a shot. For now, my only inspiration is to EAT...