Shabbusen Japanese Yakiniku House
The first time I had shabu-shabu was in Taiwan; where exactly it was or what the name of the restaurant was remains a mystery to me. The food, however, was simply fabulous.
While in Vancouver to attend a conference, I was awed by the number and quality of Asian restaurants. When the group I was with asked where we should go, I said I didn't really care, but it had to be some type of Asian food. The rest of my group readily agreed and we quickly chose Shabusen, located right near the conference hotel and also receiving good word of mouth at the conference.
Our group of five was early enough to not need a reservation, but the restaurant quickly filled up. We were seated – by the efficient and brusque staff – in a booth designed as a small dinghy. We had some trouble climbing “aboard” (only realizing too late you should take off your shoes and just walk on the seats). Once settled in, I started to examine the complex menu. There were lots of choices, all arranged around various pan-Asian options. The rest of the group settled for the Chinese version of the bento box, but I opted for the shabu-shabu, partly to satisfy their curiosity and also to compare to my Taiwan experience.
Shabu-shabu, for those of you who don't know, is a variation on the hot pot idea. You're given a pot of broth that is heated at your table, and plates of uncooked food. In my case I had beef, various cabbages, mushrooms, tofu, etc. There is also a sauce or two for you to add to the blend.
You throw everything in the pot and stir and wait.
The non-meat options were a little heavy on the cabbage (none of the tofu variations or fish add-inn that I had in Taiwan). Also, there were only two sauces, a peanut sauce and a thicker, not too spicy sauce.
The boxes were a hit with the rest of the table (quite large servings by the way) and my shabu-shabu was good, if not great. I think it will always be hard to match that first shabu-shabu experience.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *** 1/2
Date: 9 November 2009
Address: 202-755 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1X6, Canada
Website: http://www.shabusen.com/
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Have a Cuppa, Cupcake that is
Have a Cuppa, Cupcake that is ... Cupcakes in Vancouver
Cupcake stores seem to be all the rage. In many ways, they make a lot of sense. You often don't want a whole slice of cake. And if you're not eating in, a slice of cake is often hard to transport. The cupcake places have also expanded their lines, adding mini-cupcakes so you can have a variety of options (think of them as the donut holes of the industry!).
While in Vancouver, I spied Cupcake while walking down Robson Street. The pink exterior and Fifties motif drew my attention and I resolved to stop for a cupcake before I left the city.
On my second night, after an early dinner, I stopped in at the small store and selected a pumpkin spice cupcake to go. On the way back to the hotel, I got a coffee and back at my room made myself comfortable for dessert.
The cupcake itself was light and moist with just the right amount of flavor and spices. The icing was also light and creamy, and abundantly spread. And that, is perhaps my general complaint about cupcake store cupcakes in general. The icing is usually of the light and fluffy nature. I like a nice, harder sugar toping.
Overall, however, Cupcakes serves up a good product. FYI, Cupcakes is a small, Vancouver-based chain. I passed another store, but had already had my dessert!
Meal: Snack
Rating: *****
Date: 9 November 2009
Address: 797 Thurlow Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 3V5, Canada (and other locations in the Vancouver area)
Website: http://www.originalcupcakes.com
Cupcake stores seem to be all the rage. In many ways, they make a lot of sense. You often don't want a whole slice of cake. And if you're not eating in, a slice of cake is often hard to transport. The cupcake places have also expanded their lines, adding mini-cupcakes so you can have a variety of options (think of them as the donut holes of the industry!).
While in Vancouver, I spied Cupcake while walking down Robson Street. The pink exterior and Fifties motif drew my attention and I resolved to stop for a cupcake before I left the city.
On my second night, after an early dinner, I stopped in at the small store and selected a pumpkin spice cupcake to go. On the way back to the hotel, I got a coffee and back at my room made myself comfortable for dessert.
The cupcake itself was light and moist with just the right amount of flavor and spices. The icing was also light and creamy, and abundantly spread. And that, is perhaps my general complaint about cupcake store cupcakes in general. The icing is usually of the light and fluffy nature. I like a nice, harder sugar toping.
Overall, however, Cupcakes serves up a good product. FYI, Cupcakes is a small, Vancouver-based chain. I passed another store, but had already had my dessert!
Meal: Snack
Rating: *****
Date: 9 November 2009
Address: 797 Thurlow Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 3V5, Canada (and other locations in the Vancouver area)
Website: http://www.originalcupcakes.com
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Poutine and Beer
Chill Winston
I'd finished up at the conference I was attending and wanted just a light lunch. I knew there are a number of places in Gastown that were still on my list and I decided to go to Pourhouse.
Unfortunately, it being Remembrance Day (aka Veterans' Day) they weren't open for lunch. I tried the Lamplighter, but the bar area was not responsive, so I headed a few streets over to a place I'd noticed earlier, Chill Winston.
The restaurant proper was quite full, but I planned on eating at the bar and easily found a seat. A nice little feature, the bar had a variety of magazines available for the single patron or the unsociable! I settled in with a copy of the Economist (and learned about declining population rates around the world) and ordered up a local IPA and an order of poutine. I was offered some pulled pork on the poutine, but after a moment of hesitation, said no.
For those of you who don't know what it is, here's the definition of the “classic” poutine:
The food was good, the beer tasty and the barkeep suitably attentive. Probably a good place to spend more time with the food.
I'd finished up at the conference I was attending and wanted just a light lunch. I knew there are a number of places in Gastown that were still on my list and I decided to go to Pourhouse.
Unfortunately, it being Remembrance Day (aka Veterans' Day) they weren't open for lunch. I tried the Lamplighter, but the bar area was not responsive, so I headed a few streets over to a place I'd noticed earlier, Chill Winston.
The restaurant proper was quite full, but I planned on eating at the bar and easily found a seat. A nice little feature, the bar had a variety of magazines available for the single patron or the unsociable! I settled in with a copy of the Economist (and learned about declining population rates around the world) and ordered up a local IPA and an order of poutine. I was offered some pulled pork on the poutine, but after a moment of hesitation, said no.
For those of you who don't know what it is, here's the definition of the “classic” poutine:
The French fries are of medium thickness, and fried so that the insides are still soft, with an outer crust. The gravy is a light chicken, veal or turkey gravy, mildly spiced with a hint of pepper. Heavy beef or pork-based brown gravies are typically not used. Fresh cheese curd (not more than a day old) is used. To maintain the texture of the fries,the cheese curd and gravy must be added immediately prior to serving the dish. ("Poutine" from Wikipedia )Chill Winston did a variation on it; a nice brown gravy on the fries and a selection (jack and chedder) of shredded cheese (not curds). Nice bit of a peppery taste, and overall, quite good.
The food was good, the beer tasty and the barkeep suitably attentive. Probably a good place to spend more time with the food.
Meal: Light lunch
Rating: ***
Date: 11 November 2009
Address: 3 Alexander Street, Vancouver, BCV6A1B2
Website: http://www.chillwinston.com/
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Bubble me up Scottie!
Bubble World Tea House
About two years ago, a Chinese restaurant opened near my house and soon put up a sign in the window, “Bubble tea here”. I was curious, but didn't explore further. Then, earlier this year, I traveled to Taipei and in my research discovered exactly what Bubble Tea is.
For those of you who don't know, Bubble Tea is Taiwanese creation that’s taken Asia, and the rest of the world now, by storm. While in Taiwan, I had my first bubble tea – green tea version – and it was quite good. The basic idea is a tea base (black traditionally, but I like green), milk, and boba balls, aka pearls (made from a mixture of tapioca and carrageenan powder).
While in Vancouver, which, by the way, has one of the greatest collection of just about every type of Asian restaurant you can imagine (and some you can't like Japadog), I had to stop in at a bubble tea shop.
Nearly across from my hotel was Bubble World Tea House, a small chain. Stopping in late one evening, the shop was quite busy. If I didn't think too much, I would almost think I was in Asia. From the décor to the customers, it was a little slice of Taipei. I ordered up a honey green tea with pearls and sat reading a local alternative newspaper for a bit, watching the intricate process of making the bubble tea (which involved probably three different machines) and my fellow customers.
Meal: Snack
Rating: ****
Date: 10 November 2009
Address: 1325 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C6, Canada
Website: N/A
About two years ago, a Chinese restaurant opened near my house and soon put up a sign in the window, “Bubble tea here”. I was curious, but didn't explore further. Then, earlier this year, I traveled to Taipei and in my research discovered exactly what Bubble Tea is.
For those of you who don't know, Bubble Tea is Taiwanese creation that’s taken Asia, and the rest of the world now, by storm. While in Taiwan, I had my first bubble tea – green tea version – and it was quite good. The basic idea is a tea base (black traditionally, but I like green), milk, and boba balls, aka pearls (made from a mixture of tapioca and carrageenan powder).
While in Vancouver, which, by the way, has one of the greatest collection of just about every type of Asian restaurant you can imagine (and some you can't like Japadog), I had to stop in at a bubble tea shop.
Nearly across from my hotel was Bubble World Tea House, a small chain. Stopping in late one evening, the shop was quite busy. If I didn't think too much, I would almost think I was in Asia. From the décor to the customers, it was a little slice of Taipei. I ordered up a honey green tea with pearls and sat reading a local alternative newspaper for a bit, watching the intricate process of making the bubble tea (which involved probably three different machines) and my fellow customers.
Meal: Snack
Rating: ****
Date: 10 November 2009
Address: 1325 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C6, Canada
Website: N/A
Friday, November 13, 2009
Coffee and Donuts at the Granville Island Public Market
Coffee and Donuts at the Granville Island Public Market
My Vancouver foodie contact said that if I went to Granville Island, I had to go to the Public Market and once I was there, I had to have coffee at J.J. Bean and a donut from Lee's Donuts.
Well, I went and, of course, made the required stops. First up, the donuts. What's not to like about fresh donuts? That's right, nothing, few baked/fried sweets are better than a fresh donut. Lee's had a big selection. My first thought was to get a selection (half-dozen) of the donut holes. But I couldn't decide if that would be too much or not. In the end, I went with my all-time favorite donut, the white cake donut with chocolate icing.
Taking my donut bag, I wandered back through the Market to J.J. Bean. There was a line in front of me, so I had a chance to observe the staff at work. Quick, friendly, and efficient, they kept the line moving and had me my coffee in no timie at all.
So, the results? The donut was fabulous! The coffee was pretty good too.
Lee's Donuts
Meal: Snack
Rating: *****
Date: 10 November 2009
Address: 1689 Johnston Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
Website: N/A
J.J. Bean Coffee
Meal: Snack
Rating: ***
Date: 10 November 2009
Address: Granville Island Public Market, 1689 Johnston St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
Website: http://www.jjbeancoffee.com/
My Vancouver foodie contact said that if I went to Granville Island, I had to go to the Public Market and once I was there, I had to have coffee at J.J. Bean and a donut from Lee's Donuts.
Well, I went and, of course, made the required stops. First up, the donuts. What's not to like about fresh donuts? That's right, nothing, few baked/fried sweets are better than a fresh donut. Lee's had a big selection. My first thought was to get a selection (half-dozen) of the donut holes. But I couldn't decide if that would be too much or not. In the end, I went with my all-time favorite donut, the white cake donut with chocolate icing.
Taking my donut bag, I wandered back through the Market to J.J. Bean. There was a line in front of me, so I had a chance to observe the staff at work. Quick, friendly, and efficient, they kept the line moving and had me my coffee in no timie at all.
So, the results? The donut was fabulous! The coffee was pretty good too.
Lee's Donuts
Meal: Snack
Rating: *****
Date: 10 November 2009
Address: 1689 Johnston Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
Website: N/A
J.J. Bean Coffee
Meal: Snack
Rating: ***
Date: 10 November 2009
Address: Granville Island Public Market, 1689 Johnston St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
Website: http://www.jjbeancoffee.com/
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Shabu Shabu in Taipei
Stir it up!
Sorry, I don't really know the name of the place, or exactly where in Taipei I was. I had had been at the National Palace Museum for a meeting with some colleagues and when they offered to take us out for dinner and a tour of the Shilin Night Market, it wasn't possible to say no.
This was my first experience with Shabu Shabu, a Japanese variant of the Chinese hot pot. You get a large cooking pot of broth and a selection of meats, tofu and vegetables (along with various sauces) and DIY.
Sitting at long tables, we all joined in the cooking fun and had a delicious and tasty time.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *****
Date: 24 February 2009
Address: Taipei, Taiwan
Website: N/A
Sorry, I don't really know the name of the place, or exactly where in Taipei I was. I had had been at the National Palace Museum for a meeting with some colleagues and when they offered to take us out for dinner and a tour of the Shilin Night Market, it wasn't possible to say no.
This was my first experience with Shabu Shabu, a Japanese variant of the Chinese hot pot. You get a large cooking pot of broth and a selection of meats, tofu and vegetables (along with various sauces) and DIY.
Sitting at long tables, we all joined in the cooking fun and had a delicious and tasty time.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *****
Date: 24 February 2009
Address: Taipei, Taiwan
Website: N/A
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Alaska Airlines: Northern Bites
Alaska Airlines: Northern Bites
Well, interestingly enough, there wasn't a Dunkin' Donuts in the gate area I boarded my Alaska Airlines flight (DCA to SEA to YVR), so I just had a quick coffee and muffin at the gate (NOTE: I arrived 2 hours early, since Canada is "international"), but breezed through check-in and security so had a full hour and a half to check out the meagre offerings!).
Well, turned out that Alaska Airlines offered a nice selection of boxed food choices (not free of course, but $6.00).
Looking over the offerings, I splurged on the scrambled egg plate. Turned out to be scrambled eggs over home fries with some sausage and cheese on top. Pretty good (except for my cholesterol of course!)
Meal: Breakfast
Date Visited: 8 November 2009
Rating: N/A
Address: In the air
Website: N/A
Well, interestingly enough, there wasn't a Dunkin' Donuts in the gate area I boarded my Alaska Airlines flight (DCA to SEA to YVR), so I just had a quick coffee and muffin at the gate (NOTE: I arrived 2 hours early, since Canada is "international"), but breezed through check-in and security so had a full hour and a half to check out the meagre offerings!).
Well, turned out that Alaska Airlines offered a nice selection of boxed food choices (not free of course, but $6.00).
Looking over the offerings, I splurged on the scrambled egg plate. Turned out to be scrambled eggs over home fries with some sausage and cheese on top. Pretty good (except for my cholesterol of course!)
Meal: Breakfast
Date Visited: 8 November 2009
Rating: N/A
Address: In the air
Website: N/A
Saturday, November 7, 2009
R.I.P.: Madhu Ban
R.I.P.: Madhu Ban
Madhu Ban was one of those places that I wanted to go to more often, but it was just a bit too far from home and in an area that I don't frequent that often when in search of dinner.
I did make it there a couple of times and each time the food was good, if not spectacular. I believe it was run by the same people (or at least shared staff) with the Indian restaurant in downtown Washington in the Old Post Office food court.
Not the fanciest, and too be honest, sometimes looking a little dirty, Madhu Ban is all locked up with fences around it, the block likely to be renovated into something new sometime soon.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: N/A
Date Closed: circa 2009 (?)
Address: 3217 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22201-4415
Website: N/A
Madhu Ban was one of those places that I wanted to go to more often, but it was just a bit too far from home and in an area that I don't frequent that often when in search of dinner.
I did make it there a couple of times and each time the food was good, if not spectacular. I believe it was run by the same people (or at least shared staff) with the Indian restaurant in downtown Washington in the Old Post Office food court.
Not the fanciest, and too be honest, sometimes looking a little dirty, Madhu Ban is all locked up with fences around it, the block likely to be renovated into something new sometime soon.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: N/A
Date Closed: circa 2009 (?)
Address: 3217 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22201-4415
Website: N/A
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