Turning 30 was never a big deal until I was about to turn 30.

 

Cliché, much?

 

But, really, I’ve never stressed about age until now.  And it’s not stress in the form of hunting down wrinkle creams and creating a bucket list; it’s the quarter/middle/late-life crisis kind.  The kind that makes me want to drop everything and travel the world, purge my possessions, and rack up my credit card on airfare and walking shoes.  When you’re in such a thrisis, you see age as coming with responsibilities and expectations.  I’m wanting none of that right now!

My age has also revealed too much comfort.

So, a baby step was to shake up my birthday routine.  Instead of either hosting the party at home or going out to eat, I asked Sugar if she would be up for a weekend in Vancouver; for a quick change of scenery and the opportunity to eat too much.  With my partner-in-crime confirmed, airfare bought, and accommodations arranged, all I had left to do was count my blessings as a few other friends agreed to join—I am a lucky girl.

Relying on some word of mouth and Vancouver magazine, I charted out a foodie journey that allowed for flexibility and whim.  Our two dinners were reserved and everything else was up for grabs.

I cannot say anything bad about what we ate.  Nothing was disappointing, nothing was just sustenance.  It was all delicious indulgence.  Here is my synopsis of our culinary itinerary.

 

Raw + Canvas

We sat in this Yaletown art studio-cum-café-cum-wine bar for a short post-flight rest before getting dolled up for dinner.  Wine in tea cups, Oyama meats, buttery Nicoise olives, and painting in the background.  A destination?  Likely not, but a definite gem if you’re in the area.

 

 

 

1046 Hamilton St

 

 

Chambar

Pre-dinner cocktails with sides of candied thyme and blue cheese.  There is nothing like a good cocktail and we found that you couldn’t go wrong with any of the ones listed on the menu.

 

 

 

562 Beatty St

 

 

Fuel

Birthday dinner at one of the top-rated Vancouver restaurants.  The kind of place you go to once just to go, but likely will one day want to go back to because the aroma and texture of perfectly cooked pork belly, duck confit, and fresh fish will call to you.  The service was impeccable.

 

 

 

1944 West 4th Ave

 

       

Café Medina

The sister café to Chambar, Medina has the best Belgian waffles I’ve ever tasted.  You almost cannot call them waffles because they are so superior to the breakfast diner standard.  Sweet, buttery, and chewy, the only way I could describe them was to say they were croissant-like.  With a waffle each to start, we also had egg-based mains that kept us full until almost dinner.  The lavender Americano and white chocolate, pistachio, and rosewater mocha also kept us revved throughout the day.

 

 

 

556 Beatty St

 

 

The Diamond

I had read that Van mag’s Bartender of the Year was opening up his own spot in Gastown.  Lucky for us, it opened mere days before our arrival.  It’s a nice second-floor space with big windows, old school cocktails with modern flourishes, and the best pot stickers I’ve ever had.  If I get to go back, I’m ordering what looked like a duck banh mi.

 

 

 

 

6 Powell Street

 

 

La Quercia

My favourite meal of the trip.  As there were six of us, we were required to order family style, which they politely told me when I made the reservation.  We were all expecting a typical Italian flow of antipasti, pasta, mains, and dessert.  We did not get what we expected.  What we got for $40 per person was nine amazing courses.  Antipasti of prosciutto and melon, tuna and barley salad, paper thin veal, parmesan soufflé, and a simple green salad.  We got three large plates of rotini amatriciana, orecchiete with fresh favas, tomatoes, and ricotta, and a porcini mushroom risotto.  This was followed by seared salmon and the most tender roast chicken.  They rounded us off with a dessert offering of lemon crema, strawberry semifreddo, almond torte, and chocolate cake.

I was very impressed to see that the table next to us received a completely different meal despite also being a table of six.  They took our suggestions, likes, dislikes, and allergies into account and presented us with a personalized and memorable experience.

You must go.

 

 

 

 

 

3689 West 4th Ave

 

 

Solly’s Bagels

Some friends had told me that there were decent bagels to be found in Vancouver at either Siegel’s or Solly’s.  Solly’s won out because I had also heard that their cinnamon buns were legendary.  While the latke we tasted wasn’t noteworthy, we were happy with the bagels.  The dense, chewy carb I wanted was definitely trying to shine through.  Thankfully, I would not describe a Solly’s bagel as a bun with a hole—the product too-easily found in Edmonton.

And I would agree that the cinnamon buns are something special.  Because they are rolled tighter than the average large bun you find, the cinnamon punch is greater.  We got some to go and savoured them later at home while watching a missed episode of True Blood.  Slightly heated, with or without cream cheese icing, they are what carbohydrate dreams are made of.

 

 

 

368 West 7th Ave

 

 

49th Parallel Coffee Roasters

While Caffé Artigiano is often recommended, we were given a tip that 49th Parallel is actually a much better spot for coffee and the like.  With a nicely designed café in Kitsilano, 49th Parallel offered us an excellent Americano and fresh-brewed herbal iced tea.  The cappuccino foam art that brought a lot of attention to Artigiano was also available here.

 

 

2152 West 4th Ave

 

 

Rangoli

 The lines to get into Vij’s are as well-known as the food I think.  Because of our flight, there was no time for a final meal at the famous Indian restaurant, so we did the next best thing:  a late lunch at Vikram Vij’s café, Rangoli, which is right next to Vij’s.  It is also a place where you can buy the full range of Vikram’s frozen meals and spices.

I’ve never eaten at Vij’s, but based on what I ate at Rangoli, I could not go back to Vancouver without waiting in the famous line.  Our late lunch was delicious, delicious, delicious.  By this point in our trip, eating too much was not possible, so we ordered everything we wanted to try.  Veg pakoras with mango-mint chutney and daal; lamb, beef, and lentil kebabs with date-tamarind chutney; pulled pork with chapatti; pepper and portobello mushroom curry with naan and beet salad.  Each dish had distinct and bright flavours, was well portioned, and proved why Mr. Vij is so popular.  Some of the best Indian food I’ve ever had.

 

 

[caption id="attachment_582" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="I was obsessed with that chutney."][/caption]

 

1488 West 11th Ave

 

 

 

 

The first of many more Cream & Sugar foodie trips to come I’m sure!

 

 

 

Ten years ago in the month of May, I drove down an alley and peered over a white fence to scope out the backyard of a house for sale on our list of possible properties. Being the organization freak that I am, I had a sheet printed from the MLS for each property so that I could jot down essential notes and details. Apple tree? Check. Lilacs? Check. Raspberries? Check. Peonies? Check. Rhubarb? Check. All of the essentials that reminded me of my childhood backyard were there in abundance. The note on the sheet for the little Allendale house built in 1948 read "So cute! We'll take it!" and we did. Thankfully, since gardening is not my forte, I have quickly learned that one does not have to be a gardener for things to grow in abundance. As a result of my well established garden, and despite my garden negligence, I enjoy fresh mint in my mojitios, chives on my baked potatoes, sweet fresh raspberries for jam and snacking, and perfect red rhubarb that is always turned into my Mom's recipe for Rhubarb Crisp at least a few times a year. It's a bit like a time capsule, and to me is one of the ways to carry on the tradition of beautiful things made by the hands of those we love that are no longer with us. So last week, as I prepared to bid farewell to my newly sold childhood home, with thoughts of my mother, my lovely sister's birthday, and a plethora of fresh rhubarb standing tall in the garden, there was no better moment to go back in time with the taste and smell of hot fresh Rhubarb Crisp. Hot from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, I know my Mom was there saying "Happy Birthday Mindy Maude"! Linda's Rhubarb Crisp For the Rhubarb Layer 4 cups chopped rhubarb 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup flour 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 cup water For the Crisp Layer 1-1/2 cups flour 3/4 cup quick rolled oats 1-1/2 cups brown sugar 3/4 cup melted butter good quality vanilla ice cream or pouring cream to serve Combine rhubarb, sugar, 1/4 cup flour, and cinnamon. Spread out mixture in an 8x8 buttered baking dish and sprinkle with the 1/2 cup of water. In a bowl combine 1 cup of flour, oats, brown sugar, and melted butter. Mix to make a crumb mixture. Sprinkle over rhubarb. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. Serve warm with pouring cream or good quality vanilla ice cream.

Because food made with love is the best food of all.

A few months ago I went to Providence for a conference and forgot to bring my camera for blog purposes.  Last month, I had a conference in Denver and I remembered my camera (sometimes) but I didn’t do a very good job of capturing my experiences.  However, I am writing about them, so I should at least receive an A for effort.  In addition to remembering my camera, I also prepared my bank account as I knew I would likely have to go beyond my employer’s dining per diem.  I can’t say much about Denver itself because I spent most of my time engaged with work and so I did not get out to see the city.  My only impression is that it’s a lot like Calgary:  spread out, mountains, a pedestrian-only street downtown, and a bustling core.  Oh yeah, and lots of cowboys.

I did some research before I left about where I might like to eat, but I knew that I would be limited by my budget (no cabs) and how far my legs would want to take me.  And after hours of work, your legs never want to take you very far.

 

 

On my first night, I walked to Larimer Square and stepped into Rioja, which was one of the top rated restaurants on Yelp Denver.  A warm Saturday night meant that a lot of people were out and all I could snag as a walk-in was a stool at the “Chef’s Table.”  Unfortunately, it’s not along the main line, but you do get to see desserts being prepared and be up close and personal with other diners.  As I was dining solo, this suited me fine.

 

 

I started with the spring salad and was told by one of the young cooks that it was the best thing on the menu.  Although a little hard to eat with the pesky little peas and fava beans, the carrot-chamomile reduction on the place was superb and the grilled red onion baskets were an artful touch.

 

 

 

 

Sorry, before the salad arrived, the breadbasket came by and I double-dipped:  lavender sourdough and olive ciabatta.  There wasn’t enough room (and I didn’t have the nerve) to also ask to try the goat cheese biscuits and orange-fennel rolls.  The bread is reason enough for me to recommend Rioja.

 

 

 

I followed with the starter size artichoke tortelloni in parmesan broth with truffle essence.  Very, very good.  I was most impressed with the artichoke filling.  I often find that when you cut into filled pasta, the filling comes out in one chunk, leaving a last bite of only an empty pasta pocket.  Not the case here.  Someone in the kitchen knows a lot about texture.

 

 

An early dessert twinge was the s’mores pot de crème, but as I was told that it was nearly five ounces of chocolate, I made another choice—the strawberry shortcake.  The sorbet was a little too cold to be attacked nicely, but the strawberry-basil salad made up for it, as did the strawberry consommé that was not too sweet.

 

 

On night two I headed to the vegetarian hipster joint City O’City with a couple I met through the conference.  I forgot my camera.  Oops.  We shared an appetizer of three fried items:  gastrique fries, jalapeno-sweet potato croquettes, and beer-battered onion rings.  My main was an excellent thin crust pizza bianco topped with fennel, spinach, pear, and pecorino. 

I had big intentions of making it down to Fruition on my last night.  But after a too-early rise and a long day of sessions, I just wasn’t up for a nice meal out.  Everything I read suggested it’s one of the best restaurants in Denver, though.  I debated bringing food back to the hotel.  I remembered how I had seen a long line out the door over lunch at Chipotle.  That was right up my alley, but burrito + hotel room didn’t seem like a good mix.  Fast-food dining it would be.

I was impressed by the focus on quality meat and attention to detail (such as real cilantro in the rice).  I’m not big on filler items such as beans and rice, so with a request for easy rice, I added grilled peppers and onions, tomatillo salsa, cheese, guacamole, and my meat of choice:  carnitas.  While burritos always have to overcome fillings not being distributed well because of assembly, I was happy that I didn’t end up with only one filling at the bottom.  The salsa was nice and spicy, but there wasn’t enough.  I appreciated that the pork was rather chunky instead of being overly shredded.  It allowed me to see that I wasn’t eating something overly processed; that is, a pair of hands rather than a machine had likely pulled it.  Would I seek out Chipotle in the future?  Probably not, but now I can say that I’ve been.

 

 

Yelp also pointed me to a place called Kuulture.  I recently was telling Sugar that I had tasted Pinkberry in NYC and wasn’t a huge fan.  Personally, I’d seek out Tasti D-Lite or Mr. Softee before making my way back to an unflavoured froyo place.  But, Yelpers had talked about peanut butter and taro “creamy” flavours at Kuulture, so I had to make a stop.

Glad I did.  I ended up going with half original and half taro.  The original is very tart and similar to the yogurt at Pinkberry.  Kuulture also has acai, blueberry, and pomegranate tart versions.  The taro flavour is more like soft serve.  I regretted not getting only a bowl of that.  The mouth feel was just a lot more enjoyable.  The texture of the original made me think of sorbet.  More crystallized, I guess I could say.  One dollar extra for the handful of blackberries seemed outrageously steep, but when you’re eating every meal out, I’ll take my fruit and veg when I can get it.

 

 

 

So, do you know if I get to say I’m in the Mile High Club now that I’ve been to the Mile High City?  *wink*

 

 

 

I think I was predisposed to love all things Italian. I grew up in North Edmonton, and my earliest childhood friend who lived right up the street was a good Catholic Italian girl, with a mom who provided me with an early taste for authentic Italian food. Then there was the elementary school Madonna obsession that I shared with my Italian BFF who actually owned an "Italians Do It Better" pin. I couldn't disagree. The two of us spent hours in the basement learning every move in the "Papa Don't Preach" video. I knew who Nonna e Nonno were from the time I was six, in my teen years I dated boys named Bruno and Marco, a certain Cicero boy threw rocks at my window late at night one too many times in high school, and I have watched Moonstruck more times than I can count on two hands. I'm pretty sure the movie explains everything you need to know about life in general. The taste of home cooked pastas, fresh made pizzas, and simple salads never tasted like the Italian food found in Edmonton restaurants. The simple flavours of a few key ingredients that were never masked by too much garlic, fistfuls of oregano, or sauce from a can. The freshness of tomatoes from the garden, fresh basil, a generous amount of salt, and perfectly al dente pasta was the key. It ruined me.

Then one day, Rao's was introduced to me. The illusive New York restaurant that no one can get a reservation at. A city institution where even the hippest celebrity would be hard pressed to get a table. You need to know someone....or get the cookbook. That seemed easier.

Since Cream alluded to the "perfect pappardelle main" in her True Blood tribute, I could hardly go without sharing it. The Rao's Pappardelle with Hot Italian Sausage Sauce has since become a crowd favorite that has been served at many a dinner party in my home. One look at the back cover of the Rao's cookbook, with Vincent and Anna Pellegrino Rao's photograph in her big sunglasses and roller set hair, and you will fall in love with them and the recipes inside.

One key step that is so often missed when preparing pasta in our culture of "sauce from a can that serves as a topping", is the process of combining the sauce with the freshly strained pasta over heat. This is a key step in any good pasta dish as it draws the sauce into the pasta. Add a little cheese to that and it pulls it all together. Too much sauce is never a good thing when it comes to authentic Italian food. It should just coat the pasta and then can be served on the side for those who desire more. So heat up the hot rollers, break out the vintage Givenchy sunglasses, get to Spinelli's and pick up some fresh basil, De Cecco Pappardelle, San Marzano tomatoes, Little Italy Italian Sausages, Pecorino Romano, grab a bottle of red and a bottle of white on the way home (or two), and invite some friends over. There's plenty to go around. Pappardelle with Hot Sausage Sauce 1 lb pappardelle 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 - 28 oz cans of San Marzano tomatoes (hand crushed) 6 hot or mild Italian sausages 3/4 cup chopped onion 1 1/2 cups dry white wine (I use a Pinot Grigio) 6 fresh basil leaves, torn Pinch of dried oregano Freshly ground black pepper to taste Salt to taste 3 Tbsp freshly grated Pecorino Romano Remove casing from sausages and break meat up into chunks.  Heat  Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.  Add onions and sauté for 3 minutes until just translucent.  Add sausage and sauté for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned.  Drain off excess fat. Add wine and stir to combine.  Raise the heat and bring to a boil. Boil for about three minutes or until liquid has reduced slightly. Add tomatoes and salt. Return to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for about 20 minutes until sauce has thickened slightly.  Stir in basil, oregano and pepper. While sauce is simmering, cook the Pappardelle pasta in a large pot of rapidly boiling water until al dente.  Drain and return to pot.  Stir in ½ cup sausage sauce.  Toss together.  Add Pecorino Romano. Transfer to a large serving platter. Spoon extra sauce over the top and sprinkle with more Pecorino Romano cheese. Extra sauce and cheese can be served on the table for those who like more of course. Mangia!