Today’s Special: Sweet and sour eggplant, Ensemble
I know I’m not alone when I say that Dale was not my favourite contestant on Top Chef Canada. My Alberta roots were fond of Connie and my Eastern sensibilities bet on Rob to win. But, Dale won, and we all moved on. Dale moved on by opening up the restaurant Ensemble, and word has it, he’s got a sports bar in the works (where his winnings are going?). My lack of love for him meant it’s taken me a while to give him a chance and try a restaurant that people seem to be liking. The room and service are much less stuffy than I expected and despite the care and artistry that goes into the food, Ensemble has a strong neighbourhood-haunt vibe. Hooray! There is no better place than the West End for neighbourhood-ness. In addition to some fancy cocktails worth their price tag, I had the winning pulled pork and the precious pavlova, and both were delicious enough to leave me wanting a repeat visit. The star of the show though was the sweet and sour eggplant, recently and rightly listed as one of the best things to eat in Vancouver. Almost too pretty to eat, this dish will erase all memories of any watery or rubbery eggplant you’ve ever had to suffer through. Smooth and rich, these little stumps are nestled in baba ghanoush and topped with cool yogurt and sweet tomato. Very precious, Dale, but very perfect.

Ensemble
Smithe & Thurlow, Vancouver

Today’s Special: Waffles, Cafe Medina
We’ve talked about the Liege waffles at Medina before, but I thought you could use a reminder. I certainly needed one. When some out-of-town guests fell in love with these famous waffles, I realized it had been ages since I’d made a visit… my lazy weekend routine means I’m usually eating breakfast when brunch menus end. But with some energy and time on my side, in addition to their praise in my ears, I set out for a less-late solo afternoon brunch at Medina. Packed with pearl sugar, the waffles are quite sweet on their own and instead of my preferred fig and orange marmalade topping (choosing your topping is half the fun), I decided to try the yogurt. I always looked upon the yogurt choice as the most boring when faced with such choices as the marmalade, white chocolate pistachio rose, raspberry caramel or even maple syrup. The thick, tangy dollop is actually the most perfect foil for the sweet pastry and will now be my topping of choice. If you don’t have time to wait in line for brunch (there is always a line), go straight to the bar and get one to go. Add a lavender latte, and you’ll be happy and buzzy all day.

Cafe Medina
Beatty & Dunsmuir, Vancouver

Today’s Special: Muffin, JJ Bean
Yes, I am singing the praises of a muffin, peach oatmeal in this case. It’s simply the best coffee shop muffin I’ve ever had. And given that they are often sold out, there are others out there that agree with me. First off, I’ll give props to any cafe that bakes their muffins in house. This beauty isn’t par-baked elsewhere or baked the day before in some suburban hinterland factory bakery and then trucked in. If you’re lucky, you’ll get one still warm from the oven.  The muffin itself is moist with an ultimate Elaine Benes muffin top. It’s large enough to be breakfast and not a snack, and still a little sinful to be a treat after a good run. The oatmeal varieties are my favourite, but they do a mean blueberry bran.  And yeah, they make good coffee, too.

JJ Bean Coffee Roasters, Various locations, Vancouver

Today’s Special: Short rib, Suika
Growing up, my taste for Japanese was more teriyaki than toro. As sushi became overwhelmingly mainstream, I learned to navigate the maki and nigiri menus enough to have a few favourites (mostly veg, cooked items, and salmon). When faced with living in a city where its inhabitants eat sushi as much as they drink coffee and practice yoga, I was a little worried. But then I was introduced to the izakaya. Traditionally, it’s a spot where you go to drink beer and eat greasy food. In Vancouver, it’s a spot where you go to drink beer and fun cocktails, eat inventive greasy things and creative sushi and sashimi, and are greeted and served by staff who go out of their way to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. I was spoiled in my first izakaya adventure with a trip to Kingyo in the West End, probably the best in the city. When I heard that Kingyo had opened up a sister shop across the creek, a small posse was there a.s.a.p. I had read the wonders of the short rib; a large, tender mass of beef covered in an addictive sweet glaze. The fork and knife were hardly necessary, as it yielded sweet morsels from the lightest prod of our chopsticks. Down a few cocktails made with their homemade ginger ale along the way, and you’ll be singing “arigato” all the way home.

Suika
West Broadway & Fir, Vancouver

Today’s Special: Beef, lamb and lentil kebabs, Vij’s Rangoli
Not the prettiest of appetizers, but certainly one of the tastiest. Just looking at that date-tamarind chutney makes me fidget. I want out of my current chair and into one at Rangoli, Vikram Vij’s other restaurant, or more commonly known as, the one that most people go to when they need some Vij loving. Quick, casual and without the long-but-worth-it waits of next door, Rangoli offers you simple, non-fussy Indian fare with all the care and attention of anything you’d get at Vij’s.  Other, not lesser. Sugar and I had these kebabs on my first visit to the Vij’s strip, and it’s hard for me to consider other options when I’m there despite all the other appetizers being equally as good. The pakoras, the chaat, the samosas. Love them all.
But I suppose the chutney gets me, as does the heat. You’ll be wiping your brow and chugging back the water after just a few bites and begging for more.

Best solution: Corall some friends and order them all. You’ll find room.

Vij’s Rangoli
Granville & 11th Ave, Vancouver

Today’s Special: Chef’s Menu, Maenam
I’ve heard others say that Chef Angus An of Maenam has done for Thai cuisine what Chef Vikram Vij has done for Indian cuisine. After having visited Maenam a few times since moving here, I totally agree. The dishes at Maenam remind you of all that you love about Thai food and then some. I feel strange using words like “refined” and “modern,” but that’s kind of the vibe.  I have never seen halibut cheeks or ahi tuna on any other Thai menu. I’ve also never seen a Thai restaurant with such an impressive wine and cocktail list (the Sra Morakot and Tuk Tuk Punch should not be missed). I think the best and easiest way to experience Maenam is to order the $30 pp Chef’s Menu. At five courses plus, you get to taste a wide array of dishes and get to do so at an easy price. Pictured is our second round of dishes:  seared ahi tuna and mint salad, pad thai, red curry with duck and a squid and baby corn stirfry.  What came before was a hot and sour soup with shrimp and some big fat mussels.  Not a bad way to spend a birthday.

Maenam
West 4th Ave & Cypress, Vancouver

Today’s Special: Clover Club and Bella Donna cocktails, The Diamond
Don’t let the candy colours fool you. These are boozy drinks that, when sipped at the end of the work day, take the edge off all and any stress.  They ease you comfortably into the evening and lighthearted conversation.  Half the fun of drinking at the Diamond is deciding which subset of drinks you’re in the mood for: Proper? Delicate? Notorious? Take your pick and then enjoy the view.

The Diamond
Carrall & Powell, Vancouver

Today’s Special: Grilled vegetables and burrata on ciabatta, La Ghianda
My favourite restaurant in Vancouver, La Quercia, has a sister daytime deli across the street. Of course I love it also, but given its location, it’s not the most convenient for workday lunches. My frequency there is much less than I’d like it to be. I’m fully on the burrata bandwagon so when I saw it was a star of one of their home-baked ciabatta sandwiches, I couldn’t say no. For me, it’s almost like the cheese world’s equivalent to whipped cream. So of course it’s going to make vegetables extra delicious and be the perfect textural contrast to the chewy bread. Cannot.get.enough. Word of warning: unless you possess some stealth etiquette moves, that flour is going to be all over you. But, when things taste this good, who the f&*k cares?

La Ghianda
West 4th Ave & Alma, Vancouver

Today’s Special:  Punjabi Eggplant Masala, Jolly’s Indian Bistro

It can be hard to look beyond the Vij’s empire when you’re eating Indian in Vancouver, but sometimes it has to be done. And why not? Monopolies are no fun, no matter how delicious and addictive.  Jolly’s is a fine little place on West 4th that makes fluffy naan and serves generous pours of wine. When the main reason for going out is a catch-up, those kinds of things are important. Carbs and alcohol are on the menu at any good girls’ night. Baby eggplants in a rich tomato curry to help you work your way through that naan are icing on the cake.

Jolly’s Indian Bistro
West 4th Ave & Macdonald, Vancouver

Today’s Special: Pear, prosciutto and blue brie baguette, Finch’s
A beloved sandwich in a place as cozy as a grandmother’s parlour.  It’s hard to find anything wrong with this combination of a fresh, chewy baguette, creamy, strong cheese, ripe pear and melt-in-your-mouth prosciutto. It’s hard to do anything but find time in your calendar to try and make this sandwich happen once again.

Finch’s
Homer & Pender, Vancouver