El Camino

Wendy and I were being ladies of leisure on a sunny, spring Saturdays and decided to wander up Main Street for some window shopping and brunch.  We had contemplated waiting in line for some brunch, but decided to keep walking until we found a place with immediate seats available.  We ended up at what was then Latitude, but is now called El Camino, and that was lucky for us.  Especially lucky because it filled up right after we got there and continued to be hopping.

The Famous Warehouse

One sunny day I decided to take a walk down Granville St and let the fates decide my lunch destination. I realized that I don't walk down Granville all that often, so I wasn't really sure what would catch my eye.  It turns out that this did:



Five dollar lunch? Really?  Could that be true?  Could it be any good if it is true?  Fate had lead me to The Famous Warehouse to find out! 

Pizzeria Barbarella

You most likely have noticed that Vancouver is in the throes of a pizza revolution. We are no longer limited to choices of buck a slice or cheesy delivery. Neapolitan pizza has exploded in Vancouver. Joining the ranks of The Bibo, Pizzeria Farina, Verace Pizzeria, Campagnolo and Nicli Antica Pizzeria is Pizzeria Barbarella (http://www.pizzeriabarbarella.com/) on Broadway and Fraser.

Pel'meni Restaurant

On a recent trip to Bellingham, Sarah introduced us to my two new favorite things- Trader Joe's and Pel'meni Restaurant. (America, you have been holding out on me! How did I not know how awesome Bellingham could be?) Pel'meni is tucked into downtown Bellingham and they served one thing. Dumplings, meat or potato. The other feature is a rack of records that you can play while you enjoy your dumplings. With my love of food wrapped in dough and Big M's love of vinyl, Pel'meni is the perfect restaurant.

Andy's Bakery

I was feeling quite proud of myself for getting up early on a Saturday and going to my fitness class so I decided to celebrate with a pastry. It was, miraculously, not raining and I headed out to Commercial Drive in search of my treat. Not even three blocks from my house, I went in for my first visit to Andy's Bakery.

Hawksworth

I was in an elevator last week with David Hawksworth and all I could think of saying was, "I really enjoyed my dinner at your restaurant for Dine Out Vancouver". He answered with, "Thanks. You should come again before the next Dine Out". This was answered by a nervous giggle from me. I really have no level of cool. At least I wasn't lying. I really did enjoy the Dine Out menu at Hawksworth, even if it didn't quite end up being a $38.00 night...

Photo from Hawksworth website

West

Ever since Sarah and I went to the food installment of Pecha Kucha, we have wanted to visit West and the food of Quang Dang. We really liked his presentation and how he spoke about his passion for food. Along came Dine Out Vancouver and our opportunity to head out to Granville Street and give it a try for ourselves.

Habit

Habit has been on my list of restaurants to go to for a very long time. Most of my restaurant eating is done at lunch time, so it had remained on the wish list until one Saturday night when Wendy and Gabs were able to get a babysitter for baby Rocket. Then it was off to Main Street for a double date night! Habit was not our original destination, but after the awesome night that we had, it will be on my go-to list from now on!

Raymonds- St. John's, NL

I never would have guessed that on our trip to Newfoundland this Christmas, we would have had one of the best meals I have eaten all year. That is what happened when we went to Enroute Magazine's best new restaurant of 2011, Raymonds in St. John's NL. A very well deserved win.

Giovane

The only thing that makes me happier at lunch than a good sandwich, is a good sandwich that comes with a surprise side of assorted pickled goodness. Giovane made me very happy.

India Abroad

India Abroad is a food fair stall in the weirdest food fair that I have been to. Most of the food fairs that I have been to have been attached to a mall. The International Cuisine Food Fair is a stand alone fair tucked into the businesses along Hornby Street, across from the YWCA. And international it is. You can get Greek, Italian, Japanese, East Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Vietnamese and Sandwiches. This trip was for Indian.

Miyako Sushi

The downtown core of Vancouver has around 50 sushi restaurants. You would think that much selection would make it easy to replace my (old) favorite lunchtime sushi restaurant since the office move. I certainly don't mind trying new places, but I want to find THE ONE. The good, reliable one that I can go to over and over when I don't feel like something new. My criteria for the one is available seating, good lunchtime specials, a clean bathroom and quick- but polite- service. I think I have found a contender in Miyako Sushi on West Pender.

Olympia Bar & Grill

I wasn't sure where to go to eat one day so I started towards Granville Street to see what caught my fancy. I chose the Olympia Bar & Grill because I am pretty sure this location used to be a Taco Time when I lived downtown. That amused me, so I went in to check it out. I like not knowing what is going to happen when wandering into a random restaurant. Will it be an amazing? Will it be a giant mistake? Find out what happened, after the jump.

Sapporo Ramen Shogun

I struggled with this review because the most interesting thing about Sapporo Ramen Shogun is the name. It makes me think of drunken kung-fu fighters. The name is cool, the food is...okay. Review done!

Just kidding. I took some pictures.

La Taqueria- Cambie St.

I am a huge fan of La Taqueria on Hastings. One of my favorite places to go. I had been trying to get to newest location on Cambie Street since they opened, but I kept trying to go on a Sunday when they are not open (I forget every time!). It finally dawned on me that I am across from the Canada line and since La Taqueria Cambie is located directly across the street from the Broadway-City Hall station, it is now a lunch time destination!

Mom's Grilled Cheese Truck

Doesn't that name tell you everything about this food truck? I was so happy to hear that a grilled cheese truck would be hitting the streets in the last round of street truck additions. Even more happy that they are one of the closest ones to my work. Total win for me and for everyone who eats there, really. Mom's Grilled Cheese Truck is located on the Howe St. side of the art gallery, Monday through Friday at lunchtimes.

Steamrollers- Hornby

I want to like Steamrollers more than I do. I am a huge fan of burritos, especially Mission style burritos. Big M used to live across from a Steamrollers and he waxes poetic about their Christmas turkey and cranberry burritos. Me, meh.

Harambe

Ethiopian food is the coolest because you get to eat it with your fingers and spongy bread, it is all about sharing and it is usually really spicy. These are three good things in my book. My favorite Ethiopian restaurant is in my hood on Commercial Drive, Harambe.

Pizzeria Farina

Pizzeria Farina is another addition to the Neapolitan pizza craze that has hit Vancouver- hooray! This one is East Van style- in a cozy little spot next to the Cobalt. This strip of Main is quickly becoming one of my favorite foodie hot spots with Electric Owl, Campagnolo, and Union as neighbours.


(Google translate tells me that the sign roughly says "In life, nothing ventured, nothing gained")

Casablanca Mediterranean Cuisine

Back when I worked in Gastown, in my before days, I used to have Shawarma Tuesdays (and sometimes Thursdays as well). I love shawarma. I love the smell, the rotating chicken cooker thing, watching the chicken fall as it is cut off the rotisserie, yummy sauce, hummus, I love everything about it. A shawarma plate would be the food that I would pick to be with me on a deserted island. To be specific, I would choose the shawarma plate from Casablanca Mediterranean Cuisine.

Never heard of it? I guess you haven't been spending too much in the Harbour Center Mall food court. Amid the 1985 glory of neon lights and mirrored ceilings is my favorite shawarma shop.

Au Petit Chavignol

During my rock and roll days, we had a rehearsal space on Hastings and Hawks. The only cool thing around in those days was the nightly karaoke at the Astoria. I mean, we knew a guy that we called "Stabby". Nowadays, the area is becoming cool thanks in large part to the duo of Les Amis du Fromage and Au Petit Chavignol. I have purchased many cheese from the friendly people at Les Amis but hadn't tried the restaurant until a beautiful Saturday brunch date with the lovely Sarah.