eating in the raw

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Gorilla Foods -photo from Vancouver Sun (March 11, 2009)

No one loves the warming, nurturing properties of winter’s comfort foods more than I do. But eventually, it comes time to look forward to a new season of menus and ingredients. What with Spring’s late arrival this week, it is finally time to start looking forward to enjoying some fresh, crispy, clean and locally driven fare.

A visit to Vancouver’s Gorilla Foods yesterday provided just such an experience…..a teaser, a trailer for the good things to come. (Click here to read a recent Vancouver Sun review) With a menu selection focused exclusively on raw, organic, vegan, live foods- any choice is sure to be a healthy one. My friend, Robert and I both decided on the ‘Veggie Burger’ (mixed nut and seed patties topped with ginger tomato sauce, guacamole, and brightly coloured grated vegetables. In lieu of a bun, ruffled lettuce leaves provide both plume and flourish). The plates arrived at our table looking more ‘Vegas showgirl’ than ‘burger’, but were very tasty, none the less. Their pizza selection also looks very appealing and I am looking forward to sampling one or two, come my next visit.
Gorilla Foods is located at 101 - 436 Richards St.

eating (and drinking) around san francisco

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Sisterly bonding at Red's Java House.

Though Slow Food Nation was certainly the main purpose for my recent visit to San Francisco, this richly diverse city is one of the best places to eat (and drink) any day of the year. I felt extremely fortunate to be there for many reasons, especially to enjoy an opportunity to hang with my seees-stir, Lauri (and also to crash on her sofa for 4 nights). As the trusty and most excellent General Manager of Range Restaurant (our dinner there during the first evening of my visit was a sublime treat), she is dialed into the local food scene on many levels..... from street food to fancy pants, she knows ooodles of great places to sip and nosh in the city she has made her home since 1996. Because there was an ongoing heat wave, plus the fact that I was walking about 10 miles around town each day and am perpetually hungry during any vacation I take..... it seemed that it was always either 'beer o'clock' or time to eat something yummy (or both)!

Lauri orders us lunch at El Cachanilla.

Red’s Java House (on the Embarcadero, top) is a great pitt stop for cheap, cold draft beer, free homemade chips & salsa and an ocean view. Situated next to a working boatyard overlooking San Francisco Bay, The Ramp offers more beer, a diverse crowd and pretty decent calamari. The fresh and authentic fish tacos in the Mission's, El Cachanilla (above) proved especially convenient, being only a one block waddle from Lauri's home. Chow (Church Street location) is one of my all time favs; its super friendly staff serve up consistently delicious, hearty, rustic fare that always satisfies (try the home made, warm gingerbread cake with caramel sauce and pumpkin ice cream- lordy!!). Every Saturday is the Alemany Farmers Market which is far more extensive and casual than the Ferry Building's Farmers Market. Though its industrial location is not nearly as scenic, its prices are certainly far more reasonable. Get there early and stock up for the week. Not only will you have had an opportunity to meet and buy from the growers directly, you will head home with a stunning bounty of locally grown, healthy food that will cost you less than a buggy full from Safeway.

12b- an underground restaurant

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Artwork in the interior hallway of 12B.


Sitting pretty for the Halibut & Short Ribs course.

Underground Restaurant: “An illegal eating establishment, generally operated out of homes or apartments by people looking to offer something that isn't available in the legitimate restaurants of the community, generally bypassing local zoning and health code regulations. Most such places are advertised by word of mouth or guerilla advertising, and often require references to make a reservation.”

Last Saturday I joined 9 other diners, some of them friends and some of them strangers, for a much anticipated dinner at apartment 12B. Located somewhere in Vancouver, its occupant is not only a talented chef, but also a generous host who expresses himself creativity through his own interpretation of underground dining.

Certainly, a private location brings with it more liberty to be playful and less conventional, both for the host and for his or her guests. Todd’s food is thoughtful in its combinations and sublime in its flavours....and his home is a feast for the eyes; much of it full of vivid original artwork and scads of funky details. With each of the five courses served, he took the time to explain to us what we were eating as well as any special details about the ingredients and preparations. This, of course, is in sharp contrast to the experience of a conventional restaurant where it is rare that there be any direct contact at all between the kitchen and the very diners they are cooking for. During Todd's dinner events, guests are encouraged to experience his home free range, to feel comfortable choosing (and bringing) their own music, wandering between rooms to stretch their legs, lingering in the gallery-style hallway, smoking! in the living room-lounge or even making their own short film as we did (see below) before returning to the large picnic style dining table to tuck into the next scrumptious course, uncork another bottle or two of wine and, if you are as lucky as we were, enjoy listening to someone like diner Brad spontaneously break out in song at some point during each course.

Plating up the Tomato & Asparagus Salad course.

Seared Duck with Pea Tops, Baby Carrots & ‘Nectums’

Mocha Cheesecake with Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream before the White Chocolate Drizzle.

I’d say that we were a slightly boisterous group. Much of our behaviour would not have been tolerated in a public restaurant, nor would the turnaround time of our table….. 7:30 pm to midnight on a Saturday. Some of our party got extra creative in the 'tipping' department.....one guest left behind her bra and panties, accompanied by a written comment in the guest book explaining "....because your food got me so hot and bothered". Our menu went as follows:

Heirloom Tomato, Asparagus & Goat Cheese Salad
Shallot & Champagne Vinaigrette

Seared Duck with Pea Tops, Baby Carrots & ‘Nectums’ (1/2 Nectarine / 1/2 Plum)
Soy-Citrus Sauce

Lemon-Seared Halibut & Beer-Braised Short Ribs
Swiss Chard & Esplette Butter Sauce

Grilled Lamb Chop with Parsnip & Yam Purees
Green Curry Sauce

Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Melted ‘Roaring 40’s Blue Cheese’
Morel Mushrooms in Cognac Cream Sauce
Roasted Garlic Baby Nugget Potatoes

Mocha Cheesecake
Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream & White Chocolate Drizzle

Six course set menus for 6-10 guests start at $50 per person plus B.Y.O. Booze.
To book a reservation call Todd @ 778.389.7295.

WARNING! The following short film contains some cussin' and immature subject matter.

korea nite @ jang mo jib

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When eating at any busy Asian eatery in my hometown....I must admit that I take secret delight when noticing that I am one of the only round eyes in the room. Such a realization usually makes me feel as though I am on vacation somewhere far from home, and I tend to let my imagination run with it....enjoying an exotic adventure without the costly 17 hour flight and accompanying jet lag. My friend, Pedro , and I found just such a place last Sunday night. Owned and operated by the Moon family, Jang Mo Jib offers up spicy, authentic dishes that are fresh, healthy and homemade. The mother runs the kitchen while the father takes care of the floor and the business end of the operation. Both their son and daughter are also involved. Located at the foot of Vancouver's Robson Street, this three block stretch of the city has become well populated with a generous presence of Korean eateries. Click here to learn more about the Moon family's restaurant business from the 'Eating Global Vancouver' student film series.

Left: GAHL BEE SAL BOOL GO GEE- Korean style B.B.Q. beef short rib meat with house special B.B.Q. sauce. Right: KIM CHEE SOON DOO BOO- kimchi, radish, onion, green onion, egg and beef tofu in a clay hot pot.

HAE MOOL PAHJUN- Assorted seafood, green onion and crab meat Korean style pancake.

All entres are served with complimentary steamed rice plus a wide assortment of in-house fermented vegetables such as cabbage (kimchi), potato, seaweed and bean sprouts with carrots. Prices are affordable. Pedro and I dined on all that you see (with loads of leftovers) for $43 before beer. Jang Mo Jib also has two other locations; one on Kingsway in Vancouver and the other in Richmond.

Curtains outside the restrooms.