Exploring Vancouver

So far along my trip across the United States and Canada- I fell in love with Portland, OR. However, Vancouver is also up there on the list. It is so different from the south. The life-style not and pace of the city it so full of energy. That is one of the reasons I am so excited to be on this trip- to explore the US and learn about food regionally. There is so much more to food then the southern roots I grew up on. I love learning about the culture and history of food- what brings it to a city and why it is there. I am learning about different growing seasons and ethnic influences of each region/state.

Vancouver has it all - Imagine a Euro-style city with a bay and the largest working port in Canada mixed with great food, art and outdoor excitement. It is a city for everyone.

My friend Ian came up to Vancouver to explore with me. We went hiking, kayaking and ate amazing food. He knows a lot more about ethnic (Asian) food than I do since he is from San Francisco and also from living abroad. We both share the same passion and love for food – and seemed to have similar taste, which makes traveling fun cause you can get a few things and share. So we set off to explore the diversity of food in a city full of different ethnic flavors, energy and spices.

Vancouver has some of the best Asian food in North American. I was overwhelmed with all the different choices and places to go. Some of the food brought me back to my days with Atlanta Magazine along Buford Highway when I tried my first Bahm Mi Sandwich and Bubble Tea with Vene.

We went to Red Star Seafood Restaurant and had amazing Dim Sum. Dim Sum is a Chinese cuisine meaning "A bit of heart". Dim Sum is typically served in the morning until around noon. Traditionally Dim Sum was only meant to be a snack and has now become more of a staple in the Chinese dining culture.We ate Shrimp Dumplings - known as Har gow. We also ate Chasiu baau - Barbecue Pork Buns. They served hot chrysanthemum tea with the meal. Ian's favorite was A Soy Sauce Chicken. I enjoyed the dumplings. It was all wonderful. There are no push carts at Red Star, instead everything is ordered off a menu card.

We also went to a Noodle Bar and had some Ramen Noodle Bowls. It was a cute spot near Stanley Park. There are some great cheap Noodle Bars in the area - You can walk around the Harbour and Park.


We also went to a hot spot called Vij an elegant and inspired Indian Cuisine. The New York Times says it is "Easily among the finest Indian restaurants in the world." We ordered the Vij Lamb Popsicles in Fenugreek Gream Curry on Turmeric Spinach Potatoes- one of their most popular items on the menu - as well as Marinated and Grilled Sablefish with Grilled Zucchini in Mango Reduction.

I thought the meal was great - it is very different then the Indian food I have had with my dad. But it was a cool experience. I did not like their Naan and felt weird eating with the Naan the traditional way. But it was amazing spice and flavor.

Outstanding In The Field Farm Dinners in Canada:

We first we up to North Arm Farm in Pemberton, British Columbia. The drive was unbelievable. This is by far the best view and location. The 55-acre farm is surrounded by Mount Currie, which is 8000 feet tall. They grow fruit and vegetables on the farm and also have a bakery.

Chef James Walt with Araxi in Whistler cooked a wonderful meal. He was recognized by Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper as ‘one of the top seven chefs in the country shaping the nation. James is also Whistler’s only chef to cook at the celebrated James Beard House in New York City, where he has performed three times.

2nd Dinner

We had our second dinner in Canada at the UBC Farm is a 24 hectare learning and research farm located on the University of British Columbia's Campus in Vancouver, Canada. The Farm is a student-driven initiative where students, faculty, staff, and the local community have been working together to create a place where anyone can come to learn, live and value the connection between land, food and community. A diverse urban farm surrounded by dense groves of tall fir trees.

Chef Andrea Carlson with Bishops in Vancouver was our guest chef. For more than 20 years John Bishop has led the field in serving food that is organic, produced locally and sustainably. Many consider his eponymous Bishop’s to be Canada’s version of Chez Panisse.

Cheers to Canada and an amazing time! I look forward in my next visit back to Vancouver.