Michelle's Kitchen in Vancouver: Olympic Special

In my continuing special report in honour of the Olympics, I present to you some of my favorite Vancouver restaurants. I've included dining experiences on both the high and low end of the financial spectrum; all fabulous and well worth a try! In no particular order:

1. New Town Bakery: I know, I know, I mentioned them in my last post for their egg tarts and mentioned the steamed buns with pork and vegetables, but these are really THAT spectacular! They also have really good congee, custard buns and a host of other xiao chi (small eats, snacks). 158 East Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T3 - (604) 689-7835

2. The Eatery: Some amazing, creative sushi in a hip environment. The UBC crowd likes this one as it's nearby and good. The Bob Marley roll and the Green Hornet are two of my favs. Beware of the loud music if you're sensitive to such things, but otherwise an amazing place! 3431 West Broadway Vancouver, BC V6R 2B4, Canada (604) 738-5299

3. Hime Sushi: When I lived in Vancouver, this was my neighbourhood sushi joint. All the salmon is wild and is that gorgeous ruby colour so you know you're eating good stuff. Their Agedashi Tofu is out of this world, with a nice sprinkling of benito flakes on top and they also have a small selection of some more creative rolls to go with their new renovated look! Easy to eat there on my then-student budget. Also near UBC if you're going for the hockey or figure skating. 4463 West 10th Ave. Vancouver, BC Tel: (604) 224-2121

4. Gotham Steakhouse: Very pricey celeb hangout with private rooms. I was lucky enough to eat there once and had the steak of my life! 615 Seymour St. Vancouver, BC 604-605-8282

5. Cassis Bistro: Rustic, homey French bistro food in a really sexy, comfortable environment. Given the grotty section of Pender St, you'd never know it was there so try this "hidden" gem! Menu constantly changes with the seasons, but if you can get it, the bouillabaisse is fantastic. 420 Pender St W, Vancouver BC V6B1T5 (604) 605-0420

6. Ezogiku Noodle Café: Please, I implore you, try the ramen. It's a revelation. Noodles in a porky yummy broth with more pork. Perfect on a rainy Vancouver day and cheeeeap! You can easily eat for under $10 (CDN) 270 Robson Street, Vancouver - (604) 685-9466

7. Blue Water Café: Another expensive celeb hangout. Justin Timberlake likes to hang out here when he's in Vancouver. Some of the best seafood in the city, another bouillabaisse revelation! 1095 Hamilton Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5T4, Canada (604) 688-8078

8. Harambe: If you've never tried Ethiopian food, it's time to start! Amazing stews and veg dishes served on traditional injera bread. Delish! 2149 Commercial Drive Vancouver, BC V5N4B3Tel: (604) 216-1060

9. Red Sea Café: If I'm mentioning Harambe, Red Sea Café must also be mentioned for Ethiopian food. Truly excellent and the owner is the friendliest man! Small and intimate with just a few tables, I always have fun here. 670 East Broadway Vancouver, BC V5T 1X6, Canada (604) 873-3332

10. Apgujung: My favorite Korean restaurant in downtown Vancouver, I always love their bibimbap and they have the most amazing steamed pork dumplings! Korean barbeque is a nice way to eat with friends with your own grill in the centre of the table. Yum yum! 1642 Robson Street Vancouver, BC V6G 1C7, Canada (604) 681-8252

11. Burgoo: Another neighbourhood hangout for me. Comfort food, amazing soups, fondue and so many others. Try some of their mead for a unique alcoholic treat! And please, try the Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding. Beware, very rich so you might want to share. 4434 W 10th Ave. Vancouver, BC V6R 2H9 604-221-7839

12. Baru Cafe: Honestly, I don't know where to start with Baru. One of the sexiest places in Vancouver and a Point Grey/Dunbar/Kits favorite. South American food and most certainly one of my Vancouver favorites. The ceviches are to die for and the flan revelatory. The Guava glazed Pork is scrumptious, nice small wine selection and one of the best mojitos I've had in Canada! 2535 Alma Street Vancouver, BC V6R 3R8 (604) 222-9171

Honestly, this is just a small taste of what Vancouver has to offer. There are many places that are consistently recommended which I was never lucky enough to go (ie. Tojo's, C, db Bistro Moderne, Market etc.). Vancouver is blessed with gorgeous produce and meats, plus a food industry which is relatively cheap for the class of food you can get. Go forth and eat with gusto! Vancouver rarely lets the hungry diner down.

For my earlier article on the best dessert places in Vancouver, click here.

Michelle's Kitchen in Vancouver: Olympic Special

Mixueer's Kitchen In Vancouver: Olympic Preview - My Top 5 Vancouver Sweet Destinations

Usually, I write from Mixueer's Kitchen in Toronto, but for this special article I'm mixing it up! As you all know, the Winter Olympics are coming to Vancouver in February. I just moved to Toronto in October from Vancouver - which I considered home for 5 years - so I've decided to share some of my insider information for any of you fellow foodies headed that way next month. Many of you out there have a huge sweet tooth just like I do, so I present to you my Top 5 Vancouver Sweet Destinations! (In no particular order, because this really is a Sophie's Choice situation).

1. Qoola - Scrumptious Frozen Yogurt, all without Genetically Modified ingredients, and only 90 calories! And really, how do you beat buying frogurt and going to watch the sunset at English Bay Beach, all in the span of 5 minutes? Amazing location! 1116 Denman Street, Vancouver, BC V6G 2M8 - (604) 801-6338

2. Cupcakes - Amazing cupcakes, they come in many delicious flavours like Lemon Drop (Lemon with butter cream frosting), the Koo Koo (coconut with cream cheese frosting), and my personal favorite the Red Velvet (red cocoa with cream cheese frosting). They have multiple locations, including on Thurlow Street and on Denman Street, but the Broadway location is my personal fav. Cupcakes can even make wedding cakes! 2887 W Broadway Ave V6K 2G5 - (604) 974-1300

3. Mondo Gelato - The best gelato I've ever had, with the most creative flavors! Where else can I get Durian flavoured gelato? With the small size cup, you can get two scoops and ask for them to be different so you can taste a couple of flavors at a time. And bless them, Mondo Gelato carries gelato, sorbetto and soy gelato for us poor lactose-intolerant suckers. Sample the spectacular grapefruit ice, biscotti, Ferrero Rocher and over 100 other flavours. There is a store on Denman, but for pure variety, the Robson Street location is my favorite. 1222 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C1 - (604) 694-0108

4. New Town Bakery - I used to live in China, and the New Town Bakery has the most spectacular egg tarts this side of the PRC! Right in the heart of Chinatown, they also have a little restaurant at the back if you want to sit. On a savoury note, New Town has some of the only steamed buns I've had in Canada that actually taste like the bao zi I used to buy on my way to school as a student in Shanghai. Try my favorite, the pork and vegetable buns. 158 East Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T3 - (604) 689-7835

5. Trees Organic Coffee - This is my favorite cheesecake on the planet, bar none. Thin graham cracker crust, the softest, most pillowy cream cheese filling. Try the chocolate, it's a revelation. 450 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1V4 - (604) 684-5060

Though I cannot be in Vancouver for the Olympics, I was lucky enough to be at my parents house in Guelph, Ontario when the torch passed through town. My mother and I trooped out in the cold and stood by the side of the road and watched the flame pass. We were lucky enough to watch the hand off from one runner to another and I was about two metres from the torch. What an amazing moment to witness, it reinforced to me how proud I am to be a Canadian.

Vancouver
Olympics

Mixueer's Kitchen In Vancouver: Olympic Preview - My Top 5 Vancouver Sweet Destinations