Vancouver Vittles
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Camberville is my home, but Vancouver is a damned close second in my heart. I’ve been here a number of times in the past, but it really has been too long since I was last here in 2002. I’ve gone biking almost every day we’ve been here thanks to the kind people at Bayshore Bike Rentals, around Stanley Park and False Creek and across the inlet to Kits Beach and Granville Island. (Hyoun prefers the power of his own two feet and has gone running just about every day as well; it’s part of why I chose the hotel I did in the West End rather than something closer to downtown.) We’ve gone to the Aquarium and Science World, wandered through Gastown and Chinatown, Yaletown and Coal Harbour, Kitsilano.
We’ve eaten very, very well this entire vacation, which should surprise approximately no one. ;) Seasonal Indian delicacies at Vij’s (lamb “lollipops” I couldn’t stop chowing down on, among other excellencies), charcuterie galore at Salt, probably too many cupcakes at Cupcakes, cheese from Les Amis du Fromage, and Filipino baked goodies from New Town Bakery (which really does have the “best buns in town”). But the best surprise? Kingyo Izakaya, which we loved so much we went twice.
I desperately, desperately want an izakaya like this in Cambridge, so that I can become a regular.
Highlights:
- the freshness of their fish. Sashimi, raw and just out of the ocean, the way it was intended.
- their carpaccios. Sockeye salmon is rather harder to get back east, so having it this way was a treat – melty salmon and ahi tuna with garlic chips and wasabi mayo.
- so many stone-grilled foods! I’m glad Hungry Mother introduced me to beef tongue a few months ago, because I targeted it when I saw it on the menu and MY MOUTH WAS SO HAPPY.
- Hyoun, ever the fried-chicken-loving Southern boy, devoured the chicken kara-age and the pork belly bibimbap.
- the dan dan noodles were so flavorful and porky and sesame-y.
- I have got to duplicate their almond tofu at home. So simple and light a dessert, yet so satisfying! Hyoun preferred his chestnut-yuzu gelato, but he’s a bigger chestnut fan than I.
We head to Seattle tonight for a wedding, but I don’t want to leave. Can we move here someday? :)
Kingyo Izakaya. 871 Denman St, Vancouver. 604.680.1677.