| EATING
OUR WAY THROUGH RICHMOND One BCATW Writer's Account of the September 7th Fam Trip By Barb Pearson |
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I am with a group of BCATW travel writers (including Colleen Friesen, Lenora Hayman, Andrew Renton and Sylvia Taylor) at the International Buddhist Temple on Steveston Highway and we are exploring Richmond’s culture and cuisine on this fine September day. Accompanying us as companions and guides to Richmond’s attractions are our hosts, Amanda Goats of Spectacular Ink, along with Ange Chew and Nikki Barnes from the Tourism Richmond Office. As the group explores this spectacular shrine, constructed in the ancient imperial Chinese style, I am struck by the fact that the Buddhist Society offers anyone who cares to attend, the free opportunity of enjoying the temple's architecture, its exquisitely landscaped gardens and its oriental artwork. Visitors are also encouraged to learn about Buddhist beliefs. The head monk who met with us and answered our questions radiated tranquility and inspired my resolve to return to the mediation sessions held in the Temple on Saturday mornings.
Across the street is the Tapenade Mediterranean Bistro where the atmosphere was inviting and the food sublime. After a selection of appetizers including a memorable liver brûlée, we were served a plate containing a small piece of tenderloin on mashed cauliflower, and halibut on peas. Papi's Ristorante Italiano is in transition. The restaurant is being rebuilt after a fire destroyed it, but in the interim visitors can experience a taste of Italy offered by chef Ken Iaci in his well stocked Italian grocery store and bistro located next to the restaurant. Ken served tasty appies paired with a wine from Vancouver Island. He also runs cooking classes which I'm now keen to sign up for. Next, we strolled to the Kisamos Greek Taverna, where two sisters from Kisamos, Greece, are the chefs. I believe I can speak for everyone when I say that we were hugely impressed by the lavish meal presented to us: first the appetizers, then a wide selection of meats including beef, lamb and chicken and finally an absolutely stupendous moussaka. There was so much food that we each felt compelled to take home a doggy bag as we couldn’t bear to see it wasted.
Our next visit was to SIP WINES, on Steveston Highway, a wine boutique featuring over 400 VQA wines and Greater Vancouver's largest selection of ice wines. Simon Wosk, the owner, generously shared some of his best wines with us. Wosk, is an expert on wine pairings and for anyone planning a special meal, he’s the person to consult, rather than being cast adrift in an impersonal liquor store. Never before have I eaten so much in such a short time—but the food was so irresistible at each and every restaurant that we could hardly refuse the second half of our culinary journey – this time to China where our first stop was at the Northern Dynasty Restaurant. We were treated to a crispy Peking Duck served with small pancakes, followed by deep fried cod covered in sweet-and-sour sauce and garnished with pieces of pineapple and pine nuts. Both tasted amazing. The classy Jade Seafood Restaurant served delectable dishes including a hotpot filled with scallops and shrimp in hot sauce, and baked conch shells stuffed with diced conch meat and shredded coconut. The Shanghai River Restaurant is reputed for its handmade noodles made by “specialists” who work behind glass for all to view. Angie enhanced our experience by instructing us on how to eat their famous dragon dumplings. Our final stop was Vogue Chinese Cuisine Restaurant where we were treated to a variety of sake liquers and Vogue's signature entrée—Mongolian Beef. Despite the fact that we’d been moaning about being unable to eat another bite, this dish was eaten clean—which speaks for itself. All good things must come to an end, and as we exchanged farewells, we thanked our hosts once again for the opportunity to sample restaurants that we likely never would have found on our own—all of which we will now enthusiastically recommend to others. CHECK THEM OUT! |
