Tagged : Food

in Travel, Wine & Food

San Francisco Late Night Eats: Ryoko’s Sushi

Irashaimasen! The entire staff in unison welcomes every customer that enters the steep dark stairwell down into the basement sushi lair that is Ryoko’s near Union Square in San Fransisco.

A quick glance around and you might feel that you’re in some back alley sushi joint in Shimbashi if it weren’t for the scattering of blonde San Franciscoites and the GNR blasting on the stereo. This place, with it’s dimly lit interior backed up against a bright, and space efficient sushi bar that acts as the stage, is a beehive of social activity. It’s 11pm on a Tuesday and this place is at full tilt. Continue Reading

in Travel, Wine & Food
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Cafe Francisco – Coffee at Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco

The first time I was in San Francisco I struggled to find a great cup of coffee. Don’t get me wrong, good coffee here is a dime a dozen, but the urban part of SFO is dominated by Peet’s and Starbucks. In a town this hip, it would be criminal to go to either — despite the fact that Peet’s originated in San Francisco and is the original premium coffee chain that inspired Starbucks and a whole new coffee culture. If you know me, you know the one thing I am super fussy about is coffee. I like a well made Americano with crema thick enough to stand on. I also want to drink it out of a real coffee mug, and at a place that has a unique atmosphere. If you’re in the North Beach/Fisherman’s Wharf area in San Francisco I would totally recommend Cafe Francisco located at Francisco and Powell near Pier 39 and Telegraph Hill. It’s a cool joint, slightly on the hipstery side of things, but not deliberately. Great people, coffee and atmosphere make this my go-to coffee spot in this part of San Fran.

 

in Wine & Food
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Save on Meats Vancouver

While the old Save on Meats location in the sketchy Downtown Eastside of Vancouver may have got a new coat of paint and a slight revamp, if you listen carefully you can still hear the hum of the old neon that has so marked this famous Van City landmark.

The restauranteur Mark Brand, who may now be carrying the title of “King of Gastown” for his efforts in recoolifying the neighbourhood, stepped in to save this historic sight and breathe new life into the place — but not too much new life.

Menu items include meatloaf, mac & cheese, fried chicken, and grilled cheese sandwiches. The pricing is affordable, and aside from being much cleaner and slightly spruced up, the place feels relatively the same as it always has.

Not to be confused with fine dining, the new Save on Meats appears to be here to serve up some honest food, in a cool old space, in a way that still serves and fits the community. It’s worth checking it out if not for any other reason than just to soak up the atmosphere and wonder about all of the people that have been through this place before you. Continue Reading

in Wine & Food
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Deacon’s Corner

Deacon’s Corner is Vancouver’s original redux diner. Located on Main & Alexander on the outskirts of Gastown in the Downtown Eastside, the nouveau greasy spoon is diner to an eclectic mix of Vancouver locals including artists and the Vancouver Police Department, whose headquarters is just up the street.

The menu is classic diner and well executed. Grilled cheese, fish & chips, sometimes meatloaf, reuben sandwiches and mac & cheese. Oh, and they serve beer. Win, win. Check out the current menu at DeaconsCorner.ca.

101 Main Street
Vancouver BC
(corner of Alexander St.)
604.684.1555
email: info@deaconscorner.ca

Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm
Weekends 9am – 5pm

in Wine & Food
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The Eatery in Kits – Vancouver

The Eatery is Kitsilano’s smutty sushi joint. Miso Horny is the motto, and the crowd is made up of the young and sexy. I almost want to call this pre-clubbing sushi. The place has a fun, kitsch, and somewhat ridiculous vibe. The menu itself is gigantic and has your traditional sushi favourites along with a ton of eatery special creations. Noteworthy concoctions include the KFC Roll, X-Rated Roll, Japanese Fortress, and Tataki Attack.

The Eatery is a fun place to go with a group, and the food is actually pretty good despite the kitschy exterior.

 

in Travel

Where to Eat in Penticton

If you’re reading this you probably already know where Penticton is, but perhaps you’re looking for a good place to eat and/or drink. In a smaller town it’s not always easy to tell the good from the bad, or know what to get where, so hopefully a little help from someone who has spent much time dining in the Penticton area will be useful. Continue Reading