Life in the Lower Mainland (BC, Canada)

Got a chance to discover City Side Winery tonight during a presentation of Curiate for investors. Turns out they are much more than winery -- a beautiful space with communal tables and a few boardgames, plus a small bites menu including flatbreads. Flatbreads are OK in side and maybe a bit more loaded than stricter Neapolitan style ones for a similar price point. I got to try some proscuitto ones and they were of course salty, but otherwise with a spread that includes some edible garnishes like tomatoes or grapes, each plate is quite nice and tasty. Cheese is spread more or less to the very edge but is not oily or wet there. Toppings are pretty generous (for flatbread style pizza) near the centre. Crust is thin yet firm enough to lift each slice easily -- overall construction is good and convenient. Happy Hours available: Tuesday to Thursday 4-6pm $2 off four flights of wine $3 off flatbread (approximately 25% off!)

So I finally made it to Vij's. Long ago I had wanted to go when they were still at Granville, but because of an estimated 2-hour wait I ended up at next door Rangoli instead. Underwhelmed by Rangoli, Vij's fell off my radar for years until, recently, my friend started talking up the sablefish there. First, before you even go, know that Vij's is not an "authentic" Indian restaurant. If you go in with that in mind or if you're going to start comparing them, you will almost assuredly be disappointed. It has a lot of Indian restaurant similarities, though. A decent lineup will establish itself by 5pm on a Sunday (we went on a Sunday), but even so, everyone is likely to get a seat right when the restaurant opens. At around 7pm, there were even open tables, so walk-ins become easier after. Room decor is nice! Table spacing is also not super-tight. You are offered a cup of chai and the occasional bite of complimentary appetizer while waiting once you are

So I've been telling my mom about Delicious BBQ in Crystal Mall, which she frequents. According to some of my friends, they have good BBQ, but I wanted her to check it out so that she could judge for herself. Today she surprised me by bringing home a $7.80 portion of BBQ pork. Taste was OK -- slightly sweet. But not quite enough charring for that grilled / BBQ flavour, so we put some on our tabletop electric grill. Mistake. Much of the sweetness was then replaced by a saltiness and the gamey pig flavour also started to come out. It was also drier.

OK, maybe not the saddest burger ever -- that would probably be the Classic Jr. at Cannibal Cafe, if you take the gluten-free lettuce wrap option. But the Portobello Burger at Meet in Gastown was still shockingly disappointing. On a Saturday night, it was really busy till around nine with lineups out the door. Communal seating here helps if you are just two diners. Space is bright and has high ceilings, lending a sense of space when you are really sort of squashed in. Menu is vegetarian but if you aren't paying attention to the fine print you might not actually notice. Which is a good thing. House Made Ginger Shrub Beer ($4.25) Really decent. Sweet but not too much so. Good ginger bite. Sweet Chili Cauliflower ($9.75) Good but too sour. If they could make the batter crunchier, this would totally be a winner. Considering that it's just cauliflower, you are also paying for its popularity given the portion you get. Portobello Burger ($13.50) Comes

SLOOOW service on the Saturday I was there. Looked like newbies in the food cart, which made for a long lineup and a long time to get our one burger. Grilled Mushroom Cheese Burger in Gluten Free Bun ($9 +$1 for gluten-free bun) My friend's order so I didn't get to try this but she said the vegan patty was crunchy. Hmm. Gummy daiya cheddar cheese also kinda gross looking. Don't look, just eat. Cheese Fries ($5, or $4 with burger) Portion is OK. "Cheese" is some sort of pulpy mix that didn't have the same gummy texture of the Daiya that was in the mushroom burger. Tasty for being salty. Pretty decent for $14 and the fries can help make it a filling meal. I wouldn't spend half my lunch hour waiting in line and waiting for my order, though. TIP: Look for their truck that pulls the food cart! It's probably nearby at metered parking which they have to feed periodically. I just think it's a curious indication of the cost of doing bus