I shipped my winter coat home from Winnipeg where, when I left, residents were expecting a late spring snowfall. Then I flew. This is the flower-strewn west coast where at least one runner I know complains of slipping on the cherry blossoms that drift the roads.
The tastes are of new Asian fusing with our ingredients. At the glamorous bar in the Hotel Vancouver, bowls of warmed salt and pepper edamame beans are a common appetizer to have with the local beers.
Fishing boats sell the famous spot prawns and west coast tuna at the docks near Granville Island. Go Fish is a hugely popular take-out beside them which serves fabulous fish and chips!
The book signing was at Barbara Jo's Book to Cooks, Granville Island location, where Vancouverites head for fresh fish, superb farmer-dried apples and pears; Terra Breads and spectacular Oyama charcuterie...amongst them spicy wild boar salami that's served as part of the menu at a neat, prize-winning restaurant called Salt in Gastown. Even with a problematic location -- down poorly-named, certainly-memorable and even a tad scary, Blood Alley. Salt is a haven for those who love to graze on superb cheeses and meats or feast on a simple, perfectly grilled sandwich. Great wine list! But keep your wits about you.
