The Olympic Experience

So today, after suffered from hang over all morning (note to self, MacD fries looked good going in, but coming out is another story...), I decided I have to experience "the hype". So I made myself go all the way downtown on transit, which is scarily busier than going to work in the morning.


So the first thing to greet me downtown is, of course, a almost naked man. He is skillful on his unicycle, but I fear he is a bit squished... by the crowd I mean.


So this is "the hype"? Sooooo many people!!! I cannot remember ever seen so many people in Canada! The entire Robson St. is closed down for the crowd. But apparently that is not enough. It is good to see us Canadians are so patriotic that we all wear red for the event.


Well, not this kind of red. But she is a cute copper cowgirl who everyone want to take picture with.


The famous zip line in front of the art gallery. The news say a three-hour wait is normal... well, I hope people think it is worth it.








My favourite things downtown still have to be the shiny buildings. It is quite amazing how they can put on the advertisements on the buildings during the Olympics. They sure looks great.


Street-side performances are always the best part of the festival. Musics in the air brings up energy in people's heart.


I tried to walk towards the Olympic cauldron but only to find out I am at the wrong side of the street? The barricade around the Olympic fire is really quite rediculous. Well, I have to get closer!


So here it is, the sacred flame. I am just excited because Wayne Gretzky was here on the night of the opening ceremony.

On the way back from downtown was actually worse than coming down. I can tell there are tourists in town because Vancouverites usually don't shove themselves onto the train. Oh well, one day they will learn a bit of patience goes a long way.

Ling's on Broadway

So my boss read somewhere that this restaurant, which is so close to my work, has the best shiu-long-bao in Vancouver. Of course we have to chech it out. It was a smart thing to go there early because the place fills up fast!


The shiu-long-bao arrived first. I wonder if the waitress forgot it on the ledge or something because it did not came out steaming, which is disappointing because that takes away the visual and sense of smell that contributes to a good basket of bao. But I have to admit the skin is thin but with a good texture, and the filling is meaty and well seasoned. The seasoning is more soy sauce than the ones in other restaurants, so you don't really need the dark vinegar, but they are still a good combo.


The pan fried bun would be my favourite. The skin is doughy with crispy bottom and the filling is juicy too. Great presentation on the green plate and shallot on top.


The last dish we ordered is the pork with preserved vegetable noodle in soup, such a mouthfull (not in the good way) when in Chinese you can just say 雪菜肉絲湯麵. The noodles were made well but cooked a tad too long. So after soaked in soup they really got soggy. The pork with preserved vegetable is a bit bland for my taste, but I can see people would enjoy it.

Overall, great service, decent food, and good price (under $7 each dish, I think). Don't know about the best in the city? But it is a good restaurant for a simple meal.

A little update after Maurya

Remember my all so enjoyable lunch at Maurya? Well it turns out the day after I use my credit card there, there were few unauthorized charges went through my card. I am not saying they are responsible. But I vaugely remember the hostess there had a problem with my card so she had to swip it on a different machine... Suspicous? I guess it was my own fault too.

2010 Chinese New Year's Eve Pig-out!

My parents are in town, which means good, traditional, Chinese New Year' Eve dinner is guaranteed!


Chinese sausage, turkey leg, and tuna sashimi


A full chicken is one big element of a CNYE dinner. So this year we have ginsen chicken soup here. A hot pot is also essential - seafood, sliced beef and goat meat from Korean supermarket, and vegetables... Eh? Where are the veges?


Ah here we go - mushroom, chives, shanghai bok chuy, and sesame leaves from Korean supermarket. Yeah, you read correctly, sesame leaves. All I can say is my mom is always so adventurous when it comes to food.
Oh, see the braised pork hog there? I made that~!


And of course, mustard greens here (or should I say longevity chuy?). Remember, you cannot cut it before you cook it, and when you eat it you cannot bite down on it. So this means you cook it to way tender and just swallow~!


So I think I covered it all: pork, beef, chicken, fish, goat, shrimp, musell, squid, crab, and turkey. All your usual edible animals.

And last but not least - steamed rice cake, courtesy of my good friend and her mom. Yum~


So that is all, these food can really last us for days and days...

Sushi Garden

Had my first meal at the new Sushi Garden on Loungheed Hwy. The combos doesn't look very attractive so we decided to order individual rolls/inari.


Masago, tobiko, and ikura inari plus half order of salmon and Tina sashimi.


House roll, chopped scallop roll, and negihama (green onion and hamachi) roll.


(closer view)


The interior decro is modern with natural elements (wood, rocks, bricks), so it felt quite nice eating there.

Overall, the food is decent. I believe the owner is Korean but i could be wrong. The new restaurent is popular, so the wait was quite long. So if you are in the mood for Japanese, maybe order take out?

Maurya Indian Cuisine

I have been facinated about Maurya ever since I saw the episode of Food Network's "Opening Soon". The show showed the restaurant owner's passion and determination on establishing an authantic place for vancouverites. Now finally, after more than 3 years, I go to Maurya for the first time.


I personally is a sucker for raised ceilings, so I already fell in love with the place. Other than that, the decro are very warn and welcoming. Another great thing about the place is the first moment you walk in, the fragrance of herbs and spices immediately tickles you stomach and taste buds - you know you are ready for food.


For $12.99 lunch buffet, I think it was great value. Choices of meats are limited - chicken tandori, butter chicken, and lamb currie. But other vegetarian curries are flavourful and they hit the spot. Even though personally I prefer more heat in my food, the seasoning in Maurya is just enough so it is acceptable to everyone.


At the end of the meal there are desserts waiting for you too. The rich mango mousse is not overly sweet, but I know I should not have too much of it... cuz, you know, to watch my figure :D

I want to fly

I want to fly, no matter it's with the wings of the angels or demons.




Photo by vramak (http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/vramak/3609125770/)