Vancouver: Kaya Malay Bistro

o-malay

:Fairview:

I had no idea there were so many Malaysian restaurants in Vancouver. I don't think I ever went to one in Toronto. Ever.

Come to think of it, the first time I had it was with the BFF in Sydney. It was spectacular. Guessing nothing in Canada will come close, but at least I know it's not for lack of quantity.

Yes, yes, Banana Leaf is a favourite among native Westcoasters. It's good. Tropika is on my list. If Aerie loves it, I'm pretty sure it will likely come out on top as my favourite. I'll let you know.

I hit Kaya Malay for lunch yesterday with Riri and Beatrice, two co-workers. Yes, co-workers. See everybody, I play well with others. I'll be frank, it has been different working in such a big office. The inherent nature of that means navigating office dynamics, relationships and politics. But I think I'm lucky - my office is really well balanced.

The three of us hit Kaya because Riri likes that there's no line and it's less crowded than Banana. And in my opinion - which is why you're here right - I liked it better. 

cheap + cheerful

Kaya's roti is also better because it's not as soggy, but I think the curry is better at Banana.

The laksa was better too, although a slightly smaller portion.

Bring on the next one. I'm gonna eat malay to the top.

Vancouver: Negativity

sorry, we're open

It seems I have a quandry. It's the first time I've had this problem. I hear it's common and it's not a big deal.

This is the first time I have more negative opinions than positive ones.  What is up Vancouver?

Personally, I don't want to start posting bad reviews on my blog. I mean there's only so many ways I can tell you I thought it was crap. 

But seeing as I keep having bad nights out and money wasted, I have been pushing some of my negativity on Yelp and Urbanspoon. I have to admit - I kind of like clicking the "thumbs down" button on Urbanspoon.

Vancouver: Joey

vancity passion

:Various, Burrard:

Vancouver chain restaurants have become Toronto's local watering holes. You go to hunt, not to eat. But in their natural element, these chain restaurants continue to thrive - a perfect balance of after work fun but always against a backdrop of great eats.

When I was still in Toronto I shared with you how I felt about Cactus Club.  Yes, I still love it, but not as much, especially not after Joey. I'm pretty sure Vancity is the only place where you can love chain restaurants and not fall off your high horse.

After all this time, I finally tried Joey.  I likely avoided it on name alone. I loved a Joey once. A long time, another life ago.

My experience at Joey was guided by Totoro. She has great taste, knows food, and is oodles upon noodles of fun. I don't see Totoro often, but love when I do.

The service is spectacular. It really is. They say as much on their site, and they practice what they preach. I've heard executive chef Chris Mills is intensely passionate about what he does.  The food is a testament to that. No one mentioned how cute he is...but he is isn't he?

I can't eloquently describe the menu, so I won't try. There's an obvious Asian influence, but the food crosses all sorts of demarcation lines without being predictablyfusion. If you know anything about food, you'd know this is not an easy task - especially not for a big restaurant group. Yet Joey pulls it off.

Two of the dishes deserve to be praised. When creativity drives a great dish and melds flavours and textures - it really is phenomenal:

Sushi cones - seriously?

Beautiful, innovative, elegant, delicious

Crispy mashed potatoes (off-menu order of a side)

Unique, unexpected, and delicious

Totoro and I also shared:

Ahi tuna tacos
Not my favourite. They were awkward to eat and I don't like deep fried wontons.
 I love that Totoro agrees - we can't both be wrong. Still pretty. 

Lettuce wraps

Crisp fresh lettuce cups (bonus points for attention to detail - these cups were perfectly cut) and a generous serving of shrimp-noodle goodness

We also had a side of fries. Because I always have to have french fries. Joey's fries? Great.

And one must always end on a sweet note:

Have mercy

I f*cking love doughnuts. These remind me of the amazing plump lemon doughnuts I had in Sydney at Rockpool. Just as delicious. Lemon curd mascarpone creme and fried dough. 

Lively, great decor, fantastic service, and above all - affordable and consistent.

I love a new Joey. He's nothing like the first; this Joey's inventive, ambitious, and quite perfect.

Vancouver: Sabai Thai Spa

Report on Sabai Thai Spa

Website

Location: Coal Harbour

Interior: Natural comfort - wood, bamboo, earthy tones

Ideally For: A place to take yourself, your girls, and your mom

Service: Manicure 

Price: $49

Duration: 1 hour

Details: File, cuticle care, buff, exfoliation, lotion massage, and polish application.

Massage: Great. About 5 minutes...likely the longest I've had for a mani, and great pressure.
Bonus. The Groupon special is available on wayspa.com. It's also available directly from Sabai Thai. 1.5 hours (1 hour massage and half-hour facial) for $109 plus tax (regular price $277).

Comments: Service REALLY is wonderful. Fellow Yelpers have been raving about it, and most of them went with Groupons. Anyone who shops and primps and pampers as much as I do, knows there a minutiae of shame that comes with buying and using these deals. There shouldn't be. Yet there is. I think it has a lot to do with the fact we're treated so poorly when we hand them over. It's much like using Priceline to book a hotel. Everyone wants to save a few bucks when they can, and there are options that let us. Sadly, it costs a bruised ego. 

Not at Sabai Thai. 

99% of their staff were lovely. The other 1%? Well that just my own neuroses. Something about them irked me - could have been their lack of professionalism, or their talk-to-much approach.

Sadly, my manicure did not last. It chipped on day 2. That's where they lost points. Granted, Sparitual isn't known for its longevity. It may have something to do with the fact is organic and vegan. Sometimes added chemicals have their upside.

Either way, I liked it enough to go back. This time I'm going to try their thai massage. It's expensive, but if service and quality remain consistent - they'll become a favourite monthly treat.

It's not a luxurious oasis, but it is a cute little day spa without the pretentious pompous nonsense.

Products: Eminence for facials and Sparitual for hands and feet.

Longevity: Poor

Final Grade: B

Click HERE for Grading System.

Vancouver: DD Mau

mau down

:Yaletown:

I miss BMB, mostly their kimchi poutine – as delicious as it sounds funky. I hear they opened a second location in Toronto.  Not surprising.  There are more mouths to feed than Queen West can handle...

In my six or so months here, I've discovered that Vancouver is void of 'cheap and cheerful' and 'everyday ethnic'. And then I found DDMau. I liked it so much I had it two days in a row.

If DDMau used the standard banh mi, I would probably LOVE it. But they use their own baguette. It's good but not as good as the super perfect bread...ThatI could eat for days.

Their filling is a perfect grouping of everything I love about viet subs – herby, sweet and sour, meaty and crunchy…

I recommend the lemongrass chicken. Don’t be swayed by the fancy specials. Sometimes the ordinary is extraordinary.

The bun - cold rice vermicelli - is also good...but an afterthought.

DD Mau's ice coffee however – RIP OFF. A tiny cup is $3.50 and mine wasn’t even full. The girl gave me a half-full cup. I ordered two. They were both half-full. That I have zero tolerance for. They lost a star rating on Yelp for it.