Food & Dining Archives - Wanderboomer

August 15, 2016 by wanderboomer Leave a Comment

Off the Beaten Culinary Path in Richmond, BC

For aficionados of Asian cuisine, Richmond, BC is a food lover’s paradise.

With over 200 restaurants on Alexandra Road alone, Canada’s multicultural city serves up a variety of flavors – Cantonese, Szechuan, Shanghainese, Northern Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean and Malaysian. While you could start and end your visit on “Food Street,” covering just three short city blocks, Richmond offers an abundance of eateries beyond the city’s Golden Village. So why not wander Richmond’s culinary backroads, watch master chefs in action, and expand your cultural horizons?

Here’s where to find a few of the region’s best discoveries off the beaten culinary path:

Food Courts

Parker Place, Empire Centre and Landsdowne are among Richmond’s twelve or so food courts offering plenty of places to get your Asian food fix. Whether you have a hankering for BBQ, clay pot rice or pork soup dumplings, stop here to check out local favorites. Stroll through the centers for an overview not only of the food scene, but also for a flavor of Asian decor, trendy fashions and popular art in the speciality stores on site

Our group’s weekend food fest began with lunch take-out from two food stalls at Parker Place Food Court, Lai Taste and Parker Place Meat & BBQ, for tastes of Vietnamese fish subs with a refreshing complement of cucumber and cilantro, succulent roasted bbq pork and duck, and soya chicken.

Tip: Arrive early at Parker Place Meat & BBQ. Expect waits of up to 30-minutes or longer at this popular takeout-only venue known for its scrumptious food and friendly service.

Cap off your lunch with the sweet taste of Chinese bubble waffles and dragon beard candy. Like a waffle in reverse, bubble waffles are a Chinese snack with batter inside that can be customized with matcha, Oreos or red bean paste.

What’s dragon beard candy? “Like a little cloud of sweetness,” the candy is spun sugar made originally with stuffed peanuts, similar to Turkish delight.

Still hungry? Head to award-winning James Snacks at Empire Centre Food Court to sample its signature dish, claypot rice, a one-pot dish of meats or chicken and vegetables. Try the Chinese preserved sausage (darker in color than the regular sausage) for a hint of sweetness.

Tip: Call 30 min. ahead to place your order to allow enough time for the the rice to form a crisp crust and the flavors of the ingredients absorbed into the rice.

At Lansdowne Food Court, be sure to try the juicy pork soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) at R & H Chinese Food.

On any given weekday, you might catch Wang Mei Ling preparing one of the 40-50 baskets she makes daily (80-90 baskets, 6 dumplings per basket, on weekends). She fills the wheat flour wrappers with minced pork and aspic, seasoned with salt and white pepper, sugar, rice wine soy and ginger. One of my favorite finds!

Richmond Public Market

How about some hand-pulled noodles for your Asian food fest?

At Xi’An Cuisine on the second floor of the Richmond Public Market, watch the chef as he demonstrates his noodle-stretching technique before you sample one of the many noodle dishes sold here. You can even pick up ingredients for a home-cooked Asian meal at the grocery store or food shops on the first floor if you want to try your own hand at noodle-stretching.

Hole in the Wall Locations

Small, unpretentious, with a focus on family-friendly food fare for the adventurous, these restaurants might otherwise go unnoticed in their tucked away locations were it not for their loyal followings.

Tip: At many hole in the wall restaurants, you can’t make reservations ahead of time. Expect up to 30-minute waits(at least) for seating depending on the time of day.

Here a few favorites from our weekend extravaganza:

Happy Date Restaurant and Bakery

Start your second day in Richmond with breakfast at this Hong Kong style restaurant with a bakery attached. Enjoy a Chinese donut (crispy on the outside, soft on the inside), dipped in soy milk.

Follow with a bowl of congee with preserved egg and shredded pork, and you’re all set for the day ahead.

Xin Shun Spicy Crab Hot Pot

Put on your plastic gloves and get your hands dirty when you dive into this dish of spicy stir-fried crab mixed with shrimp, vegetables and meats. What fun – and so delicious!

Prata Man

For a taste of traditional Hainanese Chicken, Prata Man is the place to go. Just head to the end of a small plaza on Garden City Way and have a seat at one of the dozen or so tables inside. Here the Hainanese chicken is served cold with green onion and ginger, complemented by chicken oil rice and a clear, hot broth.

Prata Man prides itself on having the highest quality of all three ingredients – the broth, chicken and chicken oil rice – to create the best possible traditional dish.

BBQ Meats at HK BBQ Master

Accessed through a parking lot located under a large supermarket, BBQ Meats at HK BBQ Master ranks high for its superb crackling roast pork, thanks to its use of pork belly.

Crackling is the crispy skin on cooked pork. Not a fan of crackling roast pork? No worries. The moist, flavorful BBQ duck and pork also drew high praise from our group of food explorers.

Order the choy sum (a Chinese leafy green like gai lan, but softer and sweeter) as a tasty side dish.

Shibuyatei

Travel is all about discovery, and Shibuyatei is a gem. Located next to a car wash, Chef Takeo Sato runs his one-man restaurant with passion. But don’t let the location fool you.

Shibuyatei is billed as one of the best places for authentic “larmen” outside Japan where Chef Takeo previously ran a ramen shop. His focus on flavorful ramen, minus MSG, is evident in every delectable bite.

Sushi Hachi

For an intimate, upscale Japanese dining experience, book a reservation at the exclusive Sushi Hachi, open only for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays. The husband and wife team specialize in serving authentic traditional nigari and sashimi, simply presented.

If you’re not sure what to order, you can’t go wrong saying this magical phrase, “Omakase,” loosely translated as “Chef, I am in your hands.”

Sugarholic Cafe

But wait – Let’s not forget dessert after all our Asian dining! How about a bite of this scrumptious bananas & chocolate honey toast tower from Aberdeen Centre’s Sugarholic Cafe, described as “European high tea meets Japanese sweets.”

At least you know what you’re getting here!

After a whirlwind weekend of sampling traditional Asian foods at fourteen favorite eateries in Richmond, BC, it’s time to head home, with visions of yummy Asian dining dancing in my head – and on my palate.

Wander on!

Nancy

Thanks to Visit Richmond BC for showing me a few of the best hole in the wall restaurants the area has to offer!

What’s your favorite Asian dish, wanderboomers? Please share with us here.

December 28, 2015 by Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment

Florida Keys & Key West Winter Getaway

As you gaze into your 2016 crystal travel ball, imagine a getaway to one of North America’s friendliest, most fun-loving destinations. Head to the southernmost site of the U.S. – the Florida Keys & Key West – for your great winter (or anytime) escape. Enjoy blue, sunny skies, soft, sub-tropical breezes and emerald waters as you kick back, feed the fishes and sip a mojito, or two.

Book a flight directly into Key West or into Miami International Airport (MIA) to catch a shuttle or rent a car to the Florida Keys, a string of upper, middle and lower islands stretching from Key Largo to Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and finally, Key West, covering 125 miles. Highway 1 connects the Florida Keys to the mainland and the shuttle drive from MIA takes an estimated 3.5 to 4 hours (with drop-offs) at the highway’s highest speed limit of 55 mph.

Florida Keys Historic 7-Mile Bridge

For your ultimate stay and play vacation, here are a few fun activities to add to your playdate in paradise.

Voyage on the African Queen.

In Key Largo, hop aboard history with a 1.5 – 2 hour day or dinner cruise on the one and only recently-restored (2011) African Queen from the same-named classic film starring Humphrey Bogart and Kathryn Hepburn. Channel your inner Bogart and Hepburn with a turn at the helm and blow of the steamboat whistle.

Go Deep-Sea Fishing.

Continue your fun getaway with someone widely-respected as one of Florida’s national treasures, Long Island-bred Captain Skip Bradeen, who has been plying the waters of the Florida Keys for over 50 years.

Captain Skip’s musical medley on board sets an easy-living tone on his charter boat, Blue Chip Too. Apart from his mellifluous New York accent, we’re welcomed with throwback tunes like Mack the Knife, Cathy’s Clown, I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, and Kissing and a Hugging with Fred.

Our afternoon mission, should we choose to accept it – and of course, we do – is to land red or yellow-tailed snapper, marlin, grouper, sailfish or possibly “shock”for our evening dinner. “What kind of fish is that, Captain Skip?” “Shock! Shock!” For a minute, we’re confused. Then we get it. “Ahh – shark!” Though the sharks elude us, by the end of our afternoon adventure, we manage to capture enough of the others to “cook our catch” later that evening at Lazy Days Restaurant in Islamorada.

Kayak through Mangroves.

While adventure enthusiasts can follow the Florida Keys’ paddling trail from Key Largo to Key West, we opt for a shorter, alternate route through the quiet, backcountry No Name mangrove. What is a mangrove exactly? Just ask Captain Bill Keogh of Big Pine Kayak Adventures who together with his trusted canine companion leads our group of kayakers through a lush, mysterious waterway, a forested marine ecosystem for sea- and birdlife.

As we navigate through the shallow waters, paddling where possible or pulling ourselves forward on the branches dangling overhead, Captain Bill points out the abundance of wildlife all around us. It’s hard to imagine a more satisfying, peaceful way to spend an afternoon while learning about the colorful creatures who live here.

Explore Key West.

For an overview of popular sites and tourist attractions in Key West, we take the “hop on-hop off” Old Town Trolley sightseeing tour with thirteen stops along the way. Our ride includes a cruise down Duval Street, famous for its festivals and parades, shopping and bars like Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, Hard Rock Cafe, Sloppy Joe’s and the Bull & Whistle.

Of course no stay in Key West would be complete for Hemingway aficionados without a visit to his home, now a museum. From the estate’s luxurious grounds with built-in swimming pool, to the purring six-toed cats that grace the premises, to a guided tour through the Spanish colonial-style home and writer’s studio, the site offers a fascinating peek into Hemingway’s life during his years in Key West. The author’s legend lives on in the fun Papa Look-Alike contest held annually during Hemingway Days in July.

Visitors can walk through a bird and butterfly wonderland at The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, another popular Key West attraction on the tour. Vibrant. Magical. Calming. Soft background music adds to nature’s sounds of cascading water and birdsong as we stroll among the tropical flora and fauna in the glass-enclosed surroundings. Exotic species of birds and butterflies fly freely around us. Occasionally a butterfly lights on one lucky visitor, while the rest of us gaze at the magnificent colors up close and personal.

You have to love a town where locals and tourists gather nightly to view and celebrate sunset as a community event. Jugglers, musicians, artisans, and psychics all contribute to the festive atmosphere that takes over Mallory Square each evening starting two hours before sunset.

Or how about a quieter celebration with a sunset cruise? So many choices, each equally fun and memorable.

Eat, Drink and Make Merry.

Hogfish Bar & Grill

Enjoy oceanfront and open-air dining at several restaurants throughout the Florida Keys and Key West. Whether having breakfast at the Morada Bay Beach Cafe or lunch at The Hungry Tarpon where you can feed silver kings from your bucket of baitfish in Islamorada; whether starting your day with huge cinnamon and sticky buns at Bob’s Bunz or having lunch at Hogfish Bar and Grill where the specialty is – you guessed it – fresh, flavorful hogfish; whether you “cook your catch” for dinner at Lazy Days Restaurant in Islamorada, check in for dinner at El Meson de Pepe, a Cuban restaurant, or Half Shell Raw Bar in Key West; whether you meet for breakfast at Blue Heaven in Key West’s Bahama Village Neighborhood (also the site of Friday-night boxing matches once refereed by Hemingway himself) or Mangrove Mama’s in Summerland Key – you can count on having fresh seafood, key lime pie and mojitos on the menu.

Key Lime Pie from El Meson de Pepe

And remember – it’s never too early in the day for key lime pie. You be the judge about the mojitos.

For more information, visit The Florida Keys & Key West.

Many thanks to The Florida Keys & Key West for the chance to experience “Prime Time in Paradise.” Some, though not all, of my expenses were covered by my hosts.

Wander on!

Nancy

What about you, wanderboomers? What are your favorite recommended experiences when visiting The Florida Keys & Key West?

September 7, 2015 by Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment

Get Away to Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast!

If savoring the pleasures of food, wine and travel are high on your list for the Fall season, why not plan a September weekend getaway to Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast in San Luis Obispo County? Hosted by the editors of Sunset Magazine, this year’s 6th annual event runs from Thursday September 24th through Sunday September 27th.

For this “ultimate epicurean adventure,” expect to enjoy world-class wines, delectable farm-to-table cuisine, demo sessions with culinary celebrities, educational seminars and fun entertainment in beautiful, historic surroundings.

Here’s how to make the most of your visit:

Getting There

Start your road trip of the central California coast by exploring the sleepy little beach communities along the way. On my first visit last Fall, I flew into San Luis Obispo and picked up a car rental for the short, scenic drive through the heart of central California wine country to my hotel destination, Best Western Plus ShoreCliff Pismo Beach. With spellbinding views, soft, coastal breezes, and the sound of waves kissing the shore, I could have easily spent the long weekend here from my perch above the Pacific Ocean.

But as wonderful a retreat as that might have been, I would have missed out on the fun activities ahead. My multi-day adventure had just begun . . .

Opening Night

The 2014 opening night kicked off at the famed Hearst Castle.

Once the summer residence of newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst and his mistress, actress Marion Davis, today the Hearst Castle is a California Historical Landmark and State Park. Named “La Cuesta Encantada” (Spanish for “The Enchanted Hill”) by Hearst, the lavish estate epitomizes the romance of the 1920s and 30s, showcasing magnificent gardens, premier art, grand rooms within and patio settings with stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

For a glimpse of what it must have felt like to be a guest here, we arrived via our limousine coach for the 5 mile winding drive to the hilltop.

Upon arrival, we sampled Sunset’s Gold & Silver winning wines paired with international cheeses and charcuterie as we watched the sun slowly slip from sight behind the hills of San Simeon.

This year, the all-new Strings at Sunset, promises to be an equally exciting evening with the opening gala held at Vina Robles Amphitheatre, where legendary Beach Boys’ co-founders, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine, rocked the house in 2014.

Enjoy an evening featuring award-winning 2015 wines together with tasty appetizers. Meet and greet California cuisine personalities Mary Sue Milliken, co-chef/owner of Border Grill Restaurants & Truck and Louis Maldonado, Executive Chef of Spoonbar. Then plan on dancing the night away to musical performances by String Theory and Spags.

Adventure Tours

Thursdays and Fridays are all about adventure at Sunset Savor the Central Coast. I opted to go with an authentic clam bake at SeaVenture Beach Hotel and Restaurant in Pismo Beach. Visitors quickly tossed flip flops aside, feeling the warm sand squish between our toes, simply soaking up the ocean view on a spectacularly sunny Central California Coast day.

While The Soul Sauce Band kept us entertained nearby, SeaVenture’s Chef Casey Walcott began prepping for the day’s main event: a traditional clambake beachside.

For this year’s options, head seaside again, this time to Avila Beach, or visit Bristols Cider House in Atascadero to tour the facilities before enjoying your cider-paired lunch – unless you’d rather have an exclusive tour of Hearst Castle, followed by lunch and wine tasting at Hearst Ranch Winery.

Next, enjoy your free evening exploring downtown San Luis Obispo. Stroll down Higuera Street, the main area for boutique shopping, artisan crafts, dining and entertainment to unwind before resting up for the next day’s star attraction.

Historic Santa Margarita Ranch

Set on one of California’s oldest, continuously working cattle ranches, Santa Margarita Ranch, our two-day Main Event opened with a ribbon cutting, Chumash Indian blessing, photo op and hosted breakfast.

For an overview of the ranch and its history while enjoying the stunning scenery, be sure to hop aboard the on-site steam train that includes original coaches from Disneyland. Enjoy unlimited rides as you listen to a narrated tour by train conductors.

Over the next two days we wandered the grounds, chatting with food and wine purveyors in the Marketplace while sampling wines paired with small sweet and savory bites.

We stopped in at Winemaker Central for wine-tasting and Riedel wineglass seminars with the region’s leading wine experts.

And at Chef Central, celebrity chefs Fabio Viviani and Tanya Holland provided culinary entertainment and wizardry while demonstrating how to make our own duck sausage (Viviani) and creole shrimp and grits (Holland).

Many thanks to my host, Sunset Savor the Central Coast, for the chance to explore the wonders of San Luis Obispo County at this fun event.

Want more information on how you, too, can plan your perfect September getaway? Visit Sunset Savor the Central Coast for details.

Wander on!

Nancy

Tip: Be sure to bring your appetite!

What about you wanderboomers? What are your favorite spots and events on California’s Central Coast?

September 10, 2014 by Nancy Mueller 2 Comments

Whidbey Pies Cafe Revisited

Jan Gunn Whidbey Pies Cafe

My ongoing quest to crack the code of perfectly handcrafted pie crust has led me to Whidbey Pies Cafe at Greenbank Farm on Whidbey Island more than once.

Each time I’ve stopped by for a slice of their delectable berry pie, I’ve asked if proprietor, Jan Gunn, would consider sharing her recipe for publication. Each time my request has been politely rebuffed with a smile or “Nice try” by the server as I wrote in a previous post. But on this visit, I was fortunate to be introduced to Ms. Gunn herself. And this time, I succeeded – kind of.

After gushing about the taste and tenderness of the crust on my Whidbey Triple Berry Pie, I asked again. At first, Ms. Gunn hesitated. Then with a shrug of her shoulders replied: “Oh, why not?”

To be fair, her initial hesitation in sharing the recipe wasn’t from lack of generosity or even proprietary interest. After reaching for a well-worn copy of Joy of Cooking, she explained: “We turn out 800 pies a week so I have to think about the ingredient proportions to give you for fewer pies than that.”

We played around with the ratios a bit – “Maybe 2 cups unbleached pastry flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup butter . . . ” But Jan’s most significant revelation for me came next: “We don’t use shortening. We use 100% pure coconut oil.” Aha! Now we were getting somewhere.

“Oh, and then add 2 – 4 tablespoons water.”

Thanks to Jan, the next time I’m in the mood to make a pie, I now have a trail to follow. I’ll reach for my own Joy of Cooking, noodle with the ingredient ratios a bit, then jump right in. But whether I go for a berry, seasonal or savory pie – cherry, apple, pumpkin, peach or meat – I can only hope my crust comes close to the exceptional creations at Whidbey Pie Cafe.

Wander on!

Nancy

What’s your no-fail pie crust recipe, wanderboomers? Please share with us here.

Still hungry? Check out these wanderblogger posts on Wanderfood Wednesday:

Hunting for Huckleberries and 5 Must Try Mexican Foods.

May 16, 2014 by Nancy Mueller 4 Comments

Seattle Art Museum's: "Miró: The Experience of Seeing"

Seattle Art Museum Miro Exhibit

Looking for a spur of the moment weekend or mid-week getaway? Hop on a plane, walk or run to Seattle Art Museum’s latest exhibit, “Miró: The Experience of Seeing.” The program focuses on the synergistic play between the Spanish artist’s sculptures and paintings at the end of his six-decade career and is the only stop on the West Coast. But hurry: the exhibit closes on May 26th.

For Boomers wondering if it’s too late to reinvent oneself late in life, take heart: Miró’s boldness in creating dynamic new art from found objects inspires us to keep on playing and imagining as well. Take your time strolling through the exhibit of some 50 paintings and sculptures and be sure to catch the short film to learn more about Miró’s brilliant artistry. Here are a few of my favorite quotes in Miró’s own words from the documentary:

“When I’m awake I’m always dreaming, but not while sleeping.” Take away: Dreaming is about waking up to life’s possibilities.

“It is the adventure that interests me, always & above all.” Take away: Yes, yes and yes. Make new discoveries. Be bold.

“It is the material which dictates what I must do.” Take away: Creativity is less about making something new from nothing and more about making new associations from what’s in front of you.

“When I work I commit myself totally.” Take away: Stop multitasking.

Hotel Max

Hotel Max

Extend your Seattle Art Museum date with a stay at Hotel Max in downtown. The hotel celebrates art and creativity through its commissions by innovative artists displayed in the lobby and on each of the ten guestroom floors.

At first glance, Boomers might wonder about feeling at home among the over-sized photographs of grunge musicians like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. But this boutique hotel offers amenities that any guest will enjoy: ideal location close to downtown stores, Pike Place Market and Seattle landmarks; casual, sophisticated design; and friendly, responsive service.

In addition, Hotel Max offers several unique amenities, including a range of pillow options, spiritual books of faith, and pet-friendly toys, treats and resources. Guest rooms even come complete with their own vinyl turntables and a selection of vinyl LPs. Don’t find anything that strikes your fancy? No problem. Ask to borrow an iPod pre-loaded with your favorite genre selection.

Miller’s Guild

Miller's Guild

But before you get too cozy in your room, drop your bags and head for Miller’s Guild, the hotel’s stunning bar and grill. The interplay of oak floors and black walnut tables, masonry and tile, and metal accents creates a warm, comfortable setting that you won’t want to leave anytime soon.

Miller's Guild Joan Miro Cocktail

Start off with a Joan Miró cocktail created to celebrate the artist’s exhibit at Seattle Art Museum. With a combination of Cask Aged Moonshine, Dry Curacao and Martini & Rossi Gran Lusso, what’s not to love? Mmm . . . Don’t be surprised, though, if your cocktail comes with an unexpected twist, as the extremely talented bar staff always seeks ways to heighten the cocktail complexity for a richer experience.

Try several of the small plates developed by James Beard award-winning chef Jason Wilson to accompany your cocktail. You can’t go wrong with steak tartare, vodka-cured egg and capers served on grilled potato bread or the shaved kale and merguez salad with hazelnuts, currants lemon, olive oil and mint. And how can you not sample the fried brussel sprouts with Harissa aioli and roasted lemon? You must.

Artistry in any form requires boldness, a willingness to step outside the norm and look at things from a fresh perspective. For me, inspiration comes through travel and art, whether viewing Miró’s sculptures and paintings, appreciating the contemporary art design of Hotel Max or enjoying the culinary creations at Miller’s Guild.

Tell us what inspires boldness in your lives, wanderboomers? I’d like to hear.

Be Bold & Wander On!

Nancy

Many thanks to Seattle Art Museum, Hotel Max and Miller’s Guild for the opportunity to experience artistry in action.

Off the Beaten Culinary Path in Richmond, BC

Florida Keys & Key West Winter Getaway

Get Away to Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast!

Whidbey Pies Cafe Revisited

Seattle Art Museum's: "Miró: The Experience of Seeing"

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