Flying Tiger

 

Flying tiger, a tucked away lounge locates at the west side of Vancouver on 4th hidden under the obscure awning.  The theme here is Asian delicacies.  You often hear the word delicacies these days in trendy fusion restaurants and everywhere in the foodie’s forum. But essentially they are awesome street food that you get when you traveling to those countries.

 

The menu isn’t particularly big but the food is top notch. From Indian to Thai to Chinese, Chef Tina Fineza successfully capture the essence of Asian Street food, from Curry to Fry noodle everything is absolutely delicious.  After 2 hours of golf as you can see we practically ordered everything. =)

  

The first dish Toro tuna tataki is wonderfully refreshing, the excess Toro oil is blended with sour vinegar Japanese sauce making a explosive combination for a starter. (I wouldn’t called this street food though, the use of Toro is too deluxe to be called street food, but this appetizer is very trendy in all fusion restaurant, especially on the west coast, hack even the Cactus has it)

 

Next the Roti Canai, fried Malaysian dishes with yellow curry. The curry is so flavorful that you can probably feast on it for 2 or 3 bowls of rice. Though the bread I thought could have a bit more layers to give it a more crunchy feeling. 

(Papaya Salad)

 

Another highlight is the Panang Curry, I would probably rank it one of the best Thai curry in town, next to Maenam which is also on 4th ave. Chef Tina Fineza is truly the master of the flavours. The curry is filled with fruity sensations yet the taste is not too overwhelming. The paired thai jasmine rice wrapped in bamboo leaf is cooked to perfection. 

 

The Hawker street food is another dish that brings my taste to attention, I am not sure where this Hawker is but it taste 90% like the common Taiwanese Seafood restaurant’s fry noodle. If you are from Taiwan then you know exactly what I am talking about. Though paying 15 dollars for something you could probably get easily 5 bucks from home is a bit unbalance to your wallet but knowing the good flavors is spreading among the Vancouver-ian is a nice feeling. (Though I would feel a lot better if it is called Taiwan Street noodle)

 

Sweet sticky rice is another flavorful dessert you see commonly in Asia. I can assure you that you will feel this one particular interesting.

To sum up, despite there are millions of Asian fusion restaurant, Flying tiger is one that truly delivers the spirit of Asian food in wonderful representation.

Worth the drive? Yes

Food 25/30
Decor 23/30
Service 20/30
Price 30~50

路過 PEI ~ 短暫的 Prince Edward Island 之行 (Part B)

By Rachel & Richard L. (Aug 16, 2010)

Charlottetown is the capital city of Prince Edward Island. Although it is the largest city and provincial capital of PEI, to us Torontonian it’s really just a charming small town. Queen Street which is located in the downtown core offers lots of variety restaurants and specialty shops.

話說開車進入 Charlottetown 我的第一個感覺就是, 怎麼滿街的big chain retail stores 像是麥當勞, Shoppers Drug Mart, 或是 KFC 之類的, 數量多到很誇張, PEI 可能是因為觀光的關係, 是一個很商業化的地方, 後來一直到市中心, 才開始有歷史小鎮的感覺 !

I’ve always wanted to visit PEI since childhood because of Anne. The TV movie by Megan Follows was a such a popular phenomenon that it attracted people from all over the world to visit PEI. I remember the days when I used to watch the shows with my mom and sister. We were addicted to it, and we always vowed that one day we shall visit PEI to see this amazing place!

Since we didn’t have time to visit the actual Anne of Green Gables site, I had to make do of shopping at the store which has cute little Anne on their sign. This chocolate shop is obviously designed to attract tourist; the actual chocolate was not that impressive. I bought a small bag of potato chips dipped in milk chocolate thinking it’s such a novelty… what a mistake. It melted all over the car by that afternoon.

 

Anne of Green Gables 巧克力店, 旁邊是紅髮安妮的專賣店, 裡面觀光客非常的多

Then we visited the famous COWS Ice cream, voted the world’s best ice cream by people all over the world. Its ice cream contains highest butterfat in the world thus making the ice cream extremely thick and creamy.
PEI 的 Cow’s Ice Cream, 號稱全加拿大最好吃的冰淇淋, 據說他們的冰淇淋有最高含量的 butterfat, 所以特別的好吃， 濃濃的奶香配上綿密的口感, 超讚的啦!!!

草莓Sorbet跟香草口味的冰淇淋

Charlottetown’s beautiful and quaint harbour front

Local Art Shop
 

Exploring the historic architecture.
I can imagine the streets once were filled with horse drawn buggies and ladies and gentlemen in their traditional clothing.

 

Finally, we visited Victoria Park harbour front boardwalk

And now off to Cape Breton Island!

Shiro’s Sushi – Best Sushi Bar in Town

Visited 2009~2010

(English)

溫哥華最大的特色之一, 就是Sushi Bar 幾乎是處處可見, 可以說是 there is a Sushi joint in every block. 各家有各家的推崇者, 但是, 要講到Best Value, Shiro’s 應該可以輕易奪冠. 位於Cambie St, 在一個非常不起眼的 Business Square 裡面藏匿著這一家名聲響亮的Sushi Bar, 說真的不管你從他外面經過多少次, 你應該不會相信這是一家好吃的餐廳, 簡陋的招牌搭配著有點Cheesy 的日式外牆, 實在很難勾起路人的興趣. 但也是在這裡, 藏匿了溫哥華最好吃的平價壽司料理.
踏入簡單的門聯以後, 感官會稍微的好轉, 簡單的壽司吧檯, 整潔又清爽~ 但就裝潢來說, 也不足已顯現出它的魅力~

但當壽司端上桌以後, 就可以探出美味的倪端了, 這家的最主要特色有其二, 鮭魚一律採用野生鮭魚, 肉色特別的紅潤, 口感也比較有彈性, 可惜的是, BC 的字樣不知何時被悄悄的劃掉了, 畢竟是小店, 我想由於現在 BC 鮭魚的上揚, 店家也不得不採納Atalantic 的野生鮭魚了. 第二個特色, 在溫哥華目前平價的店面裡面真的還看不到, 這特色就是它的芥末. 它的芥末試新鮮芥末根磨成的, 口感截然不同, 香味也非常的有特色, 比起市面上現成的芥末, 甚至染色的Horseradish 香氣可以說是天壤之別.
在此我也吃到了最好吃的鮪魚Nigiri. 油多刀工佳, 入口即話, 說真的第一次我倒這家店的時候還沒有這麼震撼, 原來第一次主廚並沒有坐鎮, 火侯還真的是有所差別的~ (大家不妨注意一下今天師傅在不在=p)
這裡的加州捲也非常直得推薦, 大家不妨點使用真正蟹肉的加州捲, 每一口都是真正大海的甜味~ 小小的一家店, 菜色卻是相當的豐富, 除了生魚, 炭烤及熟食也是非常的不錯. 服務態度也是非常的好. 點壽司時還會貼心的問你內有Wasabi ok 不ok.
此後我一直嘗試要找到比這裡更Best Value 更好吃的壽司店, 現今還未成功, 已經快要放棄了~ 畢竟溫哥華壽司店實在太多了~
Worth the Drive? Yes
Food: 26
Decor: 18
Price: 15~35

P.S. 某一日我又光顧了這家店, 點了簡單的鮭魚鮪魚丼, 當端上來的時候, 我有一點嚇到. $10.5 的丼有必要搭配如此的刀工嗎? 不知是剛好在傳授功夫還是師傅心情好? 還是七夕前夕? 

鮪魚玫瑰鮭魚飯

Halifax一日遊(Part C) Historic Architecture

By Rachel L. (Aug 16, 2010)

Another must see in Halifax is the star-shaped Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada,where Halifax's historic role as key naval station in the British Empire is commermorated. The music and pageantry of the kilted 78th Highlanders and the precision of the Royal Artillery bring history to life as you step back in time to 1869. The audio-visual presentation and guided tours are very informative. Don't miss the firing of the noon gun- a daily ritual since the mid-19th century.

 

The Citadel Hill

The entrance tunnel leads to the main historic site

 

According to the folk legend, Halifax Citadel is a very haunted place! You can book a ghost walk tour and stroll by candlelight along the ramparts and through the passages and chambers of the park. A lone guide will tell you all about the ghost stories that happens on the site. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart! We took a picture of one of the dark tunnels, and it really is creepy~~~~

Now for something holy. One of the magnificent churches in Halifax.

Many historic properties are turned into shops. For example, Shops at Grandville Mall leads you into a network of arched brick passageways that now connect shops and the university. You can easily imagine the scene a century ago - carts crowding the alley with merchandise from ports around the world.

 

I don’t know the story of this building. I wonder if it’s burned and had fallen down, but I love the exposed brick and the aged feeling mixed in a modern downtown scene.

 

Another look of the downtown streets, filled with restaurants and shops.

Halifax一日遊(Part B) Harbour Front

By Rachel L. (Aug 16, 2010)

Halifax is the capital city of Nova Scotia. Its rich culture, music and architecture attracts thousands of tourist every year. The Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk is lovely whether it’s a bright sunny day or a misty rainy day. Shops, restaurants, and historic buildings line the waterfront, and the area is crowded with a colourful mix of maritime traffic.It is said to be world’s longest boardwalk. An afternoon stroll along the boardwalk lets you forget all your worldly worries.

 

Candy Store on the Boardwalk

You must visit the Rum Runner on the Boardwalk. “All Rum Runners cakes use real rum or whiskey bottled at beautiful Glenora Distilleries on Cape Breton Island, making it a truly Nova Scotian product.” It’s soft and delicious cake is super addictive… but it could be the alcohol too :P
During the prohibition, women used to bootleg alcohol in the cakes and that’s where the these special Rum Runner cakes come from.