eats-perience

I was in Mexico, Greece and Japan today.  Tasting culinary masterpieces and iconic dishes from each locale, sharing laughs and taking in the sun, this Sunday was a blur of black beans, baclava and low-sodium soy sauce. Throw some lemons and some team spirit into it, to the tune of a Greek guitar and a little ‘Opa!’ and you’ve got one successful, sun laden Sunday.

Post celebrating the physical efforts of the athletica community participating in the Scotiabank 1/2 Marathon (my people, you killed it! so many smiles rocking up that Burrard street bridge – inspiration at it’s finest!), the only one desination that seemed viable for a Breakfast of Cheering-Champions was the one and only Sophie’s in Kits.  Grabbing the last table on the patio not only commenced an exception dejeuner experience, but with coffee free flowing and the food coming from four corners of the globe in record time, this international dining experience was bar none one of the best breakfasts in a LONG time.  We had Belgium represented by fluffy golden square cakes of goodness, laden with berries syrup and chipped cream.  Canada made a strong showing with a Back Bacon Benny.  Greece took a presence with a Greek Benny, and Mexico showed up with Huevos Rancheros (mmmmm black beans in the morning!).  While the dishes may have been interpretations of country-classics, we went around the world in one small 4-seater table.  And that was just the beginning.

The Greek Festival, celebrating the Greek Culture here in Vancouver, was taking place on Broadway and in being dedicated international day travellers, we moved on for some plate breaking and Ouza comsuming.  And, while neither took place today (probably a wise choice of the event planners….!), the sun came out to grace the festival and get the garlic and onion smells a-moving!  The food tents were plentiful and much of Vancouver came to see what was on offer – with tons of family events, lots of greast classic dishes, and yes, a little beer and wine to wash down the goodness, the afternoon was a success! So was the spanokopita and baclava (eating right can take a break every now and again….especially when sushi is on the menu for dinner….).

A short cat nap (needed after the continual gastro-consumption taking place) later ended up in a jaunt overseas (read: around the corner) to BC Sushi on Broadway for an all you can eat extravaganza (yes, limits have been pushed today). Sashimi, rolls and chicken teriyaki covered the table.  Interesting that in knowing you are going to be covering the table with plates that they don’t stagger the delivery…..maybe it’s the goal to have tables compete with eacother and try and get more to the table? Ah well.

So around the world i went.  Then home I came.  And with travel companions, a gorgeous day and the gift of a curious palate, this day time excursion into the offerings of our multi-cultural community was a beautiful chance to reconnect with friends, celebrate cultures, and stuff ourselves to the brim.  And I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

ep

One table.  Ten strangers.  A quiet sushi restaurant.  And the most intense dinner conversations ever.

For once, this experience wasn’t based on the food.  It was focused on possibility.

Our being brought together in such a motley crew was based on each participant being in a place of openness, potential and willingness to learn.  And, what better way to ignite some insightful conversation than over the most historically recognized way to bring people to a table with a common goal – to fuel the system!  The dinner was not only about re-energizing our bodies, but moreso about finding a new common ground to accompany the food – the ground of authenticity.  So, in our 90 minute power break, we ate, we laughed, we made offerings, had realizations and psuedo-break throughs.  All of this making for one of the BEST dining experiences of 2011.  yes, the year is young – but what a way to kick off the experi-year!

While the sexy-sexy rolls (yes, that’s a real name…) were tantalizing, the most delicious treats on the table were what we shared with eachother, off the plate and straight from the heart.  Amazing what a little tuna tataki and possibility can bring out in a person.

Looking forward to what other learning experiences will take place in some food establishments this weekend – tears in a Waves coffee (check), an ‘A-HA!’ in the bulk food aisle of Urban Fare (pending), and a whole lotta high-fives at Joeys Bentall One (see you Sunday team!).

Food makes us feel safe.  Safe spaces make us open.  Openness provokes possibility. RUB A DUB-DUB, THANKS FOR THE GRUB!

You walk into a restaurant.  You have read some pretty good reviews on the internet, maybe gotten a suggestion or two from some friends that it’s a worth while stop on any breakfast tour, and have somewhat high expectations from the jazzy interior and nearly full seating area.  The hostess asks you how many in your party, then directs you to a table for two against the wall.  There’s still a coffee and a water on the table but she assures you she’ll clear it right away.  So, you sit.  She clears things away somewhat swiftly and provides you with menus.  Minutes later, a tap on your shoulder.

“I was sitting there.”

So began our breakfast adventure Monday morning.  In looking for some traditional eggs benedict, we scoured the internet for some reviews and decided on a small market café near-ish to our house.  After a quick drive, we found ourselves outside, being taken to what we thought was a table that just needed to be bussed and the previous patron had departed for a successful Monday.  At first impression, the restaurant had a lot of promise.  Interesting décor where the art was for sale, great open kitchen with bar seating, lots of full tables with a decent amount of chatter.  We waited a few minutes before the table was cleared and then a few more minutes before receiving menus, but got excited about breakfast as we read through the offerings.  My dining partner was mildly disappointed as the Eggs Benny offered three types of ‘topping sauce’, but no traditional Hollandaise.  Strange, indeed.  As we discussed the uniqueness of that stipulation, our unpleasant dining experience began to unfurl.

Turns out the table had been occupied by someone who had stepped away to use the ladies room.  For how long she was gone one can only guess, but came back to (rightfully) claim her breakfast spot.  Her attitude towards us was more of “WTF?” than “I’m sorry I think you might have been seated at my table by accident”, and her attitude towards the hostess was “Where’s my coffee and my water?” as opposed to “I had a coffee and a water here, would you mind replacing them?”.  We apologized profusely and moved one table over, only to feel like we were more or less the biggest inconvenience in her day, and almost as though we had eaten her eggs while she had been absent.  Our incident, which was not handled with much urgency by the hostess or wait staff, but easily fixed by a swift move to the left and a fresh coffee and water, left me pondering how much someone else can impact your experience.  Our coffee and food was very fast, and while it left a little something to be desired, we had no complaints throughout the rest of the meal.  Bitter boots next to us threw a couple stink faces our way and was huffing and puffing when I bumped her table trying to get back into a tight space from grabbing a newspaper, but the remainder of the meal went without incident (until the baby started crying which was our cue to exit and maintain some sort of appreciation for the fact we are fortunate enough to eat out!).

My reflection on how other patrons or staff members (patrons for today to emphasize the ‘PATRON EFFECT’) comes form not only being in the role of a diner who was impacted by a particularly grumpy diner, but also from being a server, bartender and manager who has had either fighting couples, crying or screaming children, drunk stags and stagettes make a large impact on how other patrons’ experiences play out.  I’ve asked my fair share of intoxicated individuals to settle up their bill and take the party elsewhere, called cabs and even cops in some circumstances for those special folk thinking they know everyone in the bar and need to have lengthy conversations about why their girlfriend broke up with them, and have witnessed guests treat servers like butlers which in turn impedes how the server can take care of their other tables.  When we are out dining, I am constantly looking at the situation as a whole:  WHO is there, WHAT are they out for (celebrations, etc), WHERE in the restaurant have they been placed (any consideration for spatial needs or convenience for servers), WHEN they are brought in and leave and try to notice any change in the dynamic of the environment if they were that ‘special’ table causing a ruckus, and struggle with the WHY behind patrons being anything other than appreciative that they too have the freedom in their budget to be dining out.

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction (Sir Isaac Newton – thank you grade 11 Physics).  The way you impact someone’s dining experience will leave an impression in their mind about their total experience and might not bring them back to that establishment.  Who knows: if we head back to that market café and stay for breakfast we might encounter a grumpy patron who has it out for everyone and magically makes babies cry by being so negative.  Hopefully we won’t get sat at her table again……..

My sister recently went to Chicago on a trip to see the city, meet a friend, and check out some museums and architectural sites.  My sister is the eternal planner.  She researches everything she is curious about: always has the guide book well marked (see our trip to San Francisco where every question of “I wonder what that building is/” was accompanied by a “uh – hold on – I think it’s the – no wait – yep it’s the (insert building name here) and it was erected in (year) and designed by (insert architect here).”  So, in true form, she was well prepared in going to Chicago, making sure she knew where parks/museums/potential dining facilities were well before arriving in the city.  My personal travel style involves a lot more of “let’s walk this way and see what we see” as opposed to having a solid idea of what is where (I find that you come across more hidden treasures by getting yourself a little bit lost).

So, during a long walk around Stanley Park this evening, I asked her how the trip was and what she got up to.  It was really interesting to hear her talk about the highlights/lowlights of the trip: aside from rain, lowlights were few and far between.  She had great things to say about the layout of the city, the hotel, getting around, and being in the city during ‘Blackhawks Mania’ as the hometeam was making their pitch for Sir Stanley to spend the next year or so within their grasp.  Me being the eternal service connoisseur, I was waiting for her to tell me about how accommodating the guest services team at her hotel was, how attentive the waiters at the various pubs and restaurants she visited were, and how, after going to the same chain-coffee shop with an iconic white and green coffee logo, the barista staff recognized her each morning and spent a minute or two asking how her trip was so far.  But, as I was quick to learn, her perspective of her experience in Chicago was MUCH different than my perspective on the trip would have been.  She was very detailed in her city description, specifics of concerts and the company she kept, and ESPECIALLY descriptive of the food itself and the wine that she drank.  But, not a word of the service or of any feelings attached to the venues, and not really any indication as to how her total experience was.  Until I asked.

It sparked my thoughts that not everyone is looking for the same eats-perience.  What one guest in an establishment values in their dining experience might be a FAR cry from the table right next door (ie: family dining out to celebrate little Billy’s eighth birthday and having to sit next to a table of saucy broads out for a hen party).  To sum it up nice and quick, every guest is different.  Each of us as diners has an ‘ideal experience’ in our heads, and look to have it fulfilled in those restaurants in which we choose to spend our hard earned dolla dolla bills.  The challenge to proprietors of said lounges, diners and cafes: how to manage expectations of those patrons coming through their doors and make each and every experience as unique as the customer at the table.  Points to come on that!

That’s what’s on my mind – EP

I love eating out.  Every restaurant provides something similar, yet something so unique.  While yes, there is food on the table and a drink in your hand,  each and every bistro, cafe, snadwich shop or fine dining facility has its own way of making that food and drink come to life.  Through presentation, service standards, atmosphere, physical environment and the surrounding clientele, every gastro-adventure we commit to is ripe with an intention of what our overall experience should be.  How do you feel when you walk into a restaurant?  What kind of interaction do you receive from staff?  How does the music playing in the background impact your mood?  What kind of value do you take away from your meal?  All these aspects come together to create an eats-perience.  Every one of our senses is touched by the hospitality of the establishment to create something original.

My intention is to not only blog about what I experience in the dining industry in Vancouver (home base, for now!), but also to expand that concept of dining from a strictly ‘eating out’ perspective.  Amazing dining experiences happen every day, and not just in restaurants.  Our homes and the homes of our friends are prefect settings for inventive ways to play with food, set moods, learn about hospitality and make lasting memories.  Through contributions from industry and planning professionals, through to restaurant owners and corporate chains, I am out to learn what everyone’s impression of an eats-perience should be.  Helpful hints will be plentiful, suggestions and solutions will materialize, and sharing special thoughts and ideas is going to be encouraged!! I challenge you to build some memories and involve your friends and familiies in making your own eats-periences.

I’ve always wanted to get my love for food and amazing dining experiences out in the open, and to have an opportunityt o share my passion with other passionate people!  Having just moved to Vancouver, and having a HUGE city to explore, i decided that the time could never be better to share my experiences, hear about some of your favorites, and maybe even gain some more insight into  in what dining out in Vancouver looks like on a number of levels.  So, here we go!