Restaurants

Every morning, I walk by Blitzen Break on my way to our fledgling blogging venture's Gastown office. And, ever since Easter, Blitzen Break has been closed with an "On Company Holiday" sign.

I hope this is only a temporary hiatus because I truly believe that there is a niche for a restaurant like Blitzen Break downtown. I'll keep you posted on any developments!

For the first time ever, Barb and I picked up some pizza to watch the Canucks' game. And we decided to try Nat's New York Pizzeria on Broadway (there's also a location on Denman).

The pizza (unlike the Canucks, but wait until next year!) was a winner. We ordered a large with pepperoni, hot peppers and mushrooms which was about $18 after taxes and pickup discount. Crisp, thin crust. Spicy but not too spicy!

We will definitely be back for a full mini-review.

I often file away restaurant information in an obscure part of my mind. When an opportunity to eat out arises, I can often pull up the info and head for a restaurant that I had heard or read about. After reading SaabKen's review of Ajisai, I did just that. Luckily we didn't have to wait very long for an occasion to try it out.

Tonight our friend, Robert (who is a sushi afficionado), flew in from Toronto and we jumped at the chance to try out Ajisai. We were not disappointed!

We arrived at the restaurant after 8 p.m.

We've always wanted to try Ajisai in Kerrisdale by London Drugs but have never gotten around to it.

But after reading SaabKen's mini review of Ajisai, Shhh, a sushi gem in Kerrisdale, we are definitely going to visit it soon!

Thanks for sending us the mini-review Ken! We welcome further contributions from our readers (requires free membership).

It's been a long time coming but The Mouse & The Bean's new location at 207 West Hastings finally opened on May 1, 2003. Congrats!

I will be trying it out for lunch soon and will give a full report.

For Barb's birthday, her parents treated us to dinner at Seasons in the Park. Besides the wonderful view of the sun setting over the gorgeous city of Vancouver, the highlight of the evening was Pan Seared Medallions of Caribou in a sour cherry frangelico demi reduction for $29. Not cheap by any means but oh so tasty. The meat was tender, not fatty yet somehow flavourful and did not taste gamey. And it was complemented beautifully by the cherry and truffle oil reduction. Superb.

Check out our mini-review of The Boss Bakery and Restaurant if you are looking for a cheap, cheerful and tasty place to grab a bite to eat in Chinatown.

I checked on Wednesday and The Mouse and the Bean Cafe's old location is now closed.

I am sure that they will be open soon at their new location at 207 West Hastings. I'll check next week and post a report.

Here's a photo of their farewell message at the old location.

Judging by their new sign below, it looks like the long awaited move of The Mouse & The Bean is almost finished!

Can't wait! I'll check on Thursday or Friday and see what's up!

My friend David and I enjoyed a delicious kolachy lunch at the kolachy shop near BC Place today (888 Beatty Street, 604 488-0200)

What is a Kolachy? According to their website, it is a "delicious mild sweet bread filled with your favourite breakfast, lunch and dessert ingredients then baked fresh".