We can’t possibly post every food experience we’ve ever had – we generally accumulate experiences faster than we can write. However, we would like to give you an opportunity to ask us about any restaurant-related questions the world over. We haven’t managed to hit every country in the world yet, but we’ve covered most of them!
Here is your opportunity to ask away. We’re happy to help if we ca.
- the foodosophy team
P.S. please note we do not currently accept direct email.
 | jon on ask foodosophy… |
 | andrew spasojevic on Bernie’s Balkan Kitchen … |
 | gastronomydomine on Sal y Limon – Vancouver,… |
 | shokutsu on Bukchigo Jangguchigo – C… |
 | YumVegGrub on Bukchigo Jangguchigo – C… |
 | iamonlyhereforthefoo… on Sal y Limon – Vancouver,… |
 | Veronica on Tonimoes and Shivers at the Ma… |
 | Holy Falafel on who we are… |
 | Nicole on Bobby Chao’s Chinese Cui… |
 | Peter on Restaurace Stara Praha –… |
 | Kait on Mucho Burrito – Burnaby, … |
| gastronomydomine on Thanh Xuan (Revisited) –… |
 | Andrew Morrison on Thanh Xuan (Revisited) –… |
 | Elizabeth Theuser on Barb & Ernie’s … |
 | Kimmy on Kishu River – Vancouver,… |
I was just wondering if you’ve heard of my business in Calgary yet? Choklat is the only company in Western Canada to actually “MAKE” chocolate, and does so from some of the rarest and finest cocoa beans in the world. Furthermore, it’s the only chocolate company I’m aware of anywhere that you can get your truffles made for you while you wait in the store.
If you’re looking for something truly unique, and chocolate of a quality that I’ve been told rivals the best European chocolate that our customers have tasted, it may be worthwhile looking into.
Thanks in advance for your time.
Brad Churchill
Hi Brad,
Yes indeed we know of your business – not only are we patrons of your business, but we are bigs fans (of the Porcelana especially!), and have mentioned your business in a few other reviews as well. We have the material we need for a review, but it’s in the queue. Look for it coming up in the next few months…
The team @ Foodosophy
P.S.
Did I mention that I could not access your BLOG in China? Maybe the gov blocked the word Philosopher and any related deviations…..
Hi foodosopher
I noticed that you left a note on my (now stale) blog with contact info. I just noticed it yesterday so I fired off an email to that address that you left.
I haven’t been updating that blog – life just got in the way.
Hope to hear from you soon.
-fmed
> H.Peter
Interesting. Must be the “-osophy” in the URL.
I was in HK last month and had access, so they must limit it only in the mainland.
It could have been also my non talent for technology. But indeed yours was teh only BLOG I could not access.
> H.Peter
I am thinking it is indeed the China Firewall. Would help explain (at least in part) the complete lack of visitors from China (according to our ClustrMaps). Would you happen to remember if you tried accessing any other WordPress blogs while you were there?
Hey,
I was wondering if you had any good ideas for restaurants open late night (as in after 1) in Vancouver
>J Lintag
Thanks for your query, we’ll try to help out. But more info on say what part of town (as its assumed you’re not driving a long way across town just to eat for example at this late time of day) or type of cuisine you’re seeking, would help narrow down the list…
oh yea sorry, I’d say places downtown or on broadway. Thanks
>J Lintag/conradfernandez
Some early thoughts…
Broadway – I think downtown is more conducive to late night eating cause the crowds are still there but Calhoun’s Cafe (24hr); Pho Kim Penh Xe Lua (think its a 24hr place); Bin 942 (open til 1:30am) might warrant your consideration here.
Downtown – Dae Bak Bong Ga (open til 1am Mon-Sat); Elixir (open til 2am Mon-Sat); Gyoza King (open til 2am Mon-Thu with last order at 1am & Fri-Sat til 2am with last order at 1:30am), Lolita’s (til 2am Mon-Sun); Brix (til 2am Mon-Sun); Sip Resto Lounge (til 2am Mon-Sun); Granville Room (til 2am Mon-Sun); plenty of pubs downtown as well that serve up grub at this late hour as well.
I’m sure Gastronomydomine could drop a few names here as well, especially for those on E. Broadway…
I enjoy reading your food blog as I am a Vancouverite, lived in Toronto, now living in Edmonton. Bad food is a waste of an appetite, so I like to look for the gems in each city. You must try Go Fish! in Vancouver. It is a small outdoor fresh seafood “stand” by the Fisherman’s Wharf outside Granville Island. Best Oyster burger ever!
As for my question: any good recommends for spots with fantastic baked goods and an affordable fresh food/contemporary restaurant in central Edmonton?
Jatina,
Go Fish is excellent. I’ve been several times…unfortunately, usually sans camera. Great recommendation though!
As for Edmonton, im not sure if you’re asking for one recommendation or two? Im guessing two. In terms of baked goods, there’s certainly a wide variety, but nothing i would say is exceptional – certainly nothing like Butter in Van. The Italian Centre (downtown, and southside) seems to be very popular. Somethings there are good. Some, not so much. I think Bon Ton on 149 Street is decent, and Bee Bell Healthy Bakery does some interesting stuff. There is the Artisan Bakery on Whyte, which is so so. That’s all i can think of off the top of my head. Chains seem popular, so Cobs is always a bit hit. Fresh Start Bakery in Riverbend is overrated.
In terms of fresh food/contemporary that is affordable, really depends on your idea of affordable. Places like Culina are somewhat reasonable (bistro style prices anyway) – and fresh and contemporary. In a step up in price, you’d be looking at the Red Ox Inn type of price point – at which point it’s starting to add up. Let me know what price range, and preferably a style, and we’ll see what we can do.
are you doing any reviews of cafes? i always want to know the best cafes to go to in any city. god i love coffee…
I believe there are a handful of cafe and/or coffee in general posts. But perhaps they are more from Alberta. I believe if you’re hoping for cafe reports in Vancouver, our writers prefectionist1 and gastro are the best sources – let’s hope they can find some time to write some.
Sounds like a great idea to add coffee houses. I’ll be glad to do it – being a coffee geek. Some quick recommendations for Vancouver (ie my favourites):
-Bump n Grind – my neighbourhood joint. Owners are truly perfectionist about coffee. They use 49th Parallel beans, but often bring in beans from the top American roasters (eg Intelligentsia, Ritual, etc.). Many of the city’s top baristas hang out here.
-Elysian Room – another perfectionist coffee house. 49th Beans.
-Wicked Cafe – probably the best place right downtown. Experience baristas all around.
-JJ Bean – my favourite locations are the Commercial Dr and Main St locations. They roast their own beans.
Gastro
Didn’t know you were a coffee geek – the Canadian National Barista Championships are this week at the Van Convention Centre on Wed and Thurs. You should try and make it out there if you can (there are free passes at some coffee shops)…i bet it’ll be really interesting!
totally agree with ELYSIAN room and WICKED cafe. I love the atmospheres of JJ Bean, but the coffee always feels, to me, slightly blah.
BUT…i’ve heard lots of Bump n’ Grind. I’m gonna go check it out tomorrow. i’m excited (i’ll bring my own coffee sleeve!)
I am a big fan of JJ Bean’s Nero espresso. If they have that in the grinders – have a shot of that straight up.
@foodosopher. The CNBC is in my sights. I’ll definitely be there if I can swing my schedule.
Hi there,
We found your awesome food blog through DineOutHere.com and we are having a fundraising event at Wild Rice restaurant on Nov 19th and would like to invite Foodosophers to join us!
Shark Truth is a not-for-profit consumer awareness campaign that seeks to work with consumers to find alternatives for shark fin soup.
Please feel free to email us with your contact information. Thanks
Much love,
Harry the Shark
http://sharktruth.com
Hi Shark Truth,
While i can’t speak for everyone here at Foodosophy, i know yours is a cause i wholeheartedly support. While i will not be able to make it, if there’s something we can do to feature your event to help raise some awareness, let us know.
Some of the other Foodosophers may wish to join you at your event though! I’ll leave that up to them.
Thanks for letting us know of your event.
Foodosopher
The new layout looks good!
Thanks KimHo
He wanted to make the content column wider so the pictures could be bigger. Im typically anti-change – but clearly ShoSu isnt!
I like it! More expansive, lighter, more negative space…all good. I may have to save my images to a larger resolution as I notice some artifacts.
Hello
We love your blog! Just wondering how many people write under the foodosophy handle and if you are professional writers by trade
Thanks for stopping by heffalumps!
Currently, there are seven of us on the writing roster, with varying degrees of activeness. As far as I know, none of us “write” for a living. Though I am sure there are some of us who wish we could do this for as a paying gig, giving us much needed funds to continue eating.
P.S. Where are you visiting us from?
Hi heffalumps,
Thanks for the positive feedback, it is much appreciated! While we have had several people come and go under the foodosophy handle, we currently have 4 people actively writing – Shokutsu, Gastro, O-toro, and myself. We are trying to browbeat Almattone to come back and write again though
We are definitely not professional writers by trade. Just a group of girls and guys who love food.
Cowtown …but we like to eat everywhere!
Well keep up the great photos and writing
Cheers!
Excellent. Great eating to you and yours too!
Hey Foodosophy Team!
I love this blog- I appreciate the honesty and the obvious love of food which shines through in all of the entries. I’m newish to Vancouver (I just moved from Calgary this fall for school) and I’m wondering if you have any recommendations for good vegetarian-centric restaurants. I’ve tried the Naam and Bo Kong restaurants, and some friends have recommended that I give Foundations restaurant a try, but I was wondering if there are any lesser-known hidden gems out there which would be worth trying first?
Hi Jake,
Try the following: Saravanaa Bhavan, Prayag Raj, 3G Vegetarian, House of Dosa, Radha Yoga, Bandidas Taqueria, Dharma Kitchen, Gorilla Foods, Sweet Cherubim for vegetarian and vegan. I paticularly like Saravanaa Bhavan, Prayag Raj, House of Dosa, Dharma Kitchen and Radha Yoga. I included the rest of them on that list because some of my vege friends like them (…they are OK).
Some restos are not strictly vege (eg Nuba) but have some tasty vege dishes.
I am desperate for great dim sum here!
Please recommend any to me for high end – good quality, but not rip off like dim sum to your everyday dining with the carts!
thanks, you guys are the best and experts! love it!!!!!
p.s in vancouver that is!:)
looking for speciality items too!!!
ie why the dim sum place is famous – for their radish cakes etc? or buns… yummmmmm
Hi Michelle,
In Vancouver – try Red Star. In Richmond try Jade, Sea Harbour, Gingeri, and Viva City.
In Vancouver, i would also add Kirin (City Square) on Cambie. I often like it better than Red Star. Their ooh-gow (fried taro dumplings), and their dumplings are excellent. Not the best radish cakes.
Hey Foodosophy Team,
How are you?
My name is Egypt and would love to get in touch with one of your guys in regards to something i’m working on – re your blog.
Anyone got an email to pass over to me, or just email me back please on:
egyptashi@gmail.com
Thanks,
Hello fellow blogger,
Do you want to exchange links? We’re #1 in San Francisco
http://www.urbanspoon.com/blogs/6/SF-Bay-Area.html
Please add us to your blogroll if you wish.
Hello Foodosophy team!
My name is jenny and I work on behalf of Tourism PEI here at GCI.
I just wanted to alert you to a contest that might interest your readers and listeners and a recipe that may suit your blog.
Foodies may be interested in getting in their last-minute entries for the Pack Your Appetite contest – http://packyourappetite.ca/en/ –a chance to win a culinary vacation to the Island as well as grocery gift cards. This is a great chance to visit the Island and indulge in its fresh food offerings. The contest closes March 31st.
We also have a potato cake recipe from Chef Gordon Bailey. Chef Bailey only uses the freshest local ingredients in his kitchen at Charlottetown’s renowned Lot 30 restaurant and created this yummy recipe that shows the versatility and taste of potatoes. Please let me know if you’d like to see it.
As we wrap up the contest please let me know if you have any questions or require any images.
I hope to work with you in the future!
Best,
Jenny
Heading to Vancouver soon. What are some must goto places?
I’ve heard good things and like to see how the dim sum, hi end Cantonese is.
Also any signature Vancouver places, like Gary danko or Boulevard in San Francisco.
Thanks
“Goto places”. Hmm, we’ll need more specifics – like location, cuisine, budget, etc. Dim Sum is not one of my favorites, but I’ve enjoyed Kirin (at City Square on 12th ave). Red Star Seafood, Fisherman’s Terrace, Imperial, I also hear good things about. Loads of choice out there from the cheap to the expensive. Have a look around our archives for more dim sum experiences. “Signature Vancouver”, perhaps the likes of Vij’s, Salt, the downtown izakaya scene, etc. If writer Foodosopher can chime in, I’m sure he can give more advice (given his probable familiarity with the SF places you listed).
If you are wanting something like Gary Danko (I’ve been) and Boulevard (not been – but had a quick look at the menu), then Bishop’s, Diva at the Met, Yew, Cibo, and West come to mind.
For high-end Cantonese – Sea Harbour, Red Star, Jade Seafood.
Seeing that you are coming in from SF, “goto” places include Vij’s, Granville Island Market, and Richmond BC’s Chinese food zone (often called “Golden Village”).
I am looking for the Best Italian Veal Sandwich place in Calgary?
Honestly Buru – i gave this a lot of thought and can’t think of one place i’ve had an Italian Veal Sandwich that stood out. My favorite breaded veal in town is actually at the Wienerschnitzelhaus in Bowness, but it isnt a sandwich. Sorry we can’t help you with this.
Shokutsu,
Are you interested in coming and trying a sneek peak menu at a new restaurant in Richmond? Matt from VancouverSlop is attending and mentioned that you may be interested as well. Please feel free to email me to get details.
Thanks for the offer James. Feel free to drop me the details (shokutsu at gmail dot com).
Hi Guys,
I read your review about SmoQe BBQ in Aptos, CA and wanted to tell you you might want to go back and give them another try. When you reviewed them they had recently opened and were plagued with new restaurant jitters and I had to agree with most of what you wrote. I live right around the corner so in spite of their shortcomings I frequented this place and I have to say they always served up something that kept me hopeful they would get it together. They have just about turned over the entire staff, including the big rude guy pictured on your review and it has made a huge difference.
I am now a fan of this place and really appreciate how they have worked so hard to change things for the better. I just feel that they deserve another look from you guys so your reviews reflect the current awesomeness of SmoQe.
Thanks
I saw that your in Calgary at the moment, if your feeling for any italian food a must try is Mercatos excellent food with a great vibe! I really enjoy it there
I can attest to this, as I have enjoyed a meal there. Shared the mamoth sized rib steak seasoned with fresh basil and roasted lemon. A very flavourful and unique preparation of beef!
Hi!
I have began to love Korean food recently. However, there are only a limit restaurants that I know of. Can you please recommend atleast 5 top korean restaurant in Vancouver that I can try?
Thanks
Hi Camilla and thanks for your query. We have loads of Korean-themed posts from the Vancouver area online here. Might you help narrow down some dishes you’ve enjoyed so far and perhaps we can point you in the direction of some we enjoyed. If you’re open to driving out to the burbs like Coquitlam, it might help expand the options as well.
Hi I just opened Shandong restaurant. If you are bored with cookie cutter chinese restaurants with bland dishes that emphasise on saving money by adding “filler” dishes, then you need to eat here. All my appetizers are house made including potstickers, dumplings, Shao loong bao, Mu shu pancakes. My noodles are made and cooked to order. With the exception of water chestnuts, no vegtables come out of a can. I only use fresh shittake mushrooms instead of dried and you can taste the difference. I’m not big on selling myself but I would like to get the word out and i believe my restaurant deserves this opportunity. Thank you, Henry Liu, Chef,Owner
What’s the name of your establishment?
Hey shokutsu,
I actually visit the coquitlam area few times a month, so totally no problem. I love most of the popular korean dishes like spicy tofu soup, BBQ, spicy pork stew …. etc. Especially the spicy+sweet dishes. I don’t tend to take risks when ordering food and usually go with the few staple dishes. So I would also love to try some authentic food that non-korean wouldn’t know of. Would you please make a few recommendations? I love insadong and hanwoori btw..
Thanks for the greater detail in what you are seeking. As Insadong and Hawnoori are quite well known and have their strengths (Insadong’s soondubu is perhaps my favorite in the GVRD), perhaps you might be interested in…
checking out the Korean-Chinese dishes such as jajangmyeon (blackbean noodles), tangsuyuk (sweet/sour fried pork) at Mi-Ae Deli, the kalguksu (hand-cut soup noodles) at Won Jo, or the kamja tang (potato soup with huge chunks of pork on the bone included in the stew) at Choon Ha Choo Dong (Vancouver). Posts covering all these dishes can be searched for on the site, as well as plenty of other Korean restaurant coverage.
Hope that is of some help.
Have you tried Kabab Grill, 70 Gerrard Street West, Toronto ?
Kabab Grill offers traditional food and sophistication is the definition of Toronto’s Kabab Grill. Great Traditional Lebanese-Mediterranean contemporary cuisine using traditional methods. Our dishes are prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients. Our menu is carefully put together to cater to any taste and appetite featuring the best Lebanese-Mediterranean combination.
The restaurant’s architecture and design reflects the richness and authenticity of our menu.
All of these elements come together to create a unique culinary experience that unmistakably defines the multicultural essence of Toronto.
We do have a writer based in T-dot, so will pass this along…
Hello foodosophy, I think your reviews are great!
I have recently opened a new mediterranean restaurant in toronto, you have to come by and check it out!!!!
I only use the finest and freshest ingredients available. My meats come in daily from bruno’s fine food, which is right below my restaurant, and the service is fantastic.
Let me know when you come by so I can come over to you table to say hi.
Mezza On2
1560 Yonge st 2nd floor
Toronto, Canada
647.352.6399
Added to a list should any of us venture to Toronto again. Thanks!
Hi Foodosophy, I’m currently doing a “Fries Feature” and I’ve also read your amazing gastronomic experiences in different places. I’m currently residing in Singapore. Besides our local chains like “Best Fries Forever” and “Everything With Fries”, I’d love to garner more interest onto cosmopolitan travellers (who’d go all out for the FRITES!) which I feel would be very apt for my write-up. This great website that I’ve just stumbled upon 20 minutes ago was just a jackpot for my feature. Please reply me asap via my email or you can leave your contact info for me to contact you.
With thanks,
Rachel
Give our site a search for frites/fries. I think there are a few posts online already. Strangely though, when I think of Singaporean cuisine, deep fried potatoes are the last thing I think of.
Can I have an email address to send releases to? thanks!
Please leave any details that you desire here on this page. But be advised we do not attend publicity events.
May I please have an email address for PR purposes? Thank you!
See the response to the query directly above.
Hi there,
I produce an online documentary series on local, adventurous food called The Perennial Plate. We are currently syndicated on The Huffington Post and Serious Eats, and we receive 16,000 viewers a week. The reason Im writing — we are doing a tour of the US, but will also be stopping in Vancouver July 15th-July 19th and want to harvest some Wasabi root (and make some wasabi sauce). In researching Vancouver food, it was recommended that I check out your site. Do you know of anything on the subject of wasabi root? — we’re looking for local (small scale) wasabi farmers who would show us the ropes.
Here is our website, if you’d like to check it out: http://www.theperennialplate.com
Thanks so much for your help!
Mirra
mirra@theperennialplate.com
Mirra, thanks for stopping by and posing your question. I am personally aware of one company out here – Pacific Coast Wasabi (do a search for their website) – that may be able to help you in your quest. I believe they do it in a greenhouse environment. Coincidentally, one of our contributors had a year long experiment with growing fresh wasabi in a home environment with some success. It is a very difficult ingredient to grow well and in large quantities without a lot of hard work, the right environment and dedication. Good luck with your documentary journey!
Thank you! Ive been in touch with Pacific Coast, but was looking for a smaller (possibly local) farmer.
I was once obsessed with growing my own wasabi, so I have some pertinent information:
Most of the wasabi action seems to be on Vancouver Island (about a 2 hour ferry ride away) – especially in the Comox Valley (which is a foodie destination in itself). Hazelmere Farms (Courtney) grows it and sells rhizomes at the farmer’s markets there.
The most interesting method of farming wasabi is in fish aquaculature.
Vancouver Island University’s Aquaculture programme (Nanaimo) grows wasabi using the waste water from their aquaculture (fish) ponds. (My nephew was a student there so I saw the operation first hand).
Another aquaculture operation called Swift Aquaculture in Agassiz that does the same thing. Swift supplies a number of the “Oceanwise” restaurants here in town from their close containment fish farms. Again – they use waste water from the fish ponds to grow wasabi (and watercress, and other greens)
There are a couple of destination/farm-to-table restaurants grow wasabi – eg Deerholme Farms in Duncan and Sooke Harbour House.
Natural Pastures (a cheesery in Comox, also on the Island) grows their own wasabi as an ingredient for one of their cheeses.
In Surrey (just Southeast of Vancouver) is Mountain View Wasabi which now sells two of the eight major cultivars (Daruma and Mazuma “Green Thumb”).
I grew a few plants a few years ago. I bought the rhizomes from Richter’s Herbs, IIRC.
I hope this helps.
Hello Shokutsu,
My name is Heather Wright and I am the Sales & Events Manager for Louis Gervais Fine Foods & Catering. We will be hosting a open house evening for colleages and social media voices featuring a tasting menu, wine pairings and services by some of our event industry colleages and would like to extend an invitation for you to join us.
Could you please forward me contact information for one or all of you so that I might extend a more formal invitation?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Heather
Hi Heather,
While we appreciate the thought, the team at Foodosophy have chosen to remain anonymous in order to provide the fairest possible reviews – as such, we do not accept any of the offers extended to us by the community at large. We do appreciate the thought though, and wish you well on your open house!
The team at Foodosophy
Hi there,
I’m working on compiling a list of food bloggers for an upcoming project. Can you provide me with a name and email address of someone I can contact to add to the list?
Thanks!
Justine
Hi – Noticed you don’t accept press releases…
Chilliwack BC’s brand new Garrison Bistro is now open!
The menu features contemporary and classic Bistro fare, utilizing many fresh locally-sourced and organic ingredients.
http://www.garrisonbistro.com
Love the site, check us out!
Hi Foodosophy team,
I posted my Help! on another part of your site, so sorry if this is a duplicate. Am in dire need of a recommendation for a good sushi restaurant for wedding reception of ~20 people. My fav in vanc is Toshi, but is of-course too small and cannot accommodate. Am from out of BC so planning this long distance. Any place around Vanc, Richmond, Surrey would be great.
Thanks!
Hannah
Hello Hannah –
Try Miku on 1055 West Hastings. It is a large and airy space with a good view. The sushi is a crowd-pleasing modern style.
Thanks Gastronomy! I will check them def. check them out.
Hannah
hi!
i am new to vancouver. been looking for butterfish sashimi also known as escolar.
where can i find this in vancouver???????