Ah, new year… Just in case, if you missed it, once again, Happy New Year! Of course, before the new year, there is the end of year, time where different media starts writing articles on the top X for different categories. Top news, events, etc. Of course, this being a food, mostly restaurant, related blog, my main point of interest would be exactly that, restaurants. So, just to follow trend, here is my top 10 restaurants…
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. Mom’s cooking…
Wait, that is not restaurant! OK, OK, my parents are now retired but they used to run a restaurant. Even if it was opened, it is unlikely you would be able to order what I used to have, as the menu had stereotypical dishes like fried rice and chow mein. That is because they were popular with the local Panamanians and that is what they thought was Chinese. Chicken and egg situation?
What this have to do with Vancouver? While Panama is known to be a melting pot of cultures, for the most part, it has already absorbed most other cultures and has reached some level of homogeneity. However, that is not the case here in Vancouver where you can find diverse culture interacting with each other. And given all these cultures, I can’t help but be disappointed that the top restaurants according to some local media (like this and this) are mostly located in two areas of the city (Downtown Vancouver and Kitsilano), not to mention the absence of some ethnic cuisines. Sure, for the ethnic cuisine, we have Maenam but what about other types, like Japanese (specifically izakaya) or so many Chinese (like the popularity of xiao long bao)?
Now, I do admit I haven’t been to most of these restaurants (only been to Market by Jean-Georges and went to Fuel just prior to their relaunch as Refuel, though oddly, I am not sure how it can make to the top lists when it has just “re-”opened) so I can’t really vouch how good or bad are they. But given the contrasting experiences between the mainstream media and myself on the places visited by both sides (specially those not in their top lists), chances are not good…
So, here is my question for you: How do you feel about these lists?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Once a list is out, I usually go to Chowhound.com and look up what other people have to say. If I am stuill interested, I might check out one or two of the places.
A recent list of “cheap eats” in Calgary had a nice thread on Chowhound. Especially since not many places on the list were “cheap”, by some reader’s standard.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/678739
I’m been asked to do a top 10 list too; but I’m having a hard time doing one. Too many different types of cuisines and levels of pricing. Not sure how valuable it would be. I suppose it would make more sense to do specific lists for each type. Not sure still.
Personally, as someone who loves to eat (usually good quality/value/portions), my top 10 list would probably consist of my current favourites which I tend to frequent and have become my comfort foods.
How about doing a retrospective on your top 10 favourites of 2009?
Kim. I think that while the lists help people grasp what is popular, it may/can show how far behind a trend is. If the list is coming from a major source (newspaper, show etc..) I think it’s designed for the non-food blogger/foodie type. More for the general public if that makes sense. People that may not know that meat/cheese platters are the new thing (or whatever it happens to be) etc..
If however the list comes from someone like say, yourself, the audience is different already. It’s usually people who have an interest in food I would think, and therefore, are looking for something else. Maybe what you consider a trend, or really just your personal thoughts. As an avid reader of both you and Sherman, I think it helps to give me a bit of insight into your life. Although like Sherman mentioned, where do you stop. There are so many categories, and with your appetites, too many restaurant to choose from. Plus, each experience is different. Different night, different product etc. I think this just confirms that it gives us an insight into what ‘you’ like during the year.
Finally, I’m never one for generic lists but if I see a common thread, I’d be interested in hearing more. Like H.Peter mentioned; checking the chowhound. And if anything, the lists get us talking, discovering, and venting!
Peter and Raidar, I understand that printed publications is meant for non-technical people or people who do not spend their time surfing the net; however, I just wish they were more representative of what is actually out there and is “good”.
Holly, sorry, I don’t think I will make such list.
I wouldn’t personally do a top 10 list because of what Sherman and Raidar said. But I do agree that I would list my top 10 favorites of the year.
HAHAH and for my list my #1 has to be my mom and dad’s cooking.
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