I have mentioned previously that I am not a big of desserts: If I am by myself, chances are I will skip it. However, when I am with others and they want it, I might as well tag along. Out of all forms of sweet treats, pies falls in sort of an in-between. Of course, I like the savoury applications: pot pies, pocket pies (empanadas, et al) and so on. Sweet versions? Well, I have made blueberry pie myself, so I would certainly eat it. But, a recent experience gave me the most bitter sweet one of all: a slice of humble pie.
From the category archives:
Comments
Originally, I had scheduled a rant about my perspective of the state of Vancouver food blogs, specially due to some things that have happened lately. However, the content itself was proving a bit too… Incensive and provoking (confirmed by some people whom I have sent a draft version). As a result, I have put that post on hold until further consideration. However, I do have an announcement…
(Update (20110314): This post has been made “sticky”. For the most recent post, please, scroll down or click on next post at the very bottom left of the page).
It is almost Christmas already and, with it, end of the calendar year. I will have to admit that this year have has its oddities and challenges but, regardless, it has been a good year. Or, as I tell people, it is what you make out of it.
One thing people say about me is that I am opinionated and, at times, I don’t hold back. While I do admit I always have my $0.02 cents worth (which might eventually be a nickel considering there are plans to scrap pennies), at the same time people have noticed I have toned down since I first started blogging. I guess time changes people. Anyway, for this random post, I wanted to look back at this year in perspective and some random thoughts about 2011!
KFC
Hundred of locations around the world
1147 Davie Street 
Vancouver, BC
In the past, I made reference to things that we wish and long for just due to the fact it is at a somewhat arms reach but it is too troublesome to go and get it/them. Wait, what’s that again? OK, let me put a really simple example: When the original iPhone came, it wasn’t launched in Canada but people went to extreme to find unlocked versions in the US. In the case of food, Krispy Kreme was almost a commodity… Until a store was opened here. The list goes and goes. When KFC released their Double Down sandwich, aside from the hype it generated as being one of the most unhealthy sandwiches (there are worst), it was done as a US only item. But, thanks to some ingenuity, some people made their own version, including a Canadian version. In my case, living in Vancouver, with border crossing at a relatively short drive, it was a matter of if I *really* wanted to do it. For the most part the answer was no; until, that is, I was in the US for business trip and, well, why not, get not one but two of such sandwiches! You can check my post here.
Fast forward to the present: In a case of demand (or hype or success, which ever you think is true), KFC in Canada was to release this “sandwich” on October 18th and available until mid November. While I already had the “original” version down in the US, well, why not try the local version as well!
I had another post set up for today but, instead, since it is Labour Day, I thought to write something different: My thoughts of the state of restaurants in Vancouver as of September 2010… See, with some many changes this year (compared to the previous years), I thought there should be enough material to write something! Material like what? Well, if we go sequentially, we have…
1) The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games: During those two weeks in February, the world (or at least those that have winter/snows) we looking at us and what we had to show for this “celebration”. For the most part, I think people enjoyed it, though there are things that went sideways as well. From the food perspective, I got a lot of emails about it so I ended up writing a long post about places to eat during the Olympics; however, in the end, I had to self-ban myself from some restaurants because of a practice they had on those two weeks: that of increasing the price and, in some cases, a “mandatory” gratuity. The question is if that has changed since. As of today, from that list, I have gone only to one restaurant but it was mostly for investigation purpose (as a heads up, that restaurant sucked in the end anyway). Instead, the question is somewhat related to point #2…
2) Implementation of the HST. as you know, HST was implemented in BC on July 1st, 2010. Currently, the legality of this tax is in the courts but, until that is sorted out, we are paying for that tax. In the case of the restaurant industry, that means an increase on the amount paid, not necessarily due to the restaurant itself but taxes. Interestingly, some restaurants seized the opportunity and, on summer, lowered their prices to attract customers. Talk about good practice! Now that summer is (almost) gone and HST has hit full force, not to mention claims that restaurants have taken a heavy hit due to the HST, I would like to bring back this post I wrote some time ago. I still believe what I wrote is true: Eating out is a privilege, not a right. So, in this competitive business, it is a matter of evolution. If you can’t cater the change of environment and, as a result, force to close shop, well, that’s part of business…
3) Proliferation of one-deal-a-day sites. I won’t name them but I am sure you all have a good idea of who they are. As the name suggests, these sites provide a deal per day but there is one caveat: the deal is only applicable if the minimum amount of people purchasing that deal is achieved. As a result, it serves both as a promotion and coupon for restaurants. But that begs the question of how good they are and how that affects the restaurant experience. I.e., assuming you have to produce the coupon in advance, does the restaurant treat customer differently? What about portion size? What if you want to get a similar coupon in the future (i.e., want to go again)? I guess like any of such promos, it is a matter of assessing the restaurant by itself so that, when you want to revisit it (and have to pay full price), do not be surprised if the experience is completely different. As for this blog, since the intent is that of a “regular” experience, I will not visit a restaurant using such coupon…
4) Food carts… Finally? As you have noticed, in the last couple of weeks, there has been a lot of noise made regarding street food in Vancouver. I have had my share of thoughts about street food when I wrote about Roaming Dragon; however, “for comparison” purposes, I went to several food carts while in Portland (check here, here and here) – the one place comparison is usually drawn. Now, after visiting Roaming Dragon, I have also visited Re-Up. I will jump ahead from that post and say that it was quite interesting and, if that is representative of what is to come, then good things will keep on going, though it won’t achieve the same environment/amount what is in Portland for a long time. Do I want that to happen? In a way is a wait and see. I still need to visit a lot more of other places first…
5) Bloggers as marketing tool. Here is a somewhat dirty secret: lately a lot of PR group of restaurants have invited food bloggers for some sort of opening/special dinner, et al, in hopes they will blog about that meal/lunch/dinner. Cost of inviting the bloggers? Chances are < $50 per head but the exposure is exponential. This is not new; instead, it is the frequency which have happened. For the most part, I trust the blogger itself. For example, Sherman and Mijune always make note it is such event and, even then, both bash the restaurant in the case the offering is not up to par. When you can’t find something negative (remember, for such events, they are well aware of who you are, not to mention the menu is prepared specially for the diners – As a result, you can be pickier than usual), either your palate is easily satisfied or you are blagger (despite claims of impartiality). Will this change? Unlikely. “Social media” is a powerful weapon. The key is to find who you can trust; just don’t fall in the fallacy by authority argument.
6) Food tours. One of the new type of “business” that have popped recently is that of food tours, where a local guide will take you to some well-known (or unknown) restaurants in an area. Is that good or bad? I would lean towards the bad. The reason is that it focus in specific areas and takes away from gems that exists outside of those geographical boundaries, not to mention I can go there by myself. But, then again, I am considered “local”, not to mention savvy enough, so that does not really apply to me. If you are a tourist, out of towner or not as adventurous, by all means! Just remind yourself it is somewhat scripted and might not provide a full picture of the restaurant…
I don’t think I have any words to close up this post; however, I do appreciate comments on what you believe are future trends!
“One of the most “interesting” food related news in Vancouver is that of rumours/hearsay/almost certain that Vancouver City Hall will be allowing street food vendors to expand their menu by allowing other dishes (aside from the current chestnut and hot dogs menu). So far, pretty much every body sounds excited about this… Probably except me. See, Toronto tried it some time ago and, as somebody mentioned, it was doomed to failure. While I haven’t read the full details yet whether restrictions that plagued Toronto will happen also in Vancouver, some entrepreneurs are almost ready to go ahead. So, why I am not as optimistic as them?
State of Vancouver Food Blogs 2011 – The actual post…
by KimHo on April 8, 2011 · 84 comments under: British Columbia,Comments,Random
(Note: A month ago, I wrote this post but, upon further consideration and some external feedback, I chose not to publish it. Instead, I just hinted I had something to say. However, looking at how things have “evolved” in the last month or so… Well, let’s just say it ended up being a case of “I might as well”… Leaving with a bang??? Anyway, please keep in mind this was written over a month ago. Some dates might no longer be applicable…)
It has been a while since I have written a post of this type and I wonder if it is due. In the last couple of months, there has been quite a buzz in terms of popularity of Vancouver blogs, specially if we consider that major sites like Urbanspoon has targetted Vancouver itself as one of the places with the greates activity. But, what does that mean? Better restaurants? More food bloggers? Everybody has anything to say? So, in reference to Canadian’s government thoughts of removing the pennies, here are my $0.05′s worth… But, first an announcement as well…
Read more…!
Tagged as: Announcements, Random