Swiss Donair
8308 144 Ave NW
Edmonton, AB
I have mentioned a couple of times that, in some parts of Vancouver, you can see a lot of shawarma/donair/falafel shops popping up every couple of blocks. Is this madness? Well, if there is demand, places like these will keep on popping out. So, when I was in Edmonton, my reaction was a bit of mixed when I kept seeing them as well! However, a bit of digging, I noticed something different so that gave me enough reason to try one of them as well. After shuffling between a couple of places (hey, after all, I only have that much stomach space!), the list of places narrowed down to two: High Voltage Food Coffee & Bar and Swiss Donair. Yes, you can guess which one I ended up.
Read more…!
Tagged as:
Edmonton,
Middle Eastern
Aladdin’s Cafe
720 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC
I have mentioned in the past that Middle Eastern restaurants have been creeping around Downtown Vancouver. While not as “noticeable” as, say, Starbucks, you could easily find one every couple of blocks. And what is not to like? Meat spinning in a spit, carved when order (OK, not always) or falafel, which are then dressed with tahini and hot sauce. Well, aside the fact that a lot of these places are small and tend to be packed. On a day for lunch, I was just walking around and ended up near Robson and Granville. And looking for a place for a quick lunch, I eyed Aladdin’s Cafe, which happens to be right next to a Babylon Cafe
Read more…!
Tagged as:
Chicken,
Lunch,
Middle Eastern,
Vancouver
Pita Fresh
1175 Davie St.
Vancouver, BC
Some time ago, I made the remark that there has been a lot of Middle Eastern eateries popping around Vancouver Downtown area. In Robson at Granville, you can find Babylon Cafe, Maison Falafel a couple of blocks east. And then, if you go to Granville Entertainment District, you will find a similar share of such places. Further down in the West End, a similar phenomenon occurs. Could it be shawarma and it similar brethren like donair and gyro (heck, even a taco al pastor!) is trying to take over silently without us realizing it? Well, if that is the case, I don’t mind if what they sell is something tasty. Today’s post is about a place that, depending on the perspective, could be considered Middle Eastern with some Greek touches as well: Pita Fresh in Davie Street, what seems to be their second location (the first one located near the Waterfront Station area).
Read more…!
Tagged as:
Lamb,
Middle Eastern,
Vancouver
Al Basha
3143 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
My dislike for Richmond is quite well know. Crazy drivers, small parking spaces, badly design parking locations, the list goes on and on. However, that isn’t the only part of Metro Vancouver I do not frequent. Vancouver West Side is another of such areas in town, despite there is no particular reason. Probably because of those houses I don’t think I will never have enough moola to purchase? Or, perhaps because there is that sense of “falsehood”. Probably because most of the restaurants are the type where there is more hype to be seen rather than what it is served on the plate? Or because, well, I have had a bad track there? Regardless of the reason, after my visit to the area on Greek Day, I found out there were actually small interesting shops. One of them happened to be Al Basha and I made a mental note to return “soon” and that is what I did…
Read more…!
Tagged as:
Chicken,
Middle Eastern,
Vancouver,
West Side
Donair Dude
1172 Davie Street
Vancouver, BC
Last week, I wrote this tweet:
Just noticed/realized something: There are a lot of shawarma shops open/opening soon in the West End! Boom of Middle Eastern food?
Years ago, when I was living in the West End, I remember only a handful of such Middle Eastern eateries. There was Falafel King (with a second location in Davie) and Mediterranean Grill. Now, there are a couple of Babylon Cafe locations, Donair King, Sammy’s Hot Wing (which, could fall into the category of being there a long time as well), etc. etc. So, when FOODgrl wrote about yet-another such shops – Donair Dude – I was wondering… Was there anything that would make them stand out from the rest? Yes there was…
Read more…!
Tagged as:
Lunch,
Middle Eastern,
Vancouver,
West End
Darya Restaurant
1795 Pendrell Street
Vancouver, BC
I have walked Robson, Denman and Davie Street so many times that, for the most part, I am aware of all the restaurants. Or so I thought. When I was walking back one day from English back to work, I noticed a restaurant just off Denman that, last time I remembered, was a Chinese restaurant. I guess it went under and now a Middle Easter/Persian restaurant – Darya Restaurant. Since I had lunch already, I put that in my lunch to visit queue. That opportunity came a couple of weeks ago and, as it has been a lot of times already in my lunches on work days, PO was tagging along.
Read more…!
Tagged as:
Lamb,
Lunch,
Middle Eastern,
Vancouver
European Deli
1220 Davie Street
Vancouver, BC
In general, I try to be as responsible as possible when it comes to timing. Now, that does not mean I will be perfect; there will be times I will slip. When it comes to work, despite I have flex time, I am usually there past my usual required work hours (though, that might actually “mean” flex time, as in anytime before 9:00 a.m., and anytime after 5:00 p.m….). As for appointments, something similar: if I have an appointment at 11:00 a.m., I try to be there by 10:55 a.m. This is quite unlike some culture I am aware of where, if you say 11:00 a.m., people believe you actually mean 11:30 a.m….
On one day, I had a doctor appointment for 11:00 a.m. I usually avoid these hours because, well, it means I have to take an early break. However, to make up for that time, I started really early that day. Fortunately, that doctor’s appointment was relatively fast and, rather than go back to work directly, I decided to have an early lunch. Looking for places in Davie Street, I saw the usual suspects and after walking some streets, I was almost resigned to places I have been several times in the past. However, that’s when I noticed European Deli and its note of selling deli sandwiches…
Read more…!
Tagged as:
Deli,
European,
Middle Eastern,
Vancouver
