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2011 Follow Me Foodie Favourites & Yearblog
Happy New Year! Welcome to my Follow Me Foodie Favourites & Best of 2011! This is a recap and yearbook/yearblog of the BEST Follow Me Foodie (FMF) Food and FMF Foodie Moments in 2011.
I wrote a Follow Me Foodie Favourites & Best of 2010, so I decided to do another one this year. I don’t even know where to start. It’s been a crazy year, and I’m so grateful for everything that has happened with this blog. I’ve loved every minute of it (even the parts where it hurt to laugh because I was so full) and I’m so happy to have shared these delicious moments with you. Thank you for following me foodie and cheers to another year of gastronomic indulgence!
Note: It’s not necessarily “the BEST“, because food is personal and I can only discover so much in a year. These are just some worth mentioning in my books… or blog? Blog. It’s more of a 2011 recap/summary. All experiences are from 2011 only.
Listed in no particular order. Based on the menu item, not the restaurant.
Top 20 Most Memorable/BEST Restaurant SAVOURY Dishes & Food in Vancouver:
At the Canadian Red Cross “Red Carpet Soiree” at Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar
The list is limited to what I tried this year. Again, not necessarily “the best”, but very memorable.
Listed in no particular order. Based on the menu item, not the restaurant.
1. Be ‘Wiched Cafe – Chain Gang Chili, Apple Pie Stuffed French Toast
2. La Belle Auberge – Seared Foie Gras with Apple Tart Tatin, Pork Belly Spring Roll
3. Café Régalade – Braised Short Ribs in Pepper Sauce
4. Pair Bistro – PAIR Signature Oysters
5. El Barrio Restaurante – Tostada Carnitas
6. Mis Trucos – Sezmu Beef Flatiron Steak
7. C Restaurant – Parsley Veloute, Northern Divine Caviar
8. Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill – Pappardelle
9. L’Abattoir – Poached Egg
10. Cobre Nuevo Latino – Maple Chipotle Tamarind Glazed Wild Boar Belly
11. La Quercia – Stinging Nettle Risotto for 2, Gnocchi
12. Hog Shack Cook House – Burnt Ends
13. Hawksworth Restaurant – Confit Pork Shoulder, Yellowfin Tuna Carpaccio
14. Anatolia’s Gate – Iskender Kabob
15. Market by Jean-Georges – French Toast, Sweet Pea Soup
16. The Well – Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict
17. The Apron – Side Stripe Prawn (Change of chefs)
18. EBO Restaurant – Albacore Tuna
19. Mochikas Peruvian Cafe - Chupe de Mariscos
20. Nicli Anitca Pizzeria – Margherita Pizza
Top 20 BEST ASIAN/FUSION Restaurant Dishes & Food in Vancouver:
Being in Vancouver, we’re spoiled by great Asian/Asian Fusion cuisine, so I decided to make it a separate category. Some of these are easily better than the list above.
Listed in no particular order. Based on the menu item, not the restaurant.
1. Suika – Beef Short Rib
2. Aki Japanese Restaurant – Black Cod (Sable Fish)
3. Pho Tam – House Special Pho
4. Wing Kee – Fresh Steamed Scallops with Vermicelli and Garlic
5. Dan Japanese – Tuna Chili Sashimi
6. Wang’s Beef Noodle House – Beef Brisket Noodle
7. Kirin Seafood Restaurant – Black Cod Braised with Squash and Roasted Pork Belly
8. Jade Seafood Restaurant – Steamed Mushroom Dumpling
9. Rainflower Restaurant – Pan Fried Tiger Prawns with Basil
10. Tokyo Joe’s Sushi Factory – Volcano Roll
11. Empire Chinese Cuisine – Alaskan King Crab Dinner – 4 ways
12. Red Star Seafood – Dungeness Crab with Wild Rice
13. Motomachi Shokudo – Bamboo-Charcoal Dark Miso Ramen
14. Tokachi Japanese – Tuna Gomaae
15. Empire Chinese Cuisine – Deep Fried Alaskan King Crab Knuckles
16. Ichiro Japanese – Dragon Roll
17. Delicious Cuisine – Deep Fried Shrimp with Salted Egg Yolk
18. Hapa Izakaya (Kistilano) – Salmon Shooter
19. Suhang Restaurant – Steamed Soup Buns with Pork Filling (XLB)
20. Jade Seafood Restaurant – Jade Smoked Grandpa Chicken
Honorary Mentions from 2010 list: Miku Restaurant – Aburi Salmon Oshi Sushi, Top Gun J & C Restaurant – Baked BBQ Pork Bun, Hakkaido Ramen Santouka – Toroniku Shio Ramen
Top 10 BEST Sandwiches/Burgers in Vancouver:
Finch’s Tea & Coffee House – Pear, Blue Brie, Prosciutto Baguette
Sandwiches, burgers, pizzas and food carts dominated the Vancouver food scene last year and this. The following sandwiches and burgers are limited to the ones I tried this year, so they’re not necessarily “the best”, but definitely worth mentioning and trying!
Listed in no particular order. Based on the menu item, not the restaurant.
1. Savary Island Pie Company – Grilled Chicken and Fresh Basil Sandwich
2. Belle’s on Thirty Two Restaurant – Lambwich
3. La Brasserie – Brass Chicken Sandwich
4. Hubbub Sandwiches – Pork Sandwich
5. Finch’s Tea & Coffee House – Pear, Blue Brie, Prosciutto Baguette
6. Coma Food Truck – Kalbi Burger
7. TacoFino Cantina – Pork Gringa
8. Meat & Bread – Porchetta Sandwich
9. Estrella’s Montreal Smoked Meat – Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich
10. The Oakwood Canadian Bistro – Burger
Top 15 Most Memorable/BEST Restaurant DESSERTS in Vancouver:
At the THOROUGHBRED – A Day at the Races
Of course I had to have a dessert category! I probably eat as many desserts as I do savoury courses. I had better luck finding great desserts in the city this year than last. Sweeten up your day with these!
Listed in no particular order. Based on the menu item, not the restaurant.
1. Giovane Cafe + Bar – Sugar Bun, Peanut Butter Hedgehog
2. Miku Restaurant – Blueberry-Lavender Coconut Cream Tart
3. Fratelli Bakery- Saint Honoré Cake
4. Kitchening with Carly – Almond Macaron with Rosemary Salted Caramel and Vanilla Cream
5. Chef Kev Cookies & Chocolate – Gluten Free Marzipan Ginger Cookies
6. TacoFino Cantina – Chocolate Diablo Cookie
7. Savary Island Pie Company – Lemon Buttermilk Pie
8. Be ‘wiched Cafe – Triple Cream Cheese Citrus Bar
9. Faubourg – Lemon Tart
10. Café Régalade – Monaco Torte
11. Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill – Olive Oil
12. ManCakes Bakery – Breakfast ManCake, Buffalo Wing ManCake
13. Gorilla Food – Avocado Pie
14. Seasonal 56 – Squash Ice Cream and Ginger Cookie Sandwich
15. Thomas Haas – Stollen
Top 25 Most Memorable/BEST Dishes Internationally:
Making Croissants at Bouchon in Las Vegas
At the 5th day of the opening for the first ever Ladurée in the United States in New York
Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee on Blue Mountain, Jamaica
Food is undeniably a focus when I’m traveling. This year I was grateful to take Follow Me Foodie to Bowen Island, Seattle, Las Vegas, New York, Portland, Los Angeles, Montreal, Quebec City and Jamaica. Here are some of my best international indulgences this year. So Follow Me Foodie to some of my favourite foods and restaurants abroad with just one click!
Listed in no particular order. Based on the menu item, not the restaurant.
1. Pine State Biscuits – The Reggie Deluxe Biscuit Sandwich – Portland, Oregon
2. Pambiche – Masitas – Portland, Oregon
3. Local 360 – Fried Chicken – Seattle, Washington
4. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese Cafe – World’s Best” Mac & Cheese – Seattle, Washington
5. Nove Italiano - Shrimp Francaise – Las Vegas, Nevada
6. Bouchon – Truite Grenobloise – Las Vegas, Nevada
7. Traif – Crispy Pork Belly – Brooklyn, New York
8. The Spotted Pig – Gnudi – Manhattan, New York
9. Katz Deli – Pastrami Sandwich on Rye – Manhattan, New York
10. Jean-Georges – Manhattan, New York
11. BonChon Chicken – BonChon Chicken Wings – Manhattan, New York
12. Peasant – Cannolichi, Suckling Pig (Porchetta) – Manhattan, New York
13. Boqueria – Croquetas Cremosas – Manhattan, New York
14. Blue Hill – Chilled Corn Soup, Berkshire Pig - Manhattan, New York
15. Scotchies – Jerk Chicken – Ocho Rios, Jamaica
16. Blue Mountain Coffee – Blue Mountain, Jamaica
17. Schwartz’s – Smoked Meat Sandwich – Montreal, Quebec
18. Le St-Urbain – Coffee Glazed Sweetbread – Montreal, Quebec
19. Van Horne – Melon Canari (Canary Melon) – Montreal, Quebec
20. Le Bremner – Kimchi Snow Crab, Lobster Toast Au Gratin – Montreal, Quebec
21. Café Clocher Penché – Duck Confit – Quebec City, Quebec
22. Laurie Raphaël – Apple Crumble, Carrot Cake – Quebec City, Quebec
23. La Traite – Wendake, Quebec
24. Au Goût d’Autrefois (Dining at the Duck Farm), Quebec
25. North End Caffe – Kahlua Pig Egg Rolls – Los Angeles, California
Follow Me Foodie’s Adventures/Moments/Series of 2011:
Canada’s 2011 Bocuse d’Or Chef Ryan Stone’s Culinary Creations
With the grand prize winner of Food Network Canada’s Recipe to Riches, Glo (Luscious Lemon Pudding Sweet Pies & Puddings)
1. Follow Me Foodie on Food Network Canada’s Recipe to Riches (Recap)
2. Follow Me Foodie’s 1st Webisode at The YEW Restaurant & Bar at The Four Seasons Hotel
3. 2011 Bocuse d’Or Chef’s Culinary Challenge & Tasting Event
4. Follow Me Foodie on News 1130 AM Foodie Friday
5. Follow Me Foodie to an Epic Summer BBQ
6. The Beauty of an Egg… YOLK!
7. The Asian Noodle Series (Top 20)
8. The Pork Belly, Bacon & Fatty Meat Series!
9. Follow Me Foodie to Van Houtte Coffee Bootcamp in Old Montreal!
10. 10 Things to Look for When Dining Vietnamese
11. Follow Me Foodie to the Stollen Smackdown!
12. Vancouver’s 1st Foodie Feast
13. Follow Me Foodie’s 5 Star Food Blog Award
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
awesome year 2011. here’s to seeing 2012 being an even better year. here’e to more reviews and more culinary discoveries. best wishes 2012.
To me the one thing that stands out is that AMAZING summer BBQ you went to. The menu was AWESOME. I also loved all your travel stories. Locally I choose the La Quercia review, to me I prefer to eat a more casual environment than at a fine dining establishment(where I must dress up). The tasting menu was reasonably priced and the food is excellent. For a hidden gem, the Be’Wiched cafe is in a tie with Anatoli”s.
Thanks for a great year of reviews in 2011 and the blog has steadily improved since the start. Your reviews have increased in scope and in focus. For us followers, the blog allows us to “dine-out with you”, enjoying the memorable meals and be aware of any more good places to eat at.
Good work, Mijune!
I don’t get to talk to you anymore on Foodie Fridays as I’ve decided to return to the reporter beat, but I hope Rob continues to get great food scoops from you on the radio station!
- Erin
Fantastic! I’m always telling Bruno about some of the extraordinary food you find in your culinary journeys. This is a wonderful way to sum up the year (and remind me what foods to try in the new year).
Happy 2012, Mijune !
2011 was definitely a year FMF became a regular habit of mine, one of my daily food blogs. Thanks for the fantastic work you’ve done.
And yes, I’d agree with Bow. That summer BBQ you went was just amazing, even more so the fact my laptop didn’t short out from my drool !
All the best in 2012 !
What a wonderful record of a fabulous year! I am so honoured to have been a part of it Mijune. One of the highlights of my year was meeting you and finding that in spite of the huge gap in ages, we had so many things in common. You are an intelligent and beautiful woman with that great gift, an enquiring mind. That’s what will keep you young.
I truly hope 2012 is a great year for you, full of adventure and happiness.
happy 2012 mijune! i LOVED looking back at all your best moments and i can only wish you all the best this year – keep blogging, we love ya!
Yeah Glo! That’s really sweet….. although I was sad that Mijune didn’t make it to the final challenge with her beautiful pie, I was actually tearing up when you won since you seem like such a lovely person. We have enjoyed your PC lemon pies very much in the past months (btw I think microwaving them is a sacrilege as they are so nicely flavoured and textured when baked properly in the oven). Congratulations Glo!
What a great year! All the best in 2012 Mijune!
@syd – thank you so much! It was a great year and I hope to beat it with this year!
@Bow – thank you so much!!! I only hope to improve year after year! Your feedback really helps me do that and bring you guys more and better stories and food!! I love you favourites too!! The summer BBQ is so up your alley an I’m sure my friends will be so happy to see your comment! Thank YOU for your support!
@Raul – I have lots to learn from you
x
@Loxy – nooooo Erin!!!
It was too short, but I hope in the future we talk again!!! Thank YOU for including me in Foodie Fridays! It’s been amazing!
@Jayda Home – awww thank you Jayda!!! I’m sure you’ve tried more amazing food and I can’t wait to continue trading stories with you! You and bruno know/travel so much that I live through your comments too!! Thank you for reading!!!
@LR – awwww wow!! I’m honoured!!! Thank you so much!!! I’m crossing my fingers that BBQ will happen again this year!!! I’ll be sure to report back! Thank you for reading!!
@Glo – Gloooo!!!!! G-lo!!!! I’m so happy to see your comment! YOU are really an inspiration and you taught me a lot when we had our heart to heart. I don’t doubt for a second I will see you again soon! Hopefully in 2012! Thank you for your heartfelt words and I’m so very very happy and proud of you!
@Linda – I love you too Linda!!!! Thank you my dear!!!
@Jayda Home – Awww thanks Jayda!!! Yes Glo’s win was well deserved and supported!! Love you both!
@Mijune, any chance you can bring along your devoted FMF-ers to another summer BBQ, LOL ?!?
Glad to hear people loved the BBQ we did! We have actually started planning this years already and it is going to top the last one Big Time! We even want to open it up to you Mijune to choose a few of your followers to get an invite, details TBA. Happy New Year and here’s to a delicious 2012!!
Lots of great Richmond restaurants on the list!
Great list you’ve got there, Mijune!
it was so fun to see you to TV on Recipe to Riches even though you do live in Vancouver, we haven’t met!
Would love to meet you in person hopefully sooner than later. Hosting any events, perhaps another Cupcake Challenge??
Jen
Mijune, awesome year! Good to see you on RTR and looks like you didn’t have any shortage of good food! But you forgot about Five Guys and In-N-Out… Or that tweet at least…
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