Sorry to my adoring readership of multitudes (!) that I didn't get this post out as expected yesterday. I was ensconsed in what might actually gain the title of most boring, day-long meeting of the year if such an award were being handed out. Suffice to say I had no spare time and by the time we got home I was "mentally drained"! This late posting will be severely truncated as I just have a very small window in which to write.
We ate at Din Tai Feng during the week and the dumplings and xia long bao were as exquisite as ever. The intricacy and uniformity of each one beggars belief and the perfect temperature at which they arrive is also part of a military precision. To remove the bamboo lids from the steaming serve at the table, knowing that the soup contained in each xia long bao will be at a perfect temperature, piping hot but not scolding, is a neat trick. The last bun can be lifted from the cotton mat just before it cools and sticks which would allow the soup to burst forth: also an amazing timing feat. We love this place!
My latest piece of memorabilia arrived back from the framers mid-week as well and I am stoked with it. Louis Armstrong played the Cave Nightclub/Restaurant (Vancouver) back in early 1963 and signed this handbill at that time. I had it framed simply with a wider black mat, simple black frame with a narrow immediate mat of white to offset the aging handbill itself: it looks great!
We had a wonderful day on Sunday. We roused ourselves relatively early to get showered and dressed and out for breakfast. Initially we planned on eating near the cinema then going to see a film, but our chosen destination, JB Diner, had seats only at a common bench. We decided to get across to the cinema, book our tickets for later in the day then scooter downtownish, across the Fulin bridge to the relatively new "1Bite2Go". It is a classic urban reno in very modern style, hinting at modern industrial style with its big black light fittings, exposed steel roof trusses and big open warehouse feel. It's a little like a mini aircraft hanger adorned with quirky and interesting photos on every available wall space and the tables diner style with tomato sauce, mustard, tabasco, salt and pepper all on hand in giant size. The breakfast were sublime and Cassy's french toast with home-made strawberry sauce was melt-in-the-mouth while my big fry up breakfast was just right for the time and place!
We scootered home and did this and that before taking up our appointment at the cinema for "Captain Phillips". It was an extraordinary, tension-filled, hand held camera rush of an experience, with Tom Hanks delivering a stand-out performance I might have guessed was beyond him. It was a thrilling ride and we both highly recommend it!
Photos: our local temple lantern looked pretty in the twilight, Cass catching the first of her mushroom vegetarian dumplings, "beer bites" at Ulis on Friday, 1Bite2Go shots as well as Satchmo's distinct and bold signature from the early 60s.