Zakos Deli. No way VanMag!

Really?? Van Mags Best Things to Eat and Drink in Vancouver.

No Way! Are the people at Van Mag insane? Read this:
" As close as you can get to experiencing Schwartz's in Montreal without boarding a plane"

I've been to Schwartz's and Zakos's isn’t  even close. BTW, just out of coincidence Follow me Foodie just posted a blog on Schwartz this week. Check out the photos and compare. My god, no comparison.



There is no soul at Zako's. OK, the smoked meat is pretty good, but the Sandwich is sloppy, there's no TLC.
In the end it's just a very average sandwich. The best smoked meat in the lower mainland, which I've had so far (happy to take recommendations because I probably won't be going back to Zako's) is at Estrellas in Langley. They get their meat from Montreal as well but they tend to give a damn. Check both out and you'll feel and taste the difference.
I'm looking forward to one day trying locally produced "Montreal Smoked Meat". I'm surprised no one in Vancouver is doing this. And if you are please let me know.



halloween cookie



La Grotto Del Formaggio

A classic old school Italian deli, sandwiches made to order by the Italian lady (or a reasonable facsimile) behind the counter slicing the prosciutto to order rather then having the meat pre-sliced and waiting. Yes this makes a difference.
Olive oil and balsamic drizzled on the soft loaf, pickled eggplant, olives, provolone.
Doing it right on

Commercial street

, which quite frankly you expect them to do things right.
Adding La Grotto to my favourites for deli's.
BTW, they have a great cheese selection in the deli I totally stocked up and also probably half the cost of what you would pay at Whole Foods.
I like whole foods but I often leave with a bag full of awesome stuff and a small nagging feeling in the back of my mind of being ripped off. And yet I’m always eager to got back. I'm more eager to go back to La Grotto, great sandwiches and deli items and zero feeling of putsiness on the way out.

Cafe Medina

   

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Olive Tapenade



I'm a big fan of Chambar Belgian restaurant. It's been my long standing pre - restaurant. Meaning it’s the go to place pre game, pre theatre, downtown outing. When I crave mussels and fries, Chambar has the best in the city. Cafe Medina is Chambers’ sister restaurant next door. Were Chambar is open for dinner only Cafe Medina is open for breakfast lunch brunch and special events. A nice fit.
You can certainly tell that the same hand is in on the menu chef and owner Nico Schuermans has a certain distinguishable touch. Outside of mussel frites and waffles and beer I am painfully ignorant of Belgian cuisine but here as with Chambar there is a distinctively Moroccan fusion and west coast style.
I had the, Canard confit
Duck confit, sour cherry compote, brie, anjou pears an pecan raison sourdough. Watercress and caramelized pecans.

When I ordered I didn't know that it was a sandwich. But I was pleasantly surprised because I love almost anything between two pieces of bread. The canard sandwich was flavourful, sweat and totally hit the spot and BTW paired beautifully with my apricot beer.
My dining companion (DC) had the Paella.

Duck

Paella
Baked egg, curried orzo, Hungarian chorizo, zucchini, red pepper, roasted corn, grana padano. Watercress, tomatoes, avocado.

Unfortunatly she came away unimpressed, primarily because she didn't read the small print, orzo pealle, not rice, she was looking for rice and the dish never rebounded, she ate half before giving up.

DC Wei looked like she got the prize, the fricassee was phenomenal, and I had some.

2 eggs, braised short ribs, roasted potatoes, caramelized onions, arugula and smoked applewood cheddar. Grilled foccacia.

Fricassee

Fricassee in this case is French for short rib hash and it’s a standout everything comes together. I would wait in line for this one.

Definitely check cafe medina out for brunch lunch or whenever it's open.