Can you Kathmandu?
On the SkyTrain this evening, I saw a first nations girl with a backpack on which she'd struck through the "Cherokee" brand and written OJIBWE.
* * *
I'd noticed for a couple of weeks a new storefront on Commercial Drive (as viewed from the Skytrain on the way to work) labeled "Cafe Kathmandu". Particularly inspired by a terrific Tibetan restaurant I once ate at in San Francisco, and having really enjoyed the company of the Tibetan people I met in China, and thinking Nepali food and people couldn't be too terribly different from Tibetan, the place has stuck in my head since I first noticed it. Finally, out of curiosity this morning (before my day devolved into a special 10th level of hell all its own) I did a web search on it, and discovered that not only does the place have awebsite, but that today was to be their opening day.
After work, and before the weblogger meetup, I had a couple of hours to burn, and decided it would be a great idea to hop off the train at Broadway/Commercial and give the place a whirl.
Unfortunately the place was not yet open, but they had a number posted out front, so I called them on my cell phone from the street. They were beyond pleased to hear from me. It was so funny. It turns out they were having issues getting everything worked out, so they had delayed the opening by a day, but the owner asked me to "kindly, if you plan to be a regular visitor, wait for a week before you visit, as we will have the fullness of our menu by then, since we are the first attempt at serving Nepali food in Vancouver, and the ingredients are not so readily available." I talked to him for quite a while, and he asked me if I've been to Nepal. I had to admit that I have not, but that I've been to China, and that I've had Tibetan food, and if that at least qualifies me for some level of understanding. "Oh yes," he answered, "We will be serving many kinds of Himalayan food, including some very tasty Momos, if you like them."
Momos, for the uninitiated, are the national food of Tibet. They're an onion and beef and/or lamb dumpling which are not to be underestimated. I'm very excited. Himalayan flatbreads are also quite yummy.
The owner asked for my name, so that they can treat me right when I'm able to come by, and I'm very excited about that as well (I wonder if they have butter tea?).
Don't be surprised if I start dragging people to go eat Nepali food soon.
* * *
As a backup plan, and went back up the street to Taco Loco, for some authentic Mexico City fish tacos. Getting to eat anything in a real corn tortilla was treat enough (it's embarrassing to admit, but I even asked the proprietess where in this city I can actually buy some, and she pointed me to a couple of grocery stores on Commerical Drive), but the whole setup was quite good.
I explained to her how I moved here from Texas, and how decent Mexican food is very hard to come by. "Believe me, I know," she said. "But this is traditional Mexican food, not Tex-Mex. You still like it?"
I then had to explain that Texas still had its fair share of traditional Mexican (frequently labeled "Mex-Mex"), and that anything served in a warm soft corn tortilla makes me a happy person, so true Mexican style tacos are my favorite kind.
I was tempted to ask her to wrap up a stack of tortillas to go for me, but I didn't have my backpack with me, so it would have been awkward to carry them around all night.
Next time, though, I tell you. . . .
* * *
I'd noticed for a couple of weeks a new storefront on Commercial Drive (as viewed from the Skytrain on the way to work) labeled "Cafe Kathmandu". Particularly inspired by a terrific Tibetan restaurant I once ate at in San Francisco, and having really enjoyed the company of the Tibetan people I met in China, and thinking Nepali food and people couldn't be too terribly different from Tibetan, the place has stuck in my head since I first noticed it. Finally, out of curiosity this morning (before my day devolved into a special 10th level of hell all its own) I did a web search on it, and discovered that not only does the place have a
After work, and before the weblogger meetup, I had a couple of hours to burn, and decided it would be a great idea to hop off the train at Broadway/Commercial and give the place a whirl.
Unfortunately the place was not yet open, but they had a number posted out front, so I called them on my cell phone from the street. They were beyond pleased to hear from me. It was so funny. It turns out they were having issues getting everything worked out, so they had delayed the opening by a day, but the owner asked me to "kindly, if you plan to be a regular visitor, wait for a week before you visit, as we will have the fullness of our menu by then, since we are the first attempt at serving Nepali food in Vancouver, and the ingredients are not so readily available." I talked to him for quite a while, and he asked me if I've been to Nepal. I had to admit that I have not, but that I've been to China, and that I've had Tibetan food, and if that at least qualifies me for some level of understanding. "Oh yes," he answered, "We will be serving many kinds of Himalayan food, including some very tasty Momos, if you like them."
Momos, for the uninitiated, are the national food of Tibet. They're an onion and beef and/or lamb dumpling which are not to be underestimated. I'm very excited. Himalayan flatbreads are also quite yummy.
The owner asked for my name, so that they can treat me right when I'm able to come by, and I'm very excited about that as well (I wonder if they have butter tea?).
Don't be surprised if I start dragging people to go eat Nepali food soon.
* * *
As a backup plan, and went back up the street to Taco Loco, for some authentic Mexico City fish tacos. Getting to eat anything in a real corn tortilla was treat enough (it's embarrassing to admit, but I even asked the proprietess where in this city I can actually buy some, and she pointed me to a couple of grocery stores on Commerical Drive), but the whole setup was quite good.
I explained to her how I moved here from Texas, and how decent Mexican food is very hard to come by. "Believe me, I know," she said. "But this is traditional Mexican food, not Tex-Mex. You still like it?"
I then had to explain that Texas still had its fair share of traditional Mexican (frequently labeled "Mex-Mex"), and that anything served in a warm soft corn tortilla makes me a happy person, so true Mexican style tacos are my favorite kind.
I was tempted to ask her to wrap up a stack of tortillas to go for me, but I didn't have my backpack with me, so it would have been awkward to carry them around all night.
Next time, though, I tell you. . . .