Vancouver the place that no one is from

[giftederic]

Back by popular demand. Tales from British Columbia. Actually, whilst there will be some anecdotes, this is really a series of opinion pieces and random observations from here on in :)

It is hard to find anyone over 30 who is from Vancouver. In fact, though I am sure they exist and in some numbers, I have found no one so far.

I have now played games with a Serbian, a Bosnian (both called Bojan, and best of friends), an Israeli, an Argentinian, a few Chinese guys and Canadians from Toronto, Edmonton & Calgary. And some kids. The local fine chocolate shop is owned by an American man and his french wife. My one taxi driver was an Indian Sikh. The hotel receptionist is middle eastern.  There has been a huge influx of people in recent years, mainly from asia, in particular Hong Kong in the mid nineties, and from eastern Canada. House prices here are relatively astronomical (though we would consider the place cheap enough). Can$1650 to rent a 27th floor 1 bed apartment, about €1100, and Can$300,000 for a new 1 bed apartment, about €200,000, both in downtown Vancouver (where the view is worth paying for).

In another oddity, there are very few blacks here. I'd say I have seen maybe 4, and 2 of those were obviously tourists from the states (and boy did they look the part). Apparently Canada has very few african blacks, and that Toronto is where all the caribbean folk go. 

As a result, I have yet to determine what a true Vancouver meal would be? Apparently there are West Coast Restaraunts but I haven't found them. There are alot more Afghan, Persian, Mongolian, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Thai, Italian, Greek and of course zillions of Chinese restaraunts just about everywhere. And then of course there are Irish and English pubs, and American diners. But nothing recognisably Canadian apart from Tim Hortons and Blenz, both coffee shops. Is Canada renowned for any food in particular, bar Bacon and Maple syrup?

What is west coast cuisine? Anyone? 

Comments

[ulaire-daidoji.livejournal.com]

I'd imagine seafood.... Crab is probably a big part of it.

Elk?

[kaleandwine.livejournal.com]

I'm giggling at those last two paragraphs... If what I hear (or, ahem, don't hear) in these parts is any indication, Canada isn't renowned for anything beyond hockey and having "such nice people". Americans are such asses. :)

No... but Canada's such a conglomeration of cultures that I imagine they have very little in the way of unique and native food. I'd agree with seafood, though. Perhaps?

[giftederic.livejournal.com]

What is West Coast food though? As a long time resident of the west coast, you must have some idea... :)

[kaleandwine.livejournal.com]

Ah! I thought it was sort of a rhetorical question, so didn't answer...

Well, perhaps I can only answer for California? There's something here (although it's certainly available throughout the Western states) called "California Cuisine". It's largely a fusion diet, based on the various food types of the immigrant groups that first came here (mostly Mexican, Asian, Pacific Islander, a little Italian), but mostly influenced by our staple crops. Thus lots of leafy greens, sprouts, artichokes, avocados, citrus, strawberries, almonds, figs, fish, olives & olive oil. Also lots of rice, corn, beans, bread and (of course) wine, wine, wine. To me it seems very much like the Mediterranean diet, but weirder, with a lot of bizarre international influences. In fact the night that I met your friend (yes?) theanaonmerican, our group dined at a restaurant that served Mexican-influenced Chinese food. Fascinating stuff, really.

Not sure if that all sounds tasty to you, but... damn. Now I'm hungry! :D

And whenever you're bored I'd love to know what the Irish eat? The stereotype (here) is meat and potatoes?

[(Anonymous)]

The only thing that stands out in my mind as Candadian cuisine is

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine

I think you need to travel to Quebec to experience it at it's best.