Vancouver Magazine
Burdock and Co Is Celebrating a Decade in Business with a 10-Course Tasting Menu
The Frozen Pizza Chronicles Vol. 3: Big Grocery Gets in on the Game
The Best Thing I Ate All Week: Crab Cakes from Smitty’s Oyster House on Main Street
The Grape Escape for Wine Enthusiasts
5 Wines To Zero In On at This Weekend’s Bordeaux Release
Recipe: Make Your Own Clove Simple Syrup
If you get a 5-year fixed mortgage rate now, can you break early when rates fall?
5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (September 18-24)
10 Vancouver International Film Festival Movies We’ll Be Lining Up For
Dark Skies in Utah: Chasing Cosmic Connection on the Road
Fall Wedges and Water in Kamloops
Glamping Utah: Adventure Has Never Felt So Good
On the Rise: Meet Vancouver Jewellery Designer Jamie Carlson
At Home With Photographer Evaan Kheraj and Fashion Stylist Luisa Rino
At Home With Interior Designer Aleem Kassam
In a dramatic upset, Tojo’s was unseated for the first time in awards history. Judges were unanimous in praising Zest (Gold) for gracious service, an excellent wine list, and an extensive fresh sheet highlighting local ingredients in unexpected ways. Recent standouts include a grilled sablefish roll marinated in citrus soy, and persimmon tempura wrapped in prosciutto with a darkly nutty black-sesame balsamic sauce. Or invest $90 and 24 hours’ notice for the omakase menu, proof that Kyoto-born chef Yoshi Maniwa rates with David Hawksworth and Blue Water’s Frank Pabst as one of the city’s premier talents. (Don’t be put off by its humble location, stepped back from W. 16th beside a Starbucks and a weight loss centre. Be brave!) Tojo’s may have garnered only Silver this year, but the venerable (and massive) West Broadway institution still shines like the sun for its iconic rolls and, especially, its cooked dishes-call in advance to rediscover old favourites (calamari bridge, sea urchin custard in season) from Point Grey’s En, prepared by well-respected Yami-san. Minami (Bronze) delivers seared sushi with impeccable service. Recommended: aburi Japanese wagyu nigiri, which dissolves into a beefy puddle on a sweet lozenge of soft rice, and tuna and miso tartare, with lotus root chips and spicy sesame, which is endlessly addictive.
