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Underground Dining at NFA Vancouver

joy — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 23:54:24 +0000

What if you received an invite to a dinner at an undisclosed location–to be revealed only the day before the event? There’s promise of a unique experience and a chance to dine with fellow food-loving people. You’re also suggested to bring a bottle of your favorite wine…

Food + people + wine — check, check check. There’s only one way to think and answer a good friend’s enticing proposition. Say Yes! before she changes her mind.

You may or may not have heard of it yet, but there is such a thing called underground dining and its allure is immense especially if one acquaintance after another (and not to mention, print and online media) extol their memorable meals from such fine “secret” non-commercial establishments. I’ve been fortunate to finally get in on the city’s hidden gems. I’m telling you now to remember these three letters: NFA (No Fixed Address). It’s one of Vancouver’s underground “restaurants”, and one that I could personally recommend. JUST GO. [Email Chef Steve at nfa.reservations [at] gmail.com to book a spot.] I still brag to my friends about it, and I’ll tell you about it now.

On to our lovely dinner in June…

On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, arriving only a few minutes early, I ascended the sleek shiny newly renovated stone and metal staircase to the 2nd floor. The sous chef walking past me at the entrance of the building greeted me with hello and welcome even though I’m pretty sure he didn’t know where I was going. I had that ravenous look inn my eyes. Or yeah, it could just be the bottle of wine!

It wasn’t hard to find the place, as the lively chatter floating through the small hallway signals you where to go. The door opened to the kitchen where Chef Steve was, stooped over the prep table, while the medley of conversations at the next doorway summons you to join in. Everybody had a glass of wine on hand, I felt at home already. I proceeded to submerge my bottle of wine in the huge bowl of ice with the rest of everybody’s favorites. My good friend Mel (the lovely GourmetFury) and poured me a glass of rosé and I melted into a sea of Hi’s, Hello’s, Great To Finally Meet You’s, and enjoyed the wonderful company.

We eventually settled into our seats (unassigned, you can sit anywhere), sunshine splashing through the large two-way windows occupying an entire wall of the cozy dining room. There was an easy breeze flowing. It was a great evening. The menu was scrawled on a bistro-like chalkboard. I could barely read it with the reflection of the sun, but I was up for anything. Bring it on, Chef!

The amuse bouche of shrimp ‘ceviche’ was a refreshing way to start our 6-course meal.

You can tell that Chef Steve uses the freshest ingredients. Mmm… He said he goes to Granville Island to get the fresh picks. My kind of guy.

Our first course was a deconstructed beet salad that’s beautifully arranged on a plate. These are meant to be eaten together to appreciate their complex flavors. It was beautiful to look at as it was a delight to devour.

When the next course of soy and cinnamon lacqured duck breast was placed in front of us, we all swooned. Oh, the crispy skin! We were happy to take the “leftovers” from the kitchen after we finished the generous serving. You won’t say No to this.

A crisp prosciutto-topped poached halibut with chorizo croquette, saffron emulsion and chive oil was the third course. The combination of textures and tastes left me wondering how is it that I’ve never eaten here before. This has to be my favorite of the evening. I could still taste the delicate flesh of the fish melting in my mouth as I take one bite after another.

Here’s the palate cleanser of meyer lemon sorbet and vodka from Bella Gellateria. You could never go wrong with Bella.

The fourth course, with a broth that we treated like liquid gold, was a seared ahi tuna with coconut lemongrass broth topped with tapioca. Divine.

I’m super picky with my creme brûlée, so it brought me much joy to eat a well made one for our last and sixth course to cap a scrumptious evening.

Still deciding whether “secret dining” at NFA is for you?

What kinds of dishes are prepared? There are 6 courses served for the evening. Expect seafood and meat/poultry, but more of the former, we live in Vancouver after all and it would be a shame not to showcase our fresh seafood! Chef Steve likes to prepare meals people won’t otherwise (usually) prepare in their own homes, which I think is just awesome.

Are the courses announced before the day of the meal? No. And that’s the beauty of it! I always say I pay my hairdresser and hair technician to surprise me. This goes for chefs and my food, too. Let me relax and enjoy some amazing food. Amen.

How much is a meal? Meals are by donation. The chef will let you know via email what to expect. Tipping is encouraged, of course. The Chef and his sous work passionately on their craft and you will find out about it when you dine with them.

Can the chef cater to my food needs? Please contact him at nfa.reservations [at] gmail.com to discuss. I inquired about no-meat options for the beau and he said he will be able to accommodate and will let me know when there is a time he would offer a menu that would be most suitable for him. P.S. Chef Steve is a nice guy.

How many people can dine together? Maximum of 12 people.

Will he prepare food in my home if I want to? Absolutely! He does private events and parties and you should definitely get in touch!

Book your next dinner at NFA and enjoy an intimate gourmet meal with a group of people who are in on this food adventure as well. You’ll never know what to expect, except for a great evening!

NFA Vancouver
Email: nfa.reservations [at] gmail.com

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That thing we have called…a blog?

joy — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:55:46 +0000

It’s summer and is it too obvious that cooking has been taking a back seat? In blogging years, this would have been MIA or a long sabbatical. If it were years ago, I’d be posting a “hiatus” message. [Bloggers from the days of yore: remember that?]

I’ve been seeing friends and keeping up with all the festivals the summer brings into this sun-deprived city of Vancouver. There’s the dragon boat festival last weekend. Believe it or not, carnival/fair food is one of my guilty pleasures. Roasted corn on the cob — gimme, gimme! Who can think of cooking when you can stuff your face with vendor food from these events? And in this multicultural city, there’s no shortage of delicious stuff to sink your teeth in — there’s Greek, Indian, Chinese, Thai, etc.

There’s also the Coastal Jazz Festival this time of the year and I went with a couple of good friends to see Kenny Colman last Monday night. It was a nice evening of music, wine and martinis. That’s how we roll.

Aside from that, I’ve been helping another good friend launch her Yoga Body products. Go check it out! We are going to be a vendor at the Camp Moomba Yogathon on July 12th. If you’re in town, drop by and say Hello. Try out the sprays and go buy some for your family, friends, and girlfriends. Even boyfriends!

What else…work, meetings…and all that jazz that comes with life. You know. ;-)

Cooking will commence soon, I promise. I have an alcoholic soup coming up and a classic Filipino cheesy bread treat called Ensaymada. Hang in there fellow hungry foodies!

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Celebrate the Mondays

joy — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:15:32 +0000

I used to hate Mondays like the plague. I had anxiety attack-like symptoms that petrify me during Sundays that I don’t even get to enjoy that day. I know several people who dread Mondays and just know it’s going to be another ‘case of the Mondays’. Wow, way too many M-words. I’m happy to say that I’ve freed myself from that crutch.

My strategy the past few years? Schedule fun things that I like for Mondays, so I’ll have good things to look forward to, Like this:

This afternoon I’m going to get a few of these incredibly delicious donuts to bring for Dan. This is my absolute favorite donut in the whole world, and that says a lot because I’ve eaten hundreds of them. [Scary.] If you’re ever in Vancouver — as if I haven’t given you enough reasons to go — don’t forget to visit Granville Island. I’m also seeing a good friend later to talk about exciting things (haha).

How do you beat your Case of the Mondays?

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Post tags: donuts, Granville Island, sweets, Vancouver

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Change of Scenery: Vancouver

joy — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:21:22 +0000

Here’s a little diversion from food: views of my city! I’m still here, and as Dan has mentioned, until the end of the month. Here’s why — I’ve earned myself a painful award for over-working in front of the computer: radiculitis. I’ve been getting regular treatments, and have been strongly advised to avoid the computer as much as possible, thus the lack of blogging. It’s not fun waiting and watching the slow progress, which I thought wouldn’t come after three weeks. Anyway, I won’t delve on that…just wanted to let you know what’s going on, and warn you not to be like me!

Let’s talk about Vancouver and one of my favorite places to go to on the weekends — Stanley Park. It’s a thousand acre park that’s almost like an island, but not really. It’s this huge mass of land protruding into the sea, so you can see water all around it. Although you can get your nature fix pretty much anywhere here, this is my favorite go-to place.

Last Saturday I rented a bike and went around the park. It was a beautiful spring day so everyone was out enjoying the sunshine. It’s an afternoon that Vancouverites wouldn’t miss sitting in couches at home. At least, one would think with the amount of people roaming that day.

I love the seawall goes around the park, which gives me a different view at every turn. Sometimes, it just takes my breath away.

Please visit the site to read the rest of the entry.

© Gourmeted.com, 2008. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: British Columbia, Canada, Stanley Park, travel, Vancouver

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