Let me start by telling you that the lack of dim sum of any kind in Braga is a big sad for me. I love tiny food, and if it’s wrapped in dough, I’m happier yet. Some of us have talked about getting together (when its cooler) and doing a dim sum or dumpling party . . . but it has yet to happen.
Finally, we made it to dim sum at Floata Seafood Restaurant. A big plus for Floata is that they take your order (rather than choosing from carts) and they open at 9am. Now, nothing is cooked yet, but you can get in and get a good seat. As early as we were, several tables already had local groups hanging out, such regulars they no longer needed a menu. We made our choices, poured Jasmine Tea, and sat back and gabbed for awhile. Then the dishes started coming out. Tender meats wrapped in the lightest of dough, perfectly cooked, whether steamed, pan fried, or baked. All of its was scrumptious. I can’t say I had a favorite, they were all so very, very good. We ate too much, as one does, and finally rolled away from the table and out into the light again.
But not too far, as we wanted to visit Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Classical Garden. The first Chinese garden built outside of Asia (in 1985-86), it consists of a free public park and a garden with an admission fee. The mandate of the garden is to “maintain and enhance the bridge of understanding between Chinese and western cultures, promote Chinese culture generally and be an integral part of the local community.”
Because the winter climate in Vancouver is similar to that of Suzhou, many of the same plant varieties are found in the garden as in its Suzhou counterparts. The plants were chosen according to their blossom schedules in order to emphasize seasonal changes, especially the “awakening” in spring. They are also selected to invoke the symbolic, historical, and literary meaning of each plant and are used sparingly, in contrast to western gardens, and provide colour through all the seasons.
The garden is named in honour of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, a nationalist leader considered the “father of modern China.” Dr. Sun Yat-Sen traveled the world to raise awareness of, and funding for, the Chinese nationalist movement. At the time, there was a significant presence of Chinese nationalists in British Columbia, who helped finance the Xinhai Revolution that overthrew the Qing dynasty in 1911. Sun Yat Sen subsequently became the first president of the Republic of China.
It’s a lovely place with huge coi in a lily pond and a visiting heron who is known for feasting on them. We easily spent an hour wandering around, taking pictures, and enjoying the space.
Dinner that night was at Elisa, which was easily the best meal we had all week. Menu options include a tasting of three different kinds of tartare, oysters, cured fish, pastas, and — of course — grilled meats. As good as the filet had been at Black + Blue, the one at Elisa’s was better. I almost regretted getting the sablefish instead, but the sake marinated and roasted fish was perfection, served alongside bok choy, daikon, and wood grilled green onions. We shared the hash browns, butter lettuce salad, and wood grilled rainbow carrots, all of which were delightfully perfect. A magnificent meal in every way.
