We had intended to go to Zakkushi on 4th for dinner but a lack of parking sent us to O’Thai, Vancouver’s latest Thai eatery. Plenty of parking out front and plenty of tables available, so we grabbed our seats and, after a preliminary menu perusal, simply asked our water to recommend the restaurant’s top three dishes. He suggested the lobster with green curry, the crispy spicy duck, and the house pad thai. He also suggested we start with the house dumplings. Done and done. As we settled in for our meal, I became aware of the baseboard heater we’d been seated next to and the hot to the touch overhanging tablecloth separating it from us. I was going to wave down the passing hostess and inform her (“Pardon me, I believe this table is about to burst into flames.”) but was distracted by my buzzing cellphone. By the time I clicked off, the dumplings had arrived and I’d forgotten all about the heating unit (until much later in the meal when it felt like I was about to melt into my chair). The dumplings were a less-inspired version of the Princess dumplings I’ve enjoyed at other Thai restaurants: stuffed with ground meat and peanuts but disappointingly bland in flavor, the actual envelope a standard opaque dumpling wrapper rather than the striking purple or pink flower creations served elsewhere. The lobster with green curry was the night’s biggest disappointment however. While the lobster was meaty and nicely cooked, the accompanying curry sauce was weak and insipid, barely imparting any of its flavor to the dish. Fondy liked the crispy spicy duck although she later admitted it was more a matter of it comparing much more favorably to the other dishes. Again, the center piece of the dish – the duck – was nicely cooked, but this time the accompanying sauce – a standard sweet and spicy chili – overwhelmed. The final dish, the pad thai, was my pick for the best dish of the night (all things considered): satisfactory but unremarkable.
Overall, a nice dining room and great service, but the dishes we tried felt like half-hearted attempts at the real thing as though those preparing them feared turning off Western palates with the cuisine’s more robust and daring flavors. In a strange way, I went away thinking of O’Thai as the perfect thai restaurant for people who don’t like Thai food.
Questions –
Peter writes: “Which episode, in your opinion, would’ve benefitted the most from a bigger budget (barring Irresponsible)?”
Answer: Are you kidding? Given the choice – all of them.
Anonymous #1 writes: “Of course the much anticipated guest character is from the SG-1 universe.”
Answer: Right. After all, I doubt fans would be “anxiously anticipating” a guest character they didn’t know.
Susan writes: “Is there any chance of a resident cat or dog in Atlantis?”
Answer: Or maybe a Furling?
Zabadoo writes: “Will we ever get to see anyone from SG-1 or Atlantis on the new spin-off or is it so out-there that it doesn’t have to do a thing with either? Plus-do you know if they are going to make you a show-runner on it?”
Answer: It’s way too early to tell what Brad and Rob have in mind for the new spin-off. As for who will be show-running the new series – well, I’m not a betting man but I’d go all in on Rob and Brad.
Anonymous #2 writes: “I was wondering sir, do you take the plots of the books in consideration before you go ahead create new episodes.”
Answer: To be honest, we’re so focused on the show that we have no idea what’s going on with the books.
Minigeek writes: “Dolby is doing much better since my last question.”
Answer: Pleased to hear it. Give him a big kiss on the nose from me.
Anonymous #3 writes: “Are any of the main cast going dark side in season 4?”
Answer: That was the plan.
Bugguy writes: “Ok Joe still planning my trip to Vancouver. Where would one get the biggest, and I do mean biggest and best chunk of charred flesh i.e. steak in Vancouver.”
Answer: A lot of industry types like Gotham a lot, although I’ve found it unimpressive. Morton’s is another fave, better than Gotham but, again, nothing stand-out. I like Hy’s for upscale and The Keg (the best prime rib in town) for more casual dining.
Michelle writes: “To Joe, I can see you in a BMW 7 series, black of course.”
Answer: Someone at work owned a BMW 7 series. It was in the shop more than it was out on the road. I’ll pass.
Allison writes: “Who wrote the script for ‘Sunday’?”
Answer: Martin Gero.
RebeccaH writes: “Goran Visnjic of NBC’s ER has said he’s a Stargate fan and would love a guest spot on Atlantis. Would you ever consider putting him in an episode, maybe as a foil for Dr. Zelenka?”
Answer: We actually tried to get him on SG-1 a couple of seasons back but couldn’t make the scheduling work – but we’ll definitely give it another shot.
Majorsal writes: “Are there ‘really’ any plans to continue the *stargate sg1* movies past the first two?”
Answer: SG-1’s adventures will continue so long as the fans are out there supporting the franchise.
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