A week has past since first arriving in Sydney. I've experienced a whole range of emotions and spent a lot of time reflecting on our lives in Vancouver.
There is much that I miss but also much I look forward to in rediscovering in Oz. Although, my first grocery outing in Sydney was a slap in the face after discovering the cost of organic and bio-dynamic food -- a small punnet of strawberries costs $10; a head of lettuce, $5, and green beans, $39 a kilogram! Mind you, I was browsing next to a Baby Dior boutique so perhaps I was in the wrong neighbourhood. That being said, Australia seems as long way behind Canada in terms of organic produce. I need to start growing my own.
Our lives revolve largely around food and the purchasing of it is just as much as much fun as the preparation of it. This is why one of the things I miss most is Vancouver's Granville Island Public Market -- a cornucopia of culinary offerings. Over 50 merchants selling anything from fresh-of-the-boat wild salmon to hundreds of pungent cheeses. There are endless displays of bursting berries, plump vegetables, freshly baked breads and pastas.
One of the many highlights of Granville Island is the Oyama Sausage Co. Tucked into a corner, yet impossible to miss by the large crowds that swarm, Oyama is famous for its faux gras, terrines, rilettes, handmade sausages and cheeses.
What sets Oyama's produce apart is its use of quality ingredients including pure spices and slower-growing, pasture-raised meats. Our favourites were the poitrine fumée bacon, the pâté landaise, made from a 200-year old recipe and the St Agur blue cheese closely rivaled by the melt-in-your-mouth Pierre Robert.
Next stop, South China Trading Seas Co., a mini-mecca for exotic ingredients, cookbooks and Asian cooking acoutrements such as sticky rice steamers and mortar and pestles. Whenever in stock I'd buy fresh pandan leaves, the hard-to-find Kracahi root used in Thai curries, Himalayan truffles or cactus leaves.
South China Seas Owner, and walking encyclopaedia of food, Don Dickson is as interesting, if not more, than his exotic wares.
The seafood in Vancouver is pretty special - especially the wild salmon, oysters and the Dungeness crab. Seafood City is a must for succulent salmon, spot prawns and a whole range of fresh or smoked fish and shellfish. Brian, featured below is charming, helpful and knowledgeable about his selection and will help you choose something for dinner. Brian's best customer is a cat named 'Sarah' who consumes $80 a week of halibut, salmon and calamari!
No trip to Granville Island was ever complete without being serenaded in soulful French by Josh Minsky. Josh is the most charming, most talented street performer who has ever sung to me. And, as I walked past and dropped my shopping to the ground to stand and listen, it really did feel like he was singing to me.
This picture captures Josh's nature perfectly. Even on a grey day, a shaft of light seemed always to be upon him. The world around him glowed. Couples would slow-dance. Even the seagulls would shut up. And he would stand at the dock, just above the tiny Granville Island ferries, and sing - always in his tuxedo and with a smile on his face.
The last time I saw him was on my last trip to Granville Island. He was there as always - singing and smiling at me. I wish I could have stayed and listened longer. I left abruptly with tears welling in my eyes and a lump growing in my throat.
Josh provided me with the perfect musical accompaniment to a wonderful time of my life. I wish I could thank him, but I suppose this reminiscence will have to do.
Thank you for all your comments and messages. I apologise profusely for having not responded as yet. I look forward to checking out all your blogs and getting back into the blogging groove.
Stay tuned for my next installment from stunning Sydney.
STUNNING!!
Posted by: VeggieGirl | 13 April 2009 at 10:58 PM
Omigosh, those are SOME prices! Maybe you were looking in the wrong area in terms of economy :) The Granville pictures are breathtaking. Can't wait to see what you have in store! :)
Posted by: Manggy | 13 April 2009 at 11:04 PM
Wow Syrie, the prices sound exorbitant! But are you talking Aussie $$ or Canadian $$ now ;) ?
Posted by: A&N | 13 April 2009 at 11:10 PM
So go to read your post again! I miss you lots and look forward to reading all about Sydney and it's food : )
Posted by: Melissa | 14 April 2009 at 02:33 AM
Wow, the pictures are very impressive. It looks like they have just about anything and everything one could ask for there.
For all of the advantages we have in Chicago, I wish we had something like this where everything was in one giant marketplace.
Posted by: Van | 14 April 2009 at 04:36 AM
I feel like I've just started this blog journey with you in Vancouver and wish you were still there!
I am a true foodie by nature and am planning a trip to Canada, summer 10, with my son who is considering a permanent move to Canada.
Best of luck in your new community. Your blog is terrific and I plan to visit most often. LB
Posted by: Laurie Gills | 14 April 2009 at 07:15 AM
Glad to hear you made it to Sydney safe and sound. I'm looking forward to what you have to say about the food Down Under.
I got sticker shock when I first moved to Denmark. I felt the prices were so outrageous but got used to them. Growing your own will certainly be more cost effective and rewarding.
Posted by: darlene | 14 April 2009 at 07:44 AM
Yes, Josh and his "La vie en rose" – absolutely captivating.
Posted by: helen | 15 April 2009 at 11:13 AM
Welcome to Sydney... I can't afford to live here :(
Australia is famous for it's lamb, but have you seen the price of cutlets!!
Posted by: Young Werther | 15 April 2009 at 11:55 AM
Glad to hear you've arrived safely in Sydney. I don't know how the food scene there compares to Vancouver since it's been ages since I've been to BC, but I've always though of Sydney as having a great selection of high quality produce relative to the US.
Posted by: Marc @ NoRecipes | 16 April 2009 at 10:11 AM
It must be that I have not been reading thoroughly, sorry about that, I did not realize that you were moving...
Posted by: Cynthia | 20 April 2009 at 01:28 AM
Hi everyone, thank you so much for your lovely comments. It was really tough leaving but I'm happy to be home now closer to family -- for now anyway. Looking forward to getting back on top of blogging and visiting all your gorgeous sites!
Syrie
Posted by: Syrie | 05 May 2009 at 10:51 AM
Great Post !
I agree Granville Island is the best place to shop. South Seas Trading in the market is the best place to find ingredients for authentic Thai and Malaysian cuisine. I go there religiously for fresh Kafir Lime Leaf and Bamboo shoot. Mmmm.
Posted by: Vancouver Web Design | 30 June 2009 at 09:25 AM
I live in Sydney and moving to Vancouver this year, just went to Greville Island last month, I love Vancouver. Food price there is at least 1/2 of what we pay in Sydney, and top quality, really nice place. Australia is getting so expensive, the drought is not helping. Being so close to US and great scenes, Canada is a great place to live, which is why we are going there. Yes, salmon is so great in Vancouver! I had salmon sushi for breakfast everyday, only costed $4.00!!
Posted by: TS | 19 January 2010 at 09:30 PM
Wow, some very cool stuff i agree with the comments being made about the pictures and write ups .
Simply awesome.
Posted by: Sashi | 22 June 2010 at 07:41 AM