DINER: Follow Along At NYC’s James Beard House As Maenam’s Angus An Represents!

by Kurtis Kolt | Just sending a quick note to share that Maenam’s Chef Angus An and I are in New York City and in the home stretch of prepping for his dinner at James Beard House this evening. As a little refresher, Angus has been the consulting chef in New York at Kittichai in the Thompson Hotel for the last little while, so he’s officially wearing two hats tonight as he presents contemporary Thai dishes out of both New York and Vancouver. As the lucky guy who consults on the wine list at Maenam, I got to come along for the ride; designing tonight’s wine program and overseeing wine service!

Angus was invited to cook at James Beard House many months ago, and much of the coordination has come out of Vancouver. I got to dive into a whole new realm of liquor laws to adhere to, and track down various wines from suppliers I have no experience with. The good folks from the Okanagan’s Tantalus Winery did us a solid by doing a good ol’ fashioned border run of their kick-ass 2010 Riesling a few weeks back. I’m quite excited and proud to represent BC wine country tonight, with a little Mission Hill in the mix as well!

Angus and his team – many of whom are from Vancouver – are hustlin’ away doing prep as I type this, and they’re pretty stoked. I will indeed rock out a full report for you on our New York adventures later in the week, loaded with pictures and good cheer. In the meantime, I will be Tweeting and Instagramming (both @KurtisKolt) tonight using the hashtag #AAJBwKK.

Do follow along as we represent!

DINER: Maenam’s Angus An To Open New “Longtail Kitchen” Eatery At River Market

by Andrew Morrison | Chef/restaurateur Angus An of Kitsilano’s multiple award-winning Maenam restaurant is opening a new counter-service eatery called Longtail Kitchen in New Westminster’s popular River Market. An, you might recall, trained at New York’s French Culinary Institute and worked in such famed kitchens as Jo-Jo, The Ledbury, The Fat Duck, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Nahm before opening Maenam in 2009. He’s one of Vancouver’s top culinary stars. His new joint is named after Thailand’s ubiquitous, iconic, and often turbo-charged “longtail” water taxis) — a cool name that fits that address’ Fraser River waterfront location and Thai theme.

The lease was just signed this week, but it’s been in the works for many months. And it’s no wonder. Between shuttling to and from New York City where An consults at the famed Kittichai restaurant, overseeing the perennially busy Maenam, and raising a young family, An is a busy guy. You’d think opening another establishment would seem a daunting, overly complicated prospect, but he shrugs the notion off. “I wouldn’t have done this if it didn’t feel right for me,” he says. “It’s a fine balance, but I can do it comfortably.”

The 25 seat, 880 sqft Longtail will focus on sea-centric Thai street food. “Quick and easy Thai fisherman comfort food”, is how An likens it, adding that there “will be noodle dishes, fish stews and fish curries, with price points ranging from $8 to $12.” Sadly, there will be no liquor license to start off with, but the application is under way. They’ll also be trying for a sectioned-off patio (which would work beautifully with garage door frontage), but if you’ve ever been to the River Market, you already know how easy it is to take your meal outside and sit just about anywhere (the gull population mercifully appears to be about 1/50th that of Granville Island market).

Longtail is being designed as a multi-functional space. By day it will concentrate on regular service with a retail component (selling An’s signature curry sauces, spices, cookbooks, etc.) and then at night it will host cooking classes, private functions and special chef-collaborative suppers. “I’m a longtime fan of Angus’ cooking,” says Mark Shieh, the River Market’s Director. “He and I have talked a lot about the future of restaurants. One of our goals at the Market is to reconnect with food in a meaningful and playful way. Angus’ imagining of a restaurant as a multifunctional seaside kitchen is a great fit with our Food 360 approach.”

Longtail Kitchen is another big “get” for River Market (already home to Wild Rice, Re-Up, Wally’s Burger, La Grotto del Formaggio, among other food fetishist faves). Opening day is scheduled for early May, 2013.

Follow things as they progress on Twitter via twitter.com/rivermrkt and twitter.com/longtailkitchen.

ALL ANTICIPATED OPENINGS

GOODS: Angus An Of “Maenam” To Guest Instruct At The Dirty Apron Cooking School

The Dirty Apron Deli & Cooking School is located at 540 Beatty St. in Vancouver | 604-879-8588 | www.dirtyapron.com

The GOODS from The Dirty Apron

Vancouver, BC | On June 20th, The Dirty Apron Cooking School is excited to welcome guest instructor Chef Angus An into the kitchen for the ultimate Thai cooking class. Chef An, Executive Chef and owner of Maenam, Vancouver’s leading authentic Thai restaurant, will share his culinary talents with 22 lucky students. If you love Southeast Asian cuisine, don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of Vancouver’s best. Chef An will guide students through three savoury dishes filled to the brim with fresh flavours and local seasonal ingredients. To start, students will prepare Hot and Sour Soup of Clams and Holy Basil. Next, Chef An will show students how to make Grilled Ocean Wise Prawn Salad with Chilli Jam, followed by Aromatic Curry of Roasted Chicken and Confit Potatoes. This delicious feast will be rounded off with Sticky Rice and Mango prepared specially by Chef An. Read more

GOODS: Kitsilano’s “Maenam” Gets Set For Playoff Games With Free Thai Wings To Go

West 4th's crticially acclaimed Maenam is located at 1938 West 4th Ave in Kits | 604-730-5579 | www.maenam.ca

The GOODS from Maenam

Vancouver, BC | The playoffs are here and Kitsilano’s Maenam restaurant wants to help you cheer on the Canucks at home with free game day Thai chicken wings. Takeout orders of $30 or more on Canuck game days will include a complimentary order of Chef Angus An’s signature Thai chicken wings seasoned with chilli salt and accompanied with authentic nahm jim dipping sauce. To score your free Thai chicken wings, all you have to do is follow Maenam on Twitter @maenam, or “like” Maenam on Facebook. For each Canuck’s game, a special code word will be released on Maenam’s Twitter and Facebook pages at noon. Simply use this code when you order takeout of $30 or more and the wings will be on the house. Read more

GOODS: “Thai For Two” This Valentine’s Day At Kitsilano’s Award-Winning Maenam

West 4th's crticially acclaimed Maenam is located at 1938 West 4th Ave in Kits | 604-730-5579 | www.maenam.ca

The GOODS from Maenam

Vancouver, BC | It may be down to the 11th hour but it’s not too late. Kitsilano’s Maenam restaurant has a few reservations remaining for their Valentine’s Day Four-Course Chef’s Menu priced at $55 per person. Lovebirds looking to spice things up this V-day can choose from options of plah yang nahm jim, slow cooked ahi toro served with coriander and nahm jim sauce, and tom sap, a north eastern hot and sour soup of sloping hills pork, thai basil, tomatoes. Perfect for sharing, main course tastes include: yam nahm, crispy rice and fermented sausage salad curried rice puffs, fermented thai sausage, ginger julienne, coriander; pla tort samun plai, crispy lingcod, served with palm sugar caramel sauce with 8 different fried spices; and two types of curries – geng gati hoi, southern style mussel curry, rich in coconut and turmeric, spicy and aromatic, finished with kaffir lime leaves and zest, or geng gola neua, grilled sirloin curry, southern style curry rich and aromatic, served with pickled ginger. Those feeling a little sweet and salty can choose from a dark chocolate pot de crème, sea salt, tamarind tuilem tamarind semifreddo; or passion fruit rice doughnuts, passionfruit jelly, passion fruit ice cream. Looking to stay in with your sweetheart? Call for take-out. For full menu details, click here. Read more

GOODS: Kitsilano’s Acclaimed “Maenam” Plating Multi-Course Supper For $55 On NYE

West 4th's crticially acclaimed Maenam is located at 1938 West 4th Ave in Kits | 604-730-5579 | www.maenam.ca

The GOODS from Maenam

Vancouver, BC | Venture to Thailand this New Year’s Eve with a four-course menu of Maenam favourites for $55 per person. Chef Angus An will be offering NYE revellers specialty Thai dishes influenced by the best of Southeast Asia. Guests can expect traditional flavours covering the gamut of hot, sour, salty and sweet, with the option of celebratory savvy pairings and pours of grower champagne from sommelier Brooke Delves. Get the menu and details after the jump… Read more

GOODS: Kitsilano’s Maenam To Host Special Schloss Reinhartshausen Wine Dinner

West 4th's crticially acclaimed Maenam is located at 1938 West 4th Ave in Kits | 604-730-5579 | www.maenam.ca

The GOODS from Maenam

Vancouver, BC | Join chef Angus An and sommelier Brooke Delves on Tuesday, September 27th for a multi-vintage showcase of Schloss Reinhartshausen rieslings and pinot noirs paired with five courses of fresh Thai flavours. Set in Maenam’s intimate dining room, guests are encouraged to reserve tickets early for this single seating event. Dinner begins at 6:30pm and tickets are $75.00/person excluding taxes and gratuity. Details and menu after the jump… Read more

Scout List: Our Eclectic Agenda For Discerning Vancouverites…

The main objective of this website is to scout out and promote the things that make Vancouver such a sweet place to be. We do this with an emphasis on the city’s independent spirit to foster a sense of connectedness within and between our communities, and to introduce our readers to the people who grow and cook our food, play the raddest tunes in our better venues, create our most interesting art, and design everything from what we wear to the spaces we inhabit.

The Scout List is our carefully considered, first rate agenda of super awesome things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week. From our calendar to yours… Read more

GOODS: “Maenam” To Finish Spot Prawn Season With Celebratory Cocktail Dinner…

West 4th's crticially acclaimed Maenam is located at 1938 West 4th Ave in Kits | 604-730-5579 | www.maenam.ca

The GOODS from Maenam

Vancouver, BC | On Monday, June 20th  Maenam’s Angus An will be indulging spot prawn fanatics with a spot prawn season wrap up dinner served with cocktail pairings by local barman Ben DeChamplain. For one night only, the revered Thai hotspot will feature a custom menu of five spot prawn dishes in two courses, served family style, alongside thoughtfully crafted flights of ingredient-focused cocktails. Seating for the 6pm event is limited. Tickets are priced at $75/person. To reserve a table, click here or phone 604-730-5579. Menu and further details after the jump… Read more

GOODS: West 4th’s Award-Winning Maenam Pairing Up With Cedar Creek For Supper

West 4th's crticially acclaimed Maenam is located at 1938 West 4th Ave in Kits | 604-730-5579 | www.maenam.ca

The GOODS from Maenam

Vancouver, BC | On Tuesday, May 17th chef Angus An will welcome Cedar Creek winemaker Darryl Brooker and winery President Gordon Fitzpatrick into his Kitsilano hotspot for a preview of Cedar Creek’s much anticipated 2010 aromatics alongside a custom multi-course menu from the Maenam kitchen.

Guests can expect dishes like crispy fish cake salad with sour green mango, cashews, lemongrass, and lime leaf served alongside the youthful fruit forward 2010 Ehrenfelser, a wine yielded from some of the Okanagan’s oldest vines. Cedar Creek will also be previewing their first rose, a vibrant pinot noir based wine with great acidity alongside Maenam’s coconut braised salted beef rib marinated in light soy and served in broth and aromatics. For a full list of wines and dishes to be served please click here.

Set in Maenam’s stylish dining room, guests will have the opportunity of choosing between two seatings at either 6pm or 9pm. Seating is limited and priced at $60/person. To reserve a table, please click here or phone (604) 730-5579. Learn more about the restaurant after the jump… Read more

GOODS: West 4th’s Award-Winning Maenam Tailoring Take-Out For Canuck Playoff Run

West 4th's crticially acclaimed Maenam is located at 1938 West 4th Ave in Kits | 604-730-5579 | www.maenam.ca

The GOODS from Maenam

Vancouver, BC | It’s playoff time at Kitsilano’s Maenam restaurant, where chef Angus An is offering Canuck takeout dishes for fans hooked on hockey. Cheer the team into the next round with shared, family-style selections from Maenam’s full lunch and dinner takeout menus.

FIRST PERIOD: Get started with tom kaa gai, a creamy hot and sour soup of chicken thighs braised in coconut cream, or pass around tort man gung, wild prawn cakes made with sustainable baja prawns and served with cucumber relish.

SECOND PERIOD: Prepare for the sweet sound of a victorious buzzer with a variety of small plates, including naam, a fried house-fermented thai sausage dressed with garlic, chiles, and Maenam’s house-made sweet chili sauce. Soak up the goods with a side of roti.

THIRD PERIOD: Things heat up in your third and final course with the aromatic and smoky pad phed si krong neaua, beef short ribs braised in coconut cream then stir fried with pad prik king curry paste. For those glued to the screen, there’s always Maenam’s reliable and legendary pad thai (add your own chilies for extra spice). Read more

GOODS: Thai-Inspired Spring Cocktail Supper Going Down At Kitsilano’s “Maenam”

West 4th's crticially acclaimed Maenam is located at 1938 West 4th Ave in Kits | 604-730-5579 | www.maenam.ca

The GOODS from Maenam

Vancouver, BC | On Monday, April 18th join chef Angus An and local barman Ben DeChamplain for an evening of springtime flavours served in signature Maenam style. For one night, the Kitsilano hotspot will feature a custom menu of five courses, served family style, alongside DeChamplain’s thoughtfully crafted flights of ingredient-focused cocktails. Details and menu after the jump… Read more

GOODS: Kitsilano’s Thai Gem “Maenam” To Dish Sweet, Sour, Salty And Spicy On V-Day

West 4th's crticially acclaimed Maenam is located at 1938 West 4th Ave in Kits | 604-730-5579 | www.maenam.ca

The GOODS from Maenam

Vancouver, BC | Love is in the air at Kitsilano’s Maenam restaurant, where executive chef Angus An will be preparing Thai cuisine that offers Valentine’s Day variety in sweet, sour, salty and spicy fusions. First and second course pickings include kanom krok, crispy cupcakes with curry and crab, latiang, chicken and prawn in golden egg nets, and creamy, hot soups marinating prawns or chicken—you choose.

Single or spoken for, Maenam’s main course medleys provide exactly the comfort we crave on V-Day: yum moo wang, a sweet, caramelized pork belly salad with coriander and toasted coconut; pat prik king neua, stir-fried beef short ribs cooked in red curry paste, thai basil and wild ginger; and two types of curries—geng bpa muu, slow roasted organic pork shoulder with fresh heart of palm, baby corn, wing bean and holy basil, or geng gola hoi, a rich and aromatic southern-style curry served with grilled scallops. Parties of two choose one salad, one stir-fry and one curry as their main.

In signature style, Maenam’s desserts put the “sweet” in Saint Valentine with dark chocolate pot de crème—sea salt, tamarind tuile, and tamarind semifreddo; and their vanilla passion fruit pannacotta, a passion fruit jelly with passion fruit ice cream and cashew praline.

To compliment the specialized menu, guests will select beverages from an inspired cocktail card, informed beer list and an extensive offering of wine. Details after the leap… Read more

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