by Andrew Morrison | Andrea Carlson, formerly the chef de cuisine at the West End’s Raincity Grill and Kitsilano’s legendary Bishop’s, has just taken the helm at Harvest Community Foods in Strathcona. The wee local, seasonal, organic, and sustainable grocery store at 243 Union St. has always had a short menu of all-day items like soups, sandwiches, and steam buns, but Carlson is re-drafting its entirety to focus on – among other things – Asian-inspired noodle soups, including bowls of proper Japanese ramen made with real deal pork broth. There is no good ramen in the whole of the DTES (or anywhere near it). It’s one of the things I’ve long hoped to see arrive in the area, and I trust it will prove especially awesome. Few local chefs are as dialed into our local food systems as Carlson. Her relationships with BC farmers, CSA producers, and artisan food makers of every stripe go deep and wide. It’s fair to expect good and tasty things when her new menu goes live within the next few days.