Dear Editor,
As much as I greatly appreciate and enjoy the diversity of dining options that are situated in and around Steveston, I have to admit that after living in downtown Vancouver for 35 years, there are food experiences that I miss very much.
I miss being able to get a good hot dog from the street vendor outside the Vancouver Art Gallery or at the Kits Beach and English Bay concession stands.
I miss the matzo-ball soup and mile-high pastrami sandwiches from my favourite Jewish restaurant, the bagels from Siegal’s Bagel Shop, the delicious Humbow from the B.C. Royal Cafe in Chinatown, and the wide selection of take-away dishes at the deli counters at Max’s Deli on Oak Street and at various Choices grocery stores.
Most of all, I miss the small ramen bars that are such an integral part of the downtown dining scene in Vancouver.
All of these represent eating experiences that are missing from life in or near Steveston, and perhaps for most of Richmond, and I think it is extremely unfortunate that they are.
Perhaps the influx of younger people and families into the Steveston area will encourage some entrepreneurs to open a Max’s-style deli with authentic pastrami-on-rye sandwiches with huge pickles, a bagel shop where you can watch the fresh bagels being cooked on the premises, or, at the top of my wish-list, a small urban-style ramen bar where the menu is appropriately limited and the noodles and broth are lovingly cooked.
In the meantime, I have to make my way downtown to enjoy any of the above mentioned food experiences.
A little more diversity in eating options in the Steveston area would keep me closer to home and make me a much happier gourmand.
Simply put: Our diversity needs more diversity.
Ray Arnold
Richmond
