1183 replies to this topic

[dillybravo]

Anyone know a purveyor of fresh (not frozen, not canned, not jarred, etc.) black or white truffles in Vancouver?

[Coop]

The Urban fare often has them at their cheese counter. I have bought them in the past, once good, once nasty. They claim they are from France but I would doubt it, likely Chineese. Your safest bet is to travel down to Seattle and try DeLaurenti's.

I have yet to acquire a truffle that has half the flavour of the white truffle oil one can buy at the Gourmet Warehouse. Knowing what I know (from reading) about the clandestine nature of the truffle industry it seems that anything we could acquire here in Vancouver at the retail level would be far down the quality ladder.

[tsquare]

Your safest bet is to travel down to Seattle and try DeLaurenti's.

Really?
They have them at Sosio's on occassion - one of the produce vendors in the main market. I've only sniffed 'em, not bought 'em.

[Coop]

Is Sosio's the place about in the middle of the market with really nice but expensive produce? I bought a Chineese truffle there if thats the place. It was good quality. He also said he occaisionally gets Oregon truffles.

[Derek Diggler]

Try getting a hold of Continental Importers, last I heard you could get a kilo for $1000, vaccuum packed.

[boris]

Is Sosio's the place about in the middle of the market with really nice but expensive produce? I bought a Chineese truffle there if thats the place. It was good quality. He also said he occaisionally gets Oregon truffles.

Correct. Interestingly, they have usually steered me to the black over the white truffles. They are not close in flavour compared to their European counterpart.

Mark E

[westside yuppie]

I read an interesting article recently about the many benefits of duck fat and I was wondering if its possible to buy it in Vancouver. Perhaps at the Stockmarket in Granville Island?

[westside yuppie]

Thanks Coop,

Maybe I should have been more explicit: does anyone know if its possible for a lazy foodie like me to buy rendered duck fat here in Vancouver ?

["T"]

Me, I'm a lazy assed bastard, I buy my duck fat at Oyama on Granville Island. I confit everything from pheasant to garlic in it.
I also smother my chickens in the stuff before I roast them. Duck fat, an essential food item.

Everyone have a happy new year.
PS. Sometimes they don't have it out so you need to ask for it.

Edited by "T", 30 December 2003 - 11:15 PM.

[Johnathon]

Great. There goes my "Secret" place for duck fat.

And by the way, they also sell goose fat if you should so choose. I am beginning to believe that Oyama translates into Nirvana. A one stop shop for so many goodies!

[edm]

"un incontournable", indeed.
I'm actually happy to see how busy Oyama is, and how hectic it's been during the holiday season. Same is true for "les amis" and other quality food shops around town. More people seem to appreciate good food, food that taste what it is, food that involves technique, knowledge, passion, craftsmanship.
Let's hope Vancouver and VI keep going in that direction, because the potential here on BC's west coast is phenomenal.
So what do we need ? Another Oyama location of course ! Come on guys, and more bakeries, actual fish shops without frozen crap, butchers that offer something different than tenderloin and 10000 varieties of BBQ sauce, and of course... more and more good restaurants, and a few very very good ones, that would blow away Feenie's and West. 'Cause alright, they're good, but they ain't
michelin-starred quality yet (OK, we'll argue for 1*).

[Lancelot]

Check out Hills Foods, you can get nice tubs of it and keep it in the freezer until you need it .

Hills Foods Ltd.
Unit 1-130 Glacier Street
Coquitlam, British Columbia
Canada V3K 5Z6
Phone: (604) 472-1500 / Fax: (604) 472-1501
E-Mail: sales@hillsfoods.com

They have a $100.00 minimum cash and carry policy.
They supply game and other items to a lot of restaurants in the lower mainland.
They have frozen goose legs that are great for confit. And whole lobes of foie gras are available too.

[maxmillan]

First of all, excuse my ignorance, what exactly is truffle oil? I saw some truffle oil with an olive oil base. I thought truffle oil was simply that, oil from truffles. Is this just a flavored oil then?

Secondly, where in the Lower Mainland can I find a good-price excellent quality truffle oil? What consitutes a good quality truffle oil?

Thirdly, I had some risotto at Trafalgar with truffle oil and thought it was delicious. I thought of sprinkling this on mashed potatoes, steak, rice, noodles, etc. What should be the proper way of using this to get the best flavour out of the truffle oil?

Thanks for your expert advice.

[Coop]

By far the best place in Vancouver for truffle oil is the Gourmet Warehouse. Find the Italian product called uhm...Rustica... It is indeed olive oil flavoured with truffle essence.

May I suggest cooking a pizza dough with nothing on it but a little olive oil, then when cooked and still hot slice it open like a bun, smear with goat cheese and truffle oil, return it to the oven for about another 5 minutes, drizzle top with olive oil, slice and eat. Drink a decent Chianti Classic or Jumilla with it.

Use it sparingly and never cook it or it will loose it's flavour. There is some debate about storage. I keep mine in the refrigerator and take it out before using so it will loosen up. i believe it will go rancid after opening if you leave it on the counter for a month or so.

Edited by Coop, 19 May 2004 - 08:48 AM.

[maxmillan]

Thanks for the advice on refrigeration. Since I have no experience or knowledge about truffles, I will cough up the few dollars for a small bottle and try it. I will have to check out Gourmet Warehouse and Urban Fare. I saw some at Cioffi's in Burnaby. Granted, a lot of truffle oils may be a sham so I'll have to trust the experience of eGulleteers.

BTW, I checked out Cioffi's due to several positive comments from this site and I am impressed. It is comparable to Bosa Ent. on Victoria and Frances but Cioffi's have a bigger FRESH deli section and very friendly staff, so unlike Santa Barbara on Commercial Drive (so overrated!)

[Coop]

I love Cioffi's but find their sausage to be mediocre. Santa Barbra has much better sausage and a pretty good selection of veg and bread. But what a dump! Cioffi's on the other hand is spotless. A Bosa is kind of smelly, but has a great selection. You have to take the best from each.

[DameD]

I love Bosas and Santa Barbara, i think the messiness sometimes make the shopping a little more adventurous and I find the people at Bosas super friendly and helpful, plus there is butcher next door, who will wrap a sweet piece of fat and a few sprigs of fresh rosemary around a roast. What service!!!... plus I am a East sider and gotta support these delis

[chocklateer]

Does anyone know where to buy fresh/dried Lavender(that is suitable for baking/cooking purposes) in Vancouver?

D.

[tofino]

Try www.happyvalleylavender.com, a company on Vancouver Island that sells fresh (predominantly), and dried as well. Good Luck!

[carswell]

While Happy Valley looks like a good bet, you're almost certain to find the dried flowers at herbalists and other stores that carry herb tea ingredients in bulk. Here in Montreal, my neighbourhood "health food" store stocks them. Just make sure you're getting a variety intended for making tea, not potpourris.

[Coop]

The Gourmet warehouse has dried lavender. it is in their herb/spice rack.

[jayt90]

Some gourmet stores sell a cotton sack of 'Herbes de Provence', for about $5, which contains about 20% lavender. This is strong enough for most cooking/baking purposes, as the lavender portion is potent. I find it useful to keep a sack onhand, especially during winter.

[maxmillan]

I've seen this at the Farmer's Market. I believe it was at the Wednesday Nat Bailey's Market 2pm to 5pm and at the Trout Lake Market. She also sells garlic, too.

[capers]

Does anyone know where to buy fresh/dried Lavender(that is suitable for baking/cooking purposes) in Vancouver?

D.

Well it's not in Vancouver but I'd give the Tuscan Farm Gardens just outside of Langley a call. They have a a lavender and echinacea farm. Here's the link
http://www.tuscanfarmgardens.com/
Hope this helps.

[shelora]

Hi there,
Conducting tasting survey of blood sausage. So far I have, English, Scottish, German (two types) and Polish with buckwheat. But no French boudin noir. None available on the island.
Anyone know of where I could possibly get some shipped to me from Vancouver? It would be great if it was also made in Vancouver, but as long as it is something that can easily be obtained, I'm open. Flavour important too.
Thanks,
Shelora

[peppyre]

Make sure your Scottish style Black Pudding is my made directly by the butcher you purchased it from (if it's truly authentic the recipe will be someone's grandmother's that's been in the family for a few hundred years). Most of them are buying it from Freybe's now, which means it's a German style and not very good. As for Boudin Noir, have you tried the french deli on Granville Island. I can't remember their name at the moment. (Any help guys)

[RooStew]

  As for Boudin Noir, have you tried the french deli on Granville Island.  I can't remember their name at the moment.  (Any help guys)

I think the one your talking of is called Oyama Sausage Co. There products are great. I love the toulouse. There terrines and pates also rock. Haven't tried there black pudd yet.

http://www.oyamasausage.com/index.htm

[shelora]

Thanks, folks. I talked to Oyama this morning. Boudin Noir not available until two weeks time.
Must practise patience until then.
s

[AzRaeL]

someone told me that her favourite fruit was this thing that looked like a large grape (pinkish white or orange) covered in leaves.

from her description, i've narrowed it down to the Physalis. Specifically the Cape Gooseberry or the Ground Cherry.

Now, where in the GVRD would I be able to find that for her? I'm thinking of giving her a large basket of it for Christmas. She says that she loves that fruit very much but has only eaten it once and wishes she knew what it was and could have more of it.

[shelora]

The first place to try is the Urban Fare, talk to the person who orders the produce, they may be able to track some down and special order them
s.