barolo

All is revealed here

OK, well then, instead of posting only about a restaurant you don't like, how about telling us about one that you do.

Excellent report, thank you eatrustic. Maybe next year les amis will be baking and we will have a few other contenders.

Great! Another source for (hopefully) good Stollen. I called the hotel and they are stocking them so we can walk in and pick one up. I tried two years ago to get one but they had just stopped making them and I missed my chance. They are $20. plus tax. ← I picked one up last night and put it in the freezer to wait for Christmas. $21.05 with tax. I also took a peek at Yew - it was busy, full of trendy looking (or trying) 30&40 somethings taking a break from shopping. At first glance it looks a little too "generic early 21st century west coast" to me; it doesn't really have a distinctive look that I can associate with the Four Seasons. Maybe I'll take another look in the New Year when the holiday mayhem has subsided.

They are good and very reasonably priced. A little on the sweet side, I agree the more complex flavours of the dark chocolate/orange stood out. But for $1.25 each they are such a bargain. A box of 12 for $13.00 would be a nice gift.

My favorite stollen last year was the 4 seasons. I just called, and the person answering the phone said they are not selling them this year! ← Thanks for checking that out, even though the answer is disappointing. Any chance of Les Amis getting into the baking business? ← I am happy to inform you we are selling stollen this year at Four Seasons. Simply contact our room service and place an order. Hope to see you in soon, Aaron. ← Thanks for letting us know Aaron. I'll put in an order tomorrow.

I'm pretty sure I've seen smoked haddock on Granville Island at the fish shop across the aisle from Oyama - can't remember its name. I don't know if it is the specific type you are looking for though

Thanks for that tip Lee. I'm heading that way later today.

Such warmth, beauty and generosity. Thank you for sharing your days and meals with us.

My favorite stollen last year was the 4 seasons. I just called, and the person answering the phone said they are not selling them this year! ← Thanks for checking that out, even though the answer is disappointing. Any chance of Les Amis getting into the baking business?

It is that time of year again. Anyone with stollen reports? Last year I bought the Four Seasons version which was excellent - are they offering stollen again this year?

Ginger Tea Makes Friends, James Barber's first cookbook, was also the first cookbook I bought for myself. It was inspiring and liberating, especially after Betty Crocker and high school Home Economics. Barber wrote for hermits, spinsters, basement suite dwellers, hungry drunks, lovers, the broken hearted, and the totally incompetent - in other words, real people. Here's James from the introduction to Ginger Tea Makes Friends: And an introduction to a recipe: Thank you James - goodbye.

Urban Diner is reporting that it is open.

The restaurant is now called "Steamworks TransContinental" with a new more casual menu. They do have a Negroni on their drinks list, Arne, as well as a number of "premium shooters" . Check out the website: Steamworks TransContinental

A few changes on Denman: - Bob and Stella’s Chicken and Ribs is opening in the Olympia Restaurant block - KoKo Chocolate Creations opening in the former Capstone Tea location - Indica was dark - Milestone’s is renovating - Cookies by George is still not open but there are signs of activity - I didn’t make it as far as Schnitzelz but it wasn’t open last time I walked by

November/December 2007 edition is out now. Features include: Andrew on the next generation of Vancouver restaurateurs plus Vancouver restaurant reviews Chris Stearns interviews Andrey Durback of Parkside Kathryn MaAree on wood fired bakeries Christmas recipes by Nathan Fong Shelora on Red Fish Blue Fish, anchovies and langos The sherry tasting notes that got left off last edition plus holiday wine suggestions and Larry Arnold's suggestions etc, etc

Should be fun watching the spin from both sides over the next few weeks. Interestingly I found an article on Dale MacKay referrring to him as the new Executive Chef online in a magazine called Opulence: This came out while the Feenie troubles were all still rumour but seems to support Feenie's version of being pushed aside. Stainsby's review seems very tough on MacKay, dragging up that New Yorker article. She comes across as partisan to me.

A little more information about the event, like who is competing, would increase replies I think. Here's a link Here's a list of competitors and judges: Robert Belcham - Fuel Melissa Craig - Bearfoot Bistro, Whistler Kevin Doucette - The Westin Bayshore David Hawksworth - West Scott Jaeger - The Pear Tree Jay Lynn - Hilton Whistler Resort Lee Parsons - Wedgewood Pino Posteraro - Cioppino's Nico Schuermans - Chambar Stefan Pimenta - Le Gavroche Javier Alarco - Hyatt Regency Vancouver Rob Feenie - Lumiere Judges: Andrew Morrison - Urban Diner, Eat Magazine Sid Cross, Joan Cross, Vicki Gabereau - TV/Radio Host Robert Clark - C (Gold Medal Plates '06 Winner)

Yes, I would say it is her personal list, but perhaps a personal list for publication. My first reaction was: That's a lot of restaurants. Reviewing new restaurants each week and keeping up with 20 favourites seems like a daunting task. Especially when she has a whole other list of over 20 good value restaurants. I don't eat out enough to come up with a top 20 myself.

Vij's Elegant and Inspired Indian Cuisine will soon be in the New York Public Library: From Cooked Books

The weekend Vancouver Sun featured a dining and wining section that included Mia Stainsby's list of her top 20 restaurants (in alphabetical order): Aurora Bistro Bacchus Bin 941 and 942 Bishop’s Blue Water Café C Restaurant Chambar Cioppino’s Fuel Gastropod Jules Lumiere Nu Parkside Raincity Grill La Regalade Sun Sui Wah Tojo’s Vij’s West Comments?

I did finish the book, but I agree.

Not necessarily. Their costs might well be higher in Canada. And maybe their market is willing to pay more here. If not, prices will come down. A meal in a restaurant is not a like a car or electronics - made elsewhere and sold all over the world. Or let's hope it isn't.

Good advice. I have given up going for lunch unless I can get there early.

Mia Stainsby of the Vancouver Sun wades in today: Full story here: Despite impressive restoration, menu fails to impress