barolo

OK, I need suggestions for a restaurant to a take a broken-hearted friend for dinner. Somewhere with good food, a comfortable atmosphere and that is quiet enough for me to convince her that she is better off without him, without having to shout. Somewhere in the downtown area is preferable.

Coincidentally there's a write up about Prima Taste today on the City Food website: Link here for the full story.

Thanks gingerpeachy, I thought Quince might be a good source. Here's a nice description of a "Stollen Parade" in Dresden: from this thread elsewhere on eG.

I think it might be this one: Apricot Hazelnut Squares which I just happened to be perusing last night.

Lots of stuff, but not butter unfortunately, at the Celtic Treasure Chest, on Dunbar and in White Rock, featured in the Georgia Straight today.

I did draw conclusions and inferences from the statements that she did make and by doing a little math and making a few assumptions based on the information I know (size of typical tasting portions of wine of 2 oz and a best case scenerio, a mark-up of 100% - with six tasting portions one need not be a math person to figure the per 4 oz glass was $20+ each glass (or assuming a little spillage you get 6 glasses per bottle for $120 a bottle or $60 pre-mark up cost per bottle) and as such I would expect some fairly good wines (although the article notes a $22 per bottle pre-mark up bottle in the mix) and if however, the mark up is higher than 100% the value is inversely proportional to the same). I guess if the pairings were good she might have noted the same? I personally would not have gone with the wine pairings (in any event). The review of the food included more than enough substantive comments for me. Besides, I am sure someone from the restaurant would be more than willing to post and correct Ms. Gill and clarify my assumptions/conclusions/inferences. I will then stand corrected. ← Thanks for outlining your assumptions. I think 100% mark up is sadly not that typical in Vancouver anymore, but I note you said best case scenario.

Liberty Wines has opened a store on Robson between Bute and Jervis, north side of the street.

I don't get what the problem is. She's paid for a tasting flight, not an individual bottle. If all the wines in the $65 flight were of that value, then agreed, it's a porblem. But this was just wine out of several. Perhaps there were some other exceptional wines she hasn't described, and the Heartland just evened things out. Something else she never mentions: Did she like the wine???? Or maybe I'm not well versed enough in wine to appreciate what's she's driving at ... A. ← I had the same reaction. Without knowing what other wines were poured I'd have a hard time drawing any conclusions about the markup on a flight. Did she like the wines and were they good pairings?

Check with customs. Canada has dairy quotas - I once paid $4/quart in duties for some whipping cream from the US. ← Good point. I wasn't really thinking of duties, more about whether it would be allowed in or not. This information from: Canadian Border Services Agency In my experience, they ask you if the cheese is hard, if it is no problem, if it isn't you may get a whole bunch of questions.

I thought this too, but I saw Italian butter for sale on Granville Island a few weeks ago. It was about $15 for half a pound, I think.

These sound like a perfect size for my lunchbox. Do you know what hours they are available for sale? I tasted this at a 4-seasons dinner a few years back and it was fantastic. I didn't know you could buy them. ← Sorry, I don't know. I was there after work, around 5:30 pm. You could call the reception desk and ask them to hold one for you, since they are open 24/7. The Four Seasons is the kind of place that will make some effort to accommodate you in my experience.

Yes hard cheese does, especially if it is vacuum packed. Hard cheese should cause you no problems with customs. Sean is in Vancouver

Four Seasons does have stollen. They are a small rectangle - about 6 inches by 3, I'd say - and sell for $18 including GST. They are available for sale at a small table in the reception area. Also Quince is offering stollen this year, I don't know about the prices, sizes etc.

Yes, I was thinking about this thread too. I'm going to check out the Four Seasons this week to see if they are offering stollen this year. I didn't see anything on their web site. I'll report back.

If you need some inspiration, I noticed that Vikram Vij and Meeru Dhalwala will be at Barbara Jo's this Sunday at noon to tape a North by Northwest Cooking Club. Details: here. I wish I could be there, but I'll be out of town. ← I got the book very recently and I am enjoying leafing through it - it is nice to see ingredient lists (halibut, venison, etc...) that are so tailored to the PNW. The recipes look like they will produce lighter and brighter food then the usual Moghul cooking that is found in restaurants and other cookbooks. I know what you mean about the liquid measures - they seem very high. How has the seasoning tasted? If it seems adaquately seasoned - then it would seem that's the expected final product. I was eating at Vij's recently and I noted just how light the sauces were (perhaps some would say watery) - but the flavors were still bright and fresh. I am looking forward trying out some of the recipes soon. ←

Thought I'd resurrect this thread, since I'm in Christmas mode, and recommend Mayers Packaging on East 5th, just east of Main.

OK, it sounds as though I need to adjust my expectations around Spinnakers. As for the Bengal Lounge, Arne, we were in some kind of "no service" zone. It may just have been a bad day, but somehow I don't think so. Thanks for your recommendations Matt. Merlin, the endive salad and everything else at the Brasserie was very good. My expectations were high, which often leads to disappointment. But not this time.

It all sounds amazing. thanks

Why locally made Anne? If not for the local aspect, I'd suggest Cook Works and such places. Otherwise, you may want to contact Paragon Manufacturing in Richmond. They typically do entire countertops, but may be able to help with the cutting boards. A. ← I just thought it would be interesting to find a locally made product. I'm familiar with the Cookworks selection, but it occurred to me that we have a burgeoning wood craft industry in BC and thought I'd see if such a thing exists. There's a vendor that regularly comes to Granville Island with cutting boards made from big leaf maple, but I've never seen end grain boards. Thanks for the tip on Paragon.

Has anyone seen any locally made end-grain cutting boards around?

Finally I report back. We ended up going to Spinnakers for brunch. I found the food a little carbohydrate heavy for a "gastropub" - for example, a chicken pot pie fully encased in pastry perched atop a mound of mashed potatoes with a few woody carrots propped alongside. I'd like to hear recommendations of what on the menu is more "gastro". I seem to come away feeling slightly disappointed each time I'm there. The beer is good, the service has been good and there's a pretty view, but the food is hit and miss in my experience. We did get to the Bengal Lounge for a drink, but they were having a bad day. There was lots of staff around but the service was indifferent. But the room is comfortable and we were beside a window on a sunny day, so it really didn't matter. On a more positive note I finally made it Brasserie L'ecole for not one but two excellent dinners earlier this month. One night I sat at the bar for oyster and veal short rib tagliatelle with chanterelles. The next I was in a back table with a good view of the room for endive salad, ling cod with bacon and more chanterelles and a creamy rice pudding. Excellent wine service, friendly and professional staff, and very reasonable prices - I loved this restaurant.

Saint Germain Bakery is opening beside the never-opened El Patio on Denmen

The fall/winter 2006 City Food has hit the streets. It is devoted to all things pig - Pigs We Love: A snout to tale issue. I like this issue - as usual it is well designed with lots of good photography, and the focussed content makes for a good read.

Pretty sure they carry masa harina at South China Seas on Granville Island too, if that is convenient.

I'd choose Parkside too.