barolo
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Posts posted by barolo
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Repeating some, but here's my two bits:
Don't buy a set, you'll end up paying for stuff you don't want and will never use. You probably need less than you think and if you buy quality now (on sale is best) you will have it for life.
For non-stick frying pans (which you will want for eggs and fish) either buy T-Fal on sale and expect to chuck and replace every couple of years or buy commercial quality. The ones at Gourmet Warehouse recommended by someone else on this thread have worked well for me. Lots of very expensive non-stick does not last any longer than T-Fal and doesn't necessarily offer more functionality (spoken from experience).
You'll want a cast iron frying pan too, they are cheap and last forever. Lodge is good, I think.
Le Creuset is great but very heavy. Think about whether you want to be lugging it around full of food before you buy it.
Cookworks on Hastings has some Calphalon on sale right now. I just bought a stainless 2.5 quart saucepan with lid for $49. I also got an All-Clad saucier there on sale over the summer. Also I've seen Calphalon at Winners. Others have mentioned other spots to check out. All Clad looks beautiful but it is pricey.
I haven't shopped at the commerical suppliers but I would think they are worth checking out.
My experience is you don't need a lot if you choose wisely. Spend money where it counts.
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Paul:
Barbara Jo's contact info here: Books to Cooks
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I think their Gewurtraminer's are worth trying. I haven't tried any other varietals myself. Lotusland is a rebranding of a winery located in Abbotsford, can't remember the original name.
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I assume, like you, that the market didn't work for them here. I wouldn't read anything more than that into it. I'm sure they'd cover any city and find something "vibrant" about the restaurant scene, if it was a money maker.
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My take is similar to Daddy-A's - it's a marketing world out there in the restaurant business.
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I'm not a fan of the Naam's food by any stretch of the imagination but if you check out the Vancouver Richmond Health Board website you'll find much worse kitchens in terms of hygiene, some in much more upscale looking spots.
That being said, I would never recommend the Naam to anyone. Bad food, bad wine, line ups - it just doesn't add up.
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A new edition of EAT is out too. I saw a big pile at Marquis Wine Cellars on Davie Street.
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I'll second Barb's Buns. Wow lots of good advice on this thread for my future visits.
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In Naramata area try La Frenz, Poplar Grove, Red Rooster and Kettle Vallley. Actually try them all there's about 8 or 10 on the bench. Can't help with Penticton restaraunts but someone else will chime in.
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Ontario just made BYO legal - see the link: Ontario BYO Alberta also has gone this route, I believe.
When this is proposed there is usually a big uproar from the restaurant lobby that does not wish to lose a big revenue source.
In Australia BYO is common and many US states allow BYO. Corkage rates vary. Somehow in BC we continue to have relatively puritan laws around alcohol.
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Merlin:
I'm not Maxmillian but I can tell you the both City Food and Eat have websites, but you can't get content from them. City Food has a daily column on its site: www.cityfood.com and Eat has a table of contents of its latest edition: eatmagazine.ca .
Barolo
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I was at Hart House about a year ago and had a very good meal with excellent service. Sorry I can't remember the details and it was a work-related dinner so the focus was not supposed to be on the food.
It's not exactly casual but on the west coast nothing is really very formal either, especially in tourist season.
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Has anyone ever been to these places and not enjoyed them?
Yes, I was at Parkside at few weeks ago and very underwhelmed. Since it has got so many raves, I decided they must be having an off night. Both the service and the food were mediocre. I'm planning to return since Parkside has lots of fans, but if I hadn't read so many recommendations for it, I would have crossed it off my list.
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I don't think the fish place on the docks at Granville Island is there anymore but I hear that Gord Martin of the Bins 941/2 is opening a fish place by the GI fisherman's wharf in June. Steveston is a great suggestion as an alternative.
I think Moderne works or try the Templeton or even Vera's. Unfortunately White Spot is probably a more authentic Canadian experience, as suggested above.
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I overheard two staffers at Ripe on 4th Avenue (reportedly the only Vancouver restaurant with a 100% organic kitchen besides Bishop's) discussing this very issue. Their conclusion was that best prices were found in the shops on south Commercial Drive (I didn't pick up specific shops unfortunately), but you have to shop around town to get good prices consistently.
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Well it seems to me that you started the comparison, but I agree - no value in getting into a discussion and we obviously have different perceptions and probably different expectations.
I think both have something to offer, and I hope both are able to thrive.
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I disagree. I think EAT does a good job in a much smaller market. They have much more local content and more in depth writing that City Food and don't waste space on New York wannabe stuff that tends to fluff up City Food.
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I'd definitely be willing to pay for a quality, reliable product that focussed on local (i.e., BC) food and wine.
I think it would be pretty tough to compete with all the free distribution newspapers with food and wine columnists though. Most people are just not interested enough to go beyond what is available for free. The market is small, advertisers are few and costs are high - a tough place to be.
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City Food has definitely gone downhill over over the years, IMHO, but I still keep a look out for it. Too much recycled material and general foodie stuff you could read anywhere is included, but this past edition was a welcome change despite some errors.
Unfortunately it seems that City Food often over-promises and under-delivers which will not keep advertisers happy, and they after all are paying for it, even though we are not. Nonetheless I applaud the proprietor for her perserverance and hope City Food will be restored to its former glory one day soon.
I see EAT magazine from Victoria is becoming more widely available in Vancouver so perhaps they see an opportunity here.
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Thanks Dee, I've taken a note of those.
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Paul: I've seen them at Granville Island and Marquis Wine Cellars. Try quality food and wine related stores in your area.
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Still jere Paul and sipping on a glass of Geringer Brothers reisling that is very tasty.
Are you going to the Naramata Bench release on April 20th at the Roundhouse Community Centre? It will feature wines form 10 wineries from the Naramata Bench and food by some pretty good restaurants from Vancouver and Naramata.
More information can be found on Tony Gismondi's website: www.gismondionwine.com at the left side of the home page near the bottom.
Cheers,
Barolo
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Jerry: the Cookshop in Market Square at 12th and Cambie seem to have a large selection of cake decorating supplies and they offer courses too. It's not my area of expertise but the store (or at least their website: http://www.cookshop.ca/store/) is probably worth checking out.
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I went recently. Very different place than Hapa Izakaya - ambiance is quiet and low key. Food is not particularly Asian - rack of lamb, duck breast, daube of oxtail, arugula salad with proscuitto and pear, sausage etc. Somewhat meat oriented which was fine for me, but a challenge for my vegetarian companion. There's definitely some Asian twists - a few edamame, shiso leaves, Asian saucing green tea tiramasu for dessert, etc. Trying more for a Bin 941 type of dish than Hapa. Short but good by the glass wine list. I didn't look at the full wine list, but I'm betting it is good too.
I think they need to do some work on the menu and the execution - it is a little hit and miss. My prawns on risotto cake with edamame did not sing - the prawns were pretty good but a little over-cooked, the risotto did nothing to highlight the prawns, and was too heavy on the cheese. The arugula and prosciutto salad tasted good but the pears were sliced way too thick and it was piled in a rather unattractive and difficult to tackle mound. Service was pleasant, but a little too hovering. I've heard some raves about other dishes so maybe they are still finding their feet. I'd go back because I see lots of potential.
If you want a Hapa Izakaya experience Umami is not trying to go there. If you want to go to a quiet spot with a little jazz playing, have a dinner of small plates along with a glass or bottle of wine, Umami is your spot.
Cookware Stores in Vancouver
in Western Canada: Cooking & Baking
Posted
Daddy-A:
I think Lagostina is fine. My mom has had hers for years and I cook with it all the time and have no complaints except that I like metal handles.
As for essentials, I've attached a link to an article that might help but here is my list:
1 Stock pot - tall and narrow. For stock obviously, but also soup. pasta, corn other large, boiling-type activities.
2. Non stick frying pan - for fish, eggs, fast and easy clean up. All those dark crusty bits that make a great pan sauce won't happen with non-stick though so you really need something else too.
3. A cast iron frying pan is good for holding heat and things you want to start on the stove top and then put in the oven. They are cheap and improve with age. Or get a stainless steel frying pan if you don't like cleaning cast iron which can be a pain in the butt.
4. 2 saucepans/sautee pans one about 2 quarts and high sided, one bigger, but wider and shallower - for vegetables, boiling down liquids for sauces, frying.
After that I think it depends on what you cook a lot. If you do lots of braises and stews then you want a dutch oven kind of thing that can go from stove top to the oven. If you do lots of stove top things then you might want a larger, deeper sautee pan with a lid.
Link: Fine cooking essential pots and pans