Jake

I would recommend either Splendido or Perigee for your meal.

I will be in Halifax over the Easter weekend. Although I used to spend a lot of time there on business, I haven't been back for about 5 years. Are there any "Not to be missed" meals? Any old standards that aren't so good, or have changed for the better? Rec's for fine dining for one night, maybe as there is a 7 year old involved?

Thanks for the update. I have eaten at Yamoto at lunch (sushi mainly) and found the quality good, and the service excellent.

Sounds like it's time to get back to Ema tei again. Had some wonderful sashimi and sushi at Japango at lunch the other day.....

Since I'll be in beautiful Montreal for Grand Prix please post where we should plan to watch the shucking and purchase the oysters!! (And do you take reservations for parties of 20?)

Had planned on a meal there in December -- didn't happen for various reasons! Please give us a full report as there will be a visit in my near future as well.

Aria, please tell us where you found these awesome zeppole!

Francois, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Ema tei. Marc, not sure where you are living. While it seems obvious that the best Japanese food would surely be in Japan, Toronto has an excellent representation of a number of cuisines such as Japanese, Chinese, Indian etc. based on our multicultural population.

And the food at Six Steps is very good. A great, casual after work place for drinks and food.

Brooks, I have enjoyed reading everything you've ever written. Two things will always stand out. First, your gumbo recipe. It choked me up on the first spoonful - it was EXACTLY the taste I'd had as a little girl, and never since. Thankfully some NO expats opened a cafe/store here in Toronto and I can now obtain crawfish, tasso and file. The gumbo recipe remains a favourite in our home. Secondly, your posts after Katrina were heartbreaking, touching, poignant and hopeful all at once. Rarely moved to tears, those posts did. Thank you so very much for sharing your experience. My continued best wishes for you and your families health and happiness. Oh, and third -- I finally tasted Abita Springs beer last year! woo hoo!

There's a poultry shop in Kensington that has lots of duck. SLM, any butcher, Whitehouse for duck fat and magret. Pusateris Oriental markets for whole duck or legs (T&T, etc) It's very prevalent in Toronto and the GTA, is there somewhere in particular in Ontario you are looking???? (It's a big place, lol)

Always up in a professional setting, hat too. Any chef I've worked for insists, and frankly, it's too damn hot to have it hanging down my back! Often up at home too, habit and convenience.

I did some dried favas the other week. They were horribly bitter and I'm not sure why. The beans were purchased from an Italian grocer and labelled as this years crop....

Wow, missed that, have been busy all day. Hope no one was injured.....

No, but I love Crispy Ginger Beef -- provided it's spicy.

IMHO stay as far away from the Purple Pig as possible, it is not good bbq!

Very odd, I've purchased them there before. Try calling them and speaking to someone in the office, as I assume you're looking for them in bulk. Otherwise, try your butcher, or if you're in Toronto any of the butchers at SLM should be able to help you.

I've purchased both (dried) at SLM, downstairs at Rube's. Cheese boutique has tinned/jarred flageolets.

May I suggest Maple Lodge farms, on Winston Churchill, north of Steeles? That should be right in your area.

Where on Eglinton, Justin?

Daniel, glad you enjoyed Montreal.....and I'm sure your "Canadian" friends appreciated your generosity. What cheeses did you purchase for them? I hope you were able to get some of the fabulous raw milk cheeses. What did you think of Snowden? I prefer Schwartz's personally, and I understand Lesters, although popular, is industrially curing the smoked meat now and the quality is the same as the cryovacced stuff shipped all over the place. Do tell us about your dinneras at APdeC and Joe Beef.....

Geoff, I have to agree with your assessment. My SO laughingly calls it the $90 store, because I never leave there under that (and we have a car and go at least once a month!) Thanks for the tip on the piquillo peppers, I've been looking for some - now tell me they're plain and I can stuff them! I think I'd have to agree with you about the best store in Toronto. It doesn't have everything, but what it does do, it does better than any other market in Toronto IMO. And oohhhhh the cheese room, I salivate just thinking of it! Hmm, have to be out that way on Sunday for a birthday dinner, must make a stop!

CB does have some prepared foods, but not many. However, they have a lovely eclectic produce section if you're going to cook yourself. May I recommend you try some of their Quebec raw milk cheeses if you haven't already? I also love their jalapeno, red currant and onion flatbread for snacking.

Malheureusement, returned home late and wanted something fairly quick, using the ingredients I had. Thus, pan seared duck with a sour cherry/red wine sauce. Delicious, but not different. What did you do, Lucy?

Mark, I highly suggest a trip to Cheese Boutique. I think I can safely promise you will be glad you did.