paul mitchell

Riomaggiore on Cinque Terre. It's probably mentioned in there somewhere but it is the best place on earth.

Merlin: I heard somewhere that Cafe Brio is starting up some sort of charcuterie menu (including house made sausage and pates) for the spring - myself and my chef are going down on a whirlwind couple of days in Vic as well on the 24th so any heads up on your visit would be appreciated - I've been out in the woods around my house on the island picking fiddleheads in the last week so I'm sure you might find some good ones in Victoria - maybe even some new morrels if your lucky.

I just feel so sorry for those poor Calgarians that have nothing better to throw on the ice but cow tongues (see Tuesdays National Post page A3) - at least us BC folk have a decent sockeye salmon, weathervane scallop or spotted prawn to toss onto the rink in indignation.

1) Jello mold 2) Twister 3) ..........big salad bowl for keys.

Thanks for the post Foodie.

It's Vegas! The place was built on the artificial greenback. $100 placed in the right paw would do it.

I just made duck confit. I will send crackling wrapped in non-descript brown paper to whomever needs their fix for $35 a gram.

Are Matsutake mushrooms "Pine Mushrooms"?

Hey Coop, where might I pick it up?

Easy - have respect for who your eating with - be gracious - it's all about the giving (even if it's passing the peas) - be thankful for what's in front of you to eat - thankful for those who have chosen to be with you - mind your p's and q's cause you'll look like a dumb fuck if you are rude (which will lead to no more invites and you couldn't pull such a dinner off by yourself) - even if your 17 and you don't really care still inquire and ask your old Uncle Frank what his takes are on things - you might learn something - cause it's round tables where the best things that make sense of this life are learned.

Well it's not quite a dish but this afternoon I'm making stock. When I'm draining it you can't go wrong with scooping that soft marrow out of the bones with a spoon and giving thanks.

That's funny you mentioned the event. My dear cousin has just come down from Penticton and were having dinner tonight. I'll have to ask her about it as she works the front desk for a hotel in Narmata.

I keep reading in posts about people drinking a Cava. Is it some sort of champagne named Cava for the region it's made? Thanks Paul

Hey Barolo if your still out there I appreciate the reply even if it was on feb 4th - what a thorough and informed commentary - I will tip my glass to you. Paul

You need stems - where else to hold the glass be able to look fucking posh?

I have to sadly admit that I grew up on china lilly and I take my little bottle of it to sushi whenever I go.

In Victoria you've also got to take a look at Cafe Brio. For Dim Sum I'd go to Don Mee in Chinatown in Victoria. It's been there for 80 plus years. The wine shop mentioned on Cook Street is an all VQA B.C. wines - if your interested in trying some Vancouver Island wines try to find anything from Godfrey-Brownell (Duncan) - their estate Pinot Noir and french oak chardonnay are really good - when I was at the winery at christmas he was also bottling a blackberry sparkler - another good one to look for is Alderlea wines. Zambri's is also highly recommended. Funny location but once you see their tasting menu you'll see past the locale. For an afternoon drink I have fond memories of sitting in the Bengal Room of the Fairmont Empress. Origionally a CP hotel, a little touristy but fun to relive a bygone area. Another idea is to take a walk along the Seawall (runs paralell around the harbour on Dallas Road) there is a good little lunch place (can't remember name) on the water by the Breakwater. It's the only business on the seawall so you won't miss it. Enjoy the Island. If you ever decide to head a little north towards Nanaimo or beyond I would happily give you ideas of what to do, where to eat, where to stay.

In Victoria you've also got to take a look at Cafe Brio. For Dim Sum I'd go to Don Mee in Chinatown in Victoria. It's been there for 80 plus years.

.....maybe three months ago there was an incredible infusion thread somewhere here in egullet. I made watermelon jolly rancher infused vodka and the girls are still batting their eyes at me across the bar.

I serve a five to six course dinner every evening and pair wines to it. Our guests will have a glass of champagne or cocktail before dinner and a cognac, port etc.. to finish. Even the most conservative guest is going to have 7 glasses of wine / liquor in front of them. That's why we do 2 ounce pours of wine for our pairing. I think any more than that in a restaurant is too much. Restaurants should also drop the cost if there's a smaller pour. I feel limited sometimes in restaurants to take the flights at $30 - $40. Also say if I'm going to have a beer and a apertif before dinner and the flight and then port / icewine to finish your loaded by that time. A nice gesture I use is to top glasses up. Say the first course has been cleared, the 2nd wine comes out, guests have a taste and talk about the wine, they wait a few minutes for the 2nd course and half the wine is gone. When the course goes down I give another ounce pour. Especially with whites it is nice to get a bit of a cool refreshment to the glass. Also the guest has the option of saying no. It's all about thinking of ways to make it a more fluid experience for the guest as well as them feeling that they're being doted upon.

After re-reading your post I'm wondering if your coming with kids in tow? If so I might modify my post.

Oh My, I can't believe I'm the first B.C.'er to jump on this - to your questions. 1) Bis Moreno has a great pasta tasting menu - I took the advice of my fellow egulleters and tried it out - also Umberto Menghi's Il Giardino is top Notch. 2) C Restaurant - they've got the connections for fish. 3) Go to Granville Island Market for lunch. Buy a little bit here, a little bit there from each purveyor / stand. 4) I'm not a coffee drinker. I only drank coffee once (trying to get laid) and I puked. But I know that a little trip to commercial drive to see the Italian boys and their cafe's is a good idea. There is also a crazy gelato place on the drive with like 200 flavours (Mario's Gelati?) 5) Villa De Lupo for dinner. Good stuff. 6) For a drink or afternoon snack go to Bacchus at the Wedgewood Hotel. Just off Robson Street. A great place to unwind. Enjoy yourself in Vancouver. Anything you want to know we'll set you up.

A bit of advice to waiters or support staff reading this thread on tuiles. Never refer to tuiles as toulies (with a manner like your referring to transvestites) - your chef will not appreciate it - cause in all cases were not expected to know shit - we're just serving it.

Well I've got a lot of suggestions for kid mocktails.

Beans I'm from the way out in the boonies north (meaning Canada) so could you give me an idea of how to make "sanding sugars" or where I could purchase those over the net - neat idea - whish I could visualize how to pull them off.