Daddy-A

I've done this myself far too often . I have to do my mise now, especially if it's something a bit more complicated. If I'm cooking a full-on meal for "J" or friends (or both) I'll even plan out my timing ... when to start the noodles, when to take out the roast to let it rest. Les Halles Cookbook was a big help for me in that department. A.

A brunch at Marinaside would certainly fit the bill ... unless it was my mom I was dining with, I'd NEED a lot of wine to make it through! Personally (and not to rain on your thread) Mother's Day is right up there with Valentine's Day as days NOT to go visit a restaurant. I'd always cook brunch for mom at home. Perhaps a morning of shopping at Granville Island ... coffees, fruit salad, a little nosh at Oyama (is nosh in season?) etc etc. Then go home and cook. A.

I eat at Shiro a lot. I know it's a bit out of the way for you Deborah, but I think it's worth it. Here's my report from my Blog (CLICK) Cummon Sam. Don't hold back ... tell us how you really feel! A.

From the Vancouver Sun: Link to the BOOK Link to Evoke ID Link to AFTERglow A.

I dunno ... Solly's is good, no doubt. But I enjoy Siegel's as much as Solly's. Sure, Solly's (off Main) "feels" better as a bakery, in an authentic kinda way. Bagel vs. bagel, last time I checked it was a draw. A.

James, I did post a review on our visit to Savory Coast here (CLICK) I'm wondering ... why are you so interested that we're not interested? A.

The farmed salmon from BC is Atlantic salmon. Fish farms in BC don't use Pacific species. Seems the Atlantic fish is better suited (on a cost analysis basis I'm assuming) for farming. For me, the "taste" factor, although it does come into play, is secondary to the environmental issues. Farmed fish could taste superior, and I still wouldn't eat it. A.

I don't know that they've ever been offered. Gord had the taco press and every intention to use it ... but they were so busy right from the get go that adding yet another item to the menu would have just bigged down the works. I agree ... that would be a nice addition to their repetoire. A.

They must all be in Japan then. There is almost no diet here, I have seen diet occasioanlly in stores but almost never in vending machines. Kris ... my wife "J" and I have really been enjoying this. "J" works with a guy who's wife is from Japan (not sure where exactly) and has forwarded the link to him so they can enjoy a virtual visit back home. I've heard a lot about the vending machines in Japan and some of the different items they offer. Any chance of a couple pictures of some of the vending machines? A.

Any thoughts on Thai Away Home? There's one just up the street from the office, and before I ran into Mooshmouse & the Lunch Club it was one of my weekly haunts. Had lunch there yesterday ... picked up my usual Pad Thai & Salad and noticed a couple things: The price had gone up There was only one prawn .. used to be two. Other than that, the pad thai is passable. Not the best I've had, but not too expensive and pretty quick (sometimes very important for me). Yet I've never eaten anything else there. Is it worth another trip? A.

And here I thought the topic name referred to the Weber "Bullet" Smoker I need help A.

I can probably answer that a little more accurately for you as we're both in the same city Granite tiles (12" x 12") can retail anywhere from $1 a piece for discontinued tiles, to $30 a piece for primo colours from a granite shop. Figure out how many square feet you'll need (be sure to add about 20% to allow for cutting and breakage) then go check out local tiles stores ... even home centres. You can expect to pay around $12-$15 per square foot on average, less if the line is discontinued, or not a good seller. PM me if you need help in finding sources. A.

Unless the web site is wrong Cru isn't open for lunch . Salad des Fruits would fit the "lite" criterium best IMO. A.

The other point made in each review I have read (Sun/Straight) was that it seemed a bit pricey. I believe one quote was something along the lines of "$19 is a lot for 4 ravioli". Having seen the menu (but not the actual portions) I'd be inclined to agree. A.

Shhhhhhh! Keep it down or they'll ALL be over here! Remember, Western Canada starts west of Lake of the Woods. A.

I'm a tomato soup person myself. But if pressed into the confines of this thread , I suppose the coleslaw would work okay. As was mentioned earlier, give the customer a choice. But honestly, can you really force someone to finish what's on their plate? I know that's not what glenn is suggesting, but there are just some people who will always leave something on their plate. Personaly, I leave the parsley. A.

Didn't Northern Pikes sing She Ain't Pretty? (This did start off as a thread abut the Juno's after all ) A.

Really enjoying this thread, and it got me to thinking ... Wouldn't this make a great eGullet gathering? I for one would like to hear more about Ocean Wise and what restaurants like C are doing to participate. And if it means a good meal and a couple bottles of BC grape, so be it! Jamie and I are willing to organize. Leonard, would you and Harry be willing to host? If anyone is interested in something like this, please PM me (not in forum please) and we'll see what we can set up. A.

I think you'll find (I could be wrong on this) that you can't use charcoal inside ... too much of a carbon monoxide issue. At the very least, the code requirements for ventialtion would put costs out of reach for most. Again, I could be wrong A.

The hockey comment was the only inflammatory thing I've read so far ... A.

Vince, my only question is will you be sharing Thomas Haas's creations with the Montreal Artigiano, or will you be keeping them for us here in Vancouver? Surely with a machiatto from you and a cookie from Hass you'd be golden no matter where you openned! Good luck in Montreal! A.

That's the second picture I've seen with the kids showing what I assume to be the "peace" sign. Does that gesture have the same meaning in Japan, or is it something else? Cute kids btw ... especially that shot of Hide with the ice cream! A.

Seems I've been a busy diner lately ... Saturday was my shift to work the showroom, so, as is my tradition, I went out for breakfast beforehand. Remembering the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen at Cafe Artigiano (during my foodblog visit) I decided to return for a proper meal. I had my usual cappuccino (large) and a Croque Madame. The sandwich was really nice, although I personally would have preferred a little less mornay sauce (which I correctly identified as bechemel with cheese ) and a few more fried 'taters. Still, very filling, good taste, and the coffee was great as always. Sunday, a visit to Savoury Coast after a downtown shopping trip with "J" (we bought a new sharpenning steel for ourselves, and some Henkels as a wedding gift for a friend ... though you might want to know.) Now I know we should focus on the food, but the room ... well, let's just say it's not my kinda decor. I had never been to Setabello (sp?) but "J" had, and noted they hadn't done a lot to change it. I just found it too cliché Mediteranean ... but the patio does look very inviting. Perhaps this summer. The food however was very much to my liking. We started with the Buffalo Carpaccio and the Calimari. Both were excellent. We shared the risotto with dungeness crab, fresh snap peas and a carrot reduction. YUMMMMMM! Wash all that down with a 1/2 litre of Blasted Church Rosé and you have two nicely fed, slightly sleepy, shoppers. I'm looking forward to dinner on the patio there this summer. Today, lunch with peppyre at HSG. Shared a pear/stilton salad, and each had a bowl of Roasted Tomato Soup. A while back, jamiemaw said to me that he often guages a restaurant by its soups. Being a soup lover myself, I have started this habit myself. Neil's soups are a true reflection of both the man, and his retaurant. No, not red and hot! He's proud to serve them, and he has good reason to. A.

Awesome blog Tammy! Been following along silently here. My kids are much older so I didn't have much to add ... but it sure brought back memories! Watch out for the post-blog-blues! A.

Awesome idea! Pokey & iced coffee for breakfast! I knew there was a way to work Pokey into that one remaining meal. I'll try to follow along at home with your daily flavour. Really looking forward to this Kristin. A.