maxmillan

The reports are disheartening. I was hoping to go soon, after anticipating it from the initial post date. I'd be too embarrassed to bring my friend there now after hearing these negative reviews. A couple of months ago I tried ordering a take-out (for me to pick up) and they said they were too busy?! They do offer this service so what the?

Thanks for the recipe offer Badiane, but I was hoping to buy pistachio ice cream. Guess I'll have to fork out some $$$ and get to a gelato place to buy a pint (no room in my freezer for the ice cream maker cannister.) Whenever I go to these places, it looks popular enough. Come on ice cream reps, put pistachio ice cream on the store shelves. There is enough chocolate and vanilla variety!

I know you can get great pistachio gelato everywhere. My question is why does Safeway, IGA, Superstore...not carry pistachio ice cream? Frankly, I'd like to get a tub of it (one to two litres.) Anyone seen this at the larger grocery chains?

I'm looking for matcha tea but one price I've seen on Denman is $28 for 30g or $128 for 200g!!!!! Is there any place in Vancouver that sells it for cheaper? Plus, can I simply use a good whisk to mix this instead of buying a $30 bamboo whisk made for matcha tea?

Quickly drove south on Main past 12th Ave and saw a new coffee shop, "Ethical Bean.......Cafe". It's right next to, ugh, Cobbs. Anyone know anything about this one?

This isn't a restaurant but it could sounds like one, "Taste Hair Salon" in Chinatown.

Does anyone know if any of these farms deliver/mail butter to your home?

Checked out the Ladner Village Market today and, boy, was it crowded! Bought 7 stalks of garlic from Gabriola Gourmet Garlic; they were selling fast. He also has pickled garlic, garlic chutney, etc. He can ship his garlic almost anywhere. Also bought several soft drink fountain dispenser. Good for those who want to prolong the bubbles in the 2 litre pop or anything carbonated. It's like a sprizter used for cocktails but these ones are plastic. Bought a loaf of garlic bread and feta/garlic bread from Fieldstone. Had a not-too-sweet chewy cinnamon roll from Blackberry Hill, who do business from their Marpole (Vancouver) location. Bought some sweet peas in pods but had to pass up the beautiful raspberries, nugget potatoes and carrots as my arms were full. There were only a few tables selling produce and the rest were basically crafts (most of which, I must say, were of very good quality.) For those into grandma/grandpa crafts, the pop can airplanes and the lady knitting tea cosies were there, too. Despite this, I like this market as the crowd were very pleasant and it was CLEAN! Later, we checked out the Broadway Greek Festival and was disappointed. I was looking forward to eating through many different food vendors. It was all generic -- exactly the same food, same price and long long lineups. I won't comment on the entertainment lest I offend someone. Should've stayed at Ladner longer or gone to the Jazz Festival instead.

I'm considering buying meat from this place. Does it still exist? Does anyone have good experiences with their purchase? Is the price reasonable? I don't normally buy meat but I'm slowly coming out of my vegetarian state. I know there are other good butchers in town but I am only interested in this place for now. Thanks!

Last week I had the omelette at Aphrodite on 3598 West 4th Ave Vancouver. Everything is organic and the majority of their organic seasonal produce is from their 50-acre organic farm east of Fort Langley. The eggs were fluffy and mixed with oyster, Portobello and cremini mushrooms and aged chedder. This was served with 4 thick slabs of multigrain toast made from their own baked bread -- perfect crunch and flavor. This was also served with an ample amount of seasoned organic yukon gold hash browns, the sweetest I've ever tasted. My finicky friend gave this place the thumbs up. Atmosphere is great, very relaxed Birkenstock kind of crowd in a cottage-like interior. My initial reason for going was for their pies which I had after breakfast. The apple pie had a gooey viscosity which I didn't like. Nor did I like their choice of apples. I think it may have been too much thickener and the apples were too tart for my taste. But I would go back to try their other pies and desserts as the berries are from their farm as well. Their brunch is served from 11am - 4pm. The dinner menu looks good, too.

I have the same question about the frozen meat. Does anyone recommend any good vendors (lamb, beef, etc.) Or am I better off going to a good butcher in town?

Last year I visited the Ladner Village Market. I know they have a lot of craft things but they had a garlic stand with the best garlic I've ever seen. Also, one young woman had the best honey I've ever tasted (and I dislike honey.) They do have the vegetables, fruits, cheese, meat, etc stands as well. Their first day is this Sunday June 12. http://www.southdeltaleader.com/portals-co...id=440803&more= Plus, you can go pick fresh assorted berries nearby.

I went to Darby's to purchase Burrowing Owl and asked the clerk a few questions. He was too stupid to answer most of them but I'm guessing that's due to lack of experience as he looked like he just came out of high school. Is this what I am to expect from private stores? These were very basic questions that every govt clerks can answer. I know Marquis and Liberty have knowledgeable staff. If privatization takes over, I hope they have good beer and wine stock and pay well for knowledgeable staff.

Selection is the same and the prices are higher.

I walked into a liquor store on Cambie and 18th and thought the prices were quite high. Talking with the clerk, I found out it was a private store. From the outside to the inside it is set up like a BC govt liquor store. The sign on the door said they are are opened again, as they were closed two months ago. This closing was due to privitization. This is totally misleading the public. I go to the BC govt store because the prices are lower than the private stores. Unsuspecting customers will be paying more at what they thought is a govt liquor store.

Graduated from PICA 5 years ago with a pastry certificate. I felt the school was a total rip-off. Basic skill like pastry cream, doughs, bread, pies, etc could have been condensed into 6 weeks instead of the 6 months of torture. They do not prepare you well for the real work world. I don't know about the recent staff this year, but PICA had some teachers quit or fired. These disruptions were bad for the students, leaving them without a chef, or as in my case, having Walter teach the pastry class, which, BTW, is NOT his specialty. During my one week practicum, I did not get to use my pastry skills as I was sent to a kitchen cutting vegetables. Walter and Sue seem more interested in marketing their school to get suckers to pay $10,000 than looking out for the student's or the industry's best interest. (Hmmm, is that why they have so many foreign students?) Through working with other people after graduation, I was told that employers prefer to hire students from VCC as these graduates are better prepared and they have a lower snob quotient. Plus, VCC have a list of potential employers looking for graduates, unlike PICA. Personally, I know more successful graduates from VCC and Dubrulle. I'd spend my money on VCC and use the remainder to upgrade in the one/two week classes offered by NW, PICA or Dubrulle.

Picked strawberries yesterday at No. 4 Road and Steveston. One dollar per pound and decent strawberries. However, next to this farm is Featherstones, my usual haunt, and they are opened TODAY!!!! Their strawberries are usually good and they cost around $1.10 a pound. As I said last year, BC strawberries are not as sweet as I remember. They are better than US strawberries still, but I'm finding there's is almost no difference now. Have BC changed the type of seeds they're using? Good luck with the picking. It looks like another good week left if the weather holds out.

Totally agree with you on this. Plus, parking is usually terrible. I find prices no different or more than my local West side stores. Plus, I enjoy looking around at various stores rather than do the one stop shopping, particularly the ethnic stores.

There are lots of Chinese restaurants that opens late. One near my neighbourhood is Kwong Chow Chinese Restaurant on Main and 16th, or Congee Noodle House on Main and Broadway. A good Korean hole-in-the-wall is Ma Dang Coul. I believe they open late on Fridays and weekends but they didn't have the closig time on their window. I'm guessing this is due to unpredictable late student diners. They're located on 847 Denman Street. 604-688-3585

Is Chretien in town?

I don't find the stock salty. It depends on how much you use. I don't follow the direction because I simply add by taste.

You can also get your fill of dessert at the Sat June 4th "There She Goes" charity bake sale for the Food Bank. Mix Bakery, Lilykate and a few others will be involved so I'm bringing a basket Bake Sale information HERE

I had the feature Kolachy yesterday, slow roasted, glazed pork loin with apple. It was dry and tasteless. However, the pastry is good. Although the pastry is different, it seems very similar to Chinese steamed buns. I'll have to try other flavors to give it a fair trial. The soup sounds delicious tho.

Upon reading this thread my friend and I went to Lilykate to try the recommended coconut cake and we graded it C+ at best. The sponge was dry and the icing too sweet which overpowered the cake. However, we think it's a great place to hang out.

Picked up my copy at the liquor store. They've placed it in the rack meant for the Cityfood paper. I love it! Frankly, I think it's a much more worthwhile read than Cityfood. With the exception of the last two publications, Cityfood has focused too much advertisement and articles on wine and not enough on food. Initially it was difficult to find Eat but now it seems to be everywhere I go -- Choices, Capers...great work on getting this out. Thanks!