maxmillan

Thanks for the report...sounds absolutely must do! Mmmmmmmm...osso buco......

Man, I totally agree on that.

I tried DOV a couple of years ago. After reading last year's and this year's post, I've decided not to ever do it again. I go out to eat to relax and enjoy good service and food. This is just as bad as Boxing Day (of which I refuse to participate.) Both brings out my disdain with regards to greedy customers.

I'm looking for a tall brioche-like mold for making those light fluffy cakes that are sold in Chinese bakeries. The mold should be fluted like a 3 inch diameter brioche tin but taller, about 5 inches. Anyone who has eaten this angel food-like cake may know what I'm talking about. I don't even know what the Chinese bakeries use. Does it open from the side? Does it have a removable bottom? Your help is greatly appreciated.

I went back this evening to dine in at Spices Restaurant. I had the Imperial Roll again, deliciously fresh with lots of filling. It brought back memories of the Green Hut Restaurant that use to be on Robson Street. The appetizer beef noodle soup was an ample portion. The pork brochette was perfectly grilled with only a scant amount of burnt edges. The pork was very meaty, unlike other Vietnamese restaurants that are burnt almost to a crisp. The Chicken Hot Pot and Rice Pilaf could have been cooked longer in the ceramic pot but the dish was, otherwise, very tasty and not overly sauced or salty. My usual picky eating friend gave Spices Restaurant two thumbs up and would suggest his even pickier friends to try out this place. I'll definitely be going back to try their Hot and Sour soup and combos meals.

I received a $20 gift card for a meal at Figmint Restaurant and Lounge at the Horizon Hotel on 12th and Cambie. Anyone know how the food is? Their website is http://www.figmintrestaurant.com/index.php I'm guessing it's taken over the last restaurant that was there recently.

Did a take-out from Spices' Restaurant at 3346 Cambie St (at West 17th.) My sister ordered the Chicken Rice Pilaf in Hot Pot (not in the Hot Pot, of course, but in a styrofoam container which did not do this dish justice.) I ordered the deep fried Imperial Roll as a comparison with the other Vietnamese restaurants. I was pleasantly surprised at the freshness of the Imperial Roll; it was hardly greasy. There was ample filling and you get three rolls for $8.25 and comes with pickled cabbage and carrots which were sublime and not overly vinegary. The rice noodle had good texture and not like the cheap slippery type. Best of all, the dipping sauce looked like it was made in house. It did not taste fishy. The Chicken Rice Pilaf was also very good but I'll have to try it in the restaurant next time to get that crispy rice that comes with being cooked in a terra pot. Their phone is 604-876-6618 and I was told they opened two months ago so I don't think they'll be in the phone book. I'm definitely going to bring my picky friend to try this place out. Thanks to S for mentioning this restaurant. ; )

Bought a small stollen from Thomas Haas for $18. It is very sweet for a stollen. However, I thought stollens are supposed to be shaped like baby Jesus swathed in his blanket. This one is almost rectangular I've heard of Four Season's stollen. Is it too late to order? Does anyone know if I could simply buy a slice? Last year I faintly remember someone having tea with stollen at FS. Does Mixx bakery have stollens this year and is it good? Does Notte's Bon Ton have stollen? I hesitate to try it out as I thought their Pannetone was terrible. Does their stollen fair any better? Thought this thread needed a bump for the season.

Woooops. The weight of a box of Satsumas at Capers and Choices is 5 pounds at a cost of $15 and the size is the same as the individually sold mandarins which are $3.59 per pound.

I found some Satsumas at Capers and Choices. They were worth the price of $3.49 per pound. They had a bit of tartness but they were juicy and sweet. They are not as large as other mandarins but you can buy slightly larger ones in a 3lb box for $15. I believe they are from the states (as printed on the box.) I think this is my favorite and despite the high price, they will be the ones I buy for presents. Thanks for all your suggestions and keep them coming.

Just wondering, what type of mandarin were these? Thanks.

Does anyone know if I can still buy fresh garlic in Vancouver? I missed buying at the Farmer's Market and wonder if they are still available. THanks.

I've only been brushing my teeth, showering and washing my dishes with tap water and no ill effect. But I am running out of drinking and cooking water. My question, what kind of water are you getting when you fill up at the local Safeway, IGA, etc. Is it as safe as bottled? I understand you need more than a filter to have it drinkable. Any science specialists out there?

I'm asking my niece to bring back a bottle from New York and wondering if anyone can tell me how much it costs there. I know I can buy it here but want to know the price in New York. Thanks

Tried the Japanese oranges from Coscto and they were sweet and easy to peel with most of the membrane removed from the fruit. Tried the Korean mandarins from IGA and they were bland in comparison. A lot of the membrane remained on the oranges. Good thing I didn't buy a box. At least the IGA in my area has a refund policy if you find a rotten one on the bottom. You have to bring back the box with the rotten orange(s).

Have you checked Famous Foods on Kingsway? Their prices may be better than Capers. Plus, isn't there a chicken place along Commercial Drive (near 1st Avenue, next to the Kitchen Corner?) Last time I was there, they had organic chicken and it was very inexpensive.

Capers Community Market has them. They're cut into useful sizes in the refrigeration secion.

I'm looking for an ice pack/cooler pack that is cylindrical in shape to hold wine. What I want to do with it is to hold my fruit smoothie so I don't have to keep putting it back into the fridge. The only place I've seen it is in mail catalogues and they are pricey. They shouldn't be expensive as they are only ice/cooler packs. I checked the kitchen stores and I couldn't find any. I checked the liquor stores and they no longer carry them. I haven't checked the private wine stores but before I expend any more gas money, can someone direct me to a place where I can find one for sure? Thanks.

I like to buy a couple of boxes of mandarin oranges (preferably seedless) that are sweet and very juicy. I don't like any tartness. If I have to buy oranges with seeds to get that then so be it. People tell me Japanese mandarins are superior, others tell me that Korean mandarins are the best. So which is it? I bought some from Superstore and find it's not sweet enough. I think these were Chinese mandarins. I remember a few years ago I bought some from a grocery on West Broadway (West of MacDonald Street.) They were the best I've ever tasted. I'd appreciate your suggestions for stores in the Lower Mainland.

I found this site http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/recipes.as...es&orderby=name which was suppose to have a comparative recipe but it doesn't show up. Does anyone have a recipe? I've never made liqueur so I would appreciate the method. I don't plan to sell my hooch. I was interested in using it for baking. Thanks very much.

Thanks all for your suggestions. I'll be busy pouring over them and I'm sure there will be something I can use.

I need recipes for a child that is allergic to wheat, soy, and milk. I don't know if he is allergic to other common allergens such as corn, yeast, nuts, etc. I would like it in a book form so I can offer it as a gift to the parent. This child is not highly allergic but, rather, has negative reactions to the above food. As you know, children can be finicky eaters and I need tasty healthy recipes. I have found a couple of websites and sent those off. Thanks.

Thanks for the info. I'm disappointed. It was the closest to Paris' pastry that I can find in Vancouver. The croissants and danishes were absolutely heavenly. She obviously made it with love.

I found this bakery on Marine Drive in West Vancouver last year because it was mentioned in eGullet. The name and the exact address escapes me. I'm hoping someone can remind me. It's a couple blocks east of Savary Island Pie Company. It's within a quiet street off of Marine Drive. I believe the baker and/or owner is Iranian and she does wonderful French pastries, croissants, etc. Is it still there? Thanks for your help.

Okay, where is a good place to find fresh sardines? I know the season is over so I'm willing to buy frozen. Thanks.