Mooshmouse

This is exactly what my Uncle does with his pans and stove grates. Puts them into a small bucket with the ammonia solution, seals the whole works up in a garbage bag and lets it sit in his garage. Apparently it works like a hot damn.

The Vancouver Courier Saturday, March 4 edition Wine should be good, clean and fair – "Cioppino owner Pino Posteraro talks wine and food with Slow Food proponent and winery president Vincenzo Ercolino, visiting from Italy." (Tim Pawsey) After a 20-year tenancy, the Okanagan Wine Shop on Granville Island was forced to close its doors by landlord CHMC. Edited to correct a formatting inconsistency.

Vancouver Magazine March 2005 edition Diner: Main Attraction – Habit and Aurora lead the culinary charge on Main Street. (Jamie Maw) King of Crabs – Jamie Maw keeps a'carapace of this delectable crustacean at Sun Sui Wah. Main Street Restaurants: Eat! Eat! Eat! – Jamie Maw proffers this laundry lists of dining spots. The Vancouver Courier Wednesday, March 1 edition Landmark a hot spot for hot pot – At this Cambie Street eatery, "[h]ot pot is the main event... with every table equipped with handy built-in burners, ready to house the ying and yang pot, divided between a gently spicy satay soup and clear chicken based broth." (Tim Pawsey) "S&W Pepper House... hidden away in Burnaby's Crystal Mall, just west of Metrotown... [is a] no-nonsense, busy spot with... hearty mainland fare and generous plates..." (Tim Pawsey) SunLock Garden serves Mandarin fare in the former Vong's Kitchen spot on Fraser Street. (Tim Pawsey) The Georgia Straight Thursday, March 2 edition Best Eating: Superfoods undiet kick-starts good intentions – Capers' new month-long eating plan shifts the focus from processed food to "ingredients just as they come from the orchard or ocean." (Angela Murrills) Dining: Opening Libby's meant stewing over details – "Stephanie McNulty wanted Libby’s to be a go-to spot in the Trout Lake ‘hood." (Angela Murrills) Uncorked: Thumbs cautiously up for new Jackson-Triggs – "Last fall, the first four releases from [the SunRock Vineyards'] portfolio hit the street. Street may not be the best term—as higher-end wines, these are ones you have to seek out, and in the case of at least two of them, it’s a quest worth taking." (Jurgen Gothe) Food of the Week: The Kitchen Diaries (Angela Murrills) Drink of the Week: Malt whiskies of Bruichladdich (Jurgen Gothe) Straight Goods: Hola la – "New Mexican hot spot Hola Churro!... has fast garnered a following for its muy auténtico hot chocolate (made with water)." (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Westerly swells – "The newly opened, swellegant Ocean Club at 100 Park Royal in West Vancouver delivers on every front." (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Fishnets – Cannery Seafood House celebrates 35 years in business with value-priced three-course lunches and dinners until month's end. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Shifting pints[sic] – The doors of Sean Heather's new Limerick Junction Pub are now open to those in search of a cleansing ale. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Organics on screen – Helen Rezanowich’s documentary “Outstanding in Her Field” screens this Wednesday as part of FarmFolk/CityFolk and Pro Organics' International Women’s Day Celebration of Women in B.C.’s Organic Industry.(Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: New end to weekend – As of March 5, Chambar is serving dinner seven nights a week. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: D'hote-ing on French food – Salade de Fruits Café offers weekly prix-fixe dinners. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) The Westender Thursday, March 2 edition (Lifestyles section) Chocoatl's all about the buzz – Andrew Morrison satisfies his sweet tooth at Yaletown's newest spot for a chocolate fix. The Globe and Mail Friday, March 3 edition An easy habit to break – Alexandra Gill lambasts Main Street's Habit as "a lame place on Main that falls far below the plain." Feenie is just fine – Alexandra Gill notes Edwyn Kumar's departure from Nu and return to Lumière Restaurant and Feenie's Bistro.

Lo and behold, here’s a collection of photos from our Tasting Dinner on Rare’s Opening Night. Sazerac & Mojito Just two of many, many pre-dinner cocktails consumed at our table. Chef Brian... Master of His Domain Amuses-bouches: Scallop Tartare, Oregon hedgehog (?) mushrooms and black-truffle-filled crisps with a drizzle of balsamic reduction Lobster Salad with Smoked Steelhead Caviar / Addition of Cauliflower Soup infused with White Truffle Oil Wine Pairing: Grant Burge 2004 Unoaked Chardonnay Damn, this was an outstanding dish. BCinBC, I know you felt that the roe overpowered the delicate soup, but I really enjoyed the smoky flavour counterpoint. Hedgehog Mushroom Ravioli topped with truffle foam and served with a Rosso wine reduction Pheasant Confit and Rabbit Liver Pâté served with brioche, pickled mushroom and kumquat Wine Pairing: Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir (2003 or 2004?) The rabbit pâté was a little too rich for my palate, but my tastebuds were rejoicing over the rillette was excellent. And the Stoneleigh Pinot Noir was outstanding. Blood Orange Seltzer Wild Spring Salmon, cooked unilaterally and served with hedgehog mushrooms in a fennel broth Wine Pairing: the rest of our Grant Burge 2004 Unoaked Chardonnay The salmon dish was nothing short of stellar. As I savoured my first bite, I swore that the heavens opened and a choir of angels began singing. I'd go back for this dish alone. Perfectly crisped skin, sweet and rare in the centre, accompanied by an elegant, subtle broth. Genius, sheer genius. Smoked Sablefish, milk poached and served with Quadra Island clams and fiddlehead ragout Wine Pairing: the rest of our Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir Panni cotti foam with Caramelized Hazelnuts Rare Cheeses served with olive crostini, walnuts, kumquats and a drizzle of balsamic reduction Chef Quang reviewing the cheese selection: Queso de Cabra al Vino, Idiazabal, Manchego, Valdeon Blue, Portugese Semi-soft, Artisanal French Camembert Brian, Tim, Quang and the rest of the Rare One crew: thank you for your graciousness and allowing us to share in the excitement of your Opening Night. Wishing you many more successful evenings to come!

So, Brian, your Grand Opening is a little more than 24 hours away. How are the nerves? You had the opportunity to work out a few kinks at your Saturday dry run. Are there any last-minute "i"s to dot or "t"s to cross before the doors officially open? You've come a looooooooooong way, baybee, and I can't wait to see what you have in store when the curtain rises for the Opening Act. Congratulations in advance!

It's the Railspur Alley Café and Bistro. I dropped by one Friday morning to check it out, but service was excruciatingly slow and I ended up seeking caffeine at JJBean. Will try again another day.

Today's edition of The Daily CityFood mentions the inventory sale on now through Tuesday, February 28 at Les Amis du Fromage.

Toshi's.

The Globe and Mail Friday, February 24 edition The 100-mile gourmet – Chef Andrea Carlson of Raincity Grill reinforces her commitment to locally sourced ingredients by introducing a five-course tasting menu that uses "only foods -- and wine -- that are grown, raised or processed within a 100-mile radius of the restaurant." (Alexandra Gill) The Vancouver Courier Sunday, February 26 edition Tips on what to taste at the Wine Festival – Tim Pawsey gives us a heads-up on "the wine world's best and brightest" attending this year's Festival. Burrito biz booming – Together with partner Tracy Huang, Tony Riviera realizes his three-year-old dream of opening a Mexican fast-food restaurant in Vancouver with plans to open outlets across the country. (Heike Kilian)

Gotta say, I'm of very mixed opinion on this. As a student in the September instalment of the Serious Foodie Course and an active participant in this thread, there is a definite up-side to posting class synopses and photos here, especially when it comes to providing nuggets of Chef Tony's wisdom that may encourage people to take the course themselves. However, there is such a thing as "giving away the farm" in offering up too much information on the topics that are covered in class. Once that line is crossed, I feel that it becomes a disincentive for people to sign up for Serious Foodie and take it themselves. Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? That's why I've never posted any of Chef Tony's recipes or posted any in-depth detail on the techniques that he's teaching: it would eliminate some of the primary benefits of cooking under his direct tutelage at Northwest. I realize that there'll be a lot of dissenters on this issue, but that's my two cents' worth.

The Vancouver Courier Thursday, February 23 edition Napa winery one to Select – "Refreshingly down-to-earth, Shafer stopped by the Vancouver Club recently to pour some new releases-not to mention a mini vertical of celebrated Hillside Select wines from 1998-2001." (Tim Pawsey) "Hugh Johnson's Wine: A Life Uncorked is a rambling, entertaining memoir of the British wine writer's (known best for his Wine Atlas and Pocket Wine Book) whirl through the wine world." (Tim Pawsey) "A Chilean name to note: Casa Silva/Dona Dominga–at BCLS specialty and some private wine stores." (Tim Pawsey) The Georgia Straight Thursday, February 23 edition Dining: Rare flora gets sexy seeding – Sandy Grey's organic heirloom vegetable seeds and award-winning flower honey will be available for purchase this weekend at VanDusen Botanical Garden’s 17th annual Seedy Saturday. (Matthew Burrows) Uncorked: Name gamer blasts wines out of obscurity – "Renaming, repositioning, taking a product (preferably a wine or winery) out of obscurity and into the spotlight—that’s Hadley-Beauregard’s stock-in-trade. So…dynamited churches, inkblot illustrations, ticker-tape graphics, and steaming stacks of linen. Now we’re talking. And people are talking, big time." (Jurgen Gothe) Recipes: Black Bean Express Food of the Week: Vancouver's first Mardi Gras (Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Hello sin – Chocoatl woos the sweet of tooth and the weak of will. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Flavour of the month – Chef Karen Barnaby features Spanish food as part of her culinary "world tour" at The Fish House in Stanley Park. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: B.C. takes gold – Diva at the Metropolitan's Laura Sharpe comes out on top in The Next Great Chef . (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Fat tuesday [sic] – Order a pannekoek at any De Dutch outlet (www.dedutch.com/) on Shrove Pannekoek Tuesday (February 28), and $2 will be donated to the annual De Dutch Inspiration for the Cure breast cancer fundraiser. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Fine frites – Chef Daniel Thomas's newly opened Bistro 1754 already has a crew of regulars. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Fab feasts – Tickets are still available for a handful of Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival dinners. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) The Westender Thursday, February 23 edition (Lifestyles section) A bumper crop of eateries to please – Andrew Morrison lists the newest establishments on Vancouver's culinary front.

Here are two existing threads that should be of help: Best Greek in Vancouver (or the general area) Roast lamb needed, pref. Greek

It's Jimmy's Tap House, slated to open in early March. Read more about it in the February 10 edition of The Daily CityFood.

There's always Senhor Rooster on Rupert. ← I'm not Arne, but I'm glad that you enjoyed your meal.

The subject of currywurst was bandied about last summer. Though it's well outside of Vancouver, Badiane noted that she'd found some in Chilliwack in this post. Hopefully she's done some reconnaissance since then and can provide us with more details.

Thanks, everyone, for your input! Plain nori or ajitsuke nori is, indeed, what I'm after. During my initial look through the aisles that had prompted this question in the first place, I guessed that Japanese nori was superior to Korean nori for some reason and am quite happy that sanrensho has prompted me to try the latter. I also spotted the Chitsuruya Nori that tokyogurumegal mentioned and was quite attracted to this idea since the individually wrapped single servings would keep the nori fresh and crispy. Though I was originally at T&T, rest assured that I'll be heading down the hill to Fujiya for further reconnaissance and will be sure to report back. Thanks again!

There's always Senhor Rooster on Rupert.

The Vancouver Courier Friday, February 17 edition Trafalgars does drunch – "The increasingly noteworthy sibling to Sweet Obsession recently unveiled "Drunch"-a hybrid fusion of lunch and dinner that in our book adds up to one of the tastiest ways to be comestibly productive." (Tim Pawsey) Chef Andrea Carlson is now offering a 100-Mile Tasting Menu, based on a project created by journalists Alisa Smith and James MacKinnon, now through March at Raincity Grill.

The Vancouver Courier Wednesday, February 15 edition Sonoma has the best of both worlds – "In the bottle, Sonoma has the best of both worlds: a lengthy growing season with ideal cool climate influence from reliable maritime fogs that drive acidity. But Napa's neighbour is also remarkable for the incredible range of varieties that it manages to do well." (Tim Pawsey) The Georgia Straight Thursday, February 16 edition Best Eating: Maman et papa create crave-inducing crepes – Eric and Isabelle Spence offer up true Gallic charm and top-notch food at La Bretagne Crêperie. (Angela Murrills) Dining: Food safety an Olympic challenge – Nick Losito, Vancouver Coastal Health authority regional director for health protection, has a lot of ground to cover before the 2010 Winter Games. (Matthew Burrows) Uncorked: Larch Hills is alive with cool-climate wines – Jurgen Gothe offers his condensed tasting notes from the portfolio of this Salmon Arm winery. Food of the Week: Senova (Angela Murrills) Drink of the Week: Shaftbury Winter Nights Black & Tan (Jurgen Gothe) At the Checkout: Jackie Dang / Donald's Market Straight Goods: Italian dalliance – Jurgen Gothe hosts Tuscany, the upcoming Victoria Symphony fundraiser, from June 4 to 14. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Choucroute toute – Tickets are still available for Michel Jacob's 22nd annual Choucroute Garnie au Riesling dinner being held on March 8. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Mumbo gumbo – Head over to Ouisi Bistro before month's end for a little taste of Mardi Gras. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Brews news – Check out the results of The Vancouver chapter of Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) first annual beer awards. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Fantasy island – Rogers' Chocolates now open for business on Granville Island. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Unsung underwater – Frank Pabst hosts the Blue Water Café's second annual celebration of those Unsung Heroes of the Sea now through February 28. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Fusion feast – Don't miss Edible BC's East Meets West dinner at Red Star Restaurant on Tuesday, February 21. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) Straight Goods: Waits guaranteed – Heart Attack & Vine is Barbara Steden and Michael Norman’s newly-opened eatery just off of Broadway on Vine. (Judith Lane and Angela Murrills) The Westender Thursday, February 16 edition (Lifestyles section) Mexican heat warms up Davie Village – Andrew Morrison finds a few misses but many hands-down hits at Lolita's. The Globe and Mail Friday, February 17 edition An old dog shows off his new tricks – The Smoking Dog enjoys "a new leash on life" with Jean Séguin and Judith Andrews at the helm.

No. But out of respect and a sense of propriety, I opted not to take any photos in the test kitchen proper. I do, however, have a nice shot of Chef Julian in the fridge. I currently have a cold and hay fever and feel like death warmed over. Will resurface with the photos soon, I hope.

I'm a huge nori fan. When I order the deconstructed tuna maki at Hapa Izakaya or negitoro at Gyoza King, I end up noshing on the nori itself and eating the fish separately. That being said, I was totally stumped this morning while standing in the aisle of my friendly neighbourhood(ish) T&T. Confronted with a huge array of nori packages, I had no idea if one brand name was preferable to the others. Perhaps one of you who's better educated in the nuances of Japanese food products available in Vancouver than I am could point me in the right direction as far as which brand of nori is best for snacking. Thanks in advance.

Right you are, Ducky. As noted in this blurb from the Georgia Straight, BC liquor stores are offering significant markdowns on older or discontinued stock in order to make room for the new.

What were the reviews on the Ponzu flavour, Kris?

Kristin, I've never seen these before. Are they pure chocolate or chocolate-coated cookies?

Zuke, if you don't feel like slogging all the way to Richmond on city transit, you can always pick up a few of these. This is kutsinta, the Filipino version of Malaysian kueh. It's available at any of the Filipino food stores along Fraser Street, at Aling Mary's on Main at 11th and at Goldilocks on Granville Street at Fir. I picked up a dozen for Ian on Saturday and he's mowed through all but three of them.