SBonner

Ah...Parkside: one of Vancouver's gem's. Glad you all enjoyed it. I have nothing but praise for the food, service, and ambiance. Cheers, Stephen

The Empress for ambiance but the White Heather for better nibbles. My last trip to the Empress I was not impressed with their tea (it was a tea bag in the pot) what the hell is that all about? It's loose leaf or nothing when it comes to tea. Cheers, Stephen

Not knowing the marinades, sauces and etc... I would recommend an Alsace Riesling, Splatese Riesling, or a good concentrated Aussi Clare Valley Riesing. Cheers, Stephen Bonner Vancouver

I do agree that the Fat Duck puts you in a state of bliss and we will always have a great memory as well. I have to admit my wife and I have a soft spot for "C" we had a wedding luncheon there nine years ago with 60 friends and family and we have eaten there every anniversay save one which was at El Bulli. Cheers, Stephen

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Nice run down on the degustation menu. I've eaten at Lumiere, Fat Duck, El Bulli, and Tetsuya's and I would put the "C" degusation menu in the same field in the order of Tetsuya's, The Fat Duck, Lumiere, El Bulli, and C. For a city of our size I'm convinced "C" and Lumiere are gems to be appreciated at low prices compared to the above mentioned establishments. The wine list at "C" is better than Lumiere and service second to none. To get back to the subject heading; no I do not think "C" is overrated. Cheers, Stephen

Nice run down on your trip. I'm a big fan of Oregon Pinot Noir. Thanks, Stephen Bonner Vancouver

Aurora Bistro on Main Street is a great visit to experience B.C. cuisine and wine. Stephen

Cuisine magazine is actually almost $10 Cdn to buy per issue. I would never expect a free magazine of that calibre in any country. I think our size is not of importance (postage is a standard rate nationally) and our population is primarily city based acoss the nation as is the advertsing market audience. I think New Zealander's travel alot more than the average Canadian and have a much larger appreciation of wine, food, and travel which generates interest in a world class magazine. Stephen

Everyday drinking I'd opt for the Leashingham Classic Shiraz or Wolf Blass Gold Label Riesling. Here in B.C. Aussi wines offer outstanding value compared to Californian, Washington, or Oregon wines. Cheers, Stephen Bonner Vancouver

I read both but prefer "Eat". Why is it that we cannot have a quality food magazine like New Zealand's "Cuisine"? NZ has a population 1/5 of Canada's but their food magazine is on par with "Gourmet" or Australia's "Wine and Food". Cheers, Stephen Bonner

I have not heard of this either. Stephen Vancouver

Have a great trip! In the Okanagan set up a tour (by appointment only) at Poplar Grove Winery to taste their small releases of premium B.C. wine and wonderful cheeses. Cheers, Stephen Bonner

Isole e Olena Chianti Classico get's my nod Cheers, Stephen Bonner Vancouver

It was a private party. The owners mentioned to me that they will have a full lunch and dinner menu up and running the middle of this week. Stephen

Tall order for Vancouver I'm looking forward to seeng the comments n this thread with anticipation. Yo're most likely have to go to Sean Heather's Irish Heather (Irish breakfast has black and white pudding) or possibly his new "Salt" which may have meats made from an interesting combination of internals. I know Rob Feenie has offered some in the past. Unfortunately we do not have a St. John's here so best of luck. Cheers, Stephen Bonner

I'm not impressed with our local version or the London version. The slim footprint makes it appealing; but with my laptop, wifi, and e-gullet I can learn much more. Cheers, Stephen

When I worked in the U.K. most restaurants did not offer flights like their counterparts in North America. Some wine bars do and many restaurants offer wine in taster sizes...so you can experiment. The Wine Wharf is a fun place to hang out; they have good prices on their wines and some interesting flights. It is the same owner as St.John's who now also owns a Brewpub "Brew Wharf" in the same neighbourhood...so if you get "wined out "you can always get a beer to re-hydrate Cheers, Stephen Bonner

I would give it a miss. I've been there twice over the last two years and I'd rather spend my money tasting wine flights in the Wine Wharf around the corner. Cheers, Stephen Bonner Vancouver

If you stay with a regional theme...I would agree with pairing Cava up with Manchego ;they are also suprising delicious with mild blue cheeses as well. Cheers, Stephen Bonner Vancouver

Have you tried:Cooks n Corks in Coquitlam? It is a small gourmet shop run by two ex restaurant employees with alot of passion. Strange name but a good resource in the burbs. Here's the website: http://www.cooksncorks.ca/ Cheers, Stephen

A couple of suggestions in red for you. Cheers, Stephen Bonner Vancouver

Go with a very good English Cheddar from Niel's Yard Dairy or an aged Manchego (some great ones in the cheese shops along the Danforth) Cheers, Stephen Bonner Vancouver

Sounds possibly like a barrel fermented or malo fermented Sauvignon Blanc based on your description of the colour and textural richness. A number of Tuscan Sauvignon Blanc's are made in this style as well veering away from the NZ style. Cheers, Stephen Bonner

I got the invite by email three hours before the event invite! Rode by there today during the lunch period and it looked pretty dead. From the street it lopked pretty much the same. They need to update their media list if you were not there On the otherhand I do recall your WE review of their Vintropolis (of which I agreed with you 100%) Stephen