SBonner

Is this what you are looking for? AA Restaurants http://www.theaa.com/getaway/restaurants/restaurant_home.jsp Cheers, Stephen Vancouver

Helen and I enjoyed the hip Sketch last time we were in London. Cheers, Stephen Vancouver

John, I noticed your suggestions; they sound brillant. I guess I was looking at the new world with the whole Asia Pacific Rim thing in mind. Out of curiousity are wines expensive in Japan? Here in B.C. the government has its fingers in the wine pie so the taxes and end product are relatively expensive. Cheers, Stephen Vancouver

ERic, Helen and I enjoyed the dinner very much. Here are my comments on the wines in red. Blind tastings are fun but alot of work. I think my batting average this time round was about 75% in guessing the B.C. from the rest of the world. Great concept Eric and nice wine finds. I was sitting with another sommelier (student) who was having an off night in the wine guessing game (no names mentioned) Cheers, Stephen Bonner

My suggestions in red are: Sounds like a great meal. Cheers, Stephen Bonner Vancouver

I'd recommend Chambar as well as George in Yaletown for their London inspired cocktails. Brix wine bar is an option if wine is your thing. Cheers, Stephen

My contribution: the Fanny Bay Oysters with sautéed smoked chipotle peppers, cream, sundried tomatoes and parmesan at the Water Street cafe in Gastown. Yummy! Stephen

Try a lighter bodied Cannonau from Sardina it should compliment the tomatoes and herbal elements in your dish. Stephen Vancouver

kastle: I'm certain I speak for all of us when I say it was a pleasure to help. But now, of course, you are obligated to report back after this meal and let us know which wines you served and how they were received by the guests. Our curiosity will kill us (or at least mine will!) otherwise. ← I'd like to hear what wines you went with as well. Cheers, Stephen Vancouver

If you are a fan of the Baxter's soups form the U.K. Army and Navy are selling them for $1.69 a tin. They have the Cream of Scottish Smoked Salmon, Butternut squash and red pepper, Autumn vegetables, and tomato and basil. I've paid anywhere from $3.25 to $4.50 for these soups at Urban Fare or Meinharts. Helen and I stocked up on a mixed case for those late night snacks after a wine tasting. Cheers, Stephen

Is that not the Incendio guys who own Stellas ? A little too close to their other location ? ← I've heard similar rumours that it is up for sale but no potential buyer's names are circulating. Stephen

Thanks Kurtis, I live in Gastown.. so I'm a big supporter of the Whitecaps stadium. If it happens it looks pretty spectacular, Image watching a football match with the mountains in the background then having a pint or glass of wine at the "Station" or Steamworks. I'm all for it being a Gastown tax payer if this is the future for the hood. Cheers, Stephen

A more appropriate concept, for one! k ← Some good points. Based on the menu's at Steamworks I could envision Eli's team having seafood as well. The station has lot gowing for it...walk by's, parking, and public transportation if you drink too much. From the article it appears that Eli is travelling to some of the great train station of the world for inspiration. I'm looking forward to a nice glass of wine or beer under those amazing 20 metre ceilings. Stephen

Here's one of the best value reds that I have come across in the last few months. TERRA ALTA CRIANZA - VINOS PINOL PORTAL 2003 $22.99 This wine is from the Terra Alta region close to the very famous and steller Priorato D.O. near Barcelona. It's made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot, Tempranillo and Syrah with approximately a year in both French and American oak barriques. Here are my notes of this gem: Ruby purple colour with aromas of allspice, mint, and eucalptus. It is full-bodied, concentrated, and with enough tannins for 2-4 years of cellaring. The palate mirrors the aromas but with the added complexity of cassis, chocolate, and wild raspberry flavours. Nice long finish and complex. Outstanding value considering many Priorato's are anywhere from 2 to 4 times the price. According to the LDB there are just over 125 cases in the agent's wherehouse and about 30 cases in circulation on the BCLDB website. BUY Cheers, Stephen

I'm jealous... when we live in the U.K. we always shop at Waitrose. Great selection and service. Enjoy Stephen Vancouver

Possibly another thread...but a bad experience? I'm at Steamworks usually twice a week but usually to drink the beers. Service staff has always been very friendly to me so no compliants on my end. Stephen

Steamworks CP Rail Building Neil, Here is the link. http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/bu...9b-b199d0130217 Should be a very cool addition to the Gastown cityscape and food scene. I should also note that the buidling is actually the Canadian Pacific Building not CN Cheers, Stephen Bonner

Anyone heard the rumour that Jak's Bistro on Abbott Street in Gastown that has been closed for sometime now is going to be converted into a wine bar? Cheers, Stephen

Mark, yes White Spot still has a reputation here for it's burgers although they even seem to be downsizing, closing, or moving. It's time for the gourmet burger to reign supreme! Stephen Vancouver

Here's my suggestions as well. Celeriac Veloute butter poached lobster, tarragon creme fraiche Burgundian styled Chardonnay from Western Australia. These big boys are rich, nutty, complex, and have the stamina for the butter and lobster. - Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras toasted brioche, walnut-mache salad, riesling gelee, blackberry gastrique A minimum of an Auslese Riesling or TBA from Austria both will meld with the Riesling gelee and create some great acidity balances with the blackberry - Scottish Salmon wrapped in Apple Smoked Bacon creamy leeks, tomato concasee, cassis vinegar jus I'm all for Pinot Noir as well. Tori Mor from Oregon would be a nice match - Roasted Australian Loin of Lamb port roasted shallots, potato-gruyere croquettes, black truffle jus, shaved black truffles Something different...Reserva or Gran Reserva Rioja from a vintage like 1998 or if you can find some 1994. You've got power, elegance, and complexity of flavour that will work with this dish. - A Tasting of Pear pear-almond ice cream, vanilla-port poached, fried skin salad with golden raisins A very tasty Muscat de Baume-de-Venise. Cheers, Stephen Bonner Vancouver

Enjoy the local fries with a pint at a great British pub actually there is/was? a Wendy's on Shaftesbury Avenue as well. What do you like about the Wendy's French Fries? I noticed you post from Vancouver (we have great Fries too at Chambar and Cafe de Paris) Stephen Vancouver

Not sure if this fits into the "gastropub" catagory but Helen and I have had a couple of decent meals in the Seven Stars in Holburn. Food was good. wine list o.k. and good service. I cannot remember what brewery owned it Young's or Adnams? so limited beer selection. Nice clientele mainly from the law courts (trendy solicitor's, attractive legal secretaries). Hopefully this helps. Cheers, Stephen

It was great to see Eli (owner of Steamwork's) in the newspaper yesterday with his plans to create a NY steak house/casual dining room in the historic and very grand designed CPR Train station which is now the terminus point for the seabus, WestCoast Rail, and Skytrain. If any one has been or even looked at website for New York's Grand Central Station with its amazing foodhalls and restaurants you can only wish the best for our station. Any comments on this great venture and what you would like to see in the CPR Train building? I'm surprised that with the volume of traffic flowing through this location that there has not been an effort for better quality shops and services to evolve. Cheers, Stephen

I'd 2nd this bread choice. Cheers, Stephen