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Everything posted by SBonner
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I live in both Europe and North America almost equal amounts of time. I've sent drinks to the staff as a "thank you" for great service and just about anyone in the service industry enjoys a drink and gratitude at the end of their shift. I usually do the same thing when on holidays as well. Cheers, Stephen
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When we are in London or Spain for extended periods of time we also miss the Asian influenced food scene. Nothing beats dim sum at Imperial. Cheers, Stephen
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I've sent drinks (usually beer) back for the staff and it usually gets a response at the end of the evening when the chef or sous showing up and saying thanks. A lot of time we have left half a bottle of wine for the FOH staff to finish off at shift end and it usually results in great service on our next visit. Cheers, Stephen
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When I'm developing wine lists I like Neil's concept. Any mark up above 120% really annoys me. Unfortunately there are no price breaks or case lot discounts available to the restuarant trade like most civilised countries so we are all stuck overpaying for wines. On the other hand by international standards our food costs are reasonable so it all balances out. Cheers, Stephen
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Jeff, my wife and I have to get up there asp to sample your cheese selection. They sound like a real treat. Stephen
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I just finished this afternoon a very tasty cheese plate along with a pint of Guiness and Strongbow Cider at the Irish heather. The plate consisted of four international cheeses in various styles accompanied by a decent size portion of salad, toasted bread slices and house made onion marmalade. I'm looking for a selection of cheeses from various four legged species, varied styles, cheese friendly accompaniments, great presentation, and staff that know what cheese is what. So what makes a great cheese plate and who is doing these treasures justice? Cheers, Stephen
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Helen, myself, and two friends had a great lunch on Sunday at Domaine de Chaberton. All appies were between $6-$8 other than the very generous portion of foie gras at $16. The entree's are substantial in size, a good thing, to help wash down two bottles of white. All entress were priced between $12-$21. My biggest issue! the wines were marked up 100% over the wine shop retail price...no wonder only 1 in 3 tables were drinking wine. I'm all for profits but I expected a better deal on the wine prices and I do remember them being alot less last year. Stephen
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Having built a number of restaurant wines lists I can tell you that it is illegal to bring your own bottle of wine to a restaurant. You can however take home any unfinished wine purchased at the establishment. Based on the BYOB restaurants in Australia they usually charge between $8-$15 Aus$ for corkage. It seems popular there due to the fact a restaurant can reduce staffing (no sommeliers, bar managers) and it frees up inventory dollars that they can use for other overheads. Some restaurants offer a combination BYOB and small wine list for tourists or the absent minded. I say get to know your favourite restaurant owner or manager very well and drop off a bottle from your personal collection during the day and leave a big tip when it's presented to you at table side. Cheers, Stephen
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Last time I looked in our local BC liqour store (Thurlow and Alberni) I found these Chilean Pinots as well: Casa del Bosque 2001 $22.99 and Valdivieso Reserve Pinot Noir for $22.50 Cheers, Stephen Bonner
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Hi Neil, Are you getting 200% mark up in Yaletown? Nice if you are. I can not imagine charging a customer $60 for a $20 bottle of wine. Cheers, Stephen
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If any egullet readers are out in the Fraser Valley this weekend let me know. Helen and I are doing lunch on Sunday at Domaine de Chaberton then off to buy wine for a restaurant at Township 7 and Glenugie. Cheers, Stephen
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I'm not sure if Sean Heather at the Salty Tongue does outside catering but he created some great appies for me on my birthday in the Sheebeen. You may also want to get in touch with the culinary schools (Dubrulle or PCI). Cheers, Stephen
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Parkside would be my choice. Food is much more complex in flavour and service is top notch. Finish your evening off wioth some amazing grappa's or eau d'vie. Cheers, Stephen
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You should check out the Vintropolis Wine Bar in Kelowna.. It is the original of the one on West 1st. Good selection of domestic and imported wines by the glass and interesting appies. Stephen
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I've had a couple of meals at the bistro at Domaine de Chaberton. Simple and hearty French fare paired up solely with Chaberton's wines. It is very popular with locals so reso's are important and unfortunately they do not have any beer on the menu although I saw afew six packs hidden amongst the barrels to quench the winemakers thirst after a day of tasting. Helen and I really enjoy packing our own picnic lunches and sitting in the vineyard at Township 7. A couple of Aussi friends just came back from two days in the Okanagan and enjoyed dinner at Summerhill and lunch at the new restaurant at Cedar Creek. I'll get details from them - they did not mention beer (highly unusual for Australians) Stephen
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Could you share the name of the S.S. bakery? Unfortunately people I know there seem to think they are lucky to have a Cobbs now in the area. Would be nice to know of a better alternative, hopefully that won't be overtaken by Cobbs. ← The one that I remember is Fieldstone Artisan Bakery on128th and Crescent Road. I have not been there for a while but the bread was very good. Stephen
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I had some great lunches at Smiths of Smithfields. Just around the corner, Vivat Bacchus, has a great cheese plate lunch and a stellar selection of wines. The Chop House at Butlers Wharf is ideal for lunch and a great view if the meeting goes pear shape. Cheers, Stephen Bonner Vancouver
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On a bread note I wonder what ever happened to the very tasty Polaine raisin bread that was baked at Urban Fare? None of the staff to seem to have an answer other than the price was steep. We really do need some genuine artisan bread makers here in the downtown core. There's some great bread made out in South Surrey but it's not sold in the city as far as I know. Cheers, Stephen
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Just went to Stella's now for my forth time. Two dinners and lunches. I tried two new dishes for lunch today; Duck Duo $12 and Thai spiced jumbo shrimp $12. The duck Duo is a combination of crispy duck confit and smoked duck sausage plated with a roasted garlic white bean hummus. Very tasty and a nice match with the Bellvue Kriek fruit beer. The Thai shrimp are a great buy. Grilled with the skins on and loaded with flavour they would be a perfect pair with the Hoegaarden but I stayed with my third glass of Kreik. !'m figuring with nearly thirty tapas on the menu it will take my another few visits to try the complete menu and with the great selection of Belgium beers it should be an endless summer of beer and food pairing experimentation. Stella's is a great lunch time spot on the drive with nice patio (very popular today at 11:30) and a great change from Chambar both geographically and financially. Stephen Bonner
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Vancouver/Western Canada Ingredient Sources Topic
SBonner replied to a topic in Western Canada: Cooking & Baking
We purchased a bag at the Gourmet Warehouse on Pandora Street a month ago. Enjoy, Stephen -
Perhaps a sub - design catagory ? Best Biffy ? ←
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I would recommend the following: "C" creative seafood unlike anything in the U.K. Aurora Bistro for dinner or a great brunch with it's all Canadian ingredient theme. Lumiere...and it's always a hit with the Brits and their exchange rate! Imagine for them Gordon Ramsey prices for 50% less. Imperial Chinese for dim sum on the weekends. I'd give Chambar a miss... there's lots of Belgium style restaurants in Central London as well as any Indian restaurant (There's way too many options in London) Tojo's for cutting edge Japanese. Cheers, Stephen
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You could try O'Doul's on Robson. It can be a bit loud though. Cheers, Stephen
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Keith! have you ever tried a really good bottle of sparkling Shiraz? These wines can be amazing and so culturally and vinously different from anything else produced in the wine world. Try a few more... I've been in this business for a long time and don't throw stones at anything different. Fire up the bbq and I'll bring over a bottle Stephen
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If you are looking for sparkling Shiraz try the private wine shops (Liberty or Marquis). I'm a big fan of the Fox Creek Sparkling Shiraz it is drier and more concentrated than most available in the BCLDB. Serve them chilled and paired up with anyting on the "barbie". I've been a big fan for these vinous gems for a number of years. Cheers, Stephen