Chef Metcalf

Virginia from Polderside Farms just called me and says she has some fantastic pekin ducks available (they normally raise chickens but I guess they are still waiting on government approval, so ducks it is). They are just being processed and she wanted to know if I knew of any companies/restaurants who might want to buy some. I know many of the restaurants are often sourcing local organic products so I thought I would pass this info along. I gave her HSG, Rare, West and C but I'm sure there's lots more of you out there who may be interested. Polderside Farms Virginia 604-823-7324 -fed all vegetable grains and sunflower seed -ducks are 5-6lbs per -she says the flavour is exceptional -fairly lean as they are fed an all organic vegetarian diet -quantity 1000 -being processed today -located in Yarrow...close to Harrison I think. chefm

I noticed two ceramic mustard coloured ones yesterday for $24.99 at Home Sense in Park Royal. Good price and quality.

Do you remember what part of the island the town was in? ← There's a night market that's pretty good in Ubud. Don't know if that's the one you mean though.

I seem to recall reading that they're doing lunch on Sunday and I believe they won't be doing dinner on Sunday as a result. Having had one lunch and two dinners at elBulli, I can say that I'd probably prefer lunch. ← Bux, as our reservation is for lunch, I'd be interested in hearing why you'd prefer that over dinner at El Bulli. And you're right about the lunch service on Sunday. Here's a cut and paste from the email I received from Luis about their hours/days of operation. Open form March 29th till October 1st. Only dinner service 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. except Sunday on April, May and June that we will be open for lunch (1.00 – 3.00 p.m.) and closed for dinner. April-May-June: closed Monday and Tuesday.

That is a beautiful shot Jamie. Looking forward to peeking over your shoulder this week. Blog on!

Unfortunately BCinBC, I've seen the pirates of the Caribbean/hulk Mr Dodd on TV and while he won't be undersold either, he's not Harry Hammer. If you ever heard his voice, you'd remember it too. But he was years ago and you're far too youthful to remember me thinks (and I'm too old not to). Best cheap steaks in Vancouver? Filet from the butcher, brined then tossed onto your BBQ at home.

Sean Sherwood: The Harry Hammer of steaks. ← I'm feeling a nostalgic sort of cloud swirling around...and I hear the voice..."I won't be undersold", but what the hell did he sell? Was it suits, or (keeping it on topic ) ...steaks?

I think it's great when you're in a large city trying to book last minute reservations as you can instantly see what's available and not waste time phoning. I'd use it the same way in Vancouver for last minute Friday or Saturday bookings. Even if it's an extra expense for the restaurant, would you have had that booking if you weren't on the system? I think it would pay for itself with the extra bookings, especially with visitors from the US who seem to use it more frequently.

I really shouldn't let myself read this thread. Every time I do I get such a burger craving (much to do with all the burger porn posted here I suspect ), so we may have to hit CC again tonight. So, sound's like we had the turbo burger patty but with a white bun (open faced and warmed). The meat wasn't really juicy like you guys^ described it though. Ours was more like Vancouver Lee's second descrition. The fries were good, thin and crisp...but a little mealy-chalky inside. The garlic mayo the waitress offered helped us force them down (in record time) though and it was great on the burger too. I like the type of fries at Go Fish much better. Crisp but moist inside. I suspect this preference is from too many years of a Triple O Cheeseburger platter (fries please, no potato salad) addiction. Now they've changed the fries and the bun so I don't go anymore (but I'd do anything to see the recipe for the triple O mayo and find out what sort of artery clogging oil it's made from ). I vote for "burgasm" instead of turbo or CCC for the name.

Deep Fried Foie at C Restaurant, Vancouver Foie Gras Torchon at Le Gourmandin, Beaune Beef Short Ribs with Green Peppercorn Sauce, La Regalade, West Van Grilled tenderloin with Camembert Cheese and Chilpotle Chili Sauce (absolutely amazing...the sauce...not the steak) Cafe de Artistes, Puerto Vallarta

We had one of the regular burgers at the CC on the North Shore today. Beef was tasty, bun lightly toasted and generous cheese and bacon. It was a high quality burger, so I'm looking forward to trying the turbo. Compared to our last visit to the CC at Park Royal (which didn't even come close to hitting mediocre), this time round got top marks for food and service. They did have the new wonton soup on the menu though, as the hostess who seated us recommended it to us...but we were on a burger mission so gave it a miss.

Thanks Louisa. As long as we don't have to drive somewhere afterwards we are quite happy to stay at the Cala Montjoi. We were on the road last year and a bus almost sent us over the cliff (that was with no wine) so with wine, we'd just as soon amble across the beach to get home. Same menu...excellent news! We're so excited about this, (it's like winning a foodie lottery) it's all we can talk about.

Thanks for posting the name of the hotel Louisa. The hotel (that the very kind and witty Docsconz suggested) looks great, but we think that just rolling across the beach to get home after a 32 course lunch sounds like a way better option, so it's the Cala Montjoi for us that night. I'd love some feedback from anyone who's experienced lunch at El Bulli. Is it also 32 courses? Or do they shrink that down to a modest 27 or so?

Egullet member reservations seem to be batting a pretty good average. Congrats everyone!

Paw crossing dogs, who knew? You've told a wonderful story Abra. Thank you!

That it may be, but it's also something that you see on a daily basis in any cross section of restaurants in Japan. Good or bad manners aside.

It's part of the ritual too I think, the crack of the balsa wood, the razzering back and forth to make sure there's no splinters. And what about the interesting interaction of the next ten minutes trying to figure out how exactly do you make that paper crane hashi holder anyway? Maybe the bottom line is that balsa wood grips the food, laquered or plastic chopsticks don't. In a nutshell, we need all the help we can get. Chinese plastic chopsticks always remind me of the scene where Julia Roberts shoots the escargo across the restaurant. Same same!

Klary, you must be absolutely exhausted girl! This is quite the volume of work you've done, and brilliantly I might add. I'm ashamed to say that I haven't tried out the bittenballen yet (but I'm getting plenty of flack over it). And the list of recipes I want to try is getting longer, including... Bittenballen, Butter Beef and either the Gevulde koeken or Speculaas. I've never seen the clove cheese here in Vancouver but I'm going to try a deli in North Vancouver that carries a few Dutch items and see if they have it. It sounds like an interesting combo. Cheers to a job well done Klary...not go put your feet up and have a beer!

Great blog Abra, the writing, scenery pictures and food shots, all fantastic! A interesting and diverse slice of Washington life. Glad you did a few Mario recipes too, I have the same book just gathering dust here so far. As far as all that equipment and your back...how about a granny cart (yah, I know, but your back will thank you) and using rolling suitcases for hauling the equipment around in? Just a thought. And now for the most important question....does Riley naturally cross his paws like that or did you bribe him with cofit? He's very cute. Okay, off to google Canadian sources for the mini cheesecake pan. Done, for all my fellow Canucks, I found them online here. Looks a little smaller than Abra's though.

Just as a point of interest, our reservation is for a Sunday lunch at El Bulli. Luis stated that "Sundays of April, May and June we will open for lunch and not for dinner." PS. Can anyone remember the name (or website address) of the hotel next door? Thanks, Frances

Got it! In May also. Maybe he is reading egullet and has put us all in on the same day? I'm thrilled! And a week after my birthday so we'll call it my birthday present!

Oh, congrats to all of you! I'm still waiting, still hoping. Frances

Nice lob to the other court *Deborah*.

^Just make sure you get a picture of the white roses in penis-shaped ice sculptures.

Waggott’s Seafood 604.925.4140, in the market at Park Royal I'm sure there's other places closer to you but that's the only one I know.