SushiCat

FYI, the source for meats at Koni is no longer the same German butcher who was supplying them when they opened

Any Bergamot in Seattle area these days? I'm coming down this weekend and would not only love to get some, but would then have to be cooking Sat night instead of eating! Let me know if you have sighted them lately, I would travel to some ends of the earth for one (well some). Ta

Zuke, There is a somewhat regular vendor who comes to Granville Island with fresh hazelnuts. I see them there about once a month and they always have good fresh nuts. I store them in the freezer after purchase and before roasting to ensure they don't go rancid. I noticed a good price on nuts - almonds, walnuts etc. at A. Bosa the other day - don't need any so did not purchase any, but I think they move their product so this is likely a decent source. The price was definately decent. hope this helps, S

From one cat to another, VERY cool! I have friends who are very close to their birds (pets), you could do portraits!

how are you getting water hot enough to brew without electricity?

This is one of my favorites too! I just finished my last bar

Oh it sounds and looks like good fun! Funny, went there for dine out and the experience left me flat. Didn't feel it warranted a post, but just thought oh Cin Cin is now a Robson eatery as opposed to being a good place for a special meal. I guess I have to chalk that one up to dine-out, or perhaps the young and beautiful ( ) get more attention!

I agree with Mkjr and also want to add a few gems. The Indian food in Toronto is like being in India, not sure of the haunts in Surrey, but I live close to Main and 49th in Vancouve and am forever longing for real Indian. This is what I eat when I go to Toronto these days. My favorites there are two, but this one is a must stop: Lahore Tikka House on Gerrard Street East - way East. It is a paper plate / picnic table place. Very inexpensive and very authentic. It does not have Vikram Vij at the helm, but the food is so very tasty and fresh - try their version of lamb popsicles and report back! I always order the spinach and usually one chick peas and sometimes butter chicken. Plenty of naan, oh now I want that! The other thing that is radically different are the various spots where you can get a decent croissant. I know of only one or two spots in Vancouver, and countless in Toronto. My favorites were at Rahier on Bayview, but there are plenty of spots where you can get a good one. I also really like Zucca, they actually know how to make pasta the Italian way. Further to this, some very fun spots that are different from home include the Greek places on the Danforth (and in other areas) as well as places like 5 doors north. I've been back in Vancouver (where I belong) for almost three years now, so I'm sure there is a lot that is new - but have fun and don't bother with Asian unless someone takes you up to Markham and they know what to order. Hey, nobody mentioned St. Lawrence market and the sandwiches, I don't usualy go for those, but you should check out the market if you are there on Sat. morning - go early and have fun and get a peameal bacon sandwhich from the bakery on the main floor / west side.

Glad to hear that Zucca is still going strong - it was one of the top places in my book while I lived in Toronto and I was just telling my husband he should check it out to see if it is still good while he is in TO this week on business. Glad to know you had a nice Anniversary dinner there and the service has always been very friendly and professional. I had many a long lingering dinner - one of my favorites of theirs is the way they grill fish. Also they have a very nice chocolate ricotta dessert - well they used to! What is the deal with BYOW ($25) is that what they charge for corkage?

A drink that goes well with many foods and enhances the experience is Aqua Libre. I don't have any at the moment to tell you who makes it etc., but I first had this at a nice white tablecloth restaurant in Seattle and I can still recall that particular dish with which it was paired. Since then, the company has made several varieties and I still like the original best - it is dry and a bit herbal in flavor with a hint of a melon flavor but not sweet. Oh it is slightly effervescent so this may or may not appeal.

I happened upon this thread and just want to send some info. your way from a patron of a city with a restaurant week - weeks actually. Here in Vancouver, BC we have Dine-Out Vancouver for two weeks in late January/early Feb. We are in the middle right now. It is great for filling up the restaurants, and definately gets us diners out there trying old favorites and looking for new ones. However, it is not exactly the same as just trying the restaurant normally. Many of the restaurants have started putting a variety of rules into the experience, like turning tables every 1.5 or 2 hours - which means that they bring your food faster than normal - or fitting in some extra tables and really kind of stretching themselves. Last year there was some discussion about how for 14 nights, you have Saturdays and a number of places seemed to have had problems with that. So far my experiences this year have been mixed, but I would have to say that you get a taste for the place maybe not 100% true to reality, and you get a chance to sample the food, but what seems to be true is that it is a week (or two) where one should not be too judgemental and where one may not be right to expect the same experience one would get normally. So, in short, I recommend that this is a good time of year to go and dine out at your local spots, maybe use a low season time to try someplace new, bring friends and have a good time. Don't wait for a restaurant week special and enjoy what is going on in your cities!

Great sign Lee you get credit for bringing a little laugh post dinner. Alas, you eat Sichuan without me! The cold noodle / sesame/vinegar sauce is very traditional. How was it? I have had many cold things from the cart at the W. Broadway location, but it seems that they stopped doing much of that in the last year or so.

Thanks Jeff and thanks to Kurtis, who tried to figure out who I was I promise to introduce myself next time - which will be soon. I'm still trying to figure out how to fit in another visit as I want to try that beet salad! Also, I had to cut my post short without discussing dessert because of work - so I didn't mean to slight the dessert chef. It has been nearly 36 hours since we were in, and we were discussing last night, with appreciation, as we were talking about the whole picture, the room, the service, the food etc. ... you have done well to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where it is comfortable to dine on delicious well prepared food that is complex and pleasing! Very well done, indeed! purr

Well we know from the amount of activity that Aurora is busy with DOV tables, but yet, no postings! It was my first time at Aurora, much to the chagrin of my other half who has been aching to go there for some time (so many dining options, so little cash!). I was very impressed by the room which is sublime - lots of wood, and very modern, yet welcoming and warm as opposed to stark and cold in feeling. If only they were further south on Main, we would be hopping into the bar a little too often ... ah well. Service was very good - Kurtis greeted and seated us, alas no decoder ring flashing, so it is possible he may not know who we are - I do enjoy a moment on anonymity before everyone knows who I am! I like the way not only Kurtis, but the wait staff I noticed which were three all have a method of checking to see if you have what you need in a very sweet and gentle tone of voice and with different phrases. It brings a feeling of intimacy in dining that I truly appreciate. Another note, nobody seemed to be rushing around and from my perspective no rushed dining experiences either. Obviously bookings were arranged with this in mind, and it worked. From a diner looking in, the FOH are running a tight ship, bravo! Our server (is this the appropriate term these days?), Lorin made us feel as if we were at home and even put up with my indecisive-ness around beverages! On the menu front, anohter + it is really nice to see so many choices! The $ 25.00 DOV menu has four appy and four entree choices as well as three desserts. Their is another more expensive DOV menu that we tried hard not to look at as we have an embarrassing number of DOV events this year! Just a note, that the posted DOV menu has fewer choices, and my comment is that I appreciate having a choice above and beyond what is expected. Alas in this case it made for difficult ordering AND a strong desire to go back and try the other options we missed! Food standouts of the evening included the smoked sablefish bisque which was sublime, sorry I don't recall the exact description on the menu, but very smooth and with just the right amount of fishy-ness and smokey-ness. Tres bien fait! We also had the duck confit appy, which was made into fritters (sorry there must be a more appropriate word) and server on an amazing salad of pea shoots and lentils - something I had to try as I would never make this at home - very nice compliments of flavours. Alas we had to skip the beet salad which was what I had planned to order! I had the Cornish Game hen on the most amazingly crispy and delicious polenta which came with a my heart is won smoked tomato sauce Oh my! Lamb cheeks was our other entree and although quite delicious, it didn't have the smoked tomato sauce

Begs the question, what other two spots in your top 3?

Wow ... only place that comes close that I have been to in Vancouver is the Hu Nan spot we were discussing earlier, maybe bring photos and ask ... you have the advantage with language - I'm willing to go along - but remind me to eat cooling foods in advance!

I have been back there a few times since that lunch ... the food there can be seriously hot and spicy - very interesting flavours and very different from the traditional Chinese of Kung Pao etc. I love this place and find that you can ask for details on the dishes and get some realistic description of what is what. Also be aware, there are two menus, menu A and menu B - one is more traditional for food from Hunan provence and one is more Westernized. I'm close by, so if people are heading there, I'm always up for a meet and dine!

Anybody have anything to say about Monk McQueen's ? I have never been there in all my Vancouver years, and don't know if it is good or not, nobody here writes about it ... their dine-out menu has some interesting sounding items. Feel free to PM me if you don't want public comments. thx - I'm the Dine-out girl this year, juggling a number of reservations - have to trim them down a bit!

Interesting topic ... I do shop at all the above but only sometimes. I like to shop around and visit shops in various neighborhoods etc., but it takes a lot more time, and ultimately is just as expensive IF you live close to one of the Choices/Capers/UF/WF etc. I don't live that close to any of these so I am happy to shop around and I like to give my $$ to local efforts instead of the big chains if all is equal. This being said, I don't understand why Choices seems to have the worst looking produce section seems to me the store on 16th is worse than others, but who knows ... it is as bad as Safeway produce! Lucky for me, we have lots of green-grocers close by. In fact, our closest favorite one is now stocking a variety of things one might go searching for at the above mentioned spots. Let's hope for more reform in what foods are carried where, and that eventually pricing will even out!

Zuke, What a great start to your blog! Your writing style teases us to come back for more fun and laughter as the days progress! No major traditions in our house, we have the tendancy to travel in order to get with the younger members of our extended family, so the traditions vary from year to year. This year, we are starting something new, a big dinner on Christmas eve. Otherwise, we try to do what we want and relax over the holiday time as much as possible. So blog on and tell us about your traditions and foods! On the quince jam front, I would not substitute all honey for sugar, you wlll likely end up with a different texture. Quince is full of pectin, so you should be ok with gelling, if you substitute up to a half of the honey. Sounds good will you post the recipe?

two words of wisdom, I'm sure you know the first ... get the iron really hot and first waffle might stick, but subsequent ones should not. Secondly, the best waffle iron I have ever encountered is my mom's first good electric appliances from the early sixties or something ... it has become the heirloom we are going to fight over. Not really tested, but I have seen the stovetop waffle irons work well at other people's houses ... let us know what happens!

I have many gingerbread houses over the years and what is tradition in our family is to glue them with burnt sugar and not to use too much royal icing, then the house is edible. I tend to put trees and a lot of reindeer and small people in the yard, so that those who are tempted to snack, can do so. My house recipe bakes a very crisp cookie that doesn't go stale too fast ... as long as you don't live in the humid zone! When I lived in colder drier climates, houses could last easily from late Nov. through Xmas ... one of the reasons I don't always make them here is that they tend to cave in if the humidity is too high. I wish I had photos ... actually I have a very cute photo of a house someone made me for our wedding, (which was in Xmas season) but it is pre-digital era! Ha, I age myself! Have fun ... I'm thinking of pulling a house or two together this year - people LOVE it when you bring them a house!

Somehow we are still not photographing our cooking ... yesterday we made a batch of ribs, something that ebbs and flows with seasons and requests from various people, this one a request from my neice who is a) visiting and b) 'doesn't eat pork!' and c) requested it anyway. Ribs went in with our traditional rub and baked for about 7 hours or so at 200 in our oven, then went onto the barbecue with a vinegar based basting sauce ... we lit one side of the barbecue, and put the ribs on the other side ... they were out there for about 45 or so ... came in and we whittled them right down to the bones! Made the cornbread that David Rosengarten quotes in Taste and also some nice yellow flying saucer squash. With this we drank some Australian Shiraz

I've been bad, but it has been so fun! Last night we ate at La Regalade in West Van. This was our second time here and the food is really fabulous! Our waiter was very fun and we were able to share stories and even a cappuccino lesson ... no names were exchanged. For starters we had Salade la Regalade - this is the must have appetizer on the regular menu! Just think ultra lemony creamy dressing on baby romaine with warm bacon (lardons actually) and shrimp and squid - I love this salad! We also had the green bean, shrimp and avocado salad. This was served in a large martini glass. There were four of us, but we knew to save room. For mains we had Beef Bourgignon (sp?) and lamb shanks with spices and fruits and the roast duck. All three dishes were amazing, and despite there being four of us, we could not finish our mains. We kept discussing which were our favourites, each dish was very good and I can't pick one out of the others ... Lamb had Morrocan spicing and figs/apricots as well as delicious carrots, duck comes with fruit as well, grapes and apples I think. For dessert we polished off the best creme brulee in our city, a warm chocolate tarte and apple tart tatin. Let's see ... what was the 2nd restaurant ... oh yes, dinner at C on Sunday evening. This was the culmination of a day of adventure and dinner was very good. The best dish on our table was probably the butter poached lobster and the plates are really art forms. We also had scallops, salmon and tuna. The tuna was the least exciting, but maybe there was a communication gap. And number 3, Sunday brunch at Provence Marinaside. Now I see why everyone raves about their bruch! Yum. First notable mention, they make the best butter croissants in our city! Oh my god! We ordered a breakfast basket for the table and we had to ration that croissant. Ended up ordering two more (croissants that is). I had the croque monsieur benedict, there was a merguez panini and someone had three antipasti. All in all, good service, great spot and delicious food! Should I go on suffice to say that... on Saturday there was a big wedding partially in our yard, and at that many delicious food items including freshly deep fried halibut chunks, plenty of sushi, skewers of Indian spiced chicken a wedding cake made by yours truly, etc. Last Wedensday I was at Parkside and it just renewed my endearment to that space. We had a patio spot, great service, cleaned plates and several items of note: (I wish I had the menu to review) a salad with tomato concasse, maybe it was called something else, but oh my heavenly! Prosciutto and pea ravioli! Steak with boursin , delicious duck, trifle I also managed to sneak in a quick bite at RainCity ... I think I mentioned that one already, they are doing something right there again these days. Very good mean, and we like the spoon idea on the menu, small bites that can be ordered on their own. Ok, I'm done - except I just reserved a tables at Parkside and West ... the joy of visitors!

Try "Brezhnev's" the actual name is King something and I don't have the address ... SERIOUSLY, this is the best place in Boston's chinatown, it is tiny, maybe 6 tables at most and zero decor (well ok there is some plaque about the best peking duck). Ok, so I thought it might be King Fung and did a google search, it is King Fung Garden and the address is 74 Kneeland Street. Try this link: http://www.planet99.com/boston/restaurants/14668.html You think I am joking, but I am not. The things to order are: Hon Sue Beef Pot Stickers - big meaty and homemade scallion cake peking duck - save room for the third course of soup. note: order your duck in advance. Shanghai noodles are good Various rice noodle dishes are good and I think they have either good Ma Po Tofu or something similar. Once we saw some people really enjoying hotpot - it was a cold Thanksgiving weekend and they were really enjoying it ... but alas I am a sucker for the duck and usually organize my meal around that. Don't skip the Hon Sue beef, even if you just take it home, it is special and decilious.