ckwok

Today we went on a road trip arranged by one of my neighbours. We went on a wine tour of the wineries in Langley. I was pleasantly surprised that we actually produce wine in langley. For the food and wine enthusiasts...I highly recommend touring out in Langley. We went to the following wineries. Glenugie Winery, Langley BC - The Vineyard Domaine de Chaberton - township 7 Chester

I got my 13 inch pan from Que Pasa when they were still in Kits. I do not recall it being that expensive. Its made of simple steel and I've abused it quite a bit and it still works great. Chester

Does anyone know where I can get some Bomba Rice to make Paella in the lower mainland. I've read on the internet about using authentic Spanish rice and only this for paella. So I want to be able to try this out. I've been using medium grain rice and getting pretty good results. If I find the spanish rice will it turn out that much better? Chester

Hard to believe it but true I had a very decent smoked meat sandwich tonight, of all places, "the new costco in Langley". For 5 bucks there was quite a bit of meat that comes from Dunn's in montreal. It was probably prepackaged and steamed but I can attest it was had just the right amount of fat and the meat was authentic. I've been looking for a place out here that can match places in Montreal or even Toronto to no avail. Tried kaplans and it wasn't bad but the size of the sandwich was pretty small compared to the stuff you get out east. In Toronto we used to go to a few places where the sandwiches were as big as the ones at Carnegies in New York. Chester

I give me recommendation on the 10" grand prix chef knife from wustof. I've had mine for 15 years since University and still use it everyday and have not seen a knife that feels better in my hand. As for the Japanese knives I gotta go and try some out when I get a chance. I bought the whole set of grand prix knifes when I was in Germany at a pretty good price, but if I was to do it again for some of the more specialty knives ie. boning, cleaver, bread knife, carving I would probably not spend the extra for the Wustof. I use my chef knife about 80 percent of the time so for the knives where I get less use, I don't think the money is well spent on the pricer Wustof. Chester

I just was able to duplicate the california rolls that I get when we go out for sushi this weekend. It was all possible with a trip to Yaohan. Can anyone tell me good places to get salmon, and tuna that I could use for sushi in Vancouver. Chester

Most Chinese restaurants are open on Christmas day. If you are into that kind of cuisine, you could pre order a banquet menu ( ie 10 course ) meal if you want something fancy. Chester

I'm not an espresso expert but in my opinion in the Yaletown area I had a decent espresso at coo coo coffee on Davie by Smythe I think. ( it is beside the steamrollers ). They use illy and it was quite a good shot. They seemed like they were into their coffee based on 2 things. When I asked for a double expresso they asked me if I wanted a resoretto ( short shot ) and when I ordered a latte for my wife another time they made the fancy flower with the foamed milk. The coffee's were good but I have never had Cafe Artigiano to compare. Chester

I totally miss the ability to get a good smoked meat or corned beef sandwich where the meat is shaved and piled about 2 - 3 inches thick like they do in Montreal and Toronto !! Buritos and Mexican fast food like, Baja Fresh, Qdoba, and Chipotole in the States. An outback steak house, I love those chicken wings there. Chester.