Mangoe

The Ramada Radisson has a chocolate buffet on Fridays and Saturdays. The cost is $16.00 per person(not sure exactly). I think it is less if you have dinner. I have not tried it so I cannot advise on the quality. I passed by onetime and spied the chocolate layout. I can remember a chocolate fountain, parfait, little cakes. Have you tried Steveson? There are two bakeries that serve various desserts. You did not mention when so I gathered perhaps a weekend treat. Then, there is the chain restaurants that serve dessert.

Thank you for the suggestions! I wanted to make sure the packaging makes it for the onboard portion. Not sure what the dining offerings are for BA. As I may be visiting friends, I will need to bring some local food type presents from Vancouver. What do you think of the obligatory maple syrup, canned salmon? I thought about ice wine(too heavy to carry in small carryon). I have planned the start and end of my trip. I will spending 7 days in London and the surrounding areas. The latter part is still up in the air. Then either taking the Eurostar to Lyon and then to Avignon(Provence area). I think a previous Vancouver egulleteer posted pics on his trip in September. And then to Paris for the next 7 days. I have been reading the postings in the French forum on solo dining. I think it might be fun and adventurous.

I will be going solo to Paris mid April. I was wondering if some restaurants had tasting nights or singles nights. I do not know if that is gauche or tacky.

I am leaving next week for London and Paris and possibly making my way to Southern France. My question, what should I pack as a light snack or small meal for the flight over? I am flying British Airways. I have been over to the French forum and picked up some ideas on where to eat and what chocolate shops and boulangeries to drop into.... But I need help in packing a lunch or dinner. My flight is a night flight and I arrive in London in the early afternoon. I thought about running over to my favourite Greek delis to pack some Hummus, cheese, buns, but I did not want to offend my seatmates. I might offend them with the scent of too much garlic or they might be jealous of what I am eating. I wonder if some of the restaurants would do pack a small meal for me if I gave them some notice. And I wonder if some Egulleters would know which restos would oblige?

Choices Markets, Whole Foods and other big supermarkets have the 7 layered dip. How about some of the Chinese bakeries? They sell mini treats...

Is Burnaby out of your way? How about the Valley Bakery? www.valleybakery.com 4058 East Hastings, Burnaby, BC They have quiche, tart shells you can fill, cocktail sausage rolls, spanakopita, petit fours etc...

Have you tried www.viennatreasures.com? She makes Stollen. Cost according to her website is $8.50. I purchased her linzer tarts and cookies at the Steveston Craft Market and they were very good. Her cookies were light, spongy and tasty. She was at the Heritage Hall Craft Fair.

Have you thought about putting together a book on the Toysan experience?

How about a picture of the class and chef/instructors?

Are you willing to travel to New Westminster? The Royal Tandoori Restaurant located at 246 6th St, New Westminster. 604-521-2247 is really good. Tho' I have not been for awhile. But very good from what I remember. www.royaltandoori.ca A friend mentioned the Clay Oven?? in Delta. I have not tried this place but perhaps someone can give us a review.

I mentioned Ganache awhile back when someone was looking for a suggestion for bakeries...

Yeah, karoake is thing up here in the Pacific Northwest

Here is a game: everyone say their Chinese name at the table. Then you either draw a names out of hat. The chosen person goes around the table and tries to say each person's Chinese name. Oh, you have to have little prizes to give to the person(s) who remember the most names. Prizes can be inexpensive: beef jerky, incense, little tea cups etc...

Well, let's see. Last year for fun, we celebrate a Robbie Burns/Chinese New Year. We dined on Chinese food and each got up to read a Robbie Burns poem. I copied a sampling of poems so everyone could read it in an old english voice. It was fun!! To put a spin on this, depending on if the restaurant allows it or maybe they have one in the back. Bring in a karoake machine with a monitor so the table guests can sing along. You could spin the bottle(bottle of soya sauce), the person chosen has to belt out a song for their dinner.

How about red envelopes for each plate? You can fill them with party favours like: chocolates(non CNY), red candies, gingered and/or dried package fruits, money... The envelopes can be place name tags if you want to alternate boy, girl etc....that way you can mix it up a bit if your table guests do not know each other.

Hello. Fellow Toysans. I regret not picking up more cooking tips from my granny. She died when I was very young. But I remember when I visited my grandparents, that she would be busy cooking in the kitchen. I know she made the dumplings by hand(hai gow)(used the rice bowl as her cookie cutter, sticky rice with duck and other delectable goodies. Where can I gain this kind of knowledge? Your pics of the deep fried dumplings look like a step in the right direction. It is like I am rediscovering my roots. I look forward to visiting this poster.......

Check out this site: http://www.tourismvictoria.com/Content/En/1430.asp Dining out Victoria - 40 Participating restaurants with 3 course menu $15 and $25

Hello. I remember eating sticky toffee pudding when I visited Bath in the UK several years ago. I recall the small square I purchased in a sweet shop and it was quite dense, darker in colour and crowned with a dollop of caramel sauce. I lost the top to a cat who was trailing me but I got to eat the bottom. Anyways, I like the looks of your creation. I might try it and serve it up for a St Patrick's Day potluck.

2 sticks butter Hello, loved your cookies. I have a question, how much is 2 sticks of butter. Is it 1 cup and is it unsalted.

Hello. I have been reading your comments off and on for the past few months. I really enjoy the postings. This is real life, not the glam version as depicted on some food channels.

The menu sounds great.I had a reservation for Sat but could not make it so my friends are going without me. I am envious. Anyways, I know they will report back to me. I will try this resto next month, when I have my waist back.

Wow, that chocolate waterfall is fantastic. Is it on 24/7? The pastries are like the desserts I saw in the display cases in Europe, but more colourful and vibrant. I must make a trip to Vegas just so I can see this at the Bellagio.

Here are some suggestions: 1. DOV can be limited to 90 minutes from start to finish. That can be mentioned in in the advertising and promotions leading up to the event. This could be problematic for resto to get the timing right, server/waiter to kitchen and back....etc. But this way, can turn the tables over faster. 2. Non-refundable amount of $10 per person could be charged and/or applied to the total amount of the bill to the party that shows up and for the no shows, the amount goes to the restaurant. As an aside why not hold the table for 15 minutes and/if the party does not show, the table goes to the walk-in customers. 3. DOV extended for one month and valid only for the weekdays( Mondays to Thursdays) and regular menu for Fridays and weekends. 4. How about a set tasting menu- no choice(restos discretion)- one vegetarian and one meat/fish/chicken entree, with appy/salad and/or dessert. This is all for now, I may add more ....

I was there for dinner on Thurs night. Quite enjoyed the shandy for a drink. I had the hand made ravioli and ordered the mushroom strusel(nice and flaky). For the main course, the beef ribs served with polenta( flavourful and moist-meat comes off the bone easily and spinach and some other vegetable( cooked with a good crisp bite and dessert was the mousse(well, what can I say, if you are a chocolate lover- too die for. As Oliver says " more please" All good, comfort food for a winter night. I will go again and try the rest of their menu when DOV is over. I think I have gone out every night this week with one day off.

I have been to 3 restaurants for dineout and I had reservations for all. I showed up early, this reservation was at Joe Fortes for 8pm, and we were able to get seated at 7;30pm and this was on Friday. The next reservation was for Mon at West 7pm but again we were seated about 6:45. The most recent reservation was for Saltaire 7pm but we arrived early, and was seated a little after 6pm. So it goes to show, either the restos were not that busy and/or some people did not call to cancel their reservation.