Andrew Morrison

Too bad about the damn tigers...

Care to explain this, Derek?

Tru dat, yo. Remember last year's Whine Out Vancouver thread? A deal's a deal's the deal, ideally ( ), but when those that seek them burn those that greet them, the servers will want to eat them.

When I do I review for the WE, regardless of whether it's positive or negative, I have to arrange for the staff photographer to come down and take some shots a few days later. "Hi this is Andrew Morrison calling. I'm reviewing your restaurant for next week's issue, and was wondering when it would be a good time to send our photographer down?" "Is it a good review?" "You'll have to wait until Thursday, I'm afraid." It's awkward at best, but there it is. I doubt Ms. Gill has to personally arrange for her photography, but if she does it's likely she follows a similar path.

Damn website is up and then it messes up again. Egads. In any event, I've had some fun today. Bumped into Keith Nicholson from Nu setting up for the Canadian Heroes tasting of B.C. and Ontario wines. Tom Doughty is up here, too (as are Gismondi and Pawsey). Haven't seen Jamie Maw but did a twirl around the trade tasting with the lovely and talented lauraf. I really wanted to have lunch at Apres, but they weren't open. Same with Umbertos, Quattro, and Araxi. Ended up chowing down on Kung Pao at Earl's which was totally packed with a gortex crowd of nubiles all rosy-cheeked and lovely. I'm now dangerously over-carbed and araring to get silly. I'm back at the Chateau now. The hotel is getting swamped with some serious weekend traffic. The snow has been falling like mad so there are lots of people carrying boards and skis about. I'm always underdressed for every occasion, and I've failed miserably as far as winter gear is concerned. I'm wearing jeans, a sweatshirt, and desert boots. Smart. Crush starts in a couple of hours, and then over to Bearfoot and Araxi. I'll report back here afterwards if I am sober enough. Wish you were all here.

Greetings from the Chateau Whistler! I'm back online and blogging. Wish you were here.

Thanks, Kurtis. Using that logic, does it follow that we'll likely see more prix fixe menus rather than a reduction?

A very good question, Arne. I've started writing a kind of Year in Review piece and I can't get away from the fact that 2005 was the Year of the Prix Fixe. After 5-10 restaurants kept their $30 menus up and running after Dine Out, it started to snow ball in the Spring. After a bit of a dip in the summer, they have returned with a vengeance all across the city. It's a smart idea, but an intriguing conceptual dogpile. Anyone care to venture an answer to the why?

Yeah. Quit lurking and post, Pawsey. We'd love to have you!

I'll be at table (or under it) in Araxi on Friday and Saturday nights, but am open to lunch suggestions away from the crowds. Is that even possible?

I'm glad you brought that up, Neil, as she mentioned the call the last time we talked. She wasn't upset by it, just a little surprised. I was too flabbergasted to post about it, and caught myself apologising to her. It's OK to call up a restauranteur to complain or compliment, but to venture unsolicited advice while flashing the decoder ring can reek of zealotry run amok. That being said (and to my ear at least), it sounded as if the mystery eGulleter was just really enthusiastic about Diner and wanted to help with a few suggestions. I'm certain his heart is in the right place.

Waiterblog has been having some server troubles for the last week, but I hope to have it up and running by this Thursday so I can blog my misadventures at Cornucopia (that is, should anyone care to read what will likely turn out to be disjointed wine-soaked drivel). If you make it up there, I'll be in the bar.

Anyone else going up?

I'm up there from Thursday to Sunday. Looking forward to it!

Thank you. Though it helps pay the rent, poker is the devil.

I don't speak for any other critic in the city, but I want to take the opportunity to say thank you for not considering our work to be "thread-worthy".

No doubt they will.

Wow. Great post, and all good questions and points. Big yes, but with respect to the fact that the audience of the WE is small I don't think it's plausible my words could make any difference. The review in question comes out this morning. A relevant excerpt: You wrote: Agreed. Having spent so much of my life in restaurants, I've never been able to stop cheering for the good ones. You're bang on target. I wrote: I'll probably get some guff for that. Anyway, it's nice to be close to the same page as you, TFA, and I've never known a "mere" cook in my life.

One of those is an actual quote, while the others are fairly representative of things I've overheard at restaurant bars I've sat at or worked at over the years. I've worked with some pretty witty/abusive people in my time who take cajolery to literary heights, so the Elmore/Tarantino quip isn't too far off. I wrote that months ago, and I still overhear service staff discussing the relative pros and cons of their customers, co-workers, and managers as they wait for their drinks at the bar pass. I don't know why, but it almost always seems to be the case that a few people on the floor crew believe the bar to be some sort of casual sound vortex where no one can hear them spout. As I wrote way upthread, it's one of the reasons I try to sit at the bar whenever I dine out (tonight, it's Fiction for the game). In contrast, Michelle and I sat at the bar for dessert at Brasserie L'ecole last night and no abuse was thrown about.

TFA, Irishgirl, and Jamie: what time did you go, was it really busy, and how were they holding up under the onslaught?

I know it's OT, but don't tell me you've never noticed Daddy-A's gorgeous eyes.

Ha, I know what you mean. I'm sitting over here across the Strait sharing my little Sith lord's Halloween take and all I can think about is chocolate souffle. It's funny how romances begin....

Took the growing brood to Mo:Le in Victoria this morning and gorged on a fabulous beet-top bechemel sauced Galloping Goose sausage omelette with chanterelles and pesto hash (it's easier to eat than write!). John's Place yesterday for an awful chicken burger and cold fries (bun three times the size of the chicken breast and wilted lettuce makes for the grosser side of bad). Same staff (love them though I do) serving the same old menu. Tonight it's either J&J's Noodle House or a return to Brasserie. Fiction tomorrow night for the hockey game (they are apparently giving away two tickets to a future game), and then on to Guu with Garlic to curse the Wild or Chambar where I will pose as several different eGulleters cashing in on free beers. I might not be as beautiful as snacky cat or as handsome as Neil, but with a little mascara, some dark light, and a razor, I'm sure I could pass as Arne. Bring on the Stella and Go Canucks Go!

Who is the talking head?

Diner has no website, no email, and no PR. Just Heather @ 604-444-4855. Still cash only, I believe, too. I love it. There was not much to speak of in my notes as far as the wine department is concerned, perhaps about 10-15 options total (including Gray Monk's Pinot Gris), but it isn't a vino-centric place by any stretch of the imagination. If it were to have any liquid focus at all, it would be beer, sodas, and milkshakes (there's a canteloupe martini that I've been meaning to try, too). Happy dining. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.