Feedbag

Sorry I'm going to miss the burger "meat" this weekend, since it's in my 'hood. I look forward to the reviews. On the bacteria issue, here's what I don't get: didn't we all eat undercooked hamburgers growing up? I don't recall people keeling over and croaking from ecoli back then. Is it really a new bacteria, method of cooking, method of processing or what? 'Course I don't remember hearing about a mad cow either.

$27 for a five pound bird???? Yowza! Cioffi's has fresh free rangers for half that.

Italia, that's it (I thought it was too obvious to be!). I love their Baci cookies, yum. Surprised to hear Fratelli's is not up to par. I used to make a trip there specifically for the St. Honore cakes because they were the best I'd ever tasted. Sad to hear they're slipping (I haven't been in a while). Thought I heard the original owners had sold, so maybe that's the problem?

Thanks you guys for the suggestions. They look great! Will definitely check 'em out.

Forgot also to ask, anyone know of any good dining options in Parksville/Qualicum Beach area? Is Tigh-na-mara a good place to sup (and stay)? Thanks!

Are there other places in the Sooke area that are reasonably priced to dine at? Planning a trip to Point No Point as well in mid-May, but can't really afford Sooke Harbour House's prices (plan to blow our cash at the Wick and The Pointe during the same trip). The restaurant at Point No Point looks good for one meal, but wondered about others in the area. We're planning to stay a couple days. Suggestions welcome!

Valley Bakery is fine if you like Safeway-quality stuff (ick). Fortuna, a block or so east, is far better. They're the ones who supply all the local restaurants with their Portuguese buns. And their custard tarts are the best in the west. There's another bakery/deli farther west on Hastings, on the Vancouver side, around Renfrew in a strip mall. Can't remember the name of it, but very Italian. Lots of tarts, cakes (the tiramisus are apparently first-rate), cookies, breads, etc. Very good, very authentic.

OK, I'll bite: why not?

The Soho Bar & Grill that took over the Fog 'n' Suds space on Lougheed & Bainbridge (N. Bby) is now open. Went in for a look-see. Didn't have anything to eat (same old, same old boring bar menu everyone else has), but the pints were $3.75, even for Stella, so that was enough of a draw. The room doesn't seem changed, same config. Not particularly comfortable, don't know what it is. Might be good to watch a game or two. Across the street, the Russian restaurant Romanoff's has opened in Rain's old spot. Haven't been in but see they're advertising lunch specials for $11.95. Nothing on the menu is less than that. Seems a wee bit steep for lunch...

Dang it, EAT comes to the Hinterland. Wondered what y'all were speakin' 'bout, then noticed copies at Cioffi's in N. Bby. Haven't had a chance to crack it yet, but will report once I do.

Even though I haven't been doing much dining out lately, I had to chime in here after the posts on Parkside. Significantly better half made reservations there on Thursday for my birthday on Saturday. On the day, though, we learned a friend was playing in a band, which is an incredible rarity for him. We debated all day whether to ditch the Parkside and hear the band. I've read so many great things about the restaurant and since I don't get to go to fancy-schmancy restaurants much these days, and since it was a special occasion I was really torn. As the day wore on, ever mindful of the courtesy to call and cancel as soon as possible, we finally did so. Much to our surprise and chagrin, the person on the other end said there was no record of our reservation! No biggie, I guess, and I only mention it because I was thinking how I would have felt had we decided to go. After making a tough choice, and it being my birthday, only to be told at the door there was no reservation? I woulda wept. It all worked out anyway, but I wonder how often this happens. Tried Da Mario on Hastings in Burnaby for the first time. Excruciatingly slow service, but friendly. And the food was worth the wait. Other than that, a quick visit to Black Tuna where I was disappointed to see Chilean Sea Bass on the menu. When I mentioned to the server that I thought it was endangered, or at least in bad form to serve it, he actually laughed. Said I must be thinking of some other fish. Whatever. Third place? Um, well, yummy French toast at Marina Grill, which never disappoints. C'est tout!

Thanks for the feedback. I've had luck with back roads and alleys in the past so will certainly try that again. Just wondered if there were any faves among those who make this destination a regular deal. Always been curious about Bahia de Magdalena, so will look forward to your report about that as well as Todos Santos, Mark, thanks!

After reading about the shockingly high-priced, Americanized restaurants in Cabo, just wondering if there's anything left of authentic Mexico in the area. Has Todos Santos been over-run too? Are there any reasonably priced, fresh fish places there? Have massive hotel chains scarred the landscape here since I was last there five years ago? I'm afraid to hear the answer...

I'm intrigued by the suggestions because I'm in the same situation with a milestone birthday (not mine) but am thinking Whistler. I want to throw in a slight bonus: I want to rent a Porsche to drive up the Sea to Sky for the big night. Anyone know if there are luxury car dealers that rent Porsches for the weekend without mortgaging the homestead?

For those in the boonies, two new places opening in Burnaby, at Lougheed and Bainbridge. Rain, which was formerly Stinking Rose, which was formerly BB Belton's, closed in the summer. Looks like a Russian restaurant going in there. Odd. Across the highway, the old Fogg 'n' Suds, which has been shuttered for some time, looks like it's being taken over by something called the Soho Grill (?).

Caffe Artigiano, I noticed, had a staff party at the Mountain Shadow pub in Burnaby last night. Don't know why I found that odd/amusing/noteworthy, just thought you'd all be clamoring to know...

For those of you who missed it on Bravo, the first season of Godiva's is being rerun on Citytv Sundays at 10 p.m. So if you don't have cable you can catch up on what everyone's been talking about. The second season, which premieres Feb. 14, comprises 13 episodes, as opposed to the first season's six. Looks like the reports of its demise were greatly exaggerated.

"I do something quite different than food writing during the day, and nasty brutish men in hard hats will be visiting throughout the morning and afternoon. " Your stage name wouldn't be Buck Naked would it? Great blog, wonderfully evocative (most of the time) imagery...

Thanks everyone, great suggestions, particularly yours, John. I ended up going with, on the store's suggestion, a 2000 Chianti Classico called Poggio Teo Valiano. It was $32 and very tannic. So much so I likely wouldn't buy it again. I should have thought of the Chateauneuf, had them before and you're right, they are soft and rich. Next time! Thanks again for the advice. I've marked down your other suggestions and will try them soon. Cheers!

Hi there, Never posted in this area because I'm a big ol' no-nothing nincompoop when it comes to wine. So I'm hoping for a little recommendation here. Having a special anniversary dinner at a restaurant, then want to come home and sip a nice bottle of red like it was a port or something. Don't have a lot of cash, but will spring for a bottle in the $30 range. I also don't know all the technical terms to describe a wine, but let me just say I like a silky smooth, rich, full bodied red. Any and all ideas welcomed. Thanks very much!

"Rob Feenie is NOT opening a place in Toronto. . . he confirmed that Burnaby would be the next location. I believe a Feenie's style. I look forward to it. What an amazing new addition to the burbs. " Holy crap! Arne, did you hear that??? Burnaby??? Good enough for Feenie??? We're officially outta the backwater...

"Just OK" about sums them up. Duncan Hines cake mix tastes better. But yeah, nice to look at.

Thanks, 11son, for the thoughtful rundown and alternatives. Agree re Villa del Lupo, was there a long time ago but recall it was a pretty special room/house, not to mention exquisite cuisine. Arriva, now there's a place I haven't been to - or thought about - in a long time. Maybe I believed the rumour that there was a mafia hit there (never good for business), which closed the joint down for a bit. Wasn't it owned at one time by a local food writer? Wasn't Barber, was it? Anyhoo, after all this, the SO has decided he wants seafood now, so I may just print out Ling's Cannery coupon and go there. As I recall from past visits, it's a reliable standby, and there's that whole sustainable oceans thing they got going on. Not to mention, there will be fireworks and carol ships a-cruisin' on by. How special is that? Thanks everyone, for your thoughts and advice. I'll let you know how it goes. Cheers

Unacceptable behaviour, no question. On so many levels. 1) Billing yourself as a "tourist destination restaurant" implies in a way that you provide an experience that's representative of a Vancouver experience. If Jamie had been a tourist, imagine the stories he'd tell his friends and family upon return to his home. They'd get the impression Vancouver's a rude city. Regardless, though, whether you're a tourist or a local, you shouldn't be subjected to rude and unprofessional behaviour. As has been pointed out here so many times, there are far too many other establishments in which to spend your hard-earned rubles. For many people, one strike and you're out. And word gets around, whether you're a food writer or tourist or local. In such a competitive industry, who can afford that? 2) Service until 11 means service until 11. They closed because there was fog??? Does fog affect the flavour of the food? Do the chefs' brains suddenly short out, making them unable to cook? How much scenery can you see at night anyway? Still, if they'd decided to close early, a sign should have been posted downstairs on the door to avoid the walk of shame upstairs/downstairs. 3) This probably goes to point 1, but whether you're a restaurant reviewer or Joe Sixpack, every paying customer is important equally. As a former travel editor and now occasional travel writer, I hate like hell having the red carpet rolled out for me. Hardly representative of what the average customer experiences, resulting in a biased report. When this did happen, I'd make a point of going back anonymously to get the true experience. Restaurants shouldn't have a black book of "important" people to watch for to treat them better. Everyone should be treated the same: as a valuable customer, your raison d'etre. I wonder, Jamie, did you mention this to the GM? Also, does anyone know if Watermark staff lurks here? This really outta be mentioned to management. If I ran the joint, I'd want people to know this one guy does not represent my business approach and he should be given an attitude adjustment -- or his walking papers.

Oh....sorry. You know what, I've never been to Chambar, I just assumed by the reports here that it was on the scale of Joe Fortes, CinCin, Bluewater, Gotham's, etc. etc. So does this mean Il Giardino is more expensive than Chambar? OK, OK, I'll check Chambar's website, I'm just being lazy.... While we're on the topic of Chambar, though, would you say it's a more romantic room than Il Giardino? Maybe I should start a new thread, Most Romantic Restaurants in Vancouver, or has someone already started that? OK, OK, I should do a search.....