Feedbag

....cooking in parchement.... That's exactly what I did! Turned out great; thanks again for suggestions.

I was hoping no one would mention the Marina Grill. Hate the lineups for weekend brunch as it is!

I LOVE Wing Wah, especially for the fried green beans! I've eaten a whole plate of just those. Chongqing's are also great, but Wing Wah edges them into first place in my book. Don't know if this should also be on the Main St. thread, but I just tried Hawker's Delight for the first time - nothing on the menu over $6. I had the curry chicken. Not spectacular, but certainly good enough, and what value. Two of us split it and still had leftovers!

yep, abstinence makes the buds grow fonder. I'll just chill for a few days, eat salad and something out of a can, then I'll be re-energized for something better. I think the new cookbook idea is a good one, too. When I'm like this, I can't imagine being a chef. Where do they get the energy, the inspiration? Thanks all for sharing. Glad I'm not alone. (I like the term food fatigue, too!)

I mentioned on another thread that this might be considered sacriligeous on a forum such as this, but man, sometimes I open the fridge, stare inside and think, what can I make tonight that's different? Would anyone give a flying fig if I made nothing? Just the thought sometimes of venturing up to the butcher, monger, produce stand and bakery, hunting and gathering for the evening's repast is just so draining. I get bored to tears at the thought of making another meal. Maybe I just rely too much on old standbys. Nothing excites me anymore, not even restaurant food. I stare at my plate and think, yeah, so what. Anyone else suffered from such a disorder? What's the cure?

Yup, like so many places with a built-in view, they coast on that and don't bother with anything time-consuming like service or food. Was there twice, once in winter another time in summer. The food was so unremarkable I can't even remember what we had. I do remember Ice Cube (the rapper/actor, not the hard water) was shooting a movie there while we were there. Whoop.

I second the sandwich way, but definitely toasted with mayo and mustard and of course a thick slab of sweet onion. If you want to get really fancy, throw on some tomato and cuke slices. Yum.

Lightly dredged with flour, splashed with orange, also good. Good and simple, and I guess that's what fish is all about - don't want to overpower the little swimmers. Thanks again to all! (Peace indeed.)

Mmmm, pineapple. And cream?! Wow, verrrry interesting. Thanks for that; I'll give it a shot. Cheers.

Hi there, Making a special dinner for someone who loves fish. I recall many moons ago a recipe for sole stuffed with shrimp (basically slap some shrimp on the sole with dill and roll it up, bake) dressed with champagne cream sauce. But I don't recall the particulars. Anyone know, or have other ideas of how to save a sole from mediocrity? Or halibut, for that matter, since it's in season? I've made it with mango or canteloupe salsa, but I'd kinda like to do something different. I'd grill, but my barbecue's outta commission, so the tips need to be confined to baking or poaching/sauteeing. Thanks for any and all suggestions! (And any interesting accompanying savoury sides, too!) Cheers!

Took a couple eg recommendations for the last 3. 1) Da Francesco for the much raved about rose sauce. Ehh, OK. I usually don't eat pasta out because I tend to make it better. Plus I try to order something I wouldn't normally make myself. Should have tried the osso bucco and risotto also raved about. Or pizza. Think I'll be back for pizza. The room had only two other tables occupied. The highlight was being served by Uncle Junior. 2) Keddah House. Got the garlic prawns, chicken broccoli and chicken satay. Ehh, OK. Did I miss something? What were the dishes others here have raved about? Went next door for gulab jamun. Ehh, OK. Had better at a place on sixth st in New West (can't remember the name). 3) Nevermind. Pizza and Stella Artois on the deck in the sunshine because the Jericho Sailing Club grill was closed for reno's. Pretty good thin crust smoked chicken pizza. Deck drinks accompanied to the sound of roaring traffic kinda doesn't do it for me, though. I'm not usually this picky or hard to please, but lately food just bores me. Anyone else? Should I start a thread? Or is being bored by food sacriligeous here?

I get the intent of the topic, and because you're curious about ethnic groups who don't dine out regularly isn't implying anything negative, for those who are leaping to that conclusion. It's true; glance around a restaurant next time you're out and you usually see a sea of whites (Chinese restaurants excluded). For that matter, glance around a pub next time. I have Indian friends and Chinese friends who say one reason for this is they don't hold their liquor well. They'd rather have a coke or tea than a beer or glass of wine and don't feel comfortable ordering that in a bar. My Indian friends also tell me their mothers/wives make better Indian food than the restaurants. Don't know why, on the whole, they're not interested in other cultures' food. And the socializing in other places - homes, temples, churches - is more comfortable. (Which doesn't explain the popularity of restaurants in India....) Of course these are generalizations, but worthy of note.

Like Keith, I spend about four weeks a year in L.A. (although not with him. At least, I don't think?) and have never seen A,B,C signs on restaurant windows. What do they mean? Apart from the obvious, I guess, what do you have to do to get a C?

Right, I think that's it. Good to hear your friend raves about it. Let's hear some other reports.

Why, whatever do you mean? Hey, I'd never think anyone with info from the inside would post too much! Very valuable insight. I just meant, servers are generally the ones who encounter the card-holders. Wondered about their feelings toward it. Are we card-carrying pond scum or what? As for posting too much, I'm on a posting flurry on this bleak Sunday afternoon when plans have been cancelled and I'm bored. That's my excuse. What's yours? (If I knew how to play with the emoticons, I'd follow that with a smiley face...)

Happened upon another coffee joint I had never tried - Delaney's on Denman near Davie. Excellent cappuccino and super friendly service. This is just an aside to responding to the topic thread. As we left Delaney's, I noticed hammering and sawing next door. A sign said, "We know you're hungry, please be patient. Fat Burger will soon be here." Or words to that effect. This was a coupla weeks ago and the place looked far from finished, so I guess Fat Burger will open closer to summer. Also, on our way to one of my favorite Chinese joints, Won More Szechuan, also on Denman, noticed a new Japanese place right beside Pacific Crab Co. Can't recall the name, but it's a Japanese tapas place. Peered in the window, room looks kinda cool, menu out front had a lot of intriguing dishes, but we succumbed to the lettuce wrap call and went in to see the "one man with a wok" instead. Anyone been to this new place? Any reports?

Hope this isn't too political, but it is on topic. Anyone ever get a server who greets you like a long-lost friend, then when you whip out the E-card it's like you've just told them you're planning to stay with them for a week - with your six kids? And ferret? Some really have a hard time staying upbeat. It's like they automatically peg you for someone who's going to shortchange them, or take advantage of them in some way. This has only happened to me a couple of times, but boy do you feel like the trailer trash cousin from Hicktown when you present the coupon. Service just slides from that point on. Anybody from "the other side", apart from Neil, care to comment? Do servers despise the card?

When you say "Vancouver's" best sweets, can I assume "Lower Mainland's"?? If so, finally picked up a cheesecake from Pappagallo on Hastings and Sperling, Arne's stomping grounds and high recommendation. I had only ever had coffee here (excellent) but last week gave in and got one of the cheesecakes with chocolate, caramel and nuts on top (can't remember the name!) and, yes, it was exquisite. Just a perfect balance of creaminess, cheesiness and chocolate/ caramel. Yum. And the mocha coffee, just wow. I'm going to buy an entire cake for the next special occasion. Really friendly service, too. Will have to get around to taking up everyone's recommendations for other sweets around the city. We're so deprived here in Burnaby. Unless, of course, anyone from these sticks can recommend comparable places to satisfy a sweet tooth?

New place down by False Creek, about a door or two away from Provence Marinaside. Called Bojangles. Actually quite nice, cheaper alternative to Provence. You get the same deckside view of the water but pay way less. Granted, the food's not as upscale, but the sandwiches, lasagne and pastries were pretty darned good. Nice room, too - and excellent coffee! Speaking of coffee, this may not qualify as the last place I ate, but I went into the new JJ Bean on Main. Asked for a half pound of their house coffee, and the guy asked me if I'd like a cup while I was waiting - on the house! How's that for service? The room is very nice, cozy fireplace on drizzly days is welcome. And the baked goods looked great, oversized muffins still in their tins. I'll try them out next time. Ate at that pub on Clark and Kingsway, Cottage something, can't remember the name, that somebodey recommended. Standard pub fare, nothing outstanding. Not a bad room, and managed to win (OK, just once) against the hardcore NTN trivia players. That's about it. Not much excess food cash available these days to throw around the expensive joints. It'd be nice if the next egullet gathering was held at a pub??? But one with good grub? I realize I'm not allowed to talk about this here, so I won't. Just putting a bug in ears. Cheers.

Funny, I was planning to start a thread like this a while back but got too busy. I was going to ask, when you find your favorite joint on the list, do you go back? I don't. I was really bummed to find my fave Chinese place cited for "rodent infestation". Don't you just love the image? Anyway, I haven't been back, even though they've apparently cleaned up. Can't shake the thought. Once a violator, always a violator? Unfair, I know, but.... I also wondered why, with long lists of violations, some places are open for biz within a day or two. shouldn't it take longer to get a place that must surely have been in pretty poor shape up to acceptable levels? I have images of a heap of dead rats hidden in the closet when the inspector comes back, like when your mom used to force you to clean up your room. In any event, I'm really glad for a service like this.

I was going to add a comment about the "bill to the guy" routine way back, but am heartened to see it isn't just me. Drives me bananas. Back in my expense account days, I'd take out of town associates to restaurants and it was very embarrassing to have the server put the bill in front of my guest (even after I'd asked for it). Does this still happen to other women: servers who pour wine for the guy to taste even if you've ordered it? Fortunately not so much anymore, but that's happened to me in the past. As to the empty plate, servers ALWAYS ask if I'm done even with my cutlery on the plate and the napkin on top. Do they think I'm going to pick around the napkin to continue eating? A couple nights ago I actually laughed out loud because I thought the server was kidding when he picked up my empty cider bottle, looked at it, and asked if I was finished with it. But he was serious... The "I'll be right back with your change" thing has always bugged me too. Don't they know we know what they really mean by that? They want you to say, "oh, no, that's good" as in, "keep the change, it's a tip". Why can't they just pick up the cash quietly? We know you'll be right back, regardless of whether or not we want change. Why are you in such a freakin' hurry for the tip? Come back for it after we leave. You're there all night. Re the "Are there two of you tonight" question, that was a funny comeback. I also like the one where, when you arrive without having called ahead, and they ask, "Do you have reservations" and you reply, "Yes, but we'll eat here anyway."

Thanks for the tip about Cedar Cottage; I'll check it out. As for tough regulars, I've beaten 'em before. (And, having said that, I've cursed myself as a loser forevermore....)

I'm a trivia fiend, so love a place that has NTN. Used to go to Stamp's when they had it, but they don't anymore. Tend to haunt the Mountain Shadow these days (they pay the winners on Thursday nights; yep, I've won). Checkers on Davie and Denman also has it and is a fun place to hang. Also in Burnaby, the place that used to be called Inn on the Green before a Whistler conglomerate bought it, at the Burnaby Mtn. Golf Course (god I've got a bad memory!) has a big deck that's fab on a sunny afternoon. The Hop & Vine is good for free pool, although the atmosphere has changed since it used to be the Stone's Throw. The Foggy Dew on Lougheed and North Road also has trivia but turns into a meat market at night. Long lineups of beautiful babes waiting to get in. Good time if you're into that kinda thing.... Don't do much dancing these days because I like old rock 'n' roll (Beatles, Stones, J. Geills, etc.) and no clubs seem to play these relics.

I had mentioned quite some time ago, on another thread, that it was co-created by Julia Keatley (Cold Squad) based on her past life as manager of Isadora's on Granville Island. Also, most of the actors are or have been waiters. So it's not totally without research. Maybe they were just trying to broaden it so the audience would understand the insider jargon? Can't recall where the other actors are from, but the chef is from Toronto, trained in London, England; the manager is from Jasper, Alberta. Most new shows need time to gel, which this one will have. I hear CHUM has ordered 13 more episodes. Andrew, sounds like you're still linked to the biz, since you're still getting screeners and releases? PS - I say Toron-toe. I was born and raised in Vancouver, and find most, if not all, people who pronounce it Taranna are from there.

Well, finally got around to trying it last night. Took the sweet potato suggestion and it was yummy! I can see why so many of you thought it was hard to describe the taste; it is both sweet and savoury. Really quite unique. Thanks so much for your feedback. I'm now emboldened to try so many other dishes with it. Cheers!