appreciator

You can buy La Costena (sp?) brand in cans at the Apple Farm Market on West 4th... just saw it there tonight. Never tried it so I can't tell you what it tastes like. Also, Capers (on W 4th) has quite a decent selection of salsa in jars. Not sure if it's authentic enough but the variety is there

I think the place you are referring to was the "First Avenue Bistro" just down from the corner of 1st and Yew where Adesso now resides. They used to have a big steaming pot outside the door which you could see steaming away when walking by in the evening. Too bad it didn't work out.... never did give them a try. And... as to where you can get lobster now (not sure about the bibs though), Sausi's on West Broadway, around Carnarvon, hosts a lobster fest and a crab fest at some point during the year.

Wasn't there a cookbook store on Broadway near MacDonald previously - maybe 1980's. Called the Pink Peppercorn, unless I am totally delusional. Nothing compared to Barbara-Jo's but then there's a lot more cookbooks being published these days. ← You are correct! There was indeed a cookbook store on West Broadway near MacDonald called the Pink Peppercorn. I am pretty sure it was here when I moved to the 'hood in 1985 but am not sure how long it had been in place nor how long it stayed there. I think that if I were to dig through my cookbook collection I could even find one that I picked up from there It was a cool little store but being the mid-eighties.... perhaps just a bit before it's time. Edited 'cuz I had the year wrong

Don't you just love these kind of food experiences when something is just so damn good you could die a happy camper on the spot. Sadly, I have not tasted tomahawk bacon myself (yet) so will also wait to hear what others have to say..

First food related job was working the front counter at Embe Bakery on Salt Spring Island. Part time during the last year of high school, then full time for a year before moving back to Vancouver. It was a good place but put me off eating croissants for a very long time.... all that butter! The effect has worn off now unfortunately First restaurant job was working at the now long since defunct Hearts on Alma at West 5th. Waitressing and working behind the cap machine churning out lattes by the dozen. Mind you, I also used to drink double, and triple shot lattes by the dozen which probably explains why I almost never go out for coffee anymore.

Thank you... Boleto it was. I wonder what happend there, it seemed to be so hopping, especially at lunch.

Personally, I've never soaked lentils before cooking, well except once, when making an appetizer, but then they were just mixed with other ingredients and fried, no water/ broth added. But for soup... never. Red lentils usually fall apart completely, even after just minimal cooking. Reading through the recipe.... I think I'd be more inclined to use brown/green lentils though, as they'd add a bit more texture which might be nice. But that's just my nsho.

I'm another high temperature gal.... I guess we're all going to have to give the low temperature.... longer cooking time a try, to compare

say what ? ← It's my own word. pesce = fish poulet = poultry atarian = well vegetables, sorta though not really at all... but pescepouletvegatarian sounded even more stoopid. I came up with it when I slowly started adding creatures back into my previously vegetarian diet. Can't use it anymore though as last summer I succumbed to bbq beef kabobs! Sorry... waaaaaaay OT

I love tofu And, when cooking regularly (which sadly I'm not at the moment) I usually make a tofu dish once or twice a week. Things I have made in the recent past are a couple of recipes from Cooking Light. Here's a link: Cooking Light and if you use the password noted previously (LIVEWELL), then you should be able to access these recipes. The first one I made was tofu larb. I think this is traditionally made with ground pork? The tofu worked well as a substitute in my opinion. Only change I made to the actual recipe was to serve it in butter lettuce leaves instead of the cabbage leaves suggested. I also made Tofu Bites, easy and a good snack to have on hand for a nibble during the week. Cooking Light actually has quite a few good tofu recipes and some that can easily be adapted. Several times, I've made their Sichuan-Style Stir-Fried Chicken and just substituted tofu for chicken, and cashews for peanuts (the last part is because I can't eat peanuts ) Molly Katzen's cookbook "The New Moosewood Cookbook" has a great recipe for tofu salad, which I love. It has a great marinade for the tofu which, once marinated is then mixed with sliced mushrooms, carrots, bell peppers, shredded cabbage, scallions and other things as you like. Very yum.

I've thought of more dearly departed places that I miss.... The Aristocratic, Broadway and Granville, it was great to sit in one of the booths and gaze out the window watching the world go by. McLean's Cafe, Broadway and Burrard - a great spot for a cheap breakfast. The Alma Street Cafe, Broadway and Alma - the memory I have of this place is having dinner there a couple of years after I moved here, with my parents and one of my brothers. What sticks in my mind is that my Mum sent her soup back because it was not hot enough. She had a real thing about food being served hot as opposed to luke warm. Funny the things that one retains Shelora... I think you are thinking of Jonathon's. It was a great spot, one of the first "up-scale" dining rooms I ate at in Vancouver. Now... what was the name of the restaurant that Ecco Il Pane used to run where Feenie's now resides? It's on the tip of my tongue.... argh. It was a great spot for lunch.... I remember sitting on the patio one sunny summer afternoon with another one of my brother's and his wife who were visiting from Germany. A quintessential Vancouver experience. All this reminiscing is making me But on the other hand, it is nice to have such fond food memories.

They also serve free-range chicken so I'd say they are more pescepouletatarian In the interest of getting to the bottom of the elusive crust question.... I called them today. Sorry Ling, no lard. They use an organic, non-hydrogenated, GMO-free palm oil shortening. If I've figured out how to do this, here's a link to their website: Aphrodite's Cafe

Benny's Bagels on West Broadway used to make bialys.... not sure if they still do though.

I like roasting eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and garlic for a roasted ratatouille type dish. Also love roasted root veggies.... especially parsnips.... yum It seems to me that there is something about roasting that brings out such sweet qualities in certain vegetables.... it's like vegetable nirvana.

I miss Isadora's on Granville Island..... the space now occupied by the Cat's Meow. When I first moved back to Vancouver from Salt Spring (about 20 years ago, now), my girlfriends and I would go down there for "Go Nut's burgers" amongst other things because it reminded us of "home". Also.... can anyone remember the name of the little place on 4th Avenue and Yew that used to serve breakfast? They made the most amazing brioche. It may have even been called Cafe Brioche though that doesn't sound quite right to me. Used to love going there for breakfast on Sunday mornings. I also miss Tommy Africa's though we really used to go more for the dancing but I'm pretty sure I remember eating there as well at some point. The place was huge!

Thanks 3WC .... I do recall that her name is Heather now that you mention it. She has a very cool set up on her property with the bakery and woodburning oven, etc. Don't think she sells it from home all the time though, but it is definately worth looking into if any "bread" people are heading to Salt Spring. This is very interesting as well Sam..... good to know that there are mini pockets of interesting breadmaking going on, on several Gulf Islands.

There's a woman on Salt Spring whom the locals call "the bread lady".... she bakes in a wood fired oven...... very rustic. I tried her bread when I was over for the apple festival back in the fall.... it's pretty good. If anyone has been on the "gallery" tours, I think she's on the list (not sure exactly how bread fits into the whole pottery, painting, sculpture mix... but it is art).... she's out towards Ruckle Park. Has anyone else tried her bread? Next time I'm over (perhaps even this weekend if I get a chance) I'll get a few more details.

Given your background, and what some of us have heard about Wild Fire, and others have experienced, I'm sure we'll all be looking forward to seeing what comes about Looking forward to it! Please keep us posted. edited because.... I seem to be having some trouble conveying myself of late... and because my computer keeps crapping out on me!!! very annoying!!!!!

Damn! I had a post and accidentally erased it because I'm a techno butt head! Perhaps I was meant to cut it short.... 3WC... when are you going to make us bread? (not us as in egullet folk... but us as in Vancouverites ) And, while I'm being nosy, how do you feel about Ecco Il Pane's bread? Personally.... I like their bread better than Terra but haven't put it up against Mix yet. It's a different beast though.... so I'm not sure if either of these is a fair comparison. Also... if I may ask....... where have you baked your bread prior to landing in VCR?

Last week lunch at Adesso with Ling and Montrachet.... I think we've said enough about it already though.... On the weekend.... dinner at Simpatico's.... appetizers - really great humous and melitzano;.... entrees - well, about what you'd expect. Tons of food however! Everything was fine... though nothing particularly outstanding (save for the humous and melitzano). We did have a very enjoyable evening.... the place is a 4th Avenue institution Brunch at Aphrodite's Organic Cafe..... really good coffee.. I had scrambled eggs, a croissant, smoked salmon and herb sour cream sauce. Not exactly the presentation I was expecting but I put it all together myself (oh how industrious of me - not) and it was very good. Both of my dining companions had the mushroom omelet and they tucked in pretty well so I take that as a good sign. I like what they are trying to do at this cafe so I will definitely be back to try their menu at lunch and dinner. What else... oh yes.... take out. Chinese from Szechuan Chili... I love this place (they have northern style chow mein - which means soft noodles in case anyone else didn't know besides me). And pizza from Nat's, which was oddly disappointing. I haven't had pizza from Nat's in a few years and it is not at all like I remembered.

yummm... chocolate rugelach..... poppyseed rugelach.... omg! Ling, you have to try these Am I spelling rugelach right???? I hope so....... Also... I love their knishes..... savory little morsels.... I am very sure that they have picked a great new spot at 7th and Yukon... close to the Police Station, close to City Hall and close to the VGH!!!

Well Feedbag.... as people are obviously enamored with a particular establishment.... Hy's... I think you can safely surmise that you have your answer

Thank you ever so much for your detailed response.... I am going to make this soup tomorrow (because it really sounds extremely tasty ).... as luck would have it, I even have everything on hand.... joy I love soup.... Reading this thread has rekindled my passion for soups of all kinds. Perhaps when I truly get back into the groove I'll report back Thank you again Gourmande!

Pao Pao beat me to it... Le Gavroche is not the name of the restaurant in Mexico he refers.... to but the one in Vancouver... in case anyone is confused.... . Le Gavroche.... neither Mexican nor Italian will make a caesar salad at your table.... http://www.legavroche.com/menu.htm A friend of mine had dinner there recently and said that their caesar salad was very good indeed.

Thanks! Now another couple of nit picky questions if you don't mind .... What kind of apple did you use? And.... Did you do anything in particular when making the the red pepper coulis? Thank Q