Vancitygirl

In past years...... Books to Cooks comes through - she is sold out though. Doolin's Irish Pub 654 Nelson Street (at Granville St.) Robbie Burns Day at SFU Pipers, poetry and haggis at all three campuses and SFU Pipe Band's Robbie Burns Dinner (was at the Executive in Coquitlam last year). Robbie Burns Day at the Scottish Cultural Centre Robbie Burns Night Doc Morgan's Pub, Snug Cove And of course Toddish McWong's Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner as mentioned above.

http://www.ochef.com/133.htm Here is a link about it. I was curious (as usual).

Stopped by Fuel today. They did a practice run yesterday and should be open by December 20th. The room looks great. Amazing light fixtures add uniqueness. http://www.fuelrestaurant.ca/ The menu looks amazing. So mad I have to wait until January to try.

I have had some excellent meals there. The quail's egg with duck confit were superb last week.

It does. I've seen Neal's Yard cheese there.

O Thai has not lost their head Chef. They are looking for a new sous chef though.

This weekend is "Your Local Farmers Market Society 11th Annual Holiday Market (formerly known as the Winter Market)" December 9 & 10, 2006 10am - 5pm both days Heritage Hall, (Main Street and 15th Avenue) Vancouver Admission: $2 each day Children under 13 FREE Each day is different! Shop at familiar summer market vendors and new vendors you may have never met before. Get there EARLY! Last year there was lineups down the block. Promises even more vendors this year and they are different on each day.

Can I pitch you outside this scope? Not that I don't like (most of) your choices.

Damn those post-cocktail posts!

Went by El Patio on Denman today. Don't know if it ever opened, but there was tons of mail in the door and it didn't look very "open". The room looks like crap ). I used to work at the original El Patio and there was such an authenticity about the place (hey I can pass for Spanish when my hair is dyed appropriately). The food was consistently average, but tapas were "the new thing" at the time and there was some interesting stuff for this city (my staff meals were amazingly improved once I started dating the Chef). Chico and Leo were charming hosts and Leo an excellent boss (but god it's hard to say anything nice about Chico as he was a bastard to work for. Sidebar - he was emptying the spitons at the last IVSA and rather than strutting by and gloating I refrained and turned the other cheek). Back to the point. I am sad to see the El Patio name on this less-than-stellar place. It's a real shame. Long live the old days!

Capers has some great stuff in a black tin. Can't think of the name right now. It's free-trade though, but I can't assert that there weren't any CSB killed in the process.

Great points Stovetop - but why Okanogan? Okanagan. And Cav Sav? Cab Sav please. Other than that - thank you. Sorry, I just can't help myself. PS - Please feel to edit me. Everyone else does!

You'll be please to hear that some sea bass is sustainable. Not sure if Whole Foods in Canada is carrying it, but they are in the U.S. A quick trip to Antarctica would ensure a supply. "The Marine Stewardship Council, an international environmental agency based in London, has certified as sustainable a small Chilean sea bass fishery in the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic near Antarctica. Whole Foods says the fish it is selling comes only from that fishery."

Here's another interesting story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AivJDLt7-So...related&search=

Try the farmers markWinter Farmers Market at the Wise Hall 1882 Adanac St at Victoria Drive. 10am - 2pm- First Saturday of the month - November 4, December 2, January 6/07, February 3/07, March 3/07, April 7/07 et first Saturday of the month in East Van.

WHAT! Please tell me more. Is this just a fun name or is Sake involved. Please tell me the latter is true. Please?

For all those interested: BC Liquor Stores are releasing a special collection of premium British Columbia wines in selected government liquor stores on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006. This fall’s The Best of BC release brings together 27 premium Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wines that showcase some of the more spectacular vintages in recent years. These rare, sought-after British Columbia wines are produced in small quantities and have limited availability in the marketplace. A special pre-release tasting of 10 of the wines is being held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver on Nov. 8, 2006. There are 85 tickets available for this event. Tickets are on sale now for $25 each and can be purchased at two Lower Mainland stores only (39th & Cambie, Park Royal). The tasting panel for this event includes: Sandhill master winemaker Howard Soon, Cedar Creek proprietor Gordon Fitzpatrick, renowned Vancouver oenophile and wine writer Sid Cross and Stephen Schiedel from the BC Liquor Distribution Branch. The Best of BC wines will be available beginning Nov. 12, 2006 at: 39th & Cambie (Vancouver), Park Royal (West Vancouver), Thurlow & Alberni (Vancouver), HighGate Village (Burnaby), Westwood Centre (Port Coquitlam), Nordel Crossing (Surrey), Fleetwood (Surrey), Abbotsford, Meadowtown (Pitt Meadows), Penticton Plaza, Columbia Place (Kamloops), Orchard Park (Kelowna), Fort Street (Victoria) and Westshore (Langford), while supplies last. Buyers are advised to shop early to avoid disappointment. Limited quantities per customer will apply on all products. Visit www.bcliquorstores.com to download a copy of the Best of BC brochure.

I've seen cactus at South China Seas in Graville Island. Ouch!

Hmmm, City Food says they have it in stock but the e-mail I got yesterday from les amis says they are taking orders for expected delivery around December 5th: ← Rhonda corrected on the website - you must order now for delivery later.

Mooshmouse - come out from behind that cheese! Where have you been. Must have a cheese fest this weekend.

Rob Feenie and Buffet in the same sentence. Heavens. Portions are descent though, so you won't leave hungry. Try sharing a bit so you can sample a few things. ) Smoked salmon blinis $16 with poached eggs, butter sauce, salmon caviar and shaved asparagus Wild mushroom & goat cheddar omelette $12 served with balsamic salad and roasted tomato Scrambled egg on a rosti potato $12 with wilted spinach and pancetta crisp Soft boiled egg and duck confit $16 on a root vegetable & green bean salad tossed in pecan vinaigrette Souffled apple pancake $9 with warmed cinnamon maple syrup Brioche french toast $10 with candied pecans, whiskey maple syrup and sour cream mousse Homemade granola $7 with mango, papaya, yogurt and lavender honey Ham benny $12 served on a croissant with hollandaise sauce Feenie’s family breakfast $12 two eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, roasted potatoes and toast Breakfast poutine $9 hand cut fries, with lardons, soft poached egg, cheese curds and gravy Short Rib Sandwich $15 Braised short rib meat with caramelized onions, swiss cheese, and grainy mustard on an olive oil bun Smoothie of the day $5 Ask your server

A cocktail drinking night with me would include stops at: The Ocean Club (also eat some mini-burgers to prepare tummy for lushy behavior), West (David's amazing), Figmint (at least I have one original thought), Nu, Chambar, George and just when you've about had it, more martinis at Delilah's during the Saturday Diva night. Try to keep up to me that evening.

Yes and yes yes yes. http://www.chocoatl.com/

Sorry to drift. Point One: There are non-VQA wines that are all BC grapes - Kettle Valley, La Frenz, Poplar Grove, Blue Mountain, etc. Point Two: Hester Creek did wines in a box a couple years back - didn't see them again. Must investigate. Anyone know of other BC wine in box?

It must be in the little mall - I'll do a drive by and check it out. Sounds spectacular and there's parking. ?We will be offering a vast array of our sustainably caught wild BC seafood, harvested with our own commercial fleet, choose from our premium frozen at sea, fresh, naturally smoked and live products, along with a delectable menu of chefs creations from the Bistro for ‘eat in’ or ‘take out’. "