kontemporary

Excellent post, Vancouver Lee. I too tend to think the quality of cutting is dependant more on the skill of the handler than the quality of the knife, in the same way that good driving requires a good driver, not a good car. Even though our city tends to do poorly on the latter as opposed to the former. I think one of the best investments would be not on getting a top of the line chef's knife, but getting a top of the line lesson on knife-handling skills. I think that would contribute to a cooking experience more than anything else a knife could give. (That is, unless you are already a master at this - then by all means get that knife!)

I think that RAV station is going at the parking lot 1 block south of Broadway, behind Cityhall. There is a Whole Foods slated to go at the Crossroads space. ← Neil, do you know what establishments/businesses are going to be affected by the RAV station in Yaletown? EDIT: oh yeah, the cafe crepe on robson has also reopened (a awhile ago actually), if anyone fancies a big pile of crepes

Pino's of course

Wow, you're allowed to drink coffee with the books?? It's own coffee stand AND fireplace? Any other part of town, and the librarians would be hyperventilating, and getting ready to smack you upside the head for getting coffee close to the books... Hearing this is just like the time I went to Park Royal in West Van to check out Whole Foods, and saw everyone using courtesy umbrellas without any vandalism or theft problems. It's like visiting another freakin' country or something. Yes, I can imagine it's very cozy and civilized... ← Must have something to do with the diligent West Van Police Dpt

but it's a 'duo' of desserts with selections from the lumiere menu, as opposed to just normal selections from the tasting bar. i guess thats where the clincher is - and who knows, maybe some sort of amuse or palette cleanser will be thrown in for the DOV'ers

I'm sure everyone does this a-la-carte or not I think it's why tapas-style dining became such a huge trend.. people were sharing entrees alongside appies

104.63 for 1lb!? that's 50 dollars for an 8oz steak! i remember West had a kobe beef entree (and definitely not over 50) on their menu some months back - i didn't realise kobe beef was THAT expensive. regardless, the dinner looks beautiful Ling !

Believe it is the busboy (Noel). Apparently shooting schedules will allow him to work on both shows. Big break for him in the international market. cheers ← I think that's great - Vancouver needs to get more local talent out there in the world. Anyways, I thought the show was quite humourous, and to some extent, accurate of Vancouver somewhat and the industry. Though of course some parts are corny and completely unrealistic (chefs showering in the kitchen ?), I think I'm still drawn to watch the second upcoming episode!

Does the fact that it's a magnum (more uncommon), as opposed to a regular bottle, have anything to do with it?

Not to hjijack the thread - but what exactly is it that attracts people to Choices - the store? We live very close to one on West 16th - but every time we go there we swear it will be the last time. Their produce, fish, meat and cheese selections are very poor and almost everything in the store is seriously overpriced compared to competing stores. Yes they play up the "local" and "organic" factors - but for these you are much better served at Stongs (which has to be one of the better kept secrets in this town) and Capers - or the GIM. Wolfgang Puck soup? Paul Newman salad dressing? The "plastic or paper" mantra at the cash register? Why exactly are people shopping at Choices? ← I tend to think of Choices as Urban Fare-lite. Just a smaller selection, but generally just as upscale in terms of "organic" and "natural." I think people just believe that they're paying for quality, when paying at such a price point at these stores. And of course, most people aren't complete foodies so they would not be aware of the products at Choices compared to the non-descript smaller store. In many cases, they haven't ever stepped foot into the latter so they wouldn't be aware of the same products being supplied.

Wasn't it sort of based on Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential ?? I haven't watched it yet, but I don't think I would find anything wrong with it. It's not supposed to be an accurate representation of the industry or Vancouver, it's just a kitchen drama show. Think the "OC" is like the OC? Not a chance. But hey, it gets viewers.

Come to think about it, since the C lunch I began to become aware of sustainability. Indeed I also try to avoid sea bass these days. fud did you manage to get reservations at Lumiere? EDIT: wow that glass of wine affected my grammar

In most cases, I don't think the restaurant "gives" you 40 dollars pp throughout Winter/Summerlicious for their 3-course. I think corners are generally cut - whether that be a change in the quality of the ingredients (though sometimes this isn't the case when they mass-order a product), a portion size reduction, or selection of menu items where ingredients are cheap. Butternut squash soup, anyone?

I noticed that Risotto factors in to many a menu. It is on the menu at both my reservations. ← vegeterians have to be able to eat something

a squirt of beer - granville island lager if i remember right

^^^ I wish all restaurants had great managers like that. Thumbs up for nu.

I was also surprised the toptables opted out this year (from the looks of it). ← I know West is participating...I just got a 9:30pm reservation for the 27th. ← Must have been their plan all along, to not give TV their menu and to only get the truly dedicated diners I sent an email to the restaurants asking what their DOV menu is.. i'll post it up when (or if) i get a response

I admit, I'm one of those tap water drinkers. But it's not because I don't enjoy wine (actually, I don't really care for the stuff, but I can appreciate it), it's because alcohol does terrible things to my stomach. So for those of us who cannot enjoy delicious BC VQA wine, how can we avoid the "oh my god what cheapskates, they're only drinking tap water" glances from the waitstaff? Short of ordering bottled water, that is. Do most of the restaurants have amazing non-alcoholic beverage pairings for their menus? ← Specifically wine? There's always beer, ciders, scotch, etc. And short of that, there's usually always tea, freshly pressed juices.

I was also surprised the toptables opted out this year (from the looks of it). But I've noticed that the TV site is only displaying 136/144 restaurants, so there are some missing.

Mmm. Butirmoth. With two patio light shake-fuls of moth in every creamy jar. Their blog makes for an interesting read, especially the post about the building's tenants. I also liked the "I feel like I need to head out into the woods and do some acid or something…" quote. I would definitely eat at a restaurant whose owners espouse this philosophy, and I'd order the mushrooms. ← chefs have to get their creativity from somewhere

Er, that was changed on the website recently - apparently they are. And I do find it unbelievable Gotham and Lumiere have already sold out within hours in the first day. As well as the good tables in other restaurants. EDIT: I was also surprised you didn't have GBP on the menu Mr Wyles !

ahah!! a leak regardless, I think Mr. Morrison has gotten to it, and removed access to the food/wine/service concept articles which I secretly read and enjoyed very much. A rare one indeed

I do believe New Town Bakery, also located in Chinatown, makes apple "tarts." I don't know how its authenticity compares with the Hong Kong cafe version though, but give it a try !

Hmm.. I'm a bit confused on what is referred to by "West End" because I've always taken it to include everything: Yaletown, Coal Harbour, Business District, Downtown.. If not, is it just the area around Denman/Davie people are referring to? Because there are some Robson suggestions.. Anyhow, if that's the case.. there's CinCin, Cucina Mediterannea, and the plethora of restaurants in Yaletown. I find Clove on Denman to be pretty good, as well as Bravo Bistro at the marina near Stanley Park. There's also Parkside, Raincity Grill, and the Sequoia Grill in Stanley Park. Umm for the casual stuff I enjoy the Denman St Free House, Maria's Taverna, Delilah's, Banana Leaf, and Samurai Sushi (great value) too.

that doesn't make sense to me.. are you sure you don't mean the gratuity is automatically added in, like most restaurants in Vancouver do? ← The autograt is 20% (not, e.g., 15% or 18%). It is added for parties of 6 or more (not, e.g., 8 or more). Vodka and Red Bull is $5.25 on Thursday evenings. ...what did you think I meant? ← ohh, I think I misinterpreted that. I thought you were trying to say the autograt was a good thing in continuation of the line before that.. which led me to believe that Lilykate was paying 20% gratuities to their servers so you wouldnt have to (with a group of 6 or more). of course that's not the case, as I thought it was an awkward concept sorry for the confusion