gingerfreak

Thanks so much eveyone for the recommendations! Now I have lots of options to bring to the big cheese (you know the pun was begging to be made..). Previously he's tended to stick with varieties of cheddar but we may branch out. Les Amis was definitely on my "must-hit" list, and I am looking forward to sampling this evening . Some of the producers I sampled at the GI cheese fest as well a couple of weeks ago. Neil, if you have a chance I'll chat with you about your contact at Far-Met as well. Here's what I love - I've managed to find a way to legitimately eGullet at work (trust me, it's a stretch ). Cheers, and thanks again.

Okay... I'll hold my tongue. I find info on this site much more informative and "true" than what I generally read from reviewers in papers and mags. In fact, once I read a review, I come here for a second opinion! ← Second opinions...and third, and fourth, etc. etc. I also find eGullet way more informative than a lot of articles. You know, I took so long to find eGullet because the first time I heard of it (some article, don't remember where) a few years ago it was dismissed as a haven for humourless food snobs. But as my food interest grew I checked it out and what I've found couldn't be further from that assessment. People appears to be having lots of fun (exhibit a: fud's "meat cake"??? ) and have lots going on in their lives. Just a lot of it involves food. Could be worse.. I'm learning a lot here (so far, mainly how much I have to learn ), and am looking forward to my first EG event this evening. I'm also rapidly discovering the power of EG addiction . Mr. Gothe should certainly engage in more than a "cursory" look around.

Where can I find bottled chestnuts? I've never seen them but apparently they do exist. I have a wonderful chestnut, bacon and blue cheese soup recipe which I'd like to make more than once a year...and I'm not enamored of the process of peeling fresh ones. Thanks!

It's that time of year again at work for Christmas cheese . My boss likes to send important people fine cheese (of varying ages - the most basic being a one- or two-year cheddar; really important people get a selection) and has always used a vendor from his beloved Ottawa Valley, but the list has finally become so large it's not practical to ship that amount from Ontario (it's a lot of cheese ) As designated cheese lady (cool job, I know), I said I'd scout for a good local source, so thought I'd ask the experts here. Any suggestions for a reliable BC vendor/producer? Who would you use to impress? (and yes, as staff I get some of said cheese, so I do have a vested interest). Thanks in advance.

Hey EAT-seekers: I posted a few days ago that I couldn't find EAT in my usual Capers (Robson) pickup point - a stack of 'em was there yesterday

I've also really enjoyed hearing about your culinary adventures in this class, especially the "action shots". I'd LOVE to take the next round, but finances won't allow it. Next group - please keep up the progress reports!

Yes, what IS going on with the distribution? I only just found my copy last week at Barbara Jo's at Granville Island - used to pick it up at Capers. I do enjoy it when I can FIND it..

Well, it's unfortunate my first dining out in a while was so lacklustre..but what can you do Last night was a friend's birthday dinner at Section 3 in Yaletown. My friend swears she's had phenomenal food there, but I've only previously had their pizza which was adequate and serves its purpose as pre-drinking stomach filler. I'd eaten a big lunch so only ordered a salad which claimed it had extrasharp jack cheese and...pancetta, I think (there was so little of it I could hardly tell ). The cheese, well what little there was was so tasteless, it may as well have been tofu. Don't get me wrong, I like tofu, but I didn't happen to order it. And it came in a deep square dish that made cutting up the large hunk of grilled fennel (which, to be fair, was quite nice) very awkward. I do like the atmosphere there though, especially the "nerd" sign over hte bar. Then it was off to the new Yaletown Death by Chocolate for birthday dessert (note to self: DO NOT trust this friend's judgment on food) . Well I wasn't disappointed as my expectations were low. Happily, the service was excellent. Today it was off to Granville Island where I had a lovely Italian vegetable soup at that cafe on the waterfront (can't remember the name), and finished off with a wonderful cranberry tart from Terra Breads. I'm on vacation this week and the better half (mr. freak? the big freak? ) is back in town, so will no doubt have more and better to report!

I've never eaten at Wink, but her review, negative though it is, doesn't exactly leave me thinking I should avoid the place. Her credibility is shot, with me at least. If she ever raved about something, I doubt if I'd be inclined to try it either. At first I thought Gill's reviews were kind of cheeky and at least interesting, but I've lost patience and interest. Not only does she seem to lack food knowledge, she doesn't seem to know much about her friend's preferences either. I find the egullet post-discussion much more informative and useful!

Cheese and crackers - cheese MUST be melted, sometimes with meat slices or salsa, etc. on top. Sometimes veggies (i.e. zucchini slices) sub for the crackers. Handfuls of cereal - especially when I was back in school. I think it was more psychological. If the deadline was really serious, black coffee (well I always drink coffee black - black magic indeed) - though I usually never did too well when overcaffeinated. Apple slices dipped in yogurt. And when all else fails, CHOCOLATE! And regarding the keyboard, heh..I've had to replace two already due to uh, irreparable food-related damage...

Wow...what a post! Suddenly my dinner seems so...lacking in chocolate . Think I need to remedy that And I've found most things can benefit from another scoop of ice cream!

*AHEM* Thought it was a pretty good overview of dining deals. It's too easy to think that eating out has to = $$$. I especially appreciated the last point on tipping (no, I've never worked in the industry; I've just always believed you should treat the people who handle your food well ). I encountered the el-cheapo-ness Pawsey refers to during Taste of Yaletown, with an acquaintaince who insisted on nickel and diming the tip on what was an already great deal . And since I'm new around these parts, I'd better get cracking on the EG handshake!

I've burned myself numerous times (surprisingly few scars; must not scar too easily), but most recently grated my thumb to bits while overzealously grating some orange peel for a carrot-orange soup. Curious to see what kind of lasting impression that will leave..

I'm not from Seattle but visited a couple of months ago. My husband and I had an absolutely wonderful anniversary dinner at Union, and the night before, a more casual and very enjoyable tapas-type meal at The Black Bottle. We were looking for brunch too - wish I'd known about Cafe Campagne. Next time!

Well, the right dining companion, of course. Also, as noted by several people here, service. It's helpful when servers know it's a special occasion, but not pleasant when they try to insinuate themselves into the occasion - in a misplaced attempt to make it more of an "event". I've had what should have been romantic dinners become more memorable because of the "performance" of a server making a big deal of it. That said, I've had several more casual dinners with my wonderful guy made more special by a server taking note of the fact that we seem so "taken" with each other. Good ambience, subdued but not silent noise level (music and other patrons), and lighting, lighting, lighting. Candles are good but not necessary, it's just nice when you feel like you're being flattered by the atmosphere. And the food should be very good, but I agree with others, not so much it distracts from your companion. And finally, the most romantic setting in the world isn't going to cut it if you're actually relying on it to MAKE it romantic. Romance has to be inherent - the food, the service, ambience can only provide the embellishment. Hmm...methinks a nice dinner out might be in order...

Welcome! What took you so long? I subscribe to the same school of thought ... I take greater satisfaction out of liking a place nobody has heard of that being on of the throngs at the latest "in" place. Having said that, I'll try anything once. A. ← In addition to being contrary, I'm also a procrastinator And I agree, as much as I want to try all the new places being raved about, I have a long list of places to go which are NOT currently being bombarded. Guess I just operate a bit behind the curve

Hmm...I'm still trying to find breakfast bliss myself in Vancouver. I've had good fare at both Central Bistro on Denman and Caffe Artigiano on Hastings has some tasty items (do the rest of their locations have brunch?)

Hey folks - I'm new here. Finally joined! I have to agree with most people here that I take all reviewers with the proverbial grain of salt. I love reading reviews, especially when they're well-written, but the first and last time I took a reviewer at his word I ended up at a highly recommended "fine dining" establishment north of Hamilton, Ont., in what turned out to be an unremarkable family style place. Needless to say, I was overdressed So I read Vancouver reviews and enjoy them for what they are, but what I really find useful is the reaction (I have to admit, after an Alexandra Gill review, I immediately head over to eGullet to see what people are saying..). But I need to try it for myself. If I'm trying to find a place to go, I check all kinds of sources, especially the non-pros here who really love food. And true to my contrary nature, the more buzz a place gets, the less likely I am to try it immediately. So yeah, I'll definitely try out Nu...later. I do love though that Vancouver has such an active food scene.