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Thanks to everyone for the kind comments, it was really a special trip ~ memories to last a lifetime!! And I'm already looking forward to celebrating future anniversaries there Paul, Relais de Poste looked like it was closed for business - I had tried emailing for a reservation and they responded "le restaurant etant fermé definitivement" I also took a peek into a restaurant I hadn't heard much of "Le Petit Manoir" a little bit hidden on a street behind the big indoor market but I believe there was a sign with directions to it - the setting looked quite cute, sort of a smaller version of Le Presidial but the menu wasn't nearly as enticing as Quatre Saisons. Vieux Logis looks lovely! I'm sure you and your wife will have a fabulous time there, congratulations. The restaurants and menus definitely seem to offer more variety than the classic French menus at Chateau de la Treyne. The seclusion and views of Chateau de la Treyne were really wonderful though - the morning mist over the river view from our room was really a memorable sight. We even had a view of the manicured French gardens from the jacuzzi tub! (Very private, we were on the third floor) Also the staff were amazing, really went out of their way helping my fiance plan the proposal. I could go on and on about it... On a somewhat related food note, I saw very little seared foie gras on any of the French restaurant menus.. if it came cooked, it always seemed poached. In contrast, the foie in San Sebastian was almost always seared.. mm.. seared foie gras with apple jelly pincho for 3 euros - yum! I will need to get around to posting some other notes from my trip

Thought I'd post back a few notes on my wonderful time spent in Sarlat!! I only wish I could have spent more time exploring the area... too many restaurants, too little time! My first night's dinner in town was at Le Presidial - wow - the 26euro menu is amazing value, really unbelievable. Dining in the garden courtyard as the sun set behind the castle-like restaurant was fantastic - not something I can replicate in Vancouver, BC!! For starters, I had the foie gras de carnard with jelly - a large slab served with jelly (solidified cubes of duck.. juice? very tasty!) sorry, I'm not a food/writing expert, I just like to eat! My fiance-to-be had the escargot, 10 huge snails in a garlic butter sauce baked with bread crumbs? These were by far the largest, freshest tasting escargot I had in France, all the others I tried were definitely of the frozen variety. For mains, I had the duck breast served with peaches (the duck was slightly tough, but paired very well with the peaches and once again, huge portion) My fiance-to-be had a crispy duck confit. We had a few bites of the warm goat cheese salad course that followed.. trying to save room for dessert (classic creme brulee and a dark chocolate ganache) The next day, the Sarlat Saturday market is as busy and varied as everyone says. Sausages became our favourite word (saucisson!) and after many samples we settled on the cepes (mushroom?) and camembert flavoured ones. The marais de bois, strawberries were quite special - they have a unique perfumed after-taste and were very sweet. With a bottle of sweet Monbazillac, a baguette and a slice of foie from the deli, our gourmet picnic was complete! In the evening, my fiance-to-be became my official fiance as he surprised me with a proposal at Chateau de la Treyne Really lovely and relaxing.. storybook chateau on a hill with the Dordogne river below - I highly recommend a stay overnight if you're in the area!! Onto the food though, their one star Michelin restaurant has a gorgeous terrace overlooking the river.. I can't remember much of the food as I was still trying to recover from the surprise proposal!! Here's what I can come up from memory - amuse bouches of: chilled asparagus soup with creme fraiche & caviar, puff pastry with mushrooms, escargot served in a potato cup .. follwed by our appetizers of: foie four ways, my favourite being the foie gras epice? it was a slightly sweet & spicy crust on top of the foie. We also had the tomato appetizer, done four ways - favourite being the tomato sorbet. Main course of duck and foie millefeuille, alternating layers of duck breast & foie gras served with a morel sauce.. delicious! Followed by dessert (tropical fruit done in four ways.. chocolate done in four ways..) followed by a post-dessert! Four different shot glasses of increasing sweetness (all fruity) Overall good value for 88euros per person.. The rest of the time we spent back in Sarlat, dinner at Quatre Saisons in the interior courtyard was quite nice, I remember some superb scallops and pretty, quirky presentations of their food (mashed potatos served in a jar) I think I have some pictures taken.. will try to re-post later. Also had a casual dinner at L'Entr'Acte - good value for 13 euro menus and a small cave inside the restaurant for you to visit. As an aside, Relais de poste was closed Didn't bother me too much as I think I ate very well in this region.. cheers to all those lucky enough to visit!! Janice

Fabulous, thanks for everyone's input! I can't wait to go Should I be planning to make reservations in advance for any of the restaurants mentioned? I shall keep the puymirol suggestion in mind, as we will be driving out in that direction towards Bayonne on the last day. Many thanks on the Relais de Poste information!! I will do my best to find my way there Most likely we will spend our evenings in Sarlat, but we will be doing day trips to surrounding areas such as Domme, Les Eyzies, St Cyprien, Rocamadour, Carennac, Padirac..

Thanks for the tips, milkman! I will definitely try to find that patisserie I'm also planning on a day trip or two out to a few of the nearby towns.. maybe Riquewihr, Egusheim or .. Turkckheim? I haven't quite figured out my itinerary, but any recommendations in towns nearby would also be appreciated! I will most likely be relying on public transportation or perhaps I will rent a bicycle for the day..

Now that I've taken a closer look at his website, in the Franchises section there is something called "Veyrat Carive - A New Concept in Gastronomy" 19E trays, 4 dishes to eat in - .. i'm intrigued !

Yes, I'm very excited about all the markets in France! The bigger market in Annecy is on Saturday, I believe. Are there "Annecy" specialties that I should keep a lookout for? In Sarlat, I know to look out for any walnut products and lots of foie..and roast chicken in St Cyprien.. Thanks for the tips on Cafe Bio and Le Freti!

Oh my... 338E menu, that would be the exception of a lifetime for me Tempting, but I don't think I'm ready to break the bank yet for that kind of meal..

Any suggestions for great restaurants in Annecy? We will be staying around 3 nights; walking distances or short taxi rides from the town center would be ideal. Not really looking for Michelin restaurants (although... exceptions could be made) moreso would love recommendations on more casual, affordable restaurants with local specialties Many thanks!

I made a reservation for Gastropod on Open Table and didn't notice the same comment. The confirmation email had the following info: NOTES ABOUT THIS RESERVATION: To take advantage of the Dine Out Vancouver fixed-price offer, be sure to request the special menu when you arrive. In an effort to accommodate all reservation requests during this event, the restaurant asks that you respect the 1.5 hour dining time allotted each party.

Hi All, Does anyone happen to know where I can find smoked caviar? Preferably smoked steelhead caviar, but salmon works too. Thanks in advance !

LOL, I remember reading about a man describing his experience eating live baby octopus as "the closest thing to being pregnant" as he could still feel the tentacles moving around in his stomach - - Apparently you must chew carefully first, before swallowing ..

Hi all ! I'm back from my trip up to Prince Rupert - it was a very pleasant week, beautiful scenery, a relaxing drive, and lots of deer wandering around ! Here's my food report: Prince George - Cimo's Mediterranean Grill - One of the busier looking restaurants in town, has a casual fine dining feel to it. Fairly varied menu, rather slow service. I'd say their pastas are their strong point. I had ravioli with a tasty portobello filing in a tomato sauce. Also had chicken stuffed with proscuitto and oyster mushrooms, a ribeye steak that was a bit dry, and a roasted red pepper soup with pesto cream - a bit too oily for my tastes. White Goose Bistro - Chef Bis Moreno's restaurant! What a lovely discovery - I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. For about the same price as a meal at Cimo's, we had seared foie gras with a pear puree, ravioli stuffed with lobster in a tomao basil sauce, lamb ossobucco braised with mustard, white wine, and artichokes, mussels in a white wine and leek sauce and frites. Wish I'd been in town for another meal here. Prince Rupert: Smiles Cafe - So many locals recommended this place, we had to try it. Way too greasy for my liking. Fish and chips is their crowning glory here, I wouldn't recommend straying from the menu otherwise. Bland and dry filets of salmon, sole, and halibut. They didn't have the crab sandwich available when I was there unfortunately. Dolly's Seafood Market - Their white chowder is fantastic! A different take on the classic fish chowder, more thin & peppery with scallops, halibut, white wine. Good value for their sandwiches, fresh dungeness crab on a kaiser + a chowder was $10.95 Stardust Against our better judgement, we did try Chinese in Prince Rupert. After peeking into some other frightening establishments, we wandered into Stardust. Half diner, half Chinese restaurant joint. Definitely exceeded my expectations! It's not Richmond-class, but it's perfectly passable filling Chinese fare. We didn't order off the menu, just asked the nice owner (Mrs Chen) what to eat and she came up with a steamed rock cod with soy sauce & green onions, tofu hot pot with veggies, 'champagne chicken' (lemon honey cream sauce), and beef with gai lan. Crest Hotel - Had to go for the view, enjoyed a nice if overpriced lunch - dungeness crab and shrimp omelette, and a terriyaki salmon burger with wasabi dressing. Also stopped by Smithers and picked up some muskox, venison, and buffalo jerky from their meat & deli store (forgot what it was called) and stopped into Schimmel's Cafe for a squash and ginger soup, and a foccacia sandwich with ham & cheese. Overall, not the most exciting trip food-wise, but pleasant nonetheless. Oh, and we picked up some gorgeous cherries at the farmer's market on Saturdays in Prince George! That provided the necessary fuel for the drive over to Rupert along with many many stops at Tim Horton's along the way. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions, and hope this helps anyone else planning a trip up north.

wow, what a fabulous reply ! thanks so much for all the suggestions, i'll be sure to report back if i uncover any gems out there..

Jaymes, I'll be heading there around the first week of August, planning to take 6 or 7 days - I can't wait to sample all the fresh produce ! I love BC cherries

Hi all, I'll be making a road trip from Vancouver to Prince Rupert, stopping by at Prince George along the way and possibly othe towns like Quesnel, Smithers, Vanderhoof. Any advice for interesting eats along the way? Dining experiences, food products - any suggestions much appreciated ! Thanks in advance !