McTee

Personally, I don't read too many restaurant reviews and I generally don't put much value in them to begin with. Not to offend any of the writers/eGulleters, but frankly, as a manager in the industry, I have seen so many nights where one table had the worst experience of their dining life and the next table had the best that I am simply unable to take one person's opinion on one two-hour experience to sincerely believe that I will have the same experience should I choose to go to the same restaurant. We all have opinions as to which restaurants are good and bad, and I don't really believe that one person's is any more valuable than another's. I used to work with someone that trashed every detail of every dining experience that they "endured" to the point that I wondered if this person was capable of simply relaxing and turning their inner reviewer off and....GASP!.....enjoying a night out! At times we can all be the person who frustrates their dining companion by paying less attention to the conversation, and instead choosing to concentrate on what the server is doing with every moment of their time. I now make a commitment to myself and to my future dining companions to enjoy my time out, and not dwell so much on a server's wine opening technique, or on other details that most would unlikely catch. However, I reserve the right to change my mind. To finish, I also find that no restaurant either lives up to the hype, nor performs as badly as reviewers say they do. Hey, I've been to West, was unimpressed, and it's been about 3 years and I haven't thought of going back until now. To each their own.

Thank you, I just may try West again.

I'm having a tough time deciding where to take my lovely lady for our 2nd anniversary (not marriage). I've been to most of the top restaurants in town, some not for a few years. My lady hasa very sensitive dairy allergy and I want to be sure that wherever we go will take the appropriate measures, and take them seriously. Any suggestions?

For those who have not read the review, here is the link. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Art...tertainment/Idx

For me, I think this is what it all boils down to. k. ← Excellent point. I find it difficult to give value to such scathing words. If the review was given respectfully, I think that more readers would give credit to it, but if a reviewer comes across as a nightmare guest, most will likely side with the establishment. I know that I do.

Sorry, but I have to call bullshit on this. "Shoulder season," "Friday before Thanksgiving" (someone else's comment), "upcoming competition" or whatever other excuses just don't hold water. The doors are open. You're taking people's money. Fair game. It's that simple. I'm not commenting on the fairness or thoroughness of the review (one visit?). But Gill had every right to write it. ← Personally, I understood Neil's comment to be in a different context. I believe that his point was that he didn't see a specific reason why it would be that a critic would choose to review Diva at this time, when usually the reviews happen at other times of the year, such as a new menu launch etc. I believe that he was commenting that it just seems out of the pattern of a restaurant critic's usual choice of timing to review a restaurant, especially one that is as established as Diva is. I don't believe that Neil really expressed an opinion either way as to how he felt about the choice of timing at all, and did not put forth any "excuses" as to why Diva shouldn't have been reviewed. Personally, I agree with chrisstearns in that if the doors are open and you're taking people's money, you're fair game, and I also agree with Neil that it just seems like odd timing. Looks to me like other restauranteurs be warned: It could be you, any time of year, any day of the week.

As one who lives downtown, but not yaletown (anymore), I must say that I heard extremely little about the ToY, except just after I became a member at eGullet. After reading your accounts of the promotion, I am definitely looking forward to next year. But in the meantime, I will be paying full price to try the hangar steak and the GBP.

If you're referring to what I think you are.... that's what I call wit.

Earlier in the thread, Jamie Maw mentioned Matthew Opferkuch, former F&B Director and AGM at the Met. I personally witnessed Matthew reading the article today... I will auction off my account of his response to the highest bidder.

That's a classic anti-egullet day, Brian, even better than the McDonalds for breakfast/Quiznos for lunch/Wendy's for dinner day I had last week but was too embarrassed to post about here. Some days it just isn't about the food. ← I hate to trump you in the anti-egullet day sweepstakes, but I have had quite a few days whereby the 3 squares consisted of: Breakfast - Toast, 2 slices - 1 PB the other J, right before heading out the door for work. Lunch - Staff cafeteria Dinner - Another round of said Staff Cafeteria (same selection as lunch) At least my lovely lady puts me out of my misery by making me some nice spicy fajitas to come home to, but that's often at 1am or later, so it doesn't REALLY count.

Trying to remember the last 3 places..... One of them was at work, lucky enough to have crab cakes (server error). Moroccan spiced crab cakes with sweet carrot salad and pea greens. The best crab cakes I have ever had (gives Bin a run for their money. Just as good, but different)

You've got to be kidding me. What beer was it if you don't mind me asking? ← Would have been a 16 oz pour of Microbrew. Keep in mind that hotels are always more expensive. You may be paying $7 for a beer, but you are likely sitting in a $1,500 chair served by someone with a lot more than 3 months serving experience.

Let me know how everything was (service included) ← Had lunch there Friday, and it was great! It came with an excellent Caesar Salad. The Prime Rib itself was very flavorful and tender and was served with gravy, horseradish and dijon. Beer was $7, Prime Rib Sandwich was $15, so after tax and tip it was close to $30. A little pricey for lunch I think, but I'll be going back. Edit: Service was also top notch. ← Good to know..... FYI, Carvery lunch available Monday to Friday, 12pm-2pm. Not available on holidays.

Fifty-Two 80 was great for dinner when I was there, but the Four Seasons is quite out of the way. Beautiful hotel, and the guest rooms are fantastic. (what do you expect for a brand new 5 diamond hotel?) Bearfoot Bistro's 5 course dinner ($125 pp) was one of the best meals of my life, and that's saying something. Wildflower at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is also an excellent restaurant, I've eaten there 3 or 4 times. Whistler is hard, though, most restaurants are either high end or casual, not much in between.

Let me know how everything was (service included)

Which lounge? Lobby Lounge? ← Looked into it, found this: Restaurants The Carvery Presenting our Executive Sandwich in 900 West Lounge Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday only from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Dress Code: Smart Casual Reservations: Reservations are not required. Slow-Roasted 'Pride of Alberta' Prime Rib Sandwich, Carved to Order - $14.00 served with traditional condiments served and a Classic Caesar Salad. Please see our Chef Carver for your Lunch Order! 900 West Lounge 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Sunday to Thursday clickable link below Fairmont Hotel Vancouver - Carvery ← It's up to $14.95 now, Served in the Lobby Lounge. The great thing is it's fast, you just come in, tell the server that you'd like the Carvery sandwich and it is carved right there in the lounge. The chef is standing right next to the lobby. You can even walk up and get it yourself from the chef. (The original idea was that guests could go to the carver directly, but it has now morphed into it being served to you.) But feel free to get up and talk to the chef personally.

How much does Bacchus charge to use their wireless?

Restaurant Anthropology A cleansing ale to the first person who can tell us who the 'Bud' in Carlos and Bud's was. I use the past tense as he has moved on. Here's a hint: he also started Peter's and !Viva! ← I remember hearing a story about Bud Kanke and co. bringing the Texas Smoker up from the states for the restaurant and installing it in the restaurant. David Richards (Watermark) told me that story, but it was many years ago, so I don't remember all the details.

I love that line. ← The funny thing is Kurtis, is it was true on so many occasions. I am thinking of one server in particular when I say that, as it was a running joke between us. I lived on that patio for so many summers, drinking with friends all day and the staff all night.

Carlos N' Bud's closed about 4 weeks ago..... I know it wasn't a culinary destination, but there are few better places to sit and drink cold beer on a hot day. And I will miss my Sweet & Spicy Rib and Chicken Burrito (no beans) combo.......served by someone who remembers my name and forgets my order.

Flank Steak at Bin - the best sauce known to man

I had heard a while back that Morton's was doing so poorly that they were on a cash only basis with their suppliers. Anyone know if there is truth to that? On the subject of beef....... In the lounge here at the Hotel Vancouver, the best prime rib sandwich is served at lunch for only $14.95. Slow roasted for 18 hours....hand carved. On from 12-2pm. Comes with caesar salad.

Leonard, I have two responses for you: 1. My love and I also have a particular fond memory of the night that going out for a drink after work became our "first date". Mine was at Bin 941, personally. 2. I work at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, and I have guests in our lounge constantly asking where to go for food late at night. Good to know that Nu will be open, as well for myself at the end of the night! I wish you success on behalf of all of us that love nothing more than to have a great place that we can rely on after work.

In 2004 VanMag had a category titled, eloquently, "Best Meat". Memphis Blues won Gold, West (?) won Silver, and Gotham Bronze. The restaurant that won Silver was called "900 West" at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. 900 West's last day of dinner service was Oct. 2, 2004. There will probably be another concept opening in 2006 at 900 West, with details yet to be finalized. Likely a restaurant featuring small plates, as is the trend nowadays. The main differences that 900 West featured were that the starch and vegetables were included in the steak price, whereas Morton's and Gotham both charge (a lot) for sides of both, served family-style. 900 West also had an 18 oz prime rib carved tableside. I hear that Chartwell @ Four Seasons is starting to try some more tableside service items as well. Personally, I have eaten dinner at Gotham and was highly, highly unimpressed with the food. The room is beautiful, but the food....not so much. Looking forward to trying the much hyped hangar steak at HSG. Hope it lives up to the press.

I'll throw in a couple more names, just for kicks. Vikram Vij - you all know why. Gord Martin & his team - so many dishes that I crave on a regular basis, and I go to the Bins just to see what comes next. Robert LeCrom - extremely knowledgeable, excellent mentor and he never ceases to amaze me.