Clover

Or culture in the broadest sense? It seems to me that the way that cooking has been taught through the ages, from one person to another, younger person, required full attentiveness to a variety of senses. You can't quite say "At just this moment, listen" in a cookbook the way that you can when you're standing in a kitchen with someone. ← One cookbook that does try to get the reader to listen to the food is The Zuni Cookbook. In the recipe for roast chicken the instructions say that you should be able to hear the chicken sizzling in the oven within 20 minutes or else the heat needs to be turned up. But it requires that kind of well-written, thoughtful cookbook that Judy Rodgers has produced to incorporate hearing as well. This threat makes me appreciate what is so great about that book and its narrative style.

Just wanted to add my thanks. I too am coming down from Canada for a conference in the same hotel with similar time constraints. This thread was *exactly* what I was looking for -- thank you!

I've been wondering when we might find this in Vancouver. Thank you eatrustic for the update and pictures! Your pasta looks amazing.

One more I would add is House of Dosas for south indian food. The place is family-run and welcoming. Most important, the dosas are good. They have a particular cheap dosa deal on Mondays IIRC. Edited to add: it's located on Kingsway at Knight.

I am intrigued -- I am definitely trying this place soon for delivery.

Is the french patisserie on Arbutus you are referring to the Pastry Club Dessert Cafe Ltd - which is on 41st... so obviously, you are not. Ha! Have heard good things about Pastry Club. Also have very good things about the morning croissants from Chef Bryan from Nwyles. ← Is the French patisserie La Petite France? On Arbutus near Broadway? I wonder if the new owners are French like the previous owners... Hmm, I'll have to check out Pastry Club Dessert Cafe... ← Yes, that's it! I could not come up with the name for the life of me. I haven't been there in several months, so I'm not sure if that would be new or old owners.

I think I recall that 49th parallel on 4th ave sells TH croissants. Wherever they get them from, they are pretty great and located in Vancouver. The french patisserie on Arbutus has pretty decent croissants as well. I often get mine from Coco et Olive, which are not bad and come with great atmosphere.

I was also really happy to see both the Art of Eating and Vij's review in the mailbox. I find it interesting (a little funny perhaps) that he praises the cookbook for not offering wine pairings with Indian food and not having photographs of the food. It's a short review and those are two of the few things he pulls our for comment and they are in direct contrast to his own approach and book.

If you decide to braise, I had great success with a bit of a spanish variation -- sliced chorizo, orange peel, bay leaf, smoked paprika. I can't remember now if I altered the gremolata to pick up the orange as well.

I just wanted to say how glad I am that I came across this threat before my 2-day stopover in London. My boyfriend and I managed to get a last-minute lunch reservation at Arbutus and had an absolutely wonderful lunch. Between the two of us we managed to have each of the items on the fixed lunch -- smoked eel risotto, caillette de porc, beet and frisee salad with hazelnuts, and lambs tripe -- and everyone was great. The two meat dishes were so robustly flavoured but with a complexity to them. The smoked eel risotto had the perfect balance of richness, smokiness, and acidity. The carafe of Hegarty (or a name close to that) that the server recommended was a perfect accompaniment. This is certainly a meal that will remain a very pleasant memory of London -- thanks again!

Thank you so much for your replies. I quickly realized that this needs much more planning than first thought, but we will probably take the replacement bus to Paddington and then go from there. Funny to be planning this London lunch while wandering through Delhi markets.

I am wondering if anyone could help with suggestions for lunch on Christmas Day in London. My boyfriend and I have a long layover at Heathrow between Delhi and Vancouver and would like to come into the city for one midday meal. A quick glance at Open Table looks like few places are serving. Does anyone have any suggestions for where we might try to book?

I always use the pizza from the Cheeseboard in Berkeley for inspiration. It's not really tradition and pretty California in style, but so so good. They don't use tomato sauce as a base, but rather garlic olive oil, thinly sliced onions and s/p. In one of my favourites they top that with mozzarella, french feta, tomato, and lemon ( I usually use some zest and juice at the end). After it comes out of the oven, you brush the garlic olive oil on the crust and sprinkle with herbs. They post their pizzas every day here: http://cheeseboardcollective.coop/Pizza%20Collective/z.htm Another favourite is tomato sauce and fresh ricotta. Add arugula to the warm pizza and drizzle with olive oil.

Anyone been to Taco Shack? Haven't heard much from them either. A. ←