Coop

Yes it's Nebbiolo and it's 2001.

In our market here in Vancouver we have some very well priced spanish wines. Vina 105, Dehessa Gago and Basa from Telmo Rodriguez, as well as Monistrell, Infierno and Hecula from Castano. What about Vacquerays (is this spelled correctly?) it seems to make higher quality wine then Gigondas at half the price in our market. I've always thought that the crus of Beaujolais are under rated. The Moulin a Vents from Jadot are my favorite. What about Washinton state, Mendocino, Paso Robles or Livemore?

I picked up a bottle of this wine at our government super store in Vancouver yesterday. I wonder what to expect. I have had their vineyard designated barbaresco in the past and really liked it. Should I let this wine breath for a few hours? It seemed well priced $24.95 cdn.

Highest point of many was early in the year at West, where Chef Hawksworth and his staff gave us the best experience of the year. A close second came last month at Union in Seattle, at less then half the price! Best new place for me was Cru, then Parkside and Feenie's (where we all had burgers). Also had many good meals at my friend's place Marine Drive. Had great Pho at Kim Phung, Le Do and Au Petit Cafe. A great meal at Gyoza King after seeing my movie of the year Lost in Translation, a great evening of Japanese culture. Great Bistro french in Seattle at Le Pichet and Cafe Campagne. Had good experiences at Hermitage and Bacchus during Dine out Vancouver. Had a good burger at Peace Portal golf course after getting my butt kicked by my 13 year old (84 to 91). This was also the year I discovered the fabulous wines of Castano and Telmo Rodriguez. There were few bad experiences but I remember some bad entrees at Brasa in Seattle, a virtually inedible meal at The Salmon House (my parents paid so....) and some dodgy Pho at Pho Hoang. The most enjoyable dinner with new friends was the Burger Club meeting at Moderne Burger. Happy New Year Redhead, Scout, Jerry A and Dubvader and Ling. All the best in the New Year Jonathan. As for the rest of you who I have not met in person, here is hoping we soon have an E gullet outing and I meet you in 2004.

For me it's a three shot tall latte, or Americano. Even do it with egg nog during the season.

Cioffi's is right across from the old NBI in Burnaby. This place is the best for meat, sausage, pasta, bocconcini, olive oil, anchovies, balsamic, and even breads which are brought in from 4 or 5 bakerys. It just takes a couple of visits to get used to. As for Caren McSherry, my wife and her almost duked it out once right in the store. She doesn't know much, and tries to cover it up with her upbeat attitude. I personally don't care for her, but believe it or not some people don't like me. I can't figure it out.

Keith: Obviously you have been to this place. I love it, I find some of the staff to be a little full of themselves though. Between here, Cioffi's and Norman's or the Santa Barbra one can get just about everything they need. Well except for fish and wine.

This place is great. The advantage of ordering over the web is you don't need a parking place! http://www.gourmetwarehouse.ca/

I think of the Coachella valley as golfer's paradise/ foodie hell. My family and I have gone every year for the last 6 years and stay 2 weeks in my parent's home in Palm Dessert. We cook most of our meals in the house just because the restaurants are so mediocre. This is difficult too because the groceries are very limited. The only decent grocery store seem's to be the Jenssen's in Palm Dessert. We have had mediocre meals at, Macaroni Grill, the Yardhouse, California Pizza Kitchen, the Kaiser Grill, P.F. Chang's, a Sushi/Cineese/Vietnamese place ran by Mexicans, and at various golf course restaurants. We have had terrible meals at the Elephant Club, Cimmaron golf course, Island Burger, and other's I can't quite remember. The only good meals I have had were at the Tommy Bahama's on El Paseo and at the Indian Palm's golf course. If there are any decent independent places to eat within 20 miles of Monterey and Country Club, I have yet to find them. PS. If I really want something good to eat while in town I go to the In and Out.

Prior to coming to Seattle last month I checked out the web menus for El Gaucho and The Met (and it's offshoots). Do people really pay $40+ of thier own money to buy these steaks? Are they worth it? Are most of the customers there on expense accounts? Do they die young?

For me, if I want legit. wine ratings and tasting notes I read Parker. When I want entertainment I get Wine Spectator. This doesn't make it a bad magazine in my opinion, just more like Vogue or GQ or Maxim. Not a place to find the kind of knowledge I seek when buying wine. Few magazines can balance thier add revenues with fair editorial. The only one that comes to mind in any genre is Road and Track or maybe Rolling Stone.

Only place I can talk about is Ciello in White Rock. I ate there on a perfect sunny day. I had a really nice salad with figs and goat cheese, and a dish of polenta topped with grilled vegetables in a tomato sauce. Was palnning on going to Giraffe but it was closed for lunch. Is La Folie gone? I have heard that Jacques and Aubergine a good but have not been.

As am I. As you could tell from my post on the other thread I loved Union too. Having not read her column before I don't know where exactly she is coming from. It was just so posititve I was worried it was paid for.

Wow that review is a little over the top. I have not read many of her columns, is she legit?

You know it seems ironic that only last night I had the pleasure of seeing the Unwrapped episode that goes deeply into the history of pasta and Kraft parmessan cheese. I think that the evloution of FTN. culminated in this one episode. What can be said after this epic television event!

Who are you doing this for, yourself or your daughter? It will be in the range of 20 years before she could even consider sharing your love for wine. What will you be introducing her to? Tired wine likely past it's prime. I had the good fortune to marry Mrs. Coop in 1982 the vintage of the century in Bordeaux. Each year we have sampled another tired old wine past it's prime to celebrate. BTW all the wines were deemed age worthy by no less authority then R Parker. Luckily all that's left is Cos, Palmer and La Lagune as well as a Marchesi de Barolo, Barolo. Maybe for our 25th we can have something with some life left.

Uncle Willy's, that's funny!

Two spanish wines that I love to drink despite thier low prices are Telmo Rodrigeuz Dehessa Gago and Castano Hecula. Both of these wines are very fruit forward with a bit of soft tannin. Here in Vancouver they sell for $16.95-17.95. BTW the Liberty School Cab you speak of is $29.95. I would rather drink both of these wines.

Living in Canada we have a limited selection of bourbon, but I have managed to develop a taste for: 1.Booker's 2.Knob Creek 3.Maker's Mark 4.Baker's (thought I was getting Booker's) 5.Woodford Reserve (a little too soft for my tastes)

I'm dissapointed you didn't have as good a time as our table had at Union. We were happy with the food and the service. I understand that a new place working without the safety net of regular menu items can struggle. I do believe that Ethan is in it for the long haul. So I hope people will keep trying the place so it's still there in November 2004 for my next visit.

No problem with quality at either Hermitage or Bacchus last year. Portion size at Bacchus was normal, at Hermitage a little light. I think it's worth it. We always ordered a bottle of wine which brought our bill into the $100.00 range, so it's not like going for Pho.

Hermitage did a good meal last year, our appetizer was veal cheeks served on a bed of lentil du puy, very nice. The entree was a single duck confit on potatoes and some veg, a bit meagre I thought. Dessert was a poached pear with a cassis ice cream, very nice. Two things really caught my attention. On the positive side were the fabulous, and whimsical, painted plates. It was unique. On the negative side was the cieling. It was the standard 80's office, store type of large white (at one time) tiles supported by track. You could see this in any warehouse office or low rent store, I was just surprised to see it in a fairly upscale restaurant. It was also filthy from years of never being cleaned. Until they at least clean or replace the cieling, I am unlikely to go back.

I was wondering who would take over at Blue Water. I think Pabst will do very well there. The one time we ate his food a Pastis the theme seemed to be very good ingredients done simply. I just found it to be a little dull. This plan will probably work very well for fish and shellfood.

I have many fond memories of Cafe de Paris. I have only had one bad meal there in about 30 visits. Sadly that was the last time we were there. They have new more commited owners now. At least that's what I hear.

I have not been to Quattro, but Mrs Coop really liked the meal she had there last year. We liked Bacchus last year except for the table and the snooty waiter. I think we will end up at Bistro Pastis soon anyways. We ate there a few years ago when Frank Pabst was the chef. It was good but I found the food a little underwhelming. The owner/maitre'd John is a great host. Their new menu seems more interesting to me. I love bistro food. Has anyone been to Maurya? I was also thinking of Rubina Tandoori. We went to Feenie's yesterday for lunch. Everyone had the burger. It was very good. Nice room. Had a good laugh when I saw the RF towels in the washroom.