Sam Salmon

Well I drank a bit of Rum in Colombia and was neither under nor overwhelmed.Colombian Rums all come up to a certain standard but it's not an exceptional one. In the end I came back with a bottle of Cuban Rum-don't have the bottle handy-that was a very decent deal in Carrefour in Medellin.Aromatic/fruity and cheap is my kind o' drink! Pics of Colombia http://community.webshots.com/user/esox_lucius

No I haven't but I have been to Topolobampo itself. A place less likely to inspire anything but a burning desire to 'hit the road' I can't imagine. Having visited the original source of inspiration wild horses couldn't drag me into a restaurant with that name-not in this life

Papaya-the best Papayas are from Fiji-deep orange colour and ambrosial flavours. Red Papaya I love as well, and even Yellow ain't no slouch. Papaya con Leche -Papaya milkshakes-are the second best way to eat 'La Fruta de Los Angeles' as Cristobal Colon called Papaya when he first encountered it in the Caribbean. Mango-as mentioned best fresh from the tree but here in Vancouver they are plentiful and cheap from across the planet-so many varieties. Mango milkshakes with tiny Maple Syrup sweetener are a breakfast speciality of mine. Mamey-Peruvians say "Es Mamey" meaning that something is wonderful and I agree.Sad that I've never seen one here. Custard Apple/White Sapote-so smooth so silken, a local Salvadorean place has the best Sapote Licuados ever.

Mexican food here is somewhat underrepresented/underwhelming. I live a block from Las Margaritas and have been once in ten years-it was enough. Caribbean-well the Roti Bistro 1958 W 4th is Trinidadian but the cooking is more earnest that artful.I ate at The Reef once-food was marginal/waitress had serious attitude-I'll never go back. Ethiopian-I walked by a new Ethiopian place down on South Granville near the all-day breakfast joint-can't think of the name right now-haven't been yet though. Moroccan-I'd love to try Moroccan food someday.

I've booked a flight to Bogotá for a few weeks hence and an wondering what to look for in terms of unique Rums of excellent value. I'm no connoisseur but would love to bring back something special to share. Any/all relevant info/comment/opinion much appreciated. TIA

Last night I tried a Siegerrebe from Larch Hills Winery in BC's Interior http://www.larchhillswinery.com/. Quite strong for a white-would have been a great match for Thai Curried Halibut or Black Bean Stirfry.

I had a good look at the gadget-there's a gimmick to it I don't like-the water. Simply put there is no way anyone could put enough force on a blade to 'overheat' it. The design is a variation on a number I've seen-all are a somewhat effective- but personally I'd choose one that's a bit less of a PITA to use.

Sad to the the sneering tone that Keith Talent has taken-ignorance is never attractive anywhere and cyberspace is no exception. Keith-Welcome to my ignore list. Since much of what I cook is spicy seafood and vegetarian dishes I find that the young whites we produce match up well. Venturi-Schulze http://www.venturischulze.com/index.php -the Millefiori-now called Millecolori-is one of the finest picnic wines I've ever had anywhere.A bit of spritz and a distinct amiable character make it almost worth the price-VS is somewhat overpriced. Larch Hills Winery http://www.larchhillswinery.com/ Lately I've been impressed by the Gewürztraminer from LH astoundingly good value. Riesling from Gehringer Brothers are all time favourites-as is their Ehrenfelser. I'm out of time now if I can I'll pop by later with a few more suggestions.

I was just gazing lovingly on the empty 1824 bottle I have saved from the one bottle I brought back from T&T last Feb-then I clicked on this Forum-life is strange.... I paid about $C35 for it @ Piarco POS duty free-a bargain if ever there was one-I agree about the layers of flavour it was superb.

It's important to note that Ice Wine is made from Grapes frozen on the vine. Freezing grapes in an industrial freezer and then crushing them to be made into wine isn't Ice Wine (we see this from some California producers or did in the past). I drink it as dessert generally-chilled but not overly so.

I'm Happy to hear that the owner of Taka has landed in the 'hood. Taka was a great place but there were service issues and I believe some kitchen infrastructure problems. Hopefully I'll be able to make it to Dan soon and provide a report. As to Yoshi I was told it had been bought by Chinese and that quality had nosedived.

I once had a Scone of the type you describe and long for-it came from Meinhardts. Sadly they shortly thereafter changed the recipe-or more likely the contractor who baked for them-and I've never seen/tasted the like since..... The Cranberry Scones from Urban Fare are decent when fresh from the oven.

I've had the Chocolate Buffet and it's divine. We walked back over the Burrard Bridge and that night while sleeping I felt as though I was flying, flying....

I've had the misfortune to eat in Tacos Del Mar-an experience I hope never to repeat. I've travelled extensively in Mexico these past 2 decades and resided in different parts of the country for varying amounts of time-plus I'm an experienced Sport fisherman. Tacos Del Mar is the worst representation of fish Tacos I have ever encountered-fit only for the drunk and insensible. I suggest that your guest be introduced to the pleasures of West Coast cuisine and leave Latina America behind. So many fabulous options here-the the three Guu's http://www.vaneats.com/2003/09/26 , Octopus Garden http://www.van-info.com/octopus/english.html , East is East on W. Broadway the list goes on and on.

Allow me to re phrase the question-"what to do with 3 hours on Granville Island". I say that because there is so much more to GI than just the market. So for Brekkie I'd have a hot chocolate from the Blue Parrot, a scone from Terra Breads and a piece of fruit from one of the vendors then go outside and have a very leisurely time slowly watching the city come to life (making sure to greet one of the pairs of Basset Hounds who are often in attendance). Then I'd start a circumnavigation of the Island making sure to check out every tiny lane and alley and have a stroll along the shaded boardwalk on the South Side behind the tennis courts. After your perambulation you have 2 choices--return to the market for a lunch of smoked Chum Salmon/veggie salad from a deli and more bread from Terra or a plate of fried fish @ the Café right at the entrance the name of which escapes me.

I live a few blocks from Terra and so am in there several times a week. As a single person I find a complete loaf something of a challenge so my most recent favourite are the Olive Oil rolls. Following close behind are the Cheese Rolls and the Sourdough Epi. Interesting the challenges Terra faces-I prefer a lighter crust and turn up my nose at what I see as overcooked crust.Yet the other day a woman in front of me was pleading for the darkest crust the staff could find-It think she was Italian so maybe that's a Euro preference.

The profile indicates that the poster is from the New Jersey area-he's used to paying US funds. So given the excellent exchange rate that US Americans enjoy Tojo's is easily affordable-Yes.

http://www.tojos.com. You must sit the Sushi Bar and let Tojo-San feed you/buy him a large Japanese beer. Always excellent often ambrosial....

It would be too easy to say "Oh no-one goes there anymore" but the view from driving by regularly in the evening tells me business is suffering. Changes in ownership/poor staffing decisions mean that quality/service have suffered-I haven't been for ages and have no plans to return.