Ling

Maybe I skipped over it, but what went into the original "cafeteria-style" tater-tot casserole?

Shnieder's Veggie "Meat tips" -- I bit into a piece, and spat it back into the pan because I couldn't make it to the garbage fast enough!!! (My school was giving free samples of these away, so I took one. Thank god I didn't waste money on these!)

Daikichi Sushi (just off the Burrard Bridge): this is a neighbourhood sushi place that's like 10 steps from my building, so I ate lunch there one day. Had the salmon and tuna sashimi, and split the chicken teriyaki with my boyfriend. He ate some sort of sushi combo, and I remember the California roll didn't look that great. Decent prices and the sashimi was OK. I'll probably eat there whenever I'm too lazy to cook. A few days ago, I went to Caper's and got a big piece of chocolate cake with chocolate icing. It was OK, but I think my homemade chocolate cake is better. This was eaten straight from the box (which was precariously balanced on my lap) while driving home. I just got back from Caper's again and this time I had their carrot cake, which was on special for $2.79 a slice. It was pretty damn perfect--a little sticky and moist from all the pineapples, and the cream cheese frosting was rich with butter and a bit of honey. Don't like nutmeg in my carrot cake, and this one didn't have any. The recipe that Mackinnon's Bakery contains nutmeg. Caper's carrot cake is so good. I'll definitely be getting this again soon!

How was everyone's Thanksgiving? I had waaaaay too much cheesecake Anyone else like the roast turkey neck? That's what I look forward to every time we have turkey.

I had 3 hot dogs. I guess I win the prize for trashiest breakfast.

heh heh....I think Chinotto's pretty nasty too. It has an herbaceous, weird, slightly bitter aftertaste. My boyfriend loves it, however. He bought 24 cans from IGA yesterday--they gave him a 5% discount, so it still cost him 25 bucks. I was just wondering if there was a better deal in town, and I thought someone on egullet would know.

Thanks for all the replies. Where is Cioffi's located?

The cheapest price I've found so far is 99 cents a can at IGA. Is it possible to buy Chinotto by the case? Or is there another supermarket that sells it for less than 99 cents?

We don't have traditional Thanksgiving dinners. My mom cooks "special occasion" Chinese dishes like sticky rice, these little dumplings that are wrapped in a little egg crepe and panfried, Chinese BBQ pork, fish, braised shitake mushrooms, prawns--basically anything that's a family favorite. Then we have a big roast turkey with roasted vegetables and gravy, and I usually make a few more traditional Thanksgiving sides like this sausage, artichoke, and sourdough bread stuffing that everyone loves. For dessert, I usually make a fancier cheesecake and any other dessert that I've been meaning to try (this year it will probably be the Frog Commissionary carrot cake people have been posting about in the Pastry forum). No one likes pumpkin pie except for me, so instead of scarfing most of a pie like I did last year, I'll probably just get a pumpkin tart from Capers. Like all big family dinners, everything is served buffet-style.

I think they offer two kinds of brownies and I think we're talking about the same ones (the fudge). I found the browies very chocolately--certainly better than than the cardboard-tasting ones I usually find in most bakeries. I haven't the regular brownies at Mackinnon's. Do you have a favorite place for brownies? I'm always up for something chocolate.

Yesterday lunch (Saturday afternoon): a fudge brownie from Mackinnon Bakery (sp?) on W. 12th and Granville. I've read about these and they live up to the raves. I also had a large square of their carrot cake (got a craving after reading that carrot cake thread over on the Baking forum). A brownie and a piece of cake for lunch--I sure love my sugar. Yesterday dinner (Saturday night): went to a wedding banquet with 400 other guests at the Sun Sui Wah on Main. Today lunch: McChicken, no fries, no pop. (I ate cookies and moon cake when I got home--the burger was much smaller than I remember!)

I went there today since I was shopping at Park Royal. Like others have said, lots of prepared foods. I did find a good deal--Kashi GoLean Crunch at 2 bucks a box (they normally sell for 5 or 6 dollars a box). I also bought some Benedictin Blue cheese that I've been wanting to try, and a few cans of Chinotto (99 cents a can).

Anyone eaten here recently? I just bought an apartment in the building where Bis Moreno is located, so I'll probably try it soon if recent reports are favourable.

I use 3 or 4 Fuji apples and 1 or 2 Granny Smith per pie. I've tried Golden Delicious too, but they ones I bought tasted a little flat and boring.

fun topic 1. Thursday night: Liu's (Taiwanese restaurant next to Richmond Sushi) for their super crispy fried chicken legs. Also had green onion pancakes with beef inside. 2. Thursday lunch: $3.40 (tax included) got me a chicken samosa and a huge date bar from The Deli at UBC. (I love their date bars! They have a ton of struesel topping and an extra thick cookie base.) 3. last Sunday night: Bean Bros. in Kerrisdale. I had the chicken waldorf salad and an Americano. Nothing special.

eunny jang: My mom was looking over my shoulder as I was browsing this thread and commented on how beautiful all your meals looked. I am especially loving that short rib picture!

I just bought 2 Calphalon Commercial items on Ebay--a 2.5 qt. saucepan and a 8 qt. (or is it 8.5 qt.?) pot for braising meats. I'll probably head down to Gourmet Warehouse tomorrow since it's my day off, and I'll post if I find some deals. Thanks for all the help!

Daddy-A, that's a pretty impressive amount of food. Did you share all that with your wife?

There's a small Greek place in Steveston village (Richmond) called Kisamos that's packed all the time. I haven't been to any of the places mentioned in this thread except for Stepho's so I can't say how it compares. I like lamb and orzo at Kisamos--portions are big, and the food is better than any of the other 2 or 3 Greek restaurants in Steveston village. Haven't eaten there in a year or so though.

I'm looking at some Calphalon Commercial and All-Clad stuff on Ebay. I'll head down to Gourmet Warehouse sometime this week and see what's available. Thanks, barolo, for the list. Also, I'm probably going to pick up a slow-cooker. I've seen some (small ones) for only 20 bucks. Do I have to worry about the brand, or are they all basically the same? Does anyone know the difference between a 20 dollar cooker and a pricier one?

The name of the restaurant is Tsukiji.

just out of curiousity, why the hate for wine spectator magazine?

I'm still in university.

thanks for all the replies so far...keep them coming!

Perhaps I overbaked it for a few minutes. It wasn't dry, but it wasn't as moist as the Stewart cake.