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Philippe de Vienne's shop La Dépense in Jean Talon Market has lime presses. The real deal, imported from Asia, not plastic junk made for "Ye Olde Gourmet Kitchen Shoppe". Paul

Yes, most Canadian retailers are insane in their prices and (bad) service, but I can also tell you from experience that some is due to the protectionist policies of the inbred Canadian distributors. Lots of small terrible, lazy and sleazy distributors for kitchen/baking/pastry supplies etc. in Canada, and as a Canadian retailer you're forced to go through them, and so pay prices way above what should just be the price from a US distributor plus exchange, and many of said distributors don't even ALLOW online or internet sales, and cave in to pressure from the old-guard retailers (too lazy to service new accounts) and so limit the number of retailers and limit or dissalow online or discount prices. Very anti-competitive, and it's the Canadian buyer who suffers. It's a real battle to try to do American-style business, prices and service here.

Yeah, strange that there were no chocolate companies. But a couple of the shops had some nice items going. And a few were a disgrace. And the showpieces were sad. There were more samples than at first glance, you just had to ask (I figured this out when I saw others doing it...). At least Morel was there. It was pretty busy, that's for sure! Paul

Mostly Martha: A German movie well worth renting/owning. I really liked it. Story revolves around a female chef and lots of pretty neat food scenes/stories. Paul

Got it, Paul. And, you're right that it's great. But, technically speaking, it's not a regional cookbook. Okay, but at least he does a great job of identifying regions and influences. Yes, but not carefully. I had originally dismissed it as just another "Indian restaurant food" style book. I'll give it a more careful look. Yes, many areas seem to have some amazing combinations from the entire spectrum of what we consider "regional". I guess the natives aren't as concerned with regional boundaries as we are. Paul

Yes, ethnic cookbook selection is bad here, but I did buy one of those Penguin books at Chapters downtown over a month ago, and they still had at least one copy in stock today: Curry, Curry, Curry; by Ranjit Rai. Only $18, and it's brilliant. Mine is already jammed full of post-it notes. Definitely pick it up!! Paul

I worked in bookstores all through high school and university and have mulled over opening a cookbook store in Montreal, but decided against it for now. I am curious though about the cookbook store in Toronto -- anyone ever been? Is it good? Does it do well? Paul

Hey Carswell, Yeah, the wide versions are awesome. Pretty serious. Nobody imagines liking them (the rage now is still all towards light Japanese-style blades, but I do sense this cooling off now a bit as people try to keep them sharp), but then they hold one and the inner Thag the Caveman emerges . Definitely a Guy Thing The 8" Wide is the coolest in a way because it's more noticeably wide (very distinct profile and noticeably thick). The 10" is so big already that it's not as obvious. Paul

Somehow I doubt it since it looks like they actually failed to renew their domain in December and so lost it to a domain broker out west. Good luck in getting it back without spending an arm and a leg... probably have to come up with a new domain name which is a shame since the old one is linked and quoted in print. Paul

I agree -- the folks doing the web sites for most Montreal restaurants should be ashamed of themselves. They're almost all full of annoying looped music and flash animations. Uh, give me your address and other contact info, a map and public transport details, your hours, some background info, and then maybe an up-to-date menu if you can manage to keep it up to date. Once those are under control, then maybe splurge on a few photos... Paul

Hi ademello, Thanks for the plug :-) Yep, Messermeister is cool, but Wushof is still the most popular. Their new Le Cordon Bleu knives are actually quite impressive, even though I initially wasn't going to carry them because I thought it was just a pay-for-the-brand marketing thing, but the blades really are thinner, sharper and lighter. Their excellent santoku was a big seller this year. Nice knife for the price... Anyway, don't want to get in trouble for sounding commercial here -- my reason for responding was to plug a different business: I recently broke the dough hook on my kitchenaid mixer (darn brioche!), and no store had a replacement in stock, but I found out that the Whirlpool (they own KitchenAid now I think) service center in Laval had some, so I broke down and drove out there to buy one. Glad I made the trip, because I also found out that they have lots of KitchenAid, Whirlpool and Inglis "refurbished" appliances. Most are perfect or near perfect (store returns, etc.), one year warranty, and significant discounts. They had quite a few mixers, blenders, food processors, coffee makers, stoves, fridges, washers, etc. Next time I need an appliance I'll definitely check there first before going retail: Whirlpool Canada, 2750 Francis Hughes, Laval (in the middle of nowhere, but actually very easy and fast to get to by car). Paul

Cool. I figured it was for some bubble-tea inspired concoction. So where are you serving as Overlord? I like fruit soup (and the idea of fruit soup in general) but rarely see it... apparently it doesn't traditionally do very well on menus here in North America because people here are unable to think of soup as a dessert item. Paul

Most Indian markets should carry them. I got mine recently at Punjab foods in Lasalle. Punjab Foods 9000 Bd Newman, Lasalle (514) 366-0560 Out of curiosity, what are you doing with them? Paul

Sorry, I haven't found any patties I'm crazy about here in Montreal, but it does remind me of the Lobster patties I practially lived on when I lived on Grand Cayman Island. Yum. Those and conch stew. And Jamaican blackened grouper. Man, I can practically smell it all now! Anyone ever see lobster patties here? I remember the patties (all types) being spicier (not just hotter, but that too) than the ones I usually find here, which seem more like they're stuffed with a pretty bland standard hamburger-based filling. I guess part of it is that most places don't make them very fresh, and so they're pretty limp and blah by the time you get to them. Paul

Oops -- that's sad to hear. I wonder what's going on? Change of ownership or something? They always seemed a paragon of consistently decent food and reliable service. Oh well... Paul