merlin

canadianintexas: Just below this "thread" you will see one that I started yesterday. After seeing your first response here I decided to venture up for lunch. Mixed results and feelings I would say. A work in progress I expect, to see what does or does not work. This makes sense given Jamie Maw's original post about them starting out here in Edm before expansion to Calgary and Vancouver. Not sure if they are after the "happy hour" suits, the baseball cap boys in after playing some softball, or the trendies who have tired of the other bars and lounges up the street and are willing to shell out bigger bucks for "exotic" cocktails and martini's..all..or any combination of the above. The food was o.k. The tuna in particular was good. The rest, not all that inspiring or different from [as I indicated in the other post] the lists we have seen over time at Earls', Joey's or other similar spots. Asian influenced [are they "test cooking" for OPM's opening later this summer?] along with some surprises like "poutine". I should say at least they did not include, or at least I did not see, their "take" on szechwuan or ginger beef that they used to have at Joey's...that sodden mass of deep fried pieces of beef topped with a sickenly sweet goopy sauce...yes, you are correct, I did not like it I would not write the place off completely. The physical plant and decor provided a nice respite from the summer heat. The staff competent and friendly. They genuinely inquired about what I did or did not like. For example their wine list is pretty mediocre...unusual for an Earls' related venture given the good quality and pricing for it. I suggested that with all this asian-styled food they really needed a sparkling wine by the glass...hope they will have one for OPM if it is anything like what I have read concerning P.F. Changs, they may...it goes with everything but I think that that request will fall on "deaf ears" as I do not expect that they are going after the sparkling wine drinker and may end up throwing more out or having it go flat that making sales. Just my two cents. I will be interested in hearing what insights your friend has. What did or did not work.

Envy you Paul. Look forward to your comments after dinner at the Wick. Am interested to hear how the food is under the "command" of the new chef. Sounds like another "terrible" day in paradise....I'll turn up the volume for the Tofino Beach Homes website and "pretend" that I am on Chesterman too....say hello to Chris aka Tofino should you run into him at the Wick.

CanadianinTexas: Did your friend tell you what the menu concept is at Publik? That is the second time is less that a month that I have had the term "gastro-pub" used in conjuction with a bar/pub/restaurant opening. I may drop by on the way home from work today and give it a "look, see". Pat Devaney who has re-opened the Rose and Crown in the Sutton Place Hotel downtown also refers to his menu there in the same terms. Makes sense to me that Publik would go into that particular location. I think then that OPM will likely be destined for South Common. However, they [at least some of the same investors] relatively recently opened a Joey's World [as opposed to Mediterranean] Grill so not sure about the close proximity. Mind you, it seems in the fast food world everyone goes head to head both the the competion and corporate "brethren" [ie. Joeys v. Earls and Red Lobster v. Italian Gardens].

I think the quotation that follows your post applies to me this time Coop, "I'm no friggin' genius" LOL...thank goodness that I am not driving on this trip to Van, who knows where we might end up? You have saved me some perplexed looks from my friends as I try to "explain" to them that Kerridale has somehow managed to "move" to the north shore Cheers Coop

Jayhay: I had hoped to "scoop" a conference in Halifax later in July this summer but alas, looks like I'll have to be content with an extended upcoming week-end in Burnaby and a few days in Red Deer...does not seem like an adequate culinary trade-off I am not sure if Bish was damaged or not during the Juan fiasco but it is up and running if it was. That was our favourite overall spot during our last trip to Hlfx. On the Juan issue, I see that Point Pleasant Park just opened after being closed. 70 to 80 % of the trees were destroyed or damaged. I can hardly fathom that type of devastation of what was such a beautiful green oasis in south Hlfx. The new place that Maurizio and Stephanie Bertossi have opened in also named Il Mercato apparently and is located in the Sunnyvale Mall in Bedford. So there is the original Il Mercato on Spring Garden Road now joined by another in more suburban Bedford. Looks very nice from its web-site and the person I spoke to in Hlfx last week about it, said that it had received good reviews. Another "newcomer" to Hlfx is Seven. I found it via Google search. Looks quite upscale and trendy. Mixed reviews are what I read. It joins all those other good spots in Hlfx. like da Maurizio, Bish, Il Mercato, Chives, Bacchus, Maple, which I would arbitrarily describe as being in the the top tier and others like the Bistro, Fiasco, The Press Gang, O'Carroll's, Sweet Basil [or is that Purple Basil? I am forever getting that mixed up], Ryan Duffy's a notch below. If you get down to Lunenburg to tour the old town and visit the fishing museum, Magnolia's is one of our favourites. There are a couple en route in Mahone Bay and Chester that serve good food. I think that the name of the one in the latter is The Rope Loft but it has been a few years. In the Valley, the winery at Grande Pre is supposed to have a good restaurant. It had stopped serving lunch the day we were there but we were able to get some smoked meats and cheeses and salads and dined al fresco under their pergola. I have not heard anything about Tempest in Wolfville after it was featured in Opening Soon. Maybe someone else on the list can update. Neuman's or Newman's in Annapolis Royal was a "god send" one year with its varied food and wine list...we were "Jost'ed" out after a tour of Cape Breton [if you are up to the Pictou/Northumberland area drop in at the Jost Winery in Malagash...they make better wine than one might think...it just isn't carried in many restaurants apart from their "jug" white and red house-type offerings]. If you get to PEI I can recommend the Merchantman Pub across the street from the Prince Edward Hotel in Charlottetown. A varied menu covering standard pub fare as well as more creative dishes that one might not otherwise expect. Less successful for us was Kim's Bistro. It had been written up in Gourmet or Food & Wine magazine but we were disappointed. Kim however does make fabulous smoked fish. We also enjoyed On Broadway or Off Broadway, something to that effect and the locally brewed ales at the Gahan House in "downtown" Charlottetown. Our favourite was a spot called "McAsseys'" in the Confederation interpretative centre. Very good, interestsing food done with a flair. However, I do not think that it was well received by the locals and understand it went out of business. Sirenella near the Prince Edward Hotel was also quite good Italian. Does not look like much from the sidewalk but the food was nice. One place we missed is the Water-Prince Store. I hope I got the name correct this time. It is at the corner of those streets just off the waterfront. I am sure that we walked right by it as it looks just like a convenience store. Good seafood I am told. We stayed at the Inn at Bay Fortune for a few days and had terrific dinners there. In Montague we had a nice lunch in Windows On The Water. The Inn at St. Peters provided a terrific lunch when we were travelling en route back to Charlottetown. Dalvray By The Sea was well worth the short drive north to the red dunes of Prince Edward Island National Park. Nice menu, good wine list, typically friendly Maritime service. Have not been able to get over to "the Rock" for years and years so cannot offer any insights there. Let us know what you tried. Enjoy your trip.

Mooshmouse: ...yes, it has to be all of 11 years or more in my case. And you are right...it was the big "buttery" malolactic fermentation chardonnays that were "de rigeur" back then....... As it turns out the couple who we are having dinner with at Cru Saturday night are the same ones who took us to Saltimbocca. Eatrustic: They also live in North Van and I'll ask if they have heard anyting about Coco Pazzo.

Thanks for the suggestions Steve. The first three I recognzied but not Coco Pazzo. This will be the first visit in years where we have not stayed on the North Shore so was perplexed when I saw the address. So this is where Ken Bogas is now. My goodness, it must be over a decade since I ate at a spot he was involved with. Back then a buddy introduced me to his barely seared tuna [before that course became so popular elsewhere] with big oaky, usually American chardonnays. It was the Saltimbocca in Kits. Doubt that we will get to it this trip but will keep it in mind en route to returning from Tofino in the Fall.

I was thinking of trying an Italian restaurant while in the Vancouver area next week. An acquaintance who operates some Italian restaurants in town here speaks highly of Pino's restaurant Cioppino while his chef mentioned Bis Moreno. Comments?

Keith Talent/Daddy_A: "Who'd have thunk" a post concerning U-pick locations would have lead to this. I've been laughing for the past few minutes and getting curious stares from people passing my office...ok, more curious than the curious stares I usually get. I can just picture KT's mom marching up the prison gates.

LOL...so you would prefer Parkside Jerry_A? Tell us how you really feel. Have not been to either. Menus are extremely similar. Reviews pretty good for both and "foodie" sources split just about right down the middle. Oh well, I'll let you know when we get back.

Well after some discussion, I flipped a coin and made reservations at Cru. Perhaps we'll head to Parkside or some other spot in that area on the other evening we are "free".Concepts and menus are quite similar so could be interesting to compare the two. Thanks for the input and assistance all.

Not sure. I guess I will do some more "sufin'" and see. Thanks again for the suggestions.

Daddy-A: Well, thanks anyway...your prompt "sealed the deal" that we would head to The Pear Tree. Unfortunately, when I phoned to make a reservation a minute or two ago I was advised, "that the chef and his brigade would be off to PEI that week to cook for the Cdn Chef's Association"...consequently the restaurant is closed from the 7th of June until they re-open on the 15th. We fly back to Edmonton on the 15th so we'll have to save The Pear Tree for another visit.

Will be flying into Vancouver in the late afternoon on June 12th and in Burnaby until the Tuesday. So expect we'll be up for a dinner on the Saturday and Monday nites with Sunday reserved for visits with friends and family. Usually we stay on the North Shore so know what to expect and where to dine there but not so much in Vancouver itself. On our last visit we enjoyed West [it was Ouest then] and have tried Rain City Grill, Joe Fortes, Crocodile, The Fish House at Stanley Park, The Tea Room and the like on past trips. My wife does not like fish so C is out of the question. I do not want to go the Asian route although the Japanese pub style spots people have spoken about interest me but not likely my "better half". We will be out on Willingdon just off the highway exit at the Radisson. Local spots that I have heard of but not tried include the Pear Tree and the Hart House. Anyone have any comments. They might make for an easy cab ride by the time we check into the hotel. Parkside, Cru and Feenie's [will save Lumiere for another trip] all hold some allure. I would prefer more casual over formal. Hence, the Feenie's over Lumiere. Bistro fare is fine. Good wine selection would be terrific. No idea what a cab would cost from Burnaby to any of the three above. Comments?

I am perfectly content with a screwtop for the same reasons articulated above. I would rather not pay $65 <smile> but if it means a $65 screwtop with the assurance it is not "corked" that is fine. On trips to the west coast you can now find Venturi-Schultz wines with "crown closures" like a beer bottles

Sweet Willie: Was initially perplexed by the tone of some of the posts until I noted their "age". If you scroll down the subject headings a few inches you'll find one I started entitled "Victoria Recommendations?" before headng out to the Island last month. It has some more contemporary comments.

Paul Mitchell: Thanks for the laughs...it was worth the wait! Seems you share my sense of humour and attitude when it comes to the Temple's decor...yep, still do not "get" the bed. Too bad about Brio. We had two fine evenings there. However, glad you had a good time at Il Terrazo whereas our nite there in the fall was disappointing. That was on a Monday nite in late October and they were "rocking and rolling" that evening as well. Your friend the sommelier is a nice guy. He stopped by our table and commented on the chianti we were drinking. It was great but quite expensive. Impressive list at the restaurant. Would have loved to have been in the Co-op to see the meat cutter's reaction to those "Fred Flintstone" steaks you ordered. I love good t-bones or better still a "real" Porterhouse barbequed like a roast. Cut up and reassembled served with some lemons. Yumm. I am not a big filet fan, prefer the striploin but this way you get both. Just back from four days up at the Jasper Park Lodge. Saw on the wine list that an old name from the Island is now the manager of their fining dining restaurant, the Edith Cavell Room and the wine director. You folks probably remember him. James Kendall. We met him years ago when he was managing the Aerie up the Malahat from Victoria. Likely as a result the list features a number of B.C. wines like Note Bene, Blue Mountain and even several from Venturi-Schultze. Three of the latter's whites, a pinot or cab, a sparkling and a dessert wine. Looking forward to getting out your way come Fall Paul. Perhaps we can link up at Shelter. Do intend to get there this visit. Good luck with the tourist rush oncoming.

Gastropimp: If Malone's is the place I am thinking of in Kits, I agree that that would be a prime location. We usually end up staying on the North shore when we visit Vancouver but I think one time I attended a conference at UBC that I met a bud at Malones. Whatever happened to Ken Bogus? Is he still in the restaurant trade in Vancouver? I do not know him but enjoyed a meal many years ago when he had a long narrow dark spot in the area...Saltimbocca I think was its name.

Jamie: If it is the older Joey's property I am thinking of it will be just off Calgary Trail at the Whitemud Crossing Centre which also houses an Earl'. Good location, lots of traffic. I'll take a look when I am out running errands later today. A short drive south of where the original Earl's opened quite some years ago. A converted Fuller's repainted green with a couple of wagons on the roof bringing burgers and chicken wings to Edmonton. I remember when I moved to Alberta from the east over 20 years ago you used to be able to buy wings for next to nothing. They were treated like scraps. Then along came Earl's and the Buffalo hot wings concept became popular. It would make sense that OPM is going into that location as they just opened a large Joey's in the southside common. Grander, more adult-like atmosphere with a big bar without all that kitsch and assorted bric-a-brac that dominated the orginal concept. Caused a stir initially as they were quite candid about not being "kid friendly". Reminds me of when someone wrote a letter of complaint about an Earl's that a friend of mine had an interest in. The complaint was with the absence of booster seats or high chairs. Stan Fuller wrote back that the concept was "burgers and beer" and they were not encouraging family dining. Like those minivans you mentioned we who live in the "burbs" also find ourselves without a lot of choices apart from chains and often end up in Earl's. At least the wine list is good. Nothing like a burger with a bottle of '95 Lake Aileen Cab or a club sandwich with their white Beaucastel C. de Rhone I recollect that a bunch of my wine geek buds used to chuckle that we just "had" to go to Earl's to have the chicken burger when they had Conundrum on the list at about a dollar over retail...it was such a deal!

Jamie: Thanks for the "heads up". People in the industry that I know here [Edmonton] had mentioned that these spots were in the works but I had not heard much of late. Did the Fullers indicate where the locations would be? Southside Common perhaps? The items you mentioned all sound interesting. Were you kidding about the hefty wheat beer? Big Wang? Gimme a break! A lot of Albertans "snowbird" in Arizona so I am not surprised that the Fuller-Family have gone with a variation on the theme of P.F. Changs...hope their wine list follows suit. I am looking forward to their opening later in the summer.

LOL..."Sounds like a plan" Paul. Hang in there. Look forward to your comments once you get a chance to post.

"T": For what it is worth, the May 2004 issue of Wine Access which arrived in the mail today contains an article by John Schreiner, "Quite A Debut...Both Canadian and French partners surprised by the quality of the first vintage of Osoyoos Larose.". In an insert it reviews it at 88 pts and observes: Says that it a bordeaux blend of 66% merlot, 25% cab sauv and 9% cab franc. "A fine effort from a fairly miserable vintage"

gastropimp: Not a correction per se, but Black Hills will ship to individual customers. They just released their new vintage of Note Bene a few weeks ago. Not sure about La Frenz [have only had their wines in west coast restaurants], Kettle Valley or Poplar Grove. I have seen the occasional bottle of KV or PG in our wine stores but it is an increasingly rare occasion and the pricing horrendous. I think one of the big liquor store chains carries a Cab Franc from PG which I was going to pick up until I saw that it was priced at about $70 to $75. I'll have to check but one of the better wine stores was to start stocking La Frenz. Which varietals and at what quantity I do not know.

I could give you a "tongue in cheek shot" for that comment. Replenishing reading material on ones honeymoon? Tofino is a great spot during the storm season I expect so long as you have the right place to stay. We head up there in mid to late October and to date have only been there for one big "blow". One year the place where we were staying [Pacific Sands] issued candles as they were expecting a big storm that might knock out power but it missed us. Another they had something called a "Pacific bomb" or something to that effect that clobbered Victoria and up the inside passage but left the west coast alone. We were looking forward to it. It was quite something to be sitting in the Pointe Restaurant at the Wick [www.wickinn.com] watching the waves crash into the surrounding rocks and shore.....sipping a very wine too

Hest88: Tofino, simply put is "heaven". It may not be the dining center that Victoria is but oh what scenery. It is the place we go to annually, to "relax, revitalize and refresh"...only 5 1/2 more mths to the next trip When you can combine the two with stops at the wineries in Duncan and the Cowichan generally en route it is simply grand.