cwyc

Other than space, what do you like about cooking with induction surfaces? Do you find it better or more responsive than gas?

I went to b/Side Wine and Bar. I really enjoyed their crab cakes. Similar to Arome - tapas-style/small sharing plates. Resto is next to Benitz Bistro on Somerset.Benitz

And since I'm on a roll, if you're looking for other Asian - for Thai go to Phenom Penh in Kanata. It's a bit of a drive if you're going from downtown, but they can make it quite spicy. But you have to be careful what to choose on their extensive menu because some of the items are very much catered to the Cdn palate. Another one that is more central is Siam Bistro on Wellington. I wouldn't vouch for any other ones.

Like others, I too would recommend May's Garden. But chinese cuisine can be quite varied, and May's specializes in northern dishes, which it does very well. If you are looking for Cantonese cuisine, I would recommend Jo Moon Ting. It's classically cantonese. The menu itself is quite varied because you will find lunch-type offerings like rice and bbq'd meats - chicken, duck, pork - the classics. You'll also find other lunch offerings such as congee/jook and fried noodles. But their dinner menu is also quite nice and the dishes coming out of the kitchen will more than rival greasy spoon Chu Sing. Chu Sing is fine in a pinch, but that's only because the selection is somewhat limited around Ottawa. I also like the fact that they offer their own ground black sesame soup dessert and sweet ginger milk. Nice touch. So as far as Chinese is concerned, for northern, go May's; for cantonese go Jo Moon Ting. Oh and if you want dim sum, well, the selection is somewhat limited. For sheer volume, go to Chu Sing. Can't say much more than that.

Found it. Entreé to Asia, book and tv show by the same name. Thomas Robson.

I am trying to find a show that used to air on PBS about seven or eight years ago. I used to watch this south east asian/asian cooking show hosted by a larger 40ish caucausion man. He had a lot of knowledge of specialized asian ingredients; travel to the destination sometimes; and then go back to his studio kitchen to recreate the dishes. For some reason, the word/title "Express" sticks in my mind, but I can't be certain if that is correct. Does anyone know of such a show?

Shelves are very easy to adjust and remove. That was another big feature for me because when we entertain, I invariablly will have a large tray of something. My second shelf is fit narrowly below the top shelf, so I can easily insert a tray on it without having to lose space above or below. The wine rack is great, but I have removed it because I don't drink a whole lot of alcohol. Although, I do find it handy when you are entertaining, and you have trays and plates in the fridge, and need space for the vino. I'm not sure about the reliability part as I have had it for less than a year, but so far so good. The salesperson told us (I live in Canada) that the same manufacturer produces all the big name fridges...Whirpool, Amana, Kenmore, etc. So you are not really getting a competitive advantage one fridge over another. Unless that is, you are going high end like or industrial like SubZero. The down side of the glass shelves is that it may scratch, or so the salesperson told us. I have yet to have that problem. I figured its tempered, and plastic shelves are just as likely to scratch as well. As for where it is manufactured, my understanding was that it was shipped from NZ. That's what the salesperson told me because he said the only problems they have encountered sometimes is that it may get dented in-transit. We did not have that problem. They would replace the door or whatever anyway. I also like the fact that you can choose the rounded edge finish or the straight, boxy edge finish of the doors. I chose the boxy, 90 degree finish.

I bought a Fisher and Paykel fridge last year. It is the 17ish cubic feet, with bottom freezer drawers. There were several things that sold me on it: 1) the freezer drawer set up allows me to compartmentalize everything. Frozen meals in the top right hand drawer; breads in the top left drawer, smallish flat items like my stack of banana leaves for the narrow, middle drawer; frozen meats, seafood, vegetables for deep, bottom drawer. 2)fridge with the multiple wide, sliding shelf adjustments allows me to insert large party trays 3) glass shelves just sturdier and nicer than the standard plastic ones available everywhere else 4)"book ends" on the fridge door prevents glass bottles from shifting around when opening and closing 5) one dozen egg carton fits perfectly into one of the cubbies on the fridge door 6) no fingerprints show up on the fridge doors We are a family of two, so space is not an issue. However, I can see that if you are a larger family or shop bulk, you may run out of room; unless you have a separate freezer chest. Other than, I'm pretty happy with my purchase. Although, I did read a review somehwere (Consumers Report??) that didn't rate it well because of the freezer drawers. For me, however, the compartments in the freezer was the biggest draw and deciding factor in the purchase.

I'd also like to add: Paillard

I'm not sure why many people feel the need to avoid downtown Chinatown. There are some pretty solid restaurants there. Bright Pearl, while not necessarily innovative, offers standard, classical dim sum items. If you're looking to drive out to Richmond Hill, Ambassador Chinese Cuisine on 280 West Beaver Creek Road is both traditional and good, in terms of its classical dim sum offerings. This is in the suburbs of Toronto, so it is set up for family-style dining. You will also find the old fashioned sweet dessert that is made of round balls of glutinous rice rolled in sugar and chopped peanuts. It's one of those items that was available forty or fifty years ago, that doesn't show up in any other dim sum establishment I have frequented. Ambassador is located within a cluster of Chinese businesses; but then again, Richmond Hill is pretty much ALL chinese.

Just got back yesterday from Rome. Discovered Gusto - a complex containing restaurant, pizzeria, wine bar, cheese shop, sandwich shop, kitchen store. I dined at Osteria Della Frezza. It is part of the Gusto mini empire. Location is Via Della Frezza, 13. Here is the website: Gusto Osteria Della Frezza serves a fine selection of cheeses and honey, starting with the milder, softer cheeses to the harder ones. Good way to sample eight to ten different types of cheeses without having to buy it at the cheese shop. Also, served a nice sampling of salumi - proscuitto, etc.

Was that statement a slag, or one that is supposed to denote cameraderie? Hmmm, I'm not sure whether to be offended or to laugh.

This isn't a restaurant question, but does anyone know of a good place to get knife sharpening in Ottawa?

Another good place for traditional Peking duck with all of the fixings is May's Garden at the corner of Preston and Somerset. It is about a few blocks away from the Chinatown Somerset drag. It's a good place to sample your way through northern Chinese cuisine. 24 hour notice required to order the duck.

Very helpful information. Thanks. I'm thinking now I will use soapstone for my baking centre and marble for the other counter surfaces. I really love what you have done with the backsplash. The green ceramic tiles make a very nice punctuation in the overall look and feel of your kitchen. Did the company who made your cabinets also build the panels for your fridge and dishwasher? Did you get the cabinet company to match the paint from the vent?