ISO a place for a good chinese cleaver

Ming Wo on 23 E. Pender St. has a good selection at reasonable prices.

12pines in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Ottawa - Sunday Night Drinks

I'm tasked with entertaining a group of about twenty professionals from across the country on a Sunday night in Ottawa. We're all staying at the Minto, so I'm looking for a place downtown or even Byward Market. Something a bit more upscale than the usual after-work haunts (D'Arcy McGee's, etc.) but a spot that won't mind people sticking to the drinks and avoiding the food.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

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Byward Cafe
55 Byward Market Sq, Ottawa, ON K1N9C3, CA

12pines in Ontario (including Toronto)

Opinion: Best Sushi In Vancouver List..

Ditto on Temaki. Big fan of the Chef’s Roll and Banzai Roll. Remarkably fresh every time I eat there. Thoughtful presentation of the dishes.

12pines in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Laguiole knife (corkscrew) ?

Atkinson's on Granville at West 6th sells the top end variety. You can find the cheaper version at Mountain Equipment Co-op in store or online.

12pines in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Good flat-bottomed wok ?

I know this is going to sound crazy, but IKEA. Really. It will do everything you need it to do and will take a good beating, all for $7.99.

12pines in B.C. (including Vancouver)

The Marquis Grill - South Granville (old Bizou Bistro spot)

Sorry, we should have updated our review earlier. The most excellent chef who ran the kitchen last March left or was forced to leave in and around late April or early May. Though he was probably a bit loud and hyperactive for some (not us) he paid incredible attention to the food. The menu changed and we've avoided the place ever since.

12pines in B.C. (including Vancouver)

New izakaya coming to Broadway and Fir in Vancouver

We stopped in last night and had a fantastic time. Still in their soft-launch phase so we weren't sure what to expect. We left pleasantly surprised and looking forward to our return.

It's quite obvious they payed close attention to the decor. It's a warm environment with interesting decoration and architecture designed to capture attention. There's not an inch of the interior that fails to captivate. Even the underside of the bar is hand-tiled with mahjong tiles. Just hope they fill up soon -- the renos couldn't have been inexpensive.

Service was friendly, informal and informative. The bartender/server was very friendly, answered our questions and suggested a great watermelon-based cocktail. The manager made a point of coming over a couple of times to chat, see how things were going (excellent) and offering up some details on the restaurant and it's sister downtown.

We only had a few dishes (chicken w/ tofu, beef/kimchi hot pot, toro donburi, edamame) each of which were beautifully presented, well portioned, and delicious. We're looking forward to try more on our next visit. The food prices were on par with the other izakaya places in town. Frankly, I'm always happy not to be ripped off for edamame - a snack which probably costs a restaurant somewhere in the neighborhood of $1 to get on your table! Theirs was a reasonable $3. (Earls charges an outrageous $7.) Cocktails are priced on the high side but not too crazy given the work they put into them ($8.50-9). Beer is overpriced. Wine selection is reasonable and reasonably priced (2x LDB prices).

12pines in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Scottsdale Must Eats? 1 week visit.

Great suggestions -- I'm especially impressed with the FnB menu.

As to what type of food we're interested in, I think we're looking for chefs who do great work with "local" ingredients. Pair that with a well selected, reasonably priced, wine list and you've got a winner. We're not looking for a 100 mile diet kind of place, but it would seem a bit odd to go looking for seafood so far inland (we're coming from Vancouver).

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FnB
7133 E Stetson Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

12pines in Phoenix

Scottsdale Must Eats? 1 week visit.

My wife and I will be in Scottsdale next week from Thursday through Tuesday, in part to enjoy the annual culinary festival. Festival venues aside, we're looking for a few must-eats, particularly for dinner. Any helpful suggestions?

We're staying in Old Town, but we're happy to venture further afield. We're both in our early 30s, looking for places where great food is pared with a fun vibe (though substance is far more important than style).

Looking forward to your suggestions. Thanks in advance!

12pines in Phoenix

Torani Syrup in Vancouver?

JJ Bean on Granville Island and, perhaps, their other locations.

12pines in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Best / Worst Falafel in Vancouver

I completely agree with your Israeli falafel review. I had the most flavourful experiences in Jerusalem (nearby the German Colony?) and find Tel Aviv to be hit-and-miss.

Falafel Plus on 8th just past Cambie does a great job. Just don't head over on Friday night or Saturday as they're kosher and, therefore, won't be open. You might also consider giving Falafel King on Denman (between Pendrell and Comox) a try. I've never tried the falafel but consider their shwarma to be the best I've tasted outside of Israel. And always with hot sauce. I moved out of the West End years ago, but still drive back over the bridge for their #5.

12pines in B.C. (including Vancouver)

The Marquis Grill - South Granville (old Bizou Bistro spot)

Returned again for dinner this past week. Roast chicken was lovely with fantastic flavour balance. My wife gave the muscles rave reviews for the second time in two weeks and the rest of the seafood eaters at the table echoed her praise. The sizeable scallop pasta dish was also enjoyed with high marks. The salmon and scallop main with saffron rice was a sight to behold and also garnered praise from my friend who ordered the dish. The perogies received a thumbs up. Dinner was capped with a not-on-the-menu homemade ice cream, lava cake and coulis concoction - great stuff.

So far, the only downside seems to be the bar selection. The waiter/bartender mixes great drinks and knows her wine and eclectic beer selection quite well. Unfortunately, the bar isn't very well stocked. For the second time in three months we were disappointed to learn that no port, sherry or comparable dessert drinks are available.

12pines in B.C. (including Vancouver)

The Marquis Grill - South Granville (old Bizou Bistro spot)

They've hired a great new chef and things have definitely turned around for the better. (I agree it was a bit hit and miss when they first opened.) Price point remains reasonable. The service is friendly. A great selection of beer on tap.

12pines in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Kosher in Florence

Do you happen to know Chabad's address? I can't seem to find any mention of it on the chabad.org web page, though I distinctly remember walking by while backpacking way back in 2001. I'm in Florence for Rosh Hashana this year and really hoping to find something (though I suspect Ruth's might be open with advance reservations).

12pines in Kosher

going to Cioppinos as per your input-what should I eat?

I recently had a seasonal antipasti of battered, fried, zucchini flowers. Melt in your mouth goodness with tremendous flavour! On the pasta side of things I'm a great fan of the pappardelle with 4-hour-braised veal cheeks & porcini mushrooms. The flavours and textures are quite delicate and pair well with a light-bodied red wine.

12pines in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Chinese Restaurants in Rome and Florence?

Thx LJS. Don't get me wrong - we have no expectation of great Chinese food in Italy. But I know my wife will be a week in and start itching for her noodles! One noodle break during a 3 week trip should do the trick!

12pines in Italy