BDD888's Profile
Misono and Masahiro knives
Use whetstones. Google "Slice & Sear". Local Toronto knife/butcher shop. Huge selection. But they don't carry Masahiro...which I'm looking for as well in Toronto...S&S does have Masamoto and other sought after Japanese brands (and French, German).
So if any one knows where we might find Masahiro knives in Toronto...
chinese cleaver with less curve
Where in Toronto did you find your CCK veg cleaver? I just heard about them recently visiting chef forums and this thread. I am currently living in LA and won't be back in TO till the end of the year.
Perhaps they won't be hard to find. We too have a chain of T&T Chinese markets in TO. Might be the same owner. Taiwanese owned. Very clean and organized.
Hattori kitchen knives
JCK also carries (or will order for us I"m guessing) the KD line of Hattori knives. Which is a bit more than I want to spend at the moment...most KD knives are $350 USD and up I think.
Hattori kitchen knives
I was thinking the same thing when I noticed there are "Hattori" kitchen knives. Was thinking of "Hattori Hanzo" from Kill Bill 2. As well as the Japanese HH movies (which I haven't seen) I had also heard about. Maybe the Hattori that makes these kitchen knives is the "real" HH. :)
Hattori kitchen knives
Thanks Petek. I actually did find JCK by Googling "Hattori". Wasn't sure how reliable JCK is as I knew nothing about them. Might try them if S&S can't help me. I mean they have a lot of other great Japanese knife brands besides Hattori. They do carry Masahiro knives.... Hattori's father's brand if I recall.
And I didn't know Tosho. Will look them up.
Hattori kitchen knives
Does any one know if Hattori knives are currently sold in TO? If so where?
Thanks. I know Slice & Sear doesn't carry them.
Looking for Blair's hot sauce
Thanks for the recommendations. I've lived in TO for decades. Never been to the St. Lawence Market. Will go there to check when I have the chance.
While we're on the topic of hot sauces....how about Crystal's Louisianna cajun hot sauce? Did any of you see it at the mentioned places?
I'm in LA right now...could order from www.amazon.com but would rather save myself the trouble of bringing it up to TO when I return later this year.
How about a reputable Canadian online retailer?
Looking for Blair's hot sauce
Does any one know if Blair's hot sauce (and their other products) are available in TO yet? Or if you still have to order online from the US?
http://www.hotsauce.com/SearchResults.asp?mfg=Blair's+Sauces&Click=1324
Knife manufacturers US vs Canada
Why is it that to this day you can't buy "knife sets" (not that specialty shops recommend buying sets) with a block that includes slots for steak knives in Canada?? They are commonly sold this way in the US. I prefer to have the majority of my knives in one spot.
What you need to do in Canada is buy the block and knives separately if you want slots for steak knives in a block. Unfortunately, this way, Canadian consumers are forced to pay more to buy the knives separately. No choice.
While it's usually better to buy only the knives you intend to use...lots of companies now are selling sets that only include the "essentials" (e.g. 1 chef's knife, 1 utility, 1 bread knife and a honing tool...and possibly a pair of scissors). "Starter sets". Like Shun.
It's been like this for years.
Gourmet food store?
You got it. Just found his company/store website. http://mcewan.mcewangroup.ca/
Gourmet food store?
There's a gourmet foods shop opened by one of Toronto's "top chefs". He's been on cooking shows, CityTV...etc. Forget his name. I think he's Scottish origin. The shop is located by Don Mills & Lawerance. Near Don Mills Shopping center. They carry gourmet cheeses and other gourmet cooking food ingredients. Does any one know the name? They have a website.
Looking for Shun brand kitchen knives
How so? Have you tried handling the Ken Onion series knives?
The other two brands sold at the Internet Kitchen Store are Henckels Pro S series and Wusthof Classic. I like the western blade/handle on these two German knives. Found also on some Japanese made knives like those from MAC. Another brand I'm considering.
Looking for Shun brand kitchen knives
I was just about to post the link to this store. They have a great selection of Shun and other knives. Complete lines. Like the Shun Ken Onion series. Look to have the feel I would want not present in most other Japanese knives with the typical Japanese handles. Very ergonomic design. Will definitely try to go to the shop and handle the knives first.
Looking for Shun brand kitchen knives
No. Heard a lot of good things about Shun. And no I haven't hand held the Shuns or any of the other knives mentioned on my thread. Only Henckels. I will go to a WS location when i get the chance (Yorkdale location...too bad they don't have another location uptown).
I heard the handles on the Shuns will fatigue your hand if you do a lot of prep because they are narrow. So I definitely will go pick them up first before buying.
Thanks everybody.
Expresso beans vs. drip coffee beans
It's not about the bean? Ooook. I ask because some suppliers label beans as "espresso beans" (e.g. http://www.idrinkcoffee.com/Espresso_Coffee_Beans_s/30.htm). Which was why I asked in the first place.
And we don't necessarily need to use a "dark roast"? Some here say "Yes". :)
Do we all agree it's in the "prep style"? Some of you say we don't need a purpose built espresso machine. Yet there are so many like the Rocket Giotto EVolusione, Rancilio Silva...etc. Would it be best to use one given the choice?
Looking for Shun brand kitchen knives
Does any one know if or where Shun knives are sold in Toronto (preferably in the GTA...Richmond hill, Markham...) locally or online?
Expresso beans vs. drip coffee beans
i've been a drip coffee drinker for years. Never got around to trying expresso or latte. What's the difference between "expresso beans' and the roasted (or unroasted) beans we use for drip coffee? Do you have to use "expresso beans" ONLY to make good expresso?
Looking for Rocket Giotto expresso machine retailers
Can any one tell me where to find Rocket Giotto expresso machines sold in Toronto? Preferably in the GTA (e.g. Richmond Hill, Markham...etc.). Hopefully they allow for online shopping and have a good record shipping to customers. Thanks.
Update: Never mind. Just found a few locations.
http://rocket-espresso.it/where-to-buy/
Coffee bean specialty shops
The "edit" command should not expire. :) I neglected to type in "blends" after "local". Should read "...local blends...".
Btw...do you frequent Steve's Digital forums? Your alias looks familiar. :)
Coffee bean specialty shops
Hi,
Can some Angelinos recommend a few of the top coffee specific shops? Shops, that roast a variety of local and imported beans (e.g. Jamaican Blue Mountain, Kenya AA...Etc.). Who also sell the sought after machines (e.g. Technivorm) and grinders (e.g. Baratza).
Hopefully these shops will have online sales setup.So I won't need to drive all over LA.
Thanks.
Boozehound(?): Ron Zacapa Rum
How about in Toronto? I know the LCBO doesn't stock it. Just the more common Appleton's, Bacardi, Flor de Cana (McCowan & Hwy 7 location)...and some others. But no Ron Zacapa. LCBO's liquor selection has always been fairly limited and priced highly marked up. Got to know what you're shopping for to not get taken.
Having said that I think I should stock up on some Appleton's and Flor de Cana 6 year.
Investing in new wine glasses
Except the Tritan champagne glasses from Schott Zwiesel (function & appearance). And maybe the one from Zalto. Baccarat if you like lead in your stemware and love the "look".
Speaking of Zalto...does any one know where to buy them locally in Toronto? Or online in Canada (prefer from Toronto...if not...some where in Ontario?). I only know of one place in Alberta where Canucks can order them and hope they arrive in one piece.
Where to buy good wine glasses? (downtown Toronto)
I don't know for sure since I haven't had any experience with other brands other than Ridel & PC (president's choice brand lead-free) stemware. But if you look at the shape of the stems from Zalto you can imagine that they might emphasize nuances better than others. Rounded at the widest part then a straight line to the lip. No "turbulence" on the way to your nose and palate. After swirling. Or so it appears. As I said, I will buy some to try. Are they that much more effective? Fact or fiction. And they are mouth blown and lead-free.
Where to buy good wine glasses? (downtown Toronto)
Does any one know where in Toronto we can buy Zalto glass? I found an online retailer from Manitoba. Heard the design of these glasses actually make a difference in the nuances you taste. True? False? I don't know. But they seem to have a following on other forums. I think they are all mouth blown.
ISO Green & Black's Chocolate bars
Yep. You CAN find them at Loblaws now. Just bought a bar today at the Richmond Hill/High Tech Road location. They had 4 varieties. Dark Chocolate, Mint, Almond....not sure what the 4th was. Selling I believe for $3 or $4.00. Not expensive at all.
Is there an Ontario based e-retailer for hard to find gourmet chocolate bars? Delivering to Toronto or based out of Toronto?
What are some other brands to try? I only noticed this brand in the July issue of Wine & Food I bought. Otherwise I would never have known this brand name. Green & Black's. I bought the Almond.
What's Your Favorite Malbec's............
At t he low end I'd try Tilia from Argentina. Retails for roughly $12.00 CDN. Probably around the same in US$. Or for a little more punch Bodega Norton (also from the Mendoza region in Argentina I believe) for roughly $20.00 CDN.
ISO Green & Black's Chocolate bars
Any one know where we might find some of bars in York Region? Preferably in the Markham & Richmond Hill areas.
General questions asked by Novices
Thanks Jason. DIdn't know OL was a négociant. And I'll try your recommendations. I think sampling more obviously different communes would be better for novices like me. Than to go with one producer and just buy their Volnay and Pommard (e.g. Domaine Jessiaume) where the differences would likely be less obvious.
