What are the best places to find bento boxes? Not the pre-packed lunches, but the actual boxes in which you can put your own lunch. I am looking for a gift and was wondering if we had any good stores in Montreal. A website with relatively cheap shipping to Montreal would be good too.

This summer, I went on a trip across Europe, just me and my backpack. When in Vienna, I tasted these delicious wafer-hazelnut treats, from the company Manner. These are hugely popular in Austria, and you can buy them in every grocery store. They even have a Manner store in Vienna.

Anyway, I found them so good, so I tried to buy a four-pack to bring home to family and friends. Of course, having no self-contro, I ate all four (!) of them in one single train ride.

I was wondering if anyone knew which treat I'm talking about, and if someone knows of a place where I can purchase them? I would love to eat one, not only for the great taste, but also to bring back all those European memories.

Alright. I will start with a 4 to 1 ratio, mix a small dollop of mustard and adjust to taste.

I am still travelling, but I will try as soon as I get back home. Not much opportunity to cook when travelling in hostels, gah.

Thanks!

I was staying with a family friend last week in Vienna, and we made a caprese salad. It was delicious, with tomatoes, cheese, Parm ham, chopped basil and a great vinaigrette made with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. I was planning on making it for myself, but I was wondering if any of you know the exact or approximate quantities or proportions of olive oil and balsamiuc vinegar for a dressing? I am on a budget, and cant really afford to waste a whole recipe of salad or even a batch of balsamic vinegar (the one I buy is pretty expensive).

If it helps, he used the same vinaigrette for a salad of coarsely chopped grilled peppers and pecorino cheese, which was also delicious.

Thanks!

Wow, thanks so much, Patz! Im in Paris right now, but sadly havent really eaten restaurant food yet. Ive been focused on bakeries and cheap groceries. I have, however, seen many cheap lunch specials, so I think it should be fine. I think I will have a late lunch today, maybe try out one of your recs. Groceries, however, are ridiculously expensive! Almost 3 euros for a broccoli? Please.

Tomorrow I will be in the Latin Quarter, does it match any of your recs?

Thanks again for your post!

Hello dear Parisians!
I will be backpacking in Europe from mid-June to August, and I am spending my 10 first days in Paris. I feel it's one of my most important destinations, given that I am from Quebec and have mostly French ancestry. I'm still a student, therefore my budget is limited. I was wondering if you know of good cheap restaurants, markets and Parisian culinary musts. If it helps, I'll be staying at a hostel in the 15th district (15 minute walk to the Eiffel Tower, I think), but will be moving around during the day (Versailles, les Invalides, the Louvre, etc.).
Feel free to include travelling tips about Europe in general or information on how to get a cheap international cellphone.

Thank you very much!

P.S. If you feel more comfortable answering in French, I can send you my e-mail (I'm not sure the site allows posting in French)

Hi fellow hounders. I was wondering if you know any good and relatively cheap lunch spots near the Berri metro (5-10 minute walk, preferably). I already know about La Paryse (a classic), but I feel like trying something new tomorrow.

Hi, I was wondering if you had ideas for a cheap and preferably ethnic restaurant near a metro station, either green or orange line. It'll be a low-key dinner with 2 or 3 friends, and we're using the metro, so it would be preferrable if the place were on the same street or within 5 walking minutes of a station.

Also, do you guys know of a place (preferrably in Chinatown) that serves dim sum even in the evenings?

Thanks for your help!

I don't know, I've always stuck with a restaurant that doesn't appear on your list, Brazeiro. Has it closed or something? I went there this summer (it was delicious, by the way, their chicken is awesome and their veal is to die for) and haven't gone back since, and I never hear anyone talk about it.

Thanks guys. I think I'll just try Itsi Bitsi and (especially) Cocoa locale, because I've almost exclusively heard good things about it. Besides, I'm not sure I'd want to get the margarita cupcake a second time. I think the fun of cupcakes is finding special flavours, anyway.

So my friend gave me half of her margarita-flavored cupcake and... it was delicious. She received it as a gift, and it was apparently bought at a bakery/cupcake shop (don't know exactly which), supposedly "near St-Laurent street". Does anyone know where they came from?

P.S. The margarita cupcake had pink frosting and a dried red fruit (cranberry, I believe) on top.

Oh, guys, I've been wanting to go to Cocoa Locale for a while now. Now that you gave awesome recommendations, I'm determined to go! Do you guys know if it's reachable by metro?