rob1234's Profile
Are all the ducks in Edmonton frozen and whole???
I think most grocery stores have frozen duck breasts. I've bought them at the hampton save on foods for sure.
Saison switches to prepaid ticket system
Yeah, the tank is right behind the chef's counter seats. Pretty neat. The waiter said the langoustines were flown in from France that morning.
Atelier Crenn vs. Saison...
100% Saison, especially if you are looking at the chef counter. I ate at both Saison and Crenn two weeks ago and Saison chef's counter was the best meal I've had in my life. Crenn was also great and as mentioned below had some interesting dishes but Saison was just at another level in every way. Not a single course in the 24 courses or so was less than perfect. Maybe Skenes and I just have similar palates.
For sure get the wine pairings (unless you are going after April 10th I don't think you have a choice at the counter anyway) but keep in mind it is 15 - 20 glasses of wine so you'll want to take a cab.
Service at the counter was great, better than Crenn. Can't speak for the dining room service though.
Saison weekend prices?
I disagree (that Crenn and Saison are comparable). I ate at Crenn, Manresa, Coi, and Saison Chef's Counter last week and the meal at Saison was miles ahead of the others. I would have gladly paid more than the $498 for the Saison meal where as I left the other 3 wondering if it was really worth the $165-$175 (plus drink, tax, tip) prices.
Pizza dough - Favorite recipe? "00" dough?
My current favorite is the one from Peter Reinhart's Artisan Breads Every Day but substituting half the flour with 00 and using the cast iron skillet/broiler cooking method.
I had tried this recipe previously without substituting in the 00 flour and didn't like it, however, at that time I was also cooking it on a pizza stone at 550 so I can't say if it's the 00 flour or the skillet/broiler method that made it work.
Glutins and lactose intolerance
Today's science based medicine post is about gluten and Candida. http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/is-gluten-the-new-candida/
Heavy cream in YEG (Edmonton) - where to buy??
I once bought cream from planet organic that was over 50%MF I'm pretty sure. It was expensive though.
Espresso Machine - Grounds in Brand New Machine?
I bought a saeco a few months ago. It had a note with it saying each machine is tested in the factory and may still have coffee residue left in it. Gaggia is probably the same.
Looking for fresh passion fruit or passion fruit juice concentrate in Edmonton
No problem. I discovered Qzina while searching for passion fruit puree as well but haven't got around to ordering from them yet. I talked to them though and they said I could call ahead and come pick some up whenever I needed.
Looking for fresh passion fruit or passion fruit juice concentrate in Edmonton
Italian Centre and T&T both sell the fresh fruit (~$2.50 each). You can get puree from Qzina.
Bisphenol A/BPA in canned goods: are you concerned?
Not really.
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/phthalates-and-bpa-of-mice-and-men/
YEG Simple Poll. The war of the restos...
Corso32 for sure. I've only been there once but thought it was one of the best meals I've had in Edmonton. I don't understand all the praise Culina gets.
Hardware, mostly because you said the guests have a healthy appetite and hardware has gigantic portion sizes.
Haven't been to the others.
What cookbooks are on your Christmas list this year?
Great cookbook. I bought it at the French Cafe after eating there on our honeymoon. One of the best meals I've ever had. It was our last stop on a 3 week culinary tour of New Zealand and we almost didn't go after a not so good meal at White in the Hilton the night before. So glad we did though.
I was hoping the creme caramel with passion fruit tapioca recipe would be in it but it's not. I've been thinking of emailing them for it. Still one of my favourite books though.
Edmonton-looking for fresh goat meat
I thought I saw goat this morning at Real Deal Meats. Can't remember the cut though.
When to salt and pepper burger--before or after grilling?
I'd salt right before you grill. http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2009/12/the-burger-lab-salting-ground-beef.html
Top Chef All Stars Finale, Did I Miss it in Canada???
I watched it randomly sunday morning on FN Canada. It was pretty early so I assume it would have also aired at another time.
My Husband Wants to Make Hamurger Buns
I've made these 4-5 times for burgers. They are good and because of them I won't make burgers without also making buns. However, I've recently made some using a recipe from Reinhart and preferred them to the smitten kitchen ones.
I also want to try potato rolls next after eating at shake shack last month.
can you buy veal stock in Edmonton?
I'd like to know as well. I had a hard enough time just finding good chicken or beef stock.
Assuming you did have time to make some, anyone know a good (and cheap) source for veal bones? All I've ever seen are some 6+ month old freezer burnt frozen ones in the kosher section of sobeys in tiny packages.
Per Se Price Increase
I would probably agree with you and would have paid it had we not also booked 12 other fairly expensive restaurants in New York and Washington for our trip (some based on your blog and posts here so thanks).
There was also the issue of our international flight arriving at 4:45 in New York and having to be at Per Se by 7:00 to be early enough for the extended tasting.
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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
Per Se Price Increase
We had an extended tasting booked for next Wed. The price is now up to $500 pp. In the end we decided to cancel and are going to EMP instead.
Mashed Potatoes with Immersion Blender
Might work if you retrograde the starch first.
baked chicken wings?
I've made Alton Brown's baked wings before and they are great. He steams them first, then bakes.
Sous Vide Supreme Mini Me - do I want one
I've had the regular sous vide supreme for about 2 months and have used it quite a lot. I really like it but I'd be worried about the small size of the demi. I've filled my regular sized one full a few times and I'm only cooking for two people.
Keller or Bourdain Cookbook, Which One???
Sounds like you don't have much time to choose but I always try and get cookbooks out from the library first before buying so I can look through them.
I've taken both Bouchon and French Laundry out from the library and decided not to buy. I do have ad hoc though. Haven't looked at Bourdain's.
Chickpeas with Date Masala (from NYTimes): rave report
Made the chickpeas last night using Vij's at Home cookbook (didn't have anise so I used Chinese 5 spice). I agree it was too sweet. Vij says he serves it as an appetiser which I could see or as a side dish. We just had it with rice and I got sick of it after 5-6 bites. Might be better with some Naan too.
Turkey Breasts or Legs with skin in Edmonton
I was going to reply I'm only cooking for 2 and the whole turkeys at sobeys and safeway etc started at $30-$40. However, I just found and bought a 6kg whole turkey at superstore for $12.
Superstore also had whole turkey breasts but they were skinless (one of these was the same price as the whole turkey I bought).
Thanks for the replies everyone.
