lotuskitty's Profile
Where to buy local cranberries in Vancouver?
That link is unintentionally funny- "what are cranberries? what do they look like?" But it was interesting too. Thanks! So Ocean Spray cranberries might be from here or they might be from the States, we wouldn't know.
I guess I'm wrong about California. Anyway, I'll try to get to Granville Island, otherwise I'll just see what they have at Capers.
Where to buy local cranberries in Vancouver?
Metro Vancouver is one of the largest cranberry producers in Canada, yet the major grocery stores sell fresh cranberries from California. Where in Vancouver, preferably downtown or not far from it, can I find fresh or frozen local ones?
Where to go for budget supper in Midtown?
We're looking for somewhere reasonably priced to have dinner between the MOMA and 34th St Macy's Friday night. I've searched the board, but all I'm coming up with is the Modern, which is way beyond my price range (max $15 entrees.) We're pretty casual, for example, we ate at Maoz Vegetarian tonight and loved it.
We're from Vancouver, so we're not really interested in Japanese food, since we have it a lot at home, but besides that, we're open to anything. Please help!
Organic meat in Vancouver
My vegetarian friends are flirting with the idea of eating meat, but they want it to be organic, and they want someone else to cook it for them. Any idea of where they can eat that isn't too expensive?
Cibo, Campagnolo or Nook?
I gave Nook an enthusiastic review on my blog: http://iatethelotus.blogspot.com/2009/06/nook-it-was-meant-to-be.html
Poutine in Vancouver: can it be done?
I'll never eat at Fritz again after watching the person serving me find a dried clump of mayonnaise in the container she was scooping out of, and instead of wiping it on the dishcloth, wiping it into the dip container she was filling for me. I didn't say anything for some reason, but didn't touch the mayo.
I did have great poutine at a place in Surrey. It's a motorcycle diner owned by French-Canadians. I reviewed it on my blog: http://iatethelotus.blogspot.com/2009/05/unlikely-dining-in-surrey.html
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Davidson Pitt Stop
16225 Fraser Hwy, Surrey, BC V4N, CA
Best sushi near Coal Harbour? (YVR)
I could always go for a sushi feast, but when I'm at my fiance's place in Coal Harbour and we don't feel like driving to one of our favourite places (Zipang, Toshi, Aoki), it's a toughy to know where to go. I know that we have a plethora of other awesome Japanese food in our area, but sometimes only sushi will do. My feeling is that sushi downtown sucks. Prove me wrong, kids. Prove me wrong.
Relying on the Boqueria for meals - Smart?
I enjoyed some fantastic fresh juices when I was there, but I didn't see it as a place I could gather a meal. But maybe I was overwhelmed.
I wouldn't depend on the market, but I also wouldn't bother reserving every meal. I remember there was this sunny plaza very close to Las Ramblas that had several restaurants, and Lonely Planet suggested one that was nice but not too much. It was good and I never would have found it without the guidebook.
Fraser/Broadway/Kingsway area (YVR)
This post is unbelievable! I've lived at Knight and King Edward for 7 years and know next to nothing about what's good to eat in the area. Probably because I feel shy about going into places where I'm afraid there won't be an English menu. Anyway, I am writing all these places down and making Tung Hing (I used to go the bakery in the same area all the time) and the jerky my first priorities. Thanks all!
buying crab in YVR
Would T&T kill and clean the crabs too? I've never bought them before, but Orangette's recent blog post has inspired me to have a crab feast this weekend.
Dine Out Vancouver recs
The Dine Out Vancouver menus have been out for almost twelve hours, and no one else has posted about it yet?! I'm surprised :)
There's a heck of a lot of restaurants on the list, and I need some help wading through and picking out the must-visits. (Does anyone else think they should be a bit discerning in what restaurants can participate? Seattle's version of Dine Out only has 30 restaurants, and they all seem to be excellent.)
What are your top 2 or 3 picks for Dine Out? My top 2 are DB Bistro Moderne and Gastropod.
http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/dining/dineout.php
Best Value Downtown Grocery Vancouver BC
You poor thing, you must be overwhelmed. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who has to go to ten places to do all my shopping. Here's my suggestions:
Urban Fare and Nestor's: $$$$, and nothing's ever on special.
Capers and Choices: expensive, but they do have sales, and they're your best bet for organic, natural stuff etc. I go elsewhere for produce unless I just need a few things, as they're overpriced. Meat is limited and pricey at Capers but okay variety at Choices.
West Valley Market on Bute and Kin's on Davie are good for produce.
I avoid Safeway and Super Valu (low quality), but there is a new supermarket on Denman that's part of the Superstore family and is super low-budget and no-name. Might be good for canned and dry goods.
IGA's all right as an overall supermarket.
TNT I sort of avoid as possibly sketchy and there's NO organic produce, but it's sort of fun to go see all the variety and pick up a few Asian items sometimes.
Commercial Drive, Granville Island etc are all fine choices, but if you're stuck with the bus like I am, I doubt you'll want to hit them up for your regular shopping.
Good caterer in Vancouver?
80 people at the Heritage Hall. Thanks so much for all your replies, guys. I haven't eaten at La Buca yet, but it just got bumped up on my 'to eat' list.
Good caterer in Vancouver?
So I posted a few months ago looking for a Kelowna caterer, but have since changed my mind and want to have my wedding in the city I (we) actually live. The problem is, that expands my catering choices considerably. Having never had to hire a caterer before, I would like to throw this out to you, my most trusted Chowhounds.
I don't need to do the traditional 3 course, roast beef etc kind of thing, and I prefer a caterer who tries to cook with local and in season food. I think I'd like to have a family-style Italian supper, so if you know anyone who specializes in Italian, that would be a plus. (I *just* thought of the Italian Cultural Centre as I wrote that, so besides that.) Thanks a lot!
Caterers and cake in Kelowna
I think the number of guests will be directly related to the cost of the caterer, so it's going to be between 60-80. Thank you!
Caterers and cake in Kelowna
I'm getting married next summer in Kelowna, but I live in Vancouver, so I have no idea who the good caterers and bakers there are. I'm not having the same old traditional wedding and I don't trust wedding boards, so I'm taking it to the Chowhounds, whose opinions I can trust!
We decided that we'd like a family-style Italian dinner, and I'd like a caterer who understands that they're in the middle of farm country and doesn't try to serve me imported grapes when peaches are in season, or makes a salad with tomatoes that taste like nothing.
Cake-wise, I'm a big fan, so instead of the multi-tiered thing, I want several different layer cakes- chocolate, coconut, lemon. No over the top fondant creations. Kelowna bakeries don't seem to have websites, so I really need help here.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Habit (Vancouver, Modern Canadian Cuisine, Pictures)
Noooo! I'm sorry you had a bad experience there. I've just been once myself, but I adored every single morsel that went in my mouth. Read my review on my blog, if you wish. http://iatethelotus.blogspot.com/2007/07/feeding-our-habit.html
Marriage proposal at restaurants... [moved from SF Bay]
I was proposed to at a restaurant just under 3 weeks ago, and it was great! I always thought that I wouldn't want it to happen that way, but he did it very simply and straightforward, and it was wonderful. We weren't even in a booth. The fact that it was at Dahlia Lounge in Seattle on my birthday didn't hurt either.
If she wants to marry you, it won't matter if you do it at the grocery store. She'll be happy no matter what.
Green tea Kit Kats and more
The cherry blossom one sounds lovely, I'll have to look for it! I'm happy to report that I've tried a flavour that hasn't made it on the list- Apple Kit Kat. It was my first Japanese Kit Kat, and I really enjoyed it. The picture of a red apple on the package biased my taste buds so I didn't have to consider what type of apple it might be, so all I can really say is that is was apple-y. Fresh. I liked it.
PHAT (Pretty Hot and Tasty) Deli - Yaletown, YVR
I've been there and enjoyed it, but the fries were frozen. I mean they were cooked from frozen. No great shakes.
So.cial at Le Magasin's Deli and Custom Butcher (pictures)
I was kind of disappointed by my experience there. Did you get any house-made potato chips? They're supposed to be included.
Benke Ramen - Vancouver - First Visit
I really need to know, what should one do with the kimchi? I just eat it separately when I go for Korean BBQ, but I would put it in the ramen in this case.
Great review, I really need to go there now.
Meyer lemons and clementines in Vancouver
Thanks! I found some at Whole Foods yesterday. Just mulling over what to do with them.
Meyer lemons and clementines in Vancouver
Anyone know where to find them? I bought clementines (called Cuties) at Superstore, but they're nothing compared to the lovely tart ones from Morocco or Spain that come in wooden crates I had in Ontario. I actually prefer them to mandarins now.
Also, I'm intrigued by all this talk of Meyer lemons and I'd like to try them. I found what the clerk called "sweet" lemons at a produce store on Davie, and she said they were the closest she ever got in to Meyer lemons.
Best Burger in Vancouver - what's your vote?
Yes, I think it opened at the end of September. I just went to that location for the first time. It's in an area I'd never been to. You should look it up on the Trader Joe's website for the address.
Best Burger in Vancouver - what's your vote?
This is a question I've been asking myself lately, so glad to see it. I think Moderne Burger closed down before I could make it there, I'm not familiar with the Red Onion, and while Vera's is all right, I find their fries disappointing. Looking forward to Splitz Grill, that's in my hood.
If you're whipping down to Bellingham for some cross-border shopping (Trader Joe's? Hell yes), you MUST try Fiamma Burger on Railroad Ave downtown. We decided to branch out from our usual Jack in the Box visits, and I did some research and found this place. All natural meat, locally sourced ingredients, and beautifully designed. This place was amazing on every level.
Dine Out Vancouver recommendations
This is my second year doing Dine Out Vancouver and I'm totally excited. Last year I did Aurora Bistro, Raincity Grill, Bistro Pastis, Joe Fortes, and Hamilton St Grill. This year I want to try some new places- I'm thinking C, Nu, Cru, Gastropod...but I'm not sure yet.
Where are you going for Dine Out Vancouver?
Chocolate truffle disaster! Help!
Premelted chocolate- good one. I was just going to toss the chocolate chunks in and melt them in the ganache. Thanks for the tips! Will try to fix the tasty mess tonight.
Chocolate truffle disaster! Help!
I've made chocolate truffles many a time using a very basic recipe- generally, chocolate + whipping cream + liqueur- and have only found success. This year, I thought I'd branch out and tried these two recipes: Caramel-Dark Chocolate Truffles with Fleur de Sel (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/109085) and Gingerbread Truffles (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/233424).
After leaving them in the fridge overnight, the first kind seemed firm enough to roll into balls, but the balls were the consistency of gummy toothpaste. Delicious toothpaste. The gingerbread truffles were nothing more than a thick liquid.
Help! This is hurting my pride. I was thinking about throwing the mess back in the pot and adding more chocolate, because I noticed that these recipes used way more cream than my more simple recipe. Any other suggestions?
