Good restaurants in vicinity of P.N.E?

Tried Le Petit Saigon at 2783 East Hastings and it's very good! Now I have a nearby Vietnamese restaurant for those Pho cravings. And I think they make the best deep fried spring rolls. Their dipping sauce is the best, too.

The place has gone through renos and is very clean. The service is great. The Pho, chicken, everything is very clean tasting, ie, NOT greasy, nor overly salty or MSGsy.

The last dish I had, grilled chicken was so tender, and flavourful. One of the best Pho as well. The broth is clean and subtle, just the way it should be.

Will definitely go here instead of that smelly greasy Bao Chao.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Gas vs Electric oven

My parents used gas when cooking Chinese food and it's great for woks. When I lived on my own I used electric...meh... Living in a place now with a gas stove and I love it. My pies are baked evenly (bottom and top crusts.) I love that when my soup is boiling I can easily control the flame without having to wait for the electric coil to reduce its heat.

Cleaning is great. I removed the grills on top and soak it in the sink. Then the range top is an easy wipe. As far as the oven goes, I find it easy to clean with Easy Off. But now I use a less chemical method I find it easier, overall, to clean a gas stove and oven.

I don't find a difference when heating a kettle full of water. they both take the same amount time.

I find a gas stove has more versatility, control and easier to clean.

One caveat. I don't know if I can heat my single coffee size percolater on the stove. The diameter of the flame exceeds the diameter of the carafe. The handle might melt. If anyone knows how I can make my espresso on this small percolater I would love to hear it. Does a flame tamer get hot enough to do this job?

maxmillan in Cookware

Good quality fresh olive oil in Vancouver or Burnaby?

This olive oil is still "coagulated" at room temperature, too. It's just a few bits of globs on the sides of the bottle.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Good quality fresh olive oil in Vancouver or Burnaby?

Thanks to everyone for your eye opening input. I will definitely check out the the Kits shop. And as for the fusty Palestinian olive oil I just bought, I'm making pumpkin loaves with it. I notice that Donald's Market has two "harvest dated" olive oils. One is organic as well. WholeFoods has 3 "harvest dated" olive oils as well and the Olivista from California is an outstanding value of $10 for this month. They also have a Marques De Valduez olive oil from Spain and Le Moulin De Villevieille from France.

One last question. Why do some bottles of olive oil in the shops have clusters of coagulated fats? Is this bad?

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Coconuts coconut and more coconuts

I find that coconut water from anythng but the actual coconut will have a chemical preservative which I don't want. But after a bit of sleuthing I see that the Granville Island ethnic market (South China Seas?) has young coconuts for $2. I just bought one from Donald's Market for $3, Choices for $3 and I know that TNT has them for a lower price than WF. However, WF has bigger coconuts!

I guess I'll have to travel to the tropics to try one to compare.

As for the coconut shells, I think I will make some decorative "candle chandeliers" that I saw in a shop, very pretty. Any extra shells I will line my garden with it for a cheesy border.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Coconuts coconut and more coconuts

I'm hooked on coconut water. Not the kind in cans or tetras but the fresh kinds from young coconuts. My raw food store sells frozen coconut water in plastic bottles with no preservatives but it is rather pricey. I've started buying the young coconuts from WholeFoods. It's already chopped at the top and ready for a straw to be inserted for drinking. The flesh is yummy as well.

I have many questions about young coconuts. I've read that they are dipped in formaldehyde to keep the outside from getting moldy during their long transport. Is that true? Is that why they are so white on the outside?

I'm now getting a collection of coconut shells. Is there any use for them?

I live in Vancouver and find that $4 a pop for the WF young fresh coconut is also quite pricey. Is there any other place where I can get it cheaper? I have no problem chopping the top myself.

If I buy it in bulk, how long will it keep in my fridge?

Thanks for your answers.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Good quality fresh olive oil in Vancouver or Burnaby?

Thanks. I will check the Bosa on Victoria Drive. I checked WholeFoods and they had 4 brands of olive oil that had an actual harvest date. Don't know if it's good but they were pricey. I've tasted a pricey olive oil at a wine tasting and it had a turpentine flavour to it. I don't know if this is what is considered peppery? And I've tasted olive oil at restaurants and it was much smoother, is this fruity? I've heard that Costco's olive oil actually ranked up there but I think that was taking price as a factor.

I will check out Librandi. Thanks.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Good quality fresh olive oil in Vancouver or Burnaby?

After reading extravirginity.com I'm on the quest for a really good quality olive oil. My main concern is to find one with a harvest date (not best by date.) Organic would be best but not necessary. Price is not a concern as I plan to us this for eating and not for cooking. It would be great if I can buy it in Vancouver or Burnaby. I don't like buying online.

My favorite use for EVOO is to mix it with sherry vinegar and eating it with a Terra Bread baguette.

If anyone has a preference (eg. Italian v/s Spanish v/s Greek, etc.) I'd be interested to know why.

Thanks for your suggestion and opinion.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

anyone tried James Chinese on Hastings near Slocan?

Thank God for Luda/James. The area is lacking in decent Chinese food. It's not the best but I'd give it a 8 out of 10. I like the lunch menu. You get to pick your soup base, noodles and toppings. I've had dinner a few times there and it tastes like it the same Chef cooking. I'm glad they have a late night snack menu (from 9pm to 2am.) But I think they put MSG in some of their dishes as I've experienced when eating the lobster.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

What do you think of eGullet these days?

eGullet use to be the go-to place many years ago when I was in the baking industry. The format was fun, easy and interactive. After a few month hiatus I went back to eGullet and the format had changed. It was more difficult to nagivate, to find an answer or even to ask a simple question. Like many of the responders here, my inquiry would be directed back to an old thread which I found too outdated or not relevant.

Overall, eGullet does not have the casual mood that it once had.

I have found more answers and blockbuster recipes on CH. CH is like being around old chums discussing food without any pretense.

Each time I go back to eG for a quick read I find it less interesting.

If eG went back to the original format I would visit more regularly.

maxmillan in Food Media & News

Good restaurants in vicinity of P.N.E?

Tried the Red Wagon on East Hastings near Nanaimo and it wasn't bad. I had a pulled pork sandwich and my BF had an omelette. Still looking for a good wonton or ramen noodle restaurant near the Hastings-Sunrise area.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

DeLonghi GM6000 Gelato Maker

Can someone tell me what store in the Lower Mainland I can find this machine? I don't want to order it online or buy a used one.

Thanks.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Good restaurants in vicinity of P.N.E?

Thanks to LotusRapper for correcting me. Yes, KwongChow is on Main which reminds me how many times I've mistakenly circled Cambie looking for it.

I'll have to check out Wonton Noodle because I like late hour snackng.

-----
Wonton Noodle Restaurant
4008 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z2X8, CA

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Good restaurants in vicinity of P.N.E?

Thanks for the suggestions. Penny's and On Lok use to be my old haunt but I've been spoiled by Kwong Chow on Cambie and Congee Noodle on Broadway. I'm going to check out the Malaysian, Thai and Mexican places suggested above. I'll have to revisit Bau Chau. The last time I was there the place was unappetizing because of the appearance and smell of uncleanliness. But I keep hearing good things about it.

I love Bombey Bel. Also found a great Vietnamese place on Nanaimo and Broadway (sorry, forget the name.) It's across from Bon's. My family took me to a Chinese restaurant called "Happy?" in the T&T complex at Renfrew and 1st. Not bad. Also, the Chinese restaurant across the street on Renfrew was excellent but a little pricier. I noticed a lineup during dim sum. Have to see how it compares with Kirin.

Keep those suggestions coming!

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Good restaurants in vicinity of P.N.E?

After moving from the Cambie and West 17th area, I find that Hastings Sunrise area limited in good cheap eats. Sure, there are cheap eats here but the quality is lacking and the hygiene more questionable.

I especially miss the breakfasts, Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants that I frequented along Cambie and Main Street.

Can someone offer some good eats in my new neighbourhood? I don't mind going to the West part of Burnaby. I hear there are good eats in Commercial Drive but I detest huge lineups.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

How do you remove mould from silicon?

Thanks for your replies. I've tried the vinegar and it doesn't work. I will try the sun method next and if that doesn't work then I will do the bleach solution.

I believe it is silicon but it could also be a very soft rubber? Both of my items were stored with water and it does look like the mould has penetrated beneath the surface.

What bugs me is that the thermos is a stainless steel water bottle which I only use for cold water. This mould problem should not occur. I think I will have to write to the Thermos company.

maxmillan in Cookware

How do you remove mould from silicon?

I have what I think is a silicon cover for my containers. It comes in various sizes for various size dishes.

It's a semi-clear stretchy material that I use to cover my water pitcher.

Over the months I notice little black dots of what looks like mould. I tired scrubbing it out but it seems imbedded right into the material.

I also have a thermos which I only store water and it has a similar silicon material to seal the cap edge. It, too, has black mould which I cannot scrub or boil out.

Is it possible to remove the mould or should I just throw out these things and never buy silicon again?

I don't seem to have a problem with my silicon spatulas. Mind you, these are dried after washing and the silicon is not as malleable as the above.

maxmillan in Cookware

how do you reduce foam in smoothies?

Thanks for the tip, going to give it a try.

maxmillan in Home Cooking

how do you reduce foam in smoothies?

I use a Vitamix blender to make my smoothies. The last one I made consisted of pineapples, frozen strawberries, carrots, water, juice and protein powder. It made an incredible amount of undiluteable foam consistent with beaten egg whites.

What is the science behind this? How can I make a protein smoothie without this disgusting foam? I may have to mix the protein powder by hand but I prefer not to.

I make a variety of smoothies and can't seem to avoid the foam (from light to egg whitey.)

I don't juice as I want to retain the fiber so any suggestion for my Vitamix would be helpful.

maxmillan in Home Cooking

Has anyone tried the Santevia water filtering system?

This is a countertop water system which also alkalinizes your tap water. Basically it's like a water cooler with several layers of fiters in which you pour tap water through.

Here's a link.

http://www.santevia.com/wellness/santevia_new/index.asp

I like it because it's made in Canada and seem to filter out more than my Brita and less costly than the countertop filtering system I was planning to buy.

Any comments, suggestions or advice is welcome. I can't decided whether to get this or the Aquasana.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Any good organic grocer in the East side Vancouver?

I'm glad to see people here are conscientious about the carbon footprint. My priority is eating non chemical laced food as much as possible. The second important thing is the carbon footprint. But these two are interchangeable. depending on the circumstances. I have chosen to buy my CSA food box from Home Grow-In because she sources everything from local farmers and everything is organic. Many CSA's are partially local and I don't appreciate getting organic tomatoes from Mexico in the winter. UBC is another great place that sells everything from their farm but they run a lottery for their limited number of CSA boxes and driving all the way out there is a waste of gas (unless I'm bussing or biking.)

I'll check commercial drive when crops are more bountiful and I definitely will visit the Farmer's Market.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Where to get reverse osmosis water?

Thanks for the info. I presently buy RO water with reintroduced minerals. I'm thinking about buying a counter top water filter since I can't find a closer source to buy something similiar.

There are so many kinds of home filters and I've narrowed it down to an Aquasana.

If there are other types of filters out there that you feel are better please let me know. Meanwhile I'm going to search through this site for filter water devices.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Any good organic grocer in the East side Vancouver?

Wow, there really isn't anything that great here except the Farmer's Market. Guess I'll be trekking it out to the Westside. I'm not for the pretty lights or fancy shelvings, just looking for non-wilted fresh organic produce in a clean store. I'll check out the Drive but when I checked last year I was not impressed.

Thanks for all your input.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Any good organic grocer in the East side Vancouver?

I've been spoiled with Choices, Whole Foods and other grocers in the West side. Now that I'm on the East Side, I don't find many stores that carry a good selection of FRESH organic produce and grocery. I've checked Donald's but I find the produces too wilty and not as fresh.

I don't care to go to Famous Food as I find their produce equally less fresh. I haven't checked commercial drive lately and hope that they have very fresh produce.

I have to wait until June before I get my first organic grocery box from a co-op. This is too long to wait and it's not year round. The Farmer's Market is an option but limited to certain days of which I have to work.

I haven't checked Burnaby and that would be an option if they have a good variety of fresh organic produce.

Your suggestion is very welcomed.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Where to get reverse osmosis water?

I do plan to get a home filter but the for next couple of months I want to buy reverse osmosis water. I presently get it from the place near where I use to live but now I've moved and wonder if the grocers carry reverse osmosis water? I have Safeway, Superstore, Save On Food nearby. I'm near the PNE on Renfrew Street and prefer a nearby location. I want to use one of those large refilleable containers for a water cooler.

Thanks.

-----
Save On
2838 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5K, CA

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Homemade holiday gifts, any thoughts?

I made Belgium waffles with pearl sugar and they were a hit. I drizzle white and dark chocolate on top. I initially wanted to wrap them in cellophane but was worried about the sugar sweating and messing up the package. I wrapped each waffle loosely with wax paper and put a couple of them in a paper bag. I hole-punched the top and tied a ribbon through it. Next year I may make the same thing but make the packaging a little more impressive.

maxmillan in General Chowhounding Topics

What to do with apple syrup?

I've been making a lot of apple pies which requires me to cook the apples first before baking. I have a lot of remnant syrup which is yummy and I hate to throw it away. It has sugar, cinnamon and starch in it.

Can anyone suggest what I can do with this syrup? Would it be possible to replace the liquids of muffins, pancakes, etc., with this syrup?

maxmillan in Home Cooking

where can I find pastry/bakery boxes

I'm a home baker who likes to give my baked goods as gifts. I especially need pie boxes, 10-inch minimum with a height of 3-inches. I don't care if they have windows. But I don't want to buy a hundreds of them. I probably would like a minimum six for now.

If I could source it from Vancouver or nearby that would be great. I don't mind buying a little more if need be.

I've called Whole Foods who are kind enough to give me six today but I don't want to keep bothering them in the future.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)

pearl sugar and Belgian waffles

Thanks for the source. I found them at Gourmet Warehouse as you said and I made them last night. Turned out very good. I guess they are suppose to be very dark but they don't taste burnt. I drizzled dark and white chocolate and they'll be given as gifts.

My waffle iron is non-stick and, yes, it is time consuming to clean. I run wet paper towels through it (with a skewer and tongs) right after unplugging it and the heat helps clean it.

maxmillan in B.C. (including Vancouver)