tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169450684617431692012-01-04T20:47:33.720-08:00fervently foraging fabulous flavoursfamished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.comBlogger1771100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-14149647332044308812011-11-05T17:54:00.000-07:002011-11-05T17:55:41.587-07:00

When we received a gift of Drambuie several months ago, we vowed to make the famous Rusty Nail drink. We finally got off our duffs and mixed this easy drink today. 2 oz scotch whiskey 1/2 oz Drambuie ice In an old-fashioned glass, stir all three ingredients.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-46064710124584798002011-09-25T16:03:00.000-07:002011-09-25T16:03:04.456-07:00

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-33531950372357524052011-09-02T17:33:00.000-07:002011-09-02T17:33:15.182-07:00

Using just the ingredients we had on hand, we made this nice sweet and sour cocktail. Be sure to watch the grenadine measurement; otherwise you may find the drink too sweet. 2 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice 1 1/2 oz rye whisky 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup 1 1/2 teaspoons grenadine Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Serve in a cocktail glass.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-84852612610161479692011-08-19T04:18:00.000-07:002011-08-19T04:18:01.630-07:00

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-13295154309250891902011-08-17T11:31:00.000-07:002011-08-17T11:31:55.119-07:00

For our anniversary this year, we thought we'd try Cafeteria, the newest venture by local restauranteurs Andrey Durbach and Chris Stewart. You'd think we'd have learned by now to at least look up the location of the restaurant we'd like to visit, never mind write down its address. But there we were, peering out of the windows of the bus as it zoomed down Main Street. We weren't too worried, as

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-14228851025032757932011-08-06T16:11:00.000-07:002011-08-06T16:11:08.401-07:00

Inspired by a Peach and Blackberry Muddle from the Martha Stewart website, we used the ingredients we had on hand to create a refreshing summer cocktail. 6 thin slices peach 6 blueberries 2 large sprigs mint 1 1/2 teaspoons honey 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 ounces bourbon ice sparkling water In a large old-fashioned glass, muddle together 3 slices peach, 3 blueberries, mint, honey and lemon

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-75001329794516604472011-07-23T18:47:00.000-07:002011-07-23T18:47:40.733-07:00

Inspired by Ina Garten's how easy is that? recipe book, we bought a whole watermelon to make watermelon mojitos. Yes, watermelons are not in season locally yet, but we thought we could try to hasten the arrival of summer. 1/3 cup fresh watermelon juice 5-7 mint leaves 1 tablespoon berry sugar 2 oz light rum juice of 1/2 lime In a blender or food processor, purée watermelon. Set aside. In a

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-5500672434402936882011-07-10T17:35:00.000-07:002011-07-10T17:35:17.847-07:00

If you have spent any significant amount of time in the English-speaking world, you have probably heard the fun saying "bee's knees." This idiomatic expression means "the best." It originated in the roaring Twenties, around the same time as this cocktail. 1 1/2 oz gin 1/2 oz lemon juice 1/2 oz honey Various recipes call for adding the honey to hot water to avoid clumping when you shake with ice.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-6577282387805729342011-06-24T19:34:00.000-07:002011-06-24T19:34:07.182-07:00

With a name that, when translated to English, means "divine wind," how can you go wrong? This is a drink that does not have a standard recipe, but common elements in general are triple sec and some sort of sour. 1 oz vodka 1 oz Cointreau 1 oz lime juice Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. I was actually going to use lemon juice, but someone had to use my lemons for lemon poppy seed

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-22270422033149518792011-06-22T17:27:00.000-07:002011-06-22T17:27:16.330-07:00

A tradition in our family is to go out to eat on the last day of school. This year, we decided to go to Browns Social House for lunch. It was quite busy; I guess other families had the same idea. As it was a glorious day, we sat out on the patio, nicely sheltered by a huge orange umbrella. The cocktail menu was too intriguing to pass up, and we ordered a Blueberry Lemonade and a regular

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-42623777631987493512011-06-19T21:28:00.000-07:002011-06-19T21:28:49.611-07:00

We were having a Cuban themed dinner, and one of our guests loves Planter's Punch, so it was natural for us to make this Caribbean treat. This is another of those drinks that has countless variations, so we made up our own, inspired by our own memories and a few resources online. 1 oz dark rum 1 oz light rum 1/2 oz Cointreau 2 oz orange juice 2 oz lime juice 1 oz lemon juice 2 oz pineapple juice

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-81478800280922128792011-06-17T15:00:00.000-07:002011-06-17T15:00:00.876-07:00

Although we like to gallivant around town, visiting all sorts of bakeries, when we want a bakery experience that harkens back to our childhoods, we traipse over to one of our local favourites, Moore's Bakery. Although they do have a seating area, mostly for their made-to-order sandwich bar, I suppose, we brought a box of treats home. banana bran muffin eclair apple turnover bird's

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-57726175174837000442011-06-15T10:50:00.000-07:002011-06-15T10:50:06.446-07:00

A while back, we received two gift cards to the Glowbal Group restaurants, and due to our weakness for Italian food, the clear winner was the Italian Kitchen. Later in the evening, we had a recital to attend, and we informed our server of our time restriction. She was right on board, and handled this and our kids' dietary restrictions adeptly. I think we need to take better notes because all I

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-82895446206408433692011-06-12T15:32:00.000-07:002011-06-13T08:28:08.206-07:00

We were happy to get back to another classic cocktail, the Horse's Collar. A variation of the Horse's Neck, which is made with whisky, this drink calls for brandy. The lemon spiral is supposed to hang over the edge of the glass, but our "horse" was feeling a little shy. 1 oz brandy 3 oz ginger ale a dash or two of Angostura bitters a long lemon spiral for garnish Add a few ice cubes to an

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-4810091099465394292011-06-10T18:39:00.000-07:002011-06-10T18:39:22.876-07:00

When Benton Brothers opened their second location on Cambie Street, they began selling sandwiches there, but back at their original location in Kerrisdale ... no dice ... until mid-May when they announced that their enticing sandwiches would be available. Yesterday, we walked over to the shop and picked up one of each sandwich available. They offer either a whole or half sandwich, and even

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-25640972224677384742011-06-04T18:12:00.000-07:002011-06-04T18:12:00.109-07:00

We were visiting some friends, and they made us a delicious Pimm's Cup, also known as Pimm's Lemonade. Since we didn't ask for the recipe, here's our best guess. 1 1/2 oz Pimm's No. 1 2-3 small cucumber sticks 2-4 strawberries, hulled and halved 7 Up sprig of mint In an old-fashioned glass, add a few cubes, Pimm's and  fruit, fill glass with 7 Up and garnish with mint.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-57544559095698266852011-05-31T16:24:00.000-07:002011-06-04T11:30:37.470-07:00

The Vancouver Farmers Markets society organizes summer markets in four locations and one winter market. This past Sunday was the second Kitsilano market of the season, and we rode our bikes down to forage and absorb some sunshine. As usual, the Bicycle Valet provided us with secure bike parking. There are many reasons to support your local farmers market, such as preserving arable land, reducing

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-35900087615608340092011-05-28T22:23:00.000-07:002011-05-28T22:23:48.760-07:00

We ran out of Campari this week, and since we really enjoy a Negroni, we thought it might make sense to substitute Dubonnet for Campari. We did a quick search and found a recipe for a Salome, named after the famous biblical character, we hope. 1/2 oz gin 1/2 oz vermouth (sweet or dry, depending on your taste) 1/2 oz Dubonnet Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Shake well

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-36735466597401874512011-05-24T09:33:00.000-07:002011-05-24T09:33:15.027-07:00

Hidden gem alert! I'm amazed we haven't been to Pair Bistro before. Fair enough, it isn't in our neigh­bourhood, but still. One of the defining characteristics of the culinary scene in Vancouver is the use of local ingredients. Given the abundance year round, we can't believe more chefs don't take advantage. Pair Bistro embraces this concept, offering ever changing menus based on what's in

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-27245221262261702932011-05-21T18:26:00.000-07:002011-05-22T08:55:01.037-07:00

In honour of this month's 137th running of the Kentucky Derby, we made a drink that's been on our to-make list for a while, the Mint Julep. a handful of mint leaves 1 tsp. berry (caster) sugar 2 oz bourbon crushed ice Put mint leaves, bourbon and sugar into the bottom of a glass or if you have one, a mint julep cup (no, you don't have to spend $1000 for one). Stir together for a minute or two.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-83819663932689327902011-05-20T18:49:00.000-07:002011-05-20T18:49:45.026-07:00

It's great having friends that appreciate good food as much as we do. Meeting one of them for lunch, we decided to hit one of Kitsilano's shining examples of sustainable eating, Aphrodite’s Organic Café and Pie Shop. As the industrialization of food chugs along, it can be a challenge to prepare healthy meals at home, let alone find a restaurant that cares about food as much as you do.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-12957590292726012112011-05-17T18:03:00.000-07:002011-05-24T09:33:36.801-07:00

Once upon a time, there was a little bread bakery named Transilvania Peasant Bread. Using a wood-fired oven, the baker would create amazing rustic breads, highly valued by his loyal customers. Then one day, Transilvania Peasant Bread closed, and there was great turmoil in the land. When the baker opened a new bakery, Beyond Bread Artisan Bakery, the people rejoiced, and peace was restored. Into

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-3953933284709747192011-05-10T10:26:00.000-07:002011-05-10T17:08:57.691-07:00

The Red Onion, one of several "destination" restaurants in Kerrisdale, opened a generation ago, back in 1985. Countless diners have enjoyed tasty fresh burgers and hotdogs while witnessing the bustle of the open kitchen. Today was our first visit back since the restaurant was sold to new owners back in February. The place has been streamlined somewhat, with a smaller menu including fewer dessert

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-24875846067502119572011-05-06T08:18:00.000-07:002011-05-06T08:18:46.632-07:00

We love to try out new restaurants and bakeries, but this comes at a price. We often neglect our tried and true favourites. One of them, Ajisai Sushi Bar, is a legend, offering up the best sushi in Vancouver that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. As a bonus, it's within walking distance! On a weekday lunch outing, we arrived early enough to get seated immediately, and ensconced ourselves next to

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-37839121502712311832011-05-04T17:37:00.000-07:002011-05-05T23:26:55.986-07:00

One of the benefits of living right in the city is that you have a variety of shops and services, including bakeries (very important), within walking distance. In Kerrisdale, we have access to quite a few excellent bakeries, among them sweet e's pastries and sweets. As we have observed, bakers, and I guess chefs in general, pay a lot of attention to the visual artistry of their creations. The

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-89223848833344284222011-04-30T16:00:00.000-07:002011-05-05T19:01:16.720-07:00

We were going to write about a Dark and Stormy last week, but looking through our liquor cabinet, we realized we really needed some Goslings Black Seal Rum. 2 oz Goslings Black Seal Rum 4-5 oz ginger beer 1/4 lime, for garnish (optional) Put a lot of ice cubes in a highball glass. Add rum and ginger beer. Garnish with lime, squeezing some lime into the glass if you desire.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-1053659953166285592011-04-29T17:04:00.000-07:002011-04-29T17:04:02.385-07:00

One of our favourite cookbooks is Barefoot in Paris by Ina Garten, and although every recipe in it we've tried has been wonderful, our favourite is Chicken with Forty Cloves of Garlic. To paraphrase Ina, it may seem that three heads of garlic is a lot, but they do mellow out a lot during the cooking process. 3 whole heads garlic, about 40 cloves 2 (3 1/2-pound) chickens, cut into eighths kosher

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-83333856450116324642011-04-26T18:48:00.000-07:002011-04-26T18:48:51.635-07:00

In Boston in early April without my better half, I was still determined to have at least one great dining experience. Lady Luck smiled me on this night. I was wandering around the Back Bay and into the Theater District when I noticed a promising sign, literally. Seeing the green and white Erbaluce sign adorning a typically attractive brick building just off Park Square, I walked over to peruse

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-86612727080152312162011-04-21T06:53:00.000-07:002011-04-21T06:53:57.784-07:00

Inspired by our recent visit to Café Régalade, we jumped right back into our French food endeavours with a return visit to Café Salade de Fruits. We first ate here many moons ago, and it was our first stop during last summer's escapade when we eventually ended up at L'Abattoir. The extensive menu was almost too overwhelming, but we decided on two items from the menu board. Fletan au Four, a

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-75683911704353807402011-04-18T19:46:00.000-07:002011-04-18T19:46:45.471-07:00

A year ago, we began our blog with a series of posts on French bakeries in Vancouver. It's only fitting that our anniversary post is about a bakery. Edible Flours, a 100% vegan bakery, opened its doors only a few days ago in Kitsilano. We first heard of the opening of their retail location a few weeks ago, but at the time, the true significance of the event did not register. Since our children

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-49099633082584569582011-04-16T17:32:00.000-07:002011-04-16T17:32:44.395-07:00

I knew I chose the right tea when I saw a recipe for a Lime Bang martini on the back. 2 cups gin 4 teaspoons DavidsTea Lime Bang green tea Add tea to gin and let infuse for two hours. Shake with ice and serve. Optionally, stir in agave sugar to smooth it out. Garnish with mint or a lime slice.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-30216589226244810572011-04-15T17:52:00.000-07:002011-04-15T17:52:46.860-07:00

A few months ago, I found I wasn't enjoying my daily coffee as much as I used to. While I do still indulge in the occasional cappuccino, my primary perk-me-up drink is now tea. And thanks to amazing tea vendors such as DavidsTea, a whole new world of sensations has opened up. Founded by David Segal in Montréal in 2008, DavidsTea now has dozens of retail locations across Canada, including three

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-78249055292852549462011-04-13T14:19:00.000-07:002011-04-18T08:31:09.755-07:00

When Steeve Raye Pastry opened last October, we were thrilled by Steeve's incredible creations. We were devastated to hear of its imminent closure in February and only moderately mollified by news of its replacement, Café Régalade French Bistro. A few weeks ago, while we were in Whistler, the bistro opened, and ever since we've been itching to go. Well, we finally made it to Café Régalade, for

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-70983568955760910182011-04-08T05:00:00.000-07:002011-04-08T09:59:37.606-07:00

The Top Table Group boasts four multiple-award winning restaurants. Having enjoyed CinCin, West and Blue Water Cafe in Vancouver, it was only natural that we book a table at their remaining one, Araxi, when we finally made a return trip to Whistler. In Vancouver, when we go to a fine dining restaurant, it is usually in conjunction with a date night, and the kids stay at home with a grandparent

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-11582713267934634812011-04-06T09:35:00.000-07:002011-04-06T09:35:40.435-07:00

I've noticed a trend in restaurant ratings. Whenever a place uses high quality ingredients, whether organic or sustainable or fair trade, it seems people are not willing to pay the price premium, and, as a result, their ratings suffer. Despite this, Creekbread still has a reasonably high rating on Urbanspoon, which I think is telling. Although I usually prefer Bloody Marys to Caesars, when I go

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-14214488401779537802011-04-04T10:14:00.000-07:002011-04-04T10:14:30.527-07:00

We ate at the Southside Diner only twice during our Whistler vacation. Good thing, too, or we wouldn't have visited as many other restaurants. We have an affinity for authentic diners. Good, made-from-scratch food at a fair price in a relaxed atmosphere. On our first night, one of our dishes was a blue plate special, which came with a choice of mixed greens or soup to start. We chose the

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-11545325775438447482011-04-01T18:54:00.000-07:002011-04-02T17:33:10.169-07:00

When you are dining out, the entire experience is often as important as just the food. The Mark James restaurants certainly understand this. And the BrewHouse restaurant in Whistler Village North hits the mark in so many ways. As you may have guessed from its name, the BrewHouse brews its own beer. Although all were appealing, we have a weakness for amber/copper ales, and we quickly settled on

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-10257435763718264382011-03-31T21:58:00.000-07:002011-03-31T22:00:35.392-07:00

To hear Fuji Market Sushi described, you might think of a small takeout area in a largish supermarket. However, I like to think of it as just the opposite, a smallish grocery area in a restaurant. Although they have a display cooler with a slew of pre-made dishes, everything we ate was made to order. After placing our order at the cashier and receiving a receipt with an order number, we settled

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-82919099319869432912011-03-19T05:45:00.000-07:002011-03-28T13:32:03.978-07:00

Spring fever is hitting me very hard this year. Snow drops, cherry blossoms, and daffodils are on the cusp of a frenzy. Couple this with our grapefruit obsession, and you get our week's drink, a petite fleur. 2 oz white rum 1 oz Cointreau 1 oz grapefruit juice Shake in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a twist of grapefruit.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-35427167076740485782011-03-14T23:04:00.000-07:002011-03-29T22:42:13.135-07:00

Take a group of eleven people, including three children; a location in Seattle's tourist central, half a block from Pike Place Market; and a busy Saturday brunch time. You might think that disaster was inevitable. Accommodating large groups is often a challenge for even the best restaurants. However, the staff at the still popular Steelhead Diner, which opened a little over four years ago to

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-41078606265940106492011-03-08T12:34:00.000-08:002011-03-08T12:34:27.045-08:00

The popular Japanese noodle soup dish, ramen, has a bad rap due to the popularity of the instant-noodle version. Fortunately, in Vancouver, we can experience the real thing. While a few ramen places have opened recently outside the downtown core, the Robson-Denman area has most of the heavy hitters like Kintaro Ramen, Hokkaido Ramen Santouka, Benkei Ramen, the newly arrived chain, Ramen Sanpachi,

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-82234767917600176342011-03-06T12:57:00.000-08:002011-03-06T12:57:09.080-08:00

We have come to the realization that grapefruit is perfect for making cocktails. It has sweet, sour and bitterness all in one easy-to-store package. This week, we make the Salty Dog. 1 1/2 oz vodka 5 oz grapefruit juice 1 teaspoon simple syrup (optional) Stir ingredients and pour over cracked ice in a highball glass rimmed with kosher salt.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-90875036618948589512011-03-04T08:20:00.000-08:002011-03-04T08:20:08.693-08:00

Several months ago, we wrote about the limited Caribbean repertoire of Vancouver's culinary scene. Another region of the world that is greatly under-represented is Central and South America, although you can find Latin American restaurants if you try hard enough, and there are standouts like the nuevo-latino Cobre. Fortunately, more and more places have popped up like Mochikas Peruvian Cafe,

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-9171854242996037942011-03-02T11:40:00.000-08:002011-04-18T08:31:09.755-07:00

In keeping with our French food theme, I met a friend for lunch at Coco et Olive, a cafe that also sells cheeses, olives and olive oil (of course), and other fine foods. My dining companion opted for their Le Provençal panino, with salami, boiled egg, olive tapenade and dijon mustard. I chose the Roasted Pepper and Chêvre tart with side salad. The salad dressing was exceptionally good.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-55577926116095872952011-02-28T15:00:00.000-08:002011-02-28T21:26:21.388-08:00

OceanWise, the program for sustainable seafood, will mark its seventh anniversary this April. Not coincidentally, Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar, one of the founding members of OceanWise, is wrapping up its seventh annual "Unsung Heroes" event. The Unsung Heroes menu takes sustainability one step further by focusing on lesser known or less popular sustainable seafood and making them taste great.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-5323598434399073752011-02-27T13:24:00.000-08:002011-02-27T13:24:07.652-08:00

One of the most influential writers of the twentieth century, Ernest Hemingway had a reputation for enjoying his alcohol. One drink inspired by "Papa" is the Hemingway Daiquiri. The history of this drink is confusing, and there many variants. We picked one that looked promising. 1 1/2 oz white rum 1/4 oz maraschino liqueur 1/2 oz grapefruit juice 3/4 oz lime juice 1/2 oz simple syrup In a

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-29420093157404716792011-02-24T20:24:00.000-08:002011-02-24T20:24:33.959-08:00

I find it mildly amusing when I stumble across a restaurant, venture in because it looks interesting, and only later find out that it's one of the more popular restaurants in the city. Such was the case on Sunday, when I headed to The Drive to get some treats from Fratelli Bakery. Of course, I never bothered to check the hours, and arrived too late. Feeling a mite peckish, I ducked into Belgian

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-32962509301650859692011-02-22T14:59:00.000-08:002011-02-22T14:59:37.805-08:00

this is going to be a good day We've been going to Max's Delicatessen and Bakery for years now, and it's about time we wrote about it. Max's is seriously old school—classic desserts, done right. The prices are fair and the sizes decent. Now, they're rarely going knock your socks off, but if you want wide selection of good-tasting baked goods, search no further. strawberry cheesecake

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-41920194957179141912011-02-20T11:55:00.000-08:002011-02-20T12:07:58.413-08:00

It's not hard to find good pizza in Vancouver, but if you want true Neapolitan pizza, until now you were pretty much out of luck. Thankfully, Nicli Antica Pizzeria opened a week and a half ago. With a wood-fired Acunto oven straight from Naples, authentic ingredients on hand, and certification by the Verace Pizza Napoletana Association in the works, Vancouver's culinary scene will never be the

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-64961840146286491792011-02-18T16:15:00.000-08:002011-02-19T09:34:51.780-08:00

We are very lucky to have a tremendous choice of Japanese restaurants in Vancouver. There are high quality, high price ones like Miku, En, or the famous Tojo’s. There are all-you-can-eat sushi factories that focus on quantity over quality. And izakayas still seem to be popping up everywhere. Of the many other categories, however, one of our favourites is the Japanese-run, food first neighbourhood

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-39486582251113291962011-02-16T22:31:00.000-08:002011-04-18T08:31:09.756-07:00

A return visit to Faubourg, this time for lunch. Tucked away in the back of the bustling coffee and bakery area is a serene bistro, where you can imagine yourself having stepped off rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. The gracious and accommodating staff, along with the lovely decor, made our relaxing lunch of classically inspired French dishes enjoyable. mariage frères tea tartine le

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-46046651353665066462011-02-11T21:04:00.000-08:002011-02-11T21:04:18.391-08:00

Well, I could tell you about the history of this cocktail, how Ian Fleming's James Bond ordered it in the novel Casino Royale, and how it's named after the character Vesper Lynd, but you could just read about it on Wikipedia. Instead, I'll tell you we were inspired to make this drink after we ordered and enjoyed it a couple of weeks ago at Pied-à-Terre. 1 1/2 oz gin 1/2 oz vodka 1/4 oz Lillet

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-26682283765692086162011-02-06T15:07:00.000-08:002011-02-06T15:11:46.268-08:00

Beans is the quintessential neighbourhood coffee house. It would be enough that their java drinks, made with highly regarded 49th Parallel Roasters coffee beans, are excellent, as is their selection of loose-leaf teas, but they have much more to offer. The baked goods, including their home-baked muffins, are delicious. The sandwiches and panini are made to order and served on real plates, and

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-33181647971411270092011-02-04T17:15:00.000-08:002011-02-04T17:15:40.089-08:00

Ever since I saw my first production of Company, by George Furth and the legendary Stephen Sondheim, and heard the showstopping song "The Ladies Who Lunch," sung by the fabulous Elaine Stritch, I have been intrigued by the Stinger cocktail. There seem to be a lot of different ratios out there for this drink, but I settled on 3 to 1. The classic Stinger calls for brandy. 1.5 oz brandy 0.5 oz

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-73752988724064852382011-01-31T22:34:00.000-08:002011-04-18T08:31:50.836-07:00

Continuing our 2011 French restaurant tour, we paid a return visit to Pied-à-Terre, the cool bistro owned by Andrey Durbach and Chris Stewart, the duo behind La Buca, Cafeteria and the now-closed tour-de-force Parkside as well. As we walked to the restaurant from the bus stop, we admired the playful sign on the side of the building by noted local artist Robert Chaplin. I don't know about you,

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-6072655568335285302011-01-30T23:43:00.000-08:002011-01-30T23:43:14.860-08:00

On one our recent trips, we stumbled across a funky little coffee joint that featured a Milky Way Hot Chocolate, which we of course had to taste. Suitably impressed, we vowed to re-create the drink when we returned home. It wasn't too hard to reverse-engineer the recipe, so here we go. hot chocolate whipped cream chocolate sauce caramel sauce (dulce de leche) We used store-bought chocolate

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-23946724597918604472011-01-29T10:18:00.000-08:002011-01-30T23:36:23.859-08:00

Who hasn't spent a few lovely hours in O'Hare International Airport, outside Chicago, "Hog Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation," as immortalized by the great Carl Sandburg? Even after countless connections through this very busy airport, including an unscheduled Christmas Eve snowed-in stayover, we can still unearth hidden treasures.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-44329131641685119552011-01-25T12:18:00.000-08:002011-04-18T08:31:50.836-07:00

Last year, we explored many of the outstanding French bakeries in Vancouver, but with a new year comes a new focus, and we'll be visiting some of the wonderful French bistros and restaurants in town. First up, a lunch date at Mistral French Bistro. Now in its sixth year of operation, Mistral has enjoyed steady success thanks to the creative mind of owner-chef Jean-Yves Benoit and the gracious

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-16783586155292856302011-01-14T21:30:00.000-08:002011-01-25T20:11:06.405-08:00

We've been doing our "drink of the week" series for eight months now, and we have yet to feature a martini, one of the most well-known drinks in the English-speaking world. Nowadays, a "classic" martini has a ratio of 5 parts gin (or vodka) to 1 part dry vermouth, and a "perfect martini" is 1 part gin to 1 part vermouth. Interestingly, Julia Child was known to favour an "upside-down" martini

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-5994009884587930312011-01-12T18:33:00.000-08:002011-01-12T18:33:26.814-08:00

Murder. Mobsters. Tagliatelle with white truffle sauce. The 2000 film Dinner Rush is set almost entirely in a trendy and intensely popular nuovo-Italian restaurant, owned by independent bookie Louis Cropa. The star chef is none other than the owner's son, Udo, played by Edoardo Ballerini. The film features a great cast, led by Danny Aiello and John Corbett. Every performance is excellent.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-15319205992715869372011-01-09T14:09:00.000-08:002011-01-09T15:56:39.512-08:00

Yesterday, after shopping in vain for white crème de menthe, I picked up a bottle of Dubonnet. Named after its inventor, Joseph Dubonnet, this apéritif wine was invented in 1846, as a method of delivering quinine, the most effective antimalarial drug of the time. Back home, I searched the web for a promising recipe. The Dubonnet Cocktail looked good, but it had so many different variations, it

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-34719881330673253812010-12-30T05:00:00.000-08:002010-12-30T05:00:05.286-08:00

When our son gets to decide on a lunch spot, he often chooses the Sunshine Diner, probably mostly for its kitschiness but also because they know how to make a good basic burger, without any kind of fillers or fancy schmancy brioche buns that other places insist on using. Service is always friendly, and although the kitchen can get backed up when it's really busy, it's never been an unreasonable

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-79229299869306990202010-12-25T08:27:00.000-08:002010-12-25T08:27:20.724-08:00

Yes, we've made mulled cranberry sauce, but have we made mulled wine? Not recently. Since we were not having turkey for our Christmas Eve dinner, and it's pretty weird to make cranberry sauce for roast beef, we were more than happy to experiment. Inspired by several glühwein recipes we found online, we devised the following: 1 bottle cheap but drinkable red wine 1/4 cup orange juice (one orange

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-9777217551403197412010-12-22T22:13:00.000-08:002010-12-23T10:42:35.204-08:00

Back in July, during our little restaurant-finding adventure, we nearly made it to Salt Tasting Room, but we eventually ended up at L'Abattoir. Last night, the stars aligned, or should we say, the afterglow of the solstice lunar eclipse held sway, and we stepped into the sleek interior of one the most popular restaurants in Vancouver. After nine o'clock on a Tuesday evening, with the Canucks

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-26949260162908111532010-12-19T16:58:00.000-08:002010-12-19T16:58:42.242-08:00

Simple and special, this chocolate bark with crushed candy canes on top will make you spontaneously sing Christmas carols. At least it did for me.... one 12 oz bag of Enjoy Life or other chocolate chips 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract 3 or 4 (or 12) candy canes (only go for the dozen if you want extras, lots and lots of extras) Hammer the candy canes in to itsy-bitsy pieces. We used a wooden

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-83254013305955351352010-12-18T16:55:00.000-08:002010-12-19T16:58:14.947-08:00

When the temperature drops, and cold and flu season arrives, people often encourage you to consume plenty of vitamin C. This classic drink, which dates back to before American prohibition, surely fits the bill. To me it's a more interesting alternative to a screwdriver. 1 1/2 oz rye whisky (or bourbon) 2 oz fresh squeezed orange juice 1 teaspoon dark rum Put all three ingredients in an

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-64787500120866430362010-12-15T22:13:00.000-08:002010-12-15T22:13:13.455-08:00

I don't know what it about Middle Eastern food that is so appealing to us. Maybe it's the extensive use of fresh ingredients. Maybe it's the delicate use of spices and subtle flavourings. Maybe it's the profusion of vegetarian and vegan options. Even when I am 8,000 kilometres from home, I find myself seeking out Israeli or Moroccan food. Upon learning of its existence, we have been planning a

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-17678961577703202392010-12-13T08:41:00.000-08:002011-04-18T08:31:50.836-07:00

As our regular readers have noticed by now, we like going to bakeries, a lot. We like going to French bakeries even more. We had been meaning to visit Ganache Pâtisserie for a long time. We even made it there one evening, after it had closed; all we came home with was a photograph. We were in the area last week running errands, and we knew we had to pick up a few slices to bring home. The

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-84312168070734830772010-12-11T19:06:00.000-08:002010-12-11T19:06:01.627-08:00

Grog can also be served cold or room temperature, but with the chilly temperatures, we might as well go hot. Like the gimlet, grog was another traditional beverage used by the British Navy to stave off scurvy. Now, at least for us, it's just an excuse to liven up a warm drink on a cold December night. 1 1/2 oz dark rum 1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice 2 teaspoons evaporated cane juice (sugar)

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-32479976441999187302010-12-10T09:34:00.000-08:002010-12-10T09:40:36.693-08:00

Somehow, I have it in my head that anything that has molasses as an ingredient is automatically healthy. Regretfully, I don't think that these gingerbread cookies qualify, but they've got to better than regular sugar cookies, no? Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter or soy margarine 1 cup white sugar 1 cup dark molasses 1/2 cup water 4 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp baking soda 1 1/2 tsp

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-74686318127073603972010-12-08T23:32:00.000-08:002010-12-09T12:29:50.002-08:00

One of the mainstays at the Baker's Market this past season has been The Ivy Oven. Mother and daughter team Lori and Danielle are taking the best organic and ethically sourced ingredients and producing amazing goods, inspired by the best the world has to offer. Their rustic fruit tarts capture the essence of the pastry: pure fruit flavour with the perfect proportions of crisp crust and sweetness

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-85812465187087983892010-12-07T16:36:00.000-08:002010-12-07T16:36:06.017-08:00

A few months ago, we called to make reservations for dinner at La Quercia, a popular Italian eatery on 4th Avenue, which has been on our wish list for years. As luck would have it, we picked a day during their annual vacation, and we were forced to dine elsewhere. Naturally, we still have yet to go. How excited were we to learn that the same people would be opening an Italian delicatessen named

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-9869842580212839852010-12-06T08:56:00.000-08:002010-12-06T22:16:15.160-08:00

Where in Vancouver can you find top-tier baked goods at rock-bottom prices? If you guessed the Baker's Market, you'd be absolutely correct! Previously located in an industrial area of South Vancouver, they have recently moved to the Creekside Community Centre in the Southeast False Creek neighbourhood. I have had the good fortune of attending four Saturdays this fall, and I have been amazed by

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-51646150996650869642010-12-05T18:22:00.000-08:002010-12-05T18:22:53.211-08:00

After a big day hauling and setting up our Christmas tree, a beer just wasn't cutting it, and I wanted something a little stronger that was cold and refreshing. 1 oz brandy 1 oz gin 1 oz dry vermouth ginger ale In a highball glass filled with ice, add the brandy, gin and vermouth. Top off with ginger ale.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-74057835089776994422010-11-28T22:16:00.000-08:002010-11-28T22:18:43.571-08:00

Opening today in Vancouver was the German inspired Christmas Market. After a fire broke out on the original opening date of November 24, workers tirelessly repaired the damage, and the market opened to enthusiastic crowds and good weather. The market is open every day until December 24th. Not surprisingly, we focused on the food-related vendors. We were happy to see Plöger Delikatessen among

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-24410285602485089032010-11-23T07:44:00.000-08:002011-04-18T08:32:33.864-07:00

The long wait is over. Originally scheduled to open in August, we finally were able to step into Kerrisdale's newest addition to the culinary landscape. Business was steady on opening day as we sat enjoying our hot chocolate and cappuccino. We tried to restrain ourselves; we ordered only three items, a raisin bun, a brioche, and a chocolate twist. They had two different

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-1443189229196682682010-11-21T19:48:00.000-08:002010-11-21T19:48:12.229-08:00

We found a couple of different recipes for a serpentine. One of them had green creme de menthe and champagne, but the following was a little more appealing to us this week. 1 oz white rum 1/2 oz brandy 1/2 oz sweet vermouth 1/2 oz lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon berry (caster or superfine) sugar Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker. Serve in a cocktail glass, with a twist of lemon.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-32557268525427801542010-11-17T21:38:00.000-08:002010-11-17T21:38:24.290-08:00

Who likes rice pudding? This is our adaptation from Anna Olson's Sugar cookbook. For the pudding: 3 cups whole milk 2 cups water 5 teaspoons vanilla 4 lemon peels 3/4 cup short grain rice 1/3 cup dried currants 1/2 to 2/3 cup brown sugar, or a little less 1 egg yolk For the brûlée topping (optional): 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Heat milk, water, lemon peels and vanilla to just

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-39219056354044959882010-11-13T22:42:00.000-08:002010-11-13T22:42:17.402-08:00

Another week, another classic cocktail! There are many stories surrounding the origin of the gimlet from the late nineteenth/early twentieth century, but the one I like the best is that the drink was devised by British Royal Navy Surgeon General Sir Thomas D. Gimlette, as a way of getting scurvy-preventing lime into sailors' diets. There are also many recipes for gimlets. We tried two of the

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-90075892864969421612010-11-11T11:40:00.000-08:002010-12-10T09:40:36.693-08:00

Way back in 1997, when we had a subscription to Bon Appétit, we found a great recipe for a Caribbean Black Bean and Rice Salad by the unfailing duo, Jinx and Jefferson Morgan. That was a great recipe, and we enjoyed making it for years. Fast forward to 2005. We were in Stong's when we saw a black bean salad that looked appetizing. We took it home and loved it so much, we knew we had to reverse

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-58589451063888011382010-11-09T07:25:00.000-08:002010-11-09T07:25:28.071-08:00

I don't remember when we first had a Savary Island pie, but it was at least five years ago, when we frequented Ambleside Village. Nowadays, we get our lemon buttermilk berry pie fix from Stong's. Last month, however, we were in West Vancouver again, and I dropped in to the bakery. Besides their famous pies, Savary Island Pie also bakes a large selection of breads, and they make their own

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-18482968842556382672010-11-07T18:38:00.000-08:002010-11-07T18:38:56.066-08:00

The best-selling tea at the Secret Garden Tea Company in Kerrisdale is Creamy Earl Grey, in which vanilla adds a smooth accent to the classic bergamot. We've been drinking this tea for years now, and maybe, someday, we'll get a different Secret Garden tea.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-76506155010630000252010-11-05T19:24:00.000-07:002010-11-18T20:39:05.997-08:00

A tradition in our family is to make homemade pizza. We've refined our methods over the years, and we finally think we have a crust that's as good as, or better than, most pizza places in town. If we had a wood-fired or even just a commercial oven, we might get even better results. This pizza dough recipe is adapted from Jamie Oliver's Jamie's Italy cookbook. 1 3/4 lb all purpose flour 1 1/2

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-52270119336826908022010-11-03T08:46:00.000-07:002011-04-18T08:32:33.865-07:00

apple tart On my first attempt to visit Steeve Raye Pastry in early October, I was foiled by the simple fact that it had not yet opened for business. Harrumph! I had to "settle" on Thomas Haas instead. Thanks to Mia Stainsby, I learned that this pâtisserie was finally open, and I hopped on down to check it out. The staff, and the man, Steeve Rayé, were super friendly even before I whipped out

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-89064708193268244062010-11-02T11:48:00.000-07:002010-11-02T11:48:35.540-07:00

We know we're not the only ones who have extreme difficulty in deciding where to go out to dinner. A couple of Friday nights ago, we found ourselves stumped again. As seven o'clock drew near, we finally decided to head downtown to Guu with Garlic, Gyoza King, Toratatsu, or somewhere similar. Naturally, we ended up at Lolita's South of the Border Cantina. When we walked in, we were given an

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-12735755211789531182010-11-01T07:40:00.000-07:002011-04-18T08:32:33.865-07:00

Hidden gem. Find it if you can. 40 rue des Martyrs 9ème arrondissement Paris.

famished foodieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663959396808888184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616945068461743169.post-86558954668011829732010-10-31T10:09:00.000-07:002011-04-18T08:32:33.866-07:00

This was my third visit to Chez Marianne, a kosher Middle Eastern deli-restaurant in Le Marais. I've stood in line for a delectable sandwich from their take-out window and also feasted on their sampler plates. The setup can be somewhat confusing. You first go inside to a little podium and pay for what you want. Then you take your ticket back outside and stand in a usually long queue. When

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We're happy we watched the Thirsty Traveler episode in which Kevin Brauch exhorts us to only buy tequila made from 100% agave. Many commonly available tequilas include sugars from other sources, although they still must be at least 51% agave. The margarita is another drink that, like the daiquiri, has been corrupted over the years, but the basic version is simple and sophisticated at the same

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One of the things I love about Paris is its abundance of museums. On every visit to the City of Lights, I spend hours in the Musée d'Orsay. I've also had the pleasure of visiting Musée du Louvre, Musée Rodin, Musée de l'Orangerie, the Centre Pompidou, Musée du Vin and others. After a day of museum hopping, and strolling through the streets, ... we rambled into Le Garde

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This time of year, it seems that pumpkins are inescapable, from pumpkin pies to jack o' lanterns. We have no problems jumping on the bandwagon, at least when it comes to pumpkins, since we're happy to bake with pumpkins throughout the year. When I saw these on Camilla Salsbury's Enlightened Cooking blog, I knew I had to make them. Cookies: 1 1/2 cups white flour  1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1

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I met possibly the friendliest shopkeeper in Paris, if not the world. She is the proprietor of arguably the best candy shop in Paris, located in the 9me arrondissement near the Moulin Rouge. If you have ever in your life craved anything sweet, make the effort to find this place. You will not regret it. While the extensive selection of chocolates and candy is sufficient enticement, it's the

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The name of this bistro, Léo le Lion, caught my eye as we were standing at the hotel desk one afternoon. Having an affinity for lions, I did some simple research and decided we would give it a shot. After making a reservation for a decent hour this time, we strolled around the corner from our hotel into this quaintly decorated restaurant. This cosy retreat has a down-to-earth feel to it, with

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Our hotel, situated in the 7me arrondissement, offered easy access to one the best market streets we've seen. Obviously, when a street this famous, it's going to be a huge tourist draw. Nevertheless, someone's got to be buying enough fresh seafood, meats and produce to keep the vendors in business, and it's likely not the visitors, who mostly stay in hotels and eat out at restaurants. The

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On our previous visits to Paris, we've seen and avoided this super popular restaurant, not only because we thought it was a tourist trap, but also because it was it was just so crowded. Les Deux Magots, originally a gift shop established in 1812, was named after a popular play of the same name about two Chinese merchants. By 1885, it had become a bar frequented by literary icons such as Verlaine

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The origin of this drink, which first appeared in 1930's, is disputed, but more clear is the inspiration for its name, Mary I, Queen of England, who in the 16th century earned the nickname "Bloody Mary" for her execution hundreds of Protestants during her reign. 1 1/2 oz vodka 5 oz tomato juice 2 oz lemon juice 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce 3-8 dashes Tabasco sauce dashes of salt and pepper

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When you want Moroccan food, Paris is a good place to be. There are dozens of good restaurants marocaines, and L'Atlas, located on just off the Seine on the Boulevard St. Germain, is one of them. After a long day of walking, soon after it began to rain, we ducked inside the entrance into a relaxing refuge. The mostly white and red colour scheme was simple and very elegant. The decor celebrated

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This Italianesque village built on a cliff dangling over the sea will forever be seared in my mind. When planning our visit to the Riviera, I was immediately drawn to Villefranche-Sur-Mer. As you may have surmised, I am a huge Italiaphile (is that a word?). On the day we were leaving for Paris, we decided to have lunch in Villefranche-Sur-Mer. We chose the Trastevere restaurant,

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Dominique Le Stanc earned two Michelin stars when he was the chef of Le Chantecler restaurant in Nice. He quit to take over La Merenda. This restaurant came highly recommended from friends, and we had to give them a chance. Since we weren't in the mood for meat that night, we went with the arugula, ricotta and fig salad, along with an order of stuffed sardines. Though the room was pretty

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Though we've been to France a few times before, this was our first visit to the lovely seaside city of Nice, and to its fabulous museums, namely the Musée Matisse, the Musée Chagall, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts. We were also thrilled to taste some of the local treats besides the famous salade niçoise. One of the local favourites is a must-stop for ice cream lovers, Glacier Fenocchio.

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Ever since we found this recipe in a 1999 issue of Bon Appetit, we have not roasted a turkey without also making this sauce. 1 12-ounce bag cranberries 1 1/2 cups fruity red wine (such as Merlot) 1 1/4 cups (packed) golden brown sugar 1/3 cup minced crystallized ginger 1 tablespoon grated orange peel 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves Throw all

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