Way back when it was at its Cambie Street location, Tomato was on our regular lunch rotation. We always looked forward to Tomato day, partly because of the sandwiches, and partly because it meant that our office assistant, Lawren, would have to deal with the individual who came to be known as “Surly Counter Guy”. For some reason, whenever Lawren would phone in our order, he would be met with an attitude usually reserved for English-speaking retail shoppers in Paris. “You realize you won’t be able to pick up this order until lunch time, right?”was one particularly memorable reprimand. But in spite of the attitude and the fact that Lawren’s no-mayonnaise-please requests always seemed to fall on deaf ears, we were willing to cut the place some slack because the turkey and cranberry jelly sandwiches on multigrain were that good and, of course, Lawren was our point man and, thus, the only one to suffer Surly Counter Guy’s derision.
It’s felt like ages since I’ve enjoyed Tomato’s trademark sandwich and so, when Fondy suggested we have dinner at the new Kits location, I was all in.
We arrived at a little before 7:00 p.m. to a fairly full house. As we took our seats, I had to admire the new digs. The restaurant follows the same red and white motif of its predecessor, but offers the added bonus of a more spacious eating environment accented by actual trees that adorn the dining area. Upon checking the menu, I was disappointed to discover that the turkey sandwich was not available for dinner. Might I prefer something else? Not really. But the pork schnitzel special certainly intrigued. As did the poached pear and candied pecan organic baby salad.
Fondy had the misfortune of ordering the rigatoni. Looking at the plate, one couldn’t help but think the cook’s heart was in the right place. It was a healthy portion of rigatoni and chorizo served in a tomato sauce studded with eggplant, artichoke hearts, and oven-roasted tomatoes that tasted as if it had been tossed in an ashtray before serving. What the pasta had done to deserve its sodden, overboiled fate I cannot begin to imagine but I can only assume whoever prepared it harbored some sort of grudge.
The pork schnitzel was golden-fried to tender perfection but, unfortunately, suffered from a lack of any discernible seasoning. A bland tomato and mushroom sauce that adorned my side of pasty fettuccine didn’t help. On the other hand, the asparagus that accompanied the schnitzel was fragrant and fork-friendly.
The spinach salad – an appetizer that I opted to have as a side with my main – was another game effort. Good baby spinach and tasty candied pecans tossed in an inconspicuous port dressing, topped with a passable goat cheese round and flanked by flabby pieces of pear, whatever flavor they once possessed reduced to the faintest of whispers.
No complaints about the quick, friendly service or the modest price point. Still, in the future, I’ll sooner risk the familiar lunch-time peevishness of Surly Counter Guy than hazard another dinner at Tomato.
The mailbag is back –
FargateOne writes: “Which stories of s10 SG1 eps would have done ( or deserved to be ) a good feature film, considering that to do a film is not the same thing that a tv show?”
Answer: Be All My Sins and Midway would have made great features.
Jen Kirk writes: “ Since you and Fondy work, what do you do with the children, er, dogs during the day?”
Answer: The pugs go to doggy daycare while Lulu will be going to work with Fondy and assume the role of pet shop mascot.
Anonymous #1 writes: “Lorne and Zelenka have had such a great fan reaction since they were introduced – was it your intention to keep them as recurring characters from the beginning or did it just sort of evovle? Have you ever planned to keep a recurring character and then decided it wouldn’t work?”
Answer: Lorne and Zelenka are great examples of peripheral characters who were created for a specific episode and ended up recurring because we saw something we liked. On the other hand, there were characters that we had hoped would pop, but didn’t.
Pauline writes: “By the way has the chocolate I sent you arrived yet?”
Answer: Yup. They were great. I’ll be putting pics up tomorrow. Thanks!
Anonymous #2 writes: “I was shocked at the immaturity of the whole panel from Gary Jones to the questions to many of the replies, seemed more like a waste of time to me.”
Answer: Yeah, I told everyone to stop having so much fun but would they wouldn’t listen. In the future, I’d suggest you check out early episodes of the MacNeil/Lehrer Report which may be more your pace.
Miles writes: “Do you have any feelings on Atlantis being put back in the 10pm timeslot on SciFi? Is it going to be a good thing in the long run?”
Answer: I think it will be a very good thing.
It is believed that when a favorite “dive” (restaurant) moves from it’s original seemingly cramped and crunched location, it doesn’t seem to do as well in the new, more spacious spot. Is that what you have found or do you think the chef simply had a bad night?
Yes Joe, the immaturity of the panel is simply astounding. They are all awful, thoughtless, stupid people with nothing better to do…and should not have bothered to show up if they were not going to be completely straigh-laced, prim and proper.
*gapes*
Where do these commenters COME from Joe, and why do they keep showing up on YOUR blog?
Of course, the first paragraph was completely tongue-in-cheek, as I adored BOTH panels. Come on, people! This is my third con, and I have never had a problem with the panels or guests appearing. I am simply excited they took the time out of their own schedules to actually show UP.
Well…most of them, anyway. *cough*
It just goes to show you, there is no pleasing every person every time.
Is Teyla’s pregnancy a season long thing, or will she be back to her wraith-kicking self before the end of season 4?
Any chance we’ll ever see Colin Cunningham make an appearance on Atlantis?
Answer: Yeah, I told everyone to stop having so much fun but would they wouldn’t listen. I would suggest that, in the future, I’d suggest you check out early episodes of the MacNeil/Lehrer Report which may be more your pace.
erm … grammar? tch, you writers :o)
THANKS FOR BLOGGING YOU ARE GREAT!!!!
wont the other dogs get jelouse of the new dog going in to work with your Mrs?
If you found out you only had 24 hrs to live, how would you spend your last day? And more importantly which resterant would you eat your last meal in!
You always seem to be dresses very smartly when ever we see you in interviews or just in your own blog pics! Do you chose your own clothes (or does Fondy help). Do you dress in suits because it is in keeping with your supper villan persona or for some other reason? Do you ever just wear jeans and a T Shirt?
THANKS
Do we still find out where Lorne is from in the Kindred I?
Is Stargate Atlantis really getting put back at 10:00?
I wish it wouldn’t because I have to get up so early because the neighbors have guinea-hens which start screeching at 5:30 AM every day!
It’s impossible to sleep in the morning!
Curious, so figured I’d ask. Will you ever subject yourself to reviewing *gasp* fast food (aka MacDonalds)? I mean, it could be very humorous…
It’s very sweet how the pugs have welcomed Lulu. She’s adorable, but I’m awfully partial to black dogs with big ears.
Spock
and
Radar
You’re right, Joe. The Newshour with Jim Lehrer, the current incarnation of MacNeil/Lehrer, would be much too wild for “Anon,” much less a panel of Hollyw…er, Vancouver insiders! Maybe you could suggest a nice hot cocoa recipe to go with it?
The restaurant looked pretty, but bummer the food wasn’t up to it. Of course, I’ve had pasta that has totally pissed me off, and I grudged that sucker into squishy oblivion, but don’t most chefs take Interfood Communications courses?
Nice to see Lulu by the way, she’s a beauty. Loving those ears. Glad to hear the others have warmed upto her so easily. My cats would’ve tried to eat her by now 😉
I have a question for you Mr. M., I really hope you will answer it. Are we going to get any bonding moments between Weir & Shep in the four episodes at all? I figured Teyla fans got their answer, it’s only fair 😉 If we do not get some face to face moments, could you at least appease us by giving us some angst from Shep specifically? Man I do sound desperate, don’t I? I blame sleep deprivation, kiddies are in rare form this week.
One more thing (this always reminds me of grandpa from the Jackie Chan sat. cartoon). To address Lilferret “Where do these commenters COME from Joe, and why do they keep showing up on YOUR blog?”
because this blog gives people like you, me and all the others a place to get almost an instant answer, and because as the show producer, we expect Mr. M. has an insight. Just like you come here, all the rest of us do too. 🙂
If Mr. M. was truly offended by a comment, or felt it inappropriate or whatever, I am sure he’d have blocked it or not. It’s his blog after all. I am sure everyone is thankful that the people associated with the show took the time out of their personal lives to share it with their fans — what bigger gift can a fan ask for? Time is precious, and I am sure everyone is appreciative of every little bit.
Have a great day tomorrow.
I see that several people including Joe are in the dark with my post and make assumptions about what I expected from the panel that are nowehere near the mark. Nowhere do I say, or even hint, that I think the panel should have been dull and laboriously boring like MacNeil- Lehrer or even straight-laced, prim and proper.
And with regard to my expectations, I got exaclty what I thought I would get. I never, ever expected (or expect in any way shape or form) an apology from Joe or anyone involved in Stargate, for anything they do, you must be kidding even asking that after seasons 9-10. Maturity and humor come in many forms my friends.
Oh, and btw, I am anxiously awaiting that post from someone who will inevitably take my use of the word maturity and try to play it against me thereby once again proving my point so rock on everyone that chooses to reply. My entertainment for this evening has been dull and boring up until now because the Kathy Griffin show was not on tonight – that’s my Tuesday entertainment.)
I will concede to Alipeeps though that my use of the word dumb in describing the panel was a “mistake” and perhaps over the line and for that I offer my deepest and most sincere of apologies. They are obviously not dumb people. (Anyone out there who wants to try and read into this post can give it a go, it will be interesting to see if anyone “gets it” — hint for you if you do — it’s very subtle.)
quote lilferret here “Where do these commenters COME from Joe, and why do they keep showing up on YOUR blog?”
Because Joe let’s them and even replies to some of them. Therein lies two of the great expectations, Alipeeps.
I do have to give Joe credit as he does allow those with quite diverse opinions to express them here.
Hi Joe,
Even though I’ve already thanked you for the pictures you posted of Comic Con, (especially of Michael and Amanda), I just wanted to say thank you one more time. There’s also some really good pictures taken at the SciFi party posted on a thread on Gateworld. Love the one of Amanda and Michael together.
I was really excited to hear that Michael (and Lexa too) will be doing an episode of Eureka. I was also hoping that Daniel would be able to pop in on Atlantis in season four, but since we haven’t heard anything yet, I have a feeling that’s not going to happen. If you get a chance, could you let us know one way or the other?
Thanks Joe!
P.S. I almost forgot to say Kudos to Michael for putting his little girl first. Conventions come and go but kids are forever. My Dad worked in the business too and he always put me first – something I’ll never forget.
“Anonymous #2 writes: “I was shocked at the immaturity of the whole panel from Gary Jones to the questions to many of the replies, seemed more like a waste of time to me.”
Answer: Yeah, I told everyone to stop having so much fun but would they wouldn’t listen. In the future, I’d suggest you check out early episodes of the MacNeil/Lehrer Report which may be more your pace.”
Oh Joe, you manage to make me laugh even without resorting to spam correspondence. On a random note, did you know that you have your very own Wikipedia article?
On the other hand, there were characters that we had hoped would pop, but didn’t.
Now I’m curious. What were some of these?
Joe,
How is the story breaking coming on the Shep backstory ep? Anything new you’d like to share?
Also, has anyone come up with a keeper idea on the unfilled ep slot?
“As did the poached pear and candied pecan organic baby salad.
“
I just had visions of screaming baby mandrake roots lying in a bed of spinach, covered in candied goo from the pecans.
The sandwich sounds wonderful. It’s usually what I eat for nearly a week after Thanksgiving. Yum.
Joe,
Thanks you for taking time out to answer questions in spite of the sometimes (read: usually) inane/confrontational questions and comments. I apologize for any contribution(s) I have made to the problem.
While I’d never consider S9/S10 “good” television I do recognize that you guys didn’t purposefully go out of your way to make the SG-1 “bad”. For me, how and in what positions the new characters were added just killed the required suspension of disbelief that made the show enjoyable.
And I’ll see you try again (hopefully with better results *for me*) in Atlantis S4. S1-S3 didn’t really do much for me character-wise. (Too bad as I liked what I saw of Ronin, Teyla, Zelenka, Beckett and Lorne) I think the stories were often better but all Shep and/or McKay all the time… yikes. What I’m hearing so far is reassuring.
Less than two months!
Suse
Did Jason Momoa work on his birthday yesterday (it being the 2nd already here)? If he did, was anything done to celebrate?
It’s all about the mayonnaise conspiracy. Food worker’s ’round the world keep it on the hush hush. But we know better.
…And I loved the panel. How can you not like Gary’s “Captian deathwish?” We are firm believers in captain-isms here.
Have you completed the new Scott Lynch yet? You do realize I’m awaiting your review to see if I want to spend my time reading it or not. Hop to it, mister!
How did you (and Paul) end up on SG-1 in the first place?
In the episode Thirty-Eight Minutes in season 1, what was the important thing that Sheppard was really going to say when he thought he was going to die on the jumper?
Hi Joe:
Just wondering if we can expect to see some Sheppard/McKay friendship scenes in Season 4. I always love those types of scenes especially between those two characters.
Cheers!
Joe:
You may be too young to remember a wonderfully campy show from the 70’s – Sid & Marty Krofft’s Land of the Lost. My hubby got me all three seasons on DVD for Channukkah last year, and while it’s much worse that my nostalgic mind remembers, it was also very progressive. I was watching it, and you know, there were some things that reminded me of Stargate (control crystals, DHD-type devices, portals that looked a little like Stargates). I have to ask, do you know if the original writers were Sid & Marty Krofft fans (or possibly the folks who developed SG-1?). I’m not saying that SG isn’t totally original (that’s why I like it so much). I just see some cool parallels.
Do we still find out where Lorne is from in the Kindred I?
No, question – just complete and total speculation on my part coming from no source whatsoever and based solely on what I pulled from my …. elbow.
I’m guessing that the discussion of where Lorne is from is going to come in the same episode where Teyla discusses the baby’s future with its father (and/or when she is talking about the father) about the possibilities of where the baby is going to be cared for – hopefully in a nice “Wraith-free” environment – and by whom while she continues to fight to free her people from the Wraith.
I may be very wrong with Lorne as the father, but at least I am wrong early. 🙂
Do you happen to know, in 38 minutes when Sheppard wants to say something “important” but never gets to, was there actually an idea of what he wanted to say in anyone’s mind?
How anonymous is an anonymous post? I just noticed someone asked the same question I just asked, can you tell that those were two separate people? Can you tell that I’ve posted twice?
“FargateOne writes: “Which stories of s10 SG1 eps would have done ( or deserved to be ) a good feature film, considering that to do a film is not the same thing that a tv show?”
Answer: Be All My Sins and Midway would have made great features.”
I’m not sure, but it seems to me that the question is about SG-1 season 10’s episodes, not seasons 1 – 10… and I’d love to hear too what this season’s stories would have deserved to be a good feature film.
Thanks for sharing the Con pictures and thank you for showing our girl, Erin aka Purple!! That was great! Very nice surprise to her and her friends! I really enjoy reading your blog! You are certainly an original!! Which is a great thing!
Quoted from Farscapefan, “I’m not sure, but it seems to me that the question is about SG-1 season 10’s episodes, not seasons 1 – 10… “
Yoohoo oh lover of Stargate Command Seasons 1-2 with no knowledge of Stargate SG-1 seasons 1-8 who claims insult every time she perceives an insult (no matter how remote) with regard to Seasons 1-2 of Stargate Command, the episodes that Joe Mallozzi named in his answer about movies are from Stargate Atlantis not seasons 1-10 of SG-1. Beautiful, just beautiful, you always give yourself away.
Now just be prepared little lady because if Joe doesn’t name an episode that features 42 minutes of Vala, or Vaniel, we don’t need you coming in here blowing on about how unfair Joe is and bellowing your disdain for him as you did with Brad Wright because Brad had the good sense to keep Vala’s role in Contuinuum to what sounds like it amounts to a bare minimum.
Anonymous7of9
Hy Joe
Farscapefan is right.
My question was about the episodes of the season 10 of Stargate and about the episodes of the season 2 of Atlantis. I do appreciate the answer but we will not see season 4 of Atlantis before fall 2008 in Quebec.
So which of those should have made good feature films?
PR
Hey, Joe! I just wanted to say thanks for this blog – it’s pretty rare that fans get such close interaction with someone so involved in a show that they love.
So… Thank you!
Oh, and – I actually thoroughly enjoyed the last seasons of SG-1… And I am not a shipper of any sort, and don’t really mind it either way, so, thanks for that too. X)
With Weir gone (or missing, who knows), who is now the top ranking civilian? McKay?
” Anonymous said…
Quoted from Farscapefan, “I’m not sure, but it seems to me that the question is about SG-1 season 10’s episodes, not seasons 1 – 10… “
Yoohoo oh lover of Stargate Command Seasons 1-2 with no knowledge of Stargate SG-1 seasons 1-8 who claims insult every time she perceives an insult (no matter how remote) with regard to Seasons 1-2 of Stargate Command, the episodes that Joe Mallozzi named in his answer about movies are from Stargate Atlantis not seasons 1-10 of SG-1. Beautiful, just beautiful, you always give yourself away.
Now just be prepared little lady because if Joe doesn’t name an episode that features 42 minutes of Vala, or Vaniel, we don’t need you coming in here blowing on about how unfair Joe is and bellowing your disdain for him as you did with Brad Wright because Brad had the good sense to keep Vala’s role in Contuinuum to what sounds like it amounts to a bare minimum.
Anonymous7of9″
At least I’m not an anonymous coward. Frell off.
The food looks very good, yum!
I was wondering. You’ve had every branch of the US military represented over the years, but not the United States Coast Guard. You could at least have one in the medical department on Atlantis, or something?
“Lorne and Zelenka are great examples of peripheral characters who were created for a specific episode and ended up recurring because we saw something we liked. On the other hand, there were characters that we had hoped would pop, but didn’t.“
I do hope that Elizabeth Weir isn’t one of those “didn’t pop” characters, because she’s got plenty of pop, and her presence made me love Atlantis more than I ever loved SG-1. Please try to bring her back as a regular character in season 5… Atlantis just won’t be as heartfelt this year without her.
*blink* I paid less attention to season ten than I thought! I didn’t even recognise those titles!
Seriously Joe, just stopping by because I haven’t in a while. Love the pics of Lulu. She looks absolutely gorgeous! All the best with her!
Hi Joe. Any news on the spinning of the story idea Joe F pitched? You know.. the one that wasn’t scrapped… *ahem*.. sorry, shelved..? 😉
Qoute from you-know-who “At least I’m not an anonymous coward. Frell off.”
Oh now THAT’s mature and quite the comeback I might add. Tired of telling people to “go to hell” FSfan? (and just in case you have not been keeping up with Joe’s blog (and why would you since it doesn’t mention Vala every third sentence) I remain Anonymous 7of9 despite that fact that some weeks ago some mightier-than-thou poster claimed to know exactly who I was and that I should be “reigned in” at Gateworld, meanwhile I haven’t been to GW for months now. I challenged that oh-so-righteous poster to identify me, after all if you are going to claim to call someone out you may as well call them out all the way – alas that brave soul declined my invitation thus I stay Anonymous 7of9 until that poster cares to “out” me.
Adios muchacha.
Anonymous 7of9
I really enjoy reading your blog every day. It always makes my hungry though – wonder why? 😉
Anyway, I met you at ComicCon and you told me I should post something (since I always lurk), so here’s my question (hope it hasn’t been asked yet – if so, sorry!). Here goes:
How long does it typically take to create an episode (from the time you’ve got the script to the final editing stage?)