Paul and I have been in a holding pattern for months now, waiting to hear word on not one, not two, not three, but FOUR different projects - three pilots and a feature. What's interesting is that, in all four cases, the scripts are with someone(s) who likes them and has expressed interest in seeing…
May 2, 2013: I Make the Best Whatever! Chicken Breast with Brown Butter and Fried Sage Leaves! Dog Party!!!
Apologies. I was supposed to do this on Tuesday but between dealing with the dogs, all the hardcore waiting for word on those projects, and working my way through The Mammoth Book of Gangs, I - well - didn't. But better late than never and so, with further ado, here are MY results of Sparrow_hawk's…
April 7, 2013: Foodly Matters! And a Supermovie of the Week Club reminder!
The other night, Akemi and I checked out one of the buzziest Taiwanese restaurants in Vancouver, the well-reviewed, foodie favorite: Kalvin's Szechuan Restaurant. Akemi has a couple of Taiwanese friends who swear by the place and so, more than a little intrigued, we headed out to Victoria Street to see (and taste) for ourselves. The…
March 30, 2013: Support your local bakers! And umbrella dancers!
Every Saturday morning (and Sunday morning during the summer), Akemi and I head down to the farmers market to support our local growers. Starting this weekend, we can now head down to the bakers market and support our local bakers as well. And so, today, after swinging by Nat Bailey stadium, we headed over to…
March 24, 2013: Pasta-making 101!
A little over a week ago, Akemi and I attended a gelato-making class. Today, we took part part in a pasta-making class. Yes, we're working our way backwards. Next week, who knows? Deviled eggs and pigs-in-a-blanket? Being huge fans of Pasta Famiglia artisan pasta (available only at our local winter farmer's market), we were thrilled…
March 21, 2013: A Feast of Foie!
Last night was just like old times: me, Chef Rob Belcham, Chef Ted Anderson, and whole bunch of foie gras. The occasion was - well, there was no occasion really. The guys decided they wanted to do a foie gras dinner, so they brainstormed a menu and put the word out. My friends, Steve and…
March 16, 2013: Gelato 101!
The other night, Akemi and a few of our closest friends were fortunate enough to attend a Gelato 101 class hosted by the award-winning James Coleridge (winner of the 1st “Maestro Gelatiere Award” at the Florence Gelato Festival, and considered one of the world's top artisan gelato makers) at his Bella Gelateria in downtown Vancouver. James,…
February 17, 2013: The Hot Chocolate Festival Wrap-up! And the Winners are…!
Akemi and I tried to make the most of the last few days of the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival by checking out some of the more intriguing offerings we had yet to sample...Canadian Classic: 100% pure hazelnut with 38% milk chocolate served with four pieces of artisan chocolate.At: Schokolade 2263 East Hastings Street, Vancouverhttp://www.schokoladecafe.com/Sweeter than most of…
February 16, 2013: Beta 5’s Valentine Dessert Tasting!
Last night, Akemi and I attended a Valentine Dessert Tasting at Beta 5, Vancouver's premiere chocolate (and cream puff!) shop. I know, I know. It was actually the day after Valentine's Day - but we were out for dinner the previous night and would have had to cut it kind of tight. And so, instead,…
February 12, 2013: Decision, Projects, and Hot Chocolate!
Thanks to everyone who took the time to offer their sage advice on my recent "dilemma of the day" (February 10, 2013: Let’s all pitch in and help me plan my life!). I was actually leaning one way but, after reading some very convincing arguments, am now reconsidering. Tomorrow, I'll be meeting with my accountant who…
February 8, 2013: Pidgin Restaurant!
Akemi and I don't get out as much as we used to but, the other night, we hung up our pots and pans (and packed away the sous vide machine) in favor of a night out. We headed to Gastown to check out Pidgin, one of the newest additions (less than a week old!) to…
February 6, 2013: The Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival Tour II!
My Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival tour continues with visits to... Bengal Dream: Milk chocolate with sweet spices (chai) served with caramelized honey and orange palmier. Available: February 2 - February 14 at Bel Cafe 801 West Georgia Street @ Howe (at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia) http://www.belcafe.com/ A little sweet but some very nice flavors. The palmier packed quite a…
January 31, 2013: The Hot Chocolate Festival!
The Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival is in full swing and Akemi and I have been trying our darndest to sample as many of the 60-some flavors available at the various shops and cafes around town. So far, we've managed to try about a dozen decadent offerings. Looks like we're really going to need to pick…
January 24, 2013: Quinto Quarto
Last night, Campagnolo Roma hosted another one of its famed Quinto Quarto dinners, an offal-themed culinary extravaganza inspired by the Roman "fifth quarter" feasts of yore. I was flying sort of solo as Akemi had bowed out on account of the far-too-late-for-her 8:30 p.m. seating. That and the emphasis on liver. Like I said, I…
January 16, 2013: Kitchen Adventures!
As many of you know, I'm a fairly adventurous eater. For the most part, my foolhardy foodie forays have been limited to menu items at whatever eatery I happen to be visiting. Lately, however, I've been doing some experimenting in the kitchen. What follows are a few of my most recent culinary conquests. Akemi bought…