Accidental Chinese

December 30th we drove back from Kelowna in rather mild conditions. Lunch was sandwiches at Picnic on Granville and 14th (Meinhardt's deli) which were actually quite small and left us somewhat hungry since we were eating at 2 pm.
I thought we should try the Reef on Main for dinner as the menu looked reasonably priced and I had only been there for lunch. They don't take reservations, and it was packed.
We ventured to what we thought was a Vietnamese restaurant next store. It was called the Good View Seafood Restaurant, but had now view whatsoever. Odd. We were given the white people menu which my parents still had a difficult time with. I think my Dad still thinks we had Vietnamese food. Food was ok, but reminded me a bit of the food fare style.



The usual statue of the cat, had the cat's paw was waving. We were told that means to bring in the money. I am getting one for my house!

Roast at Home

It was the last night for the family to have a meal together, so we decided on a Roast Dinner that was solely attributed to my mother's hand.
She had been reading my Regalade recipe book and decided to make some fabulous blinis as well. Brussel sprouts and roast parsnip were also enjoyed.



Here we have my sister, Juliet, carving up the roast.

Nishi Sushi

After missing dinner the previous evening, Jada and I checked out some Kelowna sushi for lunch. It was fairly descent, but Vancouver just rocks on this front, so next time we will wait until we are back at the coast.

Boxing Day Vino

I recycled our Christmas Eve dinner for Boxing day and made up some very curly and long noodles that I do not know the name for to throw the seafood sauce atop. I started out with a spinach salad in an attempt to get over the meal that we had the night before. (See two blog below for dets). NO 80's raspberry vinagrette PLEASE! (I think I should send the recipe to the restaurant). All worked out well and, despite my mothers protest, I managed to coerce my father into opening a 1998 Quail's Gate Old Vines Foch. Rich chocolate flavours, ripe cherries and plum. Great compliment to the rich tomato sauce. Good work me. Not bragging or anything.....

Out for a ski!

Today the weather is very mild and there is absolutely no sign of snow. WTF! It is supposed to be winter.
So in order to create the sensation that here are four seasons in this Province of ours, we decided to hit the slopes and get in some holiday cross country skiing. I have downhill skied in past years, but it had been somewhere in the realm of 24 years since I did the cross country thing.
So Dad, Mom and I headed up to the Nordic Center in Vernon and despite all the hard work, I had a great time and fell on my ass only once.
Pictured on the right is the commemorative stamp made for me in honor of my adventurous spirit and generous nature.

Christmas Day in Kelowna

This letter to the restaurant manager should some up my thoughts on Christmas dinner at the Wild Apple Grill in Kelowna. As of today I have had no response - EDIT - Manager responded and will talk to the chef - also sending me a $50 gift certificate.
PS - am I a bitch?

Dear Mr. Mah,
I am writing to advise you that we had a less than acceptable dinner at the Wild Apple Grill.
As it was Christmas and I was with my parents, we kept all our comments to a minimum so we could enjoy the experience, rather than being negative during some precious family time.
Firsly, I do not mean this to be meanspirited, I merely hope to give you some insight as to why I found the meal unpleasant.
I am actually a food, travel and lifestyle writer and while in Kelowna I was to review a restaurant of my choice for the Vancouver Sun. I do not do my reviews in the style of Alexander Gill of the Globe and Mail (she freely slaughters a place she may have just visited once)and therefore I choose to review a place I had a much more pleasant experience at, Waterfront Wines.
It may have been a bad night for you at the Grill and I will therefore voice my opinion to you via email, rather than publicly in a well-read provincial newspaper.Here are my thoughts - for what it is worth:
1) Great selection of wines - appreciate the BC influence and the international choices
2) Greated at the door in a friendly prompt manner. Menu had a good variety and the holiday specials were appropriate.
3) ALL service was on the ball - we had a server named Kevin. He was charming and there when we needed him - only thing missing was he did not refill our wine.
4) A complimentary appetizer of baba ganoush arrived - thank you, but the flatbread was stale.--Spinach salads had a rasp. vinagrette dressing - too 80's. I also think that sorbet is meant as a palate cleanser, not atop a salad. The tomatoes were very tasteless. In a "winter salad" perhaps out of season vegetables are not needed.
5) My oysters arrived. They were far less than fresh and for that matter not even warm. The cheese was hard. Spinach should have been steamed prior to being added to the oysters and the cheese more minimally lathered. The server responded by taking them off the bill. Thank you.
6) Our meals were all 1/2 warm.
7) Roasted root vegetables were good, in fact, great, but plain steamed broccoli and red pepper needs to be jazzed up.
8) My father's turkey was overcooked. The stuffing was tasty, but lukewarm
9) My mother and I had the venison - I enjoyed the meat, it was tender, but it needed a demi-glace or reduction of some sort and was lukewarm.
10) The dumplings were flavourless - perhaps adding some herbs or topping with a sauce would help.
11) Coffee was either old or just a cheaper choice than we usually enjoy.In any case, we did enjoy the service parts of the meal. I
just don't believe in walking away, having filled in the guestcard in a negative manner and not further explaining myself.
I am trying to be helpful in my feedback instead of publishing my experience that I believe could be easily changed with some minor tweaking in the kitchen.
I hope this is appreciated.I look forward to returning to the resort, it is indeed beautiful and the restaurant enjoys a fabulous view, and revisiting the Grill with a more favorable outcome.

The Family Hits Quail's Gate

This is a view close to my parents home in Kelowna

My father hadn't left the house for three days and was getting a bit stir crazy. He just retired a year ago and keeps himself busy in the woodshop, on his bicycle and researching his stock portfolio, but three days was just too much.



So he suggested....."Let's all go for a family lunch!". The "family" has expanded from four to six now. My sister, her husband, Martin, their son Isaac, me, Mamma (Nan), and Dad (Papa). Two vehicles are needed to transport the masses. Off we went.



Sir Isaac at the table.

Kelowna is home to many a great winery, and a few of them have restaurants that live up to the wines. Quail's Gate, on the Westside, had just rebuilt their restaurant this summer, so we ventured out through the wind to check it out.

We started with a Tapas Plate. Rather small portions of crostini, pickles, houmous and roast garlic, although the houmous was to our liking and their was no fuss bringing more crostini to dip.



The rest group ordered sandwiches, arriving nicely grilled and I had an authentic tasting pad thai that was topped with some jumbo prawns. Isaac had a prepacked lunch of pear, cherrios and cheese, but he preferred the rocks in the restaurants plants. I am certain he was testing out their drainage and thinking generally about the terroir in the vineyard and what varietal to plant next. I had a glass of the Family Reserve Fume Blanc to start and paired the pad thai with the Family Reserve Reisling. Love wine in the afternoon.

I stopped by the wine shop and to pick up the Reserve Marechal Foch and a cheapy but a goody, the unoaked Allison Ranch Chardonnay.

Perfect Family Afternoon.

Christmas Eve Preparation

Had a rather late one last night and awoke to the sound of my mothers thundering footsteps and the vacuum zooming accross the kitchen floor. I think she somehow knows when I've had a few cocktails the night before and purposely punishes me. More misadventure as I climbed upstairs. My darling little nephew, Sir Isaac, had been taken into the hospital with a terrible cough last night. Very sad. He is home now and back into everything again, but it was just one hell of a bad night for my sister and he.

Yesterday, my Dad and I had picked up the seafood at The Codfathers on Gordon in Kelowna and the remainder of the groceries I needed to complete the Christmas Eve Dinner. The seafood prices are actually equivalent to Vancouver, the selection was good and the seafood looked fresh.


Today I started my kitchen duty by baking a couple dozen cranberry, white chocolate pecan oatmeal cookies. I then roasted some eggplant, peppers and garlic for a salad I am doing for our starter tonight.



Moved on to some ravioli with the cheater wonton wrappers and stuffed with spinach and ricotta. Worked on the tomato sauce, cleaned the seafood and made a strawberry mousse (separate bowls). I made brushetta, set out some cheeses and the obligatory smoked oysters and I think we are ready to go.

So:

Brushetta
Assortment of Cheese and Olives
Roasted Veg Salad with Goat Cheese
Spinach Ravioli topped with Prawns, Mussles, and Calamari in a tomato sauce
Strawberry Mousse
Christmas Cookies and Chocolates

Time for a Gin and Tonic and make up. Results and Photos later - oops forgot to take the food photos......

Stew at Burgoo

Sunday was a day to try out a casual place I had not been before - Burgoo on West 10th. They serve a variety of soups and stews that would be perfect for hungry skiers returning from the slops. The meal seemed a bit rushed as people were waiting and the table was more like a bar seat. Nonetheless, a positive experience. Will be back for the cheese fondue.

Dinner with the ladies

Back in Vancouver it was time to catch up with my two pals - Jane and Jada. We did a meal at Chez CJA featuring garlic prawns and lamb chops for the main. Had a great Viognier from Pepper Grove and Jada raided her cellar for a bottle of Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir.

Pictured are the girls at the table (Jada on left, Jane right) and the appies with my naughty and nice napkins. Jada you know which side was for you.

Alberta Liquor Prices

Here are the wines I picked up in Alberta. Prices are a ton cheaper there because of BC's tax rates!
I look forward to the Tomassi Ripasso and the Vouvray. The Viognier was sacrificed with my garlic prawns at the dinner party!

The Hardware Grill

Edmonton's Ukranian Feast!

I couldn't visit Edmonton without a Ukranian meal. Calling around we located a local hotel that was open for lunch and was know for some descent Ukranian plates. Sausages and Perogies were delish, but the cabbage rolls were soft and mushy. I have had a lot better rolls at Polish Restaurants. Next time - Warsaw!

Holiday Biscotti Baking

My sister has a great moms group and she was heading out for a night on the town with the ladies and wanted to bring some Christmas treats. Isaac was down for a nap, so Mom and Auntie had time to wip up some biscotti.

We did a chocolate pecan version and white chocolate with Pecan.

My sister Jules is more talented on the decorating front, and she wrapped the biscotti up in these colorful packages.

Muffaletta

Despite being warned that I might freeze to death, I visted the artic north and boarded the plane to Edmonton. A 10 1/2 month nephew was eager to visit with his auntie and I had a great trip running around after the royal Sir Isaac who has now learned to march!

We went to Zenari's in Manulife Place for a grilled panini-like sandwhich filled with grilled vegetables.

A great little find. Their fresh pizza selection and tiramisu also called my name.

Seb's Market Cafe

After viewing a lot of great food at the Farmers market, but not really feasting on much, we decided to hit up Seb's Market Cafe on Broadway for brunch.

The orange juice was squeezed fresh and came as frothy as an Orange Julius. Jada did a ham eggs benny on a biscuit and I tried the grilled vegetable tortilla. Both came with crisp potatoes and we really wished we had split just one meal as the portions were huge.

Check out the yummy photos. We will be back for a Friday night Jazz session soon.

Farmers Market

After waking late on Saturday, I was relieved that time still allowed for a visit to the annual Christmas farmers market.

We had to wait in line, but it proved worthwhile as we sampled some curried homous, Poplar Groove cheeses, Bad Girl chocolates and Crazy Monkey organic cookies.

The Lights of Steveston

I have another review coming out in the Vancouver Sun, with a deadline of December 15. As I am in Edmonton......brrrrr...... next week, I really had to go out just one more night. Terrible terrible life I lead.

I chose Tapenade, in Steveston, and here are some snipets from the upcoming review:

"The room is bright yellow room and decorated with French wine posters and rustic wooden furniture. It felt comfortable. Water came right away and our server was quick to bring us fresh bread with butter, reviewing the nightly specials.

The namesake dish of the restaurant, olive tapenade, was ripe with fresh olive flavour and just a hint of anchovy. Mussels arrived in a saffron cream sauce, with crunchy fennel bulb. They were delicious and plump, but missed the saffron touch that the menu had suggested.

I suggest trying the tapas trio. We selected artichokes, smoked trout and garlic glazed mushrooms. The vegetables are fresh and crunchy and the trout toned down with caramelized onion, garlic and carrot.

Mains include bouillabaisse, pork tenderloin, seared ahi tuna, braised lamb shank and new york steak We ordered spice crusted ivory salmon and a chicken fricasse with a truffle cream.

The salmon was flawlessly cooked and served atop a lemon risotto with fresh broccoli rapini and grilled peppers. The chicken itself was tender, but the accompanying vegetables were overcooked and the truffles were undetectable.

Deswert was a toss up between warm apple crepes or chocolate whisky torte. We chose the torte and were pleased when it arrived warm, with lavender crème anglaise and three berry coulis.

Throughout the night, the water and bread were attentively refilled. Tables around us cleaned their plates, and a stream of locals were quite obviously well known to the staff. A private room for 15 could come in handy and the patio seats 60 if we were to face the crowds and return in the summer."

Overall good experience, but probably won't be back anytime soon.

Oysters n' chips

Thursday I was invited to the Italian Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party, but it took me a while to decide what to wear and I rode the bus (yes THE BUS) so I wouldn't have to pay a heap for parking. Arrived at the Italian cafe too late for the snacks, but had a nice glass of Chianti.

Onward to the hotel Georgia for a snack. Ordered a spinach salad and the fried oysters and chips. Presentation, as you can see, was quite a site and the cruchy deep friedness of it all left me unable to finish the dish. Enjoyed a glass of Cedar Creek pinot blanc and was on my way home. Well, maybe. :o)

BC Bubbly

The British Columbia Wine Appreciation Society sent me a ticket for a BC Bubbly tasting at the Listel Hotel. I post their events of my other website www.hautespotsvancouver.com.

There was a great selection:

• Blue Mountain
• See Ya Later
• Venturi Schultz
• Summerhill Cipes (regular)
• Summerhill Cipes (Blanc de Noir)
• Sumac Ridge Stellar's Jay
• Sumac Ridge Brut

Have to say that the Venturi Schultz was my favourite. Tiny bubbles, fairly dry with crisp baked pear flavours.

They served up a big spread of raw oysters, steamed clams and mussles, lamb chops, pranws, scallop skewers, grilled vegetables, crab claws, smoked salmon and crostinis.

I look forward to the continued success of the society and the welcome promotion of our province's great wines.

What a Pearl

Wednesday I took the highway out to White Rock to check out what South Surrey was up to and had a great latte at Whitby Bookstore. Found some presents in the nearby stores for Christmas and found myself a bit hungry.

I had met the owners of a place called Pearl on the Rock a few months earlier while dining at Bin 942, so I thought that a lunch visit was well overdue.

I was starved, so I ordered the seafood gnocchi and treated myself to a glass of crisp and lemony viognier (she is a really good friend of mine that Viognier!).

I got a pleasant surprise when the chef sent out an amuse bouche consisting of wild spring salmon, raw oyster, acidulated onion, herb mayo, seaweed caviar and yukon potato. The fish was perfectly tender and the dish came in a layer of smoke beneath a glass dome. They somehow do this with a bong. What else they do with the bong I don't know.

The bread is a fluffy potato bread with a citrus oil and vinegar accompaniment. White tableclothes are a pleasant addition. The town was quiet on a cold December Wednesday, so the restaurant was rather quiet and I read the food section of the sun without interruption.

My gnocchi arrived and looked spectacular. Black cod, huge trap caught praw, savoury clams in a preserved tomato cream sauce was the topping. Just unreal! I wrapped up what was left, finshed my wine and headed back out into the cold. I am planning a dinner trip very soon.

Cocktail Parties

Tuesday I went out for a 10 km run (thank god!). I had to prepare for some more dining, as I was signed up for a cooking class at Barbara Jo's books to cooks.

Glenys Morgan was the chef for the night. She did crudites and candied pecans to start. Cheese crostini, ahi tuna skewers, polenta bites with mushrooms and shrimp, and mini pork sandwhiches followed.

The highlight of the night was Jay Jones the bartender from Nu and previously at West. Not only is he charming, but his drinks are like sex in a glass!

We started with a wine spritzer, then he mixed up a "border crossing" - tequila, raspberry liquer fresh muddled lime and sugar.

A variation of a mojito made with bourbon and fresh mint was my favorite and then and exquisitely rich coffee with the new grand marnier vanilla liquor almost did me in.

Great new bonds were created with some fun loving cocktail companions and we headed over to Vintropolis for some prosceco.

All recipes can be found in "Cocktail Parties, Straight Up!) by Lauren and Anne Purcell

Out to the Burbs

Due to a certain "assignment" I had, I had to try out a restaurant in the burbs. Checked with egullet and the Pacific Rim Grille on Austin Avenue in Coquitlam looked promising.

We started with a glass of Quail's Gate Chenin Blanc and Heter Creek Cabernet Merlot. House-made foccacio bread is soft and pillowy and we scanned the vast menu trying to make some choices for tapas.

We chose ahi tuna salad and grilled portabello mushroom.

The ahi arrived in a crisp potato basket. Inside there were fresh baby greens, seasoned seaweed, radish sprout, enoki mushrooms and a garnish of ginger soy and wasabi sauces. Perfectly seared yellowfin tuna was artistically fanned around the basket.

Grilled portabello came topped with gorgonzola cheese, sun-dried cranberries, fresh herbs and a balsamic drizzle - a myriad of flavours combined to form a completely superb creation.

We chose the elk medallions and duck for mains. Ordered some Australian Shiraz to sip.

The elk was grilled medium rare and served with shallot mashed potato, goat cheese port wine sauce, and a root vegetable confit. The duck was paired with barley risotto and brandied sour cherry jus. The portions were generous and both meats were cooked as requested – the duck being especially juicy.

We went for a trio of blackcurrant, lime and passion fruit sorbetto for desert and were impressed to have it delivered on top of a monstrous ice cube.

Decadence strikes again.

Too early for the party at Yaggers

After I recovered from the Champagne tasting and other ventures into debauchery, I was ready to hit the Grand Opening of Yaggers. I am not a huge sports bar fan, but the thought of a restaurant/bar devoted entirely to Jagermeister got me curious.

The invite said nothing of the time, so we called and were told 5 pm. Arrived at 6 pm to a rather empty room. The actual party was 8:00 pm, but we were hungry, so a couple free drink tickets were all we needed to be convinced to stay (I am a sucker for free drinks).

We ordered the Rock Prawn Risotto, and the Albacore Tuna ravioli. The risotto arrived and we were glad we hadn't ordered more, as the portion was huge and it was filled with a generous amount of prawns. Very rich and tasty with layers of flavour from carmalized onion and parm cheese. The ravioli was a bit chewy, I tend to like mine boiled, not fried, but there was thai pesto sauce accompanying it was refreshing.

My companion wanted desert and we were told the apple pie had to be tasted. It was a little on the cold side with the pastry not as crisp as I would like.

We sipped our drinks and then the party started so we did try a couple little snacks. Sea Salt and Black Pepper Pork Saddle Tenders were a hit and the Free Run Chicken Wings with were Jagermeister glazed and I am going back for more.

This seems like a great place for sports fans to hang out. Big screen TV in the back room with all the pay per view games and two large ones out the front. Food is reasonably priced, portions big and the room has a real small town, get to know your neighbours feel!
Yaggers is on 433 Pender Street in Vancouver
Yaggers

Champagne, Sabring, and Oysters

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Sabre - A cavalry sword with a curved blade.

Here we have Robert sabring the Champagne Bottle! First of all a big thanks to Hamish and Joanna, who hosted the December Wine Club and to Lori for organizing the event and keeping us somewhat on track as we worked our way through:

Perrier Jouet champagne
See Ya Later Ranch Brut sparkling wine
Nicolas Feuillatte champagne
Mumm's Classique champagne
Napa Mumm's sparkling wine
Moet & Chandon champagne
Laurent Perrier Brut Millésimé 1996
Segura Viudas Lavit Rosado Brut Cava N/V
Piper-Heidsieck
Billecart Salmon Brut Rose
Graham Blanc de Blanc and
Duval Leroy
Seaview Sparkling Shiraz

The food was equally amazing:

• 2 Puff Pastry tarts - one with blue cheese and one with pear and roasted tomato
• Raw Oysters as pictured
• Cocktail Prawns
• Selection of Pates and Cheeses
• Baked Camenbart
• Chicken skewers with peanut sauce
• Assorted sushi
• Chocolate Almond Cake

A great time was had by all! We lost only one bottle of Champagne to the sabre as a certain individual with overpowering strength knocked a little more than just the top off!

I will update with more champagne notes if time permits.

Bring on the Smores!

Pictured here is the make your own smores. This was immensely entertaining and brought me right back to the good old campfire days of my childhood. The blue dish is actually on fire and you roast the marshmellow and then smoosh them between the chocolate graham crackers. Keep the chocolate on the inside or you'll make a big mess!

The night ended with a quick one at George in Yaletown.
Caipirinha – Fresh Lime and sugar muddled (there’s that word again) with a large measure of Brazilian Cachaca over crushed ice! Enough!

Curious - I am!

Another evening of decadence!

Started out at Morton's Steakhouse with a sample of a great BC white, Tinhorn Creek Pinot Gris. The 2005 vintage will be released soon, all in screw caps. No more worries about corked bottles. Good move Sandra O (she is the real Sandra O - Oldfield that is - the winemaker at Tinhorn).

The best thing about Morton's, apart from the lush warm feeling in the room, is that between 5-7 pm they serve these tasty little steak burgers. They are just a couple bites, but they are absolutely melt in your mouth tender. Had to have two!

We were invited to the opening of a new place in Gastown - called Curious. It's on 52 Powell Street. Usually these evenings are a bit of standing around, a couple drinks and some very small portions of hard to get to food. Not last night. Full sit down five course meal and some of the most inventive cocktails I have seen. The watermelon margaita with a shot of tequila floating in the a lime cup was made with fresh muddled watermelon. Blackberry spiced gingerbeer had fresh grated ginger, ginger syrup and rum.

We started out with a delectable tuna tartare with sesame crackers and a sushi cone filled with daikon radish and more tuna. Next there was a perfectly cooked butternut squash ravoli with a double sauce. One part beet reduction and the other a buttery white wine. The absolute hit of the whole meal was a poached and then deep fried potato stick that was rolled in a combination of cornflakes and panko. This came with a tender beef filet and some crunchy green beans.

The food and drinks just kept on arriving. I ordered a couple glasses Stonleigh Sauvignon Blanc, served in the riedel O glasses, to complement with the incoming Halibut. Fish is a hit or miss with me. It is easily overcooked, but not at Curious. The chef had got it right. Crisp outside and melt in your mouth tender. He paired with we had some flavourful risotto and some deep fried risotto cakes.

Dessert is in the next post because it must stand on it's own!

Champagne is not my friend

I have recently been attacked by fragments of a champagne bottle that are imbedding themselves into my feet, despite the many sessions of vacuuming I have been through. This is post 2 bottles disapearing from my apartment. So, you see, champagne is not my friend. Fortunately I have one bottle left to bring to a wine club I am going to on Friday night. I will also try to be a domestic goddess and whip up some smoked salmon crostini to bring along. More on that later.

I have had a busy couple days. Monday I went to the Hospitality Trade Expo at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Center. Learned some good stuff about website ranking. Went for a run and had a fairly casual night at home. Tuesday was a job interview with a wine agency. I REALLY want that job. Everyone pray.

I have excellent news to report on Chambar! Spectacular food, service and atmosphere. We had:

Drinks:

• Dr Gonzo’s Kiwi DebaucheryA tribute to Hunter S Thompson’s partner in crime - Lemongrass infused gin muddled with New Zealand Kiwis & lime then shaken with fresh passionfruit nectar and served over ice with candied kiwi.
• Manhattan
• 98 Chateau Canon-Moueix Canon-Fronsac, France

Appies:

• Carpaccio de chevreuil Venison carpaccio, juniper berries, pine nuts, crispy shallot rings, nero seppia salad & hard boiled quail’s egg.
• Feuillete de canard confit Phyllo wrapped duck confit, warm spiced cranberry wine, endive & watercress salad, blueberry vinaigrette.

For dinner:

• Magret de canard et nectarine Honey roasted duck breast, sauteed gai lan, wild rice & almond pilaf. Ginger & yam crisps, kumquat marmalade.
• Steak aux echalottes et porto Grilled flatiron beef, fondant potato, buttered kale, shallots, green peppercorn & port jus.

And:

• Plateau de trois fromagesTrio cheese platter with plum jam and nut bread.

All spectacular!

After, Jane and I went to Sugar and Sugar for a fundraiser for the Ballet and had a cool time. Then to a new restaurant called Curious. Just had drinks, so no food reports!

Wednesday was another excessive foodie day. Woke up late (again). Took the bus (yes the bus - I am unemployed after all) to La Terraza. Beautiful room. They just redid a section of the restaurant and there are 2 private rooms that would be just great for private parties. Had some nice little appies. Braised beef, seared tuna, asparagus wrapped proscuitto and gnocchi. Nice glass of Mission Hill Pinot Blanc as well.

Afterwards we went to Cioppinos. Sat at the bar and had some funky martinis with sour cherries in them. Had a bottle of La Frenz Viognier and ordered a delicious calamari appetizer, and seared scallops over a barley risotto. Caeser salad was not wonderful, but I felt the need for vegies! Ended the night with a drink at Balthazar.

Oh the gluttany just continues at this time of year. Better get on that treadmill today as I have another restaurant opening to go to tonight!