It's Absolutely Balmy in Toronto!

Zero degrees and the locals are basking in the Spring weather.  I'm down to one layer, walking around in the sunshine!

Ethnic food is everywhere in TJD and BS's neighborhood.  Lots of neat local eateries serving authentic food at really decent prices.  I am amazed at the difference in prices compared to Vancouver.  In Chinatown, you can get a bowl of  really good congee for $3.50, gai lan choy for $0.79/lb, and live lobsters for $6.00/lb.......I won't tell you what the price of gas is here....that'll just really piss you off :-)

Spring Break?!?!

So, I am off for Spring Break and heading away for a well-deserved break.  The weather today at my destination doesn't exactly shout spring.......but what the hell.  

I will be visiting my amazing cousin.  He is a trained chef and a professional opera singer.........we are going to have a blast!  Music and Food......add a bit of wine, served up with great company......perfection!

Any suggestions for eateries in Toronto in case we run out of our own ideas?  

Check back, you may be treated to some interesting "drunk" blogging :-)

West Lake Vietnamese Kitchen in Richmond

4800 No 3 Rd
Richmond, BC V6X 1E4
(604) 276-2921

West Lake has recently relocated from their previous spot in the Empire Centre.  West Lake is now located on No. 3 Road, across the road from The Superstore.  This visit was during their grand opening week and the place was packed during our lunchtime visit.

I like the ambiance of this new location.  This spot was originally the Roosters Quarters....a Montreal style roast chicken restaurant.  In recent years, Celsius and others have occupied this place.

Jimmy, the owner, stopped to chat with us and was saying that his previous location was just too big and the rent and overhead was getting out of hand.  Good luck to Jimmy in this new location.

This location is bright and clean and the decor is simple and fresh.

How to Cook Alaskan King Crab .....Steamed on a Silky Smooth Egg Custard

This is the continuation of my series on Alaskan King Crab (AKC)

The Alaskan King Crab season is at it’s peak in Vancouver….right now! 

If you have not had a chance to try this succulent delicacy, now would be the time.  It is priced at the lowest point around $10 per pound.  Not exactly cheap, but much more affordable and oh so worth it........even if just once in your life!  

Out of season, the price per pound is upwards of $30/pound.  The season in Vancouver is short, running from mid February to around the end of March.  After this week, prices will likely start to increase. So don't wait......just do it!  [after this, we go on diets and wait for the start up of Spot Prawn season:-)]

How to Cook Alaskan King Crab, Part 3......Spicy Deep Fried Alaskan King Crab with Chili and Garlic, Chinese Style...just like your favorite Chinese Restaurant!

This is part three in my Alaskan King Crab series. Part 1, the full menu of our home cooked Alaskan King Crab Feast with photos is here and Part 2 the recipe for Steamed Alaskan King Crab (legs) with Garlic (Chinese Style) is here.

Alaskan King Crab (Part 2)……..Recipe #1, Steamed with Garlic Sauce (Chinese Style)...Just like your Favorite Chinese Restaurant!

This recipe is Part 2 of a ongoing series about Vancouver's Alaska King Crab Season.
Part 1 of the Alaskan King Crab Series can be found here.  All the recipes will eventually be posted as individual posts.  Please check back!

Alaskan King Crabs can look a bit intimidating...they move around, have massive heads and are quite spiny.  If you can get past all of that and try cooking this is your own kitchen, you will be rewarded with something really amazing.

Alaska King Crab (Wong Dai Hai)....A Feast for Royalty and J. Lo

The Catch of the Day!

It’s Alaska King Crab season in Vancouver.  Thanks to Ben, over at Chowtimes, we have been salivating for days in anticipation of this feast!  This is a very exciting time for folks around these parts.  Some of us wait all year…….it’s right up there with Christmas.

Tim Horton's.......Rrrroll Up the Rim. I am a WINNER!!!

On my way into work this morning, I decided to stop and pick up a coffee at Tim Hortons. 

Coffee is not normally part of my morning ritual, but this morning I felt like a needed a bit of a kick start!

To my surprise…..It’s Roll Up the Rim to Win…with more prizes and more chances to win! 
Sounds good eh?
I don’t normally pay attention to this kind of stuff, ever!

Well, guess what? 

I am a winner!

The Keg at Morgan Creek, Surrey, BC

Yes...if you keep reading there will be a restaurant review amongst the rambling.  Some places are more difficult to write about than others or it could be that my ADHD is really active today :-)
I've had this review churning for quite a while now...couldn't really get it out.  So this is it.  It's the Keg, what can I say? Don't get me wrong..... I don't mean that in a bad way at all.
It's the Keg......

After a couple weeks of heavy duty cooking and entertaining we went with the option of eating out…..nothing fancy, just good old meat and potatoes.

Interesting the feedback you get once you start telling the world about yourself.