[Dino-Rider]

The tragedy of Canada is they could have had British culture, French cooking, and American technology, but instead they got American culture, British cooking, and French technology.

Hehe. I just read this somewhere.

[Eug]

The best city in North America for restaurants IMO is Toronto.

The west coast has some of the best Pacific seafood of course, but loses out overall compared to Toronto. New York is awesome for restaurants too of course, but the prices are so friggin' high, and it's impossible to get reservations at many restaurants unless you have 2 weeks notice.

[Spliff]

Originally Posted by Eug

The best city in North America for restaurants IMO is Toronto.

The west coast has some of the best Pacific seafood of course, but loses out overall compared to Toronto. New York is awesome for restaurants too of course, but the prices are so friggin' high, and it's impossible to get reservations at many restaurants unless you have 2 weeks notice.

We have an Iron Chef winner (Rob Feenie of Lumiere). Can you beat that?

[Landos Mustache]

Originally Posted by Dino-Rider

The tragedy of Canada is they could have had British culture, French cooking, and American technology, but instead they got American culture, British cooking, and French technology.

HUH?

[hickey]

Iron Chef Morimoto opened his restaurant right here in philly.

[Peter]

whats wrong with british cuisine or french technology?

[Rumor]

We have Bobby Flay too.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Peter

whats wrong with british cuisine or french technology?

-t

[- - e r i k - -]

Originally Posted by Peter

whats wrong with british cuisine?

.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by Spliff

We have an Iron Chef winner (Rob Feenie of Lumiere). Can you beat that?

Originally Posted by hickey

Iron Chef Morimoto opened his restaurant right here in philly.

Originally Posted by Rumor

We have Bobby Flay too.

Susur Lee tied Bobby Flay in Iron Chef America. His restaurant is about a 5 minute walk from my place.

Apparently, he wants a rematch. He was pissed off with the tie. He wanted to either win or lose, but not tie. I must admit though, in that match Flay did extremely well. Normally, I'm not a big fan of Flay's style of dishes, but up against Susur Lee he rose to the occasion.

Anyways, part of the reason I say Toronto rocks for food is because the depth here rivals cities like New York, etc., but it costs less. Basically, if something costs CAD$25 in Toronto, it costs US$25-30 in New York. Now that the US$ is so crappy, the difference is less significant though of course.

As for Vancouver... I long for a Tojo's equivalent in Toronto. Vancouver wins for Japanese food of course. Beats Toronto and New York in quality and value. BTW, I've been to Nobu in New York, and while it is very good, I didn't think it was outstanding, at least for the price. I love the food at Ki, but the ambience is a little too corporate for my tastes. (Apparently the chef studied with Tojo, but I'm not sure.)

[Rumor]

I didn't see that one. What was the special ingredient?

[Eug]

Originally Posted by Rumor

I didn't see that one. What was the special ingredient?

Bacon, which I think gives Bobby Flay a little bit of an advantage. Chinese fusion doesn't use bacon much, although it does use a lot of pork.

[hayesk]

Originally Posted by Rumor

We have Bobby Flay too.

I remember those episodes. To me, it seemed like they let Flay win the second time because he raised such a fuss the first time.

[Spliff]

Originally Posted by Rumor

We have Bobby Flay too.

Pfft! He's not a real chef. He's just a grill cook, not much different than your backyard BBQ dude.

[Strupat]

HAHAHA, I love how you called it "American" technology...

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by Peter

whats wrong with british cuisine

Absolutely nothing - and anybody who claims differently is clueless when it comes to cooking and especially to the renaissance of modern British cooking. Chefs like Ramsey, White, Oliver and restaurants like The Walnut Tree or The River Cafe are up there with the best there is.

[Dino-Rider]

HAhAHahahahah. Whatever. Have fun. I prefer my food from Germany, Italy, France, etc. NOT Britian.

[Salty]

We don't have American culture. We have Canadian culture. Sure we import your TV. But the great thing about Canada is, nobody cares that much about politics!

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by Dino-Rider

HAhAHahahahah. Whatever. Have fun. I prefer my food from Germany, Italy, France, etc. NOT Britian.

When was the last time you were there then? At least try and know what you're talking about.

[Dino-Rider]

You keep telling yourself that, Salty.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...ault/20060525/

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by Dino-Rider

The tragedy of Canada is they could have had British culture, French cooking, and American technology, but instead they got American culture, British cooking, and French technology.

Hehe. I just read this somewhere.

LOL!

Of course, a bit of an exageration, but not entirely untrue, and probably more true than not.

[Salty]

And what french technology do we have? Actually Winnipeg is apparently one of the most wired cities out there. I don't actually know anyone off the top of my head in the city who still uses dial up.

[Spliffdaddy]

Originally Posted by Mastrap

When was the last time you were there then? At least try and know what you're talking about.

I'm there pretty often. British food isn't all that good. Maybe I don't know what to order.

Call me silly, but anywhere I go in Europe I always eat at German restaurants. And I always order some form of schnitzel.

If I can't find a German restaurant, I look for a frites stand - and ask them to hold the mayo.

[Mastrap]

I lived in London for 17 years. The food is on par with anything cities like NYC have to offer. Next time you're going over let me know beforehand. I'll make sure you eat well.

[badidea]

Originally Posted by Mastrap

I lived in London for 17 years. The food is on par with anything cities like NYC have to offer. Next time you're going over let me know beforehand. I'll make sure you eat well.

Are you talking about the english kitchen or restaurants in England?!?
I have been twice to London (last time in April) and I forgot once again to remember to avoid the english cousine (especially the awful breakfast) - the restaurants are great though!

[Mastrap]

You had your breakfast in the wrong place.
I can eat badly in Hamburg. I can eat badly in Toronto, I can eat badly in NYC, in London, in Hong Kong and anywhere else in the world. That doesn't mean that the cooking in any of these countries are bad.

I am all about the food. I have probably cooked more meals than Rob has been banned from this place.

[Dino-Rider]

Cooking rocks. I made steak kabobs with onions, green pepper, and cucumbers last night. Marinade was hoisen sauce, soy sauce, cracked pepper, and some chili sauce.... turned out great.

Also... I discovered one of the best culinary tastes ever: GRILLED bacon. Holy CRAP it was good.

[Jim Paradise]

Originally Posted by Dino-Rider

Cooking rocks. I made steak kabobs with onions, green pepper, and cucumbers last night. Marinade was hoisen sauce, soy sauce, cracked pepper, and some chili sauce.... turned out great.

Also... I discovered one of the best culinary tastes ever: GRILLED bacon. Holy CRAP it was good.

Bacon can be done in so many great ways, and I'm not even a big fan of it. But even if you do it in a pan, just adding some seasoning or spices can really jazz it up a notch.

[badidea]

Originally Posted by Mastrap

You had your breakfast in the wrong place.
I can eat badly in Hamburg. I can eat badly in Toronto, I can eat badly in NYC, in London, in Hong Kong and anywhere else in the world. That doesn't mean that the cooking in any of these countries are bad.

Seems like we are not talking about the same thing!
You talk about cooking and the restaurants - I talk about the food (original english)!

I am all about the food. I have probably cooked more meals than Rob has been banned from this place.

Then I can only recommend this book!





The part about English food is quite small though!

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by badidea

Seems like we are not talking about the same thing!
You talk about cooking and the restaurants - I talk about the food (original english)!

That's what i am talking about. English cheeses, English fish, English game, English beer are second to none. Seriously. English cooking suffered after the war, in decades of rationing. Remember, sugar was rationed in the UK until well into the 1950's. WW II almost destroyed the UK, and while Germany was receiving help from the Marshal Plan, the UK received very little.

If you go to England and find traditional English food, prepared well, then it is on par, if not better, than anything other countries have to offer.

[driven]

I'll be in Montreal next week. This will be my first time there. Is there anything that I shouldn't miss?

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

.

English food is fantastic when done well, the only cuisine I wouldn't eat is that weird Scandinavian crap.

Even icelandic people admit their traditional food is unpalatable.

[Hash]

I prefer Japanese tonkatsu and miso soup, great, great, great and originating from the German pork schnitzels. i also like Korean barbecued meat or yakiniku, when properly done, its amazing. I also myself cook kebabs (its my hobby) for parties with colleagues. And I also like Russian bortsch soup (red vegetable soup), German hotdogs and sausages. Australia has wonderful cuisine too.

[Hash]

Never tried Scandinavian food though, but I guess its very heavy and fish is a main. Georgia and Turkey, Iran and Iraq cuisine is delicious, though.

[TailsToo]

I rather liked all of the time I spent in Canada. If it wasn't so far from my family, I would even consider living there.

[freudling]

driven:

Go to Le Super Sex Club on St. Catherines St. Buffet and all.

[freudling]

I think Americans come to Canada, and, in some citites, are shocked by the difference in culture (i.e. Montreal, Vancouver, Quebec City, even Toronto).

[- - e r i k - -]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

English food is fantastic when done well, the only cuisine I wouldn't eat is that weird Scandinavian crap.

Even icelandic people admit their traditional food is unpalatable.

English food in general is bland. Australian in general food is bland (being inherited from Britain of course). And I'll be the first to admit that Scandinavian food in general is bland.

Any well done food is really good. And all cuisines have their specialties which are awesome. Australian lamb is just amazing. The Norwegian Pinnekjøtt (salted, dried sheep or lamb ribs which are then steamed for hours) is the best dish in the world. Period. And I'm damn sure that ol' Britain has some excellent dishes, that when well prepared are among the finest you can eat (although I can't really think of any).

But no, it does not compare to the rest of the world's cuisines: Indian, Japanese, Chinese, French, Italian and Mexican - all of which are in general really great. Any fast-food treatment of them notwithstanding of course.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

And I'm damn sure that ol' Britain has some excellent dishes, that when well prepared are among the finest you can eat (although I can't really think of any).

Don't you think that's indicative ?

Oh the irony...

-t

[Millennium]

I've heard this joke before, but it talked about "government" instead of "technology".

[driven]

Originally Posted by freudling

driven:

Go to Le Super Sex Club on St. Catherines St. Buffet and all.

Is this the best in Montreal? :-)

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by driven

Is this the best in Montreal? :-)

Yes. If you want to meet Salty or SWF, you gotta go somewhere else

-t

[driven]

...

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

English food in general is bland. Australian in general food is bland (being inherited from Britain of course). And I'll be the first to admit that Scandinavian food in general is bland.

Any well done food is really good. And all cuisines have their specialties which are awesome. Australian lamb is just amazing. The Norwegian Pinnekjøtt (salted, dried sheep or lamb ribs which are then steamed for hours) is the best dish in the world. Period. And I'm damn sure that ol' Britain has some excellent dishes, that when well prepared are among the finest you can eat (although I can't really think of any).

But no, it does not compare to the rest of the world's cuisines: Indian, Japanese, Chinese, French, Italian and Mexican - all of which are in general really great. Any fast-food treatment of them notwithstanding of course.

When I think of British food I think of the thousands of cheeses (including cheddar which is the worlds favorite), and the incredible pastry dishes, beef and lamb, poultry that that a lot of the rest of the world took their breeding stock from, beautifully maintained wild game reserves and some of the best varieties of beer, cider, whiskey and gin in the world.

[red rocket]

I find it quite pathetic how people tend to make fun of British/English cuisine.

Seriously, most of the people who bitch about it have never even eaten any and have no clue what they're talking about, and those who have and still complain have only eaten in the worst supermarket restaurants/tourist traps or fourth rate pubs and chip shops, presumably on purpose, only so they could confirm their prejudice.

I can sort of see the point of French people complaining, but there are a hell of a lot of countries who haven't got a right at all to claim that their food is superior to British food.

What's so great about German cooking?

Originally Posted by badidea

I have been twice to London (last time in April) and I forgot once again to remember to avoid the english cousine (especially the awful breakfast) - the restaurants are great though!

Most English people don't have the full English breakfast, anyway. The only reason it it still exists is lorry drivers and tourists. Besides, if you're talking about hotel breakfast, that tends to be crap, anyway.

But, if you didn't like lunch or dinner, I guess you've just been going to the wrong places. Like any other big city, you cannot expect to find something great on every corner, especially given the fact that most people just stuff themselves with junk food. It's the quality of the ingredients in English restaurants that makes for good food - fresh meat and vegetables, game and salmon and other fish. Try Rules or Simpson's-in-the-Strand for something very good and traditional. Even better, buy a restaurant guide next time you go. There's plenty of excellent English food.

Originally Posted by badidea

Then I can only recommend this book!

The part about English food is quite small though!

Obviously, the part about English food would be small, considering that the book's written by a German who lives in France. No surprise, there.

[badidea]

Originally Posted by red rocket

I find it quite pathetic how people tend to make fun of British/English cuisine.

Oh sorry if we hurt your national pride!
Does it help when I say that German comedy is the answer to English cooking?
We have a few great comedians but nobody outside Germany knows that!

What's so great about German cooking?

Don't know - ask the ones who said German cooking would be so great!
My personal favorites are Austrian, Italian and Thai!

Most English people don't have the full English breakfast, anyway. The only reason it it still exists is lorry drivers and tourists. Besides, if you're talking about hotel breakfast, that tends to be crap, anyway.

But, if you didn't like lunch or dinner, I guess you've just been going to the wrong places.

No, not hotel breakfast - it was a place that my english friends liked especially for the great breakfast!
Dinner we usually had at quite good restaurants - the one I remember the most was Argentinian!!

Obviously, the part about English food would be small, considering that the book's written by a German who lives in France. No surprise, there.

Yep, sure it's a German-French conspiracy!


Anyone want tea and kidney pudding?

[Monique]

For breakfast go to Cora dejeuners, old Montreal (expensive but the cafe terasses are very nice), walk along the St. Lawrence river, lots of stores of St. Catherine, nice old churches like St. Patrick on Rene Levesque, nice parks especially the Westmount one, Museum of fine arts, the Jardins Botaniques, Ile Ste-Helene where you are going to find La Ronde, Ben's smoke meat or Swarchs on St-Laurent (sorry I do not remember the spelling), bagels at Le Faubourg, McGill university (beautiful buildings), etc.

[Eug]

Chez Cora is a chain. Pretty good chain, but not really the best Montreal has to offer.

Ben's is good smoked meat, but the waiters are often extremely rude. There are other smoked meat places that are better. Remember, Ben's doesn't even make their own smoked meat anymore. If you don't mind rude, then the better option would be Schwartz's. I prefer elsewhere though, because I can do without the rudeness.

I like the bagels at Le Faubourg too, although if you want them at 2 am, you have to go to St. Viateur or something. BTW, my Israeli colleague says in Israel, bagels are almost just considered North American food now.

---

Oh, and I echo the point about tourist food. I went to Rome and tried to get away from the tourist traps... and the restaurant food still sucked. Then we asked somebody familiar with Rome where to go, and the food was amazing.

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by Eug

If you don't mind rude, then the better option would be Schwartz's. I prefer elsewhere though, because I can do without the rudeness.

You think so? I always find the waiters at Schwartz perfectly polite.

[Eug]

Well, I haven't been there in years. Maybe they're better now.