Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

It's a charming coincidence that I made shabu shabu for a visiting friend just last week... ah the allure of the Iwatani stove and a beautiful nabe pot.

Soup as meal must include Borscht, I was raised on it... cream and crimson bliss. Pho, a quick cheap delicious lunch anywhere staple. Oh and lest I forget.... the gorgeous and ravishing Bouillabaisse! That is my triumvirate of sustaining liquid food ecstasy! Ahhh, I feel so much better now.

Why are Canadians getting gouged on everything from beer to KitchenAid Stand mixers (and YES every household should have one)???

It might be time for our nice Canuck friends to rebel and demand fair treatment (wasn't that what Fair Trade was about?).

Call yer mixin' machine Pierre Trudeau or Lord Black!:)

Wait a minute here! You're a menu low-talker, not a menu-whisperer.

Sheesh, a real menu-whisperer would be an amazing being, able to parse the bestest of the best, never erring in a decision, able to pair dishes, wines, impeccably ....ah...well.....

As for menu low-talkers... sounds a little too sneaky for me.

Beer. But that stuff's getting pretty expensive in Canada now isn't it. Ontario's LCBO sells a two-four (case of 24) of Labatt's for like $40..... jeeez, no wonder healthcare is free.....

I'd suggest a lovely kielbasa and maybe some schinken... and of course...beer. Mmmmm. Oh! butter tarts!!!!

Snotty eggs, Cheerios, Kraft American Cheese Slices.

Very Elizabethan... red wine poached salmon with oranges.

Bouillabaisse! Bien sure!

Gordon Ramsay is seriously so hot. Tyler Florence during his Food 911 shows, before he pudged out, was such a drool worthy doll. Remember the housewives going goo-goo over him while he made something like toast.

Tony Bourdain is totally fabulous but strikes me as someone who needs Viagra. Pity his poor wife. Who is she anyway?

@ sallee: I think the line was about how really BIG Giada's HEAD is!!

What I truly hate and loathe beyond words are the spoon-feeders, you know those dull couples who are so so so romantic. Makes me shudder thinking about it, so anti-adult!

That said, I prefer not to pick off other's plates if they are not Mr. Pointy, and I certainly disapprove of others picking off mine. It just ruins the totality of the experience. :)

Go to Quinn's in Capital Hill. It has an interesting, surprisingly affordable menu that goes beyond the ordinary and a very impressive beer selection. Really a cool place and very centrally located. Feeling fit? You can walk there from the market, it's worth it.

Since you don't have a a lot of time I don't suggest getting stuck in traffic trying to get to Ballard or waiting in line at Salumi. I've heard many people complain about that one...

I have no interest whatsoever in watching another perky, ordinary cooking show that will demonstrate how to make healthy easy boring dull food, Melissa.

I am not impressed by the little muffin tin gratins- zzzzzzz or the, what was it? another take on chicken breast? and the other thing: kid-friendly spinach poop?

I do like the idea of the Ingredient Smuggler (thanks to AB) waaaay more. Hmmm, why don't you just let Alton do the show and make us all happy!