Category Archives: Food, Wine & Restaurants

Saying So Long to Summer

Posted on September 1, 2013 by Lynda Philippsen

Overhead, the geese in giant check marks underscore the realization: We are at another summer’s end. Continue reading →

Posted in Around Abbotsford, Food, Wine & Restaurants | Tagged End of summer, Labour Day, Restaurant 62 | Leave a comment

Orbite Bar, Kyoto Hotel Granvia

Posted on August 24, 2013 by Lynda Philippsen

It’s the kind of room where you are invited to keep your own bottle of whiskey—if you have the good fortune to be that regular here. I wish. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Wine & Restaurants, Japan, Travel & Culture | Tagged Happy hour, Kyoto Hotel Granvia, Orbite Bar | Leave a comment

Famous crackers and bean cakes

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Lynda Philippsen

Senbei (crackers) are ubiquitous in Japan. Like senbei, bean cakes, too, are regional specialties. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Wine & Restaurants, Japan, Travel & Culture | Tagged Japanese bean cakes, Japanese crackers, Senbei, Yaki | 4 Comments

Tamba Winery

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Lynda Philippsen

Finding that imported wines often did not suit the qualities of Japanese food, Tetsuo Kuroi set to making Western-style wines that would best complement Kyoto’s traditional cuisine. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Wine & Restaurants, Japan, Travel & Culture | Tagged Japanese wine, Tamba Winery, Things to do in Kyotamba | Leave a comment

Hokkaido Crab

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Lynda Philippsen

The large and lively beast barely wedges into the pot. Naturally it isn’t eager to go in. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Wine & Restaurants, Japan, Travel & Culture | Tagged A feast of crab, Food in Japan, Hokkaido crab | Leave a comment

A Day Trip to Maizuru

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Lynda Philippsen

Though we must wait more than 45 minutes for it (worth every second), we order a set of freshly caught shellfish which is prepared for us on gas grills in the back of the stall. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Wine & Restaurants, Japan, Travel & Culture | Tagged Japan travel, Maizuru, Tore Tore Ichiba | Leave a comment

Second Sake-rice Harvest in Abbotsford

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Lynda Philippsen

Artisan Sake Maker Masa Shiroki brings in the sake rice harvest 2012, Continue reading →

Posted in Around Abbotsford, Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Food, Wine & Restaurants, Japan, Travel & Culture | Tagged Artisan Sake Maker's Abbotsford rice crop, Canadian jizake, First Canadian Sake Maker, Sake rice crop in Abbotsford | 1 Comment

Toronama Donuts

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Lynda Philippsen

We eat all day. I start with a big breakfast as I know we’ll be driving about, and I travel better on full stomach. After visits to various people, suddenly it’s time for lunch–a large bowl of noodles and vegetables … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Wine & Restaurants, Japan, Travel & Culture | Tagged Death by Dessert, Heart-Bread Bakery chain, Love Sweets Antique bakeshop, Toronama Donuts | Leave a comment

Osake Tasting at Restaurant 62

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Lynda Philippsen

Sunday (April 15) Restaurant 62 offered a tasting of three Osake brand wines from Granville Island’s Artisan Sake Maker Masa Shiroki. This wine, a handmade product, is not to be confused with the harsh and hot stuff that comprises the … Continue reading →

Posted in Around Abbotsford, Food, Wine & Restaurants | Tagged Abbotsford, Granville Island Osake Brand, Jeff Massey, Masa Shiroki, Restaurant 62, Sake rice growing in Abbotsford, Sake tasting | 1 Comment

Abbotsford Rice Field: Year 2

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Lynda Philippsen

Now as the growing season approaches,Shiroki’s optimistic that his dream to produce 100% Canadian jizake can come true on this field. Continue reading →

Posted in Around Abbotsford, Food, Wine & Restaurants, This & That | Tagged Artisan Sake Maker, First Canadian Sake Maker, Granville Island Osake Brand, Masa Shiroki | Leave a comment