It was with great fanfare that the LCBO announced the opening of its French wine boutique in Ottawa. Our wine scribe Jim Walker saw an opportunity to forge a mutually beneficial working relationship with the staff at the fledgling purveyor of French tipples. So, he and his wife Hélène decided to pay them a visit. To say it was an interesting experience would be an understatement.
Continue reading “A WEE MEASURE OF FRANCE IN OTTAWA”
When you have a birthday with a zero at the end, it’s time to take stock and look back at life … and forward to the future.
Continue reading “HITTING A BIG ZERO”
They did it! It took 16 years, but they finally did it. Our wine scribe Jim Walker relates in bone-chilling detail how the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, after inflicting many near-mortal wounds over the years, delivered the death blow to his once thriving Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club.
Continue reading “THE SUN SETS ON ARTHUR’S CELLAR”
At a quirky boutique hotel in London’s Soho, I finally taste eggs Benny that live up to the name, with a surprise tarragon twist.
Continue reading “LONDON CALLS”
Jubilee bunting covers much of Britain for Jubilee weekend and the weeks and days leading up to it. In the local village both the butcher and the baker have strung up little flags across their frontages. The lamp posts have pairs of special Jubilee Union flags with the 96-year-old monarch’s smiling face in the centre.
Continue reading “BUNTING BONKERS BRITAIN”
Every once in a very long while, one has a meal so truly memorable that you don’t think it can ever be surpassed. This grand family dinner was enjoyed at The Old Vicarage restaurant in the bucolic Derbyshire village of Ridgeway.
Continue reading “A SUBLIME EXPERIENCE”
Helen Keller once remarked, “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” That’s what our wine scribe Jim Walker thought when he decided to take on a partner.
Continue reading “A PARTICULARLY PERNICIOUS PARTNERSHIP”
A trifle is to be the official pudding for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee after winning a UK competition to find a new dessert, beating out my brilliant Jubilee Mess.
Continue reading “YOU CAN’T WIN ‘EM ALL!”
Nope! This is not an advice column about your romantic status. It’s the story of how I decided I needed a new career and came up with the idea of becoming a screenwriter.
Continue reading “KEY TO LOVE”
Monkfish fillets freeze well, so I always have some on hand for an emergency. Today we have unexpected guests and I’m going to offer them this tender fish that tastes a bit like lobster, with no fishy taste. It’s perfect for those who don’t really like fish.
Continue reading “MARVELLOUS MONKFISH”
Gentlemans Portion 