If you are a foodie or a home chef or just like cooking shows there are a few series available on AMAZON PRIME VIDEO  that you might enjoy. We are at our home. If you don’t have access to Prime Video you are out of luck. 

My favourite Chef is Jacques Pepin and his series, HEART & SOUL was filmed in 2015. There are 26 episodes to enjoy and they are delightful. If you like French cooking you will love this show. Pepin makes cooking look easy.

The Late Anthony Bourdain produced two series, THE LAYOVER and NO RESERVATIONS. In THE LAYOVER, Bourdain visits various cities for 24-48 hours and highlights the culinary specialties of each city. Among our favourites are his visits to Rome, London, Paris, New Orleans & Montreal, but they are all worth watching. 20 episodes in all. If you have been to some of the cities you will find it all the more interesting and you will wish you had watched the show before you went. Look what you missed! 

Bourdain’s other series is NO RESERVATIONS,  32 episodes find Tony in more unusual places like Cambodia, Haiti, Croatia and Mozambique. These are part travelogue, part foodie and all quite fascinating. 

Finally, there is a series featuring British Chef Rick Stein and his quest for the perfect curry in India. 6 episodes so far. We thoroughly enjoyed the first one. 

Food and travel make for great entertainment. 

By the way we would also recommend a couple of books. 

*The Apprentice, my Life in the Kitchen by Jacques Pepin 

*Kitchen Confidential By Anthony Bourdain. 

As Pepin always says…HAPPY COOKING!

Just saying…

Met two old friends from Victoria today for lunch at my favourite, the CROW & GATE PUB in Cedar just south of Nanaimo.  I arrived at 1115 and there were already 10 cars in the parking lot. By 1145 the Pub was nearly full. On a Tuesday in October. And it’s out in the country, not really handy. But is us quite delightful. 

A trio of beef Dips were the choice at our table. In my opinion they serve the BEST Beef Dip, period. And it is a generous portion of sliced beef. No deep fryer here so the sandwich comes with a scoop of really good potato salad and a small green salad with their delicious house dressing. And Beer. It was National Beer Day after all.  

Because of Covid regulations the CROW & GATE PUB now has table service. No lining up at the bar to order. 

Service was prompt and friendly as always. As we were leaving one of the staff remembered me by name. Nice touch. 

Too bad it’s a 50 minute drive from home otherwise I’d be there at least once a week. 

If you have not been to the CROW & GATE PUB and like pub lunches this must be on your ‘Giddy Up’ list. 

2313 Yellow Point Road 

2507223731

Check out the menu at https://crowandgate.ca/menu

Just saying…

Occasionally an Old Boys Lunch is a great idea and today was one of those days. There is a group of boaters and former boaters, all former Burrard Yacht Club members who now reside in the PARKSVILLE Qualicum Beach area. Two sailors, 9 power boaters in all. Today 8 of us met for lunch at, where else, The LANTZVILLE PUB.  

The pub was surprisingly busy for a rainy Tuesday but  organizer Mike had made a reservation. In addition to an array of pints the meals included soups, fish & Chips, Pulled Pork, and a Club sandwich. It was all good as expected because the food in this joint is consistently very good. Pub food, to be sure, but very good pub food.

There was lots of interesting conversation mostly about boats and hot rods. Some of the ex boaters are now into cars.  

Thinking of going for a pub lunch?  Hard to beat Lantzville Pub. Open 7 days a week. Had Sunday brunch there recently and can recommend their Eggs Benny. They also do a Prime Rib dinner on Friday nights ( check first) I’ve had it and it is excellent. 

Good on street parking now with the beautification of downtown Lantzville. Also free parking behind the pub. By the way, this pub has been open since 1925 but had a major remodel a year or so ago. 

Their Covid preparation is very good with lots of dividers. You will need Proof of Vaccination and photo ID to get in. 

https://lantzvillepub.ca. 250-390-401

Just saying…