Don Genova's Blog

It all started with the shuttle ride from the Portland airport to the rental car ‘base’.  Our 60-year old hippie driver was nothing if not ‘high on life’.  The weather was spectacular, crisp, clear, not a cloud in the sky.  This seemed to amaze him beyond belief, and his cheerfulness was infectious, if only tempered somewhat by him constantly craning his head back to chat with a co-worker on the shuttle, instead of keeping his eye on the road.

We kept the happiness going with excellent appetizers at a downtown resto-lounge called ‘The Saucebox’.  Along with a couple of imaginative martinis, we slurped up some impeccably fresh albacore tuna sashimi, and ahi poke, a traditional Hawaiian marinated fish dish, enlivened with hot chili, lemon and lime juice and a crisp seaweed cracker.

Dinner followed at Pazzo in the Hotel Vintage Plaza, a very, very good Italian meal.  More to follow…here’s a pic of the chefs:

But right now we are at Cannon Beach on the coast.  Eat your hearts out! 

Okay, so it’s mostly a marketer’s dream, but was there ever a ‘real meaning’ to celebrating St. Valentine?  So-called experts can’t even agree which of the St. Valentine’s martyed over the centuries was responsible for inspiring the love-and-heart soaked observation.  The best thing about Valentine’s Day for me is that it means there’s a lot of good chocolate circulating out there.  So, even if you are celebrating by yourself (and you haven’t given up chocolate for Lent), down a slab or two of high-quality stuff for me.  And here, courtesy of Purdy’s are more reasons to enjoy chocolate:

Karen Flavelle, President and Owner, Purdy’s Chocolates, offers her top ten reasons to give, receive, and enjoy special Purdy’s commemorative chocolates for Valentine’s Day.  The Purdy’s top ten reasons to enjoy chocolate guilt-free:

1. It makes you feel great!  A substance in chocolate called theobromine triggers the release of endorphins, chemicals produced by the brain, which act like natural anti-depressants, improving moods and temporarily relieving the “blues”. 

2. Chocolate boasts essential vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B1, C, D, and E, as well as calcium, fluorine, iron, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. Cocoa, the base product in chocolate, is actually the highest natural source of magnesium. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, joint problems, and menstrual tension.

3. Chocolate is a great source of antioxidants, ranking with the top fruits and vegetables for antioxidant content. In fact, chocolate has four times the antioxidant level to that of tea.  Research has suggested that antioxidants in the blood stream may have the ability to neutralize cancer-causing free radicals and help prevent heart disease along with other degenerative diseases that come with aging.

4. Chocolate is rich in flavonoids, which are said to possess potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-enhancing properties. Flavonoids have a beneficial action on numerous physiological processes in the body and have been found to benefit the heart, blood vessels, liver, immune system, connective tissue, adrenal glands, kidneys, musculature, and the nervous system.

5. Chocolate does not raise blood cholesterol levels. Stearic acid, the predominant saturated fat in chocolate, is a unique saturated fatty acid. According to research, it has a neutral effect on blood cholesterol levels and unlike other saturated fats, it simply doesn’t increase cholesterol levels.  More importantly though, fat remains part of a healthy, balanced diet and it has positive effects on your immune system, reducing susceptibility to infections and inflammation.

6. Chocolate eaters live longer than those who abstain. According to research, moderate consumption of chocolate – as well as other sweets – added almost a year to life expectancy.

7. Chocolate is lower in caffeine than is most commonly believed.  A one-ounce piece of milk chocolate contains approximately the same amount of caffeine found in a cup of decaffeinated coffee. 

8. Chocolate does not cause tooth decay. In fact, research has shown that cocoa and chocolate may actually have the ability to offset the acid-producing nature of the sugar they contain and since chocolate contains fat, it clears the mouth relatively faster than other candies. As a result chocolate may be less cavity causing. What’s more, a dark chocolate bar, with a high cocoa to sugar ratio, may actually discourage tooth decay.

9. Chocolate does not cause acne. In fact, many dermatologists, including the American Academy of Dermatology, doubt that diet plays any significant role in acne.

10. According to Italian researchers, women who eat chocolate regularly have a better sex life (higher level of desire) than those who deny themselves the treat. (Although this research may not be definitive, this “benefit” may stem from the fact that chocolate can have a positive impact on women’s moods.)            

“When the stomach is full, it is easy to talk of fasting.”- Saint Jerome (347-420)

I grew up in a Catholic household, and every year we would observe Lent on the 40 days leading up to Easter.  Actually, it’s 46 days, because for some reason the Sundays during Lent don’t count.

On Pancake Tuesday, my mom would dutifully make pancakes, and on Ash Wednesday we would attend church to get the little crosses of ash put on our foreheads by the priest, ashes made from burning the palms from last year’s Palm Sunday.  Then I would give up chocolate until Easter.  It didn’t seem like such a big deal then, as we never had that much chocolate around the house anyway.

Today I could never give up chocolate, but this year I have decided to try a Lenten fast of red meat.  So, for the next 46 days, no beef, lamb, pork, veal or game meats such as venison, bison and elk.  As a food guy, I get exposed to those kinds of meats every day, so it could be challenging. 

This afternoon I’m headed to an event showcasing a new menu in the lounge at Hotel Vancouver, I’m sure I’m going to have to turn aside some of the offerings!

How about you?  What food are you giving up for Lent and why?  What will you eat instead?  Inquiring minds want to know…

Post at the bottom of this page…

Hi everyone…I’m pleased to announce that Jody Levey of Kipling, Saskatchewan(which she says must be the coldest place on the prairie right now) has won a copy of Lucy Waverman and James Chatto’s book, A Matter of Taste.

Here is her entry:  I don’t think I could do without bread, in any form. I thought it was chocolate but, in reality bread is my comfort. Whether its hot buttered toast with honey or jam. A toasted bagel, fresh homemade buns, sandwiches or french toast..I would be lost without bread!

Thanks to all of you for your excellent entries, and visit again soon for more contests!

Today I’m quoted a few times in an article by Eric Akis of the Victoria Times-Colonist newspaper.  I’ll think you’ll enjoy reading the entire article, here.  But you’d better read it today, because it will probably become only available to ‘subscribers’ tomorrow.

If you’re looking for the contest, click here.

They just won’t stop! More and more Vancouver restaurants want to help raise funds for Tsunami relief. This morning on Pacific Palate I spoke with Catherine Tanurahardja, owner of Pondok Indonesia Restaurant at 2781 Commercial Drive. She’s donating 20 percent of her sales from each Monday night in January to the Red Cross Tsunami Relief Fund. And today Tourism Vancouver will make this announcement:

Tourism Vancouver Partners with the Salvation Army and 125 Local Restaurants to Bring Relief to Those in Need:

Tourism Vancouver is using the wildly popular Dine Out Vancouver 2005 restaurant promotion as a vehicle to support the work of the Salvation Army in addressing both local needs, as well as international relief efforts for tsunami victims.

Future relief efforts for countries affected by the tsunami will be handled through Tourism Vancouver’s involvement with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) where long-term support for the re-building of infrastructure will be of primary importance.

But wait, there’s more! Look for a big graze-fest to be organized for February, where you can pay between $50 and $100 a ticket to taste dishes from some of Vancouver’s top chefs, BC Wineries and BC draft beers. Keep watching this space for more details, and don’t forget all the other restaurants that are pitching in this week:

The Thai House Restaurant Group as well as other restaurants in its group, Urban Thai Bistro, Chili House Thai Bistro and Samba Brazilian Steakhouse announced today that 60% of all food revenues earned by its restaurants in the evenings of January 10 and 11, 2005 will go to charities that are assisting in relief efforts in parts of South East Asia affected by the Tsunamis and Earthquake. For more info visit our website at www.thaihouse.com

Joining in the efforts to raise money for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami victims in Asia, the following ten restaurants businesses are raising funds in various ways in the upcoming weeks. Brix Restaurant and Wine Bar, Gyu Japanese Teppanyaki, i-cafe, MIX The Bakery, Northern Delicacy, Northern Dynasty and Tropika Malaysian & Indonesian Restaurants.

The Tropika Canada Group of restaurants, which includes four Tropika restaurants specializing in Malaysian & Indonesian cuisine as well as Gyu Japanese Teppanyaki, i-cafe, Northern Delicacy and Northern Dynasty will be donating all profits and partial sales from their eight restaurants on Wednesday, January 12th to World Vision in support of the victims of the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Asia. They, along with Gyu Teppanyaki, Northern Delicacy, Northern Dynasty and i-cafe will be holding a joint-fundraiser at all locations at both lunch and dinner on January 12th. Staff are expected to donate most of their tips as well that night.

MIX The Bakery Owned by newcomer to the city, Rose Conception, Mix is a small bakery on West 10th. As a new business they don’t have a lot of resources themselves and a large donation is not feasible, but their young staff came up with a great idea. Come by and purchase a raffle ticket between now (January 6th) and January 17th and you could win complimentary (free!) homemade bread every week for a year or the dessert of the month every month for year! Every week, from January 24th 2005 to January 24th 2006 you could be dropping in to choose a fresh made loaf of your choice or each month a delectable dessert. Raffle tickets $5.00, available at MIX The Bakery 100% of proceeds from the raffle draw will go to The Canadian Red Cross.

And sweeter still…. Brix Restaurant and Wine Bar Brix invites you and your family to drop in for dessert, perhaps after a walk in Yaletown, a meal at home or even dinner at a local supporting restaurant. Two dollars from every dessert sold at Brix from Friday, January 10th to Friday, January 21st will be donated to The Canadian Red Cross.

Brix Restaurant and Wine Bar – 1138 Homer Street (604-915-9463) www.brixvancouver.com

MIX The Bakery – 4430 West 10th Avenue (604-221-4145)

Tropika Restaurants
1128 Robson Street (604-737-6002)
2975 Cambie Street (604-879-6002)
Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond (604-233-7002)
Lansdowne Centre 8280 Lansdowne Rd, Richmond (604-278-6002)
www.tropika-canada.com

Gyu Japanese Teppanyaki – 219-755 Burrard Street (2nd floor, entrance of Alberni) (604-688-7050)

i-cafe – Hong Kong Style Café 560 West 8th Avenue (604-680-0238)

Northern Delicacy – Shanghai Cuisine Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond (604-233-7050)

Northern Dynasty – Peking and Schezwan Cuisine 1180-8391 Alexandra Road, Richmond (604-303-1192)

Special Night at Memphis Blues to Help the Asian Tsunami Relief Fund:

On Tuesday, January 11, 2005 please join the owners of Memphis Blues Barbeque House to raise funds for the Red Cross’ Asian Tsunami Relief Fund. The restaurants will be donating 25% of all sales for this day to the fund. Employees of the two locations will be donating their tips to the fund. Memphis Blues Barbeque House are located at 1465 West Broadway, near Granville, and 1342 Commercial Drive, near Kitchener Street.