A look on the | lighter side E XCUSE ME, waiter: perhaps something a little lighter than usual. Have to watch the waistline, you know. A fuli four-course review might be too much. Sal- mon? Fine. Pasta? But, of course. Something festive? Please. A good book? Delightful. And next week, perhaps a list of Christrnas Day dining oppor- tunities. Thanks. Napkin, please. Salmon House on the Hill, 2229 Folkestone Way, West Vancouver, 926-3212 “" The Salmon House has released the findings of its annual October salmon survey. The 1992 sampling of opinion on the wild versus farmed salmon debate shows a continuing strong local preference for wild salmon over its farmed counterpart, but an equally strong preference for fresh salmon, whether wild or farmed, over frozen salmon. It also showed a continuing strong support for the survey itself, with 25% more surveys returned this year than in1991. The survey was filled out by Salmon House patrons after dining at the West Vancouver restaurant during its October salmon fest, in which the Salmon House featured a special menu using wild and farmed salrnon in a variety of en- trees. Of the 608 survey respondents, approximately 79% said they would choose wild salmon over farmed salmon if the price was the same for both, which is the same - percentage as in both 1991 and ’ 1990. But 68% of survey respondents said they would choese farmed salmon tf the choice was between fresh farmed salmon and frozen wild salmon. » The result is a complete reversal fra6m 1990, when 68% of respon- dents to the Saimon House survey said they would choose frozen wild salmon over fresh farmed salmon. Local tastebuds also appear to be sharpening when it comes to salmon. in 1990, 55% of survey respon- dents said they could tell the dif- ference between wild and farmed salmon; in 1992, 74% said they could taste the difference. : ‘ Tasi’s Pasta Fresca, 3 Lonsdale, North Vancouver, $84-3039 or 964-3337 The former Baci’s has changed its name to avoid confusion with the other Baci’s on Hastings Street in Vancouver, But its menu remains a wide selection of soups, salads, pastas, and robust meat dishes for rea- sonable prices. Tasi’s tuncheon Pasta Fresca are all $6.95 and range from Lasagne through Fettuccine Con Carciofi _and on to Rigatoni Bon Gusto. * Dinner pasta dishes are all $9.95, with an optional smaller portion available for $8.25. Main meal meat dishes ($11.95 ‘to $14.95) include everything from Saeco Espresso ¥ Cappuccino Machines J | Starting from $115 99 Largest selection on the North Shore. 980-0797 * 1270 Marine Drive, N.Van. Next Save-On-Foods Timothy Renshaw TABLE HOPPING Pollo Oregano Alla Lemoni ($11.95) to Gamberi Alla Tasi’s ($13.95) to Top Sirloin Steak (12 oz., $14.95). All Tasi’s pastas are made fresh on the premises. Peppi’s on Dundarave Beach, 150-25th St., West Vancouver, 922-1414, Peppi’s kicked off its second. annual. Christmas Festival of Lights with a Nov. 29 ceremony aglitter with Christmas lights and socialites. The festival has the support of over 80 companies and 300 vol- unteers, and will again feature a small forest of Christmas trees 46 79% said they would choose wild salmon over farmed salmon if the price was the same ...99 decorated by various loca! spon- sors. itis a showpiece of focal Christmas color, gaiety and even, Heaven forbid, controversy. Last year some wag, whase ex- cellent butcher shop shall’remain nameless, had a tree decorated with festive meats and other more controversial animal bits. tt was removed after much hullabaloo. Yo ho ho. Vancouver Magazine’s Pocket Restaurant Guide. $4.95 soft- cover. Whitecap Books Lid. This handy compendium of good Lower Mainland restaurants was compiled by renowned gastronomes Scott Mowbray, former Vancouver Magazine edi- tor and restaurant columnist, and Brad Cvenell-Carter, Bowen Island printed. resident and current Vancouver Magazine restaurant columnist. The Whitecap Books Ltd. press release that accompanies the guide dubs Mowbray and Ovenell-Carter “culinary ge- niuses.’’ Flavour of India Authentic Gourmet Cuisine (with this ad) for 2 H MON., TUES., WED. THUR. 7 FREE DINNER When a second dinner entree of equal or lesser value Is purchased. # Sunday Suffet $3.95 5.5. 45 tems) 42:00-9:009m Mon.-Fri. © Dinner from 5-40em, Man.-Sat. © Expires Dec. 47/92 © Lunch Bufret 12:00-2:30 Excludes beverages ® FULLY LICENSED 9 8 5 baa 5477 (ample parking west side of building) » A, e Special New Year's Menu ® Party Favours e Door Prizes : | 175 E. 3rd $t., N. Vancouver New Year's Eve GALA BASH ONLY *A9* | per person {includes GST & gratuity) Seay e Live Entertainment/ | Dancing to Darla and Friends Ask us about our Delia Place Hotel accommodations package! By day a million sights - by night a million lights Reservations Ee 8888 200 Granville St. {next to Pan Pacific Hoteb (tree parking after 6 p.m.) ~- Saimon House survey Szechuan & _The description might be a . : Singaporean Cuisine touch enthusiastic, but the dynam- ic dining duo are good, entertain- ing writers and knowledgeable, discerning diners. Their guide includes over 100 restaurants around the Lower Mainland. The North Shore is represented _ by. Beach Side Cafe, Chesa, - * Earl's, La Toque Blanche, Red : Robin, Salmon House on the Hill fr and Salute . 4 The guide's index is broken. down into area and price range, which is extremely helpiul. The only drawback of producing or purchasing any restaurant guide is the volatile nature of the restau- rant business itself: things change so rapidly that any guide is usually out of date almost as soon as it is § Dear Friends & Customers, § g Thank you for your generous § @ support over the last 3 years. | To serve you better, please note our new hours and: leliv ice, | Mon.-Sat. 11:00am-9:30pm Sun./Hols. 5:00pm-9:30pm (ice ish St., N. Vancouver | f_ (behind TD Bank) : Licensed rp Still, the Vancouver Magazine guide ‘provides a good basic dining road map to the Lower Mainland’s fee better dining establishments. Fe “RISTORANT! ETT: TTALIANO ew Years Party! The “Real Italian Way!” | What a way to discover a “little Italy” fj favorite located only 10 mins. from the N.Shore. Sortino’s offers classic cooking ~ with a great menu. Come and join us for New Year's Eve and see what all the | critics are talking about! Asya j Ticket includes: CS pend ped: 4 course classic Italian meal faa . Te we »champagne at midnight ~ +live entertainment featuring ERP PERSON Michael Romano & his band. RESERVE NOW! = “Sortino’s | for reservations please call 1130 COMMERCIAL DR, VAN. 253-5382 for the birthday person, up to $15.00 — Don’t forget your ID!! * * & Until December 25 - ONLY! x « ‘with DINNER ENTREE #10” and over per person not incl. pizza/pasta Expires:‘Dec.- 25, 1992 Present coupon for offer. Family Restaurant 10% i OFF PICK-UP ORDERS | . Nitalo’s Free Delivery 3 (not incl. specials) a 5 986-2201 999 Marine Drive (next to Avalon Hotel) GE 2 Ts RS