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Neetingshof Wiesser Riesling Late
Harvest, ‘93 and ‘95 (South
Africa) $15.95 (half-bottle)

The worldwide comeback staged by
rich dessert wines in the last few years is a
relief to those of us for whom they’ve been
a secret vice.

This rates a full 10 on LDB’s “candy
scale”, but as in all well-made versions of
such wines, the sweetness is incidental to
luscious peachy orchard fruit. Laid down
for a decade, such wines deliver the blos-
soms as well, as a recent tasting of a trea-
sured 10-year-old Beermausiese amply
proved. ;

The small bottle is a boon to the impa-
tient, since it shortens the necessary nap-
time by half.

Backsberg ‘Estate Cabernet-

eet obsess!

Merlot, 1992 (South
Africa) $16.50

A bit pricey, but one
of the best examples of
what South African
winemakers can do with
this classic combination
when they don’t leave it
on the back burner.

Wonderfully —_for-
ward, said to be “for drinkers rather than
keepers.” You've got to like that, but our
sample seemed to have more than enough
stuffing to suggest it wouldn't go off if
laid down for a few years.

The advantage to having wines like
this in your rack is that you won't feel
you're committing an atrocity if you
break into a bottle to accompany a mid-
night snack of crackers and cheese.

fohn Moore
WINE SPOTS

on

Lees and Dregs...
Speaking of South
Africa, the Mark
Anthony Group’s Craig
Harrison was off to the
Nederburg Wine
Auction March 30 to
bid on 1,000 cases on
behalf of the B.C. and
Manitoba liquor
boards, Alberta retailers
and private clients. Nice work if you can
get it.

If you're lucky enough to be in
Whistler today (April 10), the local chefs
will be at Christine's Restaurant on
Blackcomb, creating desserts to pair with

SJackson-Triggs Reserve 1994 Ice Wine in

the Second Annual Jackson-Triggs Ice
Wine Competition. Hold that call to
Jenny Craig.

Office party survival tips

From page $4

colorful interior bunting,

_ pinatas, paper mache ani-

_. tals; live music courtesy of
Edvardo Aldames; and lots
of staff.

Baido Urtusastegui Jr. has
been operating Fiesta in the

“same mid-Lonsdale local

since taking over from
Cisco’s — another Mexican
restaurant — in 1987.

At times it’s hard to fig-
ure out Fiesta’s survival

. technique.

It sits in a non-descript
area of Lonsdale. It has been
more empty than full on the
'- occasions Table Hopping has
been in attendance. (Was it
something I said?)

Yet it perseveres.

Perhaps it is the promise
of live Mexican entertain-

__ ment; perhaps it is its prox-

. imity to a well-patronized

: | video store; perhaps it is its .

engaging Mexican personali-

ty. Whatever: the secret, it
performs well.as a party
host, wlicther that party be
office or other.

: Urtusastegui offers a
comprehensive menu of -

” . Mexican food (Fajitas,

-Burritos, Enchiladas, .
Chimichangas and Tacos in-
beef, chicken, seafood and
vegetarian variations; and

_ other specialities such as
Mole Poblano, Chiles
Rellenos; Tamales).

Entree prices range from

. $10 up to $16, with slightly
higher prices for Fiesta’s
top-end combination platters.

Of course, large parties

whose appetites might run”
more towards the liquid end
of the Mexican dining
experience (Dos Equis,
Margaritas, et al) will find
a reasonable selection of
lighter Mexican finger food

. such as Nachos, Taquitos

Fritos, Chimichangitas and

Guacamole to fill the din-

poce ane ne ec een een nn ne nee lnn ene nee ceaee ence

ing bill.

For those on their way to
a staff celebratory function,
a concise selection of tips
for office party survival:

Don’t sit too close to the
Person or persons who are
the focus of said celebra-
tion. High spirits directed at
them could spili on to you.
Or your expensive business
attire.

Do not sit mid-table with

‘back to wall in traditional

cow-hide Mexican chairs.
Escape to washroom and
elsewhere is limited, result-
ing in reduced dining enjoy-
ment. :

Mest important: never
volunteer to figure out, be
responsible for, go near,
affix signiture to or discuss

Join us 7 a
TASTE OF FRENCH co

TET EY ET

AY.TO SATURDAY * LUNCH OR‘E

the bar tab.
’ Stop three:

Revisit Yer Jin (988-.,
1711, recommended for
lunch or dinner) to repair
misinformation contained in

Table Hopping’s April 3
column: Yen Jin’s address is
116 East 15th St.. not 116
East 16th St. as reported,
Another fact checker on the
unemployment line.

oF! g ~ ma

Ztrt § 2% 10
z 5

coupon alg gh
st

pm Valid Any Day Fed Diels Cay =

Tuesday thru Thursday 5-10pm
Excludes Tandoori Dishes
Expires Wed. April 17/96

Open for Lunch Mon.-Fri. noon-2pm
Offer valid id only with coupon

NO Mow PROBLEMS

ESS Read Home 8 Garden and y ie
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328 MODELS SPECIAL LEASE RATES 2.8% EXPIRES MAY 15, 96
7 SEHIES SPECIAL LEASE RATES FROM 4.9% 1995 &1 996 MODELS. EXPIRES MAY 31, 6

| aa OFFERING ON THESE 1995 MODELS
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