I just bought a Dolce pepper grinder and couldn't figure out how to remove the top to put in more peppercorns. The little pamphlet that came with it gave no clue. It turns out - just in case you're nearly as clueless as me - that you have to pull off the top. It feels like it's going to break, but it doesn't.
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The Times Colonist's Pam Grant has suggestions for Christmas season lunching, between your shopping excursions. On her list:
Foo (I ate the braised beef shortribs with broccoli there, very nice; you get your meal in a box).
Pho Vuong (another good meal - I had the pho - but I mostly remember the visit because I forgot my umbrella there and had to make a trip back to get it)
Pig (love their fried chicken and beef brisket sandwich)
Puerto Vallarta Amigos (it's a food truck, and the food looks good and the folks running it are very friendly; but I was too full from eating at Pig when I wandered by)
Dutch Bakery (I had a tasty, but a little drippy, hamburger there a few weeks ago, plus bottomless ice tea; the old-time decor is one of the reasons I go)
Ayo Eat at Market Square (planning to go)
Side Dish Restaurant (enjoyed one of their Persian combos)
Shizen Sushi (planning to go)
Devour (planning to go)
Aegean Cafe (planning to go)
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Here's a tour of cooking and food apps for the iPad, from The Age in Australia.
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The amazing world of Japanese department store basements, from BBC.com
A quote from the story: These immaculate shrines to consumption contain all manner of raw and prepared foods, ranging from fresh baby sardines on ice to delicately scented lavender-and-vanilla macaroons.
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