Thai rice exports to hit 11mn tonnes in 2014
This would make Thailand the leader among rice exporting
countries after losing the title to India for two consecutive
years.Laothammathat forecasted that India could export only 8.5mn tonnes this
year, and Vietnam 6.7mn tonnes.Thai Rice Exporter Association’s chairman
Kongkiat Opaswongkarn, meanwhile, said that Thailand’s rice export in 2015
might be close to this year’s export figure.But it could hardly push up Thai
rice price next year because of the huge rice stocks of 17mn tonnes, which will
remain a major factor to deter the price rise.
Source: Far Eastern Agriculture
Rubber and rice farmers to receive compensation money faster
BANGKOK, 23 December 2014 The
Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE) has adjusted its procedure on the
payment of compensation to rubber farmers, allowing the latter to receive the
payment faster. At least 300,000 of them are expected be paid by the end of
this year.DOAE Director General Olan Pitak said there are currently nearly
900,000 rubber farmers who have registered for the financial assistance.
Under the scheme, they will receive 1,000 baht
per rai in compensation for the declining prices of rubber.A total sum of 107
million baht has already been paid to 10,388 households via the Bank for
Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). The DOAE has set to
compensate as many as 300,000 farmers by the end of this year.As for rice
farmers, the BAAC has so far distributed 30 billion baht to 2.8 million
families. The remaining of around one million others who have been eligible for
the money are expected to receive it by the end of December as well.
Source with thanks:http://www.pattayamail.com/business/rubber-and-rice-farmers-to-receive-compensation-money-faster-43825#sthash.SCFklfc7.dpuf
Extreme weather delays Sri
Lanka's post-war reconstruction
BY AMANTHA PERERA
Tamil people, who escaped Tamil
Tigers rebels-held area following fighting between Sri Lanka army and Tamil
Tigers, are seen inside a temporary refugee camp in Vavuniya, northern Sri
Lanka February 23, 2009.
CREDIT: REUTERS/NIR
ELIAS/FILES
Water shortages also hampered the building of
thousands of houses to replace those destroyed in 2008 and 2009, during the last
phase of the country’s 26-year war between the government and Tamil
insurgents."The drought has been terrible - probably the worst in the last
decade," said Rupavanthi Ketheeswaran, the top public official for
Kilinochchi District, one of four that make up Northern Province. The Sri Lanka
Red Cross Society said the drought had been a major concern for re-housing
efforts in 2014."The project was partly affected by a prolonged
drought," the Red Cross said in an update early this month. "Shortage
of both surface and ground water, and limited water supply from the local
authorities and local suppliers delayed construction.
"Only about a
third of the 138,651 homes needed have been constructed so far, despite the war
ending in May 2009.Experts say extreme weather events - which are expected to
increase as the planet warms - are putting conflict-affected communities across
South Asia in harm’s way.In the restive Rakhine State of western Myanmar, for
example, aid officials say monsoon-related floods have periodically worsened
the humanitarian situation.
Rising religious
tensions have forced over 140,000 to flee their homes there, and aid agencies
estimate that at least 800,000 people are in dire need of relief.In 2010, over
300,000 in the state were affected by two cyclones. According to Pierre Péron,
a spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in
Myanmar, over 40 percent of the population in Rakhine lives below the poverty
line, and reoccurring extreme weather events are making their situation worse.
FARMERS HIT
In Sri Lanka, the
drought has had serious repercussions for the farming sector in the north, with
crop losses likely to exceed 30 percent.In the first half of this year, the
rice harvest was only 122,000 metric tonnes, less than half of the targeted
300,000 metric tonnes, said Sivapatham Sivakumar, director of agriculture at
the Northern Provincial Council.Overall, agricultural production is expected to
fall by around 40 percent this year, with rice production contracting some 30
percent to a six-year low.
The drought’s
impact on agriculture has been widely felt in Northern Province where around a
third of the population of just over 1 million depends on it for income. About
a quarter of the population are displaced people returning home after the
war."There have been a lot of loan defaulters in the last year, because
people don’t have the money to meet repayment obligations," said Murugesu
Kayodaran, a rehabilitation officer for the Kilinochchi Divisional Secretariat
who looks after the needs of returnees.
Poverty in the
region is among the highest in the nation. Mullaitivu, where the war raged
worst, ranks as the poorest district with a poverty level of 28.8 percent, over
four times the national average of 6.7 percent, government statistics
show.Despite this, people in the province tried to buy water for reconstruction
purposes during the drought, the Red Cross said. In some areas the water
available was not suitable for construction due to a high level of salt, making
it unsuitable for mixing concrete, the agency added.
MONSOON FLOODS
Officials like
Kayodaran and Sivakumar worry that some of those affected by drought will lose
their farm plots or their homes if they cannot repay loans."Land was the
only asset that most of the returnees had to seek loans on - now they run the
risk of losing that," Kayodaran said.This year’s drought is the latest in
a series of back-to-back extreme weather events that have hit Sri Lanka’s
former conflict zone in the last three years.
There were two
major droughts in mid-2010 and late 2012, as well as heavy flooding in 2011 and
2012. The end of this year’s drought has now given way to floods, caused
by the onset of the North East Monsoon that became active in mid-December.The
rains have brought severe flooding, with almost half a million people affected
across the country, including in the Northern regions, according to the
Disaster Management Centre.Ahead of the monsoon season, which runs through
February, the Red Cross warned rains could cause further delays to home
reconstruction in the north.
(Reporting by
Amantha Perera; editing by Megan Rowling)
Price Of Rice Falls To N9,000 In Jos
With few days to Christmas, the price of rice has fallen to
N9,000 across markets in Jos metropolis, a survey has revealed.In spite of the
last minute rush and high demand for goods in the market, prices of some goods
have remained stable with slight increases in some.At the Terminus Market in
Jos North, Mr. Chidozie Osuafor said the price of a 50kg. bag of Mama Gold
previously sold for N10,500 has fallen to N9,000.He said that bags of PGS
Tomato and Stallion rice of the same measure had fallen from N10,500 to N9,500
each.Osuafor attributed this to low cash in circulation as both federal and
state workers had yet to be paid salaries.
At Tudun Wada Market, Jos South, a rice merchant, Mr. Azi
Galadima disclosed that the price of a 50kg. bag of rice had fallen to
N9,000.“We sell all the brands of rice at the same rate of N9,000 to encourage
people to patronise us for the Christmas celebration,” he explained.He said
patronage was still very low despite the reduction in price.Galadima also
attributed the situation to salary arrears owed civil servants by the
government in the state.The situation in Pankshin town was even better as 50kg.
bag of rice sells for as low as N8,500.Mrs.
Bridget Peter, a civil servant, revealed that even at the low
price, many civil servants could not afford a bag of rice as they had been owed
salaries.A trader in Tudun Wada Market, Miss Aweki Yusuf, however, said the
price of a bag of onions had increased from N8,000 to N38,000 or N40,000
depending on the size.She attributed the increase to the security challenges in
the North East, the source of supply.“The attacks in the North East have made
supply of onions to this part very expensive and we cannot intervene in this
issue as it is beyond us,” she stressed.A measure of flour at Tudun Wada market
remained at N170 while some corner shops in Zarmanganda recorded slight
increment to N180.
City folk find friends on the
organic farm
With the
festive season upon us, has anyone noticed a new gift-giving trend? People are
increasingly picking organic rice as a present. The trend is boosted by
groups of middle-class city people who have endeavoured to transform the
relationship of rice growers and consumers to that of one between friends —
with the former growing food for the latter.These groups of Samaritans are
creating the perfect match — rice eaters who happen to be well-paid salary people
with low access to chemical-free food, and organic rice growers who are short
of marketing knowhow and a distributing channel.
One of
the groups, Farmers' Friend Rice, kicked off its project earlier last year to
work with about 50 rice growers in Yasothon province.Their principle is simple;
the farmers are taking good care of the rice, while city people take part in
improving the well-being of the farmers. Individual city people will pay 10,000
baht in advance for the 100kg of organic rice at the end of the harvest season.
The organisers promote the project on social media and draw support from
like-minded consumers and some companies with strong social
consciousness.Harvested at the end of the year, the single-crop organic rice,
grown from April to late November or early December, has served as an ideal
product to be marketed as a New Year's gift.The buyers don't just buy the
product, but the story behind it. At 100 baht/kg, this organic rice may be
regarded as pricey for those who are accustomed to conventionally-farmed rice
which sells for 30 or 40 baht a kilogramme.
But the
Farmers' Friend group insists the 100-baht/kg price that comes down to just
five baht for a plate of rice is reasonable when you know your friends, organic
farmers, do not have to deal with loan sharks and toxic chemicals.Once the rice
is harvested, it is vacuum-packed and sealed with a trendy label, so a family
can set aside part of the 100kg portion as a present for a special occasion.
Consumers from the city may also visit the growers during seeding in April or
May and harvesting season in November to get first-hand experience of how the
staple food is grown.Every time their "friends'' from Bangkok visit
Yasothon, the farmers are more than happy to welcome them with the best food
they have on their farm — the best form of hospitality from the villagers.I was
with them during the harvest season and talked to Nauvaluk Sangsuwan, an Earth
Net staffer who has convinced farmers to go organic.
She said
the farmers are more than happy to grow food for their friends in the city —
without stress about fluctuating prices. From 50 last year, the number of
organic farmers under the co-op has doubled, with 106 altogether this year. The
yields are no less impressive: from 180 tonnes/paddy or 90 tonnes/milled rice
last year to 440 tonnes/paddy or 200 tonnes/milled rice this year. The
additional rice production that is supplied to the group belongs to the farmers
who can sell it separately. There is a promise between them that if the
rice crop fails this year due to natural disasters, consumers in the city will
have to wait for rice from the crop next year.For these farmers, no one has
ever shown firm commitment to help them grow organic rice.
Some governments seemed to show interest, but
Nauvaluk said, "they were not sincere".But such an organic project
benefits small-scale farmers. Soon after the launch of the past government's
rice pledging scheme, farmers realised it's wealthy rice millers who were the
main beneficiaries, not them.The farmers are hoping the coup-makers will be
interested in organic farming and set up an "organic agriculture
ministry" instead of the current agency that acts as a sales rep for the
food conglomerates."Farmers don't need a provincial agricultural extension
officer who works more like a sales rep who tries to convince them to shower
their rice fields with chemicals," Ms Nauvaluk said.
In
recent weeks, my Facebook feeds have been busy with photos of friends working
in the ricefields, helping organic farmers with seeding, harvesting, and
packing. Back home, they are also busy help selling organic rice on social
media. No doubt these eye-catching rice packages have hit city markets.I cannot
agree more with Ms Nauvaluk and hope the government comes up with support for
organic farming so those who care about the health and the quality of farmers'
life is not limited to just a few groups of people.Sirinya Wattanasukchai is an
assistant news editor, Bangkok Post.
Source with thanks:http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/452032/city-folk-find-friends-on-the-organic-farm
Two witnesses to be questioned in
Yingluck rice case
Case report should be finalised in January
The
joint panel of public prosecutors and graft-busters has agreed two more people
still need to be questioned about the purported government-to-government (G2G)
rice sales before a decision can be made on the indictment of former prime minister
Yingluck Shinawatra over the loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme. Agreement
was reached on Thursday at the fourth joint meeting between members of the
Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) and the National Anti-Corruption
Commission (NACC) to discuss the case against Ms Yingluck. After a
two-hour meeting, the panel agreed there was conflicting testimony from
witnesses in the NACC case file about whether the G2G rice deals really
happened.
Therefore, two witnesses would have to be
questioned - the accuser, and a researcher with Thailand Development Research
Institute (TDRI) - to further clarify the matter.The meeting also agreed to
seek more information regarding the G2G contracts from the Auditor General's
Office, a Finance Ministry subcommittee overseeing the rice subsidy scheme's
accounting procedure, the TDRI's rice research paper, and statements made
during the censure debate in parliament.
NACC secretary-general Sansern Poljiak said the
two sides agreed on all points and Thursday’s meeting went well.The panel
realised that the case was of high public interest and that the gathering of
the additional evidence should not take too long, he said. He said the G2G
rice deals required further witness questioning and additional documents.
It was a relatively small issue but it needed to be sorted out to ensure
the completion of the case report and so that it would be accepted by
court. He expected the process to be completed in January, and after that
the OAG will decide whether it will prosecute Ms Yingluck.
If the prosecuters do not pursue the
indictment, Mr Sansern said, the NACC will take the case to court itself.The
NACC accused Ms Yingluck in her former capacity as the ex-officio chair of
the National Rice Policy Committee of dereliction of duty and abuse of
authority for failing to halt or review her government's loss-ridden
rice-pledging scheme, and the alleged corruption in it.It also proposed
impeachment and her retroactive removal from the prime minister's position.The
Finance Ministry has estimated the state had lost 682 billion baht
in implementing rice-subsidy schemes over the past 10 years, of which 518
billion baht was occurred under the Yingluck government through its crop
pledging scheme while it was in office from 2011 to 2013.
Source with thanks:http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/452090/yingluck-rice-indictment-case-should-be-finalised-in-january
Traders’ awareness essential for
a crop variety to succeed
Whatever hardship a farmer undertakes to grow a crop, it is
ultimately the consumer preference that decides its success in the market
place. Based on demand from the consumer, a crop is labelled a success or
failure.Particularly for rice varieties, today in almost all the markets across
Tamil Nadu, the popularity of raw rice is so much that whatever variety a
farmer cultivates it is sold under a major brand name called “super fine
variety.”
Two years back
I had to wait for nearly three months and the interest value on
my investments for those three months increased several fold till I could sell
it and clear my dues,” sighs Mr. M. Velu a farmer in Chengalpattu, Tamil
Nadu.Like Mr. Velu, several farmers who had cultivated this variety had
informed the Rice Institute about the hardship in marketing it.Based on their
grievances, scientists from the institute visited several ADT49 growers and
checked the quality of the harvested grains.“In many places we found that the
harvested grains were good without any infestation. But the problem was
marketing since traders had never heard of ADT 49,” says Dr. R. Rajendran, Director-in-
charge of the Institute.
Release details
Till date the Aduthurai Institute has released more than a dozen
varieties all of which are well known among the rice growers in the state.Apart
from these, a medium duration variety called BPT (bapatla) is also grown among
a specified segment of delta growers.“We find that delta farmers prefer to
cultivate BPT than other varieties since it gets a better price among the
traders.“A 75 kg bag of paddy fetches Rs. 1,200 to 1,300 (per bag), but unlike
ADT 49, bapatla is not a hardy crop. It cannot withstand the different
infestations common among rice plants.“In fact, in some regions farmers
reported total loss of the crop.
We do not recommend BPT among Tamil Nadu rice growers. In spite
of this, farmers are opting for repeated cultivation of this variety due to its
preference by traders,” explains Dr. Rajendran.Even though ADT 49 yields about
30 bags from an acre and sells for Rs. 1,300 than BPT, farmers are hesitant to
grow it due to lack of a good market.However, farmers who have cultivated
ADT-49 have given good feedback about it for its higher yield and grain quality
which are better than or equal to BPT.
Better endurance
“ADT 49 has better endurance to pest or disease attack and the
crop is able to recover after the incidence which is not so in case of BPT,”
says Dr. Saraswathi, senior scientist at the Institute. As there were mixed
responses from different quarters on these varieties the Institute decided to
re-evaluate both.Seventy one participants including farmers took part in a
evaluation procedure for checking characteristics such as appearance,
cohesiveness, tenderness, chewing, aroma etc.
Agreed
All the participants agreed that both varieties are somewhat
same in all the specifications with ADT49 variety possessing a slightly better
taste after being cooked.“So what is needed now is the awareness among traders
that ADT 49 variety is equivalent and is no way inferior to other previous
varieties,” stresses Dr. Rajendran.For more information farmers and rice
traders can contact
Dr.R.Rajendran, Director i/c Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute
(TRRI), on email: dirtrri@tnau.ac.in, Phone : 0435- 2472098,
mobiles:09443421207 and 09489056726.
Source with thanks:http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/traders-awareness-essential-for-a-crop-variety-to-succeed/article6723098.ece
WECARD
empowers 100 farmers on fish-rice-pig integration
23.Dec.2014
DISQUS_COMMENTS Femi Ibirogba
The
fish-rice-pig aquaculture integrated farming involves using earthen ponds to
raise fish, rice and using piggery waste to raise insect larvae as feed
supplements for fish, thereby reducing cost of production and maximizing
streams of income by selling fish, rice and pigs.The Head of Department of
Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan, Professor Bamidele
Omitoyin, while inaugurating the training, said though it was sponsored by
WECARD, it was part of the mandate of the department to disseminate information
generated by academics to the farmers.
He
said space, labour and capital are integrated and properly utilized for optimum
farm output with the integration farming if done with care and adequate
supervision.WECARD training grant coordinator, Professor Emmanuel Ajani of the
Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan, said
the research into integrated farming was farmer-generated and meant to tackle
challenges of monoculture source of income to farmers.
He
revealed that based on the success of the research into and implementation of
findings of the aquaculture integration, the department had been called upon to
train 5,000 farmers in Nigeria in the art of poultry-fishery-rice or
pig-fishery-rice integration depending on demand.“This integrated farming has
been helping and will continue to help alleviate poverty and create wealth, as
well as employment,” Ajani said.Professor A. E. Falae said fishery had become
the best traded commodity in Nigeria, with the annual production growth rate of
between 9 and 13 per cent, adding that Nigeria is the largest producer of
catfish in Africa.
He
commended fish farmers under the umbrella body of Catfish Farmers Association
of Nigeria (CAFAN), saying their efforts had made Nigeria proud at the
international arena, urging them to embrace the integration farming and value
addition to their farm products to ensure higher income and wealth.He charged
researchers to incorporate and integrate indigenous technologies to the
solutions being packaged for farmers to enhance acceptability and adaptability,
saying carrying farmers along in research processes would guarantee research
success and adoption rate.
Source with thanks:http://www.tribune.com.ng/agriculture/item/24857-wecard-empowers-100-farmers-on-fish-rice-pig-integration
Global
Rice Quotes
December
24th, 2014
Long
grain white rice - high quality
Thailand
100% B grade 420-430 ↔
Vietnam
5% broken 385-395 ↔
India
5% broken 385-395 ↔
Pakistan
5% broken 370-380 ↔
Cambodia
5% broken 460-470 ↔
U.S.
4% broken 510-520 ↔
Uruguay
5% broken 595-605 ↔
Argentina
5% broken 595-605 ↔
Long
grain white rice - low quality
Thailand
25% broken NQ ↔
Vietnam
25% broken 350-360 ↔
Pakistan
25% broken 330-340 ↔
Cambodia
25% broken 435-445 ↔
India
25% broken 350-360 ↔
U.S.
15% broken 495-505 ↔
Long
grain parboiled rice
Thailand
parboiled 100% stxd 405-415 ↔
Pakistan
parboiled 5% broken stxd 395-405 ↔
India
parboiled 5% broken stxd 375-385
↔
U.S.
parboiled 4% broken 580-590 ↔
Brazil
parboiled 5% broken 570-580 ↔
Uruguay
parboiled 5% broken NQ ↔
Long
grain fragrant rice
Thailand
Hommali 92% 890-900 ↔
Vietnam
Jasmine 525-535 ↔
India
basmati 2% broken NQ ↔
Pakistan
basmati 2% broken NQ ↔
Cambodia
Phka Mails 820-830 ↔
Brokens
Thailand
A1 Super 330-340 ↔
Vietnam
100% broken 330-340 ↔
Pakistan
100% broken stxd 300-310 ↔
Cambodia
A1 Super 385-395 ↔
India
100% broken stxd 295-305 ↔
Egypt
medium grain brokens NQ ↔
U.S.
pet food 390-400 ↔
Brazil
half grain NQ ↔
All
prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com
Amira Nature Foods : Raises
Fiscal 2015 Guidance
12/24/2014 | 09:53am US/Eastern
Amira Nature
Foods Ltd (the “Company”) (NYSE:ANFI), a leading global provider of packaged
Indian specialty rice, announced today that it has raised its revenue and
adjusted EBITDA guidance for fiscal 2015. The Company expects to grow both
revenue and adjusted EBITDA by more than 25% for the full year Fiscal 2015
driven by ongoing distribution gains and market expansion across India and our
international markets.
The Company’s previous guidance for revenue
and adjusted EBITDA growth of 20% was included in its second quarter fiscal
year 2015 earnings release dated November 24, 2014 under the “Fiscal 2015
Outlook,” which was furnished with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(the ‘SEC”) on a Current Report on Form 6-K.
About Amira
Nature Foods Ltd.
Founded in 1915,
Amira has evolved into a leading global provider of branded packaged Indian
specialty rice, with sales in over 60 countries today. The Company primarily
sells Basmati rice, which is a premium long-grain rice grown only in certain
regions of the Indian sub-continent, under its flagship Amira brand as well as
under other third party brands. Amira sells its products through a broad
distribution network in both the developed and emerging markets. The Company’s
global headquarters are in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and it also has offices
in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United
States. Amira Nature Foods Ltd is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
under the ticker symbol “ANFI.” For more information please visit www.amira.net.
Cautionary Note on
Forward-Looking Statements
This release
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal
securities laws. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified
by phrases such as that we or our members of management “believe,” “expect,”
“anticipate,” “foresee,” “forecast,” “estimate” or other words or phrases of
similar import. Specifically, these statements include, among other things,
statements that describe our expectations for the growth of our business,
expansion into new geographic markets, maintaining and expanding our
relationship with key retail partners, the financial impact of new sales
contracts on our revenue, our plans to make significant capital expenditures,
and other statements of management’s beliefs, intentions or goals.
It is uncertain
whether any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will
transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on our
results of operations, financial condition, or the price of our ordinary
shares. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
indicated in such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to our
ability to penetrate and increase the acceptance of our products in new
geographic markets; our ability to perform our agreements with customers and
further develop our relationships with key retail partners; our ability to
recognize revenue from our contracts; continued competitive pressures in the
marketplace; our reliance on a few customers for a substantial part of our
revenue; our ability to implement our plans, forecasts and other expectations
with respect to our business and realize additional opportunities for growth;
and the other risks and important factors contained and identified in our
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
All
forward-looking statements attributable to us or to persons acting on our
behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these risk factors. Since
we operate in an emerging and evolving environment and new risk factors and
uncertainties emerge from time to time, you should not rely upon
forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Except as required
under the securities laws of the United States, we undertake no obligation to
update any forward-looking or other statements herein to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise
Amira
Nature Foods Ltd
Bruce
Wacha, 201-960-0745
Chief
Financial Officer
Beth
Saunders, 212-850-5717
REUTERS
Where to take the family for
cheap eats over the holidays in Vancouver
In addition to the thin-crust pizzas at Pizzeria
Ludica, the downtown restaurant has hundreds of board games on offer to keep
the clan entertained for hours.
SANTA
CLAUS MAY have demanded a chunk of your
savings (apparently, the elves got a raise this year?), but that doesn’t mean
you can’t enjoy a dinner out with the family over the holidays. Here are some
recommended places that will feed your brood for cheap ($15 and under per
person) and satisfy the palates of both grandparents and younger ones.
Pizzeria Ludica
(189 Keefer Place; closed December 24 and 25, and January 1)
Dinesty Dumpling House
(various locations)
Watching the cooks in the glassed-in kitchen work their dumpling
magic will have you instantly dying for xiaolongbao (soup dumplings, $5.95 for
six). These elegant, modern rooms are devoted to topnotch Shanghainese and
Taiwanese fare at prices that will keep your wallet plump. Other dim sum items
include pan-fried Chinese dumplings ($3.95), shredded duck in deep-fried tofu
wrap ($4.95), and pan-fried pork buns ($3.95). The extensive menu features
dishes like shrimp and squid on vegetables and crispy rice ($12.95), stir-fried
spicy shredded pork ($11.95), fried rice with veggies and salted pork ($9.50),
and stir-fried rice cakes with pork or chicken ($8.95).
Zeitoon (1795 Pendrell Street; 1615
Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver)
The subtle but flavourful spicing of Zeitoon’s Persian offerings
will please everyone in the family. Order two ground-beef skewers ($11.95) or
grilled boneless chicken breast ($13.95) with saffron rice for the younger
diners, while the adults enjoy slow-cooked lamb shank with baghali polo
(basmati rice with dill weed and lima beans, $12.95). A couple of you can share
a bowl of saffron-flavoured ice cream topped with pistachios ($6.95) for an
aromatic finish.
Bob Likes Thai Food
(3755 Main Street; 1521 West Broadway; closed December 24 and 25) “Come and have spicy food so you don’t have to light the fireplace,” jokes owner Tai Keattivanichvily during a phone chat. Décor is nothing fancy but suits the no-fuss but well-executed Thai classics that the kitchen lovingly produces. For a family of four, Keattivanichvily suggests veggie spring rolls the kiddies are bound to love ($5), a refreshing shredded green papaya salad with green beans and tomato ($7), Thai-style fish and “chips”, served with fried rice balls ($12) in place of the usual French fries, pad Thai ($13), and roast duck red curry in a fragrant tamarind and coconut milk broth ($14).
Peaceful Restaurant
(various locations; closed December 25)
C’mon—who doesn’t love noodles? And they can be darn cheap.
Noodle pick number one is Peaceful for its oh-so-slurp-worthy handmade-noodle
dishes that range from spicy cumin lamb stir-fried noodles ($12.95) to
stir-fried “cat ears” (like gnocchi) with pork and veg ($13.95) to dan dan
noodles with spicy peanut sauce, minced pork, and spinach ($7.95). Get there
early to avoid the crowds.
Pho Tan
(4598 Main Street, closed for dinner December 24 and 31; 2076
West 41st Avenue, closed December 25 and January 1, and for dinner December 24
and 31)
For more quick and cheap noodle fun, head to a perennial
favourite pho destination where $8 will get you a large bowl of rich beef
broth, rice noodles, and a meat of your choice. While kiddies might want to
stick to the plain rice noodle soup or just beef balls with rice noodles (small
for $7), grownups can go for versions with rare beef, beef brisket, tendon, and
tripe. Add an order of spring rolls ($6), and the family will be well fed.
House of Dosas
(1391 Kingsway)
Take the family out for southern Indian dosas—basically, large
rice and lentil crepes (the crispy edges are the best part) with your choice of
filling. At the restaurant, manager Gavaskar Ethiraj points out a few menu
highlights, like the cheese and spinach dosa ($10.99) and the beef, chicken, or
lamb vindaloo dosa ($10.99), as well as the chicken biryani ($12.99), the
deep-fried paneer ($9.99), and themedu vada—savoury doughnuts
($4.99). Go on Monday, when dosas are only $5.99. It’ll be so inexpensive and
delicious that you may just want to dine out with the family multiple times
this holiday season.
http://www.straight.com/food/793691/where-take-family-cheap-eats-over-holidays-vancouver
Review: Mynt spices up Hannibal
Square in Winter Park
The kofta lollipops are served with a artfully pooled
sweet-and-sour sauce. (MYNT FINE INDIAN CUISINE)
Fine Indian cuisine in
the heart of Winter Park's shopping district
The downstairs has seating for about 25 — tops. But upstairs
there's a cozy private dining area and bar that can also be used for overflow.The
menu reminded me of my meals at Saffron in 2011, but there's a fresher finish
on the palate at Mynt. I don't know how the recipes might have changed but I
like what I tasted.Meals begin with a free basket of six papad ($4 a la carte).
The thin lentil wafers are skillfully rolled into a crisp cylinder. Break them
up and dip into the delightfully syrupy tamarind sauce and the thick mint
concoction.For appetizers, newcomers to the cuisine should start with a Delhi
samosa ($5), a crisp triangular turnover lightly stuffed with seasoned potatoes
and peas.
Often the dough used to make these are thick and heavy. Not
here. The compact dumplings had a crisp outer shell with an almost fluffy
filling.Our Kofta lollipops ($8) were a mix of vegetables and paneer cheese
molded into oblong meatballs and encased in a light layer of breading on a slim
stick. The four pops were positioned on a serving plate with a curved platform
with holes to hold each. Alongside was an artfully pooled sweet-and-sour
sauce.For entrees, the saagh paneer ($16) was a meld of cooked spinach and the unaged cheese.
The dish had subtle notes
of cardamom and nutmeg.Our lamb roganjosh ($19) blended cut-up meat with fresh
ginger, tangy yogurt, sweet onion and a full-bodied tomato sauce. I ordered the
dish with medium heat and it did not disappoint, popping on the palate with
additional flavor, not random fire.You will be three-for-three with the old
Delhi butter chicken ($19). The tender pieces ofbreast meat soaked in a creamy
tomato butter sauce. The deeply colored red sauce gives no clue to its complex
layering of delicate flavors.All entrees come with a bowl of aromatic basmati
rice.Butter naan ($3), a warm puffy bread, is a requisite accompaniment as
well. You are in sopping nirvana here.Servers were knowledgeable and
well-engaged with diners
Mynt is a mint-condition newcomer that should have a long run.
The Dish on dining
Mynt Fine Indian Cuisine
¿¿¿ (out of 4)
Where: 535 W. New England Ave. in
Winter Park's Hannibal Square (near Pennsylvania Avenue)
When: Lunch 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
daily; dinner 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 5-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday;
Sunday brunch 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
How much: $6-$30; brunch $16
Beverages: Wine and beer
Wines by the glass: From $8
Attire: Casual
Extras: Good for groups, private
dining, takes reservations, vegetarian options
Noise level: Nice conversational buzz
Wheelchair access: Good
Credit: American Express, Discover,
MasterCard and Visa
Call: 407-636-7055
Online: myntorlando.com and Facebook
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/restaurants/
Best Eats 2014: The 12 top Huntsville-area dining reviews from
this year
ChuckWagon BBQ's Three
Meat Plate with ribs, brisket, chicken, slaw and potato salad. (Matt
Wake/mwake@al.com)
By Matt Wake | mwake@al.com
December 23, 2014 at 8:00 AM, updated December
23, 2014 at 9:24 AM
To use a baseball analogy, a major league pitcher knows he's
supposed to throw a strike into the catcher's mitt. But that doesn't mean he'll
be on target when there are 20,000 fans in the stadium. Or that he'll get the
ball past the batter. That's why restaurants and food trucks that do pull off
stunning food and sterling service deserve much respect ... and a place on our
Best Eats of 2014 list.
Please note: Pricing, available
items and hours of operation indicated below reflect those on the date the
dining review was conducted. Please call ahead for latest information.
ChuckWagon BBQ
8982 Hwy. 20, Madison
256-772-5179
Monday - Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; 5 - 8 p.m.
Recommendations: Chicken, ribs, pulled pork, brisket.
Price range: Most main dishes $7 - $16.
8982 Hwy. 20, Madison
256-772-5179
Monday - Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; 5 - 8 p.m.
Recommendations: Chicken, ribs, pulled pork, brisket.
Price range: Most main dishes $7 - $16.
Suspense builds as you get to the
front of the line at Chuckwagon BBQ. A tall gray bearded gent wearing a cowboy
hat - and looking like he just finished shoeing a horse - brandishes a large
knife and presides over a steaming table of various meats. The ribs are
excellent - smoky, tender, a subtle sweetness - and paired well with ChuckWagon's
medium barbecue sauce, which has enough kick for most folks. There aren't many
barbecue joints in Huntsville that take a stab at brisket. ChuckWagon nails it.
The chicken, my serving was basically a breast halved, might have been my
favorite main dish here - a pronounced smokiness, super tender well-cooked
white meat.
Read the full review here:http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/10/chuckwagon_bbqs_mighty_brisket.html#incart_river
The Eaves Restaurant (Sunday
brunch)
501 Church St.
256-489-1752
eaveshsv.com
Sunday brunch: 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Recommendations: Surf & Turf Omelette, Crab Cake BLT, Bourbon Peaches & Cream Signature Stuffed French Toast.
Price range: Most entrees $9 - $22.
501 Church St.
256-489-1752
eaveshsv.com
Sunday brunch: 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Recommendations: Surf & Turf Omelette, Crab Cake BLT, Bourbon Peaches & Cream Signature Stuffed French Toast.
Price range: Most entrees $9 - $22.
The Eaves brunch menu indicates
the Bourbon Peaches & Cream Signature Stuffed French Toast ($15) requires
extra prep time. It's worth the wait. Dusky, spicy bourbon notes imbuing the
gooey peach stuffing inside the two large planks of French toast, which were
expertly cooked. Golden. Right on. The fresh whipped cream on top was super
rich and super airy, and when combined with the bourbon peach filling made for
a truly decadent experience. The side of bacon, thick cut, Applewood-tasting
was a smart, savory counterpoint to all that lights-out sweetness.
Read the full review here:http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/09/the_eaves_restaurant_brunch_is.html
Brasserie Juno
964 Airport Road S.W. Ste. 3
256-880-9920
junohsv.com
Tuesday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Recommendations: Tour du Fromage, Duck Au Poivre, Charbroiled Flounder, Chicken Provencal.
Price range: Most entrees $10 - $22
964 Airport Road S.W. Ste. 3
256-880-9920
junohsv.com
Tuesday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Recommendations: Tour du Fromage, Duck Au Poivre, Charbroiled Flounder, Chicken Provencal.
Price range: Most entrees $10 - $22
If you've never eaten
snails before, it's actually not a freaky experience. The Escargot ($10) at
Brasserie Juno is quite lovely, broiled in a subtle garlic-butter and the
snails themselves, served sans shell, had a bouncy texture not dissimilar from
clams and a woodsy, Portobello-like flavor. Squeezing the accompanying lemon
wedge over the Escargot really made this dish pop. Virtually every molecule of
our meal at Brasserie Juno - formerly the long-running German restaurant Café
Berlin which ownership rebooted in mid-July as a French place - was assured and
elegant. Transportive. And flat-out delicious.
Read the full review here:http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/08/brasserie_junos_french_fare_is.html
Viet Cuisine
405 Jordan Lane
256-361-6067
Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Recommendations: Lemongrass Chicken, Dry Phnom Penh Noodle, Tofo And Mixed Vegetable On The Skillet, Seafood Pho.
Price range: Most main dishes $7 - $8.
405 Jordan Lane
256-361-6067
Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Recommendations: Lemongrass Chicken, Dry Phnom Penh Noodle, Tofo And Mixed Vegetable On The Skillet, Seafood Pho.
Price range: Most main dishes $7 - $8.
The Lemongrass Chicken ($7.25)
arrived on a sizzling skillet similar to those Mexican restaurants utilize for
fajitas. A perfect portion of tender stir fry chicken, supported with a
balanced amount of green bell pepper chunks, red onion (caramelized sweet),
baby corn, mushrooms and, in a deft move, a few bits of pineapple. Served with
white rice. Several sprigs of cilantro imparted exotic, fresh notes. Minced
chili pepper added pow. An awesome dish.
Read the full review here:http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/10/viet_cuisine_new_huntsville_re.html
Rollin Lobstah
256-690-6494
Visit rollinlobstah.com for locations, dates and times
Recommendations: Connecticut Lobstah Roll, Maine Lobstah Roll, Mac & Cheese Bacon Lobstah Bites.
Price range: Most items $7-$11.
256-690-6494
Visit rollinlobstah.com for locations, dates and times
Recommendations: Connecticut Lobstah Roll, Maine Lobstah Roll, Mac & Cheese Bacon Lobstah Bites.
Price range: Most items $7-$11.
When Lobstah debuted this summer
at a Downtown Huntsville Inc.'s Street Food event, people were waiting in
90-minute lines to order from this food truck. An hour-and-a-half. Just to
order. The Connecticut Lobstah Roll ($11) is particularly excellent. Warm fresh
lobster chunks on a toasted lightly buttered bun (with a favorable
lobster-to-bun ratio), and this is one of those dishes where the ingredients
meld into one.
Read the full review here:http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/06/rollin_lobstah_food_truck_serv.html
Abuela's Mexican Bar and Grill
8694 Madison Blvd. Ste. 7
256-425-1231
Monday - Thursday: 10:30 - 9 p.m.
Friday- Saturday: 10:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Recommendations: Marinated Pork Enchiladas, Tortilla Soup, Diablo Shrimp.
Price range: Most entrees $6.50 - $13.
8694 Madison Blvd. Ste. 7
256-425-1231
Monday - Thursday: 10:30 - 9 p.m.
Friday- Saturday: 10:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Recommendations: Marinated Pork Enchiladas, Tortilla Soup, Diablo Shrimp.
Price range: Most entrees $6.50 - $13.
They might as well all be
franchises of some chain called McMexican's. Those interchangeable, boilerplate
Mexican restaurants that serve food so similar you could be in Topeka or
Tennessee. Many of us still eat at them on the regular. Mostly because of
proximity to work or home. Located in Madison, Abuela's Mexican Bar and Grill
is about a 15-minute drive from downtown Huntsville and not particularly
convenient to here but I'll be driving back there soon. Fresh, higher
quality ingredients and a menu with some delicious deviations from the norm are
the primary reasons why.
Read the full review here:http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/11/abuelas_mexican_bar_and_grill.html
1892 East (vegetarian lunch menu)
720 Pratt Avenue
256-489-1242
1892east.com
Lunch: Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Dinner: Monday - Saturday 5 - 10 p.m.
Brunch: Sunday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Recommendations: Mushroom Pot Pie, Portobello "Burger," Crispy Tofu Sandwich.
Price range: Most items $9 - $12.
720 Pratt Avenue
256-489-1242
1892east.com
Lunch: Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Dinner: Monday - Saturday 5 - 10 p.m.
Brunch: Sunday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Recommendations: Mushroom Pot Pie, Portobello "Burger," Crispy Tofu Sandwich.
Price range: Most items $9 - $12.
My cheeseburger at 1892 East was
juicy, plenty, rich, savory, tender ... and completely meatless. The Portobello
"Burger" ($10) is served on a soft, bakery-style roll, the Portobello
Burger was ideally grilled. Balsamic aioli imparted bright notes while Wright
Dairy white cheddar cheese contributed lush texture. The green leafy lettuce,
onion slices and ultra-ripe tomatoes served with all the sandwiches we ordered
upped the ante, as did the abundant and crunchy fresh-cut fries.
Read the full review here:http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/02/1892_easts_vegetarian_menu_cho.html
5 A's Restaurant
6297 Highway 53
256-852-8089
5asrestaurant.com
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Recommendations: Feisty Feta Spread, Chicken Kabob Plate, Kataifi, Vegetarian Plate.
Price range: Most items $5 - $10.
6297 Highway 53
256-852-8089
5asrestaurant.com
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Recommendations: Feisty Feta Spread, Chicken Kabob Plate, Kataifi, Vegetarian Plate.
Price range: Most items $5 - $10.
Just because food is served on a
Styrofoam plate doesn't mean it can't look and taste phenomenal. Witness the
Chicken Kabob Plate ($7.99) at 5 A's Restaurant, a two-year-old-plus Greek
eatery in Harvest. Tender, juicy chunks of chicken breast, crisp lettuce,
sliced cherry tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, soft pita triangles plated
attractively atop perfectly cooked, long-grain basmati rice. This entrée really
delivered some subtle-yet-zesty flavors while retaining a relatively healthy
vibe. The accompanying, on-the-side tzatziki sauce offered cucumber coolness,
garlic zip and clean creaminess, and the hummus boasted lothario levels of
smoothness and earthiness.
Read the full review here:http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/03/5_as_restaurant_greek_eatery_i.html
The Bottle (lunch menu)
101 Washington St. N.E.
256-704-5555
facebook.com/TheBottleHuntsville
Lunch: Monday- Friday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Dinner: Monday - Saturday: 4 - 11 p.m.
Recommendations: Apple and Blackberry Mixed Green Salad, Pan Fried Trout, Seared Ahi Tuna Nicoise Bowl.
Price range: Entrees $13 - $16.
101 Washington St. N.E.
256-704-5555
facebook.com/TheBottleHuntsville
Lunch: Monday- Friday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Dinner: Monday - Saturday: 4 - 11 p.m.
Recommendations: Apple and Blackberry Mixed Green Salad, Pan Fried Trout, Seared Ahi Tuna Nicoise Bowl.
Price range: Entrees $13 - $16.
The skin-up plating of trout
always looks a little crazy to me, but you cannot argue with the flavor. The
Bottle's Pan Fried Trout ($16) possessed - snow-soft texture, flaky, hints of
buttery sweetness. It started off tasting good and got better with each bite.
And there were lots of bites. Generous portion. The accompanying lemon meuniere
sauce - dotted with a constellation of capers - evoked earthy notes, and
whenever I bit into a caper, it added an intense bright burst. The few
neon-green drops of basil oil added some sweet and leafy kicks, and I found
myself searching the plate for a few more dots.
Read the full review here:http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/05/the_bottles_lunch_menu_is_artf.html
Brix (lunch menu)
964 Airport Road
256-881-3396
brixhuntsville.com
Dinner: Monday -Thursday 4:30 - 9 p.m.; Friday - Saturday 4:30 - 10 p.m.
Lunch: Tuesday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Recommendations: Brix Salad, Chicken & Waffles.
Price range: $9 - $15.
964 Airport Road
256-881-3396
brixhuntsville.com
Dinner: Monday -Thursday 4:30 - 9 p.m.; Friday - Saturday 4:30 - 10 p.m.
Lunch: Tuesday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Recommendations: Brix Salad, Chicken & Waffles.
Price range: $9 - $15.
If you've ever been underwhelmed
by chicken and waffles, try the version on Brix's lunch menu. The problem you
can run into with this dichotomous dish, as prepared at soul food restaurants,
is the chicken is often three or so fried wings. So the protein is skimpy and a
hassle to eat with a knife and fork. Brix's Chicken & Waffles ($12.95),
ordered on a recent Monday, featured a sizeable, boneless chicken tenderloin,
fried juicy-crisp without being overdone or greasy. Granted, Brix is a
white-tablecloth restaurant. But this is an upscale refinement that really,
really works and a fair trade for whatever "funkiness" is lost.
Read the full review here:http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/01/brixs_lunch_menu_offers_surpri.html
Cotton Row Restaurant (lunch menu)
100 South Side Square
256-382-9500
cottonrowrestaurant.com
Lunch: Wednesday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Dinner: Monday through Saturday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Recommendations: Gnocchi Spinach Soup, Pan Seared Corvina, Grilled Mahi Mahi, Chicken Pot Pie.
Price range: Most lunch items $11 - $17.
100 South Side Square
256-382-9500
cottonrowrestaurant.com
Lunch: Wednesday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Dinner: Monday through Saturday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Recommendations: Gnocchi Spinach Soup, Pan Seared Corvina, Grilled Mahi Mahi, Chicken Pot Pie.
Price range: Most lunch items $11 - $17.
Ever since star chef James Boyce
opened Cotton Row in 2008, the downtown-square fine-dining spot has earned a
reputation for transcendent food and car-payment sized tabs. While Cotton Row
dinner entree prices are no joke, the restaurant's fantastic lunch menu
is much more accessible. I ordered the Grilled Mahi Mahi ($14). When the
gorgeously plated Mahi was placed in front of me, it felt like I was living inside
a cookbook photo. The fish couldn't have been cooked better. Super, tender
flaky interior, and a slightly-crispy exterior which was subtly salt and herb
seasoned. The fish was served atop sunset-soft ringlets of house-made, slightly
buttery fettuccine. Wow.
Read the full review here:http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/02/cotton_rows_new_lunch_menu_ite.html
Nick's Ristorante
10300 Bailey Cove Road
256-489-8280
nicksristorante.com
Monday - Saturday: 4 - 11 p.m.
Recommendations: Veal Saltimboca, Pasta Nicky, Crab-Stuffed Portobello "Jaclyn."
Price range: Most entrees $18 - $39.
10300 Bailey Cove Road
256-489-8280
nicksristorante.com
Monday - Saturday: 4 - 11 p.m.
Recommendations: Veal Saltimboca, Pasta Nicky, Crab-Stuffed Portobello "Jaclyn."
Price range: Most entrees $18 - $39.
Nick's Ristorante is located in a
South Huntsville strip mall, so approaching the humble exterior you might
wonder, "Is this really somewhere I want to drop some big coin on
dinner?" The answer is a resounding, 72-point font "YES." The
Veal Saltimboca ($24) was possibly the best in a strong field of entrees we
ordered. Layers of veal, prosciutto, cheese and, I believe, sage, resulted in a
dish that was sophisticated and supper-comfy. Our server recommended mushroom
risotto as a side, and man, was she right-on. Chunky, woodsy and a must-do
side.
Read the full review here:http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/03/nicks_ristorante_where_theres.html
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