Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

GK Media Inc is pleased to present a new feature video highlighting the Summer Night Market.

To watch the Summer Night Market Video please click here: Video

Directly from the Bastille Press Release:

OUT OF THE RECESSION COMES INNOVATIVE NEW GROWTH IN OLD BALLARD
Bastille Café & Bar at forefront of growing national trend of rooftop gardens

The New York Times recently reported on the trend to create rooftop gardens in urban areas where space is at a premium. Chefs, schools, community organizations and private citizens are greening their roofs and growing local produce for themselves and their communities, all above the hustle and bustle of city life.

Restaurateurs and business partners, James Weimann (Pesos, May Restaurant and Lounge, Talarico’s, Triangle Tavern, El Camino) and Deming Maclise (Caffè Fiorè), have installed Seattle’s first commercial rooftop garden on the roof of Bastille Café & Bar located at 5307 Ballard Avenue which opens on Monday, June 29, 2009.  The restaurant phone number is (206) 453-5014 and the website will be located at www.bastilleseattle.com.  Bastille Café & Bar will be open 7 days a week from 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm., with dinner service beginning at 5:30 pm.  Brunch will be served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am-3:00 pm, and late-night dining will be available until 1:00 am.

Bastille’s roof has been transformed and seriously reinforced to contain a 2,500 sq ft. working rooftop garden, 500-square foot of which is currently being used. A garden on the roof will provide the freshest, most local produce a restaurant could hope for, and sourcing local food helps keep food costs low, a necessity in today’s economic climate.

The inaugural harvest from Bastille’s 12 raised beds include two varieties of arugula, four to five varieties of lettuce, chives, dill, fennel, basil, tarragon, chervil, lovage, peppercress, rosemary and lavender.

With Bastille, Weimann and Maclise have combined their extensive expertise to create a restaurant that blends value-oriented, appetite-satisfying French comfort food, with sustainable, fresh and local produce - two things that Seattleites value in a dining experience.

The current garden at 12 beds and 500 square feet contains 15 yards of soil that weighs 15,000 pounds.

Bastille expects to triple the roof top garden space within the next year

The garden is maintained by Colin McCrate of Seattle Urban Farm Company (urbanfarmco.com)

Bastille’s menu includes Salade a Toit (Rooftop greens in hazelnut vinaigrette, $8) featuring exclusively rooftop garden-grown produce

Executive Chef Shannon Galusha has culinary experience from the French Laundry in Yountville, California, Campagne restaurant in the Pike Place Market, Michel Rostang’s Rue Balzac in Paris, France, and Seattle’s Veil restaurant.

The building that houses Bastille is 85 years old and was a Machinist shop for 50 years. It has been re-imagined as a French café and bar replete with reclaimed found object décor sourced from Paris, Chicago and the Pacific Northwest.

Bastille Café & Bar will provide nearly 60 new jobs to the community ranging from hourly dishwashers to management level salaried positions.

Directly from the Pressure Cooker Press Release

I’m writing to let you know about the opening of an excellent documentary at the Northwest Film Forum on July 10th. PRESSURE COOKER, directed by Jennifer Grausman and Mark Becker is the story of Three seniors at Philadelphia’s Frankford High, who find an unlikely champion in Culinary Arts teacher Wilma Stephenson. A legend in the school system, Mrs. Stephenson’s hilariously blunt boot-camp method is validated by years of scholarship success that’s taken countless students from the city’s working-class neighborhoods to the top culinary schools in the country. And under her fierce direction, the usual distractions of high school are swept aside as Erica, Dudley and Fatoumata prepare to achieve beyond what anyone else expects from them.

GK Media Inc is pleased to be presenting an ongoing collection of recipes from various cookbooks.

The recipe that will be featured today is Daube de Boeuf from the New World Provence cookbook.

To download all of the recipes please use the recipe iPod guide or go to the Recipes page.

To have a chance to win a signed copy of the New World Provence cookbook please enter our July 9th, 2009 newsletter draw.

Directly from the Morning Bay Press Release

Legends of West Coast Rock Headline Morning Bay’s 4th Annual Winestock

Labour Day Music Festival at Canada’s Only Oceanfront Vineyard

Pender Island, BC (June 23, 2009)–Like fine wine, Morning Bay Vineyard’s Winestock Music Festival on Pender Island just gets better with age. Now in its fourth year, this year’s show on Labour Day Saturday, September 5 promises a rockin’ good time in Canada’s only oceanfront vineyard.

This year’s headliners are The Odds, a legendary Canadian alternative rock bands from the 1990s. They toured with Warren Zevon, The Tragically Hip and Doug and the Slugs. Now they’re rockin’ the vineyard.

Western Canada’s first punk band, The Furies, joins the bill for the first time. Back in 1977 when punk first came to Vancouver, The Furies were it. Now they bring their primitive style to Winestock. Wear your spikes (and we don’t mean golf).

Vancouver’s Coco Love Alcorn brings her jazz-inspired folk music to Winestock for the first time. The Antigonish-born singer has worked with the likes of Burton Cummings, Ani DiFranco, 54-40 and Jesse Cook. Now touring out of both Toronto and Vancouver, Coco’s voice has been compared to Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald. Don’t miss her!

Perennial Winestock favorite Wyckham Porteous  is back with a new act featuring his fabulous songwriting and a harder-edged sound.

Morning Bay’s favourite punker, Dave Rave of New York City,  promises to “rock the party” with his faithful bassman, Bill Culp  who does the best Carl Perkins this side of Memphis.

And back for more is Leslie Alexander with her husband, legendary music producer Johnnie Ellis. Leslie brings her country-influenced roots music that pleased Winestock fans two years ago.

All backed by the fabulous Morning Bay City Rollers, our inimitable house band featuring musicians from many of the west coast’s all-time top bands (Doug and the Slugs, Colin James and others).

All this in the little vineyard by the sea, drinking the wines made from those vines, enjoying music from Noon ’til Dusk, when everyone comes on stage for a monster jam. Only 300 tickets available. That’s Winestock, Labour Day Saturday, September 5, 2009. Morning Bay Vineyard & Estate Winery, 6621 Harbour Hill Drive, Pender Island, BC V0N 2M1 250-629-8351

Tickets $35 pp available on the website at www.morningbay.ca/winestock-music-festival.php.
In Vancouver at Dr. Vigari’s Gallery www.doctorvigarigallery.com (604) 255-9513 at 1312 Commercial Dr, BC
In Victoria at Classic Guitars on Fort, www.classicguitars.com, 250-389-6029, 828 Fort Street.
On Pender Island at Talisman Books and Gallery, www.talismanbooks.ca, 250-629-6944, Driftwood Centre, Pender Island, BC; and at Medicine Beach Fine Wines www.medicinebeach.com, 250-629-2024, Medicine Beach Store, Pender Island, BC.

To see video of last year’s Winestock, check out this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXOKPQ-GhgI

For further information, contact winestock-music-festival@morningbay.ca.

Directly from the Opus Bar Press Release

Canada Day at OPUS
High Speed Bike Racing, a Beer Garden and an After Party

OPUS Beer Garden
1pm-7pm

OPUS BAR & Zegna Sport After Party
7pm-late
Be a part of the Grand Prix action from our beer garden. Located at the corner of Davie and Hamilton.

After the medal ceremonies, join us in Opus Bar for the Zegna Sport after party. Prizes to be won!

Directly from the VanDusen Press Release:

Registration Information can be found under the Children and Families Section of VanDusen’s web site (www.vandusengarden.org ) or by calling 604-718-5898 or emailing summercamps@vandusen.org

July: three Saturdays - July 4,11 & 18  10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Over the Rainbow
A fusion of food, cooking art and nature - put the fun back into fruits and the verve back into veggies with a hands-on program that will encourage children to enjoy healthy snacks made with local, seasonal produce. Kids will create salads, sushi, sorbets, smoothies and more. Time will also be spent out in the Garden discovering the Heirloom Vegetable Garden, exploring nature and creating artwork inspired by their explorations.  This three-session program is for children 6 - 11 years of age. Children attend unaccompanied by an adult. Program fee covers admission to the Garden, the cost of food and art supplies. Cost: $ 110 per participant

August: Saturday, August 15 one-day camp 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
En Plein Air
Art ‘en plein air’ epitomized the techniques of Impressionist artists Monet, Renoir, Seurat and Cezanne. Looking at the artists of the period, participants will try their hand at Impressionistic painting styles out in the Garden. At the same time, they will experience fresh new flavours as they prepare and share a picnic lunch using local, seasonal ingredients.  This one-day program is for children ages 6 - 11 years of age. Children attend unaccompanied by an adult. Program fee covers admission to the Garden as well as food and art supplies. Cost: $45 per participant

Instructor for both courses - Karen Myskiw
Ms. Myskiw’s background combines experience in landscape design and home economics. Karen engages the potential of children through hands-on learning. Her passions fuse areas of cooking, art-making, gardening, writing and travel.

Directly from the Tourism Whistler Press Release:

Food Events:

Outstanding in the Field July 18, 2009

Join Araxi’s executive chef James Walt and North Arm Farm’s Jordan Sturdy for Outstanding in the Field’s first event in Pemberton, 35 kilometres north of Whistler. A long, linen-draped table beckons adventurous diners to celebrate food at the source. Beginning with a tour of North Arm Farm, guests will enjoy a five-course dinner and wine pairings set between the soil and the sky. To make a reservation visit www.outstandinginthefield.com .

Whistler Farmers’ Market June 21 - October 11, 2009

The Whistler Farmers’ Market takes over the pedestrian streets of the Upper Village (near The Fairmont Chateau Whistler) every Sunday during summer, featuring local produce from the Pemberton Valley and beyond, tasty artisan foods, live cooking demos by Whistler chefs and live music. Choose from a selection of crafts, organic and local produce, jams, honey, baked goods, jewellery and much more on offer. The market runs every Sunday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. until October 11, 2009. www.whistlerfarmersmarket.org

Mountain Top Dining June 27 - September 7, 2009

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening, from June 27 until September 7, Whistler Blackcomb hosts an incredible alpine dining experience at the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain. Simply ride up on the Gondola and enjoy mouth-watering food while taking in famous Whistler views at 4,000 feet above the Village. Choose from Whole Hog Friday, the Saturday Night BBQ or the Sunday Salmon Bake. Live music plays on all nights. Tickets are available by calling 1.800.766.0449 or to find our more information visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/summer/dine.

Directly from the Taste of Victoria Press Release:

Victoria’s first annual Taste festival opens on July 16 with The Main Event, an evening devoted to BC wines and Island cuisine.  More than 150 BC wines will be featured and paired with delicious nibbles from Vancouver Island’s top chefs. Meet the characters from the kitchens and vineyards while you swirl, sniff, sip and savour to the tunes of jazz vocalist Emily Braden and the funky vibe of Greenlaw.

Taste Festival’s The Main Event is from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, July 16, at the Victoria Conference Centre’s Crystal Garden, Douglas Street, Victoria.  A limited number of $75 Early-Bird Tickets are available.  Contact the McPherson Box Office, 250-386-6121 or www.rmts.bc.ca, or visit the festival website at www.VictoriaTaste.com.  As of July 1, tickets are $100 and available through the same outlets.

Directly from the Sun Peaks Resort Press Release:

June 23, 2009 – Sustaining the local economy is even more important this summer and visitors and residents at Sun Peaks Resort will once again be supporting local farmers, ranchers and artisans. The award winning Sun Peaks & Region Farmers’ Market is returning for a 4th season and will be set up in the heart of the Sun Peaks Village on Sunday, June 28 from 10am to 2pm and will continue every Sunday all summer.

The Farmers’ Market at Sun Peaks had a record breaking season in 2008, with an average of 16 vendors each week and close to 20 during the BC150 Feastival Celebration during the August long weekend. The Sun Peaks Market was awarded the Best Small Market from the BC150 Farmers’ Market awards for its continued efforts to promote sustainable agriculture in the region.

Local vendors are extremely pleased with how the Sun Peaks Market has grown and say they are hoping people will continue to recognize the value of supporting local producers.

“The money you spend at my booth, I spend at the grocery store or the farmers market or the gas station,” says Kelsey Kashaluba of Fisherman’s Catch. “It’s a great big circle.”

The Sun Peaks Farmers’ Market will continue be an integral part of the community this summer. The Village will be alive with buskers and entertainment, creating a unique ambiance for customers while they shop for fresh fruits, organic vegetables, meats, seafood and crafts from local artisans.

Come up for the market and stay for the day in the natural mountain environment surrounding Sun Peaks. Ride the chairlift and hike in the alpine, go mountain biking, horseback riding or canoe at McGillivray Lake.

The Sun Peaks & Region Farmers’ Market will take place every Sunday this summer from 10am to 2pm.

Directly from the Yaletown Brewing Company Press Release:

Vancouver, BC – The Yaletown Brewing Company has reopened as a brew pub for the modern Yaletown, complete with renovations by Box Interior Designs and a new menu that showcases the combined efforts of executive chef Darren Watson and local comfort food authority Andrey Durbach.

The menu, which has been created by Durbach and is articulated by Watson, lends a fresh creative spin to comfort food while offering a nod to the classics. Long-time supporters of the neighbourhood fixture will be pleased to find familiar favorites such as Smoked Applewood Cheddar, Potato and Ale Soup, alongside new additions such as 5-hour Braised Short Ribs and Nagila Pale Ale infused BBQ Sauce, and Pizza topped with Tender Confit Duck Leg, Toasted Walnuts, Roquefort Blue Cheese and Fresh Arugula. In addition to the new menu items, guests will be pleased to learn that all pizza and pasta dough are now being made fresh in-house daily.

When it opened in 1994 as a forerunner in the emerging warehouse district of Yaletown, the YBC quickly earned a reputation as the neighborhood pub—celebrating fresh beer and a budget-friendly menu. As the area has continued to evolve, the Yaletown institution felt it was time to follow suit, enlisting the creative direction of Vancouver-based Box Interior Designs. The heritage brick and beam warehouse will continue to offer a variety of settings allowing guests to choose from the restaurant, pub, and wrap-around patio. Pony skin covered bar stools line the thirty-six seat elevated restaurant bar and lounge, featuring tables made from reconstituted butcher blocks.  In the surrounding dining room the refinished wood floors echo the warehouse feel of this heritage building. Modern accents such as Tiko Kerr paintings and recycled brew kegs act as chandeliers, while floor to ceiling glass sliding doors open onto the one hundred and thirty seat patio. In the adjacent Pub, blood-red upholstery saddles up to rich brown walls with a speakeasy taking centre stage. Flat screen TVs, pool tables and a lower lounge complete with vintage leather sofas and a fireplace make this the perfect place to have an after work drink with coworkers or watch the game with friends.

Directly from The Hart House Press Release:

June 22, 2009 (Vancouver, BC) – Lovers of Old World food and wine, unite!  Your passion for rustic Italian cuisine is satisfied this summer at Hart House’s Italian Garden Party.  Held on Wednesday, July 22 2009, the evening offers guests a feast for the senses with sumptuous food, outstanding Italian wines, and authentic live music.

Hart House’s annual Italian Garden Party starts in the estate’s elegant gardens with a casual tasting of wines selected from premium Italian regions by our Sommelier.

Guests may then purchase the featured wines from the tasting to pair with the al fresco buffet dinner that follows. The menu features Italian inspired cuisine. Guests are welcome to stroll around the beautiful Hart House lawn and gardens, enjoy the live music and take in the incomparable view of Deer Lake.

Celebrate and experience Italy’s fine wines and culinary traditions that have conquered taste buds around the world!

Italian Garden Party

Wednesday, July 22 2009  6:00 pm

$45 per person plus taxes and gratuity

Hart House at Deer Lake

6664 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby

Reservations by phone only at 604-298-4278

The Vancouver International Jazz Festival starts June 26th and runs until July 5th, 2009.

The BC Lions home opener is Friday July 10th, 2009.

Taste of Asia is on July 4th and 5th, 2009 at the Summer Night Market.

City TV’s Taste of the City is on July 18th, 2009.

Sun Peaks Wine and Culture Festival is July 17th to 19th, 2009.

Living Gluten Free Community Meet Up is on July 14th, 2009.

Product Taste Test: Glenfiddich Single-Malt Special Reserve 12-year Old Whisky

A whisky-tasting opportunity is not one to be missed –particularly when the whisky in question is probably the most popular single malt in the world - the Special Reserve 12 year old whisky from the Glenfiddich range.
Now the thought of a group of novices tasting such a fine drink can be quite daunting particularly when Glenfiddich aficionados are known to roll their eyes in sheer delight as they wax lyrical.  How could our quartet of relative newcomers to the actual whisky tasting process make a credible assessment?  We decided that our ‘taste’ test would be about more than just taste – it would also include our other senses – the aroma; the color; the way the whisky swirled in our glasses; the initial feel of the whisky on the tongue and the continued after-taste.
Process:  While most whisky tasters might prefer to use tulip-shaped glasses when tasting different whiskies, our Group of Four opted to stick with the short whiskey tumblers normally used for whisky shots as we were only testing one product. As some of us were tasting Glenfiddich’s single malt for the first time we decided we would try it two ways:  1-oz each straight up and then 1-oz each with a little water
Straight up:  We first sampled 1-oz of the single malt straight up – a new experience for some of us who had never tried whisky without ice or in a mix. We found the honey-amber color extremely rich and pleasing to the eye.  The initial aroma hinted at a nice fruitiness at first not quite discernible then becoming slightly woodsy, finally settling into a rich peaty-smokiness.  Swirling the liquid in the tumbler helped us to discover its ‘legs’ – the way it slowly coated the glass and dripped down even more gently.  We learned that the slower the drips of ‘legs’ – the older the whisky.  Our taste product certainly lived up to its age!
Having fully inhaled the first aroma we each took a good mouthful, feeling it roll over the tongue as it released its slow, smooth burn.  The longer we held it the warmer and smoother it tasted.  The first swallow was smooth and gentle on the throat with no after-burn.  Rather the taste continued to linger – nice, smooth and wonderfully smoky.  The second, third and fourth swallows tasted even better – rich and soft, gliding like smooth honey.  As we rested we continued to feel the slow warmth it released and the nicely rounded pleasing taste that continued to linger.
1-oz with ice water:  Our second taste test was done with 1-oz of the single malt with the addition of just a smidgen of ice water.  The addition of water seemed to actually enhance the aroma, almost warming it and slowly releasing the woodsy-smokiness.  Although the ‘legs’ moved a little faster this time on the sides of the tumbler the color, fragrance and  clarity were in no way compromised.  Nor was the taste!  This is a great way for first time single-malt tasters to enjoy this slightly milder version in their introduction to Glenfiddich’s single malt.
Our conclusion:  As expected each of us experienced a variety of different aromas – from fruity to a crisp herbal to the nice smokiness of a peat fire. We also experienced degrees of taste based on the initial fragrance. Those of us who were more familiar with other whiskies pronounced Glenfiddich’s 12 year old single malt a sure-fire winner for its color, aroma and taste.  The novice in our group also commented on the extremely favorable fruity-smoky aroma, the smooth mellow taste and the pleasing, lingering aftertaste long after the liquid had been imbibed.  We all agreed that for the ultimate enjoyment this whisky must be slowly sipped to savor the full flavor.  While drinking it straight up makes for a great full-bodied taste, adding ice water or a couple of ice cubes is another great version especially while hanging around the BBQ this summer!

FoodVancouver.com wishes you a great summer – enjoy your Glenfiddich but always remember to: “Drink Responsibly”.
Cheers!

By: Sheila LoGuisto

GK Media Inc is pleased to be presenting an ongoing collection of recipes from various cookbooks.

The recipe that will be featured today is Roast Chicken with Herbes De Provence from the New World Provence cookbook.

To download all of the recipes please use the recipe iPod guide or go to the Recipes page.

To have a chance to win a signed copy of the New World Provence cookbook please enter our July 9th, 2009 newsletter draw.

Summer Light Wild Rice Menu

July 2009

Choose any two food courses for $22 pp

Enjoy all three food courses for $27 pp

1

oriental crab cake

lime, chili, cilantro meritage

*suggested wine pairing 3oz lake breeze pinot gris

2

steamed sablefish

hemp seed and soy roasted bc fingerling potatoes

marinated cucumber, ginger threads, miso tamarind summer glaze

*suggested wine pairing 3oz joie noble blend

3

dairyless raspberry tart

ginger lemon sorbet

*suggested wine pairing 2oz gray monk late harvest kerner

*optional wine pairings available: any two for $10 or three for $15

Directly from Elixir Bistro Press Release:

Sunday Jazz Brunch

Every Sunday, join us in Elixir Bistro for jazz brunch featuring two celebrated Vancouver artists Jillian Lebeck and Adam Thomas

Directly from the Dr Peter Centre Press Release:

Vancouver, BC… On Sunday, September 20th from 6:00-9:00PM, the Dr. Peter Centre West End (1110 Comox Street, Vancouver) will host the 6th  Annual Passions – A benefit for the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation.  Emceed by Global TV’s Sophie Lui and consisting of 19 top Vancouver Chefs, a steady flow of wine and live and silent auction items to knock your socks off, Passions is the hottest event on the culinary calendar.  Tickets are $200 and available online at www.drpeter.org  or by calling 604.331.3452 starting July 15, 2009.

A small gala with tonnes of spirit, Passions tickles your taste buds and tempts your palate while opening your heart. This year’s participating restaurants include: Bin 941/942, C Restaurant, Chambar Belgian Restaurant, CinCin, Crave Restaurants, Diva at the Met, El Barrio, Elixir, Fraîche Restaurant, Hamilton Street Grill, La Terrazza Restaurant, Le Gavroche, MIX the Bakery, O’Doul’s Restaurant & Bar, Provence Restaurants, So.Cial at Le Magasin, The Observatory, Tojo’s and Zin.  Passions is generously sponsored by A&B Party Rentals, Ethical Bean Coffee Company, Precision Graphics, The Vancouver Courier, BC Housing, The Flower Factory, and Firestain.

Prize Box

“Passions is an extraordinary evening filled with fantastic food, great fun and wonderful people,” says Leah Solomon, Development Manager for the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. “We were thrilled that the support we received from the community last year helped to make it a record-breaking year. We’re hoping for even greater things for 2009.”

The Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation is a non-profit organization specializing in health care services and programs for people with HIV/AIDS. The Foundation established the Dr. Peter Centre West End as the province’s only HIV/AIDS Day Health Program and 24-hour nursing care Residence. The only program of its kind in Canada, the Centre’s innovative, comprehensive model of care is improving people’s health and inspiring health care providers around the world. For more information on the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, Dr. Peter Centre West End, and Passions visit the website at www.drpeter.org.