Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Directly from the Chambar Press Release:

CHAMBAR BEATS THE ODDS. SEPTEMBER 12th IT’S TIME TO PARTY!
Five-year anniversary on Beatty Street with live music, kids’ disco, pig roast and an all-night celebration

For Immediate Release

August 31st 2009, Vancouver, BC - A whopping 80% of restaurants don’t survive the first five years of business. The restaurants that do deserve to celebrate. On Saturday, September 12th, Chambar restaurant will toast, eat and dance in honour of bringing Belgian influenced fare and more than a little debauchery to 562 Beatty since September of 2004. The celebration will close off Beatty Street for an all-afternoon block party beginning at 12:00PM.

It is hard to believe that it’s been five years since the doors to Chambar swung open on a street that few knew the name of - so much so that Chambar’s co-owner Karri Schuermans coined the term “Crosstown” to draw people to the neighbourhood. Those who saw the Food Network’s “Opening Soon” Chambar episode will recall the flood in the women’s restroom two-hours prior to opening, and most have heard the story about how Karri and her chef/husband Nico lived on canned beans for a week, scrimping together just enough to buy food for the dog and racking up their credit card limit to start the restaurant. From the moment they opened those doors, Nico and Karri have had a hit on their hands. Each evening for the past five years, Chambar has welcomed guests with open arms to a seat at the bar, a table in the lounge, or a more intimate experience in one of two dining rooms.

Chambar has generated other success, too. At Café Medina (owned by Nico and Karri along with former Chambar staffer Robbie Kane) downtown urbanites enjoy breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. Down the street, the culinary curious can get their hands dirty at the all-new Dirty Apron Cooking School (owned by Nico, Karri and former Chambar Chef-de-Cuisine David Robertson and his wife Sara). This fall, diners at Chambar will sip on Chambar Ale, the new in-house brew crafted by Brewmaster Mark Simpson. In five short years the Schuermans haven’t just maintained a successful restaurant; they’ve started an empire.

To celebrate, Nico and Karri Schuermans will play host to a free public block party on the street they love. Starting at 12:00PM on Saturday September 12th, the 500 block of Beatty Street will be closed off to traffic to make way for a kids’ disco, face painting, complimentary waffles for kids, a spit pig roast complete with pulled pork sandwiches, and a live show from musician Rich Hope and His Evil Doers. The party will be open to all, and will run until 5:00PM. The afternoon will also include the very first tasting of Chambar Ale, the new in-house brew that will be available on tap at the restaurant this fall and in bottles in select stores. Café Medina will be open as usual for brunch and down the street The Dirty Apron Cooking School and Shop will be open for people to take a peek at this brand new space.

At 8:30 in the evening Chambar will open its doors for more celebration complete with award-winning cocktails from Wendy McGuinness, canapés from the Chambar kitchen, and music from DJ Hebejebe. Tickets to the evening portion of the 5 Year Anniversary Party will go on sale to the public on September 7th. To purchase tickets please phone the restaurant at 604-879-7119.  For more information, please visit www.chambar.com.

Product Taste Test: Reyka Vodka

“Reyka” comes from the ancient Icelandic word for steam.  Reyka vodka is a small batch (barley-wheat) vodka and its bottlers say it is made from water drawn from a 4000 year old lava field and distilled through lava rock collected from volcanic fields.  As the first vodka to be distilled and bottled in Iceland Reyka it is also a green and environmentally-friendly product.
With a description evocative of geothermal steam drawn from the centre of the Earth, the Food Vancouver Taste Panel was eager to take advantage of the opportunity to try out this uniquely Icelandic Reyka Vodka.

Taste test:   The panel first tried it straight up but couldn’t discern any aroma or taste.  The vodka on its own had a neutral taste.  We then tried it two other ways:  traditional-dry, with a shot of vermouth and onions-olives.  Here we tasted the citrus-spicy undertone reminiscent of cedar.  We also mixed a sweeter variation with a shot of Cointreau, pomegranate juice and a lime wedge and noted the floral undertone which reminded us of roses.  Both variations were much more pleasing to the palate, as the vodka itself is clean, neutral and to the point without any lingering after-taste.

Our comments:  Because Reyka has such a clean and neutral taste it is better suited as the perfect base for most cocktails.  Whatever your preference – whether sweet or dry this vodka combines well with any mix.   Reyka’s clean taste goes well with any other mix and vodka martini lovers can experiment to their heart’s content.
At FoodVancouver.com we wish you have a great summer – but remember – please drink responsibly!

By:  Sheila LoGuisto

GK Media Inc is pleased to present an ongoing collection of recipes from various restaurants.

This Seafood Creole recipe is from the Dundarave Fish Market in West Vancouver.

Directly from the West Restaurant Press Release:

With a guaranteed 45-minute departure (or please relax, and linger longer), weekday lunches  at West have proven popular. The seasonal à la carte menu continues throughout the rest of the summer, and into the autumn harvest. Featuring healthy, flavoursome dishes such as: chilled tomato and basil soup; salad of baby gem lettuce, grilled fennel, Bleu d’Auvergne and soft poached egg; open faced shaved prosciutto and fresh fig sandwich with housemade crisps; and Queen Charlotte halibut with fine herb tagliatelle, arugula and young spinach sauce.

Directly from the Moustache Cafe Press Release

North Vancouver’s Moustache Café will host a winemaker’s dinner featuring one of BC’s top wineries.  On Thursday, September 17 2009, guests at the Café will enjoy premium wines from Church and State Winery paired with a four-course dinner.

Chef and Owner Geoff Lundholm has a passion for fine wine, and a particular interest in the art of pairing wine with food.  Geoff will design a menu that will show the VQA wines of Church and State at their very best.

The winery is a leader in BC, having received more than 80 awards at international wine competitions in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.  Their success is doubtless due in part to Master Winemaker Bill Dyer, who was a driving force in California’s Napa Valley wineries for nearly 30 years and now consults for Church and State. Winery Proprietor, Mr. Kim Pullen, will lead guests through the four-course dinner.

The seating for this event is limited, so reserve your tickets soon!

Church and State Winemaker’s Dinner

Thursday, September 17th 2009

6:30 pm Reception

7:00 pm Dinner

$79 exclusive of taxes and gratuity

Directly from the Wines of Argentina Press Release

BC Wine lovers are buzzing about the Discover Your Inner Tango with Wines of Argentina event, to be held on Thursday, October 1 2009 at the Sutton Place Hotel.  The comprehensive tasting will feature more than 45 wineries, offering guests an unparalleled opportunity to explore the quality and diversity of Argentinean wines.

The fifth-largest wine producer in the world, Argentina is blessed with a multiplicity of climates and geographic regions, allowing winemakers to create a range of wines that express the country’s unique terroirs.

The October 1st tasting is an exclusive chance for BC consumers to experience the highest achievements of Argentinean winemaking, as many of the featured wines are not currently available at BC Liquor Stores.

A chef from Argentina will assist in preparing a menu of tasty bites that will be paired with the wines, matching the authentic South American flavours to enhance guests’ enjoyment.  The event will also have a positive impact on our community, as $5 from each ticket sold will go to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation
Wines of Argentina wishes to thank the Consul General of Argentina for their assistance with this event.  It is sponsored in part by EAT Magazine.

Please visit http://www.tickets.winesofargentina.ca/ to reserve your tickets for this event.

Discover Your Inner Tango with Wines of Argentina

Thursday, October 1, 2009

7:00 – 9:30 pm

Sutton Place Hotel

845 Burrard Street, Vancouver

$59 per person

Directly from the Villanova Wines Press Release

Tenuta Villanova, one of Italy’s oldest operating vineyards, now offers its wines for the very first time in Canada. Combining rich historic traditions, with modern business enterprise, Tenuta Villanova produces time-tested wines of superior quality, at an affordable price. Villanova’s wines vary from approachable whites to well-structured reds that are complex and rich – a range that is reflected in the two wines being launched first, Pinot Grigio and Merlot.

In 1499, Villanova opened its doors and has since perfected the art of handcrafted Italian winemaking, from the foothills of the world famous Friuli region. Villanova’s passion to preserve historic traditions, combined with a drive to cultivate only the best vines have created a worldwide demand for its wines that has now made it to Canada.

“The launch of Villanova Wines in Canada is extremely exciting for us,” says Primo Di Luca, principal at Tenuta Villanova. “Our Collio and Isonzo ranges are of superior quality, and are available for purchase at exceptionally reasonable prices.”

Tenuta Villanova Pinot Grigio features an intense and bright straw yellow colour with sweet, fresh, floral and fruity notes against more aged scents of banana and almond. Fresh-drinking and intense, but not heavy, Tenuta Villanova Pinot Grigio offers perfect taste balance with a long lasting and sapid finish.

Tenuta Villanova Merlot is ruby red in colour, with distinct regional richness and exceptional character.  With a nose reminiscent of black cherry, briar fruits, and blueberry, the Merlot is a full-bodied wine showing velvety tannins.

Villanova Wines’ Pinot Grigio and Merlot are now available for purchase from fine wine and liquor merchants in Canada, for $14.99 per bottle. Visit www.tenutavillanova.com  for more information.

Product Taste Test: Hendrick’s Gin

In 2003, The Wall Street Journal named it “Best Gin in the World”.  The following year, Hendrick’s Gin was a Double Gold winner at the 2004 San Francisco International Spirits Competition of the Year.

The Food Vancouver Taste Panel was familiar with Bombay Sapphire gin so we welcomed an opportunity to try out Hendrick’s Gin in its unusually shaped bottle – squat, dark brown, looking like something from a Victorian chemist’s shop.  Perhaps its bottler William Grant and Sons Ltd. is telling the drinker “It’s good for you!”

The label on the bottle says “This handcrafted gin is distilled from a proprietary recipe which includes traditional botanicals such as juniper, coriander and citrus peel.  The ‘unexpected infusion of cucumber and rose petals result in a most iconoclastic gin”.  Intrigued, with the unusual combination of  flavors, our taste panel conducted the following taste test

Test:  Our initial taste-test was plain purist - 1 part gin with a slice of lime to get the true flavor.  We found it fairly smooth without too much of a harsh after burn.  The cucumber-rose petal combination also made for a very interesting flavor.  Although the gin has its usual woodsy aroma we could also detect the coriander-citrus undertones.

Our comments:  We suggest the best way to drink this gin is to follow the traditional recipe – 1 part gin, 2 parts tonic with a lime wedge.  Or for something completely different also add a chunky cucumber ‘stick’ to your Hendrick’s G&T to create a slightly mellower flavor. Although the Hendrick’s label says “It is not for everyone”, Food Vancouver  tells gin drinkers:  If you haven’t tried it yet, go ahead and sample some.  You might surprise yourself!

At Food Vancouver we wish you a great summer – but remember – please drink responsibly!

By:  Sheila LoGuisto

Don’t miss the September 3rd, 2009 Food Vancouver Newsletter:
The giveaway prize is 2 sets of 4 tickets (2 winners of 4 tickets) to the Eat! Fraser Valley Show.
In order to have a chance to win you have to be signed up.

To sign up please go here: Sign Up

GK Media Inc is pleased to present a New Feature Article:

Seattle Fall Events

Directly from the Winestock Press Release:

Winestock 2009 Tickets Selling Fast

Tickets to the Fourth Annual Winestock 2009 Music Festival at Morning Bay Vineyard on Pender Island are selling fast. There are only 300 tickets available, so make sure you visit one of our outlets or http://www.morningbay.ca/Winestock-music-festival.php to purchase tickets. Tickets are $35 per person. Children under 12 are admitted free.

A legend-studded line-up is headed by Odds, an alternative rock band who has toured with the likes of Warren Zevon, The Tragically Hip, and Doug and The Slugs. Also rockin’ the vineyard are The Furies, one of Canada’s original punk bands. Coco Love Alcorn brings her jazz-inspired folk music to the festival for the first time, while New York’s Dave Rave, former lead singer of Canadian punk legends “Teenage Head” is back for his fourth visit to Winestock. Vancouver singer-songwriter Wyckham Porteous, and rhythm and blues band Sharkskin headed by keyboardist Simon Kendall round out the all-day program.

Buy tickets at the following retail outlets:

Dr Vigari’s Gallery at 1312 Commercial Drive in Vancouver–604-255-9513

The Strath Wine Merchants at 919 Douglas in Victoria–250-370-WINE

Classic Guitars at 828 Fort in Victoria–250-389-6029

Talisman Books and Gallery in the Driftwood Centre on Pender Island–250-629-6944

Medicine Beach Liquor Store on Pender Island–250-629-2024

Transportation to Pender Island is via BC Ferries www.bcferries.com and travel arrangements should be made soon. Six ferries per day from Schwarz Bay, and two from Tsawwassen terminal on the mainland. Walk on the ferry and reserve transport to the festival site through Pender Cab at 250-629-2222. Accommodations can be reserved at several Pender Island B&Bs. Check them out at http://www.penderislandlodging.worldweb.com Limited rustic camping is also available in our vineyard, however campers should bring their own drinking water and stove for cooking as fires are not allowed.

Gates open at noon. Music runs ‘til dusk. Hope to see you there.

For further information contact the winery at www.morningbay.ca or 250-629-8351.

Directly from the Wines of Argentina Press Release:

Argentina Food & Wine Event at BCLDB’s Cambie Kitchen

All Consumers Welcome

Argentinean wines will be in the spotlight in 50 BC Liquor Stores this September. Throughout the month, 14 Argentinean wines will be on display. Consumers will have a chance to experience the wines at a tasting on Friday, September 11 2009 at the 39th and Cambie Signature BC Liquor Store from 3 – 7 pm.

The wines will be paired with bites from Baru Latino Restaurante, which is now under the new ownership of David Newis and Rene Lafleur.  The two men are long-time Vancouver hospitality business professionals who have brought a fresh infusion of energy and excitement to Baru.

In conjunction with the September promotion, Wines of Argentina is pleased to offer an exciting prize package to be won.  The giveaway includes 2 tickets to the 2010 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival on Friday night, as well as 2 tickets to the Argentina regional theme lunch on Saturday and one night’s accommodation at the Sutton Place Hotel.  Please visit www.winesofargentina.ca to enter the draw.

Wines of Argentina Tasting

39th & Cambie Signature BC Liquor Store

Friday, September 11, 2009

3:00 – 7:00 pm

GK Media Inc is pleased to present an ongoing collection of recipes from various restaurants.

This Chili Fishcake recipe is from the Dundarave Fish Market in West Vancouver.

Directly from the PICA Press Release:

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts to offer Wine & Spirit Education (WSET) Programs commencing Fall 2009.

(VANCOUVER, BC) – Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA) is now an approved program provider for the WSET® (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) wine training programs and will commence its first intake in September 2009.

PICA has been providing quality wine study programs for a number of years, but this new partnership with London, UK based WSET will allow students to sit for the WSET exam and receive an internationally recognized certificate in Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced level wine studies.

The WSET programs at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts promise to deliver more than just basic wine theory by continuing PICA’s unique approach of pairing the requisite wine tastings with different dishes. “As a bustling culinary centre, we definitely have a different way of looking at wine and wine studies”, Explains program instructor Tim Ellison, who is both a certified Sommelier and Chef de Cuisine. “With ten Chef Instructors working in these kitchens, we cannot – in good conscience – pour our students wine tastings with just a cube of bread. The strength in our wine programs have always been our ability to deliver an experience that exceeds expectations in both learning outcomes and in context – it’s something we plan to continue while implementing the WSET program curriculum.”

Registration is now open for fall evening class sessions in addition to intensive one- and three-day workshops. WSET Foundation Certificate program and Intermediate Certificate program will commence in September 2009 with the Advanced level certificate program offered early in 2010.

For more information, specific starts dates, and pricing call 604.734.4488 or visit http://www.picachef.com/wine.html

Directly from The Hart House Press Release:

August 20, 2009 (Vancouver, BC) – On Wednesday, September 9 2009 Hart House at Deer Lake offers a “California Experience” garden party that pairs world-class Californian wines with inspired west coast cuisine.  Guests can relax and enjoy live music as they dine al fresco, celebrating the bounty of our neighbours to the South.

California has achieved global recognition for the quality of its wines.  The state is geologically diverse and has a range of different climates and terroirs.  Winemakers are making the most of California’s natural advantages to produce premium wines of every major varietal.

The garden party begins with a casual wine tasting of some of California’s best, held in Hart House’s elegant gardens.  Guests may then purchase wines from the evening’s specially-selected list to pair with the dinner that follows.  The dinner menu draws from the Californian tradition of using the freshest local ingredients to create innovative cuisine that combines influences from various culinary traditions.  Live music and dancing, and a fabulous view of Deer Lake will enhance the pleasures of the table.

California Experience

Wednesday, September 9 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