Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Directly from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Press Release:

FULL MAY CONCERT LISTINGS BELOW:

CONCERT INFO

Goldcorp Masterworks Gold

Beltone Symphony Sundays

Saturday and Monday, May 1 and 3, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Sunday, May 2, 2pm, Orpheum Theatre

The Romantic Violin, with Nicola Benedetti

Kazuyoshi Akiyama, conductor

Nicola Benedetti, violin

Oesterle                              Perennials

Szymanowski                    Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 35

Bruckner                              Symphony No. 4 in E-Flat Major, Romantic

Visit Nicola Benedetti at: www.nicolabenedetti.co.uk

Concert Page: http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/co_concert.php?concertcode=09MWG05

Masterworks Gold Series Sponsor: Goldcorp Inc.

Symphony Sundays Series Sponsor: Beltone

May 1st Concert Sponsor: Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Tickets for May 1 and 3: $25 - $78.50 (senior, student and subscriber discounts available)

Tickets for May 2: $20 - $56 (senior, student and subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available online at www.vancouversymphony.ca or by calling VSO customer service at 604.876.3434

Pacific Arbour Tea & Trumpets

Thursday, May 6, 2pm, Orpheum Theatre

Bach to Beethoven

Evan Mitchell, conductor

Christopher Gaze, series host

Alicia Venables, violin

Colleen Venables, violin

Handel                 Solomon: Overture & Entrance of the Queen of Sheba

JS Bach                 Concerto for Two Violins

Mozart                 The Marriage of Figaro,K.492: Overture

Mozart                 Don Giovanni, K.527: Overture

Mozart                 Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550: first movement

Beethoven         Fidelio: Overture, Op. 72a

Beethoven         Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67: I. allegro con brio

Beethoven         The Ruins of Athens: Turkish March

Concert Page: http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/co_concert.php?concertcode=09TAT05

Tea & Trumpets series sponsor: Pacific Arbour Group

Tickets: Adults $36.00, Seniors $30.00

Tickets available online at www.vancouversymphony.ca or by calling VSO customer service at 604.876.3434

London Drugs VSO Pops

Friday and Saturday, May 7 & 8, 8pm, Orpheum

Motown Magic, with Radiance and the VSO!

Jeff Tyzik, conductor

Radiance

Paying tribute to the fiftieth anniversary of Motown, the phenomenal singing group Radiance performs hits by Diana Ross and the Supremes, Martha & the Vandellas, Aretha Franklin, Sister Sledge and more. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, We Are Family, Freeway of Love, Respect, You Can’t Hurry Love – these classics and many more will bring the house down in a spectacular Motown celebration!

Concert Page: http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/co_concert.php?concertcode=09POPS06

Series Sponsor: London Drugs

Radio Sponsor: CHQM-FM

Tickets: $25 - $78.50 (senior, student and subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available online at www.vancouversymphony.ca or by calling VSO customer service at 604.876.3434

Spectra Energy Kids Koncerts

Sunday, May 9, 2pm, Orpheum Theatre

Scheherazade

Evan Mitchell, conductor

Enchantment Theatre, entertainers

Enchantment Theatre’s Scheherazade is the spectacular, exotic story of A Thousand and One Nights told through music and acting, an awesome story that will have the kids—and parents!—enthralled.

Visit Enchantment Theatre at www.enchantmenttheatre.org

Kids’ Koncerts series sponsor: Spectra Energy

Premier Education Partner: TELUS

Tickets: Adults $26.00, Children $18.00 (senior, student and subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available online at www.vancouversymphony.ca or by calling VSO customer service at 604.876.3434

PricewaterhouseCoopers Masterworks Silver

Saturday and Monday, May 15 and 17, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Music of the Masters: Mozart and Beethoven

James Judd, conductor

Stewart Goodyear, piano

Beethoven                         Leonore Overture No. 3

Mozart                                 Piano Concerto No. 23

Beethoven                         Symphony No. 5

Concert Page: http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/co_concert.php?concertcode=09MWS05

Masterworks Silver series sponsor: PricewaterhouseCoopers

Video Screen Sponsor: TELUS

Special Video Screen Presentations Created and Produced by: Columbia Academy

Tickets: $25 - $78.50 (senior, student and subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available online at www.vancouversymphony.ca or by calling VSO customer service at 604.876.3434

Bach & Beyond

Friday and Saturday, May 21 and 22, 8pm, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC

Barry Douglas plays Beethoven

Barry Douglas, conductor/piano

Mozart                                 Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K.183

Beethoven         Piano Concerto No. 1

Haydn                   Symphony No. 104 in D Major, London

Concert Page: http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/co_concert.php?concertcode=09CHAN05

Visit Barry Douglas at: www.barry-douglas.com

The presentation of this series is made possible in part through the generous assistance of the Chan Centre for Performing Arts of the University of British Columbia.

Series Endowed By: The Chan Foundation of Canada

Radio Sponsor: CHQM-FM

Tickets: $35 - $62.50 (senior, student and subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available online at www.vancouversymphony.ca or by calling VSO customer service at 604.876.3434

Tiny Tots

Friday, May 21, 10am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, Vancouver Playhouse Theatre

Saturday, May 22, 10am, 11:30am, Terry Fox Theatre

Gallop and Go!

Let Your Music Shine! with Lisa & Linda, children’s entertainers

This symphonic adventure into farmyard fun will have tots bouncing to that barnyard beat!

Premier Education Partner: TELUS

Tickets: Adults $15.00, Children $7.00 (subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available online at www.vancouversymphony.ca or by calling VSO customer service at 604.876.3434

Vancouver Sun Symphony at the Roundhouse

Saturday, May 22, 8pm, Roundhouse Community Centre, Yaletown

Shock and Catharsis

Evan Mitchell, conductor

Scott Good, trombone

Erik Ross                              Catharsis

Andrew Staniland           Devolution

John Cage                           Ryoanji

Scott Good                         Shock Therapy Variations

Series Sponsor: Vancouver Sun

Special Thanks: SOCAN Foundation

Tickets: $27 (senior, student and subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available online at www.vancouversymphony.ca or by calling VSO customer service at 604.876.3434

Musically Speaking

North Shore Classics

Saturday, May 29, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Monday, May 31, 8pm, Centennial Theatre

Tchaikovsky! With Darrett Zusko and the VSO

Bramwell Tovey, conductor

Darrett Zusko, piano

Balakirev             King Lear: Overture

Tchaikovsky       Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23

Glazunov             Concert Waltz No. 1 in D Major, Op. 47

Shostakovich     Tahiti Trot (Tea for Two)

Khachaturian     Gayane: Suite 1 & Sabre Dance

Concert Page: http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/co_concert.php?concertcode=09MUS05

May 29th Video Screen Sponsor: TELUS

May 29th Special Video Screen Presentations Created and Produced by: Columbia Academy

May 29th Radio Sponsor: CHQM-FM

Tickets for May 29: $20 - $56 (senior, student and subscriber discounts available)

Tickets for May 31: $37 (senior, student and subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available online at www.vancouversymphony.ca or by calling VSO customer service at 604.876.3434

Directly from the Hamilton Street Grill Press Release:

Hamilton Street Grill Presents Sandhill Winery

Hamilton Street Grill is pleased to host one of the most award winning British Columbia winery’s

Monday, May 10 and Tuesday, May 11

5:30 to 7 pm – 3 wines, 3 appetizers $25 per person

In keeping with our popular monthly format, try a sampling of three new wines and have three savoury, wine-inspired food tasters while learning from a wine expert as they take you through a sit down yet casual style tasting.

This month Sandhills Wine

Monday, May 10 5:30 pm $25 or

Tuesday, May 11 5:30 pm $25

Hamilton Street Grill

1009 Hamilton Street, Yaletown, Vancouver

Seating is limited and always sells out quickly.

Reserve by credit card at: 604-331-1511 or hamiltonstreetgrill@telus.net

Directly from The Smoking Dog Bistro Press Release:

Join us for Dine Out Vancouver on now until May 6th. $28 3 Course Set Menu

Appetizer

Soup du Jour
or
Spinach Almond Apple Salad
goats cheese, raspberry vinaigrette

Entrée

Beef Bourguignon
slow braised beef with vegetables in a burgundy sauce, mashed potatoes
or
Poached BC Lingcod
White bean and bacon puree, basil oil, tarragon broth
or
Aubergine Parmesan
Pan seared panko & parmesan crusted eggplant, tomato basil velouté

Dessert

Mixed Berry Clafoutis
orange infused whipped cream
or
Sorbet

Happy Mother’s Day

Join us for a special Mother’s day Brunch Sunday May 9th starting 11am. We will be offering our regular lunch menu along with the following brunch features:

Crème Brulée French Toast

Smoked Salmon & Leek quiche

Omelettes
Spinach, chorizo, mozzarella & swiss cheese
Spinach, mushroom, mozzarella & swiss cheese

House made granola with fresh fruit & vanilla yogurt

Crepes
mixed berry compote, whipped cream
crab meat and avocado, crème fraîche

GK Media Inc is pleased to present 3 new Donnelly Pub Group Dine Out recipes:

Beef Carpaccio and Arugula Salad from The Calling Public House.

Maple Glazed Pacific Salmon from The Academic Public House.

Apple and Berry Pie from Cinema Public House

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

Directly from the Top Table Group Press Release:

SPRING FORWARD

Notes on Recent Awards, Springtime Menus, and Upcoming Events

Top Table Tops Playhouse Wine List Awards

Vancouver + Whistler, B.C. - Top Table restaurants were successful again this year at the annual Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival Wine List Awards. Convened on Friday, April 23rd at a luncheon to kick off the final weekend of the 32nd festival, Blue Water Cafe and West won two of only three Platinum Awards, while CinCin won one of five Gold Awards, and Araxi, Silver.

The Wine List Awards draw upon restaurants from across British Columbia and Alberta, with judging criteria measuring each restaurant’s wine program philosophy and how successfully wine and food pairing goals match it. Further criteria include the quality of wine education for staff, an accessible and user-friendly list, and the provision of value at all price points.

We would also like to congratulate Owen Knowlton, wine director of West, who was nominated for Sommelier of the Year, a distinction awarded to Blue Water Cafe’s Andrea Vescovi in 2009 and Chris Van Nus in 2007.

Top Table’s wine libraries are also perennial recipients of the ‘Best of’ Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine.

Spring Menus

At each of our restaurants, our chefs are heralding the arrival of Spring with fresh seasonal menus. Highlighted are halibut, spot prawns and early run salmon; and from our growers’ fields, the first peas, fava beans, fiddleheads, and morels. We invite you to enjoy springtime’s bounty. Click on the restaurant links to view the current menus: Araxi, Blue Water Cafe, CinCin, West.

West Welcomes David Gunawan

We are pleased to announce the promotion of David Gunawan to the position of Chef de Cuisine of West Restaurant. “David is a tremendous talent who will provide a fresh focus for West’s kitchen,” said Top Table Proprietor, Jack Evrensel. “His philosophy reflects the restaurant’s core values and our ongoing dedication in providing exemplary fine dining experiences.”

A rising star in Vancouver’s culinary scene, David honed his skills in top restaurants in Chicago, Seattle and Vancouver. David now joins West’s outstanding management team: Brian Hopkins, Restaurant Director; Rhonda Viani, Pastry Chef; Owen Knowlton, Wine Director; and David Wolowidnyk, Bar Manager.

Blue Water Cafe Honoured by Red Cross

We were honoured to be recognized by the Red Cross recently with a ‘Power of Humanity’ award.  Presented yesterday evening, April 27th during the annual meeting of the Canadian Red Cross, Lower Mainland Region, Blue Water Cafe was recognized for its continued support through its founding sponsorship of the annual Red Carpet Soirée. Following highly successful events in the past two years, Blue Water Cafe is proud to play host to the third annual event on Thursday, May 6th.

Upcoming Events

We are excited to be involved in these upcoming events. Click on the links for further details, or visit our online event calendar.

May 6th Blue Water Cafe
Red Cross Red Carpet Soirée in support of the Canadian Red Cross

May 12th Barbara-jo Books to Cooks

Pastry in Europe 2010 Cookbook Event Thierry, Thierry Busset

May 13th Araxi, James Walt, CinCin, Todd Howard

Hot Chefs Cool Jazz in support of Bocuse d’Or Team Canada

May 16th  Araxi, James Walt BWC, Frank Pabst

Chefs for Life in support of Vancouver Friends For Life Society

June 2nd  Blue Water Cafe

VISA Infinite Winemaker’s Dinner for VISA Infinite Cardholders

June 11th BWC, Frank Pabst

Night at the Aquarium in support of the Vancouver Aquarium

July 18th  Araxi, James Walt

Outstanding in the Field Pemberton, BC

Directly from the Bistro 101 Newsletter

Dine Out! for Lunch

Bistro 101 is participating in Dine Out Vancouver 2010 from April 26 - May 6, but as many of you have discovered, our dinner tables filled up quickly!  You may wish to note that we are also offering a special Dine Out menu for lunch as well.  Enjoy a three-course menu for $15 (optional VQA wine pairings and taxes are additional).

Reservations are highly recommended.  Visit us online at www.bistro101.com for more information or to reserve.

New Menu Pricing at Bistro 101

Effective Friday, May 7th, 2010 the menu pricing in our award winning Bistro 101 will be as follows:

Market Menu - Monday through Thursday
Lunch $18 (3 Course Menu)   |    Dinner $24 (3 Course Menu)

West Coast Buffet - Friday
Lunch $20 (3 Courses Menu)   |   Dinner $30 (3 Course Menu)

Special Theme Dinners

We will continue to offer our popular specialty theme dinners and hope you will join us for:

BC Spot Prawn Festival Dinner

Date:  Wednesday May 12th, 2010
Time:  6:30 PM
Cost:  $45 (5-Course Menu)
Optional:  Wine Pairings add $30

Directly from the Granville Room Press Release:

Enjoy Dine Out at the Granville Room Cocktail Den and Kitchen between April 26 to May 6. The newly-renovated room recently won several awards in the Georgia Straight’s Golden Plates, we welcome you to experience our Spring cocktail fresh sheet along with an incredible ‘Dine Out’ version of our boutique menu.

Please email tk@dhmbars.ca for reservations (preferred). From 4pm every day.

DINE OUT VANCOUVER

Appetizers

Pickled ginger salad
Mesculin greens, toasted walnuts, citrus braised beets & preserved lemon vinaigrette

Paired with desert hills un-oaked chardonnay gls $7

or

Fennel & lemon grass broth
Shredded mint, fragrant jasmine rice & red chilli

Paired with desert hills gamay noir gls $7

Mains

Balsamic and honey braised lamb shank
Sweet potato, parsnip cinnamon mash & seasonal vegetables

Paired with desert hills mirage gls $12

or

White wine marinated & roasted chicken leg and thigh
Local bc mushrooms, seasonal vegetables & nutmeg celery root puree

Paired with desert hills un-oaked chardonnay gls $7

or

Grilled scallop risotto
Walnuts, basil & grilled balsamic radicchio risotto

Paired with desert hills mirage gls $12

or

Porcini mushroom ravioli
Pommery mustard sauce & pecorino pepato

Paired with desert hills gamay noir gls $7

Desserts

Vanilla cheesecake
Seasonal fruit & red bull reduction

or

Hazelnut crusted dark chocolate tart
Seasonal fruit & raspberry coulis

Enjoy a tasting flight of wine pairings (2oz) for $12

Directly from the Just Here for The Beer Press Release:

Just Here For The Beer is proud to present the BC Craft Beer Tasting evening on Saturday May 15th, 2010 at the Edgewater Casino in Vancouver.  This signature tasting event is part of Vancouver Craft Beer Week that runs from May 10th to May 16th.

Vancouver Craft Beer Week was organized to promote local and international craft beer – beer brewed in traditional methods made by true artisans and absent of preservatives.   The festival hopes to increase the awareness of the craft beer culture in British Columbia.

“We are very excited to participate in Vancouver Craft Beer Week” exclaims Colin Jack, Managing Partner of Just Here For The Beer.  “There are so many great beers and breweries in the province and we want to highlight some of the best beer in the world.  That starts with the beer brewed locally”, he continued.

May is also the perfect time for a beer tasting festival because several new and seasonal products make their debut on the shelves, just in time for beer season, which gains momentum as spring moves into summer.  Fruit ales will be poured as well as a great variety of traditional summer craft beers.

Just Here For The Beer decided on the venue after a very successful Wine and Beer Festival in late March.   Rick Mohabir, Director of Operations for Just Here For The Beer, adds “the Stadium Club at the Edgewater Casino is an excellent venue.  Patrons will be exposed to an upscale atmosphere at an exceptional Downtown hot-spot”.

Tickets for the event are $40 in advance ($45 at the door) and include beer samples and a live band.  The Silverstars will be playing Oktoberfest style music and crowd pleasing sing-a-longs.  The band will surely create a great atmosphere for people to taste, mingle and party!

Tickets/Information: www.justhereforthebeer.com/vcbw

Directly from the Women’s Media Golf Classic Press Release:

Public Service Announcement:

23rd Annual Women’s Media Golf Classic

Guaranteed to sell out… email today to reserve your spot!

Not your usual golf tournament… you can NOT be good at golf, it’s all & only about the fundraising (we put the FUN in fundraising)! Golf skills definitely not allowed.

When?                      Thursday June 3, 2010

Shot Gun Start:      12:00 noon (Gala Dinner at 5pm at Beyond)

Where?                     Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy in Vancouver

Apres Golf:               Beyond Restaurant & Lounge in the Century Plaza Hotel & Absolute Spa (features: dinner, fantastic Live & Silent Auction items.)

Celebrities Galore: Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu, alongside Professional Athletes

100% OF ALL FUNDS RAISED DONATED TO BC’S SPECIAL CHILDREN ~ Pacific Autism Family Centre & Mediated Learning Academy

We are proud to say that over the past 22 years, we have raised more than $2 million and we will keep the momentum going with your support!

To participate or sponsor, call Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia @ Absolute Spa Group,  wendy@crewmanagement.com or 604.697.5302.

Don’t miss the May 6th, 2010 newsletter.  There will be 2 giveaway prizes:

The winners will receive a Mott’s Clamato Caesar Kit + 4 tickets to the Eat Vancouver Food and Cooking Festival.

In order to have a chance to win you have to sign up. Sign up here.

Directly from the Sequoia Restaurant Newsletter:

Sequoia restaurants are revamping their menus! Our team of accomplished chefs and sommeliers are sprucing up the food and wine menus at all four restaurants. Now you have the choice of even more delicious and memorable dishes, along with unique wines to sip with your meal. We may have changed the menus, but the stunning restaurant views haven’t changed one bit, so sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Treat your Mom to lunch or dinner on her special day!
On Sunday May 9th join us at any one of our stunning locations.

CHEF TALKS PEAS

Teahouse Executive Chef Francois Gagnon spoke with Vancouver Magazine about English Peas - how to cook them and how to buy them. Pick up a copy of the May issue today! Plus, watch a video of Chef Gagnon preparing a Fresh Pea Salad in the Teahouse kitchen! The simple, sweet vegetable comes into season in May, so watch out for a seasonally inspired watercress salad with buffalo mozzarella and English peas on the Teahouse menu.

MUSSEL MANIA!

Monday - Friday, 4:00pm - 7:00pm at The Sandbar in Granville Island
Join us at The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant for the best deal in town. $10 for fresh mussels and frites, with a pint of Granville Island beer. Enjoy the view from the patio, sit at the bar and socialize, or cozy up by the fireplace. No matter where you sit, the beer is always cold and the seafood fresh.

LIVE MUSIC

Stop by our water restaurants for live music Sunday - Thursday from 8:00pm. Kelly Crowe plays live piano at The Sandbar, cultivating an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication as a backdrop to the soulful room, while Cardero’s attracts a variety of talented musicians for your enjoyment. Join us for a drink and enjoy live, local talent right on the water.

Directly from the Wild Rice Press Release:

CELEBRATE ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH WITH NEW TAKES ON ANCIENT DISHES

(Vancouver, BC) – May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada – a time when all Canadians celebrate those Eastern cultures that have enriched our country by contributing their traditions, literature, philosophy and cuisine – Japanese, Korean, Thai, South Asian and of course, Chinese to name a few. Vancouver as we now know, is home to the “best Chinese food in the world” as proclaimed by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine this past January.

At Wild Rice, proprietor Andrew Wong and his executive Chef Todd Bright, believe that Asian Heritage Month is an ideal time to honour the past by celebrating the here and now. Chinese food as it is presented at Wild Rice, is the vanguard of an evolution (or perhaps ‘revolution’) in Chinese cuisine. “While we take inspiration from the food of the past, our dishes are not ‘carved in stone’ replicas of what has gone before. We present modern interpretations of classical dishes that feature our local, sustainable and seasonal ingredients,” says Mr. Wong a third generation Chinese-Canadian restaurateur. While paying homage to the past, Wild Rice is very much of the future.

For Asian Heritage Month, starting May 7 (after Dine Out), the restaurant’s menu will be offering a special section of ‘heritage dishes’ inspired by the food that was prepared in the Wong household by his grandmother. You’ll find updated versions of ‘village food’ such as Siu Mai, Vegetable Bun (Choi Bao), Congee and the ever-popular BBQ Pork (cha siu). In this instance the Siu Mai, a dim sum favourite, has been modernized as an open face dumpling of local spot prawns with pork from Sloping Hill Farm. The Vegetable Bao is enlivened with a touch of curry while the ubiquitous staple Congee comes accessorized with smoked tofu and shitake mushrooms (pa gu). Cha Siu, those delectable morsels of barbequed pork, is made in-house from Sloping Hill Farm’s free-range, heritage breed pork.

Individual dishes range in price from $5 to $8 or you can order a Heritage Platter with all four for only $19. This special menu section will be offered May 7 through 31.

While these ‘village dishes’ are the ones specially highlighted for Asian Heritage Month, Wild Rice’s menu features many more tasty temptations drawn from classical Chinese cuisine: Wonton Soup (scallop wontons, roast chicken broth), Seasonal Vegetable Spring Rolls, Chinatown Sweep (aka ‘vegetable chow mein’), Fraser Valley Lamb Potstickers (with truffled pea puree) and the ever-popular Spicy Kung Pao Chicken (twice-cooked peanuts, Maple Hills free-range chicken, broccoli and rice noodles).

We invite you to use Asian Heritage Month as an ‘excuse’ to explore Chinese cuisine’s future at Wild Rice and maybe take a stroll through old Chinatown while you’re at it. Celebrating Canada’s ethnic richness has never been so tasty or so pleasurable

Directly from the Donnelly Pubs Press Release:

Enjoy Dine Out in Donnelly Pubs, The Calling in beautiful English Bay and the two newest additions The Academic in South Granville and Cinema on Theatre Row in downtown Vancouver.

Helmed by newly appointed, London-born Executive Chef Michael Knowlson (previously of Bacchus and Sequoia Grill), Donnelly Pubs is revamping its menus to offer more inventive and high quality pub fare, utilizing fresh, local and seasonal ingredients.

DINE OUT MENU $18

APPETIZERS

bruschetta of fresh vine ripe tomatoes
mozzarella, fresh basil and balsamic reduction

or

beef carpaccio, arugula salad
truffle aioli, lightly grilled bread

MAINS

twice braised short rib sheppard pie
twice braised short rib topped with a fluffy chive mashed potato & mixed greens

or

Pan seared & Maple Glazed Pacific Salmon
warm nugget potato, green bean salad, sherry vinaigrette

DESSERT

Warm Mixed Berry Pie
whipped cream

Directly from the Opus Bar Press Release:

OPUS Bar & Cointreau present: FAB Women, The savvy women’s guide to a stylish life. Spring Beauty Trends: Find out how to look your best this spring with ‘hair tips and tricks from the pros at Axis Hair Salons’, ‘glow with bronzer basics from Estée Lauder’, and ‘see why lashes are so BIG this year with Wink’.

Wednesday April 28, 2010
6-9pm, OPUS Bar 350 Davie Street, Yaletown

Enjoy cocktails, canapés and network with fabulous women
at the chic ‘see and be seen” OPUS Bar in the world renowned
OPUS Hotel Vancouver.

RSVP to Jessica Dunn JDunn@opushotel.com

Directly from the Provence Press Release:

The Chefs Jean-Francis and Alessandra are going to Provence! Join them on this exciting adventure to one of the most beautiful places in the world. The Chefs will share all of their love and deep knowledge of France during this 13 night culinary experience. The adventure begins June 30, with three magical nights in Paris before transferring in style aboard the high speed TGV train to Lyon, to board the beautiful Swiss Pearl, to begin your 7 night river journey, where the Chefs will join you to cruise through exquisite wine growing regions. Explore the historical town of Avignon, taste famous wines such as Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, feast your eyes on the rolling hills and endless fields of lavender. End your cruise in the ancient town of Arles where a motor coach will await to transfer you to Barcelona for three additional nights! This will truly be a magical and life changing journey. Indulge your love of food, wine and adventure!

When you make your reservation, mention Chefs Jean-Francis and Alessandra to be entered to win a magnificent four course dinner for yourself and nine guests at Provence Marinaside; the perfect setting to reminisce with friends and family about your adventures. Book your cruise before May 31, 2009 and receive two entries for this exclusive contest.

For more information or to book please visit www.cruiserivers.com/ama/

Directly from the Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival Press Release:

PLAYHOUSE WINE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES TRADE COMPETITION AWARD WINNERS

Vancouver, BC, April 24th, 2010 – The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival has announced this year’s trade competition winners. “The trade competitions give the Festival an opportunity to honour and celebrate those professionals who have developed and enhanced the extraordinary wine and food culture of our region,” says Festival Executive Director Harry Hertscheg. Winners were honoured at the 7th Annual Awards Lunch on Friday, April 23rd, 2010. Attendees enjoyed lunch and wines from theme regions Argentina and New Zealand.

SPIRITED INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL (SIP) AWARD

The SIP Award annually honours an individual who has made a significant contribution to the sales, service or promotion of wine in British Columbia. This year, the fifth annual Spirited Industry Professional Award goes to Anthony Gismondi. Gismondi has been writing on wine since 1983 and has been the weekly wine columnist for the Vancouver Sun since 1989. He is also editor-in- chief at Wine Access, co-host of the weekly Best of Food & Wine show on AM650 in Vancouver and the man behind www.gismondionwine.com.

SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The 11th annual Sommelier of the Year Award recognizes outstanding wine knowledge and wine service. This year’s award goes to Kurtis Kolt for his short, thoughtful wine list at Salt Tasting Room, which also took the Platinum Wine List Award. The award is voted on by key members of the industry.

WINE LIST AWARDS

Restaurants in Metro Vancouver, Whistler, Vancouver Island, the Interior and Alberta have all been recognized for creating wine lists that complement their establishment’s unique menu and concept. Candidates who were considered submitted their wine lists and menus and were then visited by judges who reviewed their programs. “These awards are all about a wine program, not a wine list. Having a big wine list is not necessary. Food and wine pairings and staff knowledge is what makes a successful wine program,” says House Wine’s Michelle Bouffard. The Wine List Awards are sponsored by Vancouver Magazine and the Playhouse Wine Festival.

METRO VANCOUVER

Platinum
Blue Water Café + raw bar
Salt Tasting Room
West Restaurant

Gold
C restaurant
CinCin
Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill & Enoteca

Silver

Au Petit Chavignol
Le Crocodile
Cru
Lift Bar Grill View
The Observatory
Provence Marinaside
Rangoli
The Salmon House
Seymour Golf and Country Club
Vij’s
Wine Room at Joey Bentall One
Zest Restaurant

Bronze

Aqua Riva
Diva at the Met
gudrun
Hart House Restaurant
Pearl on the Rock
Shuraku
YEW restaurant & bar

Honourable Mention

Bistrot Bistro
Bravo Restaurant & Lounge (Chilliwack)
Bridges
Honourable Mention continued…
Goldfish Pacific Kitchen
Gramercy Grill
La Terrazza
Ric’s Grill (Chilliwack)

WHISTLER

Silver
Araxi Restaurant + Bar

Honourable Mention

Ric’s Grill
The Wine Room (Fairmont Chateau Whistler)

VANCOUVER ISLAND AND GULF ISLANDS

Silver

The Pacific Restaurant (Victoria)

Bronze

The Landing West Coast Grill (Nanoose Bay)
Nautical Nellies Restaurant (Victoria)
The Restaurant at Painted Boat (MadeiraPark)
SoBo (Tofino)
Veneto (Victoria)
Honourable Mention
eat@galianoinn (Galiano)
Hastings House (Salt Spring)
The Marina Restaurant (Victoria)
Stage Wine Bar (Victoria)

BC INTERIOR

Silver

Cobblestone Restaurant at the Naramata
Heritage Inn (Naramata)

Bronze

All Seasons Café (Nelson)
La Bussola (Kelowna)
Honourable Mention
Emerald Lake Lodge (Field)
Sal’s Prime Steakhouse (Kelowna)
Whitetooth Mountain Bistro (Golden)

ALBERTA

Gold

Divino Wine & Cheese Bistro (Calgary)
Taste (Calgary)

Silver

River Café (Calgary)
Vin Room (Calgary)

Bronze

The Ranche (Calgary)
Honourable Mention
Buffalo Mountain Lodge (Banff)
Cilantro (Calgary)
Deer Lodge (Lake Louise)
Ric’s Grill (Calgary)
Velvet (Calgary)

WINE PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGE

For this award, five distinguished industry professionals each play a different role in testing candidates on technical knowledge and varietal distinctions, flight tasting and customer service. This year’s winner is Sandy Hamilton, former Cannery restaurant sommelier. The Wine Professional Challenge is sponsored by Puddifoot.

QUADY DESSERT COMPETITION

For twenty-two years the Quady Dessert Competition is a test to create a dessert that pairs perfectly with a Quady wine, which this year was Elysium. First place was awarded to Tomiko Mayede from Terminal City Club. Second place was Lisa Ip from VII Lounge, and third place awarded to Whitney Reimer from Lumiere. Top Student award went to Alice Wu from the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts.

GK Media Inc is pleased to present a new feature recipe:

Three-Cheese Beef Lasagna from the new Rose Reisman’s Family Favorites Cookbook.
To download all of the recipes please use the recipe iPod guide or go to the Recipes page.

Directly from the CRU Restaurant Press Release:

Dine Out Vancouver Lunch Choose 2 courses for $19 Choose 3 courses for $24
LUNCH MENU Served Monday to Friday 11:30 - 2:00  April 21 - May 6

Mixed Baby Greens Salad
mustard vinaigrette
Or
Crushed Tomato Soup
sourdough croutons and goat cheese cream

Cavatelli Bolognese
small rolled pasta in a rich red wine meat sauce
Or
Crispy Duck Leg Confit
warm bacon vinaigrette, spätzle and goat cheese hash
Or
Citrus-cured Roasted BC Sablefish
olive oil crushed potatoes, creamed leeks and oven-dried tomato

Warm Hazelnut Brownie
vanilla chantilly and raspberry purée

Dine-out Vancouver 2010 DINNER MENU
Extended Hours: Every night 5:00 - 10:00
April 21 - May 6 Choose 3 courses for $38

Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio
truffle aioli, shaved grana padano and caperberries
Or
Crushed Tomato Soup
buttered sourdough croutons and goat cheese cream
Or
“Cellar Door” Caesar Salad
grilled romaine heart, warm croutons and asiago
Or
Citrus-cured Roasted Sablefish (add $3)
creamed leeks and oven dried tomato

Pan Seared BC Ling Cod
ponzu-dashi broth, bok choy sprouts, scallion dumplings and ginger with chilies
Or
Crispy Skin Free Range Organic Chicken Breast
classic choucroute, olive oil yukon gold potatoes and grainy dijon, apple cider jus
Or
Sweet Spring Pea Carnoroli Risotto
shaved parmesan, pea shoots and truffle oil
Or
Oven Roasted Lamb Loin
caramelized cauliflower florets, bacon and puy lentils with an oloroso sherry demi-glace

Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée
cocoa meringue
Or
Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Brownie
peanut butter mascarpone mousse and raspberry purée

Mother’s Day at CRU

Mother’s Day Brunch

Sunday, May 9 - 10:00am – 2:00pm

CRU Restaurant - 1459 West Broadway, Vancouver

$29 per person (Half price for children under 12)

What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than to treat Mum to a delicious brunch with the family?  On Sunday, May 9 2010 Vancouver’s CRU restaurant will serve up a special crowd-pleasing Mother’s Day menu in a relaxed atmosphere.  The three-course menu will be $29 per person, with children under 12 half price.

CRU has designed a menu for the occasion that will have something for every taste:

Assortment of House Baked Goodies - Banana Nut Bread, Cranberry and Orange Scones, and Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

Croque Madame - Toasted Sourdough, Prosciutto, Gruyere, Sunnyside up Egg
or
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes - Sour Cherry and Thyme Compote
or

Aged Cheddar, Spinach, and Leek Quiche - Mixed Baby Mustard Greens
or
Crispy Duck Confit - Goat Cheese and Spaetzle Hash with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
or

Tender Baby Spinach Salad - Brioche Croutons, Lardons, Crispy Shallots, Boiled Egg and Balsamic Dressing
or
Smoked Salmon and Sweet Pea Frittata - Dill Creme Fraiche

Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Brownie - Chantilly and Raspberry Puree
or
Classic Vanilla Bean Creme brulee - Cranberry Shortbread
or
Chai-spiced Carnoroli Rice Pudding - Pistachio Granola

Kids Menu

Macaroni and Cheese or Cavatelli Bolognese or

Mini Pancakes with Maple Syrup

So tell Mum to put down that saucepan and make plans to join us for this memorable Mother’s Day event.

Directly from The Smoking Dog Bistro Newsletter:

As you know we are big Canucks fans at The Smoking Dog. We will be turning on our big screen TV’s for the Canucks playoff run.   Join us on Game nights for $5 house Wine and $4 pints and appetizer specials

Dine Out Vancouver 2010 is a continuation of annual event that allows thousands of local food enthusiasts and tourists to dine at some of Vancouver’s top restaurants at equally attractive prices. This year we are presenting a $28 dollar 3- course menu. View menu here

Join Us Sunday May 9th for a Special Mother’s Day Brunch at 11am and 3 course Set Menu for Dinner

It’s Patio Season!  Join us for al fresco dining on the sunniest patio in Kits.

Directly from the DHM Press Release:

DHM GIVES BACK

The Donnelly Fund Benefits Gallery Gachet

Vancouver, BC - the Donnelly Pub Group, together with their charity arm The Donnelly Fund, hosts Mindscape: The Art of the Gallery Gachet Collective on May 19th at the Metropole. The event will feature an art exhibit and auction that benefits the philanthropic initiatives of Gallery Gachet, a unique artist institution in Vancouver’s downtown Eastside.

Featured artists at the event include Ariel Kirk-Gushowaty, Lisa Walker, Laurie Marshall, Robert Gardiner, Bonnito, Sharon Burns, Cherise Clarke, Sharon Smith, Kara Lee, Jay Peachy, Karen Ward, Bernadine Fox, Bruce Ray, Dylan Wolney and Quin Martins. All proceeds from the evening’s auctioned pieces, ticket and door sales go directly to the Gastown gallery.

Mindscape: The Art of the Gallery Gachet Collective takes place at the Metropole (320 Abbott Street, Vancouver BC) on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 from 7pm – 10pm. Tickets are $10 and available at www.clubzone.com, at the Metropole and at the door on May 19th.

Gallery Gachet provides artists who have mental health, trauma, or abuse experience with opportunities to collaborate, exhibit, curate, perform and teach. The gallery aims to integrate these artists to the forefront of contemporary art practice in Canada while maintaining their unique insights and perspectives. The space holds solo, group, juried and curated exhibits, featuring local, national and international artists with programming from a range of art practices. For more information on Gallery Gachet, please visit www.gachet.org.