Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Directly from the Donnelly Group Newsletter:

Upcoming Events

Bar None

Digital Underground
Tonight - Thursday, June 30th at Bar None Nightclub
I think everyone remembers ‘Doowutchyalike’ and ‘Humpty Dance’ right? The rapadelic boys hit town for the first time in about 15 years.

Library Square Public House

Werewolves of Creston

Tonight - Thursday, June 30th at Library Square Public House

Werewolves of Creston have been taking our culture’s most popular songs and warping them to their own twisted purposes since 2007. Like vultures feeding on our collective memory of pop/rock mega hits, the tight-knit trio are known for transforming the songs we sing in the shower and hear in the mall, running them through a jukebox on shuffle, and performing them utterly re-imagined, at dance tempos, with new upbeat ska, funk, roots and reggae feels.

At the Lamplighter this Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 2:30-6pm

Luau Style Pig Roast & Summer Patio Party presented by Granville Island Brewing
Granville Island Beer, fresh roasted pig and feelgood tunes…amazing! This one starts at 2pm kids…get down early for the early get-down.

Republic Nightclub 

The Graduate Thursdays at Republic Nightclub - open until 4am tonight!
Thursday, June 30th, 2011 9pm-4am

Canada Day at the Lamplighter

Cousin Harley’s Canada Day Party at the Lamplighter presented by Spicebox Whiskey

Academic

Endless Summer Canada Day Pre-Party at Academic
Thursday, June 30th, 2011 9pm-2am

Directly from The Fish House in Stanley Park Press Release:

The Fish House in Stanley Park Garage Sale

Saturday, July 2, 2011, 10am - 2pm

Tables will be set up just outside The Fish House and Stanley Park, near the parking lot at 8901 Stanley Park Drive.

Cannery equipment and supplies that will be sold include: insignia china, flatware, commercial kitchen pots, pans and inserts, espresso machine and much more. Lots of deals and some great supplies for your home or commercial kitchen – all at great prices!

Proceeds from the Fish House Garage Sale will go directly to the Union Gospel Mission.

No phone calls will be taken in advance and no early birds!

Directly from the TABASCO® Press Release:

Who will be Canada’s hottest Junior Chef?

TABASCO® Brand Foodservice Canada is asking students to hit the street and bring on the heat!

Toronto, ON (June 29, 2011) – A culinary throw down is coming to Toronto this fall with the TABASCO® Brand Street Heat Junior Chef Meet. Open to culinary students from across Canada, TABASCO® Brand is on the hunt for the nation’s hottest junior chef. Finalists must wow judges with a street food-inspired dish to claim the title and take home $2,500 in cash and $2,500 in Garland prizes.

“In 1999, I became North America’s first TABASCO® Brand Hottest Chef and I’m thrilled to be back to support this initiative which encourages the incredible talent of the newest generation of chefs,” said judging panel member and celebrity chef David Adjey. “As a judge, I’m looking for dishes with creativity, flavour and originality. I have great expectations that today’s up-and-coming chefs will bring some spectacular ideas from the street to the competition.”

To enter, contestants must create an original street food-inspired recipe and feature at least one flavour from the TABASCO® Brand Pepper Sauce Family of Flavours. Three finalists will be invited to an all-expense paid cook-off event in Toronto – November 7th, 2011 - where they will have 45 minutes to prepare and serve their dish for a panel of judges.

With a global estimate of 2.5 billion people gobbling up street food every day, it’s one of the fastest growing movements in the culinary world[1].  Canada’s multicultural population has created an appetite for flavours from around the world and as a result, street food vendors are branching out from traditional hotdogs and French fries to offer ethnic flavours like Korean BBQ tacos, Indian curries, sushi and more.

“Street food is more than sausages and poutine,” said TABASCO® Brand Corporate Chef Ralph Bettany. “With options that are virtually limitless, we’re looking for original international cuisine that mixes traditional ethnic flavours with the latest trends.” Bettany continued, “It’s our goal that, through the TABASCO® Brand Street Heat Junior Chef Meet, we can provide students with an opportunity to showcase their talent and build the confidence to succeed in this industry.”

Entry Details

Students can submit their recipe submissions online at Tabascostreetheat.ca. Entry deadline is October 7th, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. Three finalists will be brought to Toronto for the live final cook-off event on November 7th, 2011. Information and contest rules are available online at Tabascostreetheat.ca.

Directly from the Glowbal Group Press Release:

BBQ for the Downtown Eastside by Glowbal Restaurant Group and Union Gospel Mission Announced

On Saturday, July 16, Union Gospel Mission aligns with the Glowbal Restaurant Group to serve thousands of free, nutritious and delicious BBQ meals to the people of the Downtown Eastside. The new and improved Oppenheimer Park will be packed with guests enjoying all-natural hot dogs, BBQ’d beef brisket, ranch-style potato salad, coleslaw, and Nanaimo bars for dessert, all prepared by six chefs — one from each Glowbal Group restaurant.

“We are happy to partner with Union Gospel Mission once again,” says The GLOWBAL COLLECTION Proprietor, Emad Yacoub. “This event allows us to give back to the community, support outreach workers and connect with Vancouver’s people in difficulty and need.”

“Union Gospel Mission offers services from emergency relief to long-term housing and everything in between, but we hear again and again how positive changes all started with a meal,” says UGM President Bill Mollard. “So, when Glowbal Group approached us two years ago about hosting a gourmet summer BBQ, it was just a natural fit.” This will be Glowbal’s second summer BBQ with UGM to provide something special for those often neglected. “What impresses me about the Glowbal team is that they’re taking what they’re passionate about — which is really good food — and sharing that passion with those who may never otherwise experience a meal like this,” says Mollard.

Where:
Oppenheimer Park (Cordova Street between Dunlevy and Jackson)

When:
Saturday, July 16
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Directly from the Bistro Pastis Press Release:

FÊTE DE LA BASTILLE – A TRADITION AT BISTRO PASTIS

Angry mob creates havoc in the streets – sound familiar? Only in this case, the mob overthrew a government, cost a king his head and created a modern democracy in the process. For more than 200 years the French have been celebrating the storming of the Bastille and ‘le quatorze juillet’ as a national holiday – a time of community dinners with friends and neighbours sharing good food and bottles of wine. Vancouver’s very own authentic corner of France, Bistro Pastis in Kitsilano, has become celebration central with its annual Fête de la Bastille – a tradition that goes back since the restaurant first opened its doors.

This year is no exception. For one day only, Thursday, July 14th, proprietor John Blakeley is offering a very special three-course menu of bistro favourites for only $45.

Executive Chef Tobias Grignon has designed a menu that offers diners mouth-watering choices. Just how do you choose between a first course that includes sumptuous
Terrine de Foie de Volaille (chicken liver terrine with fig compote and toasted brioche), Tarte aux Champignons (wild mushroom tarte with baby greens salad and black truffle vinaigrette) or fresh-as-spring-rain Vichyssoise aux Petits Pois (baby green pea vichyssoise with crab and mint salad) bursting with new pea flavour? Can you say ‘partager’ (French for ‘sharezies’)?

The choice of mains is equally overwhelming. There is traditional Canard à l’Orange avec Pommes Roesti (roasted duck breast, potatoes and duck confit, celeriac purée, watercress salad) or La Paella Façon Pastis (Pastis’ signature paella loaded with clams, mussels, ling cod and prawns) or classic
Entrecôte Grillée avec Sauce Bordelaise (grilled New York steak, mushrooms, roasted potatoes, shallots and red wine sauce)

The art of patisserie is a French obsession and source of pride. Debates have been known to erupt over the flakiness of a tart crust. Bistro Pastis’ Bastille Day Menu will not disappoint. There are hard choices to be made. Do you end your meal with an utterly decadent Gateau au Chocolat (flourless dark chocolate tart with caramel sauce and Armagnac ice cream)? Or a classic Tarte à la Rhubarbe et aux Fraises (strawberry and rhubarb tart with honey and lavender sorbet) is more to your liking? Perhaps you would prefer the light-as-air Îsle Flottante. The French know the answer to such a dilemma – bring a friend or two or three …and share of course! Life’s pleasures, and eating is surely one of them, is meant to be a shared experience. Should you wish un petit verre de vin, John has designed special wine pairings to complement each dish. Consider how gems such as
Domaine de Garchies and Pech Celeyran will add to your dining experience. The three-course pairing is value-priced at only $29.

Adding to the ambience will be Josh Minsky, a local singer and guitarist who specializes in French chanson. Guests will be delighted by his renditions of La Vie En Rose, La Mer or C’est si bon … and, you just may be called upon to join in a rousing rendition of
La Marseillaise. Couple this with proprietor John Blakeley’s innate Gallic charm and Bistro Pastis’ cosy room and you have the recipe for a perfect evening n’est-ce pas.

One night only, Thursday July 14, 2011. Two seatings: early starts 5:30 - 6 p.m. and late: 8 – 8:30 p.m. Three-course dinner $45., optional wine-pairing $29.

Auguste Escoffier would be very pleased … and so will you!

Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 604-731-5020.

Directly from The Hart House Press Release:

Hart House’s Italian Garden Party Serves Up Cuisine Con Amore

Hart House Restaurant’s annual Italian Garden Party raises a glass to the Mediterranean culinary heritage of fine food and wine.  Join us on Wednesday, July 13 2011 and enjoy a wine tasting in the gardens followed by dinner on the estate and enjoy live music for only $52.

The evening begins with a casual tasting of premium Italian wines in our elegant gardens.  Guests may then purchase a bottle or two of wine from the evening’s specially-selected list to pair with the al fresco dinner that follows.  Everyone will be welcome to walk around our renowned lawns and flower gardens, which will be at the height of their splendor on this midsummer evening.  Dinner will be accompanied by relaxing live music.

Reservations by phone only at 604-298-4278.

Italian Garden Party

Wednesday, July 13 2011

6:00 pm

$52 per person plus taxes and gratuity

Directly from the Wines of Argentina Press Release:

Wines of Argentina Featured at FREE 39th & Cambie LDB Signature Store Events

June 28, 2011 (Vancouver, BC) – On Thursday July 7th and Friday July 8th, consumers can attend two FREE tastings at the 39th & Cambie LDB Signature Store offering samples of Argentinean wines paired with authentic South American cuisine.  Throughout the month, consumers can also enter to win an amazing prize package of two nights’ accommodation at Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort Hotel and Spa including breakfast each morning.

Held from 3 - 6:30 pm each day, the consumer tastings offer guests samples of top Argentinean wines paired with tasty empanadas from House of Empanadas.  The events will also include a sizzling tango dance demonstration.

In conjunction with the month-long promotion of Argentinean wines at the BCLDB, Wines of Argentina is also offering a deluxe prize package.  The prize includes two nights’ accommodation at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort Hotel and Spa, with a visit to the spa and dinner for two at LURE Restaurant and Lounge.  Wines of Argentina will provide limousine service to and from the dinner.  To enter the draw, please visit www.winesofargentina.ca.

Wines of Argentina Consumer Tastings

Thursday, July 7 & Friday, July 8, 2011  3 – 6:30 pm

39th & Cambie LDB Signature Liquor

5555 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Directly from the Quails Gate Winery Press Release:

Quails’ Gate Winery’s Pinot Gris Wins Double Gold at San Francisco Competition

Wine lovers have a new reason to raise a glass to Okanagan favourite Quails’ Gate:  the winery’s Pinot Gris just won Double Gold at the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition.  The awarded wine will be available exclusively at the winery itself over the summer, so add a stop at Quails’ Gate to your summer vacation itinerary.

2011 marked the 31st anniversary for the San Francisco International Wine Competition, the largest and most respected international competition in the United States.  In addition to the Pinot Gris Double Gold, 6 other Quails’ Gate wines were also awarded Bronze and Silver medals by a panel of judges.

Quails’ Gate Wine Shop and Old Vines Restaurant are open daily; for a schedule of available tours please visit www.quailsgate.com.

Directly from the City of Toronto Press Release:

CANADA DAY: Mel Lastman Square
Friday, July 1, 2011 8pm
Free Admission

Celebrate Canada’s 144th birthday with live musical performances and spectacular fireworks. The gospel-influenced, R&B sounds of Ray Robinson kick off the evening, followed by nine-piece powerhouse King Sunshine with their explosive beats rooted in underground disco, funk, deep house and techno. For more information: www.toronto.ca/special_events/canada/2011

Directly from the Harbourfront Centre Press Release:

Colombian Colours – II Diaspora Festival July 15-17  Colores de Colombia – II Festival de la Diaspora

Celebrating the cultural expressions and ethnic diversity of Colombian culture!

Harbourfront Centre, along with its lead summer partner The Toronto Port Authority, and festival partners Pacific Rubiales, Scotiabank, AviancaTaca and Caracol T.V., are proud to present the return of Colombian Colours – II Diaspora Festival. From July 15 to 17, audiences from the GTA and beyond are invited to celebrate this vibrant culture with international and local performances in music, theatre, film, dance and more.  This festival is co-produced by the Casa Cultural Colombiana and Tridha Arts Association.

International music artists featured throughout this three-day celebration include salsa violinist Alfredo De Fe, who is credited with making the violin an integral part of Latin music, Colombia’s first all-vocal group NVOZ, and the Diego Marulanda Quintet who combine native Colombian instruments like the yapurutus (Colombian flutes) and maguarés (Colombian drums) with double bass and guitar.

Montreal-based Ballet Raíces de Colombia will showcase 20 dancers from different parts of the world that have fallen in love with this country’s culture, music and dance. This troupe is considered to be one of the best Colombian folkloric dance groups in Canada.

Other highlights include the Canadian premiere of the Bogotá MMX, 200 years after editorial exhibition that commemorates the celebration of Colombia’s Bicentenary of Independence and a photography exhibit honouring Colombia’s most famous photographer, Nereo López Meza. Pieces from Meza’s 50-year career will be on display in the Marilyn Brewer Community Space, including images of his numerous trips to South America.

Rounding out festival programming are food demos, zumba workshops (a Colombian creation), flamenco workshops, traditional Colombian games and fun family activities.

Join us this summer as we explore “Hot Spots” of intensity, artistic brilliance, connectivity, and regions of conflict that shape the impressions we have of ourselves and our world. This theme is programmed into each weekend festival to bring together rich artistic traditions from our own backyard and around the globe! It also presents a unique opportunity to experience top Canadian and international artists in a fun, family-friendly environment without ever leaving the city!

Hot spots may not always be comfortable, but they are conduits of change. Embrace change or defy it – it is ultimately up to you. This summer, Harbourfront Centre presents programming that asks: What’s your hot spot?

For additional information and complete event listings, the public may visit harbourfrontcentre.com/summer or call the Information Hotline at 416-973-4000. Harbourfront Centre is located at 235 Queens Quay West in the heart of downtown Toronto’s waterfront.

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

Green Meadow Cocktail from Tullamore Dew Irish Whisky.

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

Don’t miss the July 7th, 2011 newsletter.  There will be one giveaway prize.

One winner will receive a copy of the Healthy Starts Here Cookbook.

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

Directly from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Press Release:

The VSO and New York Pops Principal Conductor Steven Reineke present the best music from Broadway and Hollywood in a special Summer Pops concert.

Vancouver, BC - New York Pops Principal Conductor Steven Reineke conducts and hosts a hot program of the best music from Hollywood and Broadway with the VSO on Thursday, July 21, 7:30pm at the Orpheum Theatre.
The special summer concert includes selections from Wicked, West Side Story, The Phantom of the Opera, Ragtime, Guys and Dolls, Titanic, Star Wars and more.  Outstanding Broadway vocalists Ashley Brown and Ryan Silverman will be joining Steven Reineke for this exciting musical tribute.

Steven Reineke is one of the nation’s most sought-after pops conductors, composers and arrangers. Music Director of The New York Pops, his contract has recently been extended through the 2015/2016 Season. He is the newly appointed Principal Pops Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra, and he also serves as Principal Pops Conductor of the Long Beach and Modesto Symphony Orchestras, and Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.

Ashley Brown is currently reprising her title role on Broadway in Mary Poppins for which she received Outer Critics, Drama League and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress. Ms. Brown’s other Broadway credits include Belle in The Beauty and the Beast, and she has starred in the national tour of Disney’s On the Record.

Ryan Silverman most recently starred in the Broadway and Las Vegas productions of The Phantom of the Opera as Raoul. He performs various genres including opera, pop musicals, traditional music theatre, big band, and symphony concerts.

CONCERT INFO

Summer Pops: Broadway to Hollywood!

Thursday, July 21, 2011, 7:30pm Orpheum Theatre

Steven Reineke conductor

Ashley Brown vocalist

Ryan Silverman vocalist

TICKET INFORMATION:

Tickets: $25.00 - $45.00 (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 Granville Island Press Release:

Celebrate Canada Day: Red, White and Free on Granville Island

On July 1, Maple Leaf pride will be on full display on Granville Island, as the city’s arts and culture haven throws what will surely be the best birthday party of the season. With free jazz performances courtesy of Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, a festive parade, flying acrobats, face painting, delightful roving characters, and much more, this is an action-packed day that everyone can enjoy. On July 1st make Granville Island your home base and celebrate Canada from the most scenic seat in town.

Gratis Celebrations
Fun and free festivities abound, including: The Canada Day Parade featuring The Carnival Band, spectacular stilt and lion dancers; The Craft Association of BC Workshops, where a wide array of crafts will be showcased, including stained glass windows, paper marbling, polymer clay sculpture and basket weaving; The Kids Market, where children can invoke their inner artist, with activities such as sand art, henna tattoos and balloon twisting; and, from the steps behind the Public Market, take in the Voiliers Spectacle — on a voyage around the world, French acrobats Franck and Delphine are sailing into Vancouver to present two unusual silent productions, using mast, boom, ridding and other parts of their sailboat as stage to exhibit their acrobatics prowess, with two shows at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Adding to the day’s colourful entertainment line-up, local performers will be popping up throughout the Island.

Canadian Cookery
Come early and start your morning off right with The Truly Canadian Pancake Breakfast at the Dockside Restaurant in the Granville Island Hotel. Between 7:30 am and 11 am enjoy a hearty pancake feast. $1 from each meal benefits Canuck Place. If you’re looking for a different kettle of fish, visit the Lobsterman Cookout, where folks wearing clothes representing Canadian pride will enjoy a special discount on lobster, 10 am - 5:30 pm. Or enjoy your favourite dish out on the Bridges patio until midnight. For those with a serious sweet tooth, stop by A la Mode, inside the Public Market, for a pie made from six different flavoured slices - a real ‘Canadian’ pie.

Getting to the Island
Whether by land or sea, it’s easy to get to Granville Island on Canada Day. Cyclists can lock up their bikes for free in numerous secure locations; Parking is complimentary all day throughout the Island; The Aquabus and False Creek Ferries are both offering ‘2 for 1′ ferry rides to those decked out - head to toe - in red and white; or, hop aboard Public Transit, the #50 bus stops at the entrance of the Island.

…And All That Jazz
Visit Performance Works, Railspur Alley, Ron Basford Park, or the Market Stage for a selection of jazz concerts from the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Starting at 12:00 pm, each stage offers a series of artists throughout the day, including: Ribcage Trio at 12:00 pm at the Market Stage; Swing Patrol at 2:30 pm at Ron Basford Park; Serpentine Funk at 5:30 pm at the Railspur Alley Stage; and Mark McLean’s Playground at 9:30 pm at Performance Works.

Granville Island Public Market and The Net Loft are open until 7 pm, seven days a week. For more information about Canada Day activities and upcoming Granville Island events, visit granvilleisland.com.

Directly from the Glowbal Group Press Release:

Aw, Shucks: Glowbal Collection Duo Awarded Top Spots at the BC Shellfish Festival Oyster Shucking Championship

Grand prize winner Ian Peck set to compete in World Invitational Oyster Shucking Championship, September 2011

June 24, 2011 (Vancouver, BC) - The Glowbal Collection has plenty to celebrate in winning pair Ian Peck (bartender, COAST Restaurant) and Issac Del Campo (Manager, SOCIETY Dining Lounge). The two men tasted briny victory recently when they were awarded first and second place, respectively, in the BC Shellfish Festival Oyster Shucking Championship held in Comox, BC, June 18.

The fun culinary fray was part of the BC Shellfish Festival, a non-profit society run by a volunteer board of directors with the purpose of creating a premier culinary destination for seafood lovers. 16 participants competed in the contest. Each received 14 oysters to open, with competitors presenting only 12 for judging. Criteria was a combination of shucking time and shucked appearance (presence of shell, grit, broken shell cup or meat cuts). Esteemed judges included the CBC’s Don Genova and Vancouver Sun columnist and Global TV’s Nathan Fong.

Receiving bucks for their shucks, Del Campo was given $200, with Peck receiving the grand prize of $500 and return airfare to Charlottetown, PEI, where he will compete in the 2011 World Invitational Oyster Shucking Championship, September 16-19, 2011.

Oyster aficionados are invited to visit SOCIETY and COAST to catch Peck and Del Campo in action and learn more about their shucking prowess.

Directly from the Boathouse Restaurants Press Release:

90 DAYS OF SUMMER IS HERE….

Every day of the west coast summer Boathouse is serving up creative food & beverages at all 7 waterfront locations. We’re also giving away great prizes! Instant wins, weekly prizes, and 3 fabulous grand prizes.

LX50 VESPA, Compliments of Metro Vespa
MAUI SURF TRIP FOR 4, compliments of Granville Island Brewery
REO RAFTING WEEKEND FOR 10, compliments of REO Rafting Resort

PICK UP YOUR 90 DAYS OF SUMMER POSTCARD NOW!!

POSTCARDS are being handed out all over the lower mainland. You’ll find them at the best events and summer places. To find out where you can find the 90 DAYS OF SUMMER POSTCARD, check it out on Facebook and Twitter.

THIS WEEK’S PRIZE GIVEAWAY:

WHISTLER SPORTS ACADEMY Ultimate Whistler Lifestyle Weekends Includes 2 days of Tennis, Mountain Biking or Fishing, Ziptrek or Scandinave Spa, Araxi’s Restaurant, 2 Nights Accommodation - value $1000

Directly from The Well Restaurant Press Release:

Main Street Gets A New Contender For Best Restaurant On The Block

VANCOUVER, B.C. - On Friday, June 24th, the Well Restaurant hosts a grand re-opening and invites the public to attend.
Nestled in between Fourteenth and Fifteenth Avenue in the heart of South Main, this little bistro is going big time with the introduction of its new menu and newly re-designed space.

“We are best known for our brunches” says owner Amir Manesh, “But we felt that our head chef is so capable, and we really wanted to use his talents to create an amazing lunch and dinner menu, and that’s what we’ve done.”   The menu has diversified and now hosts delicious and innovative salads, tapas and mains. Prawn and papaya salad, pesto and basil dip with beet chips, and gorgonzola penne lead the way into a food lover’s heart.

South Main has grown into one of the trendiest areas in Vancouver, and competition is growing fierce among local businesses. It seems that a new bar or boutique pops up every other day, and closes just as fast. But the Well Restaurant has held its ground, and anticipates a busy summer season.

Every day, lunch and dinner specials are created with emphasis on seasonal, local produce and paired with wine and beer features.

The new wine list hosts primarily B.C. wines, but also some delicious imports, including a Pink Elephant Rose, surprisingly light and refreshing and perfect for summer.
As for the interior? “We needed an update” says designer Callan Price, “So we created a warm, inviting atmosphere where you can just relax with a glass of wine and really good food.  We used a lot of wood and soft lighting, and hired VBC Contracting to create a beautiful new patio.”

The event will feature a wine tasting of Circus and Pink Elephant wines hosted by David Herman and Sons and a beer tasting from Lighthouse Brewery, a local and sustainable brewery located in Victoria, B.C.
There will also prizes, giveaways and all appetizers and entrees will be 50% off.

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

Twisted Brandy Daisy from Raynal Brandy.

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