Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Directly from the Wines of Argentina Press Release:

Wines of Argentina Announces 2012 Malbec World Day Event Line-up

Mendoza, Argentina – (March 30, 2012) - Wines of Argentina today announced the international line-up of 2012 Malbec World Day events, seven of which will take place in Canada.

Building upon the successful Inaugural Malbec World Day (April 17, 2011) and reinforcing their mission to establish Argentine Malbec as the indisputable benchmark of this variety around the world, Wines of Argentina has organized more than 73 events in 36 different countries that will propel Malbec into the spotlight in a powerful and impactful way on and around April 17, 2012.

April 17th was selected as Malbec World Day because of its historical significance. On this date in 1853, a bill to create the first school of agronomy - Quinta Agronomica - was submitted to the government of Mendoza.  It represents both the transformation of Argentina’s wine industry and the starting point for the development of Malbec as its flagship variety.

“With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, over 40 Argentine diplomatic representations around the world will produce activities in celebration of this symbolic day” says Magdalena Pesce, North American Manager for Wines of Argentina.  Participating delegations include the United States, Canada, China, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Poland, the Czech Republic Greece, Algeria, Russia, Armenia, Ukraine, Australia, India, Korea, Vietnam, The Philippines, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Panama and Venezuela.

“Here in Canada, we are organizing 7 Malbec World Day events that will take place in 5 different cities during 10 days in April” says Magdalena.  “More than 20 wineries will participate at each event. It is a huge undertaking and a wonderful example of collaboration” adding “It would not be possible without the support of our friends at the Argentine Embassy and Consulates, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism.”

CANADA EVENT SCHEDULE

Ottawa      April 12, 2012       Argentina Malbec & beyond Tutored Tasting by Rod Phillips at Algonquin College’s Restaurant

Ottawa      April 12, 2012       Argentina: Malbec & beyond Consumer Show at Algonquin College’s Restaurant

Victoria    April 17, 2012       Malbec World Day Celebration at Union Club

Vancouver   April 14 - 17, 2012  Malbec World Day promotion at local fine wine retailers

Toronto     April 17, 2012       Argentina Malbec & Beyond Tutored Tasting by David Lawrason at Loft 580

Toronto     April 17, 2012       Malbec World Day Celebration with IYellow Club at Loft 580

Quebec      April 2012           Promotion in selected restaurants.

Directly from the Vancouver Farmers Market Press Release:

This Saturday at 12:00 pm Vancouver Farmers Markets will announce its plans to launch “Market Kitchen,” an ongoing, live cooking demonstration led by some of Vancouver’s leading chefs. It will be the first time in ten years that VFM features outdoor cooking demonstrations and Ned Bell, along with the executive committee of VFM, will be present to detail the fundraising efforts needed to bring this sought-after attraction to fruition.

In addition to Bell, some of the renowned local chefs VFM has lined up for this initiative include: Andrea Carlson (formerly of Bishop’s), Angus An (Maenam) and Karen Barnaby (Fish House in Stanley Park) and Quang Dang (West). These executive chefs have signed on to cook dishes made entirely of in-season ingredients available at the market. On demonstration days, visitors will be able to pick up the recipe and ingredients will be identified at the vendors’ stalls with signage.

What: The announcement of Market Kitchen, a live cooking demo coming to VFM

When: This Saturday, March 31st at 12:00 pm

Where: Nat Bailey Stadium (30th Ave. and Ontario)

Parking: Free parking onsite

Directly from the Covert Farms Press Release:

Pig Out at Covert Farms in Oliver

Oliver, BC…. This PIG OUT is a feast, for all your senses. Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country is preparing to PIG OUT at Covert Farms on Saturday May 5th from 1-4pm. This inaugural event, presented by Destination Osoyoos and the Oliver Tourism Association, and hosted by Covert Farms, features chefs from local winery restaurants preparing pork in several different ways. And to compliment the food, all 24 wineries of Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country will be on hand to pour samples of their wines. All this, a souvenir glass and entertainment for a mere $65.00 per person. Tickets are available at the Oliver Visitor Centre at 6431 Station Street, Oliver or on-line at www.baneepigout.eventbrite.com

This 1st Annual Pig Out features chefs from;

Mica Restaurant at Spirit Ridge
Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek
The Patio at Nk’mip Cellars
The Sonora Room at Burrowing Owl
Terrafina at Hester Creek

The Pig Out is part of the Banée weekend; a celebration of the end of pruning and the beginning of a new season. The Pig Out is also part of the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival, so why not make a weekend of touring wineries in Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country. Visit uncork the sun at www.oliverosoyoos.com to find great hotel and resort rates starting from $89 per night.

Directly from the Tourism Whistler Newsletter:

TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival - April 13-22

Don’t miss this legendary spring festival celebrating Whistler’s mountain culture. Now in its 17th year, TWSSF is 10 days and 10 nights of winter sports, music and the arts. Featuring sport competitions, free daily outdoor concerts, after parties with internationally acclaimed DJs, fashion shows, photography and art exhibits, film screenings, theatre and of course, the best skiing and riding in the world.  For those that have not attended the festival before, the team behind the festival recently posted tips under “A newbie’s guide to the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival”.

Snowiest March on record sets stage for epic spring conditions and extended season

With spring officially making its way to Whistler and another eight weeks left in the winter ski and snowboard season, the resort continues to benefit from a La Nina winter. March 2012 is officially the snowiest March on record – pushing this season’s total snowfall past the average annual accumulation of 34 feet (10 metres). To date, Whistler Blackcomb has received 39 feet of snow – with more than 10 feet of snowfall in the month of March alone. Up to 20 inches of snow, or nearly two feet, is forecast over the next three days.  As a result of the epic conditions, the season on Blackcomb has been extended until May 28!

Whistler Patios - Après-Ski Edition

As snow-crazy as Whistler-ites can be – April’s arrival brings warmer, brighter days and signals the start of patio season.  When the frenzy for patio-time gets underway choosing the right location can be daunting. For those struggling with where to go and where’s the best “scene and be-seen” spot; The Whistler Insider put together an entirely subjective list of Whistler’s Winning-est Après Patios.  According to The Insider; “It’s a subjective list because we’re all big winners this time of year and every patio session has the chance to be ‘best ever’ because patio-ing is all about who you are with as much as where you are.”

Directly from the Donnelly Group Newsletter:

Hood Internet
TONIGHT - Thursday, March 29th

958 Granville Street
Republic Nightclub

Fire House
TONIGHT - Thursday, March 29th

1222 Hamilton Street
Bar None Nightclub

DJ Munchi Easter Long Weekend
Thursday, April 5th
Open ’til 4am

958 Granville Street
Republic Nightclub

DJ Bad Boy Bill
Thursday, April 12th

1222 Hamilton Street
Bar None Nightclub

Directly from the Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival Press Release:

Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival Sets its Viticultural Sights on California for its 35th year.

Vancouver, BC, March 29, 2012 – As Vancouver’s hugely successful week long wine celebration wrapped up for another year, wine aficionados have already begun anticipating next year’s Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival. A milestone anniversary, the Festival will celebrate its 35th year with the Theme Region of California, and the Global Focus on Chardonnay. The 2013 edition of the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival will take place from February 25th to March 3rd at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, and at select restaurants and venues throughout the city.

The 2012 Wine Festival closed to rave reviews and celebrated the Regional Theme Wines of Chile, the natural choice by showcasing a full range of wines from this viticultural eden. Wine Festival attendees received hands on wine education from top Chilean wine stars such as Eduardo Chadwick, Aurelio Montes, Alvaro Espinoza, and California’s Chuck Wagner to name but a few. At a combined 64 events across Vancouver, upwards of 25,000 people tasted among 1700 wines at the continent’s premier wine event. The net proceeds from this year’s Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction – the centrepiece of the Wine Festival – totalled $250,000 for the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company. A citywide success, Total Box Office Sales have come in at $1,077,608; this beats last year’s previous record of $1,075,333 by $2,275.

For 2013, guests can look forward to tasting a full range of California wines, a geologically diverse region with a wide variety of climates and terroirs. With over a hundred grape varietals grown in California, next year’s Theme Region will satisfy every oenophile’s palate. A world leader in sustainable wine growing practices, California vintners produce high quality wine that is environmentally friendly, economically sound, and socially responsible. Industry insiders take note: winery applications for the 2013 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival are open May 15, 2012 and will close on June 15, 2012. Advance tickets will go on sale Nov. 1, 2012 and all public tickets will go on sale Jan. 8, 2013.

ABOUT THE PLAYHOUSE WINE FESTIVAL

The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Canada’s premier wine show, will run from February 25th to March 3rd, 2013. The Playhouse Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine festival events in the world. In 2013, the Theme Region will be California Wines and the Global Focus, Chardonnay. The Festival features a week of special events including the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, wine seminars, wine minglers, winery dinners, and lunches and brunches at fine restaurants and hotels. The Playhouse Wine Festival is produced by the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival Society, which has three mandates: provide an informative, educational and entertaining wine experience for public and trade; be a premier marketing opportunity for the wine industry and Festival partners; and raise funds for the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company. Since its inception in 1979, the Festival has raised over $7.8 million to enable Western Canada’s leading theatre company to mount 229 productions and develop extensive community outreach and educational programs.  Although the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company ceased its operations on March 10, 2012, the last production of their 2011/2012 main stage season—God of Carnage—will be presented by Vancouver Civic Theatres at the Vancouver Playhouse from April 14 to May 5, 2012 (Box office: 604-665-3470). As an incorporated, non-profit society, the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival will continue; and will work with their constituted registered charity, The Playhouse Theatre Centre of British Columbia Society, to announce plans later this year regarding next year’s charitable net proceeds.

Directly from the Provence Restaurants Press Release:

FINNY FUN RETURNS TO PROVENCE IN APRIL

(Vancouver, BC) - April 1st is commonly called ‘Fool’s Day’ in English-speaking parts of the world. Few realize that the tradition probably started in France where it is called Poisson d’Avril. Poisson d’Avril? Doesn’t that translate as April’s fish? Like a Dadaist film, Poisson d’Avril doesn’t quite make sense. However it does make for a whale of a good time.

What started out as a one-day bit of foolery has evolved into a month-long celebration of all things ‘fish’ at Provence Restaurants (Marinaside in Yaletown and Mediterranean Grill in Point Grey). Each of the two restaurants will feature special three-course Poisson d’Avril menus from April 1 – 30.

Both of these ‘fish forward’ menus offer a ‘school’ of choices for only $45. On it you’ll find fish of every description prepared in a myriad of ways. From trout to tuna, sablefish to salmon and everything imaginable in the bouillabaisse, there is something to please every fish and seafood lover (for non-fish folk there are plenty of choices on both locations’ regular menu). Then end on a sweet note with a choice of something decadent from Provence’s menu of handcrafted desserts - Provence’s signature French Lemon Tarte is considered the perfect end to a fishy feast.

“Poisson d’Avril is an opportunity to welcome spring with a bit of fun. Our regular guests look forward to it every year. It’s become our spring tradition,” says Provence’s Executive Chef and Owner, Jean-Francis Quaglia. Everyone gets involved, including the children of staff who have created the hand-drawn fish what whimsically adorn the restaurant and menus during the promotion.

In France, Poisson d’Avril is an ‘excuse’ to poke a little fun and play a practical joke or two. People attach fish (usually paper cut-outs) to the back of their friends and family, who, unaware of the addition to their wardrobe, continue about the day with the new accessory until someone shouts ‘Poisson d’Avril!’ and the jinx is up.

During April, some Provence patrons will find a lucky ‘Poissons’ under their plate or taped to their back. These Poissons come with a prize – they’ll be giving away gift certificates and discounts during the month at both locations.

Marinaside will also offer a daily rosé feature by the glass, carafe or bottle.

Mediterranean Grill will be featuring wines by Pentage (Chardonnay Musque, Rosé or Meritage) by the glass, carafe and bottle with $1 from each glass going to support Vancouver Kids’ Picks, an organization that provides packed lunches for underprivileged children.

As an inaugural member of Ocean Wise, Provence Restaurants serves fish that has been harvested in a sustainable and responsible manner whenever possible.

While there is something very fishy happening at Provence Restaurants this April, diners will agree that the Poisson d’Avril menus are no laughing matter!

Directly from the Spot Prawn Festival Press Release:

Wild BC Spot Prawn Festivals in BC

Vancouver, BC… The Wild BC Spot Prawn season doesn’t begin this year until Thursday, May 3rd but plans are well underway for several festivals in BC. The Spot Prawn Festivals first began in Vancouver, an initiative of the Chefs’ Table Society and have grown in popularity from 200 foodies sampling this marine delicacy to over 1100 people last year at False Creek Fisherman’s Wharf, close to Granville Island. This year’s Festival is expected to be equally as popular, with more opportunities in BC to celebrate the season. For more information visit the Wild BC Spot Prawn website at www.wildbcspotprawns.com.

The Spot Prawn season is kicked-off with the original Festival followed by other festivals throughout the province. Dates as follows;

Vancouver                 Saturday, May 5th                  False Creek Fisherman’s Wharf

Cowichan Bay          Sat. & Sun, May 12th – 13th   Cowichan Bay Harbour, Vancouver Island

Kelowna                    Saturday, June 2nd                The Cove Resort, West Kelowna

Sunshine Coast        Saturday, June 16th               Willingdon Beach, Powell River

Costs and refreshment availability vary between Festivals. More information will be forthcoming from the individual Festivals. All Festivals and their information will be listed on the Wild BC Spot Prawn website as it is available.

About Wild B C Spot Prawns

Wild BC Spot Prawns are a delicacy known around the world for their sweet, delicate flavour and firm texture. They are most recognizable for their reddish brown colour, which turns bright pink when cooked, defining white spots on their tail and white horizontal bars on the carapace. Spot prawns are the largest of the seven commercial species of shrimp found on the west coast of Canada. Wild BC Spot Prawns are available live during the short harvest season, which usually starts in May and lasts anywhere from six to eight weeks. Prawn fishermen spread baited traps along the ocean floor at depths ranging from 40 to 100 metres.This method has less of an impact on ocean habitat and very low levels of bycatch of other species.

Directly from the Harbourfront Centre Press Release:

Harbourfront Centre’s 2012 Summer Festival Season 21 festivals from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving bring “The World in One Place”

TORONTO, ON (March 27, 2012) – Harbourfront Centre is pleased to announce its 2012 Summer Festival lineup. From the Victoria Day long weekend until Thanksgiving, Harbourfront Centre presents more than 20 FREE festivals and events featuring world-class local and international programming for children, youth and adults.

This summer, Harbourfront Centre offers many opportunities for Torontonians and visitors alike to discover “The World in One Place” through unique cultural programming at some of the biggest and best cultural festivals in the world, including:

A summer season bookended by family festivals, from HarbourKIDS: The Toronto International Circus Festival through to HarbourKIDS: Folk.
Canada Day: Going Global presented by CIBC: A spectacular celebration that highlights our nation’s trailblazers.
Planet IndigenUS: The world’s largest celebration of global Indigenous cultures.
Classical IV: Strings: Where stringed soundscapes from around the world intersect – with a contemporary twist.
Hot & Spicy Food Festival presented by CIBC: A celebration of 15 years tempting Toronto’s senses through delicious food, music, dance, film and more!

“For over 35 years Harbourfront Centre has brought the best in international culture to Toronto, challenging our audiences with new ideas and viewpoints,” says William Boyle, Harbourfront Centre CEO. “This summer is no exception, as we present cutting-edge programming that is contemporary, creative and unifies the rich mosaic of cultures from across our nation and around the world.”

Other season-long events include the return of the popular Free Flicks film series, screening films outdoors at the WestJet Stage; Dancing on the Pier, Harbourfront Centre’s social dance programme; and the global range of products and culinary treats at The International Marketplace and the newly-renovated World Café.

Harbourfront Centre’s Summer Season lineup

HarbourKIDS: The Toronto International Circus Festival (May 19-21)
Harbourfront Centre partners with Zero Gravity Circus to bring you the 10th annual Toronto International Circus Festival, a three-day cultural experience for children and families featuring world-class acrobats, fire masters, jugglers, clowns and more!

NXNE – North by Northeast (June 16-17)
One of the most anticipated music and film festivals in Canada! The 18th annual event will bring some of the world’s most exciting and innovative artists to Harbourfront Centre!

Franco-Fête, Co-produced by la Franco-Fête de Toronto (June 22-24)
For its 30th anniversary, la Franco-Fête de Toronto offers a unique occasion to gather and celebrate the diversity of francophone culture.

TD Toronto Jazz Festival (June 22-30)
One of North America’s premier jazz festivals, TD Toronto Jazz Festival is an event for lovers of music of all kinds.

Canada Day: Going Global presented by CIBC (June 29-July 2)
Canada’s biggest and best four-day birthday celebration features dance, music, culinary arts, comedy, family activities, storytelling, games and film that highlight the contributions of Canadians.

Expressions of Brazil, Co-produced by Southern Mirrors and Puente (July 6-8)
A three-day event showcasing the diversity of Brazilian arts and culture through music, dance, film, cuisine, workshops and family activities.

SoundClash Festival (July 13-15)
Harbourfront Centre’s annual SoundClash Music Award has morphed into a genre-bending music festival that showcases the award’s shortlisted acts, as well as other artists who are pushing the envelope on contemporary music and culture.

Hot & Spicy Food Festival presented by CIBC (July 20-22)
For 15 years, Harbourfront Centre has tempted Toronto’s senses, and this year’s event cranks up the heat as we redefine the intersections between food, music, dance, film and more!

Classical IV: Strings (July 27-29)
Discover how ancient stringed instruments from across the globe can create bold contemporary intersections of sound, with a twist!

Calypso Stars Showcanse (July 31)
Experience the sounds, rhythms and cadences of Toronto’s vibrant calypso community! Featuring calypso, steelpan and mas’ (masquerade) – the three core disciplines of Caribbean festivals.

Island Soul presented by CIBC (Aug. 3-6)
Harbourfront Centre’s wildly popular Caribbean festival commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.

Planet IndigenUS, Co-produced by Woodland Cultural Centre (Aug.10-19)
This massive 10-day event, book-ended by two weekend-long celebrations, is the largest multidisciplinary, contemporary, international Indigenous arts festival in the world, celebrating the future while honouring the rich cultural past of the world’s Indigenous peoples.

TELUS TAIWANfest, Co-produced by the Asian-Canadian Special Events Association
(Aug. 24-26)
A three-day culinary arts, music, dance and film fest that sparks a new dialogue on Canada’s multifaceted lifestyles between new immigrants and Canadians who have been here for generations.

Ashkenaz Festival (Aug. 28-Sept. 3)
North America’s premier festival of Jewish and Yiddish culture, featuring the best of the global Jewish culture scene with music, theatre, film, visual arts, literature and more.

Caribbean Tales (Sept. 4-15)
Canada’s one and only forum showcasing the best of Caribbean cinema locally and globally, classic and Creole, digital and celluloid.

Vegetarian Food Fair (Sept. 7-9)
The largest event of its kind in North America offers an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy a diverse cross-section of vegetarian cuisine.

Vietnamese Lantern Festival presented by CIBC, Co-produced by the Vietnamese Women’s Association of Toronto (Sept. 15)
Explore the meaning of the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival through the perspective of the Vietnamese community with a full day of food, entertainment and family activities.

Fortune Cooking presented by CIBC (Sept. 16)
Explore the crossroads of Pan-Asian cuisine and its influence across the globe. Taste the trends, witness the wizardry and savour the sounds!

HarbourKIDS: Folk (Oct. 6-8)
A three-day children’s festival that brings artists, kids and grownups together in a warm, friendly environment, offering endless possibilities for self-expression, cultural exchange, and artistic inspiration.

Season-long Events

Free Flicks (Wednesdays, July 4-Aug 29)
This summer, explore the theme of the “Rise of the Underdog” through documentary, biographical and cult films. From the steady climb to spectacular falls, the underdog will pick themselves up, dust themselves off and emerge victorious.

Dancing on the Pier (Thursdays, June 28-Aug 30)
The shores of Lake Ontario transform into Toronto’s most scenic ballroom. Live bands, social dance clubs and DJs will have you learning a mixture of dance trends and shared movements from across the world.

International Marketplace (Weekends, June 1-Sept 3)
Shop the world every weekend, all summer long. Our International Marketplace features fab finds from all corners of the globe, from Indonesian textiles, Indigenous crafts, African artifacts, Southeast Asian and South American jewellery and much, much more!

World Café (Weekends, May 19-Oct
What are you in the mood for today? Thai? Latin? Indian? The newly renovated World Café features the best cuisines from around the world at affordable prices.

Canoe Rides on the NatrelTM Pond (Daily, May-Oct)
Our famous canoe rides will be available at the NatrelTM Pond all summer long! Take a break and enjoy a fun float beside our picturesque boardwalk.

ABOUT HARBOURFRONT CENTRE SUMMER FESTIVALS

Harbourfront Centre is an innovative, non-profit cultural organization which provides internationally renowned programming in the arts, culture, education and recreation, all within a collection of distinctive venues on a 10-acre site in the heart of Toronto’s downtown waterfront.

This festival season – from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving – Harbourfront Centre presents culturally diverse local and international programming including concerts, film screenings, outdoor dancing, food demos, family fun and so much more. For more information, visit harbourfrontcentre.com/summer.

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

Honey and Peri Chili Creme Anglaise from Nando’s Flame-Grilled Chicken.

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