Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Directly from the CinCin Ristorante Press Release:

Guest Chef Dinner CinCin’s Andrew Richardson welcomes Napa Valley’s Chef Cindy Pawlcyn

Celebrated author, chef, and restaurateur Cindy Pawlcyn launches Cindy’s Supper Club, Meals from Around the World to Share with Family and Friends

When: Tuesday, June 26th  |  6:00 p.m.
Where: CinCin Ristorante, 1154 Robson Street, Vancouver

Cindy Pawlcyn is widely recognized as one of the early farm-to-table pioneers, a concept that is celebrated throughout her four reputable California restaurants. In her new cookbook, Cindy’s Supper Club, she unveils adventurous recipes inspired by her travels from around the world.

On June 26th, we will welcome Chef Pawlcyn to CinCin for a special multi-course dinner prepared by Chef Andrew Richardson. Guests will enjoy antipasti and wine before being seated for this very special feast inspired by the pages of Cindy’s Supper Club.

For Tickets, contact Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks at 604-688-6755
Tickets are $99, which includes an amuse-bouche followed by a three-course dinner - as well as a signed copy of Cindy’s Supper Club (wine & gratuity not included).

Directly from the Donnelly Group Press Release:

Republic Nightclub News:

Republic 6 Year Anniversary with DJ Sinden (London, UK) & Republic Resident DJs

Thursday, June 7th
958 Granville Street
Republic Nightclub

Reggae Sundays presents Serani (Kingston, Jamaica) Live Performance. Goodlife Sundays with The Freshest in Room 2

Sunday, July 5th
958 Granville Street
Republic Nightclub

Directly from the Hart House Restaurant Press Release:

Hart House Welcomes New Executive Chef Alana Peckham

Vancouver, BC – Hart House at Deer Lake is pleased to announce that Alana Peckham has joined the restaurant as Executive Chef.  Chef Peckham has already made her mark on the cuisine at the venerable Burnaby landmark by introducing fresh new lunch, brunch, and dinner menus.

Chef Peckham’s unique cooking style is influenced both by her training in French culinary techniques and her heritage as a Chinese Canadian.  Above all, however, she is devoted to using fresh and local ingredients.  She is excited about joining the team at Hart House, which is known for tremendous dining in the main dining room and hosting outstanding functions for corporations and family celebrations throughout the grounds.  She will continue to nurture their close relationships with local suppliers and looks forward to accessing the on-site herb garden for her menu.

The new menus showcase Chef Peckham’s creative talents and the abundance of premium ingredients available locally.  The brunch menu includes Banana Buttermilk Pancakes, Duck Leg Confit, and Goat Cheese & Mushroom Omelet.  Lunch options range from Salt Spring Island Mussels to the AAA Beef Burger & Fries to the Knuckle Sandwich (fresh lobster knuckles provide the punch in this recipe).  The dinner menu offers such dishes as Steelhead Salmon, Fraser Valley Duck Breast, Asparagus Tagliatelle, and Grilled Lamb Sirloin.

Guests are welcome to enjoy the new menu items on Hart House’s comfortable patio overlooking Deer Lake. Reservations are available by phone only at 604-298-4278.

Directly from the Hawksworth Restaurant Press Release:

H’s Blend Released at Hawksworth Restaurant & Bel Cafe. Hawksworth Restaurant’s award-winning sommelier team craft a unique, approachable wine blend for guests

Vancouver, BC (May 31, 2012) – The Hawksworth Restaurant team added another arrow to their epicurean bow this week, with the launch of H’s Blend, a handcrafted and accessible wine blend, available exclusively at Hawksworth Restaurant and Bel Café.

Under the watchful guidance of winemaker John Weber of Cawston’s family-run Orofino Winery in the Similkameen Valley, H’s Blend is a light and refreshing offering of both red and white wine – 100% Gamay from two separate vineyards, and a blend of 50% Pinot Gris and 50% Riesling, also from grapes grown on Similkameen vines – producing a lively and juicy bistro-style red and a distinctive and delicate white, with flavours of citrus and pear.

The relationship between Hawksworth Restaurant team and Orofino Winery dates back to 2008 when Jay Whiteley, Assistant Wine Director, joined the Orofino team for a hands-on experience on the crush pad. Inspired by the Orofino approach to making real wine to be paired with ingredient-driven, locally-sourced, flavourful food (Orofino is also home to the annual 1.6 mile dinner), the family-run vineyard became the perfect choice for Hawksworth’s own label.

“This is a true testament to the skill and relationships held by our sommelier team,” says David Hawksworth, upon the launch of H’s Blend. “We are proud to align with one of BC’s most respected wineries, using grapes from Canada’s most distinctive appellation to create our own exclusive wine blends.”

Both red and white H’s Blend were handcrafted by John Weber and the Hawksworth sommelier team, including Wine Director and Sommelier of the Year, Terry Threlfall, in Hawksworth Restaurant’s private dining room. Earlier this year, the York Room was adapted to create a blending station to garner the very best wine to complement and enhance Hawksworth’s contemporary Canadian cuisine. The result is a light, bright wine with notes of berry and citrus, an equally perfect addition to a dinner at Hawksworth, or enjoyed on the Bel Café patio.

H’s Blend is available at both Hawksworth Restaurant and Bel Café, as part of their platinum-award winning wine list for $11 per glass and $55 per bottle.

Directly from the Tinhorn Creek Press Release:

Tinhorn Creek Streams Ahead with Salmon-Safe Certification. Oliver winery leads the industry in environmental stewardship

Vancouver, BC (May 31, 2012) – Tinhorn Creek Vineyards has become one of the first “Salmon-Safe” certified vineyards in B.C. Their award-winning restaurant, Miradoro, has also joined the Ocean Wise program.

“We’re very proud to announce that Tinhorn Creek has successfully passed a rigorous assessment that verifies our commitment to protecting the environment as well as advancing more eco-friendly practices throughout the Okanagan,” says Tinhorn Creek Winemaker and CEO Sandra Oldfield. The Salmon-Safe program looks at agricultural practices to protect water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and overall watershed health based on a detailed set of peer-reviewed guidelines. Examples of Tinhorn Creek’s management practices that address Salmon-Safe principles include: increasing water efficiency by switching to a drip irrigation system; active in planting native vegetation around riparian zones; choosing pesticides with less harmful impacts on aquatic life; and supporting biodiversity on the property through inter-seeding native species in the vineyard alleys.

As part of their commitment to Salmon-Safe principles, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards plans to enhance the ecosystem well-being of their vineyards by developing specialized “biodiversity islands”, which will help to ensure beneficial insects and wildlife have access to appropriate habitat. They also have plans to implement further measures that will slow down or capture water from major storm events.

Salmon-Safe and Tinhorn Creek’s certification is significant for the whole region as water conservation is a key priority in the Okanagan. Tinhorn Creek is committed to supporting the recovery of salmon in the Okanagan Basin, including Okanagan River sockeye (one of only two remaining populations of sockeye salmon in the international Columbia River Basin), by helping to set a high standard for land management practices and to raise awareness of the connection between agriculture and ecosystem health. For more information on the certification program visit www.salmonsafe.org/bc.

Not content with simply making changes to benefit the immediate environs of Tinhorn Creek, Miradoro Restaurant—named Best Winery/Vineyard Dining at the 23rd Annual Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards—recently confirmed its participation in the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program. “Conservation is important to us,” says Miradoro Executive Chef Jeff Van Geest, “Joining the Ocean Wise program is a great opportunity to educate and empower our guests about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood.” Ocean Wise works directly with restaurants, markets, food services and suppliers ensuring that they have the most current scientific information regarding seafood and helping them make ocean-friendly buying decisions. For more information visit www.oceanwise.ca.

About Tinhorn Creek Vineyards:
Established in 1993, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards is located just south of Oliver B.C., in the famed Golden Mile wine-growing district. As the number one winery destination evoking classic south Okanagan terroir, Tinhorn Creek proudly offers 100% estate grown wines, growing grapes on both the Black Sage and Golden Mile benches. As the first winery in Canada to support carbon neutral measures, Tinhorn Creek continues their commitment to land stewardship, conservation and environmentally sustainable practices. Family owned and operated, Tinhorn Creek offers an unrivalled visitor experience including a self-guided tour, along with wines that rank among the best in the world, and since April 2011, the exceptional Miradoro Restaurant. For more information about Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, call 1.888.484.6467 or visit the website at www.tinhorn.com.

Directly from the Sun Peaks Resort Press Release:

The 1st Liquid Gold: Beer & Whisky Festival – July 27 to 28
The 5th Annual Wine and Culture Festival – July 6 to 8

Sun Peaks, BC (May 30, 2012) -  July will be the perfect time to soak in Sun Peaks’ outdoor ambiance at two festivals dedicated to fine fare and culture. The well established Wine & Culture Festival (July 6 to will be joined by the new Liquid Gold: Beer & Whisky Festival (July 27 to 28), continuing to grow Canada’s Alpine Village as a summer destination for those looking to enjoy the finer things in life.

“The arts and culture scene is growing every year at Sun Peaks,” says Christopher Nicolson, president of Tourism Sun Peaks. “The Wine & Culture Festival, the new Liquid Gold Festival and Art Zone workshops make Sun Peaks appeal to more than just sports enthusiasts.”

B.C. wines, fine local ingredients and gifted regional musicians and artists will once again combine in perfect harmony for The 5th Annual Wine & Culture Festival. In its fifth year, the event continues to grow as a signature weekend getaway for wine and culture lovers from across the local region, the Lower Mainland and Washington. Organizers are preparing to ascend last year’s success which saw several sold out events.

In addition to classic favourites such as the Symphony of Flavours wine tasting and tapas and the Sunburst BBQ & Mid-Mountain Trio Serenade, local artist Debbie Milner will be hosting a new art workshop. Guests will learn how to enhance their own painting style while working with the natural elements surrounding them.

“This weekend has come into its own as a signature Sun Peaks event,” says Nicholson. “Obviously, we are every excited Kevin Costner will be performing on the same weekend, but it means people must book in advance.”

The new Liquid Gold: Beer & Whisky Festival spans two days and features the finest in high quality liquor and premium beer. Participants will attend a beer seminar hosted by one of Kamloops’ favourite restaurants, The Noble Pig, and a whisky seminar. Sun Peaks restaurants will also be offering different specials and events around the intimate, pedestrian village. And for those who can’t wait that long, our Mountain of Beer & Chili Cook-Off is happening during our Summer Kick-Off Weekend (June 30 to July 1).

Art Zone workshops will also be available throughout the summer. Guests will have the opportunity to learn from local artists on a variety of mediums.

Sun Peaks Resort is proud to be adding these unique events to its summer calendar.

“We are excited to be offering these new events,” says Nicholson. “It expands the resort’s appeal to a wider audience and reflects the growing diversity at Sun Peaks.”

To purchase event tickets, please contact the Sun Peaks Adventure & Information Centre at 250-578-5542 or activities@sunpeaksresort.com.

Directly from the Harbourfront Centre Press Release:

Canada Day: Going Global presented by CIBC at Harbourfront Centre

FREE festival celebrates Canadian and international trailblazers

TORONTO, ON (*May 30, 2012) – It’s Canada’s 145th birthday, and Harbourfront Centre is celebrating our nation’s big day with a FREE four-day festival of world-wide proportions. Join us over the holiday weekend, Friday, June 29-Monday, July 2, for Canada Day: Going Global presented by CIBC.

Canada is a place where cultures collide, producing a constant and rich output of creativity and innovation that seems disproportionate to our population. Whether it’s a group like Airplane Boys, who have been turning international hip-hop heads, or the humble poutine and its rise through the international gourmet scene alongside local chefs who are reinventing it, the world is paying attention to what we have to offer.

This Canada Day, Harbourfront Centre highlights and celebrates the achievements of trailblazers and influential art forms that have left their mark on both the Canadian and international cultural landscape with a variety of music, dance, literary, culinary, family and other performances and activities.

Highlights of Canada Day: Going Global include:

Music from hip hop crew Airplane Boys, soul-and-more from Zaki Ibrahim, a reunion of Toronto funk band Crack of Dawn, the return of Hidden Cameras, legendary South African singer Johnny Clegg, Rasta-bluesman Corey Harris and more;
Iron Chef: Poutine Edition with Micah Kennedy (Jamie Kennedy Kitchens), David Neinstein (Barque Smokehouse) and Stephen Pynn (Bannock);
International dance-crew throwdown The Call Out;
A Poetry Slam hosted by the Toronto Poetry Project……And much more!

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, in the heart of Toronto’s downtown waterfront. Our summer festival season runs from Victoria Day weekend through Thanksgiving weekend, and features over 20 festivals and events that offer The World in One Place. For more information visit harbourfrontcentre.com/summer

Directly from the Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Press Release:

Raise a Glass to BC’s Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars at TWO Complimentary Tastings & Bottle Signings

Vancouver, BC – Taste premium wines from BC’s Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars at two FREE consumer tastings.  The events will occur on Thursday, June 7 2012 at Everything Wine’s North Vancouver location and Friday June 8 at Marquis Wine Cellars in downtown Vancouver. Blue Mountain winemaker Matt Mavety will be on hand to share his passion for the wines and their place of origin.

Wines featured at the tastings will include
Blue Mountain Brut Sparkling Wine
2010 Blue Mountain Pinot Gris
2010 Blue Mountain Chardonnay2010 Blue Mountain Pinot Noir

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Free Wine Tastings

Thursday, June 7 2012

4:00 – 6:00pm

Everything Wine

998 Marine Drive, North Vancouver

Friday, June 8 2012

4:00 – 6:00pm

Marquis Wine Cellars

1034 Davie Street, Vancouver

Directly from the Siena Restaurant Press Release:

Favourite Neighbourhood Spot Starts Sunday Brunches

Vancouver, BC – It’s official: South Granville’s favourite new neighbourhood eatery is sating palates with a unique, Mediterranean Brunch. Siena’s Brunch menu respects the Mediterranean theme of the restaurant’s popular dinner menu, featuring such items as Fritatta, Brioche French Toast, Cassoulet and Linguine Carbonara.

Served every Sunday from 11am to 2pm, Brunch at Siena can start with Cava and OJ or an assortment of organic coffees and teas, depending on your mood. Owner Mark Taylor was one of the city’s first Sommeliers, having won multiple awards for his other restaurant; CRU. He has crafted a concise wine list at Siena, offering a great selection of Mediterranean wines by the glass. Those preferring the coffee route will be equally impressed by Mark’s experience and passion –  Casa del Caffé roasts every bean for Siena in true Italian Tradition.

Warm, friendly service welcomes guests into a cozy, casual indulgence which epitomizes Sunday Brunch. Whether shopping on the bustling Granville Rise or taking in a Sunday matinée at the Stanley Theatre, Siena’s relaxed oasis is just a few steps away.

“It’s not your average Sunday Brunch,” says Taylor, “No Eggs Benedict. But there are plenty of egg options to choose from – just with a little creativity built-in. This is what we want to eat for brunch!”

Siena brings casual, neighbourhood dining with a Mediterranean flavour onto the Brunch circuit:

Officially open for Brunch, starting now: Sundays only, 11:00am – 2:00pm

Reservations not required.

1485 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC  (Parking available.)

Phone: 604-558-1485

Directly from the Dundarave Fish Market Press Release:

Join the Dundarave Fish Market Ltd, Oyster Bay Wine, Russell Lager and Simply West Coast on June 3rd, 2012 as we proudly sponsor Ken Laderoute in his quest to raise money for Cancer research and care.
Ken will be participating in a two-day major cycling event called The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation. 

He will be cycling with thousands of other Riders. All the proceeds will go to BC Cancer Foundation to support cancer research, treatment, and services.

The Dundarave Fish Market Ltd is offering a “Sea fun” appy. Six prawns and a glass of Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc or a Russell Lager Sleeve for only $15.00. All money for this appy will go towards the Cancer Foundation. Donation pledges will also be accepted on his page Click Here: The 2012 Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting BC Cancer Foundation: Mr. Ken Laderoute - The Ride to Conquer Cancer.

A free sauce tasting courtesy of Simply West Coast will be offered from 4:30 to 7:30pm.  Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Directly from the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation Press Release:

British Columbia Hospitality Foundation Announces New Chair, Board Members

May 29, 2012 (Vancouver, BC) – The British Columbia Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) has appointed Bing Smith the organization’s new Chair.  The Foundation also added two new members to its Board of Directors.

The BCHF wishes to thank outgoing Board of Directors Chair Geoffrey Howes for his valuable contribution in the role.  New Chair Bing Smith brings a wealth of experience to the position, and has many connections in the business world.

The BCHF Board also gains two new members, Dana Lee Harris and Chiyoko Kakino.  Dana runs a Public Relations consulting business focused on the food and wine business; Chiyoko is the Senior Vice-President, Brand Strategy for RAMMP Hospitality.  They will join the following individuals already sitting on the Board:

Christine Coletta (Treasurer)
Richard Carras (Secretary)
Tim Pawsey
James Chase
Richard Floody
Raechelle Williams
Alan Sacks continues to serve as the Foundation’s Executive Director.

For more information: www.bchospitalityfoundation.com