Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Directly from the CRU Wine Selections Press Release:

Vancouver’s Leading Chefs Celebrate Angelo Gaja, one of the World’s Greatest Winemakers at Exclusive Dinner to Benefit the Canadian Cancer Society

Vancouver, BC (May 16, 2012) – CRU Wine Selections is proud to present the food and wine event of the year: Vancouver’s top chefs will be pairing courses to the iconic wines of Mr. Angelo Gaja June 5th, at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Star Sapphire Ballroom. The dinner is to showcase Vancouver’s culinary talents while celebrating the exceptional wines of Angelo Gaja, with proceeds benefiting the Canadian Cancer Society.

Internationally acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest winemakers, there is no more important name or greater ambassador in Italian wine then Angelo Gaja. Credited with revolutionizing the wine business in Piedmont and changing the image of Italian wines, Angelo Gaja balances tradition and innovation to carefully produce exceptional wines that continue to represent a legacy of quality and supremacy that has evolved over 300 years. Gaja will visit only New York and Vancouver for his last North American tour, and the city’s oenophiles and gourmands are honoured to welcome him. A true icon in Italian wine, Angelo Gaja is one of the world’s most respected producers and best known wine personalities.

The once-in-a-lifetime event is to begin with a champagne reception, where guests will be greeted by leading Vancouver wine judge Sid Cross, followed by an exclusive address by Mr. Gaja. The sumptuous meal will consist of seven courses and dessert, each prepared by one of Vancouver’s top chefs. Each course will be paired with two wines, which Mr. Gaja will speak about in turn, as the sommeliers and managers of participating top restaurants serve them.

The incredible line up of participating chefs includes:

Darren Brown, Oru, Fairmont Pacific Rim
Thomas Haas, Thomas Haas Chocolates
David Hawksworth, Hawksworth Restaurant
Frank Pabst, Blue Water Café
Adam Pegg and Lucais Syme, La Quercia
Pino Posteraro, Cioppino’s
Hidekazu Tojo, Tojo’s
Vikram Vij, Vij’s

The exclusive black tie event takes place in the Star Sapphire Ballroom at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Tuesday June 5th, 2012 from 5:00pm to 11:00pm. Sponsored by the Dilawri Group, space is limited to 100 guests. Tickets are $1000 per person (plus tax) with tables of 14 people available, and proceeds will go to the Canadian Cancer Society. Tickets include: Reception, GAJA presentation, 7 course meal with 14 wine pairings, and Mr. Gaja will join each table for one course. To purchase tickets, please contact Jeanette Horwood T: 778-882-7654 E: jeanettehorwood@shaw.ca

CRU Wine Selections

CRU Wine Selections was established in 2005 by two long time professional friends and colleagues, James Johnson and Nick Kosick. The founding vision at CRU was to work with some of the world’s most exclusive wineries, bringing Western Canada a dedicated selection of wines from over 40 elite producers, with special focus on the wines of Italy. CRU is incredibly proud to partner with the Dilawri Group, the Fairmont Pacific Rim and Vancouver’s greatest Chefs to bring you this historic night in Vancouver dining with a living legend, Mr. Angelo Gaja.

www.cruwineselections.com

Canadian Cancer Society

The Canadian Cancer Society is committed to eradicating cancer and improving the lives of people with and beyond cancer. It has more impact against more cancers in more communities than any other cancer charity. The impact comes from leading cancer prevention initiatives, funding outstanding cancer research and delivering trusted information and compassionate support.

www.cancer.ca

Directly from The Kitchen Party Press Release:

The Best Kitchen Party in Vancouver Returns

OLIVER, BC… Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country brings The Kitchen Party back to Vancouver this June 7th.  Trail Appliances, Vancouver’s premier kitchen showroom, is host to this year’s event, which features 12 of Vancouver’s top restaurants paired with the 24 wineries of Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country. Tickets for this grazing style party are just $75.00 and can be purchased on-line at http://kitchenparty.eventbrite.ca.

The Kitchen Party began in Vancouver in 2008 and has sold out each year – after all – we all know the best parties end up the kitchen. This year, Trail Appliances, located at 2876 Rupert Street (at Grandview Highway) features 11 incredible showroom kitchen, each with a well known Vancouver chef and 2 Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country members. (Please see attached list) This is an opportunity to taste new releases from Canada’s most sought after wines, sample canapés from celebrity chefs and bid on an outstanding wine cellar; 48 wines lovingly housed in a top of the line Viking Wine Cellar featuring 2 temperature zones, a value of over $5000. Don’t miss out on this and vacation packages to Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country

About Trail Appliances: As a family owned and operated business since 1974, Trail Appliances is one of the leading independent appliance retailers in Western Canada with 13 stores in BritishColumbia and Alberta. Trail offers Canada’s largest appliance selection creating a complete shopping experience for every need – single family homes, apartments, condos, and town homes.

About Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country: Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country is bordered by McIntyre Bluff to the north and the USA border to the south. Its major growing areas lie on three benches: the Golden Mile,  the Black Sage and the Osoyoos Lake benches. Still a very rural area, this part of the valley is dedicated to agriculture of all kinds; however the diversity of soils amd microclimates here create premier land for many grape varieties. The unifying character that makes this possible is our desert climate, which is common to all wineries. Oliver is home to The Wine Capital of Canada while Osoyoos boasts Canada’s “Warmest Welcome”.

The Kitchen Party Takes place Thursday, June 7th at Trail Appliances located at 2876 Rupert Street (at Grandview Highway). Tickets can be purchased on-line, http://kitchenparty.eventbrite.ca . The Kitchen Party is sponsored by Trail Appliances and Viking.

Directly from the Watermark Beach Resort Press Release:

Watermark Beach Resort Welcomes New Executive Chef Jonas Stadtländer

May 15, 2012 (Vancouver, BC) – The Watermark Beach Resort is pleased to announce that Jonas Stadtländer has accepted the role of Executive Chef for the Resort.  Chef Stadtländer will be at the helm of the Wine Bar & Patio, as well as and the Resort’s conference and banquet space, which hosts both conferences and weddings.  Jonas brings a combination of passion and experience to his new role leading the culinary team at the world-class Osoyoos resort.

In recent years, Jonas has acquired a wealth of experience working a variety of roles at top restaurants in Japan, Germany, Australia, and Canada.  His time at Germany’s Wielandshöhe restaurant and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Tokyo gave him an appreciation for varied culinary and cultural traditions.

He got his start here at home in Canada:  he was born and raised in Toronto, and grew up with an insider’s view of the restaurant business.  His father is well-known chef Michael Stadtländer, and his family operates a mixed farm in rural Ontario that embodies the field-to-table approach to cuisine.

Jonas is excited about his new position at the Watermark, saying that “cooking in the South Okanagan is a dream for a chef” because of the region’s amazing abundance of premium ingredients, including outstanding fruit and vegetables, quality meats, artisan cheeses, and world-class wines.

To make your reservations at the Watermark Wine Bar & Patio, call 250-495-5500 or 1-888-755-3480   www.WatermarkBeachResort.com.

Directly from the Wild BC Spot Prawn Festival Press Release

A World of Flavours at this year’s Spot Prawn Festival in Kelowna

Kelowna, BC… Wild BC Spot Prawns once again make their way to Kelowna for the 2nd Annual Wild BC Spot Prawn Festival, this year hosted by Bonfire at the Cove Resort.  Saturday, June 2nd from 1 – 4pm, join top chefs for a sampling of these delicious crustaceans.  Codfather’s will once again be on hand to sell live Spot Prawns. Admission to the Festival is complimentary, sampling tickets are $2 per prawn. The Cove Resort is located at 4205 Gellatly Road, West Kelowna.

This year’s Wild BC Spot Prawn Festival features flavours from BC, Italy and India.
Restaurants participating including;
Bonfire at the Cove
C Restaurant with Chef Robert Clark
Ricardo’s Mediterranean Grill
Hillside Estate Winery and Bistro
Joy Road Catering
Nineteen Grill and Lounge
Poppadoms
he Terrace at Mission Hill Family Estate

About Wild BC 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.

For more information about Wild BC Spot Prawns visit www.wildbcspotprawns.com

Directly from the Sun Peaks Resort Press Release:

Canada’s Alpine Village gets ready for its biggest line-up…ever!

Sun Peaks, BC (May 15, 2012) - Sun Peaks is excited to announce additions to its already massive event schedule this summer. This coming summer will feature over 35 events, including 15 newly created or partnered events, representing a 100% increase over last year. Branded as Canada’s Alpine Village, the mountain community will host an event every weekend from June 30to September 29, drawing visitors from all over the region.

In addition to previously announced events, such as the upcoming Free Outdoor Concert featuring Kevin Costner and Modern West, Sun Peaks is adding to its summer line up “Seak the Peak” Geo Caching Weekend (July 21 & 22), the brand new 5’Forty Longboard Challenge (August 19) and the Yeah Bru! Classic Dual Slalom Downhill Mountain Bike Race (September 2).

The community will continue to celebrate its 50 year anniversary throughout the summer with events happening every month, starting with the Mr. Fairway Contest (June 2) and culminating at the 50th Reunion Finale Barbeque (September 8th).

The increased events schedule allowed Tourism Sun Peaks and resort businesses to partner with talented local organizers to identify opportunities.  Partnerships were forged to stage the Yeah Bro! BC Cup Series #3 Downhill Mountain Bike Race (July 14 & 15), Dirty Feet’s XC Mountain Bike Event (July 21 & 22) and Trail Run (September 8th).  Cooperation also expanded RunClub’s Jo’s Road Race (June 30 & July 1) into a destination weekend.

The dramatic increase in events has been driven by two factors according to Christopher Nicolson, President of Tourism Sun Peaks. The first was a need to attract more ‘first-time’ locals and regional residents during the summer.

“Events offer a specific reason to come to Sun Peaks,” says Nicolson. “Most people who visit in summer have an exceptional experience and return. The scented air, vibrant colours, and invigorating village and activity draw people back. But we needed to find a way to entice guests for their initial visit.”

The second reason is directly related to the creation of the new Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality.  As a formal municipality, the community was able to work with the provincial government and secure new investment for tourism and infrastructure.

For more information, go to www.sunpeaksresort.com/events

Directly from the Earls Restaurants Press Release:

Earls Restaurants launches new regional craft beer program across Canada at the Vancouver Craft Beer Week May 18 – 26, 2012.

Fresh Microbrews, local to each region, reflect the commitment to all things fresh at Earls

Vancouver, BC – May 13, 2012 In a commitment to promoting microbreweries across Canada, Earls Restaurants is pleased to present their new beer selection offering craft beers local to each region where restaurants are located - British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.

With the growing emphasis on only fresh, made from scratch items on their food menu, and fresh squeezed juices, no artificial flavours on their bar menus, artisanal craft beers are an important part of the authentic flavours available at all Earls 60 restaurants.

Defined as small-batch beer made by independent, traditional breweries, craft beer is free of preservatives and stabilizers and created to be served shortly after brewing and bottling.

Keeping craft beers local ensures freshness as well as offering unique flavour profiles distinct to each region.

Beverage Director Cameron Bogue (Advanced WSET Level 3), who oversaw the selection of beers for Canada and worked with a tasting panel that included Executive Chef/Corporate Development Chef Reuben Major and George Piper, the long time wine buyer for Earls, noted it was both an envious and difficult task. “With all the fantastic breweries across Canada, it was very difficult to narrow down our favourite,” explained Bogue, “we conducted a blind taste test of nearly 200 beers in one afternoon alone looking to find the very best – the perils of my job!”

Microbrews are not new to Earls Restaurants, nor is the emphasis on great quality beers. Earls broke ground as the first restaurant in Canada to offer draught beer back in 1982, when only bars and taverns could offer it (Alberta’s Drummond Brewing) and that same year Earls’ first location in Edmonton broke ground again creating Albino Rhino, their own house beer made by, then microbrewery, Big Rock. Five years later Whistler Brewing Co. took over as the microbrewery producing the iconic house brand in the west. With the 2009 move into Ontario, Muskoka Brewing produces the house microbrew in the east. Both Whistler and Muskoka also create new seasonal flavours for Earls throughout the year.

Regional selections include:

British Columbia: Phillips Brewing Co. (Blue Buck Pale Ale, Slip Stream Cream Ale), Howe Sound Brewing Co. (Devil’s Elbow India Pale Ale, Four Way Fruit) Whistler Brewing Co. (Albino Rhino house and seasonal beers) as well as bottled microbrews  by Whistler Brewing Co. (Whisky Jack Pale Ale, Grapefruit Ale)

Alberta Alley Kat Brewing Co. (Aprikat), Big Rock (Traditional Ale), Whistler Brewing Co. (Albino Rhino house and seasonal beers)

Saskatchewan Saskatoon Brewing (Pale Ale), Whistler Brewing Co. (Albino Rhino house and seasonal beers)

Manitoba Fort Garry Brewing Co. (Pale Ale, Dark Ale), Whistler Brewing Co. (Albino Rhino house and seasonal beers)

Ontario Muskoka Brewing Co. (Cream Ale, Summer Weiss, Mad Tom IPA ), Mill Street Brewing Co. (Tankhouse Ale, Organic Lager), Steam Whistle Brewing Co. (Premium Pilsner) Albino Rhino (house and seasonal beers)

The new selection of beers is available now at all Earls Restaurants.

“I started out by looking for breweries that make a selection of beers, each unique to their style,” added Bogue. “What I found was a world-class selection of beers, bolstered by stories of entrepreneurship in their local communities – in other words, craft brewing with a purpose.”

SPECIAL EVENT

In conjunction with the Vancouver Craft Beer Week Earls presents “Earls Gets Crafty”

Sunday, May 20th from 4 pm – 6 pm

$25 includes 8 beer samples, food and gratuity

Join BC Brew Masters from Phillips, Howe Sound and Whistler Brewing at Earls Restaurant, Yaletown and be part of the official launch of our new North America wide craft beer and microbrew program. We’ll sample all 8 of our BC craft beers and serve up some beer friendly appetizers from our new spring menu made fresh from scratch in our Yaletown kitchen. $25 includes 8 beer samples, food and gratuity. Tickets at  http://vancouvercraftbeerweek.com/2012/events/sunday-may-20th-2012/

Directly from the Hamilton Street Grill Press Release:

Spring Tasting: Monday, May 28th and/or Tuesday, May 29th

One of British Columbia’s best new wines 8th GENERATION along with one of Hamilton Street Grill’s favourite wine presenters, Quinn Diepold 5:30pm - 7pm - $25 per person

In keeping with our popular and fun 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. Guests are seated at both individual tables and at shared tables

This month we are pouring three selections of 8th Generation wines alongside Hamilton Street Grill’s Executive Chef Neil Wyles wine inspired appetizers. Neil makes excellent choices when pairing his appetizers with the wines and the tasting format is casual, informative and fun!

Monday, May 28th and/or Tuesday  May 29th
Start time 5:30 pm
Hamilton Street Grill
1009 Hamilton Street, Yaletown, Vancouver
Tickets $25 per person

Seating always sells out quickly Reserve by credit card at: 604-331-1511 or hamiltonstreetgrill@telus.net

Our favourite annual celebration - Steak Month!

June is steak month at the Hamilton Street grill as we celebrate our 16th year in style

This years anniversary month special is the California Cut Striploin served with garlic mashed potatoes and market and vegetables. A thick juicy Striploin for only $16, all month long

Reservations 604-331-1511 (Hey, what a great way to celebrate Father’s Day!) Not valid with other promotions

Directly from the Parksville-Qualicum Beach Press Release:

Celebrations and Jubilation - All Part of Summer Fun in Parksville-Qualicum Beach for 2012

PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM BEACH, BC - It’s going to be a celebratory summer in Parksville-Qualicum Beach this year. With at least five special anniversary dates in Qualicum Beach alone (and that doesn’t even include Canada’s birthday on July 1), this summer is going to be one to remember!

The summer season kicked off with the 70th Anniversary of the Town of Qualicum Beach. But that’s just the beginning.

On May 26, 2012, local community supermarket chain Quality Foods will celebrate their 30th year in business with a community fireworks display on the beach at dusk. The next day, a Shriners’ pancake breakfast starts off the 36th Annual Family Day, followed by a parade and a full day of concessions, music and entertainment, and games for the kids. Best of all, everything except the food is FREE!

With the continued interest in healthy, locally sourced foods, the Parksville Street Market, as well as the Errington and Qualicum Beach Farmers’ markets, feature local produce, baked goods, hand crafted arts, and other specialty products available all summer, May through September.

On June 15 - 17, 2012, the Father’s Day Show n’ Shine Car Show shows off over 500 cars, which line the streets of Qualicum Beach. This event is so popular it made Oprah’s Ten Best Things to Do on Father’s Day (yes, THAT Oprah) and is sure to please all car enthusiasts.

Parksville’s Canada Day celebrations on July 1, 2012, start with a pancake breakfast and full parade. Community park activities for the whole family stretch throughout the rest of the day, including live entertainment ending with a spectacular fireworks display. The Lighthouse Bluegrass Festival also runs the full Canada Day weekend with great bluegrass music from all over North America, a taste of bigger things to come in August.

Over a three day period starting July 14, 2012, sand creatures and castles will rise again on Parksville’s beachfront as sculptors compete in the Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition & Exhibition. This event is an official qualifying event for the World Championship of Sand Sculpting in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, and the creations can be viewed daily until August 19. Then on July 21st, 2012, it’s the inaugural Beach Day Festival in Qualicum Beach.

On July 28, 2012, The Old School House (TOSH) celebrates its 100th year since it was opened as the first school for Qualicum Beach and its 25th year in operation as the venerable artistic hub of Qualicum Beach. Music, artists, and dining will be featured as part of the celebration.

Picking up where the Lighthouse Bluegrass Festival left off, the 34th Annual Coombs Bluegrass Festival, August 2-5, 2012, kicks off the last month of summer activities in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area. Musicians and fans alike will delight in the oldest bluegrass festival in B. C. and one of the oldest in Canada, located in sunny Coombs.

On August 12, 2012, take a dip off Qualicum Beach at the Ocean Mile Swim.

Then, on Sunday, August 19, 2012, hundreds of children from the area will descend upon Parksville Community Park for the 20th KidFest - a full day of face painting, hair spraying, games, crafts, and learning about nature. And it’s all free! It runs in concert with the 28th QF Children’s Sandcastle competition.

At Parksville and Qualicum Beach, the ocean and beach are only the beginning. Only 147 kilometers from the provincial capital city of Victoria and 36 kilometers from the B.C. Ferry terminals in Nanaimo, this sheltered eastern region of Vancouver Island welcomes visitors to the delights of its unique towns and villages.

For more information visit www.visitparksvillequalicumbeach.com or call 1-888-799-3222.

Directly from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Press Release:

Superstar Yevgeny Sudbin performs Mozart with the VSO, with Conductor Laureate Kazuyoshi Akiyama celebrating his 40th anniversary of conducting the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Vancouver, BC – The weekend of May 26th to the 28th sees the VSO debut of piano superstar Yevgeny Sudbin, performing one of Mozart’s most important – and most brilliant – works for piano, his Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor. Also featured on the program are Debussy’s beautiful L’isle joyeuse and La Mer, and Mozart’s Magic Flute Overture.

These performances are conducted by VSO Conductor Laureate Kazuyoshi Akiyama. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the VSO’s association with Maestro Akiyama, who served as Music Director from 1972 to 1984. In Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, as well as on tours throughout British Columbia, across Canada, to the US West Coast and Japan, Maestro Akiyama has conducted over six- hundred concerts with the VSO and can be heard on five critically acclaimed recordings. The VSO is immensely proud of its association with Maestro Akiyama, a world-renowned conductor and recipient of the Emperor’s Purple Ribbon Medal from the Japanese Government for his outstanding contribution to the country’s musical culture. We celebrate our 40th anniversary of beautiful music-making on this performance weekend.

Pianist Yevgeny Sudbin has been hailed as potentially one of the greatest pianists of the 21st century, and the International Record Review called him “one of the most important pianistic talents of our time.” Sudbin regularly performs with many of the world’s most distinguished orchestras, and his recordings have always met with critical acclaim.

The matinee performance on Sunday, May 27th is dedicated to the many hundreds of VSO Volunteers who give generously and tirelessly of their time to assist the VSO in many aspects of operations. Volunteers staff the VSO Gift Shop; work at every concert assisting patrons, handing out information and selling lottery tickets; spend thousands of hours in the VSO offices assisting with administrative tasks, important mailouts, data entry, etc.; staff the reception desk; sell lottery tickets at malls and other locations throughout the Lower Mainland; staff the Tea & Trumpets matinee series; help raise important funds through projects such as the Volunteer Music Appreciation Program, the Symphony of Style Fashion Show, the Holland America Luncheon, and more. The VSO salutes these amazing volunteers!

CONCERT INFO

Masterworks Diamond

Saturday & Monday, May 26 & 28, 8pm, Orpheum

Rogers Group Financial Symphony Sundays

Sunday, May 27, 2pm, Orpheum

Kazuyoshi Akiyama, conductor

Yevgeny Sudbin, piano

Mozart          The Magic Flute: Overture

Mozart          Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K. 491

Debussy         L’isle joyeuse

Debussy         La Mer

TICKET INFORMATION:

Tickets: $26.75 - $84 (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 Dockside Restaurant Press Release:

The Coal Harbour Liquor Store is pleased to announce the date for the extremely popular

Pelican Bay Spring Wine Tasting Event

This event is offered exclusively to members of the Coal Harbour Liquor Store VIP CLUB.

Taste over 30 different wine labels while enjoying a selection of appetizers and taps compliments of the culinary team at the Dockside Restaurant.

This spectacular location provides a beautiful backdrop to the event.

This is an extremely popular event and there are limited tickets available so dont delay…

Tuesday May 29th

5:00pm - 8:00pm

Dockside Restaurant in the Granville Island Hotel

Directly from the Corono and Miller Chill Press Release

It’s May and our first long weekend of the season is just around the corner. For those lucky enough, three days at the cottage is in sight and it can’t come soon enough. Instead of kicking the summer off with a plain old case of beer, why not mix things up with May 2-4 inspired beer cocktails courtesy of Corona and Miller Chill.

So whether you’re heading north to open up your cottage, tagging along to a friend’s or planning to chill-out at home on the back deck or patio, these beer cocktails are sure to be a hit at any May 2-4 celebration. Offering a unique and refreshing spin on classic cocktail recipes like the mojito and margarita, the Miller Chill Mojito and Corona Coastal Surf Margarita will have you wishing every weekend was a long weekend.

Miller Chill Mojito

Miller Chill with muddled mint, fresh lime and cane syrup, garnished with a lime wedge.

To a highball glass, add 4 lime wedges, 12 mint leaves, 1/2 oz. cane syrup. Muddle. Fill glass with ice & top with Miller Chill. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Suggested Food Pairing:

Fried Plantains with Salsa Cruda

Grilled Corn with Chili Lime Butter

Corona Coastal Surf Margarita

Corona with blended tequila, lime, orange syrup and crushed chilis, garnished with lime.

To a blender, add 1 cup ice, 1 oz. tequila, 1 oz. lime juice, 1 oz. orange syrup & 1/2 tsp chopped chili peppers. Blend & pour into a margarita glass. Add 3 oz. Corona and garnish with a lime wheel.

Suggested Food Pairing:

Grilled Skewered Shrimp & Mango Salad with Chipotle Lime Vinaigrette