Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Aqua Riva New Year’s Eve with a piano duo and 4 different set menus.

Araxi New Year’s Eve with three to five course tasting and gala menu options plus two seatings and a DJ.

Beyond Restaurant New Year’s Eve:  Dinner and Dancing plus 7 course tasting menu plus party favours.

Blue Water Cafe New Year’s Eve: Early and main seating options. Second option includes DJ and countdown and celebration at midnight.

DB Moderne Bistro: New Year’s Eve:  5:30pm and 8:00pm seatings, Prix Fixe menus.

Dockside Restaurant New Year’s Eve: Hotel and Dinner packages, various other packages starting from $19.99.

Figmint Restaurant New Year’s Eve:  Two seatings, two menus: three course for $39 and a four course for $49.

GoldFish Pacific Kitchen New Year’s Eve:  Solid Gold Style Party with the burlesque style Stonefoxx Dance Crew.

Horizon’s Restaurant New Year’s Eve: Dinner and Dance.  Lots of seating choices plus 3 or 4 course menu choices.

Joe Forte’s New Year’s Eve: Adam Woodall Band plus party favours, $40 cover charge.

Lumiere New Year’s Eve: $198 tasting menu with wine and premium wine pairings available.

The Fish House in Stanley Park New Year’s Eve: Two seatings, dinner and dancing with party favours and glass of sparkling wine at midnight.

UPTOWN 2010 - THURSDAY DEC 31 Bar None - 1222 Hamilton St.

Ring in the New Year with style at Yaletown’s finest nightclub.

DJs P.Luv and OMG play the best in top 40, hip-hop, mash-ups and classics, plus all the hits of the year.

Advance tix $60

9:00 PM - 4:00 AM

POP CHAMPAGNE - THURSDAY DECEMBER 31 Pop Opera - 686 West Hastings Street

Celebrate the start of a new decade at Vancouver’s finest new club, Pop Opera with DJ Kenya and guests. Complimentary champagne, appetizers, party favours plus all the hits of the year add up to the #1 destination to ring in the New Year.

Special late night license.  Open until 4am!

Early Bird Tickets :: $40 (sold out)
Regular Tickets :: $60

Late Night After 1am :: $20

Limited VIP Table Service available.  Email Rich :: rp@dhmbars.ca

9:00 PM - 4:00 AM

BLKOUT NYE - THURSDAY DECEMBER 31 The Modern- 7 Alexander Street

BLKOUT NYE with DJ’s Sam Demoe, Ch3Rk and guests

Hosted by JON C & JP

Advance tix $60

Free Champagne & Party Favors & Tons of Free Giveaways.

9:00 PM - 4:00 AM

New Years Eve at the Granville Room will feature:

4 Course Prix - Fixe Meal
Champagne at Midnight

DJ KEITH TALENT
Brit Indie Pop Dance

7:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Granville Room - 957 Granville Street Vancouver BC

NEW YEARS GALA AT REPUBLIC - THURSDAY DECEMBER 31

Come celebrate the New Year in style as we transform Republic to represent the Golden Age of Hollywood. DJs Matty C and Swick play all the hits of the year as well as timeless dance classics to keep you celebrating all night long.

Advance tix $75

Includes complimentary champagne, appetizers and party favours. !

9:00 PM - 4:00 AM

Enigma Restaurant

New Year’s Eve: Please join us on New Years Eve for a wonderful celebration with The Frayed Cats:

We have two sittings for your convenience. Please call for a reservation.

First sitting: 5:00 – 8:30 pm

Second sitting (live music): 9:00 – till late.

Capones New Years Eve 2010 Celebration!

5 Course Dinner 5 pm - 9 pm: $55
Canapes & Cocktails: 9 pm - 1 am: $30
Full Evening: $80 per person
$150 per couple

Hamilton Street Grill

There are still a few tickets left for our New Year’s Eve Dining Experience.
Starting at 8:30 pm, it includes a multiple course dinner complete with wine pairings for only $90.00 per person.
Join your hosts Neil Wyles and Joan Harvie and staff for a cosy, dress up
or dress down New Year’s Eve in Yaletown’s favourite neighbourhood restaurant.

Reservations 604-331-1511

Smoking Dog Bistro

New Year’s Eve at the Dog

$30 per person. DJ starts at 9:30pm.

Call 604-732-8811 to book.

Directly from the Serafina and Cicchetti Press Release:

New Years Celebration at Serafina and Cicchetti

Now that Cicchetti is open with its expansive view of the city, the Serafina family is able to offer you many choices for your New Years Eve celebration!
Live Latin Jazz and a Special New Years Menu

At Serafina, Executive Chef Dylan Giordan offers a special a la carte menu just for New Years Eve. Reservations from 5pm to 11pm; live music by the Fred Hoadley Latin Jazz Trio from 9pm to 1am.

New Years Celebration  at Serafina and Cicchetti

Now that Cicchetti is open with its expansive view of the city, the Serafina family is able to offer you many choices for your New Years Eve celebration!

Live Latin Jazz and a Special New Years Menu

At Serafina, Executive Chef Dylan Giordan offers a special a la carte menu just for New Years Eve. Reservations from 5pm to 11pm; live music by the Fred Hoadley Latin Jazz Trio from 9pm to 1am.

Early Evening Six Course Tasting Menu in the Mezzanine

Offered upstairs at Cicchetti in two seatings at 5:00pm and 7:15pm. $65 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity; add $35 for optional cocktail and wine pairings, exclusive of tax and gratuity.

Seven course Tasting menu and view of Space Needle Fireworks

Offered upstairs at Cicchetti in one seating at 9:30pm. $95 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity; add $45 for optional cocktail and wine pairings, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Includes a glass of Franciacorta Brut to enjoy with your amazing view of the fireworks! See Cicchetti’s website for full menu.

Night Long Celebration on the Main Floor

A la carte menu offered downstairs on a walk-in basis, serving until 1am. Cicchetti’s bar area provides a convivial space to join friends and celebrate with our expansive cocktail list and Mediterranean food and wine!

Directly from the Campagne Press Release:

LOVE DUCK?

CAMPAGNE RESTAURANT CELEBRATES THIS FEATHERED FOWL IN JANUARY WITH THEIR 5th ANNUAL 20 BUCK DUCK OFFER

Seattle, WA – Those diners who love duck will be delighted to learn that Campagne restaurant in the heart of the Pike Place Market will be offering it’s fifth annual 2-course, prix-fixe duck dinner in addition to their regular menu throughout the month of January for the price of $20, which does not include tax or gratuity. The menu will be available Tuesday - Sunday from 5:30 pm-10 pm.  Campagne Wine Director, Cyril Frechier, will assemble a selection of duck-friendly wines that will be available by the glass to accompany Chef Daisley Gordon’s divine duck dishes.  Campagne is located at 86 Pine Street, (206) 728-2800,

LE MENU DE CANARD

First Course
Fried duck egg served on mushroom and thyme ragout
or
Duck liver and gizzard confit on frisee and arugula with red wine vinaigrette

Second Course
Crispy duck leg confit served on crushed potatoes and roasted shallots
or
Duck tongue and pulled-duck ragout served on house-made brioche toast

Directly from the Foodportunity Press Release:

“Foodportunity Expression” Master Class with Rebekah Denn

A James Beard Award-winning journalist shares techniques to convey the essence of cooking & eating

Saturday, January 16th, 2010
9am – 1pm
Mayflower Park Hotel, 405 Olive Way
Lunch Provided by Andaluca

For Immediate Release:

Seattle, Wash., Dec. 18th , 2009:  Award-winning journalist Rebekah Denn will teach the “Foodportunity Expression”  presented by Keren Brown Media. The event is limited to 20 participants and will take place on January 16th, 2010, from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Mayflower Park Hotel.

Tickets are $99 which includes class fees as well as a family-style pintxos lunch prepared by Andaluca’s Executive chef, Wayne Johnson.

“This an event for food lovers and professionals, such as recipe and menu developers, PR practitioners, journalists interested in becoming reviewers, restaurateurs and food bloggers,” says Brown. “It also makes a great last-minute Christmas gift.”

“Foodportunity Expression” is the second in a series of professional-level events organized by Keren Brown Media for people in the field of food and hospitality-related communications.

Earlier this year, K.B.M teamed with Foodista.com to present “FoodSnap!,” a professional food-photography workshop with Lou Manna. K.B.M. has also presented two “Foodportunity” networking events for members of Seattle’s foodie community, and organizes monthly meet-ups for food bloggers.

Rebekah Denn, who was both food editor and restaurant critic at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer before it closed, is one of the most highly respected food writers in the country, having won two national James Beard awards for food writing and consecutive first-place awards for food writing from the Association of Food Journalists in 2008 and 2009.

Since the PI’s closure, Denn has written for various publications, including Sunset magazine, the Seattle Times, and Cooking Light. She writes regularly about food for The Christian Science Monitor’s books blog, and is a regular contributor to Amazon.com’s Al Dente food blog.

She has also worked for Gannett Newspapers, where she was honored for her writing about social justice issues. Her complete c.v. is online at www.eatallaboutit.com/about/.

“Rebekah Denn is more than a foodie with a talent for writing, she’s a superb and serious journalist who happens to write—and write extremely well—about food,” Brown said.

Denn’s presentation will include brief critiques of selected food-writing samples; participants can send writing samples (2 paragraphs or less), by email, to kerenlovestocook@gmail.com. Topics will also include: effective writing and meaningful restaurant criticism, hands-on exercises and critiques, standing out in a crowded field and finding inspiration.

Executive Chef Wayne Johnson’s award-winning kitchen at Andaluca will provide a delicious conclusion to Denn’s class. Johnson—who has cooked at James Beard House in New York—plans to serve pintxos “family style” to maintain the intimacy of the small group. Vegetarian options will be included. A cash bar will be available for wine, beer and cocktails.

To register for Foodportunity Expression, click on the link below http://www.foodportunity.com/?page_id=231

Directly from the Donnelly Hospitality Press Release:

Vancouver, BC – New Year’s needs options. Ladies and gents looking for the night out of their life want to pick and choose from the best of the best. So Donnelly Hospitality Management is providing a selection of sexy, sinfully fun celebrations to bring 2010 in with a bang.

Doors open at each club at 9pm on Dec. 31, 2009, and close at 4am on Jan. 1, 2010, with the Granville Room celebration starting at 6 pm. Tickets are available at www.dhmbars.ca

Bar None
Ring in the New Year with style at Yaletown’s finest nightclub. Bar None’s “Uptown New Year’s 2010” features DJs P.Luv and OMG playing the best in top 40, hip-hop, mash-ups and classics, plus all the hits of the year. Bar None has a reputation as Vancouver’s only New York style nightclub with a true SoHo feel, featuring a brick and wood interior and a line-up of impressive international and local DJs and live acts. Advance tickets are $60, more at the door; tickets get guests entry, champagne, party favours and more.

Table service packages, including tickets for four, and gratuity, are also available: Gold ($930) includes a 750 ml bottle of Belvedere vodka, and a 750 ml bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne; Grand ($1930) includes a 3L bottle of Belvedere vodka, and a 1.5L bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne; Cristal ($2000) includes a 750 ml bottle of Belvedere vodka, and one bottle of Cristal champagne. Dress to impress and get set to party at Yaletown’s finest nightclub. Contact ck@dhmbars.ca to reserve a table.

The Modern
New Year’s Eve is intergalactic this year at The Modern. This ultra contemporary club houses state-of-the-art sound and light systems and dark smoked glass, coloured tile and mirrors in a heritage building. 2010 Space Odyssey: The Modern New Year’s Eve has a soon-to-be-announced, all-star DJ lineup spinning to the hip Gastown crowd. Advance tickets are $30, the next 100 are $60, and the last 50 are $90. Tickets include hassle-free entry, champagne at midnight and party favours.

Table service packages, including tickets for four and gratuity, are also available: Gold ($930) includes a 750 ml bottle of Belvedere vodka, and a 750 ml bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne; Grand ($1930) includes a 3L bottle of Belvedere vodka, and a 1.5L bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne; Cristal ($2000) includes a 750 ml bottle of Belvedere vodka, and one bottle of Cristal champagne. Extra entry tickets can be added on to bottle packages for $65 each. Vancouver’s #1 dance club hosts what is guaranteed to be Gastown’s hypest NYE party. Contact justinp@dhmbars.ca to reserve a table.

Pop Opera
Celebrate the start of a new decade at Vancouver’s finest club, Pop Opera, where the city’s glitterati pour in for unbeatable music, VIP table service and atmosphere. Pop Champagne New Year’s 2010 welcomes DJ Kenya and guests. $40 advance tickets include complimentary champagne, appetizers and party favours, plus all the hits of the year add up to the #1 destination to ring in the New Year. The next 100 are $90, and the last 50 are $100.

Table service packages, including tickets for four and gratuity, are also available: Gold ($950) includes a 750 ml bottle of Belvedere vodka, and a 750 ml bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne; Grand ($1950) includes a 3L bottle of Belvedere vodka, and a 1.5L bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne; Cristal ($2000) includes a 750 ml bottle of Belvedere vodka, and one bottle of Cristal champagne. To truly see and be seen this NYE, party with the glitterati at Pop Opera. Contact rp@dhmbars.ca to reserve a table.

Republic
Come celebrate the New Year in style as we transform Republic to represent the Golden Age of Hollywood. This two-level London-style bar opened to instant fandom and continues to impress with its unique design, metropolitan air and hot clientele. Silver Screen New Year’s 2010 at Republic sees DJ Matty C and guests play all the hits of the year as well as timeless dance classics to keep you celebrating all night long.

Early bird tickets, which include complimentary champagne, appetizers and party favours, are $60; the next 100 are $100, and the last 50 are $120. Table service packages, including tickets for four and gratuity, are also available: Gold ($950) includes a 750 ml bottle of Belvedere vodka, and a 750 ml bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne; Grand ($1950) includes a 3L bottle of Belvedere vodka, and a 1.5L bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne; Cristal ($2000) includes a 750 ml bottle of Belvedere vodka, and one bottle of Cristal champagne. Get chic and sexy to party at the hottest club on the Granville strip. Contact jy@dhmbars.ca to reserve a table.

Granville Room
Brick walls, trés modern decor, and a buzzing yet chill atmosphere, have made Granville Room a very popular downtown lounge. New Year’s Eve at the Granville Room is one of the hottest dine-and-party events in town and tickets ($50) sell out fast. Doors open at 6 pm for NYE 09 and DJs Dana D and Clinton Marshall are spinning all night.

For NYE 09 the famous three-course prix-fixe dinner offers mouthwatering choices including French Onion Soup, Porcini Mushroom Ravioli, Vegetable Crusted Seared Trout, Roasted Venison Rack, Strawberry Chocolate Tuile Cookie Cups, and Vanilla Cheesecake with a Red Bull reduction. For reservations or tickets contact the Granville Room at 604.633.0056 or tk@dhmbars.ca.

Directly from the VSO Press Release:

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 ‘Ode to Joy’

Vancouver, BC – Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 was his final complete symphony, and arguably the greatest piece of music ever written. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents this epic piece along with Beethoven’s Ah, Perfido! and Fidelio: Overture on January 2nd and 4th at 8pm at the Orpheum Theatre. Maestro Bramwell Tovey conducts a concert that features soprano Joni Henson, mezzo-soprano Norine Burgess, tenor Michael Colvin, baritone Greg Dahl and the Vancouver Bach Choir.

Truly one of the most profound creations of the human mind, Beethoven’s Ninth is always fresh and current, and always the most inspiring, uplifting and joyful concert experience one can hope to have. The Ode to Joy also makes a particularly significant prelude to Vancouver’s 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and rings in the new decade with a message of hope, joy and brotherhood.

Composed over a ten-month period in 1823/1824, the Ninth was Beethoven’s last symphony, a genre he had not written in for ten years. And as much as the Ninth is seen as being revolutionary, and in many ways it is, much of the work harks back to styles and influences of Beethoven’s past. Even the famous final melody was an earlier creation, dating to 1794 in the guise of a song called ‘Gegenliebe’ (Mutual Love), then used again by Beethoven as the principal theme of the 1808 ‘Choral Fantasia’ before finding its apotheosis as the choral finale of the Ninth. The truly revolutionary aspect of the Ninth was the addition of solo vocalists and a choir to the final movement. This had not been done before to any effect, and changed music forever. The choral finale of the Ninth is also no mere added bauble – it brings the work together with Beethoven’s musical setting of Frederick Schiller’s ode, ‘To Joy’, a poem Beethoven had long desired to set to music (in fact, it seems Beethoven did manage to set the entire poem to music as he wanted to, but the work was tragically lost). The aggressive, operatic choral writing adds weight and brilliance to the conclusion, giving the words a profound credibility.

The Ninth is, in a very real sense, a musical and metaphorical journey, the centerpiece of which is a struggle for D minor to find its way to D Major, reflecting a very human struggle to overcome the troubles of the world with peace, and enter into the fields of Elysium. D Major ultimately finds its way, after being thwarted and parried and teased throughout, bursting forth triumphantly in the final movement in stunning fashion, heralding the arrival of the people into Elysium. The choral finale is of course the most famous part of the piece, and rightly so – it is a magnificent statement of hope, happiness and friendship, as well as a powerful, dramatic and joyful end to a musical journey, a musical career, and, in many ways, a musical life.

CONCERT INFO

PricewaterhouseCoopers Masterworks Silver Series

Saturday and Monday, January 2 & 4, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Beethoven’s Ode to Joy

Bramwell Tovey, conductor

Joni Henson, soprano

Norine Burgess, mezzo-soprano

Michael Colvin, tenor

Greg Dahl, baritone

Vancouver Bach Choir

Beethoven         Fidelio: Overture

Beethoven         Ah, Perfido!

Beethoven         Symphony No. 9 in D minor

Directly from the Opus Bar and Elixir Bistro Press Release:

OPUS AND ELIXIR RING IN 2010 WITH OLD HOLLYWOOD STYLE

Glitz and Glamour are on the New Year’s Eve Menu at Yaletown’s Chic Boutique Hotel

(Vancouver, BC) December 18, 2009 - OPUS Hotel Vancouver and Elixir infuse New Year’s Eve with Old Hollywood glamour. On December 31st, OPUS and Elixir Bistro roll out the red carpet and invite guests to dine in style, sip on bubbly and enjoy live entertainment. An affair that is not to be missed.

The evening begins in your stylish guestroom with a champagne toast to the new year. Ladies, slip into your glittery frocks and sky-high heels, gents don your most devilishly handsome duds, then venture downstairs to the glamorous and chic Elixir Bistro, where Executive Chef Don Letendre awaits with a luxurious four-course menu. The fun continues far beyond midnight in OPUS Bar, where you’ll enjoy OPUS hospitality, live entertainment, a bubbly toast and canapés to satisfy those après midnight munchies — the perfect recipe to welcome 2010. On New Year’s Day, a forgivingly late checkout invites you linger under the covers and ponder those new pesky resolutions. The New year’s Eve Package is priced at $499 plus taxes and gratuities for two people.

Those who would like to dine at Elixir Bistro and move on to another party may be seated early and savour Chef Letendre’s classic, sophisticated three-course menu. The first seating is 5:30pm – 7:00pm and is priced at $40 per person plus applicable tax and gratuity. Guests who are attending dinner, as well as the countdown celebration in OPUS Bar, will dine on a four-course menu and enjoy a glass of bubbly, canapés after midnight and live entertainment. The second seating begins at 8:30pm and is priced at $75.00 per person plus applicable tax and gratuity.

OPUS Bar’s countdown celebration includes bubbly, live entertainment and canapés after midnight. The festivities begin at 9pm and tickets are $45. Dress to impress in vintage glamour.

Tickets and reservations are available at Elixir Bistro 604.642.0557 or
 contact Jessica Dunn at jdunn@opushotel.com or 604.694.2137.

Directly from the Chambar Press Release:

Check commitment at the door and celebrate New Year’s Eve ANY WAY YOU WANT TO

December 17, 2009, Vancouver, BC – Chambar Restaurant is letting you call the shots this New Year’s Eve. Recently appointed GM Sebastien Lagors has opened the books and will be accepting NYE reservations from 5:00PM until 10:00PM eschewing the usual practice of set menus and scheduled seatings. On December 31st, revelers will be able to enjoy Chambar the way they want to, on a night reserved for good friends, good food, and of course, a healthy dose of bubbly.

Whether guests are looking for some early evening sustenance to fuel late night dancing, or a more intimate affair in the dining room with friends, food and some purposefully chosen wines, Chambar will be serving and celebrating in their award winning fashion, with more than a few hints of debauchery for good measure. And while the New Year’s Eve menu will read business as usual, recently appointed Sommelier Robert Stelmachuk has selected a stellar line-up of bubbles for all budgets, as well as some rare boutique wines perfect for an evening of celebration!

Guests are encouraged to reserve their tables early for what promises to be a New Year’s Eve perfect for any budget, timeframe or group booking. For reservations phone 604-879-7119 or visit: www.chambar.com

Chambar is located at 540 Beatty Street in the Crosstown District. Housed in a refurbished brick and beam heritage building, the restaurant’s cuisine is a unique blend Belgian and North African influences with a commitment to seasonal, organic and local ingredients.

Directly from the Voya Press Release:

VOYAge into 2010 Ring in the New Year at Loden Vancouver and Voya Restaurant

Vancouver, BC (December 15, 2009): What will your last meal of the 00s be? Cap off the decade in style at Voya Restaurant and Lounge, December 31. Chef Marc-Andre Choquette has created a trio of ‘medal worthy’ menus perfect to celebrate New Year’s on the eve of Vancouver’s biggest year yet!

7 Course Gold Menu - $95
5 Course Silver Menu - $75
3 Course Bronze Menu - $55

NEW YEAR’S EVE @ VOYA

Opening Ceremony
Bronze Menu - choose one; Silver and Gold enjoy all three!

Porcini and Foie-Gras Ravioli; wild mushrooms broth, pine nuts
or
Scallop with Black Truffle; confit fingerling potatoes, celeriac puree, pomegranate sauce
or
Lobster Bisque; rouille and crouton
Medal Round
Bronze and Silver Menu - choose one; Gold enjoy all three!

Red Wine Poached Sablefish; cinnamon-star anise, braised salsify, sprout leafs and crispy potatoes
or
Duck Breast and Leg Confit; braised red cabbage, chestnuts, pearl onions
or
Beef Tenderloin Rossini with Foie and Truffles; spinach, pomme anna

Closing Finale
Everyone takes part with a choice of Dessert or Cheese for all!

Whether you choose three, five, or seven courses — the culinary creations are bound to receive a perfect ten. Après dinner, rock the house with VOYA’s house DJ. Countdown to 2010 in the swankiest room in town!

Call 604 639 VOYA or visit voya-restaurant.com for information and reservations.

Directly from Blue Eyed Mary’s:

On Monday December 21 we (Blue Eyed Marys) will be hosting a BC Artisan Cheese and Micro Brew Beer (Wine too!) evening with all proceeds going to Bowen Shares. Tickets are $20 and include food and live music. Please Email info@blueeyedmarys.com to reserve seats.

Directly from The Smoking Dog Bistro:

Now through December 31st, 2009, receive an extra $20 gift certificate when purchase $100 in gift certificates.  Call 604-732-8811 for more information.

Directly from the Hamilton Street Grill Press Release:

Hamilton Street Grill Presents: New Years Eve 2010

A Six Course Dinner
paired with a selection of the best wines
from our monthly wine tasting series
$90 per person includes wine, taxes, gratuity and a few extra goodies

Join us for a food and wine walk down memory lane as we take some of our favourite food and wine pairings from this past decade’s wine tastings here at the Hamilton Street Grill and create a wine and food dining experience that is relaxed and delicious. Join your hosts Neil Wyles and Joan Harvie and staff for a cosy, dress up or dress down New Year’s Eve in Yaletown’s favourite neighbourhood restaurant.

Reservations 604-331-1511

Winter and Holiday Hours

Dinner:   7 nights from 5:00 pm
Brunch:   Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 2 pm
Lunch:   Tuesday - Friday 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Open Christmas Eve - Complimentary Canapés at the Bar 5 pm - 8 pm
Special offering for New Year’s Eve - 2009 Wine and Food Favourites
Closed December 25th, 26th, 27th and January 1st

Directly from the Whitecap Books Press Release:

Five Whitecap titles will be represented at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards

This February, Whitecap Books will be well represented at the Gourmand World
Cookbook Awards, held this year in Paris, France.

Chef Michael Smith’s latest book The Best of Chef at Home has won Best
Recipes Book in the Canada–English category. Fellow Food Network chef Anna
Olson won Canada’s Best Television Celebrity book with Fresh with Anna
Olson, while new author Pierre Lamielle took the Canada–English award for
Best Cookbook Illustration with Kitchen Scraps. In addition, Mangia with
Quattro won the Canada–English award for Best Italian Cuisine, and the Best
Cookbook Photography in the Canada–English category went to Island Lake
Lodge!

Congratulations to these authors. We are very proud to have been a part of the
production of these titles and are extremely happy to see them move forward as
finalists at the Gourmand World Awards at the Paris Cookbook Fair.
All these titles are available at your local bookstore

Directly from the Bastille Press Release:

FÊTE FOR ARTISTIC MUSE KICKS OFF HOLIDAY EVENTS AT BASTILLE
DECEMBER BRINGS AN ARRAY OF ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE: PARTY HONORING PIERRE PUVIS DE CHAVANNES, TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER AND NEW YEAR’S REVELRY

December 11, 2009 (Seattle, WA) – Two large reproduction pieces by famed French artist Pierre Puvis de Chavannes grace the wall of Bastille’s Back Bar, setting a dramatic tone to the room.  December 14th marks the 185th birthday of this influential artist and Bastille is celebrating with a party in the Back Bar from 7 to 10 p.m. with complimentary small plates. Absinthe-based cocktails will be available for purchase.

For the Noël on Thursday, December 24th, 2009, Chef Shannon Galusha and Chef de Cuisine Jason Stoneburner, will be preparing a traditional French Christmas Eve feast. Reservations are required for this family-style, 3-course meal (2 selections per course) at 5 p.m. (one seating only). Cost will be $45 per person for the dinner and with designated wine parings, $60 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity. A vegetarian option will be available.

First
Heirloom squash soup spiced marshmallow
Warm potato salad with walnuts, endive crème fraiche and poached eggs

Second
Roasted duck breast with chestnut and truffled poultry jus
Braised pork shoulder roulade root vegetable and Brussels sprout hash

Dessert
La buche de Noel
Pan de espice

Guests who dine at Bastille on New Year’s Eve, Thursday, December 31, 2009 will be offered a special dish of the day (Bonne Année Plat du Jour) in addition to the regular menu. Bastille’s Back Bar will be celebrating with a party that will include a D.J. complimentary champagne toast at midnight and noise makers.

About Bastille Café & Bar
Bastille Café & Bar is located at 5307 Ballard Avenue in Seattle and is open 7 days a week from 4:30 pm – 2:00 am, with dinner service beginning at 5:30 pm.  Brunch is served on Sundays from 10:00 am-3:00 pm, and late-night dining is available until 1:00 am. (206) 453-5014 www.bastilleseattle.com

Directly from the Seattle Food and Wine Experience Press Release:

Experience a World Tour of Wine, Beer and All Things Culinary

Seattle Food & Wine Experience at Seattle Center February 28, 2010

Seattle, WA (December 6, 2009) – More than 1,000 wines from around the world join with top chefs/restaurateurs to transform the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall into a global gateway for the palate on Sunday, February 28, 2010. The diversity of the wines and culinary traditions represented at the second Seattle Food and Wine Experience mirror the city’s cosmopolitan character and its growing international presence. The “experience” features the Tulalip Casino Culinary Exhibition Stage, Starbucks Coffee and Music Lounge, a multitude of wine and food tastings plus an artisan beer garden; all to benefit local charity Beecher’s Flagship Foundation 501c3 (Known as Pure Food Kids).

Guests are invited to meet vintners and their representatives as they “tour” each of the world’s major wine regions. The Seattle Food and Wine Experience is not only about cultivating an international awareness, but about bringing Seattle’s culture and local talents to the forefront as well. The regional wine scene is well represented with the Washington and Oregon wine pavilions. Many top names from Seattle’s food/restaurant scene will be preparing gourmet tastes throughout the experience, including Campagne, Ray’s Boathouse, Earth & Ocean, Andaluca, Ponti Seafood Grill, John Sarich of Chateau Ste. Michelle, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Hunt Club, Pearl Bar & Dining, Cicchetti Kitchen and Bar, Artisanal Brasserie and The Artisanal Table, Salty’s on Alki, The Pike Place Brewing Company, TASTE Restaurant, Maximus-Minimus and more. Also, adding flavor to the event; culinary, wine and travel exhibitors will be on hand with displays and samples.

Admission to the experience is $49 per person and includes access to all areas of the event. No one under 21 will be admitted and ID is required. Ticket buyers are immediately entered in a drawing for the chance to win a wine touring package for 10 provided by Butler Transportation. A portion of proceeds from event ticket sales will benefit Beecher’s Flagship Foundation. Founded by Beecher’s Handmade Cheese in 2004, the Foundation has given more than $300,000 in support of non-profit organizations providing education about the benefits of pure, all-natural food.

The Seattle Food and Wine Experience is produced by Explore Great Wine, LLC with the generous support of the following sponsors: American Lamb Board, Butler Valet and Butler Transportation, Columbia Winery, KWJZ 98.9, Peroni Beer, QFC, Seattle Dining, Seattle magazine, Space City Mixer, Starbucks Coffee Company, Tulalip Resort and Casino, Taste of Tulalip and WINO magazine. Ticket information and an updated list of participating wineries, restaurants, chefs and event exhibitors is easily accessible at www.seattlefoodandwineexperience.com. For more information about Beecher’s Flagship Foundation visit www.beechershandmadecheese.com.