Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Directly from the City of Toronto Press Release:

WINTERLICIOUS presented by American Express January 25 to February 7, 2013

Winterlicious 2013 is Toronto’s biggest winter culinary celebration to date. Discover 14 unique culinary events and more than 190 exciting local restaurants offering prix fixe menus.

WINTERLICIOUS RESERVATION DATES

Prix Fixe restaurants are now taking reservations for seatings between January 25 and February 7. All menus are posted online.

Culinary Events - Book Your Tickets Now!

Full descriptions of each event, ticket prices, dates and times can be found at: www.toronto.ca/winterlicious

Directly from the City of Toronto Press Release:

WINTERLICIOUS presented by American Express January 25 to February 7, 2013 www.toronto.ca/winterlicious

Winterlicious 2013 is Toronto’s biggest winter culinary celebration to date. Discover 14 unique culinary events and more than 190 exciting local restaurants offering prix fixe menus.

WINTERLICIOUS RESERVATION DATES

Culinary Events - December 13, 2012
Culinary event tickets are available for purchase on Thursday, December 13, 2012, just in time for holiday gift-giving.

Prix Fixe Restaurants - January 10, 2013
Prix Fixe restaurants start taking reservations on Thursday, January 10, 2013 for seatings between January 25 and February 7. All menus are posted online.

Advance Reservations - January 8 & 9, 2013
American Express® Cardmembers can book advance Prix Fixe reservations on January 8 & 9, 2013. To qualify for advance reservations Cardmembers must provide their American Express® Card number. Contact restaurants directly for reservations. Subject to restaurant’s seating availability.

WINTERLICIOUS CULINARY EVENTS

Choose from 14 unique culinary events for a special night out. Full descriptions of each event, ticket prices, dates and times can be found at: www.toronto.ca/winterlicious.

Take The Highland Way
The Chefs’ House
George Brown College, 215 King St E
For one-night only, The Chefs’ House will serve an exclusively Scottish dinner as an ode to Robbie Burns day.

Parisian Pleasures
Calphalon Culinary Center, 425 King St W
Join The Calphalon Culinary Center for a cooking demonstration that promises to divulge the culinary secrets of a delightful French bistro.

“An Egg and A Crust of Bread” - Brunch and a Tour of Josef Sudek Exhibition
Frank Restaurant, Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St W
Enjoy a Czech-inspired brunch followed by a guided tour of the Josef Sudek exhibition, featuring 175 pieces of the artist’s diverse work.

In the Kitchen: Historic Menu, History - inspired Theatre!
Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen St W
Step across the threshold of historic Campbell House and experience dining in the 1800s. After dinner, Down n’ Out Productions presents a play by Madeleine Donohue.

Japanese Tea Ceremony
Spice Route, 499 King St W
Experience a theatrical demonstration of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony and a unique pairing menu to accompany specially featured teas.

Winter Grilling with Executive Chef Rob Rainford
Gossip Restaurant, 50 Prince Edward Island Cres
Join Canadian chef and author Rob Rainford to uncover the mystery of winter grilling with step-by-step, mouth-watering menus from around the world.

Pasta Knowledge with Mama Rosa
7 Numbers, 307 Danforth Ave
After learning how to make hand-made pastas, help Mama Rosa create (and taste) a three-course meal, as she shares stories about each dish’s rich history.

The Tempered Beast
Beast Restaurant, 96 Tecumseth St
The Tempered Chef, Bertrand Alépée and Scott Vivian, Chef and Owner of Beast Restaurant, join forces to present “The Tempered Beast.”

Pizza Making with Executive Chef Saverio Macri
Ciao Wine Bar, 133 Yorkville Ave
Pull on a custom Ciao apron, step up to the alabaster pizza bar and learn the art of making traditional Italian-style pizza in wood burning ovens.

Hal’s Kitchen What’s Burning? Mysteriously Yours…
Mystery Dinner Theatre, 2026 Yonge St
Mystery is on the menu as the world’s greatest chef, Harold Confit, presents the ultimate cooking competition to create the “Perfect Menu.”

The Art of the Cocktail : Cocktails and Canapés
Rosewater, 19 Toronto St
Learn how to make three signature drinks while enjoying a custom tasting menu designed by Executive Chef Dale Meek.

Four Ways Dinner
Parts & Labour, 1566 Queen St W
Join four of the Toronto-based “Group of Seven Chefs” for a unique, communal dining experience with an adventurous twist.

Culinary U Turn
Origin Liberty Restaurant & Bar, 171 East Liberty St, Suite 100
Chef Claudio Aprile and Chef Rene Rodriguez (from Navarra restaurant in Ottawa) return to the dishes that set their culinary trajectory.

Guilty Pleasures
Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street W
Browse through garments and accessories from up-and-coming Canadian designers, after enjoying a mimosa and an artfully crafted brunch menu.

Full culinary event descriptions, ticket prices, dates and times: www.toronto.ca/winterlicious.

Directly from the Ocean Wise Press Release:

Vancouver aquarium’s ocean wise program welcomes new national partner Sodexo.

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Sodexo, the worldwide leader in Quality of Life services, joins Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program, further enhancing its commitment to sustainable seafood to clients across Canada.

“From the very first day we met, we knew our sustainability goals aligned with Sodexo,” says Mike McDermid, Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise partner relations manager. “Sodexo’s sustainable seafood policy outlines key goals and commitments that we look for in a partner, making this a natural fit. We’re very pleased to welcome Sodexo to the Ocean Wise program and look forward to an innovative partnership.”

In its sustainable seafood policy, Sodexo has made a commitment to source sustainable seafood in all the countries they operate by 2015. It also has a formal commitment to not serve seafood species at risk. These are positive steps for a leading, international organization.

“We are extremely proud of our Sustainable Seafood Policy and the continued progress we are making,” said Chris Roberts, Director of Corporate Citizenship for Sodexo Canada. “Our new partnership with Ocean Wise will further enhance our sustainable vision and continue to drive us toward our goals.”

The Ocean Wise team will be working closely with Sodexo to review its menus and catalogues and provide recommendations, including ocean-friendly seafood species and Ocean Wise suppliers who are able to source sustainable products. By incorporating these sustainable practices into its processes, Sodexo will help to protect the world’s oceans from overfishing, the biggest threat facing our oceans today.

Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise™

The Ocean Wise symbol next to a seafood item is the Vancouver Aquarium’s assurance of an ocean-friendly seafood choice. With over 3,100 Ocean Wise partner locations across Canada, Ocean Wise makes it easy for consumers to make sustainable seafood choices that ensure the health of our oceans for generations to come. www.oceanwise.ca

Directly from the Mambo Lounge Press Release:

MAMBO LOUNGE IS THE PERFECT VENUE FOR YOUR HOLIDAY EVENT!

Don’t spend another holiday season at a banquet hall – Spend the Holidays in Havana! Hold your holiday event in the welcoming surroundings of Mambo Lounge, Toronto’s only authentic Cuban restaurant.

Book your holiday party at Mambo Lounge and each guest will receive a $15 gift card!!*

Host your holiday and Christmas events with us here at Mambo lounge. We can accommodate up to 50 people for your lunch or dinner celebration. Enjoy great music, mojitos and authentic Cuban cuisine in our fun and relaxed atmosphere!

Choose from our incredible menu options:

1. THE HAVANA

Pre-Fixe Blue Plate Menu – 3 courses for $30**

2. THE SOMBRERO

All-You-Can-Eat Tapas & 1 Mojito - $35**

3. THE MONTECRISTO

A Special 4-Course Menu Created By Our Chef - $42**

Please call us at 416.778.7004 or info@mambocubano.ca to book your special event with us!

*Each person who come for a holiday event and spends more than $50/pp will receive a $15 gift card (no exchange for cash)

**Taxes & gratuity not included

Mambo Lounge is also open for dinner Tues to Sun 6 pm ‘til close, offering not only live Cuban music every Friday and Saturday, but 4 tapas for $21, the best mojitos in the city, warm, friendly service and much, much more!

120 Danforth Ave. Toronto. | Phone: 416.778.7004 | info@mambocubano.ca | info@mambolounge.ca

Tuesday to Thursday - 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm | Friday to Sunday - 6:00 pm to Close

http://www.mambolounge.ca

Directly from the Quince Toronto Press Release:

We will be holding our next Indonesian Rijsttafel evening on: Wednesday November 21st, 2012

Our Rijsttafel is based on Chef Michael’s experience in the Dutch navy where he learned to cook all his Indonesian dishes.

Space is limited, 416 488-2110

$55 per person

(tax and gratuity not included)

The  Holidays are approaching believe it or not. Consider Quince Bistro for your holiday party, lunch or dinner!

Our private dining room / bar lounge is perfect for sit down dinner for groups of 15 to 40 people and cocktail receptions for up to 50 people.

We are changing things up a bit at Quince Bistro for New Years Eve 2012. This year we will be offering our regular menu only, allowing for a la carte dining and of course some great specials.

DON’T  FORGET OUR

CORKAGE FREE

MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS

(main dining room only & not available on New Years Eve)

For more information please go to www.quincetoronto.com

Directly from the Harbourfront Centre Press Release:

Day of the Dead Festival presented by Scotiabank Nov. 3-4, 2012

Ancient Mexican traditions return to Harbourfront Centre

TORONTO, ON (October. 11, 2012) – Harbourfront Centre celebrates Mexico’s annual Day of the Dead Festival (Nov. 3-4, 2012) sponsored by Scotiabank. The event is a time of return – where families come together, city dwellers return to ancestral villages and the dead visit the living. Programmed in partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mexico, this FREE, two-day festival celebrates the cycle of life in both a spiritual and visual sense.

From 12-6 p.m. each day, the public is invited to a variety of daily hands-on activities, demonstrations and performances that reflect the history and traditions associated with the Day of the Dead holiday.

New this year, are special lectures and workshops led by experts in Mexican cuisine, history and visual art. The leading authority on Mexican regional cooking and ingredients, chef Diana Kennedy (known as the Julia Child of Mexican cooking), participates in an intimate and interactive conversation with local food authority Naomi Duguid; author and specialist in Mexican popular culture and history, Chloë Sayer, presents an informative talk-back session with Carlomagno Pedro Martinez; Martinez, a renowned expert on the art of ‘barro negro’ (black clay) sculptures will also hosts hands-on workshop.

Visitors can also experience authentic mariachi tunes with Viva Mexico Mariachi, watch a colourful dance performance from the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company and peruse our Mexican Craft Market where artisans working with traditional materials such as paper, clay, and sugar create images filled with broad humour and cutting satire to remind the living that the life you lead on earth garners respect or ridicule in the after-life.

This season’s programming explores The Big IDEA of “Re.” When placed in front of another word, “re” asks us to consider something again. It challenges our vantage points, makes us question the familiar and examine our assumptions. It asks us to look back to the places we’ve journeyed from. And that, for us, is one of the fundamental aims of artistic expression.

We invite to you consider (or is that reconsider?) the impact of “re” on your world. What places will you return to? What will you rediscover? Where will “re” take you?

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

Directly from the City of Toronto Press Release:

SCOTIABANK NUIT BLANCHE
Saturday, September 29, 2012
7:03pm to sunrise
www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca

For one sleepless night, experience the city transformed by artists. One night only. All night long. All free.

Scotiabank Nuit Blanche is produced by the City of Toronto.

EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS

Discover more than 150 contemporary art projects within three zones. Each zone features a mixture of Independent Projects and Exhibition Projects.

City Hall & Nathan Phillips Square
Curated by Janine Marchessault and Michael Prokopow, Museum for the End of the World will engage the audience with questions of catastrophe, collecting and catharsis.

Zone A Exhibition
Curated by Shauna McCabe, DRIFT transforms architecture and landscape in ways that highlight memory, history and imagination that converge in our everyday experiences.

Zone B Exhibition
Curated by Christina Ritchie, BODIES AND BUILDINGS invites viewers to consider how their passage through the city inflects its shape and how their encounters with its spaces contribute to the construction of its chronicles and traditions.

Zone C Exhibition
Curated by Helena Reckitt, ONCE MORE WITH FEELING presents works which reference and evoke repetition and emotion, recognizing the power of memorial and re-enactment.

For more information please visit: www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca

Directly from the Harbourfront Centre Press Release:

Pan-Asian Flavours Abound Two day-long festivals celebrate the tastes, sounds and cultures of Asia Sept. 15-16

WHO & WHERE: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto

WHAT: In advance of Mid-Autumn Festival, a holiday celebrated across Asia to mark the harvest, two day-long festivals delight the senses with a range of culinary, musical, theatrical, artistic and other offerings.

Vietnamese Lantern Festival Presented by CIBC Co-produced by Vietnamese Women’s Association of Toronto

Saturday, Sept. 15 Noon-8 p.m.

Fortune Cooking Festival Presented by CIBC

Sunday, Sept. 16 Noon-6 p.m.

WHAT, EXACTLY:

Saturday’s Vietnamese Lantern Festival features a mooncake tasting booth, a Thien Le Ao Dai Competition that showcases the traditional clothing, musical performances, crafts, food and more;

On Saturday night (at 8:30 p.m.), catch a screening of Jiro Dreams of Sushi to whet your appetite for Sunday’s food-centric event;

Sunday’s Fortune Cooking Festival features the culinary showdown Iron Chef: Street Food Edition pitting Hawker Bar’s Alec Martin vs Chippy’s John Lee, street food demos from some of Toronto’s hottest chefs, performances from drum-and-dance ensemble Raging Asian Women and others;

HOW (MUCH): It’s all FREE!

WHY: To savour a wide range of Pan-Asian culture and flavours and experience all that the season has to offer.

For more information the public may call 416-973-4000 or visit harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/vietnameselantern and harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/fortunecooking

Directly from the Harbourfront Centre Press Release:

The 28th Annual Vegetarian Food Festival (Sept. 7-9, 2012)

Thousands of food lovers converge at the world’s largest and longest-running Vegetarian Food Festival.

TORONTO, ON – Food lovers everywhere – over 40,000 – will flock to Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre the weekend of September 7 - 9 to enjoy the tastes and flavours of the 28th annual Vegetarian Food Festival. The three-day event, hosted by the Toronto Vegetarian Association, is the oldest and largest vegetarian festival in the world.

This year’s festival features leading experts in nutrition and fitness, vegetarian and vegan products from around the globe and more than 120 exhibitors, including a wide variety of cooking demonstrations, speaker panels, children’s activities, live music and delicious tasting samples.

Whether you’re looking for new ideas to add colour and variety to your meals or you’re a seasoned vegetarian interested in expanding your knowledge of nutritious and ethical foods, this is the place for you.

For a complete listing of events schedule and guests, please visit the food festival website: Festival.Veg.ca or harbourfrontcentre.com/summer or call the Information Hotline at 416-973-4000.

WHAT:

The Toronto Vegetarian Association’s 28th Annual Food Festival
Healthy. Green. Compassionate.

A stellar line-up of some of Toronto’s top vegetarian chefs, restaurants, social advocacy groups, professional vegan athletes and world class experts in food, healthand lifestyle all in one place.

WHO:

Rich Roll, A graduate of Stanford University and Cornell Law School, Rich is a 45-year old, world-renowned vegan ultra-endurance athlete, wellness advocate, husband, father of four and inspiration to people worldwide as a transformative example of courageous and healthy living.

John Pierre is a nutrition and fitness consultant who has appeared on the Ellen show and devoted more than a quarter century to helping and improving the lives of others through his expertise in the areas of geriatrics, nutrition, fitness, women’s empowerment, green living, and cognitive retention and improvement.

Isa Chandra Moskowitzis an American author, magazine columnist, and former host of community access cooking show Post Punk Kitchen. She has authored several best-selling cookbooks, including Vegan with a Vengeance.

WHEN:

Friday, Sept. 7 from 4 - 9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 8 from noon – 9  p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 9 from noon – 7 p.m.

WHERE:
Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
Toronto, Ontario

Directly from the Breakfast Clubs of Canada and Minute Maid Press Release:

Breakfast Clubs of Canada and Minute Maid provide breakfast for over 100,000 Canadian children

Minute Maid is committed to helping children excel in school this fall

Toronto, Ontario (August 30, 2012) – While many Canadians consider breakfast to be a given, one in 10 Canadian children are at risk of starting their day on an empty stomach. Eating breakfast at home can be a challenge for some children who are living in poverty, travel long distances to get to school, or have working parents.  But experts attest that for children to grow, learn and develop – and to make the most out of their busy days – they need a wholesome morning meal.

Many children have come to depend on school breakfast programs, especially those who are unable to eat breakfast at home.  For the past 15 years, Breakfast Clubs of Canada and the Club des petits déjeuners du Québec, along with corporate partners such as Minute Maid, have been dedicated to providing services and funding to more than 1,000 school breakfast programs across Canada . These programs not only feed hunger, but also have a positive impact on students’ productivity and success. In fact, teaching staff have reported at least 30 minutes more effective teaching time, per day, as a result of the breakfast programs in their schools.

This fall, Minute Maid is happy to once again be supporting Breakfast Clubs of Canada and Club des petits déjeuners du Québec with a commitment of $1.5 million dollars’ worth of 100% juice over the next three years. “Breakfast Clubs of Canada is a vital organization that many members of the community rely on,” said Angie Balian, Vice President of Marketing-Juices, Coca-Cola Ltd.  “We are thrilled to support this organization and hope Canadians will join us in our philanthropic endeavor.” When Canadians buy any one of participating Minute Maid 100% juice products between August 20th and September 16th, the company will give a portion of sales *Up to a maximum of $150,000 to Breakfast Clubs of Canada.

Thanks to Minute Maid’s support this year alone, Breakfast Clubs of Canada and Club des petits déjeuners du Québec will be able to provide more than 119,000 Canadian school children with a balanced breakfast.  “We really rely on the support of corporate partners such as Minute Maid,” said, Daniel Germain, President and Founder, Breakfast Clubs of Canada. “Their commitment is instrumental to our success and ability to provide food to children who otherwise wouldn’t eat breakfast before school.”

To date, Coca-Cola in Canada has donated over $5 million dollars in product donations and financial support, helping to support over 1,000 breakfast programs across Canada. More information about this partnership is available online at minutemaid.ca.

About Breakfast Clubs of Canada

Breakfast Clubs of Canada is a national organization dedicated to providing services and funding for school breakfast programs in communities across the country. It is Breakfast Clubs of Canada’s dream that all children will have an equal chance to start their school day with a nutritious breakfast in an environment that promotes self-esteem. To learn more visit: www.BreakfastClubsCanada.org

About Minute Maid

Minute Maid is the largest juice brand of The Coca-Cola Company, the world’s largest beverage company. Coca-Cola in Canada operates in all ten provinces, and employs 6,300 people in more than 50 facilities, including seven production facilities across Canada. We offer a wide variety of non-alcoholic brands, many of which come in no-calorie and low-calorie options. These beverages include sparkling soft drinks, still waters, juices and fruit beverages, sports drinks, energy drinks, coffees and ready-to-drink teas. We’re proud to offer some of the most popular brands in Canada including Coca-Cola®, Diet Coke®, Coke Zero®, Sprite®, Fanta®, Nestea®, PowerAde®, Minute Maid®, Dasani® and vitaminwater®.  Coca-Cola in Canada is represented by Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada and Coca-Cola Ltd. For more information about our Company and Minute Maid, please visit our website at www.livepositively.ca or www.minutemaid.ca.

Directly from the City of Toronto Press Release:

SCOTIABANK NUIT BLANCHE
Saturday, September 29, 2012
7:03pm to sunrise

For one sleepless night, experience the city transformed by artists for Toronto’s seventh annual sunset-to-sunrise celebration of contemporary art. One night only. All night long. All free.

All project details are now available at: www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca