Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Andales Mexican Restaurant Coupon: 1/2 price lunch or dinner, buy one item, get 2nd one at half price.

Anducci’s Italian Kitchen now has weekly food and drink specials.

Athene’s Greek Restaurant Coupon: 1/2 price lunch or dinner, buy one item, get 2nd one at half price.

Bistro 101 are promoting their March menu and St Patrick’s Day event.

Boathouse Restaurants still have Lobster Fest on until the end of March.

Cravings Restaurant and Lounge will be celebrating their 19 year anniversary on March 17th, 2010.

DB Bistro Moderne has a $30 three course Prix Fixe Menu offer throughout March.

Lumiere has a $60 three course Prix Fixe Menu offer throughout March

Directly from the Papi’s Ristorante Press Release:

Now that all the Olympic excitement is over we can all get back into our routines.  That includes our long awaited cooking classes.

Cooking classes will commence on March 13th and are limited to 8 guests per class, so be sure to reserve your spot quickly as they do go fast.  Once again the classes will be held on Saturday afternoons 12:30-2:30.  Chef Ken Iaci will demonstrate 5-6 recipes per class.

Each course is matched with wine to enhance the flavors of the dishes.

You will be given the photo copied recipes to take home, but be sure to bring a pen to take extra tasting notes.

MARCH 13  ITALIAN SEAFOOD
MARCH 27  NORTHERN ITALIAN
APRIL 17    MODERN ITALIAN
APRIL 24    SOUTHERN ITALIAN
MAY 8       TASTE OF TUSCANY
MAY 22     ANTIPASTI (SELECTION OF SIMPLE STARTERS)
MAY 29     COASTAL CUISINE

THE COST OF EACH CLASS INCLUDING THE WINE TASTING ~ 75.

YOU CAN RESERVE A SEAT FOR 1 OR ALL OF THE CLASSES.

TO RESERVE CALL 604 275 8355

Directly from the Blue Eyed Marys Press Release:

March Menu

Starters

Leek Potato and Roasted Garlic Soup

Greens with Goat Cheese Dressing and Beet Vinaigrette, Toasted Pecans and Dried Pears 9

Squash, Pear and Brie Gallette with Crisp Italian Bacon and a Sour Cream and Chive Drizzle 10

Mains

Wild Rice and Root Vegetable Cabbage Rolls with Parsnip Pernod Sauce 18

Cuban Chicken Stew with Olives, Capers, and Raisins Served On a Pinenut Cashew Pilaf 19

Pork Schnitzel, Red Cabbage, Roasted Potatoes and Mustard Gravy 22

Ling Cod Cakes with Spinach Spaetzle, Herb Aioli and Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette 23

Dessert

Caramelized Pear Pavlova with Cinnamon Ice Cream 8

Irish Whiskey Crème Brulée

With Chocolate Espresso Pretzel 8

Gooey Chocolate Baked Pudding with Bourbon Cream 8

Mindful Menu

Irish Brown Bread with Five Onion Terrine and Endive Slaw

House Made Fraser Valley Duck Confit with Winter Vegetable, White Bean Salad and Cider Vinaigrette

Buttermilk Pie with Dried Fruit Compote

$35

The Mindful Menu represents our efforts to be good stewards of the sources of food in this part of the world.  Our menus have always reflected the seasonal aspect of cuisine. The ingredients for our Mindful Menu are all local from small family run companies like ours  and the portions and combinations reflect what we feel is a more healthful approach to eating. It is our pleasure to discuss ingredients and if you know of a source for good local food please share it with us.

Directly from the O’Doul’s Restaurant Press Release:

A Giant of Jazz  O’Doul’s celebrates the prolific Cedar Walton

ROBSON STREET: On the weekend of March 11 to 13, O’Doul’s will pay tribute to hard-bop pianist Cedar Walton, a prolific composer who played with all the legends of the last 50 years.

Bass player Russ Botten and his Trio, featuring John Hansen, arguably Seattle’s best jazz pianist, will be joined on sax by -

Thursday, March 11th – The big tenor sound of Russian-born Alexey Nikolaev;

Friday, March 12 & and Saturday March 13th – Former Cedar sideman, Seattle’s incomparable Jay Thomas.

WHERE:  O’Doul’s Restaurant & Bar
1300 Robson Street (@ Jervis)
Call 604.661.1400 for reservations/information
www.odoulsrestaurant.com

WHEN:   Thursday, March 11 to Saturday, March 13
First set at 9:00 pm. No cover charge.

O’Doul’s Restaurant & Bar has featured the finest performers on the vibrant local jazz scene for over 10 years (7 nights a week since July 2001). For the last six year’s O’Doul’s has played host to the official late night jam sessions of the TD/Canada Trust Vancouver International Jazz Festival, hosted by Mike Allen, where jazz legends like Wynton Marsalis and his legendary Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra have been known to sit in.

Directly from the Artisanal Brasserie Press Release:

ARTISANAL INTRODUCES JAZZ BRUNCH SERIES

Where:
Artisanal Brasserie & Winebar
11111 NE 8th Street
Bellevue, WA 98004
(at The Shops at The Bravern)

When:
12PM - 3PM Saturdays & Sundays throughout the month of March, starting Saturday, March 6th

What

Artisanal Brasserie launches its Jazz Brunch Series, where guests can enjoy live jazz music while dining on French-brasserie favorites like Almond Crossaint French Toast with Apricot Compote & Ricotta; Soft Scrambled Eggs with Applewood-Smoked Bacon & Crisp Potato; and Vegetable Quiche with Wild Mushrooms, Spinach, Taleggio & Salad, just to name a few.

The world-class line-up of local and national artists includes:

Saturday, March 6 — Black Lab Trio (Jacqueline Tabor, Kurt Shapiro, Osama Afifi)
Sunday, March 7 — Black Lab Players (instrumentals with Kurt Shapiro, Osama Afifi, Brad Boal)
Saturday, March 13 — Gail Pettis and John Stowell
Sunday, March 14 — Gail Pettis and Kurt Shapiro
Saturday, March 20 — Kurt Shapiro, Cary Black, plus guest
Sunday, March 21 — “Guitarpalooza” hosted by Kurt Shapiro, Paul Sawyer and Osama Afifi
Saturday, March 27 — Bernie Jacobs, Kurt Shapiro, Osama Afifi
Sunday, March 28 — Jacqueline Tabor and Hans Brehmer

Directly from the Glowbal Group Press Release:

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards: A Red Carpet Occasion at O Lounge
O Lounge at COAST Restaurant is rolling out the red carpet for Oscar aficionados eager to catch all the action of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, March 7. With a new HD Projector and two large plasma screens, O Lounge will showcase all the glitz from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre. Celebrate the evening in high-style with fresh oysters and the finest bubbly. Oscar oracle? The GLOWBAL COLLECTION will be giving away prizes and gift certificates to the table with the closest predictions. Don’t forget to dress to the nines - awards will also be handed out for ‘Best Dressed.’

O Lounge Oscar Party
Sunday, March 7
5 pm onwards

For O Lounge Oscar party reservations, please call 604.685.5010

Happy Belated Valentine’s Day, Vancouver!

To the one that got away: Valentine’s Day. The Olympics have been a time of celebration and victory for Vancouverites and Canadians alike. Sadly, February 14 passed with little fanfare. Restaurants have been packed, working hours have been hectic, and finding time to spend with that “special someone” has been next to impossible. The GLOWBAL COLLECTION has deemed March 14 the perfect day to celebrate Valentine’s Day - better late than never! The chefs at each restaurant have designed a spectacular menu and extra-special touches at all locations will ensure couples enjoy an enchanted - albeit delayed - Valentine’s Day.

To make a March 14 ‘Valentine’s Day’ reservation at a GLOWBAL COLLECTION restaurant, please call:
Trattoria: 604.732.1441
Italian Kitchen: 604.687.2858
Society: 604.629.8800
COAST: 604.685.5010
glowbal grill: 604.602.0835
Sanafir: 604.678.1049

Sanafir Restaurant & Lounge Adds Mid-Day Medina Culture to the Mix

Sanafir Restaurant & Lounge is now open for lunch five days a week. Visit the city’s culinary casbah from Monday - Friday, noon onwards, for a taste of the restaurant’s signature cuisine, featuring innovative twists on Asian, Mediterranean and Indian flavours. Who says the Granville Strip is only for after dark?

New hours:
Monday thru Thursday: 12:00pm - 1:00am
Friday: 12:00pm - 2:00am
Saturday: 4:30pm - 2:00am
Sunday: 4:30pm - 1:00am

Daylight Savings Time

Spring ahead with more dough! As the Olympics conclude, the crowds head home and Vancouver locals fall back into the daily routine, THE GLOWBAL COLLECTION of restaurants would like to thank its loyal guests for their patience during this busy period and express appreciation for their continued patronage - not only over the past few weeks, but over the years as well. From March 15 - 25, guests at glowbal grill, COAST, Sanafir, Italian Kitchen, Trattoria Italian Kitchen and SOCIETY, will enjoy 30% savings on all lunch menu items, Monday - Friday (food only).

Olympic Guests: Central Reservations Would Like to Thank You!
In an effort to thank patrons who have made reservations through The GLOWBAL COLLECTION’s Olympic Central Reservations Office, the COLLECTION would like to invite them back with a $50 gift certificate redeemable at all restaurants within The GLOWBAL COLLECTION. All bookings made between February 12 - 28 (via the Central Reservations Office only) will be issued a gift certificate to the email address provided at the time of reservation.

If you are a guest who made a reservation through the Central Reservation Office within these dates and do not receive your GC, please contact The GLOWBAL COLLECTION directly at reserve@glowbalgroup.com.

Directly from the Donnelly Group Press Release

Donnelly Nightclubs, together with their charity arm The Donnelly Fund and Smirnoff Vodka, is holding a stylish “House Party” themed event on Tuesday, March 4th at the Rocky Mountaineer Station.

Promising to be a star-studded affair, all proceeds from the evening will benefit the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, through the Donnelly Fund.

In an impressive transformation, the Rocky Mountaineer Station will be styled to resemble an enormous mansion with a “garage” inspired stage, a “kitchen” bar and a “bedroom” VIP lounge, complemented by a colossal sound system and visual installations. To complete the experience, a “back-yard” skate ramp will be installed, showcasing the skills of local pro-skaters.

Guests can enjoy headlining act The Clipse (Virginia rap heavyweights, best known for their work with Justin Timberlake on his first single “Like I Love You”). Other celebrated talent includes dance music legends Crystal Method, local indie buzz bands The Humans and The Good News and DJs Mat the Alien, Matty C and Trevor Risk.

Bask in the city’s Olympic after-glow at this exclusive bash, with all profits supporting a fantastic local cause.

The Donnelly House Party takes place at the Rocky Mountaineer Station (1755 Cotrell Street) on Thursday March 4th, 2010 from 8pm – 2am. Tickets are only $15 and available at http://www.ticketbreak.com/event_details/3487

Vancouver Restaurant Deals:

Elixir Bistro is offering 50% off Ala carte menu during lunch.
Glowbal Group is offering 30% discounts in all restaurants March 15th-25th.

Join Vera’s Club and receive a $10 gift certificate on your birthday.

CRU Restaurant is promoting Date Night every Thursday evening.  Dinner for two with wine for $99.

Bistrot Bistro $26 Prix Fix Menu is on from Sunday to Thursday

For other specials and coupons please check the Food Vancouver Coupons Page.

Directly from the Opus Bar Press Release:

Sunday March 7, 2010. 5pm - 10pm

OPUS Bar, 350 Davie Street, Vancouver B.C.

Feel like a celebrity as you walk the Red Carpet, wave to adoring paparazzi and step into the ultimate viewing party! Dress to impress and experience all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood while sipping Oscartini’s, nibbling feature Oscar O-bite platters for $25 and mingling with Vancouver’s glamorous while watching the 82nd Annual Academy Awards.

Don’t miss your chance to win a Bed & Breakfast package for two at OPUS Hotel Vancouver, for the person with the most correct Oscar ballot predictions.

3 course Oscar Dinner available in Elixir Bistro for $30 with optional wine pairings for $20.

RSVP to Jessica Dunn JDunn@opushotel.com

Directly from the Bastille Cafe & Bar Press Release:

EXPECT A NEW BUZZ FROM BALLARD’S BASTILLE THIS APRIL
BASTILLE’S ROOFTOP GARDEN TO BECOME A HIVE OF ACTIVITY WITH PARTNER BALLARD BEE COMPANY

Bastille Cafe & Bar is happy to announce a partnership with Corky Luster’s Ballard Bee Company www.ballardbeecompany.com and the addition of 4 beehives to be installed on Bastille’s unique rooftop garden in late March or early April. Chef Shannon Galusha will integrate both extracted and comb honey from these western honeybees into the menu at Bastille starting this summer following collection in May and June from blackberry blooms.  Chef Galusha is considering all the ways to use this sweet amber bounty, from honeyed vinegar, combs to accompany the cheese program, savory dishes and desserts.

Western honeybees are dormant from October to March, but since the weather has been warmer this year in Seattle, there is some collection happening now from crocuses, pussy willows and heather pollen. Once collection begins in earnest, Bastille’s bees will produce two major honey flows from Big Leaf maple and the aforementioned blackberry.

Directly from the Donnelly Hospitality Press Release:

On Thursday March 4 The Donnelly Fund and Smirnoff present the SMIRNOFF EXPERIENCE HOUSE PARTY with rap dudes Clipse performing live and a DJ set by the Crystal Method. It all takes place at the Rocky Mountaineer Station (which will be decked out to look like an actual house - there’s be a mini ramp, live art installation, massive soundstage…the production alone is nuts). With opening performances by the Good News, Humans and DJ sets by Mat the Alien, Matty C and Trevor Risk, this will be the post-Olympics, locals-only show that you need. Tickets are only $15 in advance available HERE . Proceeds benefit the BC Children’s Hospital through our own charitable organization, the Donnelly Fund. This party is going to be huge.

HOUSE PARTY - MARCH 4  featuring:

THE CLIPSE (Live) www.myspace.com/clipse
THE CRYSTAL METHOD (DJ set) www.myspace.com/thecrystalmethod
MAT THE ALIEN (Video Set) www.myspace.com/matthealien

plus local bands:

THE GOOD NEWS www.myspace.com/weareallgoodnews
THE HUMANS www.myspace.com/dashumans

HOUSE PARTY: The Clipse, Crystal Method

DJ SPIDER - FEBRUARY 24

Spider is back to rock Pop Opera with Vancity’s finest Marvel + Seko along for the ride. Spider always comes correct with a massive set complete with rock solid turntablism and upfront programming.

Whether you’re rocking out to his set at an LA hotspot or listening to one of his mixtapes, the unique style of DJ Spider is apparent. Though his roots stem from a deep love for hip-hop, Spider has cultivated his sound to include an eclectic mix of cuts that transgress nearly every genre of music. No matter what kind of crowd, he is guaranteed to rock the party playing hip hop, soul, funk, reggae, electro, house, bmore, pop, rock and more.

9:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Pop Opera - 686 West Hastings Street

DJ Spider Feb 24

LIL JON - THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25

One of the true godfathers of Crunk, Lil Jon and Da East Side Boyz have been tearin upn da club for well over a decade. The massive Yeah with Usher is easily one of the biggest club bangers in Hip Hop history, but only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Lil jons appearances on massive urban records  Get Buck In Here, Salt Shaker, Snap Yo Fingaz to name a few. Recent collabs with Pitbull, LMFAO and DJ Class have also firmly cemented Lil Jon in the emerging club electro scene and made him a mainstay in the VIP booths in Las Vegas, Hollywood and Miami. Join us Feb 25th for a huge night with one of the biggest in the game.

9:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Pop Opera - 686 West Hastings Street

LIL JON Feb 25

I HEART FRIDAY - EVERY FRIDAY

Featuring Vancouver’s top resident Djs with rotating special guests setting the Friday night vibe with hip hop, RnB and dance music for Vancouver heads to get down.

9:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Pop Opera - 686 West Hastings Street

Pop Opera Fridays

LA DISCOTHEQUE - EVERY SATURDAY

Saturdays - Jon C and JP host LA DISCOTHEQUE, Gastown’s #1 dance party.  Each week resident DJs Trevor Risk, Group Hug, Ethnic Friends, Shitz Popinov and the Slow DJs take you there with the most upfront house electro and disco tunes to keep you moving til dawn.

9:00 PM - 3:00 AM
The Modern - 7 Alexander Street

La Discotheque

DJ ELEVEN - FEBRUARY 28

After all the medals are won there’s only one thing to do - have the biggest party the city has ever seen!  Join us after the Olympic Closing Ceremonies as we celebrate one more time!

9:00 PM - 3:00 AM
The Modern - 7 Alexander Street

2010 Closing Party w DJ Eleven and The Good Life

DJ SPIDER + DJ ONO - FEBRUARY 25

The Select Series touches down at Bar None for a special 2010 International Edition featuring Asia’s #1 DJ Ono from Thailand.  Known for rocking clubs from Bangkok to Beijing and back, expect a night full of international flavour as the games are kicked into high gear!  Not only that but we have one of our faves back for another round: LA’s party rocker extraordinaire DJ Spider.

9:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Bar None - 1222 Hamilton Street

DJ SPIDER + DJ ONO (Asias #1 DJ) Feb 25

CITYLIFE - EVERY FRIDAY

Bar None presents City Life Fridays - DJs Marvel and Zak Santiago start your weekend off right with 80s, 90s and contemporary dance classics at Yaletown’s #1 nightlife destination.

9:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Bar None - 1222 Hamilton Street

City Life Fridays

ELEMENT SUNDAYS - FEBRUARY 28

After all the medals are won there’s only one thing to do - have the biggest party the city has ever seen!  Join us after the Olympic Closing Ceremonies as we celebrate one more time!  Early bird tickets just $40

8:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Bar None - 1222 Hamilton Street

Bar None Sundays Closing Night Feb 28

THE BLEND - EVERY WEDNESDAY

Each and every Wednesday, with residents DJ Supafly (The Beat 94.5) and BZ Black - Vancouver’s most banging mid-week club night featuring the best party-rock, hip-hop and dance anthems - check it!  Up on the patio The Boyscouts mix old school hip hop, funk and classic party jams on 4 turntables.

8:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Republic - 958 Granville St

The Blend

THE GRADUATE - EVERY THURSDAY

Thursdays at Republic just got academic! Join DJs C-Stylez, Hoopsta, Jial-14 and guests spinning Top 40 party rocking mash-ups at the best student night in town. Do the math - $4 Hiballs and $4 shots plus Grade A music equals the best excuse to skip Friday class ever!

8:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Republic - 958 Granville St

The Graduate

OLYMPICS CLOSING PARTY - FEBRUARY 28

After all the medals are won there’s only one thing to do - have the biggest party the city has ever seen! Join us after the Olympic Closing Ceremonies as we celebrate one more time!

9:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Republic - 958 Granville St

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

Lemon Tea Loaf from the the Lighthearted at Home Cookbook by Anne Lindsay
To download all of the recipes please use the recipe iPod guide or go to the Recipes page.

Directly from the Hamilton Street Grill Press Release:

Please join us for Sunday Services at the Hamilton Street Grill!

On random Sundays, we offer a family-style carving meal accompanied by a glass of one of R + B Brewing’s fine products in our private dining room. There’s a limit of 28 people, so book early. We’ll be sharing a table, so this offer is limited to friendly people only.

Menu for Sunday March 7th: Slow-roast whole prime rib of Certified Angus Beef, carved tableside by a trained professional, with loads of roast garlic mashed potatoes, just enough vegetables so that you can tell your mother you had your vegetables today, and a rather decent gravy. The beer will be R + B’s excellent Bohemian Lager. Dinner is at 7:30 pm

The absurdly low price for this dinner is just $18. per person.

For reservations please call us at 604-331-1511

Directly from the CRU Restaurant Press Release:

CRU Celebrates Success of Okanagan’s Painted Rock With Winemaker’s Dinner

On Sunday, March 7 2010, Vancouver’s CRU Restaurant will present an intimate winemaker’s dinner featuring BC’s Painted Rock winery.  The four-course dinner will give guests a chance to discover why Painted Rock rose above tough competition to be named Best New Winery at this year’s Okanagan Fall Wine Festival.

Located on the eastern shore of Skaha Lake, Painted Rock is named for ancient pictographs (rock drawings) made by native Canadians on the property.  Everything else about the winery, however, is brand new:  the vines were planted in 2005 and 2006, the winery buildings just completed this autumn, and it’s furnished with the state-of-the art winemaking equipment and uses only 100% new oak barrels.

The dinner at CRU will give Vancouverites a chance to see what all the buzz is about.  Painted Rock’s proprietor, John Skinner, will host the event, sharing his passion for wine and his insight into what makes his wines so special.

The Painted Rock wines will be paired with a four-course dinner that will show them to their best advantage.

Painted Rock Winemaker’s Dinner

Sunday, March 7 2010 6:30 pm

$85 per person (exclusive of taxes and gratuity)

Directly from the Granville Island Press Release:

WHEN SKIING IMITATES ART

K2 Sports Commissions Joel Berman Glass Studios to Create World’s Largest Glass Skis

Sixteen-foot All-Glass Skis to Display During Vancouver Winter Festivities

Vancouver, BC (February 22, 2010): Snow skiing will be bigger than life as billions of TV viewers around the globe watch the world’s best athletes compete in Vancouver this month. To celebrate the occasion, K2 Sports, the world’s leading manufacturer of snow skis and snowboards, commissioned globally-renowned architectural glass artist Joel Berman to create the world’s largest pair of all-glass skis.

The 16-foot-tall skis, designed with K2’s signature blue, white and red color scheme, were recently installed on the exterior of Berman’s studio on Granville Island, a popular dining and shopping district on the fringe of downtown Vancouver that will be an entertainment epicentre during the city-wide celebration, February 12-28.

According to Anthony De Rocco, K2’s Executive Vice President, K2 Sports and Joel Berman Glass studios collaborated on this project in order to provide a vibrant sports-themed art installation on Granville Island, the heart of Vancouver’s dynamic arts community.

“Since Joel Berman Glass Studios is located in such a highly visible and popular area of Vancouver, we realized that we had a unique opportunity to honor the athletes and celebrate the festivities with a sports-themed art installation that had never before been achieved,” said Saleem Khattak, Senior Designer for Joel Berman Glass Studios. “And K2 Sports was the perfect partner for this project.”

In addition to being a one-of-a-kind piece of art, the process of building the skis was a feat in itself involving new glass-on-glass color printing processes on fused colored glass.

Following the Vancouver events, the skis will be transferred to Seattle to adorn K2’s 300,000-square-foot headquarter facilities that the company moved into from its original home on Vashon Island, Washington, in 2007.

The following is a list of Pacific Northwest food and wine events that are currently on or upcoming:

Dine Around Victoria: February 18th to March 7th, 2010

Dine Around Seattle:  March 1st to March 30th, 2010

Dining out for Life Vancouver: Thursday March 25th, 2010

Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival:  April 19th to April 25th, 2010

Dine Out Vancouver: April 26th to May 6th, 2010

Eat! Vancouver Food and Cooking Festival: May 28th to 30th, 2010