Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Directly from the Sun Peaks Resort Press Release:

June 23, 2009 – Sustaining the local economy is even more important this summer and visitors and residents at Sun Peaks Resort will once again be supporting local farmers, ranchers and artisans. The award winning Sun Peaks & Region Farmers’ Market is returning for a 4th season and will be set up in the heart of the Sun Peaks Village on Sunday, June 28 from 10am to 2pm and will continue every Sunday all summer.

The Farmers’ Market at Sun Peaks had a record breaking season in 2008, with an average of 16 vendors each week and close to 20 during the BC150 Feastival Celebration during the August long weekend. The Sun Peaks Market was awarded the Best Small Market from the BC150 Farmers’ Market awards for its continued efforts to promote sustainable agriculture in the region.

Local vendors are extremely pleased with how the Sun Peaks Market has grown and say they are hoping people will continue to recognize the value of supporting local producers.

“The money you spend at my booth, I spend at the grocery store or the farmers market or the gas station,” says Kelsey Kashaluba of Fisherman’s Catch. “It’s a great big circle.”

The Sun Peaks Farmers’ Market will continue be an integral part of the community this summer. The Village will be alive with buskers and entertainment, creating a unique ambiance for customers while they shop for fresh fruits, organic vegetables, meats, seafood and crafts from local artisans.

Come up for the market and stay for the day in the natural mountain environment surrounding Sun Peaks. Ride the chairlift and hike in the alpine, go mountain biking, horseback riding or canoe at McGillivray Lake.

The Sun Peaks & Region Farmers’ Market will take place every Sunday this summer from 10am to 2pm.

Directly from the Yaletown Brewing Company Press Release:

Vancouver, BC – The Yaletown Brewing Company has reopened as a brew pub for the modern Yaletown, complete with renovations by Box Interior Designs and a new menu that showcases the combined efforts of executive chef Darren Watson and local comfort food authority Andrey Durbach.

The menu, which has been created by Durbach and is articulated by Watson, lends a fresh creative spin to comfort food while offering a nod to the classics. Long-time supporters of the neighbourhood fixture will be pleased to find familiar favorites such as Smoked Applewood Cheddar, Potato and Ale Soup, alongside new additions such as 5-hour Braised Short Ribs and Nagila Pale Ale infused BBQ Sauce, and Pizza topped with Tender Confit Duck Leg, Toasted Walnuts, Roquefort Blue Cheese and Fresh Arugula. In addition to the new menu items, guests will be pleased to learn that all pizza and pasta dough are now being made fresh in-house daily.

When it opened in 1994 as a forerunner in the emerging warehouse district of Yaletown, the YBC quickly earned a reputation as the neighborhood pub—celebrating fresh beer and a budget-friendly menu. As the area has continued to evolve, the Yaletown institution felt it was time to follow suit, enlisting the creative direction of Vancouver-based Box Interior Designs. The heritage brick and beam warehouse will continue to offer a variety of settings allowing guests to choose from the restaurant, pub, and wrap-around patio. Pony skin covered bar stools line the thirty-six seat elevated restaurant bar and lounge, featuring tables made from reconstituted butcher blocks.  In the surrounding dining room the refinished wood floors echo the warehouse feel of this heritage building. Modern accents such as Tiko Kerr paintings and recycled brew kegs act as chandeliers, while floor to ceiling glass sliding doors open onto the one hundred and thirty seat patio. In the adjacent Pub, blood-red upholstery saddles up to rich brown walls with a speakeasy taking centre stage. Flat screen TVs, pool tables and a lower lounge complete with vintage leather sofas and a fireplace make this the perfect place to have an after work drink with coworkers or watch the game with friends.

Directly from The Hart House Press Release:

June 22, 2009 (Vancouver, BC) – Lovers of Old World food and wine, unite!  Your passion for rustic Italian cuisine is satisfied this summer at Hart House’s Italian Garden Party.  Held on Wednesday, July 22 2009, the evening offers guests a feast for the senses with sumptuous food, outstanding Italian wines, and authentic live music.

Hart House’s annual Italian Garden Party starts in the estate’s elegant gardens with a casual tasting of wines selected from premium Italian regions by our Sommelier.

Guests may then purchase the featured wines from the tasting to pair with the al fresco buffet dinner that follows. The menu features Italian inspired cuisine. Guests are welcome to stroll around the beautiful Hart House lawn and gardens, enjoy the live music and take in the incomparable view of Deer Lake.

Celebrate and experience Italy’s fine wines and culinary traditions that have conquered taste buds around the world!

Italian Garden Party

Wednesday, July 22 2009  6:00 pm

$45 per person plus taxes and gratuity

Hart House at Deer Lake

6664 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby

Reservations by phone only at 604-298-4278