Since I do a ton of road trips in the summer, I jumped at the opportunity to hang out with professional race car driver, Carl Nadeau to pick up some driving tips for summer conditions. This event involved testing out a variety of different tires on dry road conditions and then wet ones (they flooded the parking lot to simulate) on a course out at the PNE. This wasn’t the course for anyone who likes to take it easy as Nadeau kept pushing me to speed up, slam the brakes, take the corner faster; I was sure I would crash,…
Author: cassandra
On June 28 and 29, 2014 Chef Max Straczek explores the best British Columbia has to offer in a seasonal six course tasting menu. With optional wine pairings from Sommelier Chase MacLeod, decor and original art from Katie Rose Mackenzie. Proceeds to Mneumonic Theatre Tickets: $80 donation/ person includes a six course dinner and additional petit fours, special gifts for reservations of 4 or more. Wine pairings available for an additional $28. Available at MnemonicTheatre.com, or through Jordan@mnemonictheatre.com
Other media – View the Vibe – Best Ceviche Whether you spell it ceviche, cebiche, or seviche, there is no denying that this marinated fresh raw fish dish – often loaded with bright, tart, and tangy tropical flavours – has the makings of a perfect summer meal. Paired with a cocktail or crisp glass of wine, it’s the perfect patio-friendly dish you’ll want to savour all season long… which is exactly what we found ourselves doing when out on the town in search of Vancouver’s best ceviche spots… MORE HERE ON VIEW THE VIBE
On Thursday, June 26 at 5:00p.m., BC Liquor Stores will release the Louis XIII Le Jeroboam Grand Champagne Cognac. An extremely limited production from world-renowned cognac maker Remy Martin, there is only one available for purchase in B.C. and its’ at BC Liquor Stores. A special complimentary tasting to celebrate the release of the Le Jeroboam. Louis XIII Brand Ambassador will be at the 39th & Cambie store (5555 Cambie Street, Vancouver) on June 26, from 4:00 – 5:00p.m., offering customers a taste of Remy Martin VSOP – a very nice sip, but not the Grand Champagne $25,000 Cognac! ABOUT THE LE JEROBOAM Le Jeroboam is contained in an impressive crystal decanter that holds…
BEST of the WEST, sponsored by Grosvenor Americas, is an evening of food and wine pairings that celebrates the best British Columbia has to offer and takes place Wednesday, August 6 from 7-9 pm. Hosted by house wine, the fourth annual BEST of the WEST celebration lights up the Ambleside pier for a fantastic gastronomic event that is not to be missed. For this event, 12 of the Lower Mainland’s best restaurants will be paired with 12 BC wineries, and tasked with creating the perfect complementary dish to go along with the exquisite wine selections. There will also be two additional tasting stations at this year’s BEST of the WEST…
On Saturday July 05, 2014 from Noon to 5pm head to les amis du FROMAGE at 843 East Hastings St. for your weekly cheese rations and pick up dessert at the same time. Les Petits Bonheurs started as a bakery concept between two good friends who share a love of sweets and desserts. They specialise in classic French desserts, specifically choux à la crème (cream puffs). Les Petits Bonheurs sources all of their staples locally and try to source the best ingredients for the flavour components (matcha, pistachio, fresh lemons etc) and do not use preservatives. They make everything by hand to…
The 5th Annual Similkameen BBQ King event will be on Saturday July 12th from 5-9pm at the historic Grist Mill & Gardens in Keremeos. This truly unique Similkameen wine and food experience is a competition where 9 featured chefs compete for the coveted title of Similkameen BBQ King or Queen. Chefs will create unique dishes using organic ingredients from local farmers in the heart of Canada’s organic capital. You will go from station to station enjoying the food prepared by each chef, along with Similkameen wines specifically paired to go with each dish. Once you have enjoyed the culinary creations from each…
Sixth-annual wine and food fest uncorks the fun and flavours of Vancouver Island and British Columbia…with a difference The sixth annual Taste: Victoria’s Festival of Food and Wine is set to take place July 24 – 27, 2014 in Victoria, B.C. The Taste weekend kicks off on Thursday, July 24, 2014 with “Taste the Difference”, an evening brimming with more than 100 B.C. wines and great Vancouver Island eats. What’s the difference? Taste only works with those who really walk-the-talk when it comes to local, seasonal and sustainable. Not every restaurant is accepted and B.C. wineries are asked to only pour wines made from B.C. grapes. Guests have the…
TONIGHT! Monday June 23rd Allison’s Aprons for Gloves karaoke fundraiser at Chicha! $4 beer starts at 6pm and karaoke starts at 8pm Food, Drinks, Karaoke and more!Come sing your heart out for a good cause. Can’t make it? Support here! More Aprons for Gloves Info!
Other Media – JOEY Cocktail program on View the Vibe. When a restaurant wins one of only three Platinum Awards at the Vancouver International Wine Festival, you know they are doing something right on the beverage front. JOEY Restaurant is now further satisfying thirsty diners with its newly-released cocktail line-up focusing on classics with a JOEY twist. They’ve introduced a Fresh Juicing Program where all of their cocktails are crafted with juice that is squeezed right in-house. Read More – View the Vibe
Other media – Chicha on View the Vibe. While Vancouver has finally made some progress in the Mexican food department, the Latin food scene had tended to drag well behind. Enter Chicha Restaurant to tempt our taste buds by serving up all things Peruvian. Chicha is named after the beverage Chicha Morado, a drink made from purple corn, spices, pineapple, and citrus that is crafted fresh at Chicha, just like everything else at the restaurant. More of my article here View the Vibe
I think I’ve finally gotten over my aversion to Granola. As a kid there wasn’t Count Dracula or any sort of Captain Crunch sugar-filled cereals available in the cupboards at our home, instead Mom made granola. When I had sleepovers all my pals loved her version and asked for seconds, but as one that was offered it as the only solution day after day, I was not impressed. It was also the standard answer for what was for dessert – fruit, yogurt and granola of course! ARGH! As a result, I’ve made an effort to stay clear of granola until…
Thursday, July 3rd Celebrate UBC with a head-to-head cooking competition Watch as chefs from the AMS and UBC Food Services battle it out in the kitchen, for the chance to reign supreme in the first-ever UBC Campus Chef Challenge! With UBC’s beautiful public realm serving as the backdrop, each team will set up an outdoor mobile kitchen, and prepare three canapés that represent “global cuisine”. Guests will be invited to taste each canapé, and to vote for their favourite, with the winner receiving the Golden Whisk Award! Tickets are limited, and include one glass of wine, hors d’oeuvres and a…
Starting June 22nd, Food Cart Fest will take place every Sunday in the Summer from 12pm-5pm at 215 West 1st Avenue (between the Cambie Street Bridge and the Olympic Village). The site is next to the Seawall and a short walk from the Canada Line’s Olympic Village Station, the Aquabus’ Spyglass Place Dock, and major bus routes along Broadway, Cambie, Main, and West 2nd Avenue.
This collaboration between brewmasters at Steamworks and Brassneck pours black with a lasting tan head that sticks right to the glass with telltale signs of how big a sip I took! Smells of smoked malt, cocoa, dried fruits with some meaty notes. On the palate it’s again smoky, nutty, with a tad of bitterness on the finish. I’d like to try this with BBQ ribs.
Join the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts at Bistro 101 for an evening of delectable wine paired and their talented students’ creations. On June 24, 2014 Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, Pedroncelli Winery is featured. Julie (Pedroncelli) St. John – owner, Paul Martin of Peacock & Martin Wines – importer, and our ever so suave maitre d’s Adam Butler & Tim Goodison will all be on hand to guide you through an evening of culinary wonders and vinous excellence. And of course, the night wouldn’t be complete without cameo appearances from our ever-enthusiastic sommelier,Tim Ellison. Date: Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 Reception: 6:00 PM Guest Introduction: 6:45 PM Dinner: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM Location: Pacific Institute of…
Each time I visit Victoria I find something new, whether it be another fantastic lounge or restaurant, an art show or a new shoe store. I could spend days on end exploring the city, but if you only had one and food is something you at least slightly worship, here’s some suggestions for where to stay and what to eat. After a ride aboard BC Ferries I recommend picking up one of their package deals hotel deals and check into the Oswego Hotel. I’ve stayed here three times now and love the downtown location in Victoria’s Inner Harbour where you can walk…
Powell River’s Townsite Brewing has brewed up the perfect storm in their oatmeal stout. Pours the darkest of browns with a nice head of foam. On the nose there is molasses, bitter chocolate, toasted nuts and coffee with some baked fig. Starts a bit sweet and follows up with cocoa, coffee and walnut flavours. Immensely complex and enjoyable. Thankfully lives up to it’s name. Grab some freshly shucked oysters and enjoy.
Well it’s a sunny Friday and I have a little bit of a sore throat so I’ve been told ginger is good for it and hence it’s time to crack the Phillips Brewing Co. Ginger Beer. Lots of ginger in this one so I am on the right track. Pours hazy copper with a head that soon dissipated. Aromas of freshly grated and crystallized ginger along with fresh bread and herbal notes. Lots of ginger dominating the palate with a bit of caramel; very refreshing with a spicy finish. Great with sushi or ceviche of course.
The season is almost over so be sure to grab at this last chance to sample fresh spot prawn’s. Chef Ted Anderson joins Swallowtail Supper Club for a West coast spot prawn boil-up; BC spot prawns, clams, smoked sausage and lot of other summer goodies will be cooked up in the backyard and delivered to our long tables. Date: Saturday June 21 Times: 5:30 and 7:30 Price: $49 per person ($15 booking fee, then $34 the night of plus gratuity) Location: The secret supper club – address will be sent at booking time (Vancouver) BYO. Chardonnay would be our ultimate…
