What to do in April in and around Vancouver
We’ve been busy focusing on the positive in Vancouver with the #VancouverIstay project (you’ve checked it out right?) and looking ahead to April there’s even more reason to love what Vancouver has to offer.
Garagiste North – April 17, 2016
First and foremost, wine lovers need to set this Sunday aside, well at least a few hours of it, to explore the smaller producers of our province. Held at the Wise Hall in East Vancouver, this once a year experience will walk you through the up and comers, and those who just don’t want to go big. Chat with the winemakers and owners and sample some bites for Chicha Vancouver, a wonderful Peruvian spot! TICKETS!
World Malbec Day Tastings April 16, 2016
This year’s Malbec Word Day falls on Sunday, April 17th, but British Columbia will get a jump on the celebrations with free Argentinean wine tastings at 5 private stores on Saturday, April 16 2016. In addition, select BCLDB stores throughout the province will offer free tastings of Argentinean wines in April.
In BC, the following private stores will host complimentary consumer tastings on Saturday, April 16. Each store will pour at least 3 different wines, including Malbecs and Malbec blends, paired with samples of authentic Argentinean cuisine.
Everything Wine – North Vancouver, South Surrey & Langford locations – 2:00 to 6:00pm
Legacy Liquor Store – 1633 Manitoba Street, Vancouver – 2:00 to 6:00pm
Marquis Wine Cellars – 1034 Davie Street, Vancouver – PLUS a DJ will provide music at this lively event – 2:00 to 5:00pm
BC Liquor Stores across the province will host over 50 Malbec World Day tastings.
Osoyoos Oyster Festival – April 20-24
For the fifth year in a row I am heading up to Osoyoos for their annual oyster festival and it’s Michael’s third year! We’re huge fans of bivalves and when they are paired with oyster friendly wines, beers and libations, we love them even more. The oyster festival was created to give oyster farmers a bit of a break, while entertaining locals and visitors in the shoulder season. The weather is always sunny, and just a little bit crisp, and the room rates are reasonable. More info
BIRDS OF A FEATHER: ROYAL DINETTE’S JACK CHEN AND BURDOCK & CO.’S ANDREA CARLSON TAKE FLIGHT FOR FIFTH “UGLY DUCKLING” DINNER, APRIL 26
Latest Edition of Ongoing Dinner Series Unites Like-minded Chefs To Spotlight Food-Waste Awareness, Sustainability Issues Through Multi-Course Dinner – Fundraiser for Les Dames d’Escoffier and Two Rivers Meat scholarship for Tina Fineza
Royal Dinette adds another entry to its popular series of Ugly Duckling Dinners on Tuesday, April 26 when Head Chef Jack Chen welcomes guest chef Andrea Carlson of Burdock & Co. and Harvest Community Foods into the kitchen to prepare a collaborative sustainably-focused feast.
The fifth in an ongoing series that transforms the “ugly ducklings” of the kitchen — also known as commonly discarded scraps, off-cuts, stems and stalks — into gourmet menus with an ecological message, the latest Ugly Duckling Dinner unites a pair of like-minded chefs who share the same culinary principles of featuring fresh-daily ingredients sourced from local farms, pastures and seas.
TICKETS
Royal Dinette’s fifth Ugly Duckling Dinner takes place on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available via Eventbrite and include a multi-course menu with beverage pairings for $79 per person plus tax and gratuity. Five percent of sales will be donated to Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Chapter for their Service Excellence Scholarship Fund in honour of Tina Fineza.
As Royal Dinette prides itself on placing a premium on the availability and seasonality of all ingredients, the Ugly Duckling Dinner menu is subject to slight changes. Substitutions are politely declined.
Vancouver Foodster Meatball Challenge Until April 30
Restaurants from all over the city entered ball dishes into this challenge. Each restaurant will be featuring their meatball creation on their menu from April 6-30, 2016. More info.
In this meatball challenge the meatballs cover various cuisines including Spanish, Italian, Vietnamese, and Indian.
Chicha Launches New Cocktail Menu – April 14, 2016
Dale Styner of MoneyChalks has not only chalked Chicha’s entire wall with his art; Peruvian Nazca line themed, but also created their new cocktail list.
Party starts at 8.30pm
All Dale’s new cocktails will be $6 (2oz)
All pints on tap will be $5
Tightrope Dry Reisling $6
Anteres Carmenere $6
…and of course Jameson shots for $3
Abbotsford Tulip Festival…Until May 1, 2016
This spring marks the first year of the Abbotsford Tulip Festival–the only tulip festival in BC and tulip celebration in Canada located on a farm. Guests will experience 10 acres of beautiful, vibrant colour, featuring over 50 varieties and 2.5 million bulbs, and ample parking for over 1000 vehicles.
The festival offers a covered picnic area, children’s play area, photo cut-out boards, fun food trucks (on weekends) and sections for friends and family to wander through the fields. Guests can pick their own flowers in the U- Pick field, purchase fresh cut tulips and order bulbs for planting in the fall.
Dates: March 25 – May 1, 2016 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, seven days a week
Location: 36737 North Parallel Road, Abbotsford, BC
Admission: Only $5.00 per person and complimentary parking
Gourmet Warehouse Chocolate Challenge – April 7, 2016
At 6:30pm – an evening of food, wine, and chocolate, to help us feed the children. The Chocolate Challenge pits 8 of Vancouver’s best chocolatiers against each other in a competition to create the best original chocolate. As our guest, you will sample and vote on your favourite creation.
In addition to chocolate, your ticket includes tastings from Tartine Tarts, Tacomio, Sebastian & Co, Terra Breads, Sundance Seafood, Earnest Ice Cream, Dry Soda and Stumptown Coffee.
100% of ticket sales, silent and live auction proceeds will be to the Strathcona Backpack Program and Project Chef.
Taste and vote on your favourite creations by:
Bearfoot Bistro, Chez Christophe, Chocolate Arts, French Made Baking, Gem Chocolates, Purdy’s Chocolates, Temper Chocolate & Pastry, and Thomas Haas. Tickets
The Hatch Wines at Chewies – April 13, 2016
5 Courses – 5 Wines $68 Per Person – A fun, unpretentious wine event hosted by Jesse Harnden of The Hatch, one of BC’s best new wineries & Chewie’s Exectutive Chef, Michael Knowlson. If you haven’t tried these wines then you absolutely have to, and if you haven’t heard Jesse talk about what he loves, then you are missing out! andrew@chewies.ca (604) 620-7634 More info
Grape Juice for Big Sisters – April 21, 2016
Aston Martin Vancouver & Bentley Vancouver
1770 Burrard Street 5:30 – 8:30 PM TICKETS
$100 Featuring canapés by Chill Winston
with wine tastings CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS
a tax receipt will be issued for a portion of the ticket
BjornBar Bakery Opening – April 7, 2016
Pastry Chef Tamera Clark has returned to North Vancouver from Montreal to open the BjornBar Bakery located in the Edgemont Village. BjornBar opens this Thursday, April 7th at 3053 Edgemont Boulevard. Details
