CityFood Magazine - Forty is Sporty And Something Like A Grapefruit

In the photo: Forty is sporty and sometimes like a grapefruit.

ANNOUNCEMENTS - ( June 19, 2009 )
(Items on this page were edited from, excerpted directly, or subjected to our warped viewpoints via official press releases .)

RESTAURANTS/HOTELS

Pacific Palisades : The hotel is celebrating 40 years with special promotions, trivia contests, a birthday rate of $169 for the whole month of August 2009 and a chance for all guests to win prizes at check-in. If you’re a registered guest on August 25 and it is your birthday, tell them and you’ll be treated to a Chef’s Table for Two that night in Zin Restaurant! The B-day theme is centered on RUBY RED which is both the traditional and modern gift. Staff will adorn red shoes or clothing, drinks will have a red theme and food will be prepared with ‘red’ ingredients. Join Pacific Palisades on Ruby Tuesday, August 25 from 3 to 7 pm for cake, contests and prizes.

Bishop's: Dine on one of Bishop's $38, three-course, Early Bird menus this summer (offered every day between 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.) and you will be enjoying the results of Chef Andrea Carlson's impromptu menu stylings -- ones she creates using ingredients that she receives in two CSA deliveries each week. For those who are not yet familiar, CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) allow small-producer farmers to pre-sell their crops. For a fee, customers ‘subscribe’ to share in the harvest. Each week during the season, ‘shareholders’ receive a box brimming with just-picked, organic produce straight from the farm. The challenge with this system is that one never knows exactly what one is going to receive from week to week. Says Carlson. "It’s a bit like Christmas, every box is a surprise - it’s a lot of fun to work with." Currently Bishop’s is supplied by two CSAs – Glorious Organics Cooperative (Fraser Common Farm) in Aldergrove and City Farm Boy, a company that distributes food farmed from plots of land within Vancouver – usually yard gardens in private homes or unused allotment spaces. "From each box I create a menu that accommodates approximately 10 people as our fresh sheet and early bird menus. When it's gone it's gone. They send what they harvest - that's the point - it's sharing in a portion of the harvest - not customizing", says Carlson. 604-738-2025.

Yew restaurant + bar: Via their menu, the Four Seasons Vancouver is off to Four Seasons Hotel Canary Warf in London, England, just in time for Wimbledon. To create a summer menu that rivals the best restaurants in Britain, Executive Chef Oliver Beckert has featured items including Smoked Salmon, Pickled Shallots, Quail Egg & Capers with Devonshire Cream plus, the ultimate Cottage Pie prepared with Braised Beef Shortrib, Morel Mushrooms and Horseradish Potato Puree. To finish it all off desert is served with a true Summer Pudding with Red Berry Sorbet and Lemon Curd. YEW has also partnered with Vancouver Island Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse to represent traditional English ciders. Three course menu for $35 available for the month of June. 791 West Georgia Street, Vancouver. 604-689-9333.

Au Petit Chavignol announces the Summer of Riesling. From June 21 to September 21, all Rieslings will be maked down 25%. 845 East Hastings Street, Vancouver. 604-255-4218.

The Irish Heather Gastro Pub : Did you know that the Irish Heather's Shebeen has the largest selection (over 180 bottles) of Single Malt, Bourbon, Rye, Scotch and Irish whiskey of any pub in B.C? What a great (w)rec room for Dad. This Father's Day, the Shebeen will be open on a Sunday at 5pm, to allow daughters/sons and their dads, access to that most manly of institutions, a temple to all things whisk(e)y. A mere $20 plus tax will get you a serving of medium rare roasted sirloin of beef, with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, gravy & vegetables and a very civilized glass of Jameson Irish Whiskey. Pot pies, fish & chips, bangers "n" mash, etc, and their full line up of beers; bottled and draft will also be available. For reservations contact Sean Heather at sean@irishheather.com.

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts : Name That Restaurant! P.I.C.A. will soon announce some changes to their onsite student-operated restaurant. Coming in July - a new look, a new menu and (with your help) a new name! To be eligible, entries to the Name the Restaurant contest must be submitted no later than Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 at 12:00 NOON (Pacific Standard Time). Contest is restricted to B.C. residents, 18 years of age or older. The winning entrant will receive a gift certificate for dinner in the restaurant for four people valued at up to $200. Send your entry, along with your name, telephone number and email address to contest@picachef.com or fax to 604-734-4408.

The Crime Lab : Every Monday, Martinis will be only $7 including taxes. A good time to try some specialties such as the “Smoking Gun” (vodka, cacao, Baileys & espresso), the “Third Degree” (tequila, amaretto, sweet & sour), and the “Body Bag” (vodka, melon, sour apple & lime). Kitchen is open until 12:30 p.m. 550 Denman Street. 604-568-4606.

Campagnolo : debuts its Italian-inspired brunch menu this Saturday, June 20th. Dishes will include pancetta frittata with spinach and goat cheese; sunny-side-up eggs with salsiccia and salsa verde; braised pork belly crespelle with mushroom cream; panettone budino with lemon marmellata; and a selection of specialty Italian Caffè, including espresso, americano and cappuccino. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30am – 2:30pm. Seating is available on a first come first serve basis; reservations available only for parties of eight or more. Located at 1020 Main Street, Vancouver BC. 604-484-6018.

Voya: Celebrate the summer in Coal Harbour's chicest secret, the sky-top Halo Suite Lounge at Loden Vancouver. Occupying the entire 15th floor of the hotel, revelers can enjoy Voya's quenching libations as well as items from the BBQ - while soaking in the spectacular views. Everyone welcome, every Thursday, starting at 4 pm, June through August (weather permitting.) Follow then on Twitter to get the details and late breaking deals: twitter.com/voyavancouver.

More...Vancouver's North Shore Tourism office will pay taxi fare from airport for visitors staying in North Shore Hotels. Now to July 15.

SHOP

Sweet Obsession Cakes and Pastries is celebrating 16 sweet years at its 16-seat 16th Avenue pastry shop and cafe by inviting customers to come in for complimentary coffee or tea on Sunday, July 5 from 8 am to 10 pm. Sweet Obsession co-owners Lorne Tyczenski and Stephen Greenham will be on hand that day to reminisce with their many long-time patrons and friends. Since its opening in 1993, Sweet Obsession has used nearly 80,500 lbs of butter, 128,970 lbs of Belgian chocolate, groves of coconuts, crates of fresh lemons and seasonal raspberries to make its cakes, pies and tarts. Today, Pastry Chef Tracy Kadonoff continues to turn high quality ingredients into Sweet Obsession's signature confections from ultra-dense Bitter Sweet Chocolate Butter Cream to light Lemon Mousse Cake to Mocha Torte, Tiramsu and Dulce de Leche. 2611 West 16th Avenue. 604 739-0555, extension 2.

Edible BC Store : Every evening throughout the summer locals will receive 10% off all purchases at the Edible BC Retail Store. From 5-7pm. Discounts applicable on any of their 700+ BC products from Vij’s fresh-frozen dinners to Vista D’Oro’s Walnut Wine Jam and from Queen Charlotte Co-Op's dried Rainforest Chantrelles to Mission Hill's Oculus Cherries. And if you need some inspiration, pick up a copy of their British Columbia Seasonal Cookbook , with dozens of recipes, each with full-colour photos, based on ingredients found in the Market. Granville Island Market.

WINE

The Rotten Grape: The wine bar and tapas restaurant in Kelowna has just installed the new Perlage Champagne Preservation System. The System tested and approved by major sparkling wine producers in France and California, (think Dom Perignon) has revolutionized by-the-glass wine programs in the top restaurants of the United States, Europe and now the Okanagan. (perlagesystems.com). Now you can sip on your choice of 4 bubblies by the glass or sample them all in a tasting flight. On offer This Week.....Pares Balta, Brut, Spain organic; Nino Franco Rustico, Italy; Summerhill Pinot Noir Brut, Kelowna organic; and H.Billiot Fils “Grand Cru” Champagne, France. 231 Bernard Ave., Kelowna, B.C. 250-717-8466.

BEER

Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub. It's been 25 years since Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub opened its doors on Lime Bay in Victoria's Inner Harbour, and now Canada's oldest brewpub wants to honor where it all began. On June 16th, Spinnakers brought back the three beers that started the micro-brewing renaissance in Victoria. Available for the first time in years will be: Mt. Tolmie Dark, Spinnakers Ale and Abbott Ale. Following a celebration that saw casks of each beer tapped, the bottled version of the beers were made available to the general public. "These beers were the genesis of our place - it's where it all got started," says Paul Hadfield, owner and publican. "Some of these beers haven't been made here for nearly 15 years and we're proud to bring them back to celebrate our 25th anniversary." At any time Spinnakers has between eight to 8 to 10 styles available on tap, and brews a range of beers from pale to dark, light to full-bodied, of about 25 styles annually.

NEW IN THE CALENDAR

JUNE 20, 2009:
Keep your knife skills sharp.
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Just in time for Father's Day, treat Dad to a morning of hands-on knifeskills. 10:30 a.m. Chef Glenys Morgan and knife expert John Puddifoot will show guests how to handle knives with care and maintain them, and guests will have a chance to practise various classic knife techniques. This class is $165 and includes a 21 cm Solicut chef's knife. 10:30 a.m. At Barbara-jo's Books to Cooks. 1740 West 2nd Ave., Vancouver. 604-688-6755.

JUNE 21, 2009 :
Greek Day on Broadway .
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Release your inner Zorba at one of Vancouver's oldest annul street festivals. Taking place along Broadway between Blenheim and MacDonald in Kitsilano. 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

JUNE 24, 2009:
Fraser Valley Lamb Dinner at Fuel.
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Fuel is proud to be the only restaurant in Vancouver to receive pasture-raised lamb from Polderside Farms, located in BC’s Fraser Valley. The 12 lambs that are raised every year are grass fed, free run—and the best local lamb available. Belcham and his team are excited to highlight the incredible flavours of this very special lamb, a once-a-year ingredient. Upcoming regional item theme dinners highlight local raspberries in July and Chilliwack corn in August. 7 p.m. $79.00 per person with an optional $42 wine pairing. Reservations are required. 1944 West 4th Avenue (at Cypress) 604-288-7905.

JUNE 27, 2009 :
Saturday Hands On Field to Table Cooking Class at Fairburn Farm.
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Join them in the garden this summer for their very popular field to table cooking classes. You'll harvest and cook from the farm's fresh ingredients, enjoy a snack of pizza with the farm's own fresh buffalo mozzarella at the brick oven and eat a meal together at the end of the class. Saturdays from 10 to 3 p.m. $135. + tax. Ask about the free pick up and drop off at the Duncan train station!

JULY 12, 19, 26 :
VanDusen Gardens Summer Stage: Jazz in Bloom .
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Each Jazz in Bloom concert features two all-star groups in back-to-back performances with a half hour intermission between. The Ross Taggart Trio and Oliver Gannon Quartet headline the kick-off concert on July 12th with guest MC, CBC’s Paul Grant of Hot Air. July 19th features Bruno Hubert Trio and the Melody Diachun EQ. The series closes on July 26th with the Cory Weeds Quartet and the Afro-Cuban sounds of Zapato Negro. Curtain is at 5:30 p.m. and concerts end at 8:30 p.m. Rain or shine, so dress for the weather. Bring a picnic along with a blanket or low lawn chair to sit on. Seating is on a first come basis on the Great Lawn and not provided. $25 per performance per person available in advance or at the Gate or Early Bird before July 10 - $60 for a package of all three. Purchase through Tickets Tonight or in person at either VanDusen’s Garden Shop or The Cellar Jazz Club at 3611 West Broadway. 5251 Oak Street 604-684-2787.

JULY 13, 2009:
Screening of Fresh, The Movie.
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Books to Cooks will be screening Fresh, a film by ana Sofia joanes. Fresh celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people who are re-inventing our food system and offers a practical vision for the future of our food and our planet. Join them for this fascinating film, discussion and refreshments prepared by Quang Dang of C Restaurant. Tickets are $25. 6 p.m. Taking place at Barbara-Jo's Books to Cooks. 1740 West 2nd Ave., Vancouver. 604-688-6755.

JULY 19, 2009 :
Outstanding in the Field with Chef Andrea Carlson at UBC Farm .
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Outstanding returns to UBC Farm in Vancouver for its fourth dinner there. Andrea Carlton of Bishop's Restaurant is guest chef for the UBC dinner. Dinners begin with a tour of the farm. Then guests sit down at the signature table -- a long, linen-draped expanse set between the soil and the sky. During dinner, the host farmers and the other local food producers who provided ingredients for the meal share the table with the guests and talk about where the food on the plate came from and what it takes to get it there. Tickes price is $200 per person, which includes wine paired to each course throughout the meal. 4 p.m.

JULY 26, 2009:
City of Surrey Food Tasting Event.
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Featuring local chefs who will prepare a delicious array of dishes with a focus on Surrey grown ingredients. This year’s highlights include: food tasting, beer and wine tasting, live entertainment, farmers market and local artisans, interactive and educational information, face painting, potato sack races and seed planting, prize draws. Noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are available in person at the City of Surrey, Planning & Development Department or by email request at flavours@surrey.ca or by phone at 604-591-4496. $25 Adults. $10 Youth, Kids under 8 are free. Historic Stewart Farm. 13723 Crescent Road, Surrey.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2009:
6th Annual Passions Gala.
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A benefit for the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. Emceed by Global TV’s Sophie Lui and consisting of 19 top Vancouver Chefs, a steady flow of wine and live and silent auction items to knock your socks off, Passions is the hottest event on the culinary calendar. Tickets are $200 and available after July 15th either online or by calling 604-331-3452. 6-9 p.m. 1110 Comox Street, Vancouver.

SEPTEMBER 22 - 27, 29-OCTOBER 4:
Fairburn Farm Fall Boot Camp.
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This Culinary Boot Camps was named one of Gourmet magazine's top 45 picks in the world for a culinary vacation! 5 days packed with basic and advanced techniques, visits to farms, a day with a baker, field to table cooking and a Saturday night buffet that you will prepare for local producers. $1,995. Includes all accommodations, meals and classes. Locals price without accommodation $950. + tax. The Fall Boot Camps' programs include: Canning Techniques, harvesting the fall bounty, mushroom foraging and more!. Sept. 22nd to 27th and Sept. 29th to Oct. 4th.