Cru announces spring dinner events; Le Vieux Pin spring release; r.tl introduces rare wine preservation system; Bangkok happy hour at Charm Modern Thai; Chef Angus An to bring world-class Thai cuisine to Vancouver; Celebrate Mother’s Day at Elixr!; Spring epicurean dinner at West; Red Carpet Soiree for the Red Cross at Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar; Araxi presents ‘Outstanding in the Field’ in Pemberton.
CRU ANNOUNCES SPRING DINNER EVENTS
Vancouver’s CRU Restaurant is welcoming spring with two special dinner events featuring Poplar Grove Winery and Whistler Brewing. We are also offering a special pre-show dinner menu for theatergoers who will attend the upcoming production of Les Miserables at the Stanley.
The Poplar Grove Winery Dinner on Monday, April 20 features one of BC’s best-loved wineries. Join owner and winemaker Ian Sutherland for an intimate look at his premium Naramata Bench wines. The wines will be paired with a five-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Alana Peckham. $95 per person.
Beer lovers will get their turn on Monday, May 25 at a dinner showcasing beers from Whistler Brewing. Guests will be introduced to the full range of high-quality, all-natural beers from this local favourite, matched with an outstanding five-course dinner. $65 per person.
In conjunction with the much-anticipated upcoming Stanley Theatre production of Les Miserables (May 14 – July 19), we are also offering a special pre-theatre dinner menu. Book your table at CRU for 6:00 pm or earlier and enjoy our regular prix fixe menu for only $37. This is a great way to avoid the stress and inconvenience of having to wait for a table before the show! CRU is open every night from 5:00 pm.
Poplar Grove Winery Dinner
Monday, April 20 2009 at 6:30 pm
$95 per person
Whistler Brewing Dinner
Monday, May 25 2009 at 6:30 pm
$65 per person
Pre-Theatre Dinner Menu
(Les Miserables Production Runs May 14-July 19)
$37 per person
CRU Restaurant
1459 West Broadway, Vancouver
Reservations: 604-677-4111
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LE VIEUX PIN SPRING RELEASE
It’s that time of year again! Le Vieux Pin is happy to announce the release of the 2008 whites and rosé on April 15th. Our Sauvignon Blanc will only be available through the winery, our website: www.levieuxpin.ca and select restaurants with the ever popular Vaila rosé along with the Gewurztraminer available through the winery, restaurants and select private wine shops.
To order any of the new releases go to www.levieuxpin.ca or call our order desk at 604.697.0988
For appointments call us at the winery 250.498.8388
Vaïla Pinot Noir Rose 2008, $25 incl.tax
A favourite every year and always in demand, this pink gem is the perfect garden party wine. Made through the old Burgundian method of Saignée, this rosé is produced from free run juice and entirely steel tank aged. It is a fun, yet delicate wine absolutely made for summer. There are heaps of strawberries and pink grapefruit on the nose with underlying tones of watermelon and violets. The palate is dry, spicy, strawberry sorbet and some savoury cardamom notes. We produced 509 cases from the 2008 vintage and orders are rolling in so if you already love this wine we recommend you act fast. If you haven’t tried it yet, where have you been? Get to the winery.
Food Pairing:
Prosciutto, Cornish game, poolside BBQ
Gewurztraminer 2008, $25 incl.tax
With less than 20 cases produced last year, very few people got to try this wine. In order to share the love we’ve produced 318 cases of the 2008 vintage. We recommend getting here early if you want a chance to try it. The main ingredient is organically grown fruit from the Westbank region, which brings lightness and acidity to the wine. Then we added a small amount of fruit from Oliver to give it a little extra depth. The nose on this Gewurztraminer offers up lots of honeysuckle, orange zest, with hints of rose petal and lavender. There is crisp acidity up front that lends to light delicate citrus flavours of white grapefruit and lychee with a fresh, long finish. This wine is well structured and balanced.
Food Pairing:
Endive salad, fruit and cheese plate on a sunny Sunday brunch
Sauvignon Blanc 2008, $35 incl.tax
We love it and we’re not afraid to say so. A staff favourite and a production of only 203 cases mean this wine will ‘disappear’ very quickly. This is without a doubt one of the most unique examples of this varietal available. The majority of fruit came from our Lumeno vineyard by Osoyoos Lake where the steep north facing slope allows for a cool microclimate in a warm macroclimate. With stringent canopy management and leaf removal the resulting fruit has tropical flavours while the cool nights allow for great natural acidity. The wine was partially fermented in oak using 36 month air-dried Billon French oak, with the rest in steel tank. The finished wine has big pineapple, passion fruit, citrus, and hints of lemon meringue pie on the nose with a mouth coating palate full of lemon, lime, vanilla spice and great acidity.
Food Pairing:
Lobster, King crab legs (because you ought to be spending $30 a pound with this wine), more lobster and oysters. Preserved lemon risotto is also a favourite.
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RAISE A GLASS, ANY GLASS
Regional Tasting Lounge (r.tl) introduces rare wine preservation system
r.tl has recently expanded its already impressive wine list, thanks to a wine preservation system which dispenses wine directly from the bottle using revolutionary inert gas preservation. The new system gives guests at r.tl the opportunity to enjoy additional wines by the glass as a compliment to their small plates menu that perfectly suits wine parings. Operations director and resident sommelier, Alain Canuel says, “This is a sommelier’s dream come true. For weeks, the flavours and characteristics of the wine will remain intact, as if we just opened the bottle. This has allowed us to extend our wines by the glass program and has given all of our guests the chance to savour wine that might normally be too expensive by the bottle or unusual grapes and regions like from the Minervois region of France which is made from Maccabeau and Vermentimo”. Also included in the new program is a sparkling wine system, which allows r.tl to preserve the freshness of any sparkling wine indefinitely.
Media Tastings: To set up a wine tasting with Sommelier Alain Canuel, please RSVP pam@pamelagroberman.com
Where: r.tl (Regional Tasting Lounge) 1130 Mainland St., Yaletown, Vancouver, BC
What: r.tl now uses a state of the art European wine preservation and serving system that pressurizes and seals bottles to prevent oxidization of the wine.
Why: This enables r.tl to serve more wines by the glass, including more expensive vintages.
By the glass: r.tl now offers more than 30 wines by the glass. Prices vary from $8 to $28 per glass. Rare vintages include a 2005, La Frenz, Shiraz from the Okanagan Valley as well as a 2006 Domaine Lorenzon, Pinot Noir.
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BANGKOK HAPPY HOUR AT CHARM MODERN THAI
From the Land of the Smiles, Charm Modern Thai is now offering a Bangkok Happy Hour 7 days a week from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Indulge in $4 drink and beer specials along with Tapas dishes ranging from $6 to $12.
Starting April 27, 2009, Charm Modern Thai will be open for lunch from Monday to Friday 12:00pm to 3:00pm and for dinner 7 days a week from 5:30pm to late. Charms lunch menu will be offering a wide variety of popular and authentic Thai plates while showcasing new innovative signature creations.
Be charmed at Vancouver’s first and only Asian themed resto-bar located in the heart of Yaletown. Modern Thai combines Thailand’s renowned authentic tastes, aromas, and warm hospitality with an innovative modern perspective. We invite you to engage all your senses with the unique, hip, modern and enticing pleasures that seek out your inner Charm.
Charm Modern Thai and Bar
1269 Hamilton Street
Vancouver, BC
604-688-9339
www.charmmodernthai.com
Facebook Group : Charm Modern Thai
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Vancouver, BC – This May, Chef Angus An, of the award-winning Gastropod, will bring a new and unique culinary experience to Vancouver at Maenam – world-class Thai cuisine served in a modern setting. Maenam will feature techniques and flavours that are authentic to ancient Royal Thai traditions, paired with the freshest local ingredients.
Maenam will replace Gastropod at Chef An’s West 4th location, and Gastropod will continue as a catering and private dining operation with the intention to re-launch the concept in the future.
Chef An worked with and was inspired by David Thompson, the renowned Chef of Nahm in London, the only Michelin-starred Thai restaurant in the world. It was also at Nahm where Angus met his Thai wife Kate. When the two returned to Vancouver, they decided immediately that Vancouver needed a truly authentic Thai restaurant. “We’ve always had two concepts in mind: fine dining and Thai. We’ve been trying unsuccessfully for over a year to find a suitable location for Maenam,” says Chef An. “We felt that given the current economy, we should shift our to focus to the concept that will offer a more casual experience and lower price points.”
“At Maenam, we’ll respect authentic Thai flavours and technique,” continues Chef An. “Thai cuisine should have a locus of flavours that when combined in the right balance creates a depth and complexity unrivaled by Western cuisine. We aren’t going to assume that Vancouver can’t handle real Thai food.”
Maenam’s menu will reflect the components of a traditional Thai meal, which includes a combination of soups, salads, stir fries and curries, accompanied by rice – with each dish offering a different taste of the flavour spectrum and showcasing a different product. Sampling and sharing will be encouraged, and price points will be set so guests can enjoy a full meal for around $30/person.
Maenam will also feature expertly crafted wine, cocktail and dessert selections, created specifically to pair with Thai cuisine by General Manager and Sommelier Tara Thom, Head Bartender Ben De Champlain, and Pasty Chef Celeste Mah. Rounding out the Maenam team will be Sous Chef Emily Waters, who recently returned from seven months of training with Chef Thompson at Nahm.
Gastropod’s final night will be May 2, and the restaurant will close for renovations and re-open as Maenam the week of May 18. Initially, Maenam will be open for Tuesday to Saturday for dinner, with last call for food at 1 a.m. and last call for drinks at 1:30 a.m. The week of May 25, Maenam will open for lunch as well.
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MAKE MOM’S DAY: CELEBRATE HER AT OPUS VANCOUVER AND ELIXIR
Vancouver, B.C. – (April 8, 2009) Moms are marvelous. And the Opus Hotel and Elixir are going to help make sure moms know it, with the Pamper thy Mother package, and specially-created Mother’s Day brunch, this Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10th. Give mom pampering to meet her every wish at stylish, intimate, and luxurious Opus, and vibrant Elixir.
Pamper thy Mother
The day begins, at check-in, with a cheery morning welcome for mom and her new favourite kid: Divine treats and sunny fresh flowers. Spend the night in a chic and contemporary designed Superior Double guestroom with two luxurious queen beds. Reminisce over old memories and create new ones during a renowned Facilious facial at Skoah Spa. Next day, savour every tempting morsel of the Mother’s Day Brunch served up at the vibrant, French Bistro Elixir. Take advantage of complimentary valet parking and a late check-out: Explore chic and happening Yaletown to mom’s heart’s content. For reservations call 1.866.642.6787.
Mother’s Day Brunch
A sumptuous treat on the second day of the Pamper thy Mother package, Mother’s Day Brunch is also a delight on its own. Celebrated chef Don Letendre created the specially-designed menu, featuring divine dishes served in two courses ($29.50) or three ($36.50). Features include French Toast ‘Panetone’ with cherry and white chocolate butter and bourbon maple syrup; a warm, soft pretzel with Toulouse sausage, sweet mustard, and assorted pickles; herb-crusted marinated sable, with lentils and sautéed chanterelles; and Pavlova with passion fruit curd or fresh berries or Valrhona Chocolate Truffle Cake with coconut sorbet. Served with mom’s choice of wines and bubbles by the glass, specialty coffees, infused Muzi teas, or her choice of fresh pressed juices, each combination creates truly indulgent taste sensations. Mother’s Day brunch is served from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Reservations are recommended; space is limited.
Let the Opus Hotel and Elixir help make the most of mom on her special day.
OPUS HOTELS Uniquely stylish and always fresh, Opus Hotels redefine the boutique experience, blending contemporary design with warmth and intuitive service. Comfortable guestrooms feature vibrant colours, spa bathrooms and lifestyle-inspired décor schemes. Located in fashionable Yaletown, Vancouver’s Opus Hotel is home to vibrant Elixir and the dramatic Opus Bar. Opus Vancouver has been named one of the world’s top hotels by readers of Condé Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure magazine with Opus Bar voted “Vancouver’s Most Popular Nightspot” by Zagat Guide. For information and reservations in Vancouver and Montreal call toll-free 1.866.642.6787 or visit www.opushotel.com.
French Bistro meets Yaletown chic in ELIXIR. Chef Don Letendre specializes in classic French cuisine, crafting innovative dishes from the freshest regional and seasonal ingredients. Choose a room to suit your mood: bustling Bistro, airy Garden Room or plush Velvet Room. Open early-morning to late-night, Elixir provides friendly, attentive service in a vibrant atmosphere popular with savvy travelers and discerning locals alike. Elixir is open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday, for lunch daily and dinner nightly. To view current menus or for more information call 604.642.0557 or visit www.elixirvancouver.ca.
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SPRING EPICUREAN DINNER
Chef Warren Geraghty @ Mission Hill, West Kelowna, BC
Saturday, May 2nd, 6:30 pm
Tickets: $155, including a copy of West: The Cookbook
A highlight of the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival, executive chef Warren Geraghty will join winery chef Michael Allemeier to present a special five-course menu, paired with Mission Hill Family Estate Winery’s internationally-recognized wines. Celebrating the release of West: The Cookbook, a book signing will follow the dinner.
Click here to purchase tickets.
RED CROSS RED CARPET SOIREE
Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar, Vancouver, BC
Wednesday, May 6th, 7:00 pm
Early Bird Tickets: $90 (before Apr. 10th)
Following a highly-successful sold-out event last year, Blue Water Cafe is once again proud to be the Presenting Partner for the second annual Red Cross Red Carpet Soirée, an event benefiting local programs for the Canadian Red Cross. Walk the red carpet and join us for an evening filled with delectable bites from executive chef Frank Pabst, wines generously donated by Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, and live entertainment, while bidding on fantastic silent auction items provided by some of the province’s trendiest hotels and retailers.
Click here to purchase early bird tickets for $90 until this Friday ($100 thereafter).
OUTSTANDING IN THE FIELD
Chef James Walt @ North Arm Farm, Pemberton, BC
Saturday, July 18th, 4:00 pm
Tickets: $200
Join Araxi’s executive chef James Walt and North Arm Farm’s Jordan Sturdy for Outstanding in the Field’s first Pemberton event. A long, linen-draped table beckons adventurous diners to celebrate food at the source. Beginning with a tour of North Arm Farm, guests will enjoy a multi-course dinner and wine pairings set between the soil and the sky.
To make your reservation at the table, visit the Outstanding in the Field website.
