Valentine’s Day Dinner at Hermitage; Café Medina opens take-out windown just in time for Olympic lines; Top Table Bars Fête Olympic victors with Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte; Valentine’s Day dinner at Au Petit Chavignol; Valentine’s Day at Bistro Pastis; R.TL open for lunch ‘Pintxos’ style, offers extended hours during the Games; Sweet, Seductive Valentine’s Day at Elixir Bistro & OPUS Bar; Games On at Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver; Bistrot Bistro’s Valentine’s weekend; Valentine’s Day and extended Olympic hours at Two Chefs and a Table; Sanafir Restaurant & Lounge Adds Mid-Day Medina Culture to the Mix; Three Diamonds Shine Over Chef Daniel Boulud’s New db Bistro Moderne; Top International Special Event Award for Culinary Capers Catering; Naramata Heritage Inn & Spa Re-Opening; Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver appoints Kari Koskela as General Manager
UPDATED: Sunday, February 7th
VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER AT HERMITAGE
(click image to view the menu)
Hermitage Valentine’s Day Dinner
Sunday, February 14th
3 course dinner for $57 + Gratuities
Hermitage Restaurant
115 – 1025 Robson Street Vancouver
Tel: 604.689.3237
www.thehermitagevancouver.com
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CAFÉ MEDINA OPENS TAKE-OUT WINDOW JUST IN TIME FOR OLYMPIC LINES
Providing Sweet Sustenance for Those on the Move
February 5, 2010, Vancouver BC – Olympic game goers and Vancouverites alike will be pleased to know that Café Medina’s mouth-watering waffles and connoisseur-savvy coffees will be available at the café’s new take-out window.
Located at the entrance of the café, the take-out window has been implemented in response to the influx of people that will be using Beatty Street as a thoroughfare during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Sure to be a welcome addition to a neighbourhood that will soon be bustling with foot traffic, the new take-out window will cater to passersby looking to lounge in between destinations or those hoping to grab a little sweet sustenance while on the move.
Sister to neighbouring night time hot spot Chambar, Café Medina is a quaint café serving espresso-based drinks, Belgian waffles and a full breakfast, brunch, and lunch menu comprised of eclectic dishes created by owner and chef, Nico Schuermans. Café Medina is located at 556 Beatty Street. The café will maintain its regular hours during the Olympics, opening Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm with breakfast service from 9am to noon. Weekday lunch service is from noon until 3pm. Café Medina is open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm with brunch service from 9am to 3:00 pm. For more information please visit: www.medinacafe.com.
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TOP TABLE BARS FETE OLYMPIC VICTORS WITH CHAMPAGNE NICOLAS FEUILLATTE
Podium Athletes Invited to Celebrate at Araxi, Blue Water Cafe, CinCin + West
Vancouver + Whistler, B.C. – Winning an Olympic medal is no easy feat. The road is long, the sacrifices many, and the support structures that enable athletes to reach the podium are elaborate. But ask an Olympic athlete the key to their success, and the reply is almost always, “My family and friends.”
Araxi in Whistler, and Blue Water Cafe, CinCin, and West in Vancouver, will salute winning athletes during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics by helping them toast family and friends at the restaurants’ bars with a complimentary bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte champagne.
“We want to congratulate the bronze, silver and gold medalists from all countries, and give them the opportunity to toast those closest to them, that took them to the pinnacle of their sport,” said Jack Evrensel, proprietor of Top Table. “Top Table is all about teamwork, and so are the endeavours of Olympic athletes – this is a simple way to show our appreciation.”
Medalists: Reserve in advance through Top Table’s restaurant directors, bring your medal, and the bubbles will begin to flow.
Araxi – 4222 Whistler Village Square, Steve Edwards, 604 932 4540
Blue Water Cafe – 1095 Hamilton Street, Yaletown, Stephan Cachard, 604 688 8078
CinCin – 1154 Robson Street, Ricardo Ferreira, 604 688 7338
West – 2881 Granville Street @ 13th, Brian Hopkins, 604 738 8938
About Top Table One of the most highly respected restaurant groups in Canada, Top Table encompasses four of the leading restaurants in Vancouver and Whistler: Araxi, CinCin, Blue Water Cafe and West. Continuing to evolve in the pursuit of excellence, each venue has received significant critical acclaim, both locally and internationally.
Due to demand, all Top Table restaurants will be open for lunch during the Olympics.
About Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Nicolas Feuillatte is the best-selling Champagne brand in France, among the “top 5″ internationally and a fixture in the world’s great restaurants. Founded in 1976, this dynamic young house celebrates its unique identity by collaborating with outstanding creative professionals across many disciplines including chefs, designers and artists.
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VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER AT AU PETIT CHAVIGNOL
With the exception of a few seats around our bar, our special Valentine’s menu at Au Petit Chavignol is now sold out for Feb 14th. We’d like to take this opportunity to extend our special Valentine’s Day menu to include Friday and Saturday February 12 / 13.
Valentine’s Menu for two persons – $40 per couple
Choice of Soup de Jour or Butter lettuce salad
Mont Blanc Cheese Fondue for two persons
Warm Chocolate Cookies to share
Au Petit Chavignol
843 East Hastings Street | Vancouver
Tel: (604) 255-4218
www.aupetitchavignol.com
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VALENTINE’S DAY AT BISTRO PASTIS
Being French, we know a thing or two about romance. The love of your life deserves more than a predictable box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day.
Show her/him how much they mean to you with a romantic dinner pour deux at Bistro Pastis. Our special Valentine’s Menu, coupled with our intimate room and oh so discreet service are guaranteed to seduce your senses, satisfy your soul and spoil you rotten. We’ll provide the spark… what you do to fan the flames is up to you…
One night only… no second chances. Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14, 2010
Reservations are a must 604-731- 5020 / www.bistropastis.com
Four Course Table D’Hote
• Grilled Quail, Wild Mushroom and Bacon Tart,
• Sour Cherry Vinaigrette
• Pinor Noir “Couvent des Jacobins@ Louis Jadot Burgundy
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• Pan-Seared Artic Char,
• Crab and Citrus Ravioli,
• Lobster Bisque Beurre Blanc
• Riesling Pffafenheim Alsace
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• Phyllo Pastry Wrapped Lamb Loin,
• Mushroom Duxelle, Ratatouille Pavé
• Pomme Dauphine, Sage Brown Butter Jus
• Vacqueyras Domaine Perrin Rhone Valley
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• Le Dessert de la Saint Valentin
• Sparkling Crémant de Limoux, Languedoc
$80 person / Wine Pairing $45
Bistro Pastis
2153 West 4th Avenue | Vancouver
Tel: 604.731-5020
www.bistropastis.com
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NEW R.TL OPEN FOR LUNCH ‘PINTXOS’ STYLE, OFFERS EXTENDED HOURS DURING THE GAMES
February 6, 2009 (Vancouver, BC) – Another new and unique offering from Regional Tasting Lounge starts Feb 8. With thousands of visitors about to arrive in Vancouver, Regional Tasting Lounge (r.tl) will open at 11:30am and serve ‘Pintxos-style’ take-away lunches throughout the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Located at 1130 Mainland, in the heart of Yaletown and next to the Canada Line – r.tl is positioned at the head of all the action that will see thousands of visitors explore our city.
r.tl will offer lunch specials starting from $3 conveniently served ‘take-away’ style from 11:30am until 3pm daily – featuring a selection of ‘pintxos’ (pronounced ‘pin-cho’) which are bite-size gourmet sandwiches typically eaten at bars and are traditional in northern Spain – especially popular in the Basque country and Barcelona. To accompany this, r.tl will have a selection of fresh salads as part of this convenient package. The restaurant will be set up deli-style to facilitate swift service for guests who want to ‘grab and go’ in order to experience Yaletown’s other attractions.
r.tl returns to full dinner service featuring BC Coastal Cuisine with a well-priced 3-course menu for only $45 and special late night menu to compliment new extended hours from 5 – 2am daily.
THE FOOD – Described as being like traditional Spanish tapas, only better – pintxo’s are fresh snack-style sandwiches held together with a ‘pincho’ (Spanish for small spike or toothpick). r.tl will offer patrons a combo selection of pintxo’s per order accompanied by choice of salad for only $10 (drink not included). click here to view the Olympic menu
THE SPACE – r.tl will be open during the day from 11:30am and set up informally to facilitate quick service during lunch so people can grab a quick and tasty bite before heading to their next event. The always-chic room will convert back to normal for dinner service starting at 5pm.
FINAL PLUG – Why is this newsworthy? You want to capitalize on the buzz created by the Games and offer fresh, useful tips your audience is looking for. This is an opportunity for you to help your audience take advantage of unique, quick and affordable dining options during the Olympics.
Regional Tasting Lounge is located at 1130 Mainland Street. Phone: 604.683.1550 for info.
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SWEET, SEDUCTIVE VALENTINE’S DAY AT ELIXIR BISTRO & OPUS BAR
Dive Into Decadence on February 14th
On February 14th, Elixir Bistro and OPUS Bar welcome guests with sweets, seduction—and that signature OPUS luxury.
On Valentine’s Day, casual French bistro Elixir invites guests to savour a decadent four-course menu and amuse bouche. After sampling kushi oysters on the half shell with champagne jelly and caviar, guests will relish a sunchoke and truffle veloute, roasted candy cane beets or Qualicum Bay scallops. Perfect for a romantic evening a deux, the lobster paella, beef Wellington and rack of lamb mains are designed for sharing. And because February 14 is incomplete without something sweet, the meal is capped with a bittersweet chocolate mille-feuille with black cherry sorbet and Valentines petit fours. The four-course menu with amuse bouche is $85.00 per person.
At OPUS Bar, guests will sip a bold, sweet or seductive cocktail then dive into a savoury shared platter of s&b tempura oysters, red curry prawn skewer and Mediterranean lamb popsicle. For dessert? A tier of seductive Valentine’s sweets, including chocolate pistachio éclairs, milk chocolate chai truffles, chocolate macaroons with cherry-chocolate ganache and a hot chocolate shot with passion fruit marshmallow. The savoury and sweet platters and choice of cocktail are $55.00 per person.
Reservations for Elixir Bistro and OPUS Bar can be made at Open Table (www.opentable.com) and through Elixir Bistro at 604.642.0557.
Elixir Bistro
French Bistro meets affordable Yaletown glamour in Elixir. Recognized as the bronze recipient for casual French cuisine at the coveted Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards; Elixir is also a founding member of the Ocean Wise Program and Green Table Network. 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. Elixir provides warm, attentive service in a vibrant atmosphere popular with style savvy travelers and discerning locals alike. Valet parking is available. www.elixirvancouver.ca
OPUS Bar
At chic ‘see-and-be-seen’ OPUS Bar in Vancouver’s world-renowned OPUS Hotel, a playful blend of iridescent lighting, designer furniture and shimmer screens set the mood for its sophisticated and style-savvy crowd. Innovative cocktails are complemented by modern-world “O-Bites”, with live music from some of the city’s best local DJs and musicians. Glass-walled restrooms and live video feeds allow you to always keep an eye on the action. Located in fashionable Yaletown, OPUS Bar was voted “Vancouver’s Most Popular Nightspot” by Zagat. www.opusbar.ca
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GAMES ON AT SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, VANCOUVER
From MARKET by Jean-Georges to CHI, The Spa – The City’s Landmark Hotel Prepares to Celebrate Vancouver in 2010
February 12th is the Opening Ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver is waiting to welcome the world with distinct offerings and legendary hospitality. From the arrival of three-star Michelin chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and the creation of Street MARKET to medal-worthy spa treatments that harness the power of the Pacific Ocean, Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver is ready for a year of fun and GAMES.
FOOD & WINE
International Celebrity Chef – From February 15 – 17, three-star Michelin chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten will be in-house and joining his team in MARKET by Jean-Georges, the signature restaurant of Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver. Their winning strategy is to take it to the street, setting up a Street MARKET by tenting and heating the outdoor third floor patio off Alberni Street. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., Street MARKET will be offering bar fare at approachable pricing.
Vancouver Shake Up – The mixologists of Shangri-La’s Lobby Lounge have five flavourful cocktails heavy in Canadian content and each paying homage to the five Olympic rings. They include Oh Canada! (red ring) featuring Canadian Maple Whiskey, rum and maple syrup and After the Celebration (black ring), a twist on a Canadian classic, the Caesar, complete with a strip of smoked meat. The team, while international in scope, is counting on Canada to bring home hockey gold, and in anticipation, have created Gold on Ice (gold ring) – a blend of Canadian Calvados and True Canadian Cider poured over ice cubes made of iceberg distilled water – Canadian naturally – garnished with caramelized apple and gold flakes. The Lobby Lounge will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily for the duration of the Olympics. Post-Games, the five cocktails will remain on the Lobby Lounge menu, ready to be shaken or stirred.
SPA
CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La has created medal-worthy treatments, each harnessing the restorative powers of the Pacific Ocean – specifically organic seaweed, rich in nutrients and minerals, and harvested off the British Columbia coast – and incorporated into each treatment. Topping the list, Wild Ocean Gold, a two-hour treatment that begins with a seaweed foot soak followed by exfoliation and customized massage, all using sea plants such as Nereocystis, Ulva Lactuca, and Macrocystis with blends of Pacific sea salt, marine minerals and chlorophyll to boost metabolism and improve circulation. The Silver Sea Facial, with its liberal use of creams abundant in restorative seaweed products, ensures you put your best face forward. Every great athlete knows that regular massage is part of a total fitness regime and with that in mind we have created the Bronze Medal Body Massage. A rich blend of seaweed, pumpkin and olive oils in combination with your preferred pressure, makes you a medal contender, whatever your sport. Introduced for the Games, these treatments will be part of the CHI menu through the end of March.
PEOPLE
Row, Row, Row your Boat – MARKET bartender, Christian Baccardax-Scully (“Scully”), is an aspiring Olympic kayaker – working towards becoming a member of Canada’s Olympic kayaking team for the 2012 summer Olympics in London, England. As a member of the Canadian National Dragon Boat team, representing Canada at all international regattas, he is ready to row. In summer 2009 the team won gold in the 500 metre in Prague, and in 2011, heads to Tampa, Florida.
Fluent in 36 Languages – With more than 40 countries ready to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Shangri-La staff are ready to respond in 36 languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Malay, Korean, German, Italian, Romanian, Spanish and Russian.
Opened January 24, 2009, Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver is set in Vancouver’s downtown core, located at 1128 West Georgia, at the intersection of West Georgia and Thurlow Street. The hotel occupies the first 15 floors of a new 61-storey landmark building, a multi-purpose complex built incorporating innovative residential living, high-end retail shopping, signature restaurants and an outdoor public art space curated by the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 65 hotels under the Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 28,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. The group has over 40 projects under development in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Macau, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Seychelles, United Kingdom and the United States. For more information or reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.
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VALENTINE’S WEEKEND AT BISTROT BISTRO, FEBRUARY 13TH AND 14TH
This is going to be a fun one with the combination of a few new people in town for a local event, also being a week-end. Some of you have read the newsletter from last month, viewed the menu under “latest news” on our web-site and booked.
For the rest of you who must make a decision or influence it, here are the details. We know where we will be. Do you? …..
Seared albacore tuna salad
Or
Warm goat cheese, fig and smoked duck breast tart
Filet mignon, lavender butter
Or
Duck Magret with hazelnut and amaretto sauce
Or
Shrimp Scallop Provencal
All dishes will be accompanied by our famous mashed potatoes
Chocolate and passion fruit cake from Plaisir Sucre, served with a glass of bubbly
$ 55 per person (click here to make a reservation)
15 % gratuity will be added to bill. Credit card required. “No show” – $25 fee per person
Visit: www.bistrotbistro.com
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VALENTINE’S DAY AT TWO CHEFS AND A TABLE 
While Valentine’s Day might not be the biggest celebration in Vancouver this February, it’s still the one day a year that’s dedicated to exalting love and romance. In honour of the occasion, Two Chefs and a Table have created an enticing special menu with paired wine selections for each course. The intimate Two Chefs bistro is centrally located but just far enough away from the main Olympic zones to offer an oasis of peace and quiet amid the Olympic chaos. In this perfect setting, this dinner will celebrate both romantic love and culinary passion in equal measure.
From a mussel soup amuse bouche paired with a sparkling Argentinian white to the rich desserts paired with Port, this dinner is creative, decadent and delicious. Paul Watkin of the Seacove Group worked closely with Karl Gregg and Allan Bosomworth to select the wine pairings for this romantic evening’s selections. The inspiration is drawn from some of the classic cities of poetry and art: Venice, Oporto, Buenos Aries, Florence, Paris and Valencia.
At just $65 per person (not including tax and gratuity) this menu also matches taste with superb value. Two Chefs and a Table is located at 305 Alexander Street in Railtown. For more information or to book your table, call 778-233-1303 or email info@twochefsandatable.com. Reservations are recommended. Visit www.twochefsandatable.com
Menu
Amuse Bouche
Fresh mussel soup shot with a saffron creme
* Novecento Extra Brut
First Course
Albacore Tuna Crudo: Pacific Albacore, lemon vinegar, smoked sea salt, virgin olive oil
* Montresor Soave Classico
Second Course: Rabbit Terrine, house made with cranberry, hazelnuts,accompanied by fresh onion bread, sweet seed mustard
* Domaine Lafond “Roc-Epine” Tavel
Third Course: Beet Gnochhi, Yukon gold handmade, Okanagan goat cheese cream
* Luiano “Rosso Assai” Sangiovese
Main Course: Lamb shank, double braised, mushroom risotto, seasonal vegetables OR
Polderside Duck breast, seared, dark cherry demi glace, roasted potato, fennel, w/ walnut puree
* Bodega Dante Robino Cabernet Sauvignon
Dessert: Dark chocolate mousse with Bulleit bourbon cherries
* Quinta do Crasto LBV Port OR
Burnt orange white chocolate fondue
* Aruspide Airen “Lando”
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Two Chefs and a Table Extended Olympic Hours
Two Chefs and a Table will be running extended opening hours through the 2010 Olympic Games period. The popular and superbly-reviewed Railtown bistro will be open seven days a week for dinner, weekday lunch and weekend brunch. Whether for visitors or residents, Two Chefs and a Table offers an authentic Vancouver food culture experience. Karl Gregg and Allan Bosomworth, the chefs who give the restaurant its name are Vancouverites to their core and their staff is drawn from the superb local culinary schools and vibrant restaurant scene.
Two Chefs and a Table builds their menus from the wealth of incredible local ingredients–from world-class seafood and organic meats to the bounty of produce which is grown in the Fraser Valley, local chefs can choose from an embarrassment of riches. Along with rotating fresh sheets throughout the Games period, Two Chefs will continue to offer signature seasonal dishes on their a la carte menus.
Two Chef and a Table is located at 305 Alexander Street in Railtown. For more information or to book your table, call 778-233-1303 or email info@twochefsandatable.com. Reservations are recommended. Visit www.twochefsandatable.com
Hours of business: February 12th-28th
Dinner: Mon-Thurs open @ 5:30, Fri-Sun open @ 5
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30-2:30
Brunch: Sat-Sun 9-3
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GRANVILLE STREET’S TIME TO TICK IS FEBRUARY 2010
Sanafir Restaurant & Lounge Adds Mid-Day Medina Culture to the Mix
Vancouver, BC (January 29, 2010): Granville Street is game to greet the world as a super-central, pedestrian-only promenade during the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. As the city gets going for gold, Granville Street will come to life like never before. And the city’s culinary casbah — Sanafir Restaurant & Lounge — wants to put you on the party podium. Announcing hours that now extend to lunch, a mondo menu of champers by the glass and colossal screens to showcase Games action, Sanafir is rolling out a magical menu of fun and food for the month of February.
The lunch menu offered February 1 – 28 kicks off with a special ‘50% off’ promotion (February 1 – 11) with:
rice bowls
~ Punjabi Style Butter Chicken 14
basmati scented rice, grilled papadum, cucumber mint raita
~ Goan Braised Lamb and Cashew Curry 14
basmati rice, papadum, lime and cucumber yogurt
~ Crispy Wok Fired Ginger Beef 14
basmati rice, asian vegetables, toasted peanuts
grilled naan bread wrap
~ BBQ Blackened Wild B.C. Salmon 11
rocket lettuce, red onions, herb roast potatoes, watercress crème fraiche
~ Vegetarian 9
hummus, crispy asian vegetables, tofu, roast garlic
plates
~ Grilled Canadian Prime Beef Strip Loin 16
smoked tomato curry, crispy onions
~ Wild Pacific Sockeye Salmon 14
herbed israeli cous cous, spicy green beans
soup & salads
~ Zatar Spiced Grilled Chicken Breast Salad 15
fatoush salad, avocado fried egg, blue cheese vinaigrette
~ Mediterranean Fatoush Salad 8
turkish figs, dried apricots, toasted almonds, honey herb vinaigrette
Sanafir Restaurant & Lounge is Vancouver’s most imaginative tapas restaurant and bar located at 1026 Granville Street. Lush décor reminiscent of an Arabian night creates a luxe and exotic atmosphere. The menu showcases innovative twists on Asian, Mediterranean and Indian flavours. Please call 604.678.1049 to reserve your table.
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THREE DIAMONDS SHINE OVER CHEF DANIEL BOULUD’S NEW DB BISTRO MODERNE, VANCOUVER
January 28, 2010 – Vancouver, BC – Proprietors David and Manjy Sidoo and Daniel Boulud are extraordinarily pleased to announce that, db Bistro Moderne, Vancouver, has been awarded AAA/CAA’s prestigious ‘Three Diamond’ rating, just one year after the new restaurant opened its doors.
“We are just thrilled to be awarded three diamonds already,” says David Sidoo. “The rating validates the confidence that Daniel and Manjy and I had in the db Bistro concept for this market, and theenthusiasm with which our clients have embraced Daniel Boulud and Chef de Cuisine Stephane Istel. Daniel, Manjy and I wish to thank our outstanding restaurant team and our loyal clients, for an excellent first year.”
To receive an AAA/CAA (Triple A) Three Diamond rating a restaurant must meet specific criteria regarding the skill level and professionalism of Chefs and management, authentic mastery of traditional and contemporary cuisine, consistent delivery of an identifiable concept, individualized and refined service, restaurant comfort and décor, and overall packaging of a distinctive concept.
db Bistro Moderne, Vancouver, is a new, west coast interpretation of Daniel Boulud’s famous db Bistro Moderne in New York, but promises the same urban vibe, dynamic atmosphere, and modern French bistro cuisine as her east coast namesake. db Bistro Moderne is a contemporary Canadian bistro where traditional French cuisine meets the fresh-picked, just-caught flavours of British Columbia. Chefs Daniel Boulud and Stephane Istel offer a seasonal menu highlighting the quality of fine ingredients served in a convivial and casual setting.
Interior settings adapt the db Bistro Moderne New York experience – a contemporary spin on classic French bistro dining – to its new Vancouver setting, a city that marries sophistication with a relaxed, West Coast outdoors lifestyle. At the rear of the space is a 20-seat private dining room.
Chef de Cuisine Stephane Istel, a Daniel Boulud protégé from New York, reigns supreme in his Vancouver kitchen. Stephane’s Alsatian-inspired menus showcase Pacific Northwest ingredients, classic French techniques, and New York haute cuisine. The result is a truly contemporary French Bistro experience, unrivaled in the city. Classic French Bistro affairs like Jazz Nights and Wine Dinners transport guests to another place and time and overwhelm the senses with all that is fun and delicious.
Classical French dishes like Alsatian Pate en Croute, Coq au Vin, Charcuterie, Cassoulet de Toulouse, and Tarte Fine Provencal, are offered alongside an ever-changing menu of contemporary local dishes like Quadra Island Mussels served Espagnole, Seared Arctic Char, and Dungeness Crab Cakes. And of course, the famous ‘New York db Burger’ is a perennial favourite at db Bistro Moderne Vancouver.
For more information regarding db Bistro Moderne Vancouver visit the website at www.dbbistro.ca or call General Manager Chris González at 604.739.7115.
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TOP INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL EVENT AWARD FOR CULINARY CAPERS CATERING
New Orleans, LA (January 15, 2010) – Culinary Capers Beijing was a winner at The Special Event 2010 Gala Awards at the annual Special Event Conference and Trade Show in New Orleans. Company CEO Debra Lykkemark and Beijing President and Executive Chef Billy Kawaja accepted the Gala Award for Best Off-Premise Catered Event at the Gala Awards Ceremony on January 15th.
Special event professionals from throughout the world gathered in New Orleans for the international Gala Awards ceremony, honoring the finest work in special events. Culinary Capers Catering, Vancouver was also nominated in the same category for an exclusive six-course plated lunch event focused on seasonal ingredients in Whistler, BC for 330 guests.
Culinary Capers Beijing’s winning entry for Best Off-Premise Catered Event was for a plated luncheon on the Great Wall of China. The spectacular setting featured a 120 foot long table set on a privately reserved area of the Great Wall. The four-course menu showcased a contemporary Chinese fusion menu. The event was part of an exclusive land excursion tour that CMEatSEA, renowned for delivering world class experiences, hosted for a group of 120 international doctors.
“We are honoured to receive such a prestigious award in our first year of business in Beijing,” said Debra Lykkemark. “This is an award shared by all of the Culinary Capers Catering family, an acknowledgement of the talent and commitment of our hard-working team in Beijing with the support from our talented group in the Vancouver office.”
About Culinary Capers Beijing
Opened in 2008, Culinary Capers Beijing is a division of Culinary Capers Catering, Vancouver’s market leader in off-premise catering. Company President and CEO Debra Lykkemark heads a group of top professionals dedicated to producing cutting-edge cuisine, innovative presentation, contemporary design and courteous service. The award-winning kitchen team was the official caterer for the BC Canada Pavilion in Beijing during the 2008 Summer Games. Ms. Lykkemark has been featured as one of Canada’s top 100 women business owners by Profit magazine and Culinary Capers Catering was ranked 56th in the 2009 edition.
Information about Culinary Capers Catering can be found at culinarycapers.com
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NARAMATA HERITAGE INN AND SPA RE-OPENING
We’re pleased to welcome you, once again, to the Naramata Heritage Inn & Spa for another wonderful season of fine wine, delectable cuisine and enchanting ambiance. Also, check our Wine Bar website to keep up-to-date with who’s playing music at the Cobblestone all year long! We’re here to welcome you Friday’s starting at 5pm through Sundays until April 4, then 7 days a week.
Call 1-866-617-1188 or email reservations@naramatainn.com to find out more about our great value getaways this spring!
If you’re stumped for that perfect valentine’s gift, we’ve got your back: Reserve your table for our Valentine’s Day three-course feast! Or order a la carte! Not enough for your loved one? How about some time in the Heirloom Spa. Here’s a deal: buy 2 spa packages and stay for $99! Check out our website for more info on this and other upcoming events.
To celebrate Penticton’s annual Fest of Ale, check out our upcoming beer paired dinners: Thursday, April 8th Ron & Pat Dyck from Cannery Brewing will join Executive Chef Render to showcase a dinner based on their award winning beverages. Also, on Friday April 9th, we’ll have a Belgian Beer paired dinner featuring Russel Brewing, maker of the famous Chambar Belgian style ale! Go to our events page to reserve your seats!
For the 2010 spring wine festival, we’re featuring our annual “Best of the Bench” Spring Wine Festival Dinner on Friday, April 30. For this multi-course event, Executive Chef Thomas Render sources locally grown and raised produce and game to pair with our selection of wines from the Naramata Bench Winery Association’s “Best of the Bench” spring releases. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity and a first chance to taste the newly released wines in a paired format. Contact us to book your seats early!
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METROPOLITAN HOTEL VANCOUVER APPOINTS KARI KOSKELA AS GENERAL MANAGER
TORONTO, ON – Metropolitan Hotels is pleased to announce that Kari Koskela has been appointed General Manager of Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver. Koskela brings more than 20 years of tourism and hospitality experience to this famed luxury hotel, most recently ranked by Travel +Leisure Magazine as one of the top 500 Hotels in the World.
Prior to his position with Metropolitan Hotels, Koskela worked with the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C. as the property’s Hotel Manager. It was here that the hotelier coordinated the daily operations of the 300-room luxury hotel; His areas of expertise were utilized throughout the company’s many departments; Room Division, Food and Beverage, Catering, Engineering and Security. Koskela also coordinated the renovation of The Ritz-Carlton’s Club Lounge and Lobby Bar, as well as the hotel’s 2008-2009 renovations to its guestrooms and lobby.
“With the Olympics 2010 in Vancouver right on the horizon, I couldn’t think of a better, more exciting time to continue my career with such a talented group of hoteliers and restaurateurs,” says Kari Koskela. “Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver is considered one of the best luxury hotels in the world and I look forward to continuing its tradition of unparalleled service.”
Koskela’s impressive background also includes a notable history in Food and Beverage. From 2001 to 2007, this highly respected hotelier maintained the position as Food and Beverage Director for the likes of the Four Seasons – Las Vegas, the Four Seasons – Vancouver and Director of Operations at the Delta Pinnacle Hotel – Vancouver.
A graduate of the Hotel Management School Les Roches in Switzerland, Koskela has a degree in Hotel Management and a certificate in Food and Beverage Operations. He also speaks both Finnish and German.
Metropolitan Hotels (www.metropolitan.com) operates four luxury properties in Toronto and Vancouver, including the Metropolitan Toronto, the SoHo Metropolitan, the Metropolitan Vancouver and the soon to be opened Grande Rockies Resort in Canmore. With more than 965 rooms, Metropolitan Hotels is committed to providing luxury accommodation for business and leisure travelers seeking an independent choice. As members of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, the hotels offer the finest in distinctive accommodations, in addition to service and cuisine provided by their award-winning restaurants, Hemispheres and Lai Wah Heen (Metropolitan Toronto), Senses (SoHo Metropolitan), Diva at the Met (Metropolitan Vancouver) and Lai Toh Heen (mid-town Toronto). www.metropolitan.com
