The Glowbal Collection of Restaurants – June features; Hamilton Street Grill welcomes winemaker Randy Picton of Nk’Mip Cellars; Felix Turianskyj joins OPUS Vancouver team as acting executive chef; Caffè Artigiano takes the world stage once again at the 2010 World Barista Championships; Au Petit Chavignol presents “Summer of Riesling 2010″; The Smoking Dog Bistro welcomes back Chef Pascal Georges; Taste Pairs with The Land Conservancy for Victoria’s summer festival of food and wine; Laughing Stock passes on the HST savings
THE GLOWBAL COLLECTION OF RESTAURANTS – JUNE FEATURES
Start summer on a high note with The GLOWBAL COLLECTION. From June 17 – 27, glowbal grill, COAST Restaurant, Sanafir, Italian Kitchen, Trattoria Italian Kitchen, and SOCIETY Dining Lounge are are celebrating the long daylight hours – and the sunshine that’s sure to come Vancouver’s way – with culinary delights inspired by locales both near and far.
Make your reservations online at glowbalgroup.com. Text ‘glowbal’ to 82442 for a mobile directory of all the GLOWBAL restaurants and instant links for reservations and special offers. Check out THE GLOWBAL COLLECTION blog for the latest news on all the restaurants at blog.glowbalgroup.com/.
glowbal showcases the intense flavour of Wagyu Beef with tender selections from Snake River Farms. Based in Eastern Idaho, Snake River crosses its premiere Japanese Wagyu cattle with Black Angus cattle to create American Wagyu Beef. Appetizers include Pepper-Crusted Wagyu Chuck Carpaccio or a Wagyu Short Rib with sweet pea ravioli. For entrees, move onto the Wagyu Tenderloin and Atlantic Lobster Duo or the Prosciutto wrapped Kurobuta Pork Rack paired with apple-pecan chutney and fingerling potatoes. Bring it back home with the Okanagan Peach Cobbler for dessert. click here for full menu details
COAST offers a boatload of BC Coast-inspired creations on its menu. Appetizers include smoked Qualicum Beach Scallops and fresh Dungeness Crab Cakes. The bounty of the West Coast is highlighted with entrees like Queen Charlotte Halibut served with creamed leeks and baby beets, or Wild BC Salmon paired with Salt Spring Island Mussels. For dessert, partake in the frozen strawberry parfait, bursting with marinated berries and sweet cassis syrup. click here for full menu details
Discover Spain at Sanafir. A bowl of Sopa de Ajo kicks off the Spanish serenade; the ham and garlic soup is topped with a poached quail’s egg. The feature Tapas Trio includes braised pork cheek, grilled prawn with sweet corn, and boquerone and artichoke heart ensalada. Say hola to cinnamon churros for dessert. click here for full menu details
Explore the Liguria region of Italy at Italian Kitchen. Sample the Steamed Razor Clams or a Grilled Vegetable Calzone for the Primo Piatto. Entrees include the Branzino-Mediterranean Sea Bass with cucumber-tomato gazpacho, and the Poached Tuna Trenette Pasta featuring fresh heirloom tomatoes. The Ligurian Lemon Cake includes the quintessential Italian ingredient – olive oil – to create an elegant and irresistibly moist treat. click here for full menu details
Trattoria tips its hat to Basilicata – a tiny region in Southern Italy – with a menu big on flavour. Whet your appetite with the Savory Fig And Fennel Crostini or a Peperonata Calzone. Entrees include Orecchiette Vongole – a pasta dish featuring manila clams and barlotti beans, or the Forno Roasted Lamb Loin. If you still have room for dessert, Trattoria is dishing up Burricotta Cannoli, featuring rich burricotta cheese and pistachio crema. click here for full menu details
Dig into the goodness of comfort food at SOCIETY. Sweet Potato Chili Fries and Iceberg Lettuce Salad with baby shrimp and double-smoked bacon are appetizers sure to satisfy. Southern-inspired Chicken Fried Steak is complemented with creamy mashed potatoes, and the classic clubhouse sandwich gets a redesign with seared rare Ahi Tuna, crisp prosciutto and chipotle mayo. Round out the meal with a slice of Key Lime Pie for dessert. click here for full menu details
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HAMILTON STREET GRILL WELCOMES WINEMAKER RANDY PICTON OF NK’MIP CELLARS TO THIS MONTH’S WINE TASTING
Nk’Mip Cellars (Pronounced in-ka-meep) is North America’s first Aboriginal
owned and operated winery, garnering awards and praise
for their excellent wines throughout North America
Monday, June 28th and/or Tuesday, June 29th
5:30 to 7 pm – 3 wines, 3 appetizers $25 per person
In keeping with our popular monthly format, try a sampling of three new wines and have three savoury, wine-inspired food tasters while learning from a wine expert as they take you through a sit down yet casual style tasting.
This month we are lucky to have a rare visit from a winemaker with Nk’Mip Cellar’s
master wine maker Randy Picton to take us through the wines
Monday, June 28th at 5:30pm
or Tuesday, June 29th at 5:30pm
$25 per person plus taxes and gratuity
Reserve by credit card at 604-331-1511
or info@hamiltonstreetgrill.com
1009 Hamilton Street, Yaletown, Vancouver
604-331-1511 or hamiltonstreetgrill@telus.net
www.hamiltonstreetgrill.com / twitter@hamiltonstgrill / Facebook – Hamilton Street Grill
Hamilton Street Grill Hours
Brunch served 10 am – 3 pm Saturday and Sunday
Dinner served 7 nights a week from 5 pm
Lunch served Tuesday – Friday – 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Reservations available. Large party’s welcome. Year round patio seating
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FELIX TURIANSKYJ JOINS OPUS VANCOUVER TEAM AS ACTING EXECUTIVE CHEF
Yaletown’s celebrated OPUS Vancouver Hotel and Elixir Bistro are delighted to announce the arrival of Acting Executive Chef Felix Turianskyj.
With over 15 years experience in the culinary world, Turianskyj comes from within the OPUS Hotel Group family. The native Montrealer garnered much acclaim while serving as both Executive Chef and General Manager of KOKO Restaurant + Bar at OPUS Montreal. Chef Turianskyj’s vision and passion for excellence lead the way in executing a menu that perfectly emulated KOKO’s cosmopolitan, sophisticated environment.
Turianskyj’s career began with his studies at the Institut de Tourisme et d’Hôtellerie du Québec. He then took on the role of sous-Chef at the Manoir des Érables, and was later appointed Chef for the Délégation du Québec in New York. Turianskyj then returned to Québec, where he further demonstrated his talents at chic Mont-Tremblant restaurant Aux Truffes.
Bearing Taiwanese, French and Ukranian ancestry, Chef Turianskyj grew up surrounded by global culinary influences. His passion for travel and culture took him to the Sheraton Club des Pins in Algiers, Algeria, the deserts of Qatar at the Intercontinental in Doha, and to Q’BA, New Delhi’s pre-eminent dining establishment. He has acquired a wealth of experience, from catering expansive events in the desert to planning formal dinners honouring political dignitaries, heads of state and royalty; he is ideally poised to lead OPUS Vancouver’s culinary team and will be responsible for OPUS Bar, Elixir Bistro and OPUS Catering.
OPUS Hotel Vancouver
Uniquely stylish and always fresh, OPUS Hotel Vancouver redefines the boutique experience, blending contemporary design with warmth and intuitive service. Ninety-six guestrooms feature vibrant colours, spa bathrooms and five lifestyle-inspired décor schemes. Located in fashionable Yaletown, close to Vancouver’s best restaurants, spas and boutiques, the hotel is home to Elixir Bistro and the dramatic OPUS Bar. OPUS was voted one of the world’s top 100 hotels by readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine.
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SUNSHINE, SWEETS AND SCENERY
Seasons In The Park Welcomes New Summer Menu Items
(Vancouver, BC) – To celebrate summer, the highly acclaimed Seasons In the Park, is thrilled to announce the start of their new summer menu. Starting today, the restaurant will unveil a number of seasonal dishes designed to leave diners spoilt for choice. Inspired by the parks own growing herb garden, Executive Chef Buddy Wolfe, has prepared a seasonal menu brimming with fresh, local ingredients.
Highlighting a number of plates including Miso Soy Marinated local Black Cod, seared Ahi Tuna as well as Chop Salad with green beans, beets and tomatoes, the restaurant has crafted a fun, flavourful menu. Bringing a sense of playfulness back into the restaurant, the menu will also feature a number of fun adaptations including the to-die-for sunburnt lemon pie. The summer items are in addition to the already extensive signature menu and will be available from now through to the fall.
Seasons in the Park, perched on top of Queen Elizabeth Park, boasts a patio overlooking the entire city with idyllic views of the park gardens, English Bay, and the North Shore Mountains. With outdoor fireplaces, giant wood beams and an unparalleled view, there is truly no finer patio in this city.
Visit: www.vancouverdine.com
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CAFFÈ ARTIGIANO TAKES THE WORLD STAGE ONCE AGAIN
Barista Kyle Straw to Compete in the 2010 World Barista Championships
Caffè Artigiano’s Kyle Straw will represent Canada in the 2010 World Barista Championships (WBC), held in London, England from June 23-26. A professional barista, Straw is the General Manager of Caffè Artigiano’s Hornby Street location.
On October 15th, 2009, Straw won the seventh annual Canadian Barista Championships, held in Vancouver at the Canadian Coffee & Tea Show. The panel especially loved Kyle’s signature drink, which drew inspiration from a Black Forest cake. Made with a winning combination of espresso from the Koke Cooperative in Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, Kyle’s signature drink wowed the judges with its great balance of flavours and elegant presentation.
Straw’s achievement carried on the legacy of his Caffè Artigiano patriots who have won every Canadian title since the competition began in 2003. Caffè Artigiano is the only caffe in the World to have competed in the World Championships more than 4 times; in fact this is their 7th year in a row to participate in the coveted competition.
Straw is honoured and excited to compete with seasoned baristas on the international level in a world-class city. In preparation for his shining moment, Straw has been training every day, working with Chef Scott Jaeger from the Pear Tree to develop his signature drink. While Straw can’t reveal too much about his concoction, he does divulge that it has been created to compliment the special espresso roast—one of the sweetest he has ever tasted—that he’s currently developing with 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters’ Vince Piccolo, with assistance from his team at Caffè Artigiano (Phil Hong, Todd Pollock and Willie Mounzer).
Celebrating its 11th year, the event welcomes gifted baristas from over 50 countries who compete for the annual title of World Barista Champion during the SCAE event. Enthusiasts from across the globe take in the ultimate espresso experience watching live and via an internet live webcast.
Each competitor must prepare and serve 12 separate espresso beverages including the classic espresso and cappuccino, as well as four “signature” drinks of their own creation, and present them all to a distinguished panel of judges. Competitors have only fifteen minutes to prepare all twelve drinks and are judged on station cleanliness, taste, beverage presentation, technical skills and overall judge’s impression.
For more details about the competition, visit www.worldbaristachampionship.com
About Caffè Artigiano
Caffè Artigiano opened in Vancouver, BC in December 1999 with the vision of an Italian-style coffee house and bistro that offered superior coffee, excellent food and a lively yet comfortable atmosphere. Today, Caffè Artigiano continues to shine as North America’s premiere coffee house. Taking great pride in the training and skills of its professional baristas, Artigiano is proud to be the home of several champion baristas who ensure that each cup of coffee served is poured to perfection. For more information please visit: www.caffeartigiano.com
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SUMMER OF RIESLING 2010
In honour of the worlds greatest wine varietal,
we are celebrating summer with our
“Summer of Riesling”
All rieslings…all summer…25% OFF
June 21 – Sept 21
Au Petit Chavignol
843 East Hastings Street | Vancouver
Tel: 604-255-4218
www.aupetitchavignol.com
Open 7 days a week from Noon onward
Serving Brunch Sat & Sun 11am-3pm
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THE SMOKING DOG BISTRO – A NEW CHEF TEACHES AN OLD DOG A FEW NEW TRICKS
The Smoking Dog Bistro proprietors’ Jean Séguin and Judith Andrews are delighted to be welcoming back Chef Pascal Georges to the stoves at Kitsilano’s favourite neighbourhood bistro, marking a return to the classic, casual French bistro food the restaurant is renowned for.
Chef Georges, now in his early 40’s, was the Executive Chef for Jean-Claude Ramond when the restaurant opened over 15 years ago. He remained with Jean-Claude for 5 years and returned for another 2 years, taking The Smoking Dog through the transition when it was sold to Jean and Jude. Pascal and his family recently returned to Vancouver from France and Asia, where he worked at some of those region’s top hotels and restaurants.
The Menu
French Bistro food is classic – A simple formula of impeccable ingredients and simple yet meticulous preparation. Even classics however have to move with the times, Canadian beef’s superior flavour deserves lighter sauces and guests now expect to taste the fish, not the butter sauce. The Smoking Dog, like any true bistro, offers good value and has kept prices at a level where neighbourhood guests can drop in a few times a week, not only once or twice a year.
Returning classics on The Smoking Dog menu include the signature Mimosa Salad, butter lettuce, garnished with tomatoes, diced egg and parsley, dressed with a Dijon sauce; Salade Niçoise, large enough for a light main course, uses a true recipe from Nice with local albacore tuna, roasted bell peppers, olives, quail eggs, green beans, anchovies, baby vine tomatoes, mini eggplant and squash. The menu offers three classic soups – a French Onion soup is gratinéed with Gruyere’s milder cousin Swiss, on a browned crouton, Lobster Bisque is rich with lobster stock and the Tomato and Gin soup is made from fresh tomatoes, still with the classic dollop of crème fraîche, but with a vegetable stock to keep it lighter. Grilled quail returns, now served with a generous topping of lightly tempura vegetables and new to the menu is a Potato Tarte with Smoked Salmon and Tuna Tartar.
The Smoking Dog’s Pepper Steak, an 8 oz well-aged tenderloin served with French green beans and pommes puree, remains on the menu. Fresh halibut, roast duck, prawns, two pastas and a risotto round out the well priced $14 to $29 entrée menu.
In homage to true bistro food, and a nod to the original Jean-Claude menu, a small $15 menu offers Steak Frites, Roast Chicken Frites or Grilled Salmon Frites throughout the day and evening. Served as a simple meal with just pommes frites and sauce, sides of French green beans, market vegetables and salads can be added for an additional charge.
The lunch menu offers the same selection of appetizers and desserts, with lunch time favourites and smaller entrée’s. A quiche changes daily and the much loved Smoking Dog Bistro Burger, using hand chopped top sirloin, remains.
Desserts, all made in house, also include the classics with Crème Brûlée and Crème Caramel, Chocolate Fondant and Profiteroles. An Apple Tart Tatin, rustic and somewhat chunkier than its fine dining cousin, is served with vanilla gelato.
The wine list is value priced, matching the style set by the restaurant, offering many French selections as well as local & international wines.
The Address
Kitsilano is the entrance to Vancouver’s West Side. Located just one block off Burrard at 1889 West 1st Avenue, The Smoking Dog resides in a residential neighbourhood. It’s pretty and quiet, the beach a block away and it’s on a bike path. It has a 70 seat dining room, a dozen high top bar seats and a large patio, heated in winter, which offers up an extraordinary corner view of people-watching opportunities, especially on sunny afternoons and evenings. Locals walk but it’s well worth the drive across one of the bridges.
The Smoking Dog Bistro
1889 West 1st Avenue | Kitsilano
Tel: 604-732-8811
www.thesmokingdog.com
twitter@thesmokingdog
Open all day, 7 days a week, from 11:30 am
Staying open all afternoon for late lunches and early dinners
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TASTE PAIRS WITH THE LAND CONSERVANCY FOR VICTORIA’S SUMMER FESTIVAL OF FOOD AND WINE
Victoria, BC –Taste: Victoria’s Festival of Food and Wine, July 15-18, 2010 shines the spotlight on the delicious abundance of local, seasonal and sustainable products that come from the land. Naming The Land Conservancy as beneficiary of Taste 2010 is therefore the perfect pairing.
“Taste is a festival with local conscience. We are promoting the best of Victoria and British Columbia. It’s not just about all the great local cuisine and wine, but about the characters behind those products who walk the talk,” says Kathy McAree, festival organizer, culinary tour operator, writer and radio host. Partial proceeds from the festival will go to The Land Conservancy whose mandate focuses on land protection. “I am thoroughly impressed with TLC’s recent success saving Madrona Farm and am proud to be working with an organization with such passion and commitment.”
“We are pleased to be working with Taste to bring local food security issues to the forefront of Islanders’ minds,” says Heather Skydt, TLC’s Communication Manager. “Madrona Farm is a community asset now, and future generations will benefit from its success. We are so appreciative of all the local restaurants for donating their time and money to help protect this spectacular 27-acre farm only 10 minutes from downtown Victoria.”
Taste connects festival participants directly with the maker who in turn have direct connections to the products and the land. For one ticket price, The Main Event participants can chat with winemakers, cheesemakers, chefs, cidermakers, gin distillers, and even a sakemaker as they indulge in a wide variety of local cuisine from top Victoria chefs and restaurants as well as taste wine, cider, tea, gin and even sake all produced in British Columbia.
This culinary tourism experience kicks-off Thursday, July 15 at the Crystal Garden in downtown Victoria with The Main Event, an evening of BC wine tasting along with offerings of fresh and seasonal Vancouver Island cuisine.
On subsequent days, Taste will feature 10 events led by British Columbia food and wine personalities including Chef David Mincey of Camille’s and culinary Olympian Chef Brad Horen, as well as local Victoria Sommelier and Master of Wine student Louise Wilson. Wine and food seminars July 16, 17 and 18 include “Sips and Seafood” on Victoria’s inner harbour seashore at the Inn at Laurel Point, “Swine and The Vine” with a pig roast right downtown at the Hotel Grand Pacific, an inside look at BC’s sustainable seafood industry at Finest At Sea plus “Chocoholics Anonymous” with chef David Mincey.
An Italian “long lunch” at La Piola will salute Madrona Farm and the work of The Land Conservancy on Saturday, July 17 at 1pm. Chef Cory Pelan is creating a 3-course lunch with fresh produce from Madrona Farm and local wine pairings will be enjoyed.
A special trade tasting of British Columbia wines will take place prior to The Main Event for accredited food and beverage professionals. For further information on Taste 2010 events, visit www.VictoriaTaste.com.
Tickets to The Main Event are available on-line and for purchase at many retailers and hotels around Victoria with a full listing on the Taste website. To attend events around Victoria Friday through Sunday, please register on-line www.VictoriaTaste.com.
For more information about Taste: Victoria’s Festival of Food and Wine, contact Kathy McAree directly at info@VictoriaTaste.com
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LAUGHING STOCK NEWS
We’re in the RED…wine that is…Our Summer Wine Releases
Summer sunshine has arrived in the valley and so have some of our big reds, including some first time limited releases:
Pinot Noir 2008 – $29.00 – Offered through our Small Caps program with only 180 cases available, David has made Pinot Noir only every second year. With the challenging reputation that proceeds this varietal and the reward when greatness is achieved, we couldn’t resist to do it again and we’re quite pleased with the results.
90-91 pts – John Schreiner
Blind Trust Red 2008 – $29.00 – Our winemaker has full discretion over the assets so you’ll just have to trust us. This wine might contain some, but not all of the following: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot. Big and juicy this year with tons of depth.
90-91 pts – John Schreiner
Syrah 2008 – $34.00 – This is our first release of Syrah, one of the new grape varieties that we are working with at our East Bench – Osoyoos vineyard. The style we have developed is aligned with classic Côte Rôtie, blending 92% Syrah with 8% Viognier. This is a BIG wine and only 275 cases produced.
Gold Medal Winner – Northwest Wine Summit 2010
These wines are only available direct from the winery or in select restaurants. Order now online or call the winery at 250.493.8466 and we’ll ship direct to your door.You will have the option to take advantage of our Post-HST Pricing.
POST-HST PRICING ON JULY 1ST – WE EAT IT, YOU DRINK IT!
While the upcoming introduction of the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) in BC will cause the costs of many items to increase, BC wineries have the opportunity to pass those savings directly on to the consumer, thus decreasing the cost of BC wine when purchased directly from the winery.
We have chosen to do just that and as of July 1st, 2010, will be passing along the 3% tax savings to wine buyers on our website and in our tasting room.
Currently, wine is one of the only products sold with taxes included in the display price and most consumers are not even aware that the current tax rate for wine in BC is 15% which includes 5% GST and 10% PST liquor tax. Therefore the taxation of wine will actually decrease when the 12% HST is introduced.
You don’t have to wait until July 1st. If you are ordering online, just tick the Post-HST pricing option and we will process the order after the HST is introduced.
