Le Vieux Pin Pinot Noir library release; Late summer updates from Big Lou’s Butcher Shop; Kurtis Kolt and Jason Harris riff on wine at Beachside Forno; Thierry Opens in Vancouver; Hart House at Deer Lake Celebrates Spain’s Culinary Heritage; MIX at the Vancouver Farmer’s market; Legacy Liquor’s special events for September; Tickets now on sale for this year’s Passions at the Dr. Peter Centre;
LE VIEUX PIN PINOT NOIR LIBRARY RELEASE
One of the great pleasures for us at the winery is being able to retain a library of past releases of our favourite wines! This month we offer a package of our past releases of fantastic Pinot Noir bottlings. Including vintages of the masculin pinot noir “Belle” and the feminine pinot noir “Perigée”, it is a yin-yang of some of BC’s best ever pinot noir.
Each 6 pack contains:
• 2x 2005 Belle Pinot Noir (a wine Bruce Schoenfeld once commented reminded him of the wines of Grand Echezeaux),
• 2x 2006 Belle Pinot Noir (a Gold medal winner at the international wine competition in Berlin),
• 2x 2006 Perigée Pinot Noir (a Gold medal winner from Pacific Northwest Wine Press)
The cost for each 6 pack is $270. This is a limited release so please email or call us 604-697-0988 for orders or more information. Enjoy!
For more info, visit: levieuxpin.ca
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LATE SUMMER UPDATES FOR BIG LOU’S BUTCHER SHOP
The lazy days of summer have been just the opposite at Big Lou’s Butcher Shop and so, with tons of news to pass along we thought we’d combine a few items into squick update on a few new things that have us excited.
First Hunting and Game Butchery class dates announced
It’s an old cliché, but many times it’s true that “if you build it, they will come” and so we’ve scheduled our first two Hunting and Game butchery courses for this September. The inaugural courses will be held 4pm on Sunday, September 4th and 6:30pm on Sunday, September 11th.
The price for the course is $250 with a limit of six people per session. Our butchers will focus on teaching skills and steps for breaking down a whole Deer using manual tools and techniques suitable for cabin or campsite.
The end result will be a variety of prime cuts and freezer-suitable home use portions. This class will be a minimum of three hours including some hands on work.
Anyone who is interested in signing up or getting more information can email to candice@biglousbutchershop.com.
Big Lou’s picnic baskets and boxed lunches bring the butcher shop to you
Big Lou’s Butcher Shop has just launched a picnic basket and boxed lunch program which is ideal for day trips, al fresco dining or fun work lunches. The picnic basket is available for either 2 or 3 people ($38/54) and includes a wide selection of delicious cold meats, cheeses and seafood with fresh bread, our housemade sides and drinks. The picnic comes in a traditional basket with plates and cutlery that you can return once the meal is done.
We also know that getting to your favourite butcher shop isn’t always easy at lunchtime. We’ve added Big Lou’s boxed lunches to our take out and delivery program so that every day can be a Big Lou’s lunch day. For just $15 per person, you get a sandwich of your choice with a side and drink, and by preordering them, they’ll be fresh made and ready to go when you need them.
Call or email us for more information on our picnic program or to get an order form.
Another big Italian joins Big Lou’s sandwich team
We’re got another Big Italian on our menu and it’s already proving to be as popular as the Big Lou-Ongo Meatball Sandwich we debuted during the Canucks 2011 playoff run.
The Big Italian is made with a generous helping of Big Lou’s Butcher Shop homemade spicy meatloaf that’s put on a fresh Ciabatta and smothered with our own Sunday Gravy, made in-house from a traditional recipe. It’s the best meatloaf sandwich we’ve ever had and we’re pretty confident that the first time you try it you’re gonna say “Molto Bene!”, especially when you find out that it’s only $8.
If you can’t make it down at lunchtime, ask about our lunch catering options and our box lunches—great for workplace and al fresco eating. Big Lou’s Butcher Shop is open 7 days a week and located at 269 Powell Street. You can also find us on the internet at www.biglousbutchershop.com
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KURTIS KOLT AND JASON HARRIS RIFF ON WORLDS OLD AND NEW AT BEACHSIDE FORNO
A bit baffled about the differences between Old World and New World wines? Want to kick up your knowledge on the subtleties of it all?
Spend the evening at Beachside Forno for a fun, food and wine fuelled evening. Designed and led by Vancouver’s affable and charming wine luminary, Kurtis Kolt, join us for a celebration of wine from both burgeoning and well-established regions.
The event will also introduce new Executive Chef Jason Harris and his take on fun and flavourful old and new world pairings. He will be presenting his riff on a classic dish as well as its modern interpretation with each of our old world and new world pairings. Harris joins Beachside Forno from his most recent post at ORU in the Fairmont Pacific Rim.
For only $65 per guest*, enjoy four courses and eight wines - each course will be paired with an old and new world version of the same varietal as Kolt shares some insight on what’s in the glass.
Call 604.926.3332 for reservations! *Tax and gratuity not included
Kurtis Kolt’s easy and inviting approach to wine is perfect for beginners and experts.
An accomplished and well-respected wine educator, consultant and judge, Kolt has a brand new wine column in the Westender and is a contributing writer to Wine Access magazine. Recent career recognition includes being named “Sommelier of the Year” by both the 2010 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival and Vancouver magazine, and being included as one of Western Canada’s “Top 40 Foodies Under 40” by Western Living magazine.
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THIERRY OPENS IN VANCOUVER
Internationally acclaimed Thierry Busset launches his modern shop, café and atelier
Vancouver, B.C. (August 2011) – Top Table proprietor Jack Evrensel, and maître chocolatier and pâtissier Thierry Busset, are delighted to announce the highly anticipated opening of Thierry. The fifth venue in the Top Table family, the chocolaterie pâtisserie joins the highly acclaimed restaurants Araxi in Whistler and Blue Water Cafe, CinCin and West in Vancouver.
It might just be the perfect place to ignite your next love affair, or rekindle a work in progress.
Yes, there’s a certain frisson in the air at Thierry, one of the most eagerly anticipated openings in years. Equal parts shop, café and atelier—but all romance—it’s that shiver of anticipation that underscores the rich aromas of tempering chocolate, buttery croissants, and the pastries that make Thierry Busset “one of the best pastry chefs in the world,” according to former colleague Chef Gordon Ramsay.
Busset’s pedigree is legendary. A native of Auvergne, Busset refined his art of classic pastry making in some of the world’s finest pâtisseries and restaurants: Bernard Sicard and Joseph Pilati in France, with Albert Roux at the three-star Michelin Le Gavroche in London, and with the incandescent Marco Pierre White at The Restaurant at The Hyde Park Hotel, which was awarded its third Michelin star during his tenure.
Upon moving to Vancouver, Busset led the pastry programs at two sister venues: CinCin and West, where his innovative approach to desserts, chocolates and breads, according to Vancouver magazine, saw him “widely regarded as one of North America’s finest pastry chefs”.
One of a kind Thierry is light and airy, with thoroughly modern décor by Vancouver-based designer Marc Bricault. Curved walls of palmwood tambour are highlighted by flowing Castore lights playing off marble floors and Thonet bentwood chairs that evoke classic Parisian cafés.
Opening early and closing late, the café is sure to become a popular rendezvous, perhaps for the organic Thierry Espresso Blend coffee designed exclusively for Top Table by Casa Del Caffé’s Vincent Gentile. Comprised of five top-flight Fair Trade Arabica varieties, the blend is strong and smooth, expressing rich notes of chocolate, cinnamon and spice.
The café is ideal for a morning cappuccino and croissant, or a delicious sandwich, chilled gaspacho or slice of quiche in the afternoon. And because Thierry is fully licensed, enjoy both sweets and savouries over a snifter of Cognac, a sip of spirited liquid chocolate, or a glass of wine from a list articulated to complement them all.
The shop at Thierry is a many splendored thing. An extensive range of exquisitely packaged products is on display, handcrafted daily and using only premium ingredients: the freshest fruits, artisanal dairy products and, bien sûr, the world’s finest chocolate. Splendid, too, are a variety of signature macarons and rich ice creams and sorbets, each ready to take home or present as a gift.
“This new venture realizes a longtime dream of mine,” says Busset. “We wanted something absolutely unique: the free flowing shop and café, an atelier where you can watch us work, and intensity and excitement in everything we make”.
Thierry Founded in the traditions of acclaimed maître pâtissier Thierry Busset’s native France, ‘Thierry’ offers a contemporary approach to the finest handcrafted chocolates, macarons, pastries, and desserts. Located in downtown Vancouver at 1059 Alberni Street between Burrard and Thurlow, there is convenient street side and underground parking available. www.thierrychocolates.com
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HAMILTON STREET GRILL TOWNSHIP 7 TASTING IN SEPTEMBER
Join us for
Hamilton Street Grill’s
Monthly Wine Tasting Series
This month we present Township 7
A premier wine with vineyards in beautiful
South Langley and the Okanagan
Monday, September 12th or
Tuesday, September 13th
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
In keeping with our popular 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. Guests are seated at both individual tables and at shared tables.
This fall marks the beginning of the 9th season of our popular monthly series and we are pouring one of BC’s best with the wines from Township 7, an award winning Langley (VQA Fraser Valley) and Okanagan (VQA Okanagan) wine, alongside Hamilton Street Grill’s Executive Chef Neil Wyles wine inspired appetizers. Neil makes excellent choices when pairing his appetizers with the wines and the tasting format is casual, informative and fun!
Wine Tasting
Monday, September 12 or Tuesday, September 135:30 pm until 7 pm
Hamilton Street Grill
1009 Hamilton Street, Yaletown, Vancouver
Tickets $25 per person
Seating always sells out quickly
Reserve by credit card at: 604-331-1511 or hamiltonstreetgrill@telus.net
“Wine is constant proof that God loves us and likes to see us happy” -Benjamin Franklin
About the wines:
Leaving behind a successful career in the restaurant industry that spanned 30+ years, Mike Raffan chose to pursue his passion for wine and purchased Township 7 Vineyards and Winery from Corey and Gwen Coleman on June 1, 2006. As a veteran restaurateur, (and a great pal of Neil’s) Mike has been around wines all of his working life and prior to buying Township 7, was already a big fan.
Township 7 had earned an exceptional reputation for the award-winning quality of its wine and Mike committed to maintaining that quality.
The vines at Township 7/Langley were planted in the spring of 2000 and the winery opened for business in July of 2001. In the fall of 2003, a second vineyard property was purchased on the Naramata Bench. Two acres of grape vines were planted on the seven acre property in the spring of 2004, and additional vines planted in 2005. The combined production facility and tasting room was completed and opened in the summer of 2004, and offers visitors the opportunity to see the workings of the winery first hand.
The Langley wine shop is housed in the beautiful south Langley countryside in a quaint building reminiscent, on the outside, of the many riding stables in the neighbourhood.
Aside from the vineyards in Langley and on the Naramata Bench, grapes for their wines are grown in the Oliver area of British Columbia, a world-renowned location for growing grapes for the more full-bodied Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignons, Syrahs and Chardonnays that Township 7 produces.
Township 7 Vineyards and Winery’s offerings include Un-Oaked Chardonnay, a barrel aged Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, a method traditionelle sparkling wine made from 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, and a late harvest dessert wine. Township 7 focuses on the production of small lots of high quality wines made from carefully chosen grapes from the Okanagan Valley and from our vineyards in Langley and Penticton. Their family owned and operated winery is committed to creating exceptional wines that are complex, flavourful and well balanced.
Township 7 Vineyards and Winery’s wine shop doors are open for retail sales:www.township7.com
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HART HOUSE AT DEER LAKE CELEBRATE SPAIN’S CULINARY HERITAGE
August 15, 2011 (Vancouver, BC) – On Wednesday, August 31 2011, Hart House will salute Spanish culinary tradition with an evening featuring a wine tasting and al fresco three-course dinner accompanied by live music for $52.
The evening opens with a casual tasting of top-quality Spanish wines on Hart House’s elegant estate grounds overlooking Deer Lake. Guests may choose to purchase a bottle or two from the night’s specially-selected wine list to pair with their dinner. The menu for the event will include local seafood, paellas and other Spanish-style cuisine with its savoury combinations and exciting spice blends. Guests will enjoy dining in the open air on our estate grounds, and the overall sensory experience will be heightened by live Spanish music.
Reservations by phone only at 604-298-4278.
Spanish Fiesta
Wednesday, August 31 2011
6:00 pm
$52 per person plus taxes and gratuity
Hart House at Deer Lake
6664 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
For more info, visit: harthouserestaurant.com
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MIX AT THE VANCOUVER FARMER’S MARKET
Did you know you can get your MIX fix in a neighborhood near you? We will be selling our locally acclaimed Artisan Preserves at several of the Vancouver Farmers Markets throughout the summer.
MIX The Bakery Artisan Preserves are recognized by the Vancouver Magazine as “One of The Top 101 Things to Taste before You Die.” Want to give it a try? Here’s a special promotion just for our private mailing list customers;
• Buy one jar of Artisan Preserves at $7.95 and receive a free Baguette, or…
• Buy two jars at $15 and receive an Artisan Loaf of your choice!
Enjoy the fresh air and unique ambiance that makes this a real Vancouver community experience, come out and support your local farmers and producers, these are the dates:
• August 31 at Main St. Market
• September 17 at Kerrisdale Market
• September 25 at Kitsilano Market
• October 1 at Kerrisdale Market
• October 8 at Kerrisdale Market
Visit eatlocal.org and mixthebakery.com for more information.
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LEGACY LIQUOR’S SPECIAL EVENTS FOR SEPTEMBER
COMPANIONS OF THE QUAICH SCOTCH DINNER
Tuesday, 6:45 – 8:30pm
Sept 6, 2011
Chef Marcus VonAlbrecht and team will serve four unique food pairings with five very rare and old single malts including both Islay and Speysides, as well as 2 brand new Cooper’s Choice limited release single casks from the Aberfeldy and Knockdhu distilleries. Come and enjoy a night of quality whiskies, food and companionship!
This high-end event will showcase an Old and Rare, Speyside Finest 45 yr old Glenfarclas which is valued at over $750.00, cuisine by Chef Marcus, history and tasting notes on each of the 5 whiskies and As always, no one will be left hungry nor thirsty…
Menu & Drinks to be Paired:
Knockdhu – 10yr old Speyside
Aberfeldy – 14yr old Single Cask Highland paired with Ahi Tuna tartar atop an olive chip.
Caol Ila – 29yr old Single Cask Islay with roasted squash bisque with a cream fraiche, and Russian black bread alongside New Zealand butter.
Dewar Rattray – Speyside 29yr old with veal scallopini and qualicum beach cheese, accompanied with a shaved truffle cream sauce spaghetti and a free range fried egg atop.
Glenfarclas Old and Rare – Speyside Finest 45yr old with pear and apple tartan under homemade Vanilla ice-cream.
Reservations: 778-233-7624 or email marcus@mavafoods.com
Cost: Members of the Quaich $90.00, Non Members $100.00 Call or email now to reserve seats!
HAND ROLLED CIGARS
Wednesday, 4 to 7 pm
Sep 7, 201
Love cigars? Then this event is for you! Primero presents personally hand rolled cigars, right in store. Our lovely Cuban guest will hand roll cigars at the store from 4 to 7 pm. Cigars are $20 and she will roll up to 40 cigars. Come early to get your own personal cigar!
NIK WEIS RIESLING TASTING
Saturday, September 17 6:30pm – 8:30pm
A truly Riesling focused tasting and pairing, you will be shocked and amazed at the differences between each and every single one! Join Owner Nik Weis as he walks you through his different Rieslings paired with tasty treats.
2010 Urban Riesling New vintage
2009 Ockfener Bockstein Kabinett Riesling New vintage
2007 Piesporter Goldtropfchen Spatlese Riesling
Tickets are $20 a person and available for purchase here.
30 tickets available.
WHAT’S IN A CASK?
Tuesday, 7:00 to 8:00 pm Sep 20, 2011
Bob Kyle is back to host another fantastic Scotch tasting. If you missed his sold out event when we first opened, now is your chance to pick up tickets to hear this entertaining importer speak!
It is conventional wisdom that over 50% of the Character of the dram derives from the maturation in the cask. Therefore today the whisky industry takes significant time in cask selection and cask management. Each Cask contains its own unique DNA, therefore Single cask bottlings retain their own particular flavour characteristics.
This tasting allows the “taster” to examine these unique changes in flavour and taste profiles when directly comparing a single cask bottling and a release from the same distillery. The following whiskies will be sampled
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Old Malt Islay Collection
Glen Garioch 12 YO
Glen Garoich Old Malt Cask
Tomintoul 14 YO
Old Malt Tamdu 21 YO
$50/ticket 30 seats available. Purchase tickets here.
GLENFIDDICH SEMINAR
Tuesday, 7:00 to 8:00 pm Sept 27, 2011
Join Bruce Mackenzie as he leads an educational seminar on the whiskies of Glenfidddich. Focus will be on the 12, 15, 18 and 21 year old. Learn the history of the distilery, and enjoy samples of the Glenfiddich lineup. Light tapas will be provided.
About Bruce Mackenzie:
Bruce worked for the BC Liquor Board for 25 years, most of which as a Portfolio Manager before his retirement in 2002. During his tenure at the Liquor Board Bruce was in charge of selecting and purchasing spirits and fortified wines for the BC consumer. Bruce has travelled and tasted extensively in Scotland, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Switzerland , Mexico and the US. Being of Scottish heritage Bruce has a special love for Malt Whisky.
20 seats available, $15/ticket. Purchase here.
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TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR THIS YEAR’S PASSIONS AT THE DR. PETER CENTRE
This year’s Passions is the biggest yet, with 23 of Vancouver’s top restaurants, a caterer and a food cart all coming together for one unforgettable event!
Vancouver, BC – Over the past eight years, Passions, the annual fundraising gala at the Dr. Peter Centre, has rightfully earned a reputation as one of Vancouver’s top events for lovers of great food and wine, as the city’s top chefs come together to support a worthy cause.
This year, Passions will be bigger and better than ever, with more restaurants (just when you thought they couldn’t squeeze in any more), a cocktail and canapé pairing station, a food cart and a caterer!
23 restaurants will be taking part in this year’s event. Returning restaurants include Cibo, Cin Cin, Chambar, Coast, Crave on Main, Diva at the Met, El Barrio, Fraiche, the Kambolis Group, Le Gavroche, La Terrazza, Market at the Shangri La, MIX the Bakery, O’Doul’s, The Observatory, Oru at the Pacific Rim, Provence and Tojo’s. Newcomers to the event include Ensemble, Hapa Umi, Hawksworth, Maenam and West. To reflect the changing landscape of Vancouver’s culinary scene, a street-side food cart will be greeting guests as they arrive, courtesy of Fresh Local Wild.
The event will once again feature wines courtesy of New Zealand Winegrowers and a new addition this year will be a cocktail and canapé pairing station courtesy of Kale & Nori and The Keefer Bar.
Another first for this year will be a pre-event champagne reception where guests can sip bubbly as they preview auction items, mix and mingle with event hosts and Dr. Peter’s friends and family, and enjoy scrumptious canapés from The Lazy Gourmet. Only 50 tickets will be available for the reception.
This year’s event will be hosted by Global TV’s Sophie Lui and Jay Janower, and CBC Radio’sfabulous Fred Lee will return as auctioneer. Music for the evening will be provided by Sangre Moreno and Passions’ guests will once again be wowed by the high-flying acrobatics of Circus Aerials.
Passions – A Benefit for the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation
Date: Sunday, September 11th, 2011
Time: Champagne Reception, 5 pm to 6 pm
Main Event, 6 pm to 9 pm
Where: Dr. Peter Centre
Address: 1110 Comox Street, Vancouver BC
Tickets: $300 – general admission & champagne reception (only 50 available)
$200 – general admission
Available at www.drpeter.org or by calling 604-331-5086.
About the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation
Since 1992, the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation has continued the legacy of Dr. Peter Jepson-Young. The Dr. Peter Centre opened its doors in 1997 and cares for people living with HIV/AIDS. Operating a day health program and a 24-hour residence with palliative care and respite care services, it is the only program of its kind in Canada and is recognized as a leader in HIV/AIDS care. For more information on the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, the Dr. Peter Centre, and Passions, please visit www.drpeter.org.
About Passions
The history of Passions traces back to 2003, to a small charity cooking class at Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks. A year later in 2004, the event was moved to the Dr. Peter Centre and christened “Passions.” Organized by Nathan Fong, the inaugural event featured nine chefs, 100 attendees and raised $7000. Under Nathan’s continued stewardship, Passions has since tripled in size and has become one of Vancouver’s most popular food and wine events. The 2010 event featured 21 chefs, 300 attendees and raised over $100,000. In total, Passions has raised over $600,000 since 2004.
