It’s showtime at Society – Movie nights starting March 7; Culinary takes centre stage at Mission Hill Family Estate this spring; An afternoon gathering of bearded gentlemen at Pourhouse; Meet the Vinestars of the Wine World; Chef Rob Feenie takes the silver at Gold Medal Plates; Big Lou’s celebrates Best of the City win with new promotions; Upcoming events at Legacy Liquor Store; Hamilton Street Grill Oscar Party; Chef Ned Bell keynote speaker at speed-dating event for farmers & chefs
IT’S SHOWTIME AT SOCIETY
Starting March 7, enjoy once-a-month movie nights at Yaletown’s coolest dining lounge
Vancouver, BC (February, 2012): On Wednesday, March 7, SOCIETY Dining Lounge will kick off its monthly movie night with the hilarious comedy, Bridesmaids. This fresh, monthly promo offers guests the opportunity to catch a flick in SOCIETY’s fun and flirty upper-level lounge space, while enjoying tempting food and drinks.
Chef Alfred Contiga has designed a fun menu packed with delicious goodies including $5 snacks like Buffalo Chicken Wings and Popcorn Shrimp. Pizza and Pasta options are available at $8 a pop, including hearty options such as Rigatoni Pomodoro and Wild Mushroom Pizza. Popcorn is FREE, but guests can choose to add on tasty flavourings – truffle, parmesan or Cajun – for just $1.
Night Rider, Angry Ape, and Ticket to Paradise could be mistaken for off-colour movie titles, but they are in fact SOCIETY’s best-selling boozy milkshakes, the perfect accompaniment to the on-screen action.
Movie Nights at SOCIETY happen the first Wednesday of every month. The show will commence at 7 pm sharp. To learn more about SOCIETY Dining Lounge, visit: glowbalgroup.com/society.
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CULINARY TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT MISSION HILL FAMILY ESTATE THIS SPRING
Epicurean dinners highlight best of the season and puts the spotlight on celebrated Calgary chefs
West Kelowna, British Columbia (February, 2012) – The Okanagan Spring Wine Festival (May 4 – 13) is a time to savour the season and the region. Executive Winery Chef Matthew Batey is preparing for spring at The Terrace Restaurant (opening May 11) with five-course dinners, five-star dishes and special guest chefs from Calgary.
Spring Epicurean Dinner with CHARCUT Chefs
Saturday May 5 @ 6:30 pm
Executive Winery Chef Matthew Batey welcomes ‘Top Chef Canada’ Finalist Connie DeSousa and Chef John Jackson, co-owners and co-chefs of Calgary’s acclaimed CHARCUT Roast House to Mission Hill Family Estate for a spring menu and evening not to be missed. Some of Western Canada’s most exciting chefs – young, boundary pushers — create locally-inspired cuisine within the Okanagan’s most elegant setting.
“DeSousa and Jackson are stirring the Calgary culinary scene with their evolutionary approach to simple ingredients,” says Batey. “I look forward to welcoming them as fellow chefs and friends to our remarkable restaurant and winery and to blending our talents at this celebration of Spring through food and wine.”
Five courses will be paired with Mission Hill Family Estate wines. $149 (plus tax & gratuity.) Visit missionhillwinery.com/spring or call 250.768.6483 to reserve.
Fresh Tastes of Spring Culinary Theatre Dinner
Wednesday, May 9 @ 6:30 pm
Executive Winery Chef Matthew Batey is anticipating the opportunity to unveil new seasonal dishes at the Okanagan Valley’s sole, interactive culinary theatre. An ultimate dining experience, a state of the art culinary theatre allows guests a front row seat into the dining room. Watch as Chef Batey and his team create dishes that will make your mouth water with anticipation.
Five courses paired with Mission Hill Family Estate wines. $ 139 (plus tax & gratuity.) This intimate event – for just 24 guests – requires early bookings. Visit missionhillwinery.com/spring or call 250.768.6483 to reserve.
About Mission Hill Family Estate
Mission Hill Family Estate is world renowned for its award winning wines, stunning setting and Terrace Restaurant. Honoured as one of the ‘Top Five Winery Restaurants in the World’ by Travel + Leisure magazine, the restaurant and epicurean program is led by Executive Winery Chef Matthew Batey and Chef of The Terrace Chris Stewart. Majestic mountains, scenic lakes and lush orchards encase the winery’s dramatic architecture and culminate in a setting that celebrates wine, food and the arts. With sustainable practices that ensure care for the environment, and a timelessness that respects the von Mandl family’s European heritage, guests experience the height of winemaking in an incomparable lakeside mountaintop winery. For more information visit missionhillwinery.com. Twitter @MissionHillWine and Facebook.com/MissionHillWine.
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AN AFTERNOON GATHERING OF BEARDED GENTLEMEN AT POURHOUSE
“There is always a period when a man with a beard shaves it off. This period does not last. He returns headlong to his beard.” Jean Cocteau
“He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man.” William Shakespeare
Vancouver, BC (for immediate release) Beard appreciation has become a passion for a few of us at Pourhouse. Though few in numbers, our influence is strong. I canʼt help but wonder if perhaps the beard has something to do with that?
In any case, on the last Monday of every month we have decided to invite our bearded comrades to gather with us and just ʻbeʼ. Starting February 27, from 4pm – 7pm, Pourhouse will host An Afternoon Gathering of Bearded Gentlemen. Our Chef will prepare delicious beard friendly snacks (on the house) and our sophisticated bearded bartender will be at your command. Enjoy the company of other bewhiskered chaps. There will be discussions on the benefits of beards, beard maintenance, bearded ladies, as well as other beard and non-beard related gentlemanly topics of conversation. Come enjoy an afternoon of nosh and libations with other men that share your values … men that just want to be men.
STATEMENT OF BELIEFS
WE BELIEVE in beards WE BELIEVE you should have a beard. If you are a lady, you are excluded WE BELIEVE that men were created to have beards WE BELIEVE that if your man has no beard, he should not be your man WE BELIEVE in beards http://www.beardnation.com/?page_id=17
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VINESTARS OF WINE COMING TO VANCOUVER FOR 34TH ANNUAL PLAYHOUSE WINE FESTIVAL
Meet the industry’s top international trendsetters and principal vintners
Vancouver, BC, February 7th, 2012 – The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival will welcome some of the most progressive winemakers and winery leaders in the world from February 27th to March 4th. Whether pouring tableside at the International Festival Tasting or hosting dinners and seminars, these vin-pioneers are set to satisfy curious neophytes and seasoned oenophiles with personal, one-on-one meet and greets. Appearances from the following wine world celebrities are just a few reasons to partake in the weeklong festivities.
EDUARDO CHADWICK, PRESIDENT, VIÑA ERRÁZURIZ
Chilean wine pioneer and president and owner of Viña Errázuriz in Chile’s Aconcagua region, Eduardo Chadwick was inspired by some of the world’s top wine regions on his quest to produce greater expressions of Chile’s terroir. In July 2005, Decanter magazine recognized Eduardo among the 50 most influential personalities of the wine industry and Viña Errázuriz was described as the quality benchmark from Chile. Eduardo is now the sixth generation to own and run Viña Errázuriz. One of Chadwick’s most historic moments took place in Berlin, January 2004. As part of a blind tasting of first growth wines from French and Italian classic appellations with the best of Errázuriz wines, Eduardo presented his 2000 and 2001 icon wines Viñedo Chadwick, Seña and Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve. The three wines eclipsed famous houses such as Château Lafite, Château Margaux, Château Latour and Italian cult wines Tignanello, Sassicaia, Solaia and Guado al Tasso. Viñedo Chadwick 2000 and Seña 2001 were placed first and second respectively in what Jancis Robinson recognized as a milestone for the Chilean wine industry, now known as the “Berlin Tasting”.
Meet Eduardo at “Chadwick’s Iconic Quest”, Thursday, March 1st, 2012 http://bit.ly/z15lyU
and at “The Next Star Grape: Syrah”, Friday, March 2nd, 2012 http://bit.ly/wIqVQx
ALVARO ESPINOZA, WINEMAKER, EMILIANA VINEYARDS
Alvaro is a true pioneer and one of Chile’s most widely recognized winemakers. He apprenticed with the Fetzer winemaking family (Fetzer and Bonterra labels) in Mendocino County, the largest organic grape grower in California. Alvaro believes that growing grapes in a natural way produces higher quality fruit and thus better wine. With no unnatural intervention, he says, the Emiliana organic wines labeled “Natura,” respect the conditions of the soils and reflect the terroir where they are grown.
Meet Alvaro at “Excellence of Nature”, Monday, February 27th, 2012 http://bit.ly/wYtRZS
and at “The Next Star Grape: Syrah”, Friday, March 2nd, 2012 http://bit.ly/wIqVQx
CHUCK WAGNER, OWNER AND WINEMAKER, CAYMUS VINEYARDS
At the 2007 Wine Experience hosted by Wine Spectator magazine, Chuck received the Distinguished Service Award given to individuals who have made significant and long-lasting contributions to the wine industry. Luminaries such as Robert Mondavi, Angelo Gaja, Julia Child, Emeril Lagasse, Bob Trinchero, Piero Antinori, and Philippine de Rothschild have also received this honor. In 2006, Wine Spectator magazine rated Caymus Vineyards Special Selection as the Napa Valley’s best Cabernet Sauvignon – having the highest average score of 94.6 since the 1990 vintage. Chuck and his late father, Charlie, shaped the reputation of Caymus by always keeping the focus on quality – in both the vineyard and winery. Caymus continues to be a hands-on, family-owned and operated winery situated in the heart of the Napa Valley.
Meet Chuck at “Caymus Vertical Tasting”, Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 http://bit.ly/xBVeVy
NATHALIE BONHOMME, PROPRIETOR/WINEMAKER, LES VINS BONHOMME
Nathalie Bonhomme brings to the festival a vast knowledge of Spanish wines from the perspective of an ex-pat Canadian. Under the kind tutoring of winemakers Rafael Cambra in Valencia and Miguel Gil in Jumilla she has begun making her own wine. Her “El Bonhomme” is on the Quebec and British Columbia markets and “El Petit Bonhomme” in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec and, soon to be, Ontario. Nathalie lives in Alfaz de Pi, situated on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, with her husband and youngest daughter.
Meet Nathalie at the International Festival Tasting on Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, March 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2012 http://bit.ly/vy4y16
and at “Diva(s) at the Met”, Wednesday, February 29th, 2012. http://bit.ly/wMjVUB
ANDRÉS ILABACA, WINEMAKER, SANTA RITA
Since 1996 Andrés has held the position of one of two chief winemakers at Santa Rita. Andrés prefers wines that are succulent and complex with ripe fruit flavours and a mineral complexity. During his tenure, Santa Rita has developed their own proprietary canopy management program to reflect the region’s unique weather and soils. His Santa Rita Pehuén 2007 was recently awarded 91 points in the 2011 Wine Spectator awards.
Meet Andrés at “Celebrate Casa Real”, Friday, March 2nd, 2012. http://bit.ly/zA954f
ANNETTE BERGEVIN, OWNER/PROPRIETOR, BERGEVIN LANE
A fifth-generation Walla Walla native, co-founding Bergevin Lane Vineyards in 2002 was the fulfillment of a long-time dream for Annette, one that started with her father. The Bergevin Lane vision is to create wines with elegance and style that reflect the unique terroir attributes of Washington State and maintain the integrity of each varietal characteristic. It’s an ambitious goal that has been consistently rewarded with high scores, critical praise, and a passionate growing group of wine club members.
Meet Annette at “Diva(s) at the Met”, Wednesday, February 29th, 2012. Learn more: http://bit.ly/wMjVUB
ABOUT THE PLAYHOUSE WINE FESTIVAL
The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Canada’s premier wine show, will run from February 27th to March 4th, 2012. The Playhouse Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine festival events in the world. In 2012, the Theme Region will be Chile and the Global Focus, Cabernet(s). The Festival features a week of special events including the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, wine seminars, wine minglers, winery dinners, and lunches and brunches at fine restaurants and hotels. The Playhouse Wine Festival is produced by the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival Society, which has three mandates: provide an informative, educational and entertaining wine experience for public and trade; be a premier marketing opportunity for the wine industry and Festival partners; and raise funds for the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company. Since its inception in 1979, the Festival has raised over $7.5 million to enable Western Canada’s leading theatre company to mount 229 productions and develop extensive community outreach and educational programs. Learn more at www.playhousewinefest.com
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CHEF ROB FEENIE TAKES THE SILVER TITLE AT GOLD MEDAL PLATES WITH HAYWIRE
BC’s own Chef Rob Feenie (Cactus Restaurants Ltd.) won silver at the national Gold Medal Plates competition. Chef Feenie selected Haywire Winery’s Pinot Noir to pair with his dish at the Canadian Culinary Championship’s grand finale.
Chef Rob Feenie, food concept architect for Cactus Restaurants Ltd., captured a national silver medal when he and his team created a Fraser Valley rabbit duo – a rabbit bacon presse, with foie gras boudin, brown butter carrot puree and black truffle jus, accompanied by Haywire’s Pinot Noir at the Canadian Culinary Championships grand finale event for the Gold Medal Plates national competition. As the only competing chef from BC and paired with a BC winery, Chef Feenie took home the silver medal in front of the home crowd on Saturday night. The team from Haywire is especially proud: Chef Feenie also chose Haywire’s Pinot Gris for his dish at the Vancouver Gold Medal Plates competition last fall, where he captured the gold medal.
After nine competitions across the country, the winning chef from each of the nine cities met at the national competition. The winner of the gold and the Canadian Culinary Champion was chef Marc Lepine of Atelier Restaurant in Ottawa.
Winery owner Christine Coletta was “so proud to see Rob Feenie win the silver.” She notes, “it was great to see culinary talent from across Canada in the Okanagan, and to have our Okanagan wine be part of the silver medal win at home was priceless.”
About Haywire:
Haywire is made in Summerland, BC, at Okanagan Crush Pad, where owners Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie established Switchback Vineyard in 2006 and opened the winery in 2011. The wine is the first release from Okanagan Crush Pad wines made by Michael Bartier and consulting Italian viticulturist Alberto Antonini. For more information, visit www.okanagancrushpad.com.
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BIG LOU’S CELEBRATES ‘BEST OF THE CITY’ WIN WITH NEW PROMOTIONS
Thanks to customers with Strathcona Sundays and Wildcard Weekdays
Big Lou’s Butcher Shop recently celebrated one great year in business in Vancouver’s East Side. Since opening, Big Lou’s has worked hard to build a following for its wide selection of ethically and sustainably raised meats, custom craft butchering and delicious deli sandwiches.
Recently, year two for Big Lou’s got off to a superb start with the arrival of a envelope from WEVancouver (formerly the Westender) which contained the Gold Medal for Best Butcher in the 15th Annual Best of Vancouver Awards. First place!
“We’re incredibly proud to win this award after only one year in business,” said Big Lou’s Butcher Shop partner Allan Bosomworth. “We want to say thanks to everyone who’s stopped by during our first year and especially those who took time to vote for us in the Best of Vancouver Awards.”
To thank customers for the great first year and the votes which propelled Big Lou’s to the Gold Medal, Big Lou’s Butcher Shop is launching two weekly customer appreciation days: Strathcona Sundays and Wildcard Weekdays.
Strathcona Sundays offers locals and neighbours a 10% weekly discount on all purchases over $20 (not including sandwiches) just by showing their local ID at the cash register. It’s a little extra thanks to local customers whether they’re picking something up for the Sunday dinner table or getting a head start on the week’s lunches.
As the name implies, Wildcard Weekdays will be a little more unpredictable than the Sunday special as each week we’ll announce a deal via Facebook or Twitter. One week it could be a flat percentage off, the next a discount on a specific item. Make sure to follow our social media to get news of the weekly deals. encourage friends to watch for the weekly deals.
Big Lou’s Butcher Shop is located at 269 Powell Street. To find out more about the full range of products and services like butchery classes, private bouchery dining in the shop, catering and more, visit www.biglousbutchershop.com or call 604-566-9229.
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UCOMING EVENTS AT LEGACY LIQUOR STORE
VODKA BLIND TASTING SEMINAR PART 1
Wednesday, 7 to 9 pm Feb 22, 2012
$25/ticket, 36 tickets available
Are all vodkas alike? What could possibly be the difference? Let us show you in the first part of this blind tasting seminar series. Over the next 3 months we will review and taste vodka’s with different bases, flavour profile, price point and origin. Legacy has the largest vodka selection in Vancouver so let us help you discover your new favourite one.
ZUBROWKA BISON GRASS VODKA & KALE & NORI PRESENT:
BITTERED SLING BISTRO
Wednesday, 7:00pm – 9:30pm Feb 29, 2012
Feb 29th Guest Bartender: Gerry Jobe, Raudz Regional Table (Kelowna)
$60/ticket which includes gratuity and HST – 32 tickets available
We are proud to introduce you to “Bittered Sling Bistro” – a bi-monthly food and cocktail pairing competition dedicated to pushing the boundaries of cocktail craft.
Click Here to View the Menu
For more info, visit: legacyliquorstore.com
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HAMILTON STREET GRILL IS HOSTING A 2012 OSCAR PARTY!
On Sunday, February 26th enjoy a fun night of Academy Awards festivities at Yaletown’s Hamilton Street Grill. Indulge in gourmet popcorn, classic retro canapés and cocktails as you take in the red carpet and the awards ceremony on large flat screens. Book a table for all your friends, mix and mingle with others or sit at the bar. Prizes, games and contests will fill in the commercials, and for those who like to dress up, there’s a prize for best Hollywood costume.
Hamilton Street Grill Oscar Party, Sunday February 26th
4pm – 6pm – $20 per person
$20 per person includes a ballot*, with a chance to win prizes, an Oscar night “Golden Cocktail”( image & recipe available ), light canapés and your own bag of house popped gourmet popcorn.
4pm on – Come early and fill in your ballot during the red carpet walk. Prizes for most correct “and the Oscar goes to”; dark horse winners; best costume and a special category for Canadian Oscar winners will be awarded throughout the night as well as posted on our Facebook page.
5pm on – The grill is on and tonight’s special is Steak Oscar! Certified Angus Beef topped with fresh crab meat, asparagus and covered with béarnaise sauce or choose from a complete menu selection of appetizers, grilled fish and steak dishes.
*Ballot to be filled in prior to first awards category at approximately 5:30pm
Reserve your Oscar party table by calling 604-331-1511 or reserve on line at www.hamiltonstreetgrill.com
Hamilton Street Grill
1009 Hamilton Street
Vancouver, BC
info@hamiltonstreetgrill.com
www.hamiltonstreetgrill.com
Lunch: Monday – Friday 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Dinner: seven nights at 5:00 pm
Transit stop – Canada Line – Yaletown
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EXECUTIVE CHEF NED BELL IS KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT SPEED-DATING EVENT FOR FARMERS & CHEFS
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 (Vancouver, BC) – Local food businesses in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley are signing up to Meet Your Maker where local food producers and local food buyers meet, get business and grow. Scheduled for Monday February 27 at the Croatian Cultural Centre in Vancouver, this local event is modeled after Portland, Oregon’s very successful ‘Farmer-Chef Connection.’
This year, keynote speakers will include a local farmer and a local chef. Jerry Gelderman from Gelderman Farms provides sustainably raised, quality pork products sold at farmers’ markets, various Fraser Valley stores, and their own online store. Gelderman also sells to select chefs. Four Seasons Hotel Executive Chef Ned Bell is a keen supporter of fresh, local ingredients. Bell also has a keen sense of support for community and was instrumental in urging FarmFolk CityFolk to bring their annual fundraiser, Feast of Fields, to the Okanagan region where Bell co-owns Cabana Bar & Grille in Kelowna. Now in Vancouver, Bell is interested in learning more about Vancouver’s proposed food hub, New City Market.
“These people are passionate about local food and Meet Your Maker is where that passion really comes alive. It’s a long-term investment in our food future,” says FarmFolk’s Bonita Magee, “and if Vancouver wants to be the greenest city by 2020, we’re going to have to increase local food production.” Sponsored by Vancity and Canadian Linen & Uniform, the event is co-organized by FarmFolk CityFolk and Local Food First. Tara McDonald, Executive Director of the Vancouver Farmers Markets and Local Food First committee lead, adds “Meet Your Maker provides a great opportunity for small businesses to connect with suppliers, gain access to niche products, and scale up their businesses by going local.” She knows all about demand as she has seen Vancouver’s farmers’ markets grow in the city.
Suzanne Fielden, co-owner of Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company in Vancouver says “Meet Your Maker is a much needed event that allows restauranteurs to meet urban and rural local farmers face-to-face and chat (a very difficult thing for busy farmers & restauranteurs.) The result is more local food featured on local restaurant menus and long-term relationships with farmers to buy their beautiful and delicious produce. A must go event.”
Likewise, the event has been beneficial for farmers, too, including Nicola von Rosen and Dennis Clausen from Outlawmeats in Clinton, BC. “Thanks to Meet Your Maker, we are now exclusively selling our lamb at Whole Foods Markets in Vancouver. I loved the casual and fun atmosphere at the event. I love how supportive our city folk are of our farming folk. The moral support is a tremendous boost when the day to day burdens of trying to make a living farming are overwhelming. I love how I attended Meet Your Maker just out of curiosity but was gifted with an unexpected wonderful new relationship with the Forager for Whole Foods Market, Denise Breyley.”
This year, organizers have a new speed-dating format that will enable participants to connect with those they really need to connect with. Last year, the event generated more than $268,000 in business, and it’s growing. This year, organizers are urging more local chefs to come to Meet Your Maker and make new connections. Businesses interested in attending can find more information and a registration link at www.getlocalbc.org.
