Archive for Local Travel
December 8, 2009 at 5:35 pm · Filed under Events, Local Travel, Paul Kamon, Tofino, Vancouver Island
Every year around the time when the darkness begins to plunge deepest into our days and the falling rain from woolly grey skies seems inexhaustible and permanent, I always feel this strange almost atmospheric wave of anxiety move in.
When it inexorably does extend its unnerving and lethargic-inducing reach, I instinctively know it’s time to escape from the clockwork grind of the city’s masses to a more natural setting for an overdue re-tooling by the elements, it is storm season after all.
This year, the 13th annual Clayoquot Oyster Festival in Tofino was my siren call to the coast.
Read the rest of this entry »
September 30, 2009 at 12:57 am · Filed under Lauren Mote, Local Travel, Okanagan, Openings & Closings, Wine
As you walked in through the front doors, the hostess would greet you, find your reservation, and in the background you couldn’t help but notice the bar in full swing, making the finest classic and contemporary cocktails. The sound of the espresso grinder, great music, and of course, a faint sound of the infamous cowbell dinging from the basement kitchen. Food runners pop up from the back stairs, with plates of gorgeous food, artistically presented, and the flavour was off the charts. This was Chow. One of the tastiest secrets on South Granville. Sadly, with bouts of heartache, Chow closed its doors in May 2009, and in the last 4 months, everyone had seemed to move on. For Chef/Owner Jean-Christophe Poirier (JC) in particular, this was a tough loss – although he had much support from his girlfriend, the community, and his many peers, losing your restaurant, something you’re so passionate about, is just as hard to get over as a hideous break-up. Little did we know that the restaurant closure would take this talented chef beyond Vancouver’s hungry clutches and we had T minus 16 weeks until blast off. This is the story of a “Chef’s Last Supper” – a series of trips, dinners and goodbyes had at the knife of a talented young chef, and his passionate entourage.
Read the rest of this entry »
September 12, 2009 at 3:29 am · Filed under Beer, Cheese, Local Travel, Paul Kamon, Vancouver Island
(Read “A Visit to the Comox Valley Pt 1“)
What would it take to get me to pack up my family and travel 5 solid hours by boat and van to a fairly remote town overrun by wealthy Albertans and military personnel? Good food. And beer.
Read the rest of this entry »
August 27, 2009 at 6:09 pm · Filed under Local Travel, Paul Kamon, Vancouver Island, food security
For anyone driving to Vancouver Island during the summer months, navigating the inevitable BC Ferries gauntlet of vacationing tourista RV’s, transport trucks and wave after wave of passenger cars, can be a litmus test of planning and patience, especially with kids in tow. If I had a dollar for every time that I have pulled up to the ticket booth and was told I had a 1-2 sailing wait and instantly wished I had been savvy enough to make a reservation (a mere $15 additional cost), I would have enough money to buy this. Really, how busy can it be on a Monday morning? Well, how busy is Les Faux Bourgeois on a Friday night?
Read the rest of this entry »
June 22, 2009 at 10:54 pm · Filed under Local Travel, North Shore, Paul Kamon
Last week, myself and a few others were invited by the North Shore Tourism Association for a day of fun exploring some of the adventure and dining options being offered by local businesses on the other side of the inlet.
Read the rest of this entry »
Next entries »
