Another win for Caffe Artigiano

From the press release:

Caffe Artigiano’s Barrett and Colter Jones placed 1st and 2nd respectively at the 2006 Western Regional Barista Competitions held on July 20th, 2006 at Vancouver’s Historic Heritage Hall. The regions best baristas gathered to compete with the hopes of winning a semi-final spot in the Canadian National Barista Championship, and ultimately a trip to the World Barista Championship in 2007.

BC Day at Granville Island

From the press release:
A Taste of BCMmm... BC! You've seen what BC has to offer, now why not taste it too? Experience the bounty of our province at the Island's many shops and restaurants and let your taste buds be dazzled!

Highlights include:
'Patio Party BBQ Buffet' at the Dockside Restaurant, from 11:30 am - 4 pm;
'BC Wild Salmon Dinner' at the Railspur Alley Café & Bistro;
$1.99 high balls, smoked salmon canapés, and Granville Island Beer at the Cat's Meow; 'Inventive Wild Salmon Recipes & BC Wines' at Bridges;
steamed clams and grilled sockeye salmon at The Sandbar;
local jugs of BC Red Truck Lager on special at the Backstage Lounge;
Wild BC Jerk Salmon and Granville Island Beer at Sammy J Peppers.
Don't miss Edible BC's inaugural BC Day sale, featuring all BC food products; or
Liberty Wine Merchants' tasting of BC's best wines.

New Friends

Since I have been temporarily left to my own devices, I have invited some new roomates. Can you guess what these are?

CELEBRATION OF LIGHT AT RAINCITY GRILL

From the press release:

One of the biggest events of the summer in Vancouver started last night - The 2006 HSBC Celebration of Light - and Vancouverites know that English Bay is the best spot to catch all the action. Raincity Grill, situated at the end of Denman Street overlooking English Bay, provides the perfect spot to eat, drink and be dazzled by the illuminated night sky. . To make your reservation call (604) 685-7337, credit cards are needed to book your table.

Raincity Grill offers a first seating from 5:00 pm to 7:15 pm based on 2 hours, with an a la carté menu available. For the second seating from 8:45 pm - 9:45 pm, Chef de Cuisine Andrea Carlson has created a special 3 course prix fixe menu that showcases Raincity Grill?s dedication to seasonal dining and regional ingredient, $75 on the patio or inside for $55 (menus attached).

For more information about Raincity Grill visit their website at www.raincitygrill.com or call at 604.685.7337. Raincity Grill is located at 1193 Denman Street, Vancouver, BC.

Citytv's 4th Annual Taste of the City is this weekend!

Festive Food, Fun and FREE!

Vancouver's most popular restaurants come together for a Taste Of The City

Over two dozen of Vancouver's most popular restaurants will take part in the 4th annual Taste Of The City -- a one-day tasting extravaganza Saturday, July 29th at the Plaza of Nations from noon till 8:00 pm. Admission is free.
Visitors at Taste Of The City are welcomed to purchase "Taste Tickets" in .50 cent denominations and exchange them for sample-size portions of signature menu items from more than 25 of Vancouver's best restaurants. Items range in price from .50 cents to $3.00.
Participating restaurants at Taste Of The City reflect Vancouver's growing ethnic influence, while still catering to traditional appetites. This years' list include: Ashiana Tandoori, BC Chefs Association Jr. Chapter, Beaches Restaurant at Coast Tsawwassen, Burgers etc. BBQ House, Cassis Bistro, Century Restaurant, Chutney Villa, Feenie's Bistro, Fiddlehead Joe's Eatery and Bar, Habibi's, Joeys Restaurant, Kelsey's Restaurant, La Gavroche, Maurya Indian Cuisine, Memphis Mikes, Milestone's Restaurant, Mosaic Bar & Grille, Mouse and Bean Antojerio Mexicana, Nando's Flame Grilled Chicken, O'Doul's Restaurant & Bar, Patisserie Lebeau, Relish, Sate Satu Restaurant, Senova, Slim'z Barbeque & Steakhouse, T.G.I. Friday's Restaurant and Bar and Vera's Burger.
Taste Of The City sponsors include, Sunrise Soya Foods, Canada's leading tofu company; Pacific Bottleworks, makers of the last great soda pop and Goldilock's Cakes, Pastries and Asian Cuisine.
On the Sunrise Soya Foods Stage, Simi Sara, along with other Citytv personalities, will host an exciting lineup of Vancouver's most acclaimed chefs as they demonstrate preparation various tasty creations.
Taste of the City is fireworks for the taste buds, a fitting entrée for Vancouver's traditional celebration of light launching later the same night.

Red Tuna = Frozen Tuna

I had an unfortunate experience. Marpole is a difficult area to find good food in. Today we tried a new sushi place called Red Tuna on South Granville. My tuna sashimi came FROZEN. SOLID. They took 30% off the bill, but I am still left disgruntled and will not return.
How about telling me you are out of tuna instead of radomly pulling some out of the freezer and serving it up. Rant rant rant rant rant.

Coast welcomes Ocean Club's Chef

From the press release:

Chefs Sean Riley of COAST Restaurant and Doug Scott of the Ocean Club are joining forces on August 9 to cook a special dinner at COAST's Community Table.

The duo have planned a mouth-watering menu that includes just-caught local seafood, including Ahi Tuna, Dungeness Crab, and Halibut from the Queen Charlotte Islands; Quail from the Okanagan and tender Australian lamb. Perfectly paired wines include several B.C. selections as well as picks from France, Chile, Australia and California. It's sure to be an unforgettable evening by this match made at COAST.
COAST Restaurant CHEF'S TABLE
Wednesday, August 9, 7:00 pm

~ Duo of Ahi Tartarbig eye tuna tartar - avocado, mango and organic shisohamachi tuna - thai lime, baby celery sprouts, yuzu oilBlue Mountain Vineyards~"Gold Label" Brut 2004, Okanagan, B.C.
~ Dungeness Crab Tortelliniacorn squash, garlic cream, Manchego cheeseBlackhills~"Alibi" Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2005, Okanagan, B.C.
~ Seared Queen Charlotte Halibut Cheeksfennel pollen reduction, crisp potato cake, pickled fennel saladPfaffenheim~"Tokay" Gewurztraminer 2004, Alsace, France
~ Potato Wrapped Wild Sea Tiger Prawnbuffalo mozzarella and fini proscuitto stuffed zucchini blossom, tomato fondueMontes Alpha~ Chardonnay 2004, Casablanca Valley, Chile
Pink Grapefruit Sorbetvanilla stoli, candied rind
~ Whole Roasted Okanagan Quailcaramelized onion risotto, wild blueberry jusCedar Creek~ "Estate Series" Pinot Noir 2004, Okanagan, B.C.
~ Mustard crusted Australian Rack of Lambsalt-rubbed vine tomato, white asparagus shallot ragout, cherry reductionGrant Burge~"Barossa Vineyard" Shiraz 2004, Barossa Valley, Australia
~ B.C. Berry with Ice Wine Sabayonhazelnut biscotti, fresh mintQuady~"Essencia" Orange Muscat 2004, California

$100 per person, plus taxes and gratuity.

COAST Restaurant is located at 1257 Hamilton Street in Yaletown. Call 604.685.5010 for reservations.

Drive the Jag before the martinis please

OH I want one!

From the press release:

EXPERIENCE THE ALL NEW JAGUAR XK AT C RESTAURANT

Vancouver, BC...Dine at C Restaurant, test drive a Jaguar. July 14th and 15th dinner guests of C Restaurant will be able to test drive the all Jaguar XK 2007 between 5:30pm and 9:30pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to be one of the first to test drive the Jaguar XK 2007.

Sporting luxury comes to life in the all-new 2007 XK from Jaguar. Available in early 2006, the new XK is the ultimate expression of Jaguar design and engineering. Behind its stunning looks and sculpted bodylines is the most technically advanced Jaguar ever built, providing the driver with a provocative, luxurious driving experience.

C is open for dinner nightly and lunch Monday to Friday. Located at 1600 Howe Street, one block south of Beach Avenue on False Creek. For reservations please call (604) 681-1164.

Wine Touring on Vancouver Island

New Wine Map Launched for Saanich Peninsula
A tight-knit community of emerging winemakers on Victoria's BC's Saanich Peninsula has emerged to great accolades over the last five years. To help wine lovers navigate the area vineyards, Ken Winchester of Winchester Cellars has partnered with three other distinctly different winemakers including Chalet Estate Vineyard, Starling Lane Winery and Marley Farms Winery to create a new guide to an afternoon’s worth of touring. Or, as the map suggests, visitors can stop at farm stands, Butchart Gardens, pubs and restaurants to make an entire day of the winery circuit. The Saanich Peninsula has long supplied Victorians with fresh, local produce and is now one of the fastest growing agritourism regions on Vancouver Island. The map, which contains descriptions of each winery’s unique flavour, is available at Tourism Victoria’s Visitor Centre at 812 Wharf Street, 1-800-663-3883

Nevermind

Rosana and I ventured out to Kits for a wine tasting on Wednesday night at Nevermind. Advantages - we could walk there, friendly people and endless wine. Disadvantages - we couldn't walk home (I swear it was my shoes), endless wine, iffy food. We're hoping the group's newest venture, Flying Tiger, in the old Living Room Bistro space on 4th Avenue will bring better cuisine (hawker fare) to Kits.

Risha Gorkoff is now with Select Wines (Flame's team) and here she is practicing her art.

Girls Gone Wild Weekend

Michelle has met the man and is doing the deed (hence the handcuffs) on August 6th, so we had to celebrate. Answer - weekend at the family cabin on Okanagan Lake.

Friday we hit the road around noon and headed into heavy traffic on the number one. Got to Sumac Ridge winery just in time for the 25th anniversary lobsterfest. Oyster Bob from Fortes was shucking Effenheims, the lobster spread was extremely generous, the bubbles flowing and excellent tunes from Kinship.


Spent Saturday in the sun and out in the boat. Had guests for a light lunch and then made an incredible beef tenderloin and grilled veg on the BBQ (maned by Karen T.) for dinner.

Suprisingly enough we had a ton of tequila, beer and coolers left over. Hope my sister's crew can enjoy it when they're up in late July.

Van Mag on Patios

Vancouver Magazine dishes on the best patios and "under the radar" restaurants.

http://www.vanmag.com/bites.html

Thanks for the heads up Mr. Morrison.

Opening Opening Opening

After attempts to prepare for my trip up to the Okanagan I hit the town last night to check out the newest hot spots. Bardot, in the old Quay space on Marinaside, threw out a red carpet and welcomed local Yaletowners to the new space. Mireille (their wine consultant) sabered a bottle of champagne and wine flowed freely. We made a narrow escape as the bar was closing to avoid the angry crowd. Yikes. Off to UnWhined. Another packed room and 3 drink tickets (remarkably have a few left in my purse). They'd been open for a while and had the drill down. Space looked great and the crowd was familiar. Chatted with newly married (to themselves - how fun!) Tallulah and Vicky Ainsley. Alex Gill's story below. Will have to check both places out again before forming any opinions. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to hit Infinity (on Pacific) which also did the grand opening thing last night. Another day.

Seven brides for seven brides
When ALEXANDRA GILL got married to herself with a group of six other high-spirited women in Vancouver last week, the ceremony churned up all sorts of unexpected emotions. It was also one hell of a party
ALEXANDRA GILL
When I asked my boyfriend Jean-François if he was going to attend our wedding, he said he'd drop by.
"Drop by?" I huffed. "Good thing I'm not marrying you."
The poor guy was completely perplexed, understandably so. How many men are hitched to an untamed filly who intends to wed herself at a symbolic ceremony with six other brides all dressed in white?
Yes, I married myself last Saturday afternoon on Vancouver's Jericho Beach with a group of gorgeous women. We laughed, cried, preened, frolicked, peed in the bushes and spilled champagne all over our gowns. It was truly magical.
The concept evolved from a series of formal dinner parties thrown in years past by Tallulah, our mistress of ceremonies and dear friend through whom we all met.
As for the date, we unanimously agreed that first full moon after the summer solstice would be appropriate, since this was -- above all -- a celebration of our glorious, gyrating, goddess-like womanhood.
The vintage wedding gowns and veils, which really got the whole ball rolling, were provided by Melanie Talkington, fellow bride-to-be and renowned corsetière. (Her clients include burlesque diva Dita von Teese).
I chose one of Talkington's Victorian bridal corsets (borrowed), with a cap-sleeved camisole underneath (new). The shimmery skirt with a long, flowing train came from an eighties-era wedding gown (old) that I found at a vintage store only three days before the wedding. We simply snipped off the top and tucked it under the corset. I slipped on a (blue) garter -- et voilà!
Even without the hassle of a groom or in-laws, the planning of these unorthodox nuptials wasn't easy. Imagine seven free-spirited brides with strong opinions on everything. Did we have to wear all-white? Of course, think of the striking visual statement it would make.
Should we register? We liked the idea, but thought it would be gauche. We compromised by wording the invitation: "Reception -- and gift opening -- at 5 p.m."
Would we throw a stagette? Brilliant idea (we all dressed in red). Should we feel bad about bouncing NHL star Sidney Crosby and his entourage out of our private Moroccan-style lounge at Sanafir restaurant? Not for a second.
How about the press, which kept hounding us for interviews? We indulged them shamelessly.
What if we were stalked by strangers during the private ceremony? We would politely ignore them. It was, after all, partly a performance piece.
We were having so much fun with the preparations that I was completely caught off guard when pangs of pre-wedding melancholy crept up on me and at least one other.
"I still don't know what I want," Tallulah lamented over lunch. She never regretted not having children until recently, after seeing her boyfriend fuss over his new granddaughter.
I drained my pinot grigio in empathy. After years of studying, travelling, working and moving around, I had finally found my inner fulfilment and was ready to honour it. Why did I feel so empty?
On the big day I slept through my alarm.
"Most brides don't have to prepare cucumber-and-mint finger sandwiches on the morning of their wedding," I apologized to the salon's makeup artist, racing in late.
After I picked up the bouquets, it was off to Talkington's Lace Embrace Atelier to get dressed.
"I feel like a real bride," the ever-sassy Crystal Precious giggled, as we ran around in our underwear, curling our hair and sipping champagne.
Lorenzo, our dashing chauffeur, arrived with his cherry-red convertible Cadillac De Ville and we all piled in, looking like a whipped-cream cloud of silk and Chantilly lace.
"Remember girls, look glamorous at all times," Tallulah trilled as we paraded towards the park. Cars honked, children hollered, women smiled, men waved and bicyclists shouted out their congratulations. Lorenzo was so swept up in the excitement, he insisted on several victory laps around Spanish Banks.
When we finally arrived at the site, a photographer jumped out of the bushes. "I feel like a movie star," Talkington exclaimed.
Paul Scheffer and Aiden Dybka of The Garden Sanctuary had spent the entire morning setting up a romantic picnic with roses, lilies, chestnuts and feathers scattered across white linens. They worked wonders with the pittance we paid them.
To get to the grove, we had to tramp through a path full of thorns. We shrieked the whole way and left a trail of torn bits of crinoline in our wake. When we emerged from the bush, it was perfect. The boys had set up an altar of sorts, complete with champagne chilling in a vase of floating flowers.
"My dear blushing brides, we have come together today to celebrate our wonderful selves and commit wholeheartedly to our lives, our beings and our souls," Tallulah announced, introducing each bride with a toast.
The vows were more profound and moving than any of us had expected. I thanked my mom for always encouraging me to shoot for the stars.
Back at the picnic site, we gorged on fine cheeses, finger sandwiches, mango salad, strawberries and chocolate. The boys stayed to replenish our drinks and cater to our every whim.
When guests arrived, they brought more food and many thoughtful presents: a copy of the book Creating My Own Happiness by Barry Thomas Bechta, a "Wedding for One" compilation CD (Solitaire by the Carpenters, The One You Love by Rufus Wainwright, etc). A few of the brides changed into white sundresses; one went swimming. We danced the tango, played croquet and cooed over naked babies.
The guest most dear to my heart was Jennifer, a friend I have known since I was three years old. So much of my ambivalence to marriage is tied up in our childhood memories. I'll never forget the confusion and anger we felt when her father went away on a business trip and never came back. I remember the kindred sorrow I felt when my parents separated for a summer. After my father returned, we both clung to his side.
Jean-François arrived as the sun was setting. He brought me a silver ring with mother-of-pearl inlay. "It can be a promise ring, if that's what you want it to be," he whispered.
An inexplicable wave of sadness washed over me and I collapsed into tears. Is this beautiful man really the one?
No matter how loudly I harp about independence and boisterously celebrate my individuality, I am still as confused and conflicted about marriage as he was about this party -- and perhaps about me.
Jean-François pulled me close.
At that very moment, a young girl riding by on her bike skidded to a halt. "Are you the women getting married to yourselves?" she asked, eyes wide with wonder.
"Yes," I replied, brightening at the sight of her toothy grin and glowing innocence.
"Cool! I read about you," she said, before tearing down the path.
I hope that young girl remembers us. I hope the choices she makes in life will be effortless. I hope her smile never fades.

Railspur Cafe

Recently I've been dropping into the Railspur Cafe for lunch. An alternative to the Granville Island "food fair", they make excellent sandwhichs, burgers, quesadillas and salads. My workmate, Rochelle, had a toasted cheese with soup and I've had the salmon and (separate) oyster burger lately which were both served with a fresh mixed green salad. They've got Jazz on Thursdays (??) and are located on Railspur Alley - a couple blocks east of the market.

Up Grouse Mountain

Shane's pork sandwich

After a trying week Shane decided that he would choose our spot for Friday night dinner. Specific intructions from me that there would be no Cactus Club. We set off into nightmare traffic at about 6 pm and arrived around 7 pm. The gondola was packed with a English Tour Group who were far too excited about the whole thing.
However, at the top, we got a great table outside and it was remarkably relaxing. The food was descent, we split some duck spring rolls and a ceaser salad, I had mussels and Shane had a pulled pork sandwich with some (about four ??) very tasty fries. The nachos looked awesome, spilling over the tray at a nearby table, and the pound of chicken wings came in three different flavours. Maybe next time.
Interesting adventure. Great for out-of-towners. Perhaps try it on a less busy week night. Be prepared to spend $30 each to get up there and about $100 for a meal and drinks. Not cheap eats, but a pretty amazing view.

Here's the full menu:

http://www.grousemountain.com/dinsho_alt_men.cfm

Canada Day Long Weekend

Well. My first weekend alone. What to do. Keep myself busy. Friday night was the usual Gramercy Grill evening. Saturday **Canada Day** I walked down to watch the parade at Granville Island where they served a very patriotic cake (pass).

Sunday was billed as my girlfriends bi-monthly Osaka (Japanese Tempanaki) dinner, but some of the girls bailed so we did all you can eat at Tomokazu. Rosana, Valerie and twin sis Leslie pictured. Quite good - enjoyed the cold sake.

I am more of a wine and cheese girl, but I see a cheese plate

As most of you know, my office is actually located in a chocolate factory. Fortunately I am not (surprise surprise) a big sweets fan, so my consumption of the substance has not varied, despite the fact that my access to this said substance is pretty much unlimited. Some of my friends, on the other hand, are full truffle pigs and demand Hagensborg Chocolates regularly.

www.hagensborg.com

Further sweet news:

From the press release:

Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar and George Ultra Lounge welcome new Executive Pastry Chef

Proprietors and Managing Partners Patrick Mercer and David Hannay are pleased to officially welcome Pastry Chef Michael Sonsmann to Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar and George Ultra Lounge.

Baker, as he is affectionately called by friends and colleagues, joined them this past spring and has been perfecting a menu of spectacular desserts and breads for both locations.

Michael attended the chefs program at George Brown College graduating in the 8 month Advanced Pastry course. He apprenticed at the Sutton Place Hotel, Toronto for 2 years before moving on to work for four years under one of Canada’s top Pastry Chefs, Joel Galliot of the King Edward Hotel. He then did what many young aspiring chefs do, worked in Europe’s top kitchens for free! After returning to Toronto in 1997, Michael was invited to move out to the West Coast by Joe Fortes Restaurant as their Pastry Chef. Most recently Baker was the Pastry Chef for the Coast and Glowbal group of restaurants.

Say’s partner David Hannay, “a devoted pastry chef and baker is a luxury few restaurants can justify. Our pastry program is important enough to us to dedicate a professional chef, earning a professional chefs salary! A full time pastry chef means we can offer more to weddings, corporate events and have the confidence of knowing we have a full production of fresh baked products on hand to meet any needs our guests have”.

Brix Restaurants and Wine Bar offers Chef Sonsmann's mouth watering sweets, cakes, ice-creams and full dessert menu offerings as well as daily fresh baked breads Monday through Thursday from 5 pm until 12:30 am and 5 pm – 1:30 am Friday and Saturday. George Ultra Lounge also features Bakers full dessert menu Monday – Saturday until 1:30 am.

Today’s sampling

Lemon almond financier cake
strawberry green tea nectar, fried ice cream

Oreo crusted chocolate swirl cheesecake
forest berry compote

Brioche donuts
house made fruit jam, chocolate frangelico emulsion

Chocolate stuffed poached pear
filo wrapped, raspberry caramel sauce, vanilla froth

Banana bread pudding
caramel sauce and brioche croutons

Raspberry yogurt mousse
raspberry pistachio cake, vanilla berry compote

Chocolate trio
flourless chocolate espresso cake, dark chocolate ganache, chocolate brownie, white chocolate orange soup

Blackberry almond semi-freddo
bittersweet chocolate orange sauce

A duo of panna cotta
earl grey-lemon, kaffir lime, pistachio butter cake

Desserts 8.00

Brix cheese plate 19
A generous assortment of international cheeses presented with a filo
wrapped oven baked brie wheel, fresh fruit and housemade breads

And Late night at BrixDark Chocolate Fondue
made with premium Michel Cluizel chocolate from France
served with cake, doughnut holes, fresh fruit and berries 16


Brix patio - Vancouver’s only outdoor courtyard with no restrictions as to how late you can linger. The perfect spot to finish your night with dessert, fresh coffee, a special dessert wine…

Brix Restaurant and Wine bar
1138 Homer Street
Vancouver, BC
604-915-9463
http://www.brixvancouver.com/

George, a perfect place for after work cocktail appetizers, fresh summer cocktails or a nightcap and dessert.

George Lounge
1137 Hamilton Street
Yaletown, Vancouver, BC
604-628-5555
http://www.georgelounge.com/

It's the Best Fast Food You'll Ever Have

From the press release.

Summer has arrived and dining has never been so easy. Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver gives guests the perfect opportunity to `feed the craving' after a busy day of shopping, or before a night out on the town.
Chartwell, one of Vancouver's favourite dining rooms renowned for its unparalleled service and West Coast Cuisine, has just launched Dine and Dash - an exciting new concept aimed at those who are looking for a quick, great value dining experience without sacrificing quality. From 5:00 - 6:30 pm daily and for an unbeatable price, guests have the opportunity to select ANY two courses for $29, or three courses for $35 from the Dine and Dash menu.
These days, Chartwell is also making news with the arrival of the hotel's new Executive Chef, Rafael Gonzalez. Chef Gonzalez has selected his `favourite picks' creating a menu that truly hits the spot - the menu begins with selections such as Foie Gras Terrine, Duck Confit or Steak Tartare; entrées include Soy Braised Short Ribs with lime potato purée, Rare Tuna with Jasmine Ginger Rice or Beef Tenderloin with our own steak sauce. Dessert options include Frozen Grand Marnier Soufflé, Tart Lemon Tart Meringue or Gerhard's wicked chocolate pudding! For an additional price, diners can have a perfectly paired glass of wine with their meal, such as Quails' Gate Chardonnay, Blue Mountain Pinot Gris, Quails' Gate Merlot, or Inniskillin Pinot Noir.
Parking is complimentary for those enjoying the Dine and Dash promotion. For reservations, call Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver at 604.689.9333.
DINE & DASH MENU
ONE
DUNGENESS CRAB CAKE "BLT"
NOVA SCOTIA LOBSTER BISQUE
SALMON CROQUE MONSIEUR, GREENS
FOIE GRAS TERRINE, RHUBARB AND PISTACHIO
MESCLUN GREENS, SOUR CHERRY VINAIGRETTE
DUCK CONFIT & GREEN PAPAYA SALAD
BLUE CHEESE & BABY BEET SALAD
STEAK TARTARE, HOMEMADE CHIPS
TWO
CHICKEN, ASPARAGUS AND CHIMICHURI
SOY BRAISED SHORT RIBS, LIME POTATO PUREE
BEEF TENDERLOIN, SPINACH, PINE NUTS, OUR STEAK SAUCE
TUNA RARE, JASMINE GINGER RICE, SWEET & SOUR
WILD SALMON, TRUMPET MUSHROOMS, HORSERADISH
SCALLOPS "POTATO SALAD", GRAIN MUSTARD SAUCE
HALIBUT, ARTICHOKE BARIGOULE & PESTO
SPRING PEA & TOASTED ALMOND RISOTTO
THREE
FROZEN GRAND MARNIER SOUFFLE
HAZELNUT PRALINE & JAMAICAN RUM CAKE
GERHARD'S WICKED CHOCOLATE PUDDING, HEAVY CREAM
TART LEMON TART MERINGUE
TWO COURSES 29
THREE COURSES 35
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE APPLICABLE TAXES AND GRATUITIES
DINE & DASH MENU AVAILABLE FROM 5:00 TO 6:30 PM EVERYDAY

Jane and Joe and the Patio

My friends Jane and Joe have an amazing outdoor patio that is supposedly shared with their entire building, but actually is used solely by the duo. Saturday night we took it over for a barbeque. Jane had the patio in tip-top shape. Flowers blooming and hedges trimmed. I arrived to help her put the last touches on some devilled eggs and throw some of Rangoli’s spice cady (Vikram Vij) into the ground turkey and chicken to make the best burgers we’ve tasted in a while (Jane was inspired by a recent burger at the Tomato Café) . Jane’s homemade salsa, my black bean dip and her mother, Nancy’s, excellent green salad with dressing rounded out the meal nicely. Lots of wine Jane’s friend, wedding planner, Tracey, and her husband Rick’s little ball of sunshine ??, and some excellent guitar playing from Joe and his pal ??? made the evening complete.

Unfortunately Joe’s hair caught fire at the end of the night. Oh well, it'll grow back.

Where was this when I was nine

When I was young I learned to cook from classes I took while in "school" in New Zealand, eaves dropping and helping out Mom and a ton from reading Australian Women's Weekly cookbooks ( a habit I still maintain). I was making candles in sand at my summer camps (great life skill, let me assure you), now look what you can do:

From Sue Alexander's press release:

Kids are officially out of school for the summer, which means two months of planning fun activities to keep them busy. What better way to finish the summer holidays than to celebrate in the kitchen? Enroll in a 3 day Kids Only Culinary Camp at Vista D’oro Farms in Langley - it’s an adventure for the taste buds - on August 28th, 29th and 30th from 10am - 2pm for kids aged 9-15. The camp is $180 for all three days and the children will take a culinary tour of Mexico, Italy and BC with Chef Barb Finley. To reserve a spot call (604) 514-3539 but don’t wait because space is limited. The Kids Only Culinary Camp at Vista D’oro is all about fun - with a little education on a side plate.

For three action-packed, fun-filled days the children will have the opportunity to learn about the culinary arts through demonstrations and hands-on cooking in small groups. Each day's menu is cooked from scratch, using ingredients from the farm and farms nearby, then the young chefs sit down to enjoy a lunch they created. Menus are designed to be age appropriate, incorporate a variety of culinary techniques and skills, to appeal to and develop younger palates and to help children discover the process and pleasure of cooking and sharing food together.

Day 1: Mexican Fiesta
¨ Chicken Tortilla Soup with Fresh Corn and Vista D’oro Tomatoes
¨ Cheese and Herb Cornbread
¨ Watermelon Salsa with Make-Your-Own Tortilla Chips
¨ Chocolate Fondue with Fresh Summer Fruits

Day 2 Brava Italia
¨ Handmade Farfalle (Bow Tie) Pasta with Garden Vegetables and Cheese
¨ Spinach Salad with Nectarines and Raspberry Vinaigrette
¨ Peach - Mascarpone Parfait with Amaretti Cookies

Day 3: B.C. Seasonal Celebration
¨ Lime and Honey Glazed Salmon
¨ Red Pepper, Carrot and Snap Pea Salad
¨ Grilled Corn on the Cob with Fresh Herb Butter
¨ Blackberry Buckle (Cake) with Vanilla-Whipped Cream

Vista D’oro is located at 20856 4th Avenue, Langley BC. For reservations please call (604) 514-3539. For more information please visit http://www.vistadoro.com/.