BETA5 Chocolates: Win a Valentines Day Event for 2

January 27th, 2012 admin

Valentine’s Day should be more about celebrating with those that you care about, whether they are a husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, someone you have a crush on or a best friend.

Enter to WIN a Valentine’s Day Event on February 14 for 2 people.

BETA5 chocolates are produced in small batches using ethically sourced estate chocolates and premium ingredients. Careful alignment of the BETA5 matrix results in our chocolates’ distinctive shine and crisp snap.

  • We wanted to create a different kind of chocolate shop.
  • One that uses the best ingredients we can find, in support of farmers and in the name of taste.
  • One that goes against the grain, by recognizing where we stand in the global economy and by committing to making ethical choices instead of profit-driven ones.
  • One that is off the beaten path, that blurs the lines between customer and cook.
  • One that revolves around innovation and craftsmanship.

Adam & Jess

BETA5 Chocolates

413 Industrial Ave

Vancouver, BC

 

Now for The Contest

Follow these 3 steps:

1) Write a comment below, suggest 3 different chocolate flavours you would love to see created (could be ones you have had previously in another city or ones that you thought would be interesting made into a chocolate).

2) Follow us both @vanfoodster @beta5chocolates and retweet the following on twitter:

I entered to WIN a Valentine`s Day Event Feb 14 at BETA5 for 2 people @beta5chocolates via @vanfoodster http://bit.ly/wXVwEQ RT to enter!

3)    Like us both on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vancouverfoodster and http://www.facebook.com/beta5chocolatesltd

All submissions will be entered to win for the random draw. The winner of a Valentine’s Day Event on February 14 for 2 people will be announced via twitter and posted.  The contest giveaway is to enter to win a Valentine’s Day Event on February 14 for 2 people – Value $125

Fine Print: Contest will run until 2pm on 2/3/12 You must enter your full name and twitter address if you have one and register with your email address when entering the contest.

Vancouver Foodster is @vanfoodster on twitter and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/vancouverfoodster and on Google+

Brunch with Bif Naked at Edible Canada at the Market

January 26th, 2012 admin

Brunch is a favourite past time shared by many and should be an extraordinary experience, one that you will cherish. Vancouver has some wonderful places for brunch. Each of the places I visit is unique for what is offered along with the type of service and selection of dishes. I am on a journey around the city to find these extraordinary places and, at the same time, I will be joined by a notable personality who may be a Film Producer or Director, Musician, Arts Festival Director, Actor or other well-known individual for Brunch at restaurants in and around Vancouver.

For my twelfth brunch in this series, I was joined by Musician Bif Naked at Edible Canada at the Market in Vancouver talking about Music, being Vegan and more!

Bif Naked

Bif Naked is a Juno Award-winning, Indian-born American-Canadian multi-platinum record selling rock singer, writer, poet, motivational speaker and actress.

Her musical career is vast, prior to her solo career, Bif played with punk bands Gorilla Gorilla and Chrome Dog. She has toured Europe, the United States, and Canada as a headlining act, and has performed on bills with Snoop Dogg, Billy Idol, Dido, Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Chrissie Hynde, the Foo Fighters, the Cult and many more. She recorded a version of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” for the MTV: TRL Christmas CD. She was also featured on the Ready to Rumble soundtrack with a cover of Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, the Celebrity Deathmatch soundtrack with “Vampire”, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s soundtrack with “Lucky”. Solo albums include Bif Naked, a self-titled album, Purge, and I Bificus. In 2005, after narrowing it down from over 50 songs, she released Superbeautifulmonster with 13 tracks. The Promise was released in 2009 and was dedicated to her fans. Sick, Bluejay, You’ll Never Know were mixed by Juno Award winner Mike Fraser. She has made appearances in music videos for The Offspring’s “The Kids Aren’t Alright”, Moist’s “Believe Me” and “Silver”, Liveonrelease’s “Get with it” and Simple Plan’s “Save You” near the end along with other people (such as Sharon Osborne and René Angélil) who have been treated for cancer. In 2011, she recorded a duet with Vancouver yogi and Nettwerk recording artist Will Blunderfield for the international version of his album Hallelujah.

She has had an extensive acting career as well, from being on the The Chris Isaak Show in 2000, to becoming the first host of the CBC Television series ZeD in 2002. In 2003 she appeared as a judge of a fictitious reality show in the TV series Cold Squad. In 2007 she narrated the chronicles of her and her spouse’s life in Bodog’s web reality show “Bif Naked Bride” up to the wedding finale.

How long have you been singing?

I have been singing professionally since I was 18, I dropped out of school to tour with “Gorilla Gorilla” and opened for “DOA”.

What came first being a Poet, Spoken Word or Music?

Poetry came first, been writing since I could read, my parents are both academics. I was obsessed with the writing of Anais Nin. Spoken Word came on at the same time then music. In 1996, I put out a spoken word record.

Have you always wanted to be a musician?

Never wanted to, still don’t. For 14 years I was a ballerina, I thought I would have a dance career. Fell into theatre, then ended up on tour for 20 years.

What Genre is your music?

It is malleable, every song is different, and a hodge podge of genres and I am lucky to be able to do it.

Has your music style changed over the years?

A little bit as I have, and trends have. I am a lyrist more than a music writer. My musicians present me with rites first.

Amuse Buche

Harvest Salad

Albacore Tuna Salad

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Bif and Richard were both served an Amuse Buche tomato to whet our appetites, Bif had the Harvest Salad ($11) with Okanagan pears, sundried cranberries and local greens. Richard had the Albacore Tuna Salad ($14) with fingerling potatoes, kale, spinach and wild mushrooms and then had a Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($10) with brioche, Farmhouse brie, smoked cheddar, Dundarave olive jam and Okanagan Apple.

What is your favourite food?

Zucchini – I could eat it 3 times a day, forever.

What is your favourite restaurant inside and outside Vancouver?

  • In Regina , Saskatchewan it was “Heliotrope” it is no longer there.
  • In Vancouver, “Organic Lives”.

What do you do in your off time?

  • Yoga classes
  • Painting
  • Writing my book
  • Photography
  • Nature
  • Being with my dog
  • Volunteering
  • Working in hospitals with sick people
  • Spending time at home

How far in advance do you plan your concerts?

My managers book them and then I am told when and where to go. I have been fortunate to have the same manager for the last 20 years.

Do you come from a musical family?

Not at all, my father is a dentist, and my mother is and educator and nurse. Both were missionaries in India previously.

Where was your most recent musical trip?

In Ontario and Alberta in December, 2011.

Where is your next musical trip?

I am putting out 2 records this spring, one house record done while I was in chemo and the other is the acoustic record. I will go and perform to support the records.

What is your favourite music festival that you have performed at?

Rock im Park – in Germany

What is your favourite city for live performance music?

Used to be Halifax at the Marquee, now it is Vancouver.

Is there a music festival that you have wanted to perform at and have yet too?

I would love to perform a music festival in China or Singapore.

Who are your mentors?

  • Joe Keithley of DOA
  • Chi Pig from SNFU

Who are your favourite musicians to collaborate with?

Will Blunderfield – Yoga Instructor/ Musician – he is on twitter @wblunderfield

I would like to collaborate with rappers, jazz singers and metal.

Are there any musicians who have influenced your musical career? If so who?

Being on tours with Kid Rock, Bergeron of the Johnny Carson Show, Anita Baker fan, Kenny Edmonds, Desmond Child.

What’s next for you or what’s on the horizon musically speaking?

  • 2 records coming out in 2012
  • Working on a book on my life
  • Speaking engagement at a conference in Victoria called Breathe Now.

How many Tattoos do you have?

I have 50 tattoos now, I got my first tattoo when I was 16 years old.

Tell me about the N tattoo that I see on your left wrist and the O tattoo that I see on your right wrist.

I kept getting married and could not say no, I got these two tattoos that say NO, got them 15 years ago.

When did you go Vegan?

I went Vegan in my early 20’s while on the road touring with my 1st husband who was vegetarian. I never ate pasta anyways and thought this was the best way to go healthwise. I can eat anything from bananas to papayas to blueberries.

Tell me about your experience with Chemotherapy and eating.

At the beginning of my Chemotherapy I had a craving for yam rolls and ate 36 rolls in one sitting. Nutripinia causes a phase of being psycho hungry, after Chemo I went back to my usual food routine of a RAW diet.

What is your view on eating a RAW diet?

There are lots of rules around what is and isn’t raw, now I am more relaxed about how the foods are prepared or eaten than I was before.

How did you get into Motivational Speaking?

I joined the National Speakers Bureau 2 years ago to talk.

 

Style: A La Carte

Attire: Casual

Time: Saturday and Sunday 9:00am – 4:00pm

Edible Canada at the Market (opposite the public market on Granville Island)

1596 Johnston Street, Vancouver

Menu: http://www.ediblecanada.com/bistro.php

For Reservations, please call 604-682-6681

Stay tuned to my next guest Interview along with the next Brunch in and around Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Tasting Plates Vancouver: The Restaurants

January 25th, 2012 admin

12 restaurants, cafes, bakeries & food trucks will be participating in the event that will take place all over downtown Vancouver including Gastown, Yaletown, Downtown and the Westend. Each of the restaurants will be doing tasting plates of their various dishes, and some will now be offering beverages as well.

The starting location for everyone to begin their tasting adventure will be at the W2 Media Café at 111 West Hastings Street (in the Woodwards building, between Cambie and Abbott). Registration will open at 5:45pm and this is where you will pick up your map cards for the evening. The W2 Media Café will be serving up some Tasting Plates of their own to kick off the evening and Salt Spring Coffee Co will be serving up free espresso all night along at their espresso bar inside the W2 Media Café.

Purchase tickets via Eventbrite:

http://tastingplatesvancouver.eventbrite.ca

Here are the participating restaurants:

 

W2 Media Cafe

W2 Community Media Arts Society, www.creativetechnology.org

#250-111 W Hastings, Vancouver

Twitter @W2MediaCafe

Featuring Chef Karen McAthy

Located in the Woodward’s Atrium, W2 Media Cafe is an artist-run, globally networked media arts lab, Incubator, community meeting space and social enterprise cafe serving artists and residents of the Downtown Eastside and Vancouver.

Serving healthy, high quality food and drink and employing DTES residents, the cafe is like no other in the neighbourhood, offering a globally connected experience in a hyperlocal, community-supportive context.

Notturno Paninoteca

280 Carrall Street, Vancouver

604-720-3145

http://www.facebook.com/NotturnoPaninoteca

Twitter @NotturnoGastown

Serving simple grilled Panini with quality ingredients, share plates, wine and beer.

 

Bonchaz Bakery Café

426 W Hastings Street

604-626-7215

Website: www.bonchaz.ca

Twitter: @bonchaz

Bonchaz Bakery Café owes much of its popularity to its namesake; a deliciously decadent Mexican-French pastry, with flavours including butter sea salt, banana walnut, or chocolate truffle; freshly baked before your eyes to crispy golden perfection.

The boutique café also boasts a phenomenal French press coffee, appetizing and homemade affordable eats, including inspired soups, savoury sandwiches, and desserts to die for.

 

Cosca Restaurant

1118 Denman Street, Vancouver

www.coscarestaurant.com

Twitter: @CoscaRestaurant

Known for its welcoming and cozy atmosphere, traditional Italian dishes featuring fresh local ingredients, and mind-blowing tiramisu. Serving Italian rustic comfort food with Tuscan flavour, our fresh, local ingredients prepared with love always gives your belly a warm hug. We have plenty of vegetarian and gluten free options and if you can’t decide what you’d like, get a pasta platter with your choice of three or four pastas. Sunday brunch menu features savoury frittatas and eggs benedicts, baked eggs, sweet pannetone French toast and more.

 

Footo Delights

820 Homer Street, Vancouver

604-568-6500

http://www.footodelights.com

Twitter @FootoDelights

“Drop by for a taste of Vancouver’s Freshest Croissants! Footo Delights (Fresh Out Of The Oven) specializes in artisan croissants made from scratch daily using only the freshest natural ingredients – enriched unbleached flour, water, real butter, fresh milk, fresh eggs, Himalayan crystal salt, fresh yeast, and granulated sugar. We are committed to not using any food colourings, chemicals, or shortenings.”

Juice Truck

Corner of Abbott Street and Water Street in Gastown

http://thejuicetruck.ca

Twitter @juicetruck

The Juice Truck is a new school juicing concept on 4 wheels. We make premium gourmet juices, smoothies, and soups with the goal of enlivening communities with nutrition and flavour.

 

Phat Deli

1055 Mainland Street, Vancouver

604-684-6239

http://www.phatdeli.com/

Twitter @PHAT_Yaletown

Known for their favorite Hot Montreal smoked meat on Rye, as well as other Jewish style deli favourites.

Leonadis Chocolate 

#29-1055 Canada Place, Vancouver

604-647-7559

http://www.leonidaswaterfront.com/

Twitter @LeonidasChocola

A century of freshness, generosity and tradition

Today, Leonidas is a world-renowned chocolate maker, selling over 100 different kinds of Belgian chocolate through 1,400 outlets around the world. Yet the beliefs that first inspired the company (1910) one hundred years ago are as strong as ever.

Located on the waterfront of the new Vancouver Convention Centre West, one can enjoy the most stunning view of Vancouver, while sipping on an authentic Belgian Hot Chocolate, made from our chocolate, or Italy’s finest LaVazza Super Crema coffee beans (or both!) paired with the finest chocolate Belgium has to offer.

If you’re looking for the perfect waffle, look no further than our Liege Waffles – a brioche type texture, with pockets of Belgian sugar crystals…who needs a topping?

WE. Coffee Inc.

F.C.R.R. – First Coffee Roaster on Robson St.

1696 Robson St. Vancouver

604-782-8788

Web : www.wecoffeeroaster.com

Twitter @WECoffeeInc

WE. Roast our high quality arabica coffee beans everyday to ensure the freshness and quality. At WE. Coffee it’s not just about enjoying our freshly roasted coffee beans. Come savor our panini and croissant sandwiches prepared with healthy, seasonal ingredients. Spoil yourself with our selection of rich, golden, fluffy waffles, delectable cakes, and other delicious desserts. Let our baristas treat you to professionally prepared and presented coffee drinks as well as Mariage Frères Teas.

cupcakes by heather & lori

the original cupcakes bakery

1168 Denman Street, Vancouver

604-974-1300  ext 1, 2

www.originalcupcakes.com

Twitter @CupcakesDenman

Cupcakes on Denman was the world’s very first concept cupcake bakery.  All our delicious cupcakes are baked fresh every day for every occasion.

We also do custom, wedding and birthday cakes.  Come down to Cupcakes on Denman where every day is a celebration!

Soho Road

Corner of Smithe & Howe Streets

http://www.facebook.com/EatSohoRoad

Twitter @SohoRoad

Traditional UK Tandoori comes to Vancouver in the form of a little black cart parked in front of the Supreme Court (800 Smithe St).

 

  • A food networking dinner event connecting Vancouver’s vibrant food community.
  • Visit each of the participating restaurants by walking, transit, bike, or carpooling.
  • $2 from each ticket purchased will go to support the Vancouver Food Bank.

Purchase Tickets Here

 

Tickets: $25 per person (eventbrite fee extra) – ticket price includes tasting plates at each of the participating restaurants throughout the evening. A donation of $2 from each ticket purchased will go to support the Vancouver Food Bank. (Beverages are included at some restaurants which will be noted, you are welcome to purchase wine, beer, cocktails or mocktails at each of the participating restaurants).

All ticket holders are invited to attend the Book Launch After Party that gets underway afterwards at 9pm at the W2 Media Cafe & Performance Centre. Come join us to meet and mingle with other foodies, music, chefs and some surprise guests. Your ticket gets you into this party for free!

Note: No tickets will be sold on the day of the event. All ticket sales are final. No exchanges or refunds; however they are transferrable with printed proof of ticket. ALL Tickets must be purchased in advance online.

THE MAC SHACK

January 24th, 2012 admin

5395 West Boulevard, Vancouver

Tel: 604-267-4225

Web: www.themacshack.ca

Twitter: @the_mac_shack

Advice: If you are going with a friend and having any of the Mac & Cheese dishes then share a medium size or get 2 smalls and share.

West Coast Salad

Having a Mac & Cheese growing up was never as fun as my recent visit to The Mac Shack for dinner. My friend Cassandra Anderton joined me to indulge in Mac & Cheese oooey gooey cheesy goodness! We started with some greens and each had a small West Coast Salad ($5) with tossed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, mushrooms and honey roasted pecans served with a light raspberry vinaigrette.

Lobster Mac

The Ultimate

Build Your Own

Bread Dippers

Next, we shared 3 of the Ultimate size of Mac & Cheese, all were served in large cast iron pans, the first was the outstanding Lobster Mac ($18) with asiago & Canadian cheddar, lobster meat, oyster mushrooms, lemon, dill, truffle oil and roasted garlic in a cream sauce. The second was The Ultimate ($16) with bacon, bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, chicken, chorizo, shrimp, with Mozzarella and Gruyere cheese in a tomato sauce. Third, was a Build Your Own ($16), which I built using the healthiest of ingredients on offer, ours had Aged cheddar and Asiago, along with whole wheat pasta, broccoli, caramelized onions, and mushrooms in a tomato sauce. We also added an order of Bread Dippers ($ .90) that perhaps was adding more carbs into the mix that we could have done without.

The Squish

The Skillet Brownie

We both thought dessert was in order to round up our comforting meal. We both shared The Squish ($4.75) double chocolate chip cookies filled with vanilla ice cream with a raspberry coulis, however it was the 2nd dessert that was the clear favourite for us both, The Skillet Brownie ($5.90) double chocolate brownie warmed in a skillet topped with vanilla bean gelato and drizzled with raspberry coulis.

The Mac Shack has taken Mac & Cheese to a new level, with the best cheese and quality ingredients this is surely Mac & Cheese that you are going to want to eat time and time again.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Field Trip to Seattle

January 24th, 2012 admin

“FieldTrips” is either a day trip or a few days where I visit food areas of interest which may include farm visits, producers, wineries, restaurants and/or other places that people can visit. This is about offering Vancouver Foodster readers a chance to get out of town and take a “Field Trip” for the day or a few days to explore, learn, taste and experience.

1 day or 3 day itinerary

Field Trip to Seattle

My family and I visited Seattle recently, as we left Vancouver, I drove South on Highway 99 to the border and then South on interstate 5 (regular driving time 3 hours).

Kimpton Vintage Park Hotel

Arriving in Seattle we checked in to our hotel at the Kimpton Vintage Park. Our room had 2 double beds, also had a fold out couch, sitting chair and coffee table. In the bathroom a smart move for the environment (instead of the normal practice of providing mini bottles of shampoos and lotions, they have large refillable bottles in the shower as well as on the counter. On the plus side it is eco and the negative side is no more taking those little bottles home.

Sazerac Restaurant

For dinner we walked 1 block to Sazerac Restaurant located at 1101 Fourth Avenue where our server Ryan greeted us.

Field Mushrooms

Crispy Truffles

Organic Beet Salad

Draper Valley Free Range Chicken

Chicory Pot de Creme

Oooey Gooey Chocolate Cake

Sazerac Restaurant

1101 Fourth Avenue

Seattle , WA 98101

Adjacent to Hotel Monaco Seattle

At the corner of Spring Street

Phone: 206.624.7755

www.sazeracrestaurant.com 

Dahlia Bakery

The next day I left the hotel and walked 7 blocks to Dahlia Bakery, a small bakery that is filled with yummy goodness.

Rustic Breads

Apple Dumplings

Pear Tarts

Coconut Cream Pie

Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies filled with peanut butter

From their rustic Breads, Apple Dumplings to the Pear Tarts, Coconut Crème Pie, to the Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies filled with peanut butter and much more including Whoopie Cakes, Chocolate Cookies and more. The bakery had a line-up that stretched out the door on to the sidewalk.

Dahlia Bakery

2001 4th Avenue

Seattle, WA

(206) 682-4142

http://tomdouglas.com

Kimpton Vintage Park Hotel

Back to the hotel, I did a workout in the fitness center, then checked out the business centre and then lounged in the lobby. After a rest, I then walked 1.3 miles North through the downtown area to Serious Pie in the Westlake neighborhood for lunch.

Serious Pie Westlake

I have always wanted to visit as everyone I knew had been raving about the pizza.

Chanterelles Pizza & Yukon Gold Pizza

Buffalo Mozzarella Pizza & Sausage Pizza

Chocolate Budino

Serious Pie Westlake

South Lake Union neighborhood, on Westlake Avenue at Harrison Street

401 Westlake Avenue North

Seattle, WA  98109 [map it]

Telephone: 206-436-0050

http://seriouspiewestlake.com/

Walked back to the hotel to pack up my things and check out. This was a charming hotel that was themed all about the wines of Washington, every afternoon they have a wine hour for guests to enjoy and mingle.

Kimpton Vintage Park Hotel

1100 5th Avenue  Seattle, WA 98101

(206) 624-8000

Reservations: (800) 853-3914

http://www.hotelvintagepark.com/

Stay tuned for part 2 of my Field Trip to Seattle.

By: Richard Wolak

C Restaurant Dine Out 2012

January 22nd, 2012 admin

On Friday night I kicked off Dine Out Vancouver 2012 by having dinner at C Restaurant. Their dine out menu was one of my picks in this years festival, at $38 it features 4 courses, 1 more course than the usual 3 courses which most of the restaurants in $38 category are featuring.

Amuse Buche -selection of morsels

A treat as I discovered was seeing notable Executive Chef Robert Clark back in the kitchen taking over while Chef Lee Humphries is away. Rob will be in the kitchen through-out the dine out festival, say hello to him when you visit. This Dine Out menu that Chefs Robert Clark and Lee Humphries created highlights the best of BC and a commitment to sustainable practices, C’s menu for dine out offers the restaurant’s fine-dining experience at an incredible price point.

My friend Ryan West joined me for this wonderful dinner. To whet our appetite, we were served an Amuse Buche of tasty morsels on sticks. Then for our 1st Course – Appetizer

North Arm Farms Beet Panzanella Salad

North Arm Farms Beet Panzanella Salad, harissa dressing, shaved ricotta salata

BC VQA Wine Pairing: Jackson Triggs White Meritage 2009

Pan Seared Foie Gras

We added an additional course ($15.00 extra) as our 2nd course and had the elegantly served  Pan Seared Foie Gras with Ginger Soda, Toasted Brioche and Cranberry Chutney, the experience alone was a wonderful addition to the menu, our server delivered the silver dome covered plates to the table to us voila!

For our 3rd Course

Seared Albacore Tuna

 Seared Albacore Tuna, winter minestrone, garlic pistau and crisp basil

BC VQA Wine Pairing: SYL Ranch Nelly 2009

For our 4th Course – Entree

Seared Lake Babine Salmon

Seared Lake Babine Salmon, squash puree, almond tapenade

BC VQA Wine Pairing: Nk’Mip Pinot Blanc 2010

Lemon Olive Oil Sorbet

Then to cleanse our palate after the outstanding Lake Babine Salmon we were served a Lemon Olive Oil Sorbet with an almond cookie ($4 additional cost).

Lastly to end this one of a kind Dine Out experience our 5th Course – Dessert

Spiced Chocolate Pudding

Spiced Chocolate Pudding, Crisp Caramel Puffed Rice, Vanilla Chantilly

BC VQA Wine Pairing: Sumac Ridge Vintage Pipe 2006

C Restaurant’s Dine Out Vancouver promotion runs January 20th thru February 5th.

Reservations for Dine Out are now being accepted via phone at 604-681-1164. C Restaurant is open for dinner from 5pm daily. For more information visit www.crestaurant.com.

By: Richard Wolak

Secret Supper Soiree Speakeasy

January 22nd, 2012 admin

Last night I attended a Secret Supper Soiree Speakeasy tour, one of the playful events in this years Dine Out Vancouver Festival 2012. This was the first time that I was able to attend a Swallow Tail event and I was looking forward to discovering each of the secret locations we were going to visit. We all boarded a pink double decker bus and we were whisked off to secret location #1 for a celebratory cocktail followed by two mini-courses.

This secret location was filled with history, some sharp objects and many memories; I have always wanted to visit but never had a chance too until now.

Beet and Blood Orange Granita

Tomato Consommé Soup

The first was a small salad Beet and Blood Orange Granita, BB microns, pomegranate seeds and the second a Soup tomato consommé, picked cauliflower and Hijiki seweed.

Back on the bus and we were on our way to secret location #2 to eat and sip on wines that were paired with the appetizer, entrée and dessert. This secret location was very unique and a surprise as I had never heard of the place before until now.

Poached Hens Egg

Pitt Meadows Flat Iron Steak

Riesling Baba

Executive Chef Andrea Carlson formerly of Bishops created a wild food inspired menu, the first at this 2nd location was the Poached Hens Egg, forest mushroom, red wine reduction Appetizer, followed by the Pitt Meadows Flat Iron Steak, potato pave, root vegetables, mountain huckleberry & rosemary jus Entrée and lastly the delicious Riesling Baba- orange blossom, semifreddo, persimmon, pistachio.

A talented group of dancers entertained us all through dinner swing dancin’ and all dressed up in 1930’s garb.

This two-act tour is the best way to explore the city’s culinary secrets and tantalize your taste buds!  The theme was 1930’s Speakeasy, I wore a Stetson Hat that was given to me by my father and it was from the 1930’s which fit the theme perfectly. Dress as fancy as you like! Five courses, four libations, two secret locations.

Vancouver-based Swallow Tail Tours is owned by Chef Robin Kort who is also a trained Sommelier, the BC VQA Wines were well paired with the evenings food courses. If there are any spots still available in this years’ Dine Out Festival 2012, I urge you to reserve your spot and enjoy this wonderful speakeasy dining tour.

By: Richard Wolak

Brunch: Mina Shum at EBO Restaurant

January 21st, 2012 admin

Brunch is a favourite past time shared by many and should be an extraordinary experience, one that you will cherish. Vancouver has some wonderful places for brunch. Each of the places I visit is unique for what is offered along with the type of service and selection of dishes. I am on a journey around the city to find these extraordinary places and, at the same time, I will be joined by a notable personality who may be a Film Producer or Director, Musician, Arts Festival Director, Actor or other well-known individual for Brunch at restaurants in and around Vancouver.

For my eleventh brunch in this series, I was joined by Filmmaker – Mina Shum–at EBO Restaurant in Burnaby talking about film, plays and more!

Mina Shum

Mina Shum was born in Hong Kong and raised in Vancouver, Canada. After earning a diploma in film production, she went on to make 5 short films, including Me, Mom and Mona (1993), which was honoured with a Special Jury Citation at Toronto in 1993.

Her filmography includes: Double Happiness 1994; Drive, She Said 1997; Long Life, Happiness & Prosperity 2002; Picture Perfect (1989) short film at the Yorkton Film Festival; Noah’s Arc 2005, second season.

How did you become a Filmmaker?

At 7 years old, I told my parents I wanted to be in show biz, I loved theatre and the movies. I started taking drama in grade 8, at 13 I wrote a journal of 2 women next to me talking about a muffin and a recipe in context, this started off my dream. I did a theatre degree at UBC and a film diploma. I then got a Canada Council grant and another and then I was in the biz.

How did the film -Double Happiness- come about?

It was my life at the time, I wanted to write my first feature, it is a story about a girl moving out. I wrote the script, work shopped it at Norman Jewison in Toronto, then at Practis at SFU, then won the “New Views” contest and the prize was 1 million dollars to make a film.

Is there any connection between – Double Happiness – and your other film — Long Life, Happiness and Prosperity?

There is a connection between one person identity and Long Life is about believing in something you can’t see. Living authentically and being your own person, struggling on who I should be.

You have done feature length films as well as shorts, do you have a preference to either?

I would always love to do a feature, shorts take about the same time as features.

Is there any difference for you directing a TV series vs a film?

Yes – tv series you are a guest of the creators, you are fulfilling someone else’s vision. TV has given me the opportunity to shoot other kinds of subjects that what I would usually do.

Are there any film makers who have influenced your career? If so who?

  • Woody Allen
  • Jed Appatau
  • Akira Kiwasaua

For Brunch since Mina is Vegan, Chef Dan Craig prepared a few Vegan dishes especially for her in addition to the other dishes that were on the buffet which fit in with her Vegan dietary needs. Richard enjoyed many of the dishes on the wonderful buffet.

What is your favourite food?

Ice Cream

What is your favourite restaurant inside and outside Vancouver?

  • Tsui Woo Seafood Restaurant (inside Vancouver)
  • Poncho Villa in San Francisco

What do you do in your off time?

  • Yoga
  • Dance
  • Gym
  • Eat

How far in advance do you plan your films?

About 4 years from the thinking of the idea until people will see the idea become reality.

How do you decide what your next film is going to be?

Driven by a question and a situation will come out of it. It then consumes me to go further.

Where was your most recent trip?

Whistler for the Whistler Film Festival

What are your favourite places to hangout in Vancouver?

  • Third Beach
  • My house
  • Café de Soleil

Who are your mentors?

  • Dennis Foon (founder of Green Thumb Theatre)
  • Gary Winick (film director “Charlottes Web)
  • Les Ford

What is it like to write and direct a film?

It’s awesome I got to rewrite all the way to the poster of the film.

What are you working on currently?

“Two of Me” – a feature film that is filming in Vancouver in the summer of 2012 –biggest film that I have ever done and it is a romantic comedy.

What is a Table Read?

When movie star actors sit around a table and read the script.

Is there anything you want to do, that you haven’t done already?

I want to make a musical.

Direct a super cool thriller that is character intense.

Are you interested in doing any plays?

Last year I did “All” during the Push Festival which was an installation –film “Standing Wave” with 16 kids in the audience. “Standing Wave” commissioned to make a show of Vancouver. They asked me to do it, I had an idea, they said yes and I made it.

Style: Buffet

Attire: Smart Casual

Time: Brunch is offered  11:00am – 2:00pm on Sunday

Cost: Sunday Brunch is $30.95 per person

EBO Restaurant in the Delta Burnaby Hotel

4331 Dominion Street, Burnaby

Menu: 

http://www.eborestaurant.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/EBO-Sunday-Brunch.pdf

For Reservations, please call 604-453-0788

Stay tuned to my next guest Interview along with the next Brunch in and around Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

 

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