Archive for the ‘Openings’ Category

Xi Shi Lounge at Shangri-La Opening

October 13th, 2011 admin

Last night, I attended the opening party of the new lobby lounge located inside the Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver.

Making the signature Iron Lotus Cocktails

Xi Shi Lounge is a tribute to the ancient Chinese goddess of the Lotus Blossom, Xi Shi, and their own Shangri-La heritage, with a modern interpretation.

The cocktail list has been crafted by Jay Jones the Bar & Beverage director for the hotel who is one of the top cocktail creators in his field.

From “The Iron Lotus,” their homage to classic cocktail culture to the servers in tailored, traditional dress, Asian touches are evident, Sino Chic attire…  think Shanghai in the 1930′s.

The Max Zipursky Trio

The bar menu offers up a small selection of tasty appetizers including my favourite of the night the crab cakes; you will also find unique cocktails and other fine liquor. Last night The Max Zipursky Trio played live jazz for the guests to enjoy.

Xi Shi Lounge is open nightly and located in the Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver at 1128 West Georgia Street or online

By: Richard Wolak

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Thierry Opening

September 28th, 2011 admin

Thierry Busset and Jack Evrensel

On Tuesday, September 27th I attended the opening party for Thierry on Alberni Street in downtown Vancouver. It’s owned by Thierry Busset and Jack Evrensel who are partners in the tasty project. Jack is also the President of Top Table Group.

Tree of Macarons

It is no secret that I have been a fan of Thierry Busset’s Macarons since discovering them a long time ago, Thierry’s centrepiece the Tree of Macarons showcased the table of the desserts at the centre of the party.

Bowl of Macarons

This is a classic French café with a modern twist, guests sampled signature dishes from their sweet and savoury menus, as well as wine and apéritifs in their fully licensed café.

Thierry is open daily 7am- Midnight and is located at 1059 Alberni Street in downtown Vancouver. You can also find them on twitter @thierrychocolat or online at http://www.thierrychocolates.com/

By: Richard Wolak

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Revolver Coffee Opening

September 2nd, 2011 admin

John, Matti, Chris, and George Gianniakos

On Wednesday, August 31st I attended the opening party for Revolver Coffee on Cambie Street downtown Vancouver.

It’s operated by brothers John, Matti, Chris, and George Gianniakos who are 4 passionate brothers who share a true love for the bean; it’s owned by parents, Tarry and Kristine Gianniakos who also own Crema in West Vancouver.

I was happy to find one of my favourite coffee roasters beans on the bar, those from Ritual Coffee in San Francisco. They are smart about their coffee choices, customers have the choice of two for their espresso based drinks where you can choose from Ritual Coffee or Phil & Sebastian. They also have different roasters coffees available (always changing) with five brewing methods to choose: steel filter; Aeropress; siphon, clever or French press.

George told me that serving the best tea is also important for them and each brew pot is temperature controlled. On the Espresso side of things the menu is going to be simple, none of that fancy ‘bucks stuff, here it is going to be the true brew. On the eats side of things look for fresh baked goods, candies and nuts.

I have always loved cafes, especially ones that excude coolness, a place that people can enjoy the best coffee while being inspired and lost in thought.

Revolver Coffee is open daily 7:30am- 7pm and is located at 325 Cambie Street in the Gastown area of Vancouver. You can also find them on twitter @revolver_coffee or online at http://revolvercoffee.ca/

By: Richard Wolak

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Frankie’s Italian Kitchen Opening

June 30th, 2011 admin

Raeffele Aiello -owner

Last night I attended the opening party for Frankie’s Italian Kitchen on Beatty Street downtown Vancouver.

As Guests arrived they were served a glass of Prosecco and served canapés of salmon tartare, ahi tuna puffs and more. A pasta station where guests could enjoy a vegetarian offering as well as meat sauce with the homemade pasta. The table was filled with antipasto, breadsticks, delicious focaccia bread, and several pizzas. Afterwards a variety of desserts were served including many Italian dessert specialties!

Chef Luigi Ornaghi

Chef Luigi Ornaghi heads up the kitchen at Frankie’s. Ornaghi has over 30 years experience as both chef and owner from kitchens throughout Northern Italy, the French Riviera and most recently the United States. The affable chef is a new arrival in Canada, he speaks four languages and has studied and taught at culinary schools throughout Piedmont, Italy.  He is also the recipient of accolades from the Chaine des Rotisseurs in Italy and Australia as well as other global gastronomic associations.

Making Pasta Creations

Pesto Pizza topped with Mussels

Frankie’s Italian Kitchen and Bar brings some of southern Italy’s famous flavours and family recipes, as well as not-so-traditional Italian dishes, to the table. Fresh ingredients, proven recipes, fair pricing and exceptional authentic service are the pillars of Frankie’s Italian Kitchen & Bar.

Private Dining Room

Desserts

More Desserts

Frankie’s Italian Kitchen & Bar is located at 765 Beatty Street next to the Georgian Court Hotel open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, reserve online www.frankiesitaliankitchen.ca or call 604.688.6368.

By: Richard Wolak

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Bistro 101 Opening

June 30th, 2011 admin

On Tuesday I attended the re-opening of Bistro 101 at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts that has reopened after a complete renovation of the space at Granville Island.

Dining Room

Bar and Dining Room

Prosecco now on Tap

The room is now elegant, with comfy bar stools and seating throughout, there is a new bar with a Joel Berman glass wall in behind along with a glass bar tabletop also designed by Joel Berman. The bar is featuring Prosecco on tap along with wine and beer and a Nespresso machine for the serious coffee lovers. There are large windows to view the open kitchens where you can see the students cooking your meal. Bakery 101 has also been redesigned into an open bake shop where you can see the students making all the wonderful pastries and chocolates. To round out the renovation you will see the addition of a new Wine Room that will be open soon.

Mushroom Puffs

Bruschetta

Risotto Balls

Bistro 101 at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts was founded to create a ‘real-world’ training experience for the school’s professional Culinary and Baking & Pastry Arts students. Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts was the first private training facility in Canada with a fine dining restaurant on the premises. To master all aspects of restaurant organization, their Restaurant Instructors guide students through formal guest service (front of house training).

Bistro 101 is open Mon-Fri providing guests with both a fine-dining experience and a glimpse at the world’s future great Chefs in training.

Pastry Kitchen

Creme Puffs & Macarons

Bistro 101 serves Lunch Monday-Friday and is located at 1505 West 2nd Avenue in Vancouver and online at http://bistro101.com/ Phone 604-734-4488.

By: Richard Wolak

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Tableau Bar Bistro Opening

May 4th, 2011 admin

Executive Chef - Marc-Andre Choquette

Last night I attended the opening party for Tableau Bar Bistro, that opens today connected to the Loden Hotel on Melville in downtown Vancouver.

The beautiful room by local interior designer Franco Avignoni is going to become a people watchers paradise, he has blended old world classic bistro elements such as custom brasses, solid wood panelling, marble and leather banquettes with original “pop art” elements, its modern and dynamic.

Prawn Cocktails

Mini Beef Burgers

As guests arrived, cocktails along with white and red wine were served, then came delicious appetizers such as the Prawn Cocktail in a cucumber mini-cup, Mini Beef Burgers, Cheeses and Charcuterie along with a tasty roasted nut mix. Servers passed around a variety of dishes, my favourites of the night were the French Onion Soup, Mini Beef Burgers and the Lamb Chops!

Cheeses and Charcuterie

Lamb Chops

Chocolate Profiteroles

The menu is French-inspired, has a beautiful outdoor patio, private dining room and a large event space.

Tableau Bar Bistro serves brunch, lunch, dinner daily, located at 1181 Melville Street in Vancouver and online at www.TableauBarBistro.com , phone 604-639-8692.

By: Richard Wolak

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The Bibo Italian Restaurant Opening

March 17th, 2011 admin

Lorenzo Bottazzi (r), Salvatore (m) and Andrea Bini (r)

On Tuesday night March 15th, I attended the opening party for The Bibo Italian Restaurant in Kitsilano.

Salvatore - the pizza maker

Once inside a wide selection of Antipasti was being served to the invited guests and media, red and white Italian wines poured Montepulciano Dabruzzo Cantina Tollo, Italy, vintage 2006 and Soave Classico San Michele Ca Rugate, Italy, vintage 2008 were served.

Focaccia

Focaccia, Salads, Antipasti

The owners are Lorenzo Bottazzi and Andrea Bini and both are passionate about serving the best Italian Wine and Food to their guests. Lorenzo spoke and welcomed everyone telling the story of why they opened Bibo here in Vancouver. I spoke with Lorenzo who told me they bought the restaurant specifically for the Fire Wood Pizza Oven so that they could make their Napoletana Pizzas.

Gnocchi in Pesto sauce

Margherita Formula One

Crudo

Afterwards, more of their delicious food was served and I ate my way thru the wonderful pastas and pizza. I loved all the three pastas that I tried, including the BiBo Matteo – Spracci, wide pasta paired with flavorful Italian Porcini mushroom sauce;  Gnocchi pasta served with Pesto sauce and Rigatoni Alla Norma a Sicilian recipe, tomato, basil and maccheroni pasta served with grilled eggplant and seasoned salt ricotta cheese (very rare and unique). I tried a selection of their pizzas and absolutely loved the Margherita Formula One – San marzano tomato DOP, buffalo mozzarella from campania DOP, basil which is their house specialty, I also enjoyed the Capricciosa -Tomato, mozzarella, cooked ham, mushrooms, artichokes, black olives, capers; Quattro Formaggi- Mozzarella, provola, gorgonzola, parmesan; and Funghi Porcini – Tomato, mozzarella, porcini mushrooms.

Tiramisu

Bounet

Just when the guests including yours truly were feeling quite full, a spectacular selection of Italian desserts arrived to the table. I love desserts and I was in heaven with their creamy Tiramisu – made of Italian savoiardi biscuits dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of egg yolks, italian mascarpone and flavored with liquor and cocoa; the delicious Bounet is a traditional Piemontese pudding made with amaretti and cocoa and their Chocolate Pizza – a pizza dough baked and smothered with a rich melted chocolate cream. I also tried the Panna Cotta “cooked cream” was served as a chilled dish. I had some of the Crème Caramel – a custard dessert with a layer of soft caramel on top. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a stylish bar, large kitchen, a showcase area for live entertainment and an open pizza kitchen and oven. Lorenzo told me that they brought Salvatore their Pizza maker in from Naples, he is one of best pizza makers in the world he sees pizza making as a work of art and the pizza is his masterpiece.

The Bibo Italian Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday, from 11:30am, located at 1835 West 4th Avenue in Vancouver and online at www.thebibo.com, phone 604-568-6177.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Openings Tags: , , 2 Comments »

Rouge Opening

February 1st, 2011 admin

On January 27th, I attended the opening party of Rouge that saw a few hundred people mingle over cocktails, shots, wine and passed around bites.

Rouge Event Lounge is located at 1240 Richard St. Vancouver, BC and online at

www.rougeeventlounge.com

By: Richard Wolak

Photo Credit: Noam Dehan

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