Archive for the ‘Parties & Events’ Category

Dinner at The Grill – Vancouver Club

March 26th, 2012 admin

Chef Sean Cousins invited me in for dinner recently where I was treated to these wonderful dishes.

The First Course:

Weathervine and Baja prawn dumpling, apple beet slaw almonds

Weathervine and Baja prawn dumpling, apple beet slaw almonds

 The Second Course:

Fennel Pollen and clay pepper crusted ahi tuna, berkshire pork jowl, house chorizo ragu

Fennel Pollen and clay pepper crusted ahi tuna, berkshire pork jowl, house chorizo ragu

 The Third Course:

Rabbit Bollotine, cress, carrots 2 ways

Rabbit Bollotine, cress, carrots 2 ways

 The Fourth Course:

Butter poached Lobster, 24k leaf with acadian caviar, acquerello risotto

Butter poached Lobster, 24k leaf with acadian caviar, acquerello risotto

The Fifth Course:

Sezmu Beef duo, 72 hour shortrib, roasted tenderloin, smoked hollandaise

Sezmu Beef duo, 72 hour shortrib, roasted tenderloin, smoked hollandaise

 The Sixth Course:

Blood Orange Chocolate nitro ice cream

Blood orange nitro ice cream

The Last Course:

White Chocolate Truffles

White Chocolate Truffles

My Take:

Each of the courses were well presented and each had wonderful flavours. My favourite dishes were the Fennel Pollen and clay pepper crusted ahi tuna, berkshire pork jowl, house chorizo ragu; Butter poached Lobster, 24k leaf with acadian caviar, acquerello risotto; Sezmu Beef duo, 72 hour shortrib, roasted tenderloin, smoked hollandaise; Blood orange nitro ice cream hand-made table side was quite the experience and was a refreshing dessert and the White Chocolate Truffles.

Note: This is a members only club, The Grill is not open to the public, to dine there you must be a member or be invited by a member.

The Grill at Vancouver Club

915 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

http://vancouverclub.ca/

By: Richard Wolak

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Fraiche Celebrates 1 Year Leap Anniversary

March 2nd, 2012 admin

Chef Jefferson Alvarez (L), Chef Wayne Martin (M), Manager Phil Reigh (R)

On Tuesday February 29th, I attended the 1st year Leap Anniversary (that’s 4 years) Party at Fraiche Restaurant in West Vancouver. Guests mingled over glasses of red and white wine, savoured bites by Chef Jefferson Alvarez. Guests included Chef Wayne Martin who was the opening chef of the restaurant 4 years ago.

Serving Scallop Tartare

Serving Crispy Pork Skin

Passed around bites included Scallop Tartare, Lamb Merquez, Fennel Pannacotta with kelp caviar and crispy pork skin.

Paul Chalmers (co-owner)

Paul Chalmers (co-owner) spoke and recognized their Executive Chef Jefferson Alvarez as well as their Manager Phil Reigh.

Fraiche Restaurant is located at 2240 Chippendale Rd, West Vancouver, BC and online at http://www.fraicherestaurant.ca

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Anniversaries, Latest Tags: , , , No Comments »

Provence Marinaside Celebrates 10 Years

February 24th, 2012 admin

Executive Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia

On Thursday, February 23rd  I attended the 10th Anniversary Party at Provence Marinaside where proprietor and Executive Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia greeted guests.

Publicist, Nancy Wong & Executive Chef/Proprietor, Jean-Francis Quaglia

Nancy Wong has been the publicist of Provence Marinaside since day 1, and this was a chance to celebrate all the wonderful people that have been a part of the restaurants success.

Wine was poured as guests mingled inside the restaurant, oysters were chucked, and canapés were passed around. The restaurant is owned by husband and wife team, chefs Alessandra and Jean-Francis Quaglia.

Provence Marinaside is located at 1177 Marinaside Crescent and is open nightly, you can also find them online at http://www.provencevancouver.com/marinaside/

By: Richard Wolak

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New Dishes at House Guest

February 18th, 2012 admin

I revisited House Guest last week for an early dinner along with my friend Ajay to try some of their new dishes.

Lobster & Waffles

Lobster & Waffles ($16) bacon wrapped lobster sausage, pretzel crust, lemon mascarpone waffle topped with tarragon sauce

Kobe Beef Sliders

Kobe Beef Sliders ($15) with wedge potatoes & bone marrow gravy

 

Duck Confit Flatbread

Duck Confit Flatbread ($16) with Fior De Latte, Pear & Arugula Salad

Chocolate Pasta, Sponge Toffee & Toffee Ice cream

Chocolate Pasta, Sponge Toffee & Toffee Ice cream

I was hesitant at first to try the Lobster & Waffles, however after the server told me that I would be quite surprised I ordered them and I was very happy that I did. It’s a savoury dish that’s constructed well and the tarragon sauce on top brings all the elements together. The best part of the Kobe Beef Sliders dish was the wedge potatoes & bone marrow gravy that was absolutely delicious. For our order of the Duck Confit Flatbread I specifically ordered it without the egg that is usually on top (it is included if you so desire to have it) and this was also quite delicious. On to dessert, the chocolate pasta was very unique and tasty, but the kiwi gel was not, loved the rockstar sponge toffee & toffee ice cream combination.

I also ordered a couple of other dishes which I had previously enjoyed, the Beef Shortrib Poutine which is presently not on the menu as well as the churros with dolce de leche and red velvet sauce which is currently on the menu.

House Guest

332 Water Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-699-0249

Web: http://housexguest.com

Twitter: @HouseXGuest

By: Richard Wolak

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Big Night 2012

February 18th, 2012 admin

Chef Audrey Durbach of Pied A Terre

On February 10th I attended Big Night, I have attended many over the past few years and this is always an event that I look forward too– this is Vancouver Magazine’s Big Night! This was a celebration of the top restaurants from Vancouver Magazine’s 22nd Annual restaurant awards and award-winning wines from the 8th Annual Wine Awards and each restaurant was paired with one of the wines!

The evening began with a reception held in the Fourier, Chef Sean Cousins of the Vancouver Club treated all Big Night guests to ‘Lobster Bisque’ to kick off the Big Night – Delicious dish!

Chef Frank Pabst of Blue Water Cafe

Chef Vikram Vij of Vij's

Chef Thomas Haas (2nd from left) and his Pastry Chefs team

Pineapple and Almond Macaron with lime sorbet from Thomas Haas

From the dishes and wines that I sampled, here are my list of favourites.

  1. Bistilla from Pied-A-Terre – Moroccan spiced chicken with almonds and apricots wrapped in pastry, fried and dusted with icing sugar.
  2. Sawmill Bay Mussels in a Madras Curry sauce with leeks, celeriac and green apples from Blue Water Café.
  3. Goat Curry on Safron Rice from Vij’s
  4. Pineapple and Almond Macaron with lime sorbet from Thomas Haas

They paired Best-in-Category wines from their Wine Awards with winning restaurants from their 2011 Restaurant Awards for a delectable evening of food and wine hosted at the prestigious Vancouver Club.

By: Richard Wolak

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New Dishes Tasting at Fray

February 17th, 2012 admin

I revisited the Fray recently for dinner along with my friend Alvin to try some of their new dishes.

Rosemary Chips

Started off with the Rosemary Chips ($5.50)

Super Food Salad

Super Food Salad ($11.95)

BC Beet Salad

BC Beet Salad ($9.95)

Mountainview Burger

Mountainview Burger ($10.95)

Fraser Street Porker

Fraser Street Porker ($9.95)

Chocolate Silk Pie

 

Chocolate Silk Pie ($6.95)

Orange Semolina Pound Cake

Orange Semolina Pound Cake ($5.95)

Rustic Apple Tart

Rustic Apple Tart ($7.95)

 

I absolutely loved the Super Food Salad which was chock full of all things delicious and healthy too; the B.C. Beet Salad was also quite tasty and fresh in taste and appearance. The Mountainview Burger is one of the best new Vegetarian additions to the menu, the house-made combination of Falafel and chick pea patty is delicious. I didn’t care for the Fraser Street Porker at all, that dish would have been much better if it had been pulled pork as opposed to slices of pork. On to the dessert, I loved the Chocolate Silk Pie it was a dense chocolate that was smooth and melted in my mouth, I also loved the flavour and texture of the Orange Semolina Pound Cake. I thought the Rustic Apple Tart was too thin and would have preferred it puffed up slightly to make it a bit thicker in texture.

Fray

3980 Fraser Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-569-3317

Web: http://fray.me/our-menu/ 

Twitter: @Frayonfraser

By: Richard Wolak

Photos Credit: Alvin Grado

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The Oakwood Dine Out 2012

February 1st, 2012 admin

The other night I made a return visit to The Oakwood in Kitsilano for dine out, there menu was one of my picks in this years festival, they featured a $28 menu with 3 courses.

For my 1st Course Appetizer,

Roasted Potato, Pepper and Leek soup w/ Garlic Foam

I had the hearty, Roasted Potato, Pepper and Leek soup w/ Garlic Foam the other option for Appetizer was Radiccio Salad w/ Honey Vinaigrette, Goat cheese, Candied Pecans and Bacon Lardons.

For my 2nd Course Entree,

Braised Lamb Stew

I had the comforting, Braised Lamb Stew w/ Carrots, Brussel Sprouts garnished with Potato Ravioli the other option for Entrée was Butter Poached Albacore Tuna w/ Tuna Confit and Herb Risotto.

For my 3rd Course Dessert,

Nanaimo Bar Custard

I had the outstanding Nanaimo Bar Custard with Vanilla custard on the bottom, topped with pecan, coconut, & chocolate ganache; the other option for Dessert was Beet and Carrot Cake w/ Blue Cheese Cream.

The Oakwood’s Dine Out Vancouver promotion runs thru February 5th.

Reservations for Dine Out are now being accepted via phone at 604-558-1965. The Oakwood is open for dinner from 5pm daily. For more information visit  http://www.theoakwood.ca/

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Latest, Restaurant Promotions, Tastings Tags: , No Comments »

The Bibo New Dishes Party

February 1st, 2012 admin

On Monday I attended a lunch at The Bibo to launch the many new dishes on their latest menu.

Starting with the appetizers al imported from Italy, were

  • Black and green olives from Salerno
  • Porcini mushrooms from Piemonte
  • Artichokes from Campania, and a selection of cheeses and cold cuts

The cheeses were: Fontina Dop from Val d’Aosta, taleggio and chilly Gorgonzola from Lombardia, fresh pecorino from Tuscany and stracchino.

The cold cuts: Mortadella, smoked pancetta, speck, prosciutto Di Parma, salame Felino and bresaola.

Next was the delicious lasagna served in two different ways: “alla bolognese” (with Ragu’ sauce, Dop buffalo mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano) and “al pesto” (made with their pesto, dop buffalo mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano). They continued with “Melanzane alla Parmigiana” (a kind of lasagna done with eggplants instead of pasta) and then their: “gnocchi al pesto”, “BiBo Matteo” (fresh handmade pasta with their imported porcini mushrooms) and “Rigatoni alla Norma”, typical Sicilian plate made with eggplants and ricotta salata. They also presented their new and delicious “gnocchi alla Sorrentina”, a typical dish from Sorrento done with gnocchi, Dop tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano (all finished in the wood oven, “gratin”).

To end the meal they then served the meat selection: “scaloppine”, served in two different ways (lemon and white wine) and their beautiful “tagliata”. Tagliata is the name that they use in Italy to define this particular slice of the meat. The tagliata is done by tomahawk steak and served with roasted potatoes from the wood oven.

The event was organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce to promote The BiBo as a complete restaurant where you can enjoy everything , from their pizza to the most authentic Italian dishes.

The Bibo is located at 1835 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-6177

Web: http://thebibo.com/

Twitter: @Thebibo

The new dishes are now available on their menu nightly starting at 5pm.

By: Richard Wolak

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