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Archive for the ‘Tastings’ Category

Tasting at Sol Sun Belt Cookery

May 23rd, 2013 admin

Visited Sol Sun Belt Cookery last week to taste many new dishes from Executive Chef Abdel Elatouabi joined by my friend Nikki Caine who shared them all with me.

1st dish:

Morroccan Flat bread

Morroccan Flat bread

2nd dish:

Grilled Harissa Drummettes

Grilled Harissa Drummettes

3rd dish:

Mushroom Bruschetta

Mushroom Bruschetta – grilled foccacia topped with mixed mushrooms, chervil, parmesan reggiano, reduced balsamic and truffle oil. Nourished option, served over Valley greens

4th dish:

Humbolt Squid Steak with feta & kalamata olives

Humbolt Squid Steak with feta & kalamata olives and olive oil.

5th dish:

Moroccan Sausages

Moroccan Sausages, spiced North African Angus beef short rib sausages with house made harissa

6th dish: 

Confit Leg of Duck & Breast

Confit Leg of Duck & Breast risotto cake, arugula salad and cranberry orange reduction

7th dish:

Hangar Steak with Russian purple potatoes, Cerignola olives & feta

Grilled Marinated Hangar Steak with Cerignola olives & feta salad & purple potatoes chervil salad

8th dish:

Blackened Morrocan Spice Rub Halibut

Blackened Halibut Moroccan spice dry rub, wilted kale and wild mushrooms, orange scented extra virgin olive oil

9th dish:

Golden Beet Salad

Golden Beet Salad with dried apricots, figs, goat cheese & rose water vinaigrette

10th dish:

Panko Breaded Olives

Panko Breaded Olives stuffed with anchovies

11th dish:

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Avocado Chocolate Mousse & Chocolate Espresso Truffles & chocolate sponge toffee

My take:

This Moroccan Flat bread is so addicting and always a treat to go with the appetizers. The Grilled Harissa Drummettes with mango salsa was created for my best chicken wings challenge and was done with some Moroccan flavours. We both loved the Mushroom Bruschetta  and the flavours of the mushrooms & balsamic were so good. The Humbolt Squid Steak was outstanding with feta & kalamata olives and light olive oil. This chef certainly knows how to cook duck and the Confit Leg of Duck & Breast meat was so tender, the meat fell right off the bone. Another outstanding dish was the Hangar Steak with Russian purple potatoes, Cerignola olives & feta and the presentation was stunning as well.  The Rose Water vinaigrette was light and refreshing and made the Golden Beet Salad with dried apricots, figs, goat cheese stellar. The Avocado Chocolate Mousse & Chocolate Espresso Truffles & chocolate sponge toffee was truly amazing, having avocado in a dessert is a fairly recent trend and it worked perfectly in this mousse.

Sol Sun Belt Cookery is located at 550 Denman Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-2235

Web: http://www.solsunbelt.com/

Twitter: @SolSunBelt

By: Richard Wolak

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

New Zealand Passionate Pairings

May 13th, 2013 admin

The Boathouse Chef Brent Fisher

Each year when I attend the Vancouver International Wine Festival there are a selection of events that I attend. My friend and fellow food writer Cassandra Anderton is from New Zealand and is not only a wine aficionado she is also a great promoter of New Zealand wines each time they presented in Vancouver. She invited me to attend this event which took place towards the end of this years wine festival. Held at The Boathouse overlooking Kitsilano Beach on a dreary winter day where the wind was blowing strong, guests filled the room with glasses in hand to sip and swirl.

Oyster Shucking

Making Risotto

Each of the New Zealand wines presented were paired with dishes created by each of the local Boathouse Restaurants and their chefs and each were represented at this grazing lunch event.

Heirloom Vegetables Risotto

Herb Crusted Lamb Lollipops

My favourite dishes were the Heirloom Vegetables Risotto with tarragon and basil oil, along with the Herb Crusted Lamb Lollipops with Dijon jus.

Attending Passionate Pairings was a great way to enjoy some of New Zealand wine and pairings.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in All About Wine, Latest, Tastings Tags: , , , No Comments »

Koko Monk’s Chocolate Tasting

May 12th, 2013 admin

Koko Monk Chocolates

As everyone probably knows by now I am a chocoholic and the minute I hear about a new chocolatier or anything chocolate for that matter, I’m intrigued. Koko Monk is a new chocolate boutique located in Kitsilano that was founded by Paul Dincer who began with a passion for creating handmade, painted chocolates with complex flavour profiles.

Paul Dincer – owner

I had first tasted Paul’s chocolates at the Vancouver Farmers Market on Main street last summer, where he was selling his chocolates under Levni Chocolates. The minute I tasted one of those chocolates it made an impact on me, being invited recently to taste Paul’s chocolates in his new boutique it was an invitation that I accepted without hesitation.

At this media tasting we were each served a selection of six chocolates from his collection to taste. Paul guided us through tasting each of the chocolates one by one, he wanted us all to experience each of the flavours in this complex structured tasting.

Smoking Hearts: Raspberry-infused chocolate containing 12-year single malt scotch, guava, coconut, mango, then smoked a second time

The 6th chocolate in the tasting was his most expensive in the collection, Koko Monk Smoking Hearts which he presented to us in his exclusive presentation case. He then told us that the Smoking Hearts is a Raspberry-infused chocolate containing 12-year single malt scotch, guava, coconut, mango, then smoked a second time.

My favourites from the selection I tried were the Bachanalia with balsamic vinegar caramel with sea salt; along with the Brunette Bangle with curry and coconut and finally the Smoking Heart.

Koko Monk is located at 1849 West 1st Avenue in Kitsilano. You can find them on twitter @LevniKokoMonk

By: Richard Wolak

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Brunch at Q4 Ristorante in Kitsilano

May 12th, 2013 admin

Last weekend, my mom joined me for brunch at Q4 Ristorante , as Mothers Day was approaching this seemed like the perfect time for a brunch.

Caesar Salad

Arugula Balsamic Salad

Bruschetta

To begin, my mom had the Caesar Salad while I had the Arugula Balsamic Salad, we then shared the Bruschetta, loved the presentation, simple and flavourful.

Porcini Fettuccine Tartuffe

Cavateli

My mom had the Porcini Fettuccine Tartuffe which she loved, of course I tried too; I had the Cavateli with lamb sausage, Rapini & corn colourful and delicious!

Chocolate Brownie with vanilla ice cream

Espresso Affogato

For dessert, my mom had the Chocolate Brownie with vanilla ice cream and I had the Espresso Affogato, a perfect finish to a wonderful meal.

Spring and summer weekends are made for leisurely brunches in the restaurant or on the outside patio. On offer every Saturday and Sunday, and holiday Mondays too, the restaurant serves up fresh frittatas, tempting eggs benny, and the city’s quintessential antipasto platter from 10am until 3pm; there’s even a children’s menu for the little ones.  Sunday brunch is made even better with the option of endless prosecco cocktails for $15 per person. Preview the entire brunch menu online at Q4Restaurant.com and for reservations call 604.734.4444. Q4 Ristorante is located at 2563 West Broadway in Kitsilano.

By: Richard Wolak

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Wine for Waves

May 6th, 2013 admin

On April 26th I attended a food and wine pairing tasting that not only featured a large selection of wineries from all over the Naramata Bench area, it also featured a selection Naramata region restaurants.  The Four Seasons Vancouver Hotel ballroom was the venue for this stellar tasting event and they featured their own spectacular Seafood station in the centre of the room.

Shana and Gavin Miller — co-own Upper Bench Winery

Richard of Misconduct Wine Co

Stephanie at D’Angelo Winery

All of the wineries were pouring their line-up of wines for guests to sip and swirl and to spit if they so desired.

Purple Potato Chips & Clam dip by The Peking Room & pairing with Red Rooster Winery

Spicy Seafood Perogy from Vanilla Pod Restaurant pairing with Poplar Grove Winery

Halibut Sausage Roll & Pairing from Lake Breeze Wines

Rainbow Trout Terrine & Pairing from Hillside Wines

Guests I had a chance to taste the best of the Naramata Bench wineries while sampling tantalizing culinary offerings from Naramata Bench’s own Hillside Winery Bistro, Lake Breeze Vineyards The Patio restaurant, Red Rooster’s P. INC. restaurant, Poplar Grove Winery’s The Vanilla Pod, Misconduct Wine Co’s The Kitchen, and Upper Bench Winery and Creamery.

Canadian Maple Wine from Lang Vineyards

The Four Seasons Hotel, presented this wonderful event in partnership with the Vancouver Aquarium in support of its national sustainable seafood program Ocean Wise™.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in All About Wine, Latest, Tastings Tags: , , , , No Comments »

New Dishes Tasting at Cafe Il Nido

April 17th, 2013 admin

Visited Café il Nido last week to taste some new dishes on their spring new menu.

1st Dish:

Prawns Gamberoni

Prawns Gamberoni sautéed in olive oil, with chili flakes on a bed of avocado puree

2nd Dish:

Funghi

Funghi – field & forest mushrooms w/ truffle lemon oil & thyme

3rd Dish:

Butternut Squash Tortellini

Butternut Squash Tortellini with walnut marjoram pesto and ricotta cheese

4th Dish:

Caprese on grilled soda bread

Caprese on grilled soda bread w/ vine tomatoes, Fior di latte cheese

5th Dish:

Bison in a peppercorn sauce

Bison in a peppercorn sauce perfectly seasoned with vegetables

6th Dish:

Butternut squash Agnalotti

 Lobster stuffed agnelotti served with red pepper, almonds in tarragon cream sauce

7th Dish:

Blood Orange Sorbetto

House made Blood Orange Sorbetto

My take:

Loved the flavours and presentation of the Prawns Gamberoni sautéed in olive oil, with chili flakes along with the texture of the bed of avocado puree. The Caprese on grilled soda bread w/ vine tomatoes, Fior di latte cheese was nice and light and an alternative to a salad version. My favourite of the pasta dishes was the Lobster stuffed agnelotti served with red pepper, almonds in tarragon cream sauce. The House made Blood Orange Sorbetto was a refreshing finish after a Delish meal!

Café Il Nido is located at 780 Thurlow Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-685-6436

Full Dinner Menu: http://www.cafeilnido.net/Menu/dinner-menu.html

Twitter: @cafeilnido

By: Richard Wolak

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Celebrating Grilled Cheese at Urban Fare

April 15th, 2013 admin

Executive Chef Ryan McDonald of Urban Fare

One of my guilty pleasures is a Grilled Cheese and I was happy to have been invited in to taste some of these fine sandwiches on National Grilled Cheese Day which happened this past Friday.

Grilled Cheese display case at Urban Fare on Alberni

April is National Grilled Cheese Month and Urban Fare is making it easy to get your cheese fix with a gourmet, full service Grilled Cheese Bar at its downtown Alberni Street location. Executive Chef Ryan McDonald has gone all out with a mouth-watering selection of 10 gourmet recipes.

Each Urban Fare location will feature a selection of Chef’s creations, and the Alberni store situated below the Shangri-la Hotel will offer all 10 varieties, grilled to order. The gourmet sandwiches range from the classic orange cheddar on white bread- just like Mom makes to more exotic options like Creole fried Crocodile (yes, I said Crocodile!) paired with jalapeno jack and havarti.

The Huntley (left) & The Beerwich (right)

I chose 4 of the sandwiches to try, passed on the Crocodile and selected these 4, started off with The Huntley ($7.49) Thick Brioche French toast, tiroler bacon, gouda, aged cheddar, quince spread; followed by The Beerwich ($6.99) Amber ale cheddar, fontina, beer braised onions, and garlic fried bacon on Rye.

The Mac ‘n Cheese (left) and Apple Cinnamon (right)

Next was The Mac n’ cheese ($5.99) House made Macaroni and cheese sandwiched between aged cheddar and sourdough; lastly the Apple Cinnamon ($5.99) Cinnamon raisin bread, granny smith apples, smoked Applewood cheddar and aged cheddar.

I thought each one was unique and of course each had a very different flavour profile, my favourite of them all was The Beerwich, so good that I ate the whole sandwich.

You can pick-up a quick gourmet Grilled Cheese for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at any of the Urban Fare locations around Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

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Halibut Dinner at Kitsilano Daily Kitchen

April 6th, 2013 admin

Halibut season is in full swing, last week I visited Kitsilano Daily Kitchen for the 2nd year in a row during opening weekend to taste their Ocean Wise Pacific Halibut creations.

Chef Brian Fowke is the creative mastermind behind Kitsilano Daily Kitchen and he has been offering nightly halibut creations since the season began. I had both of the dishes, one starter along with one of the entrees.

The Dish:

Smoked Haida Gwaii Halibut Chowder

Smoked Haida Gwaii Halibut Chowder

The Dish:

Haida Gwaii Halibut brown butter broiled, Italian parsley & potato nuggets

Haida Gwaii Halibut brown butter broiled, Italian parsley & potato nuggets

Since halibut can often be a dry fish, it is important that the chef knows how to prepare and cook the fish and this is one chef who does. It’s always a treat to dine here and it was a great spot to kick-off this current halibut season for the 2nd year in a row.

Kitsilano Daily Kitchen is located at 1809 West 1st Avenue in Vancouver. You can find their daily changing menu online at

http://www.kitsdaily.com/ or get the scoop on twitter @KitsDaily

By: Richard Wolak

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