ssssss5

Posts Tagged ‘Dine Out Vancouver 2012’

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 »

Raincity Grill Dine Out 2012

January 29th, 2012 admin

Last week I made a return visit to the Raincity Grill for dine out, there menu was one of my picks in this years festival, they featured a $38 menu with 3 courses as well as a special $48 menu of 3 different courses.

Potato Rolls, Butter and Sea Salt

It was nice to see Chef Jennifer Peters in the kitchen, both of her Dine Out menus had some gems, my dining companion and I ended up ordering off both of the menus. We were served a plate of freshly baked rolls with butter and sea salt.

For our 1st Course Appetizer,

North Arm Farms Squash Soup

North Arm Farms Mushroom & Sunchoke Soup

I had the delicious North Arm Farms Squash Soupwith creme fraiche, toasted pumpkin seeds. My dining companion had the delicious North Arm Farms Mushroom & Sunchoke Soup.

Thiessens Duck Parfait

We then added an extra appetizer course to share as this was one that we were curious about, both of us loved this dish, the Thiessens Duck Parfait with brioche toasts and pear jelly.

For our 2nd Course Entree,

Eco-Tagged Line Caught Ling Cod

Wild BC Salmon

I had the outstanding Eco-Tagged Line Caught Ling Cod with a delicious side stripe shrimp, leeks, fennel & watercress risotto, with roasted garlic & herb butter. My dining companion loved the Wild BC Salmon with roast sunchokes, soffritto, and parmesan risotto, braised celery & chard.

Pumpkin Pot de Creme with apple, pear sorbet

Fromage Frais Cheesecake

Chocolate Ganache

For dessert, we mixed this up a bit and ordered an extra dessert. In my opinion my favourite dessert after trying the three was the Pumpkin Pot de Creme with apple, pear sorbet which had quite the contrasting flavours, the 2nd favourite was the delicious and light Fromage Frais Cheesecake followed by the Chocolate Ganache in caramel sauce with Hazelnut Macarons.

Raincity Grill’s Dine Out Vancouver promotion runs thru February 5th.

Reservations for Dine Out are now being accepted via phone at 604-685-7337. Raincity Grill is open for dinner from 5pm daily. For more information visit http://www.raincitygrill.com/

By: Richard Wolak

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

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

Posted in Latest, Restaurant Promotions, Tastings Tags: , 1 Comment »

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

Posted in Great Ideas, Latest, Pairing Dinners Tags: , , , , , No Comments »

Dine Out Vancouver 2012 -picks & tips

January 11th, 2012 admin

Here is a primer on how to choose the best restaurants in Vancouver for Dine Out that runs January 20 – February 5th. This year there are 231 restaurants participating which is the largest ever for Dine Out Vancouver, that means there are a lot of choices for you all to discover! The prix-fixe menu are in one of three price points – $18, $28, or $38. For a full list of restaurants and menus, look HERE but come back after you have finished reading this article.

Crispy Ceci at Campagnolo

Buttercup Squash Risotto at Campagnolo

I took part in a media tour the other night to preview a few of the restaurants dishes for Tourism Vancouver’s 10th Anniversary Dine Out. On the tour our group visited Campagnolo (I loved the Crispy Ceci and I would have eaten the whole bowl if I did not have to share; as well the Risotto was rich in taste and delicious), Kitsilano Daily Kitchen (the Cauliflower soup was divine and more so with the house baked bread they served, dipping the bread in the soup was yum) and Bacchus in the Wedgewood Hotel for dessert.

Roasted Cream of Cauliflower Soup at Kitsilano Daily Kitchen

Cornish Game Hen at Kitsilano Daily Kitchen

Here is my take of the restaurants you should try, the buzz, the value and why.

I have read all the restaurant menus, and all the restaurants that I am telling you about are ones that I have eaten at myself, for many you may find reviews of those restaurants at VancouverFoodster.com, by going to the search box in the top right corner of the page and searching the respective restaurants.

First off – some tips – choose different times than you would normally dine out, by selecting earlier 5pm or later after 8:30pm times you will have a better chance in getting in to some of the popular restaurants than hitting refresh on the 6-7pm time slot. If you have kids and you need to get a baby sitter so that you can enjoy date night, change the night and look at Monday-Wednesday so that you get the restaurant that you want as opposed to settling for the restaurant you don’t want on a Friday or Saturday night.

Many of the restaurants are offering BC VQA Wine Pairings as well as Kronenbourg Beer Pairings for an extra cost with the meals, and in many of the restaurants the pairings provide great value.

Second — my picks on the restaurants that provide the best value for the money as well as the best menu, in my opinion.

$18 Menu (3 courses)

Beachside Forno

Doolin’s Irish Pub

Dunn’s Famous

Irish Heather Gastropub

Mahony & Sons Coal Harbour

Pink Elephant Thai

Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co

Sanafir Restaurant and Lounge

Trattoria Italian Kitchen

Urban Thai Bistro

Westward Ho

Wild Rice

$28 Menu (3 courses)

Abigail’s Party

American Grille at Vancouver Airport Marriott

Banana Leaf in Kitsilano

Baru Latino

Bistro Pastis

Café Pacifica at Pan Pacific Hotel

Campagnolo Restaurant

Carthage Café

Cento Notti at the Opus Hotel

Cork & Fin

Dockside Restaurant at the Granville Island Hotel

EBO Restaurant

Edible Canada

Fleuri Restaurant in Sutton Place Hotel

Fraiche Restaurant

Gusto di Quattro

Hamilton Street Grill

Hapa Izakaya Kitsilano

Lobby Restaurant at the Pinnacle Pier Hotel

Maenam Restaurant

The Oakwood

O’Doul’s Restaurant at the Listel Hotel

Refuel

Salmon & Bannock

The Teahouse

Via Veneto

$38 Menu (3 courses)

C Restaurant  (*4 courses)

Café Il Nido

Carver’s Steak House at Executive Airport Plaza Hotel

Diva at the Met

Federico’s Supper Club

Fraîche

Glowbal Grill

Goldfish Pacific Kitchen

Hapa Umi

Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House

Kitsilano Daily Kitchen

MARKET by Jean-Georges at Shangri-la Hotel

Miku Restaurant

Provence Marinaside

Provence Mediterranean Grill

Q4 al Centro

Raincity Grill

Q4 Ristorante

Tramonto at the River Rock Hotel

West Restaurant

Yew Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel

View Menus Online

Honey and Poached Pear Creme Brulee at Bacchus in Wedgewood Hotel

Following our visit to Kitsilano Daily Kitchen we headed back to Bacchus in the Wedgewood Hotel for dessert and I indulged on a Honey and Poached Pear Creme Brulee along with a Dark Chocolate Ganache & Praline Tart. This was my first Tourism Vancouver Media Dine Out preview which provided me with a taste of what is to come in Dine Out 2012.

By: Richard Wolak

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

WIN 2 Tickets to Dine Out Van’s Act 1, Eat 1

December 23rd, 2011 admin

Enter to WIN 2 Tickets to Act I, Eat 1: Hot Pepper, Air Conditioner, and the Farewell Speech, Friday, January 27 at The Irish Heather and Push Festival performance of Hot Pepper, Air Conditioner, and the Farewell Speech.

January 27

Dinner served at 6pm

The Irish Heather Gastropub (210 Carrall Street)

Performance at 8pm

Studio T, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (149 West Hastings Street)

 

Help kick off Dine Out Vancouver 2012

The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival pairs Hot Pepper, Air Conditioner, and the Farewell Speech (from Tokyo, Japan) with a long table dining experience at The Irish Heather during Dine Out Vancouver.

A group of office temps plans a farewell party for a recently laid off colleague. Will a Motsu hot pot restaurant do? Someone is obviously tampering with the climate-control system and it’s getting out of hand. Deadpan dialogue, layered with elaborate gestural vocabulary and brilliant choreography, sheds light on the subtext of professional office etiquette, water cooler gossip and Japanese corporate culture. In Japanese with English subtitles.

This performance includes a post-show talkback led by Kathleen Ritter

*includes three-course dinner at The Irish Heather, performance, HST, gratuity and ticket fee. Beverages not included.

For detailed information visit Dine Out Vancouver page for Act 1, Eat 1

Buy Tickets only $50 each here

Now for The Contest

Follow these 3 steps:

1) Write a comment below about why you would be the perfect person to attend this night of dining and theatrical experience.

2) Follow @vanfoodster and spread the word on Twitter by:

I entered to win 2 Tickets to “Act 1, Eat 1” via @vanfoodster #DineOut #ContestGiveaway http://bit.ly/ruhZRp RT to enter!

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

All submissions will be entered to win for the random draw. The winner of the pair of tickets will be announced via twitter and posted.  The contest giveaway is to enter to win 2 Tickets to Act 1, Eat 1 (value $100).

Congratulations Stephanie Sorensen @StreetStyleStef who is the winner of our contest (drawn by random.org)

Fine Print: Contest will run until 12 noon on 1/6/12 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+

 

 

Posted in Contests Tags: , , , 13 Comments »

  • Our Events

    eventbrite 1

    Purchase tickets here!

  • Sponsors

  • General Info

echo get_option('motion_footer') . "\n";