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Posts Tagged ‘Ocean Wise’

MOSAIC BAR & GRILLE

May 16th, 2013 admin

655 Burrard Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 639-4770

Web: http://vancouver.hyatt.com

Twitter: @HyattVancouver

Advice: multi-course tasting menus, you can ask to have the chef create you a customer tasting menu.

 

Windset Farms Fresco Cucumber Gazpacho

Chilled Dungeness Crab Cannelloni

With a star chef at its helm, my friend Nikki Caine joined me to explore and enjoy the chef’s tasting menu as I knew we were in for a culinary journey. Chef Thomas Heinrich is the visionary culinary master who is creating artful masterpieces on the plate. Our 1st course was the Windset Farms Fresco Cucumber Gazpacho in refreshing ginger coconut gelee. The next course was the outstanding Chilled Dungeness Crab Cannelloni with English pea, meyer lemon and mint where the presentation was perfection.

Spring, Green Garlic Grits with Scallop

Pan seared Branzino

Galbi marinated Pork Jowl

Slow Roasted Lamb

The journey continued with the next course, a taste of Spring, Green Garlic Grits with Scallop which was delicious, this followed by the Pan seared Branzino with celery noodles and carrot reduction with an oregano citrus emulsion served to us on a mirrored slab. From there the flavours exploded with the Galbi marinated Pork Jowl with Asian pear, fiddle heads, lotus root and edible flowers, the sauce was heavenly. On to the 6th course it was another stunning plate with the the delicious Slow Roasted Lamb with mustard and fennel streusel and a pomegranate gastrique along with edible flowers.

Braised Rhubarb

We finished off our impressive meal with the Braised Rhubarb with white chocolate meringue, ginger and pink peppercorns and green strawberries, this dessert was the perfect ending with more stunning flavours. I am looking forward to many return visits and to follow the seasons with Chef Thomas Heinrich leading the way.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Downtown Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

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 »

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

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

Wine for Waves on April 26

April 1st, 2013 admin

wineforwaves-web2.jpg

Enjoy the best of the Naramata Bench wineries while sampling tantalizing culinary offerings with partners such as YEW restaurant + bar; and the 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.  Proceeds to benefit Ocean Wise™.

Time: 7:00 PM. Tickets: $95

Wine for Waves,at The Four Seasons Hotel, presented in partnership with the Vancouver Aquarium in support of its national sustainable seafood program Ocean Wise™.

Info and Tickets go to www.vanaqua.org/wineforwaves

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

FISH CAFE

September 16th, 2012 admin

2053 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 267-3474

Web: http://www.fishcafe.ca/

Twitter: @fishcafe

Advice: Make a reservation or drop by, open for lunch and dinner.

Fish & Chips

Blackened Salmon Salad

Recognizing an eatery who has been feeding neighborhood diners for over 10 years seems to be an anomaly these days, one of my favourites has been doing just that. Focussing on fresh fish and seafood, the Fish Café keeps it simple and seasonal, last summer they tied for 1st place in my Best Fish & Chips in Vancouver, this is one of those places worth visiting if you have yet to do. Asides from their grilled and fried fish, they also offer dishes with prawns, mussels and other seafood choices. I have had their delicious Halibut Fish & Chips ($18.95) 2 large pieces of halibut, fries, tartar sauce and ketchup with lemon wedges; as well as their Salmon & Chips ($14.95) 2 large pieces of halibut, fries, tartar sauce and ketchup with lemon wedges. Most recently I had the Blackened Salmon Salad ($12) filled with greens, tomatoes, corn and other vegetables topped with a large serving of blackened salmon.

Owner/Chef Marcus Stiller is in the kitchen, he knows how to cook the perfect fish which he has been doing since day one. It often takes a lot of passion and hard work to keep a restaurant going over a year, and Marcus has worked his craft for over the past 13 years. He has a simple wine and beer list, along with fish and seafood with flavour, and he is always up for an informative chat.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Kerrisdale Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

GOTHAM STEAKHOUSE

June 25th, 2012 admin

615 Seymour Street  Vancouver

Tel: 604-605-8282

Web: http://www.gothamsteakhouse.com/

Twitter: @GothamVancouver

Advice: Reservations suggested, sit on the hidden patio.

Dungeness Crab Cake

Dungeness Crab Cake

Establishment is one of the best words to describe this well-known steakhouse with its high ceilings, elegant wood paneling throughout, comfy chairs and booths and waiters who are all dressed in their white coats. I have dined here on a few occasions in the past for dinner and been to a few other events. On this visit I was in for lunch with a friend and we shared some dishes, many of which were new to the menu. To start we shared the Dungeness Crab Cake ($17.95) with lemon dill mayonnaise.

Gotham Chopped Salad

Halibut

For our entrees we both shared the huge Gotham Chopped Salad ($15.95) which was full of many different kinds of vegetables; along with the delicious  Halibut special.

Pecan Pie

To end of lunch I had a slice of their popular and delicious Pecan Pie ($11) which was a fine ending to a businessman’s lunch inside the dining room. You can dine inside or outside when having lunch, if it is a nice day why not eat on their outside hidden patio.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Downtown Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

THE PORTLY CHEF

June 18th, 2012 admin

1211 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver

Tel: 604-971-4377

Web: http://theportlychef.com/

Twitter: @ThePortlyChef

Advice: Open for dinner nightly.

Located about a mile North of Lonsdale Quay, is an elegant eatery mixing French and Asian flavours. The Chef/Co-Owner is well versed in fine cooking technique having worked his way in kitchens in Europe and Canada and this is a spot worthy of your discovery.

Crispy Pineapple cut Chili Squid

Aromatic Brandy Fired Mushrooms and Chèvre

I had the tender Crispy Pineapple cut Chili Squid ($12) wok fired with lemongrass, ginger, garlic, lime, chili, beurre Blanc followed by the delicious Aromatic Brandy Fired Mushrooms and Chèvre ($10) wild mushrooms, black pepper and thyme crusted goat cheese, puff pastry for my appetizers.

Drunken Sable

Beef Cut Onion Rings

For my entrée, I had the delicious Drunken Sable ($28) roasted sake miso marinated sable fish, crispy prawn & scallop purse, pickled ginger, ponzu aioli that was artfully presented. I just had to try the Beef Cut Onion Rings ($5) Panko crusted, creamy fresh candied onion dip as a side.

Dessert Sampler

For dessert, I had a specially created dessert sampler which featured a delicious selection of pastries made for them by Pastry Chef Eleanor Chow at Cadeaux Bakery.

You will find hospitable service, and a unique menu with creative descriptions of the dishes!

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in North Vancouver Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

Spring Menu Tasting at Earls

June 5th, 2012 admin

Last week I was invited to a media tasting at Earls to try some of the new dishes on their spring menu!

1st dish:

Tuna Poke Nachos

Albacore Tuna Poke Nachos | crisp togarashi wontons, tuna, cucumber, avocado and tomato poke, spicy mango coulis, sliced serranos, crushed macadamia nuts.

2nd dish:

Meatball Slider

Meatball Slider | hand made Italian meatballs, provolone, San Marzano tomato sauce, parmesan aioli, house made mini bun.

3rd dish:

Dominical Fish Tacos

Dominical Fish Tacos | Costa Rican inspired, two flour tortillas, grilled lime and coriander marinated wahoo, mango and avocado salsa, spicy Valentia crema.

4th dish:

Dungeness Crab and Asparagus Linguini

Dungeness Crab and Asparagus Linguini | saffron cream sauce, tomatoes, asparagus, lemon oil, prawns and Dungeness crab.

5th dish:

Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup

Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup | milk chocolate creme, peanut butter mousse, toffee crunch.

My take:

I had tried the Ocean Wise-certified Albacore Tuna Poke Nachos at the previous tasting and I still love it. From the new savoury dishes that I tried at this tasting, my favourite was the Dungeness Crab and Asparagus Linguini in a delicious light safron cream sauce.  I just tried only one dessert, but this one blew me away, it was a bit of throwback in time, the Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup is one that you are going to want to try time and time again!

Most of these dishes are now available at Earl’s locations around Vancouver as well as their 60-plus locations across Canada and the United States.

For locations and their complete spring menu visit www.earls.ca

By: Richard Wolak

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