SOWA Kitchen Party, Chinese New Year, Provence, Mysala, Italian Kitchen to Go, Pinkys Steakhouse, Coast, Fraiche, Cactus Club Hires Feenie, Sean Cousins

PHOTO GALLERY
SOWA KITCHEN PARTY (February 7, 2008)

You know how it is at parties ... the hosts spend hours making the entertaining areas of their homes all designer-lovely and hospitable, and instead, everyone gravitates towards the kitchen to socialize while jammed between the sink and the hot hors d'oeuvres trays coming out of the oven.

So it was at last night's 1st annual SOWA Kitchen Party as winemakers from the South Okanagan Wineries Association joined up with some of Vancouver's most wine savvy restaurants to party at the Midland Appliance Centre.

Attendance turned out even better than expected, especially with the trade faction who leapt at the chance to sample some of the most highly sought after boutique wines in BC. Said one of the organizers: "Usually with trade events, the restaurant staff run in, swig back a few samples and dash off again. But in this case, it really was like an industry party. We had to push them out the door at 5 p.m. so we could clean up and restock for the public tasting."

See photos of the evening tasting here.


Filed in MEDIA/Gallery.




CHINESE NEW YEARS - (February 7, 2008)
Gung Hei Fat Choi!

While doing a little internet roaming we picked up this small story concerning the Year of the Rat from a Chinese website that had been somewhat successfully translated into English:

"The sequence of 12 astrology animals is . Rat ranks number 1 in the 12 calendar animals. Once the God of Heaven wanted to choose 12 animal names as the sequence of the calendar. He announced to hold an animal racing to determine the order. When the racing date is closing, Cat forgot the time and asked Rat the schedule. Alert Rat gave Cat the wrong time on purpose. Smart Rat stayed on the horn of Ox while crossing the river, then jumped over the bank to reach the final line to win the champion. Cat missed the racing time and swear to kill Rat for generations. That's why Cat always chase Rat forever."

Ahhhh, so THAT's the reason!

As pointed out in an article in the Vancouver Sun today, its not just the Chinese community who will be observing New Years today in BC.

Happy New Year, Say Hello to the Year of the Rat - Vancouver Sun (February 7, 2008)

Many celebratory events will be taking place in Chinatown and throughout Richmond over the next few days, and here's some of the activities you won't want to miss this Saturday on Granville Island.



FILED IN DAILY NEWS/Press Releases ... and ... EVENTS/Complete Calendar.



















Sometimes Provence Marinaside is categorized as a "Seafood Restaurant", other times as a "French Restaurant" or as a "Water View Restaurant", but we think all three of those things add up to quite a romantic package. After all, Alessandra and Jean-Francis, the owner/chefs, have been in love for over a decade - what better proof do you need? If you are in search of a venue for your Valentine, check out Provence's Cupid Seafood Platter or their Profiteroles with Three Sauces. Complete Valentines Day menu here.


Filed in DAILY NEWS/Valentine's Specials ... and RESTAURANTS/Chef Specials.



THE MEDIA HOUND - The Local Ink
(February 7, 2008)

The Vancouver Sun's Mia Stainsby calls Mysala Indian Bistro an Indian Earl's - and that's a good thing.

"When Paul Thind talks business plans, he goes at a gallop. But the question is, can a couple of guys with business savvy, a passion for food and no restaurant experience make a go of running a modern Indian restaurant?"

A Good Value Eatery - Vancouver Sun (February 7, 2008)


Then she tracks down Italian to Go and discovers why the Glowbal Group have been playing it low key with that one.

A Take Away Worth Sniffing Out - Vancouver Sun (February 7, 2008)


Contributor Ann Elle has the rest of the local links posted in our Newsstand .


Fied in MEDIA/local ink



























































THE MEDIA HOUND - THE LOCAL INK (February 6, 2008)
PINK BUT NO PLASTIC BARBIES PLEASE

Alexandra Gill and friends visit Pinkys for a woman's appraisal of the women-friendly steakhouse. As did the Vancouver Sun's Mia Stainsby before her, she concludes that if you are not focused on the side dishes (or the cheesecake), the meat lives up to owner Scott Morison's promise of good quality at a good price value. Now, if the place only had the kind of personable, intelligent female servers that a woman could relate to as much as the ambience.

"Then we meet Greg, our delightfully charismatic server. He's not terribly knowledgeable about wine, ends up overcharging us for a flat glass of bubbly we sent back, and isn't drop-dead gorgeous (at least not in a plastic Ken doll kind of way). But he is prompt, attentive, makes us laugh all night and doesn't sound like he has a pull-string in his back controlling every word that comes out of his mouth. This is what women want."

Girly Steakhouse Takes the 'Sir' Out of Sirloin. - Globe and Mail (February 6, 2008)

[Pinkys must be doing something right. The place has been packed since its opening, even though they were not participating in last month's Dine Out promotion. We couldn't get the reservation time we wanted last week thanks to a large party of women who had snagged the prime time. Thanks Alex.]



Filed in MEDIA/Local Ink

NEW RESTAURANTS
CHEF WAYNE MARTIN TO OPEN FRAICHE RESTAURANT
(February 5, 2008)

How to play twister with public relations. After a series of annoying teaser notices about the upcoming opening of an unnamed restaurant (our least favourite form of PR release), we get an invitation to check out Chef Wayne's Martin's new fine dining restaurant, Fraîche, at a "secret" location. (Guests are meant to be bussed to the new site, presumably with bags over our heads.)

Except that we media types already know from sniffing around Craigslist want ads that Fraîche is to be located in West Vancouver, in the old "Bread and Tulips" venue up by Salmon House on the Hill.

In attempting to contact the "public relations" person for clarification, we got an auto response back that he is on holiday in Southern India, and unavailable, indicating that the PR rep may be the ONLY person who thinks this information is a secret. Unless there are two restaurants named Fraîche out there and we are the ones who are confused.


*Martin's other restaurant is Crave on Main Street, but he intends to spend his kitchen time now at Fraiche. Apparently he misses the fine dining scene.


Filed in RESTAURANTS/Restaurant News

THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT - February 5, 2006



























Well, thank goodness we didn't break a heel running down to the Pan Pacific Hotel for this one. At exactly one nanosecond after 1 p.m., the following appeared in our email inbox. Which proves the old theory that the more they deny, the more likely it is to be true. We didn't even have to read this release to know that some honcho on the hiring side is "THRILLED". (Why is it that people announcing appointments never have any other word for it, nor even any other degree of excitement. Couldn't they for just once be pleased, gratified, flattered, optimistic, mildly amused, raving eccstatic? Why does it always have to be THRRRRRRRILLLLLLLED!)

Well, back to the main point. Congratulations Rob ... we guess. Does this end your promising career as a White Spot spokesmodel? Best of luck, and may the corporate force be with you. When you figure out what a "Food Concept Architect" does, please let us know.


Cactus Restaurants Ltd. Welcomes Chef Rob Feenie as New Food Concept Architect
(Directly from the press release.)

Vancouver BC, February 5, 2008 - Cactus Restaurants Ltd. today announced the appointment of Chef Rob Feenie to its senior executive team as the new Food Concept Architect. Canada’s first Iron Chef will work with the senior management team to shape the restaurants’ growth and product development, creating innovative new dishes and continuously improving long time favourites.“We are excited and thrilled to have one of Canada’s top chefs join our team. Chef Feenie shares our vision and passion for excellence in the restaurant industry,� said Richard Jaffray, President and CEO of Cactus Restaurants Ltd. “Our team of chefs and management is looking forward to working closely with Chef Feenie to create an exceptional food and dining experience for all of our customers.�

Chef Feenie will also be closely involved in the training and development of young chefs with Cactus Club Cafe, one of the largest employers of chef apprentices in Western Canada. His appointment is immediate.
“I am excited to be working with a British Columbia-based company that is as visionary as Cactus Restaurants,� said Chef Feenie. “An industry leader, Cactus demonstrates its industry leadership through its affiliation with both the Green Table Network and Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program. The company’s globally inspired menu and status as one of Canada’s top employers are indicators of its dedication to excellence. I am really looking forward to being a part of the Cactus team.�

MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS - (February 5, 2008)

Oh here it comes! Nice of Hill and Knowlton to let the Vancouver Sun know it can dispense with its front page headlines for the US Super Tuesday results tomorrow. Media registration? Are we to hold our breath until one p.m.?

Media Advisory: Chef Rob Feenie to Announce Future Plans
Vancouver, BC – February 5, 2008 – Canada’s Iron Chef to announce future plans.

What:
Chef Rob Feenie announcement

When:
Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Time:
12:30 pm media registration
1 pm announcement

Where:
Ocean View Room 1
Pan Pacific Hotel
999 Canada Place
Vancouver, BC





Sean Cousins (Chef/Owner So.Cial and Ocean 617) and fiancée Lorie Soucy welcomed a new 9 lb baby boy this past weekend. "An eventful labour, but Mum is doing quite well and baby is, says his Daddy, "a dream�. Once they get home from hospital and have a good look at the little guy a name will be chosen! "






7) Tempe, Arizona
8) Seattle, Washington
9) West Vancouver, BC
10) Calgary, Alberta