Postings for February 2009

BOOKS - ( February 27, 2009 )
JEFF BEZOS ON THE KINDLE2

In case you missed it ... Charlie Rose conducted an interview last night with Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com on the Kindle2 , and how the new tech device will affect the future of publishing and book selling, not to mention our relationship with reading.  The wireless "ipod" for book lovers, which hit the marketplace this week, may still only offer graphics in black and white for now (meaning that cookbooks and most magazines will still be better in hard copy), but some 30+ newspapers and thousands of books are immediately available, and you can download them in under 60 seconds. ... CONTINUE READING ...


Filed in ARTS & CULTURE/ Books .



TIP JAR - ( February 26, 2009)
IS 35 THE NEW 50?

Suddenly cheap is chic, and conveniently so.

Judging by the contents of our mail box, it would seem that Dine Out Vancouver has settled in to stay, with news of restaurant after restaurant chalking up loonie pinching menus on their sandwich boards -- most of these, as in the Dine Out formula, hovering around the $35 and even $25 price points. ... CONTINUE READING ...


Filed in RESTAURANTS/ Best Deals ... and ... DAILY NEWS/ Tip Jar .



WHAT WE'RE READING NOW
( February 25, 2009 )

The Economist produces an interesting chart showing how much water goes into the production of everyday goods. As we suspected, coffee is a prime culprit.

And speaking of water and coffee, another Economist article outlines Starbucks ' plans for the introduction of Via , a patented add-water-and-stir version of instant Java. "The name Via is a hat-tip to Valencia—though during development it was known as Jaws (just add water, stir)." ... MORE LINKS AFTER THE JUMP ...


Filed in DAILY NEWS/ What We're Reading Now .




BOOKS - ( February 24, 2009 )
ROB FEENIE BOOK SALE

Is Rob Feenie selling off his private stock?

Check out this announcement:


We guess it's the signature part that makes it worth shelling out the collector's item price.  We've spotted the book in remainder bins about town for less than you'd pay for a squash ravioli.  Damn. We should have scooped them up when we had the chance.

P.S. if you already have a copy and would like Rob to sign it, bring it along. No purchase necessary on this deal.




ANNOUNCEMENTS - ( February 23, 2009 )


RESTAURANTS

Babes in the kitchen? Quite literally so. Students from David Oppenheimer Elementary and grade five teacher Michael Schratter visited Yaletown’s Regional Tasting Lounge last week for a behind the scenes fieldtrip.  r.tl’s Executive Chef, Erik Smith , highlighted food and kitchen safety, healthy eating and how to present food in a fun and exciting way.  This is part of a program developed by chef and educator Barbara Finley called "Project Chef ". The program is aimed at elementary students to teach them how to prepare and share healthy food. Smith says, “This is a fun opportunity to give back to the community and encourage kids to get involved in the kitchen.  It’s all about eating right, shopping smart and turning the kitchen into a cool place for kids”. Other restaurants who participated in teaching the kids how to cook right, eat healthy and how to be sustainable in the kitchen include Glowbal , Coast , Elixir , Cioppino’s and The Hamilton Street Grill .


Who turned out the lights?  Harry did.  For the second consecutive year, Raincity Grill , C Restaurant and nu restaurant + lounge will shut off the lights for an hour on Saturday, March 28th in observation of Earth Hour ™.  ... CONTINUE READING .

MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS AFTER THE JUMP : Social wine tasting; Valentine's stats; Best resto west of TO?; Fraiche; cheese sale; Slow Food U Day; Hall of Fame Gala.

Filed in DAILY NEWS/ Announcements .



To See Video Click Here .


VIDEO - ( February 20, 2009 )
DEPRESSION BREAKFASTS


In case you haven't noticed, breakfast is in.

Waffles, pancakes, breakfast rolls, and just about every dish that can justify a poached egg perched on top of it are the new obsessions of the glossy food magazines. Top chefs are rethinking their aversion to brunches and the all-day breakfast menu. And new restaurants, having heard the wake up call, are making breakfast (and versions thereof) into their raison d'être. In Vancouver the trend has been given an urban mondo styling at Medina Cafe , and a small town Canadian nostalgic one at Deacon's Corner . In the later, if you funnelled your vision down onto your plate and blocked out the hipster surroundings, you wouldn't be able to say for sure that you were not eating at Denny's .  ... CONTINUE READING ...


Filed in ARTS & CULTURE/ Video .


ANNOUNCEMENTS - ( February 18, 2009 )


RESTAURANTS

As of February 21, The Cannery Seafood Restaurant will be offering its first-ever weekend brunch service since its inception in 1971. The "Cannery Brunch by the Sea" will be served every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm and will offer quintessential Cannery dishes and other decadent ones, such as Lobster Benedict and Smoked Black Cod Hash . For seafoodies, brunch service is also a chance to experience The Cannery before the inevitable move from its one-of-a-kind location next spring. The Cannery is situated on Vancouver’s waterfronts in one of the busiest Ports in North America, a location that has long helped establish the unique Cannery experience. Last year, Port Metro Vancouver  opted not to extend the restaurant’s lease for security and operational reasons.... CONTINUE READING ...


Filed in DAILY NEWS/ Announcements .



WHAT WE'RE READING NOW
( February 17, 2009 )



Around Christmas time at CF we get flooded with charity related PR material that is actually a form of self promo for the sender. Usually we discount them but this one from Publicis was simply more brilliant than the rest.

“…. During the recent holiday season, Publicis Vancouver - inspired by the recent economic recession - opted for a contribution to the local food bank on behalf of their clients. In lieu of a traditional holiday card, paper plates were sent to clients informing them of the donation made. The response was overwhelming and received much praise, including an on-air mention from a local radio station. We bought 7-inch paper plates from a grocery store nearby and put food-shaped stickers on top of each plates by hand ..."

More nods of approval, chuckles and groans of disgust from behind the paper CONTINUES HERE .


Filed in DAILY NEWS/ What We're Reading Now .



MONDAY MORNING PROCRASTINATOR
(February 16, 2009)

So how did your Valentine's Day plans work out?  If not so well, maybe it's because you bought the Burger King line and pinned your hopes on Flame , their new body spray that makes a man smell like sizzling flame-broiled meat, or maybe a sweaty, minimum wage grill cook. One thing for sure, the video is a real Whopper with CHEESE. In the new version they have the King partially covered up, unlike his previous depiction, naked and reading poetry on a bearskin rug.

Must have been too much beef for the public's well being. 





VALENTINES SPECIALS - ( February 13, 2009 )
SWEETS FOR YOUR SWEETIE

Flowers are dandy, but they usually taste terrible. The smart guy knows that the way to his valentine's heart is through her sweet tooth. And today may be your last chance to get prepared ... otherwise Friday the 13th could truly turn out to be an unlucky day -- your last one. Here's a round up of sweet things that will do the trick, and you can feel good about supporting small local businesses too.  ... CONTINUE READING ...

Filed in DAILY NEWS/ Valentines Specials .


EVENTS - ( February 12, 2009 )
RETURN OF THE RESTAURANT ROCKERS

In this business one sees all kinds of fundraising events, in all kinds of formats, and most of them depend on the participation of local restaurants as their principal lure. However, this one plays to a tune all it's own, so to speak.  Having proven to be a big hit in 2008, the Seattle Soundbite returns to the city's Showbox SoDo on March 19th, with an event that matches Seattle's top restaurants with the city's moonlighting rockers.  They say "moonlighting" because the catch is that at least one member of the band must be employed full time within the restaurant or food-service industry. ... CONTINUE READING ...


Filed in REGIONAL/ Seattle .

 




VALENTINES SPECIALS - ( February 12, 2009 )
LOVE HOTELS AND OTHER IDEAS


There's a safer way to do this:

On February 13 and 14, 2009, Dr. Pega Ren , Board Certified Sexologist, will provide a smart sex pep talk while Zin Restaurant & Lounge serves up a romance-inspired five course  tasting menu designed by Chef Karen Gin .

Dr. Ren, Vancouver's "Dr. Ruth", turns up the heat in the dining room where she will be available to talk privately with couples while answering questions about seduction, foreplay or any topics couples wish to discuss.

Couples who make reservations for the "Romance Menu" may also reserve a room by the hour at Vancouver’s fun and fabulous Pacific Palisades Hotel. Rates are available from $29 per hour, with a 2-hour minimum between the hours of 5 p.m. and 1 a.m. only.  ... CONTINUE READING ...


Filed in DAILY NEWS/ Valentines Specials .


HOTELS - ( February 11, 2009 )
A PEEK INSIDE THE ST. REGIS HOTEL


Last night we were able to take a quick tour of the newly refurbished, 95-year-old
St. Regis Hotel (Dunsmuir at Seymour) and liked what we saw.

The downstairs  and street level areas may be upscale British pub/sports bar in atmosphere, but the rooms and suites upstairs impressed us with their soothing design scheme, functional details, and most of, reasonable prices. During the opening period, standard rooms will go for $119 a night and suites for $229.  Taking that into account and number crunching the 11 million dollar reno tab (including 150 k) for the original artwork on display, and one has to wonder how many years it is going to take the owners to earn their investment back.  ... CONTINUE FOR MORE TEXT AND PHOTOS ...

Filed in RESTAURANTS/ Previews .




VALENTINES DAY IDEAS - ( February 10, 2009 )
OPTIONS FOR DINING AT HOME

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, la, la, la, but inside it's so delightful .... Oops, wait, that's Christmas isn't it?  But nevermind, the urge to stay home and avoid the cold, rain-soaked streets can be just as true on Valentine's Day, even if the thought of all that cooking is not so sweet.  Best option: let someone else do all the kitchen work, leaving you to concentrate on choosing a bottle of wine and thinking up some warming ideas for post supper activities. Below are suggestions from four local food companies starting with Trafalgars Bistro (who makes their menu available as both a dine out and a take home choice).  Remember though, most of these takeout Valentine's meal options must be ordered by February 11 or 12th, which is come to think of it, is tomorrow. So better get dialing ... CONTINUE READING ...  More restaurant menus tomorrow.

Filed in DAILY NEWS/ Valentines .



To see video click here .


VIDEO - ( February 9, 2009 )
JILLIAN'S MAN TEST

We could get all sleazy here and write a headline like: " Jillian Harris Says You Can Find Out Anything You Want To Know About A Man by Observing What He Does With His Wiener".  But we won't do that. Although Ms. Harris, a bachelorette finalist on the current " The Bachelor " television series, does present a novel argument for her theory.

If Harris looks vaguely familiar to some of us in the business of observing restaurants, that's because she was one of the designers hired by Scott Morison to decorate the interior of his Pinkys Restaurant in Vancouver's Yaletown. (The video shows her on a tabletop screwing
in a light bulb.) ... CONTINUE READING ...

Filed in ARTS & CULTURE/ Video .




PEOPLE - ( February 7, 2009 )
BCRFA HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES INDUCTEES FOR 2009

The BC Restaurant Hall of Fame has announced this year's inductees with the honours going to such well known industry members as restaurateurs Geoffrey Howes and David Aisenstat , Chef Thomas Haas and Chef Scott Jaeger . Writer Duncan Holmes was awarded a lifetime achievement recognition. See the complete list here .

While we were disappointed that for yet another year, no hard-working/achieving industry women were invited to join the all-male list of inductees (we've had high hopes for such deserving short-listed women as Barbara-Jo McIntosh ), we nevertheless congratulate all who will be acknowledged this year for their life time of service to the Vancouver restaurant and hospitality scene.

This year's inductees will be formally welcomed at a gala reception on March 30, 2009.  Tickets may be obtained via the www.bcrfa.com website.


Filed in RESTAURANTS/ Restaurant News .



WHAT WE'RE READING NOW
( February 6, 2009 )

So You Want to be a Restaurant Critic ?  By Alexandra Gill
( Ryerson Review of Journalism )

An oldie but a goodie ... although we have to disagree with the prevailing idea that the amount of integrity in a publication is directly proportional to its circulation size. In our over 20 year observation of the goings on behind the scenes, it has most often been the other way around, with the big players guilty of taking the greatest advantage of the system. We've kept our notes and it's all going into a book someday. 

MORE AFTER THE JUMP .

Filed in DAILY NEWS/ What We're Reading Now .



THE OUTSIDE WORLD - ( February 6, 2009 )
THORSTEN SCHMIDT'S ICE CREAM WITH WOOD SHAVINGS

At the Paris des Chefs exhibit held in (naturally) Paris a week ago, Danish Chef Thorsten Schmidt wowed the crowd with this dish of oak flavoured ice cream garnished with fir tree shavings.

Was this taking regionalism too far? ... CONTINUE READING ...


Filed in ART & CULTURE/ Food Style .



SWAG ALERT - ( February 6, 2009 )

Attention all wine lovers: Be sure to check the Swag Bag this weekend
as we will be giving away something special from
Mission Hill Family Estate .




ANNOUNCEMENTS - ( February 6, 2009 )
( All items on this page were either edited from, or excerpted directly from official press releases .)


RESTAURANTS

Parkside restaurant in the West End plans to close and re-open as La Buca at the end of March. Owners Andrey Durbach and Chris Stewart say "why wait to see if Parkside can survive the recession unscathed?" (Read full release here .)

Honour thy local vegetable supplier. Raincity Grill in Vancouver's West End (1193 Denman Street), has long been known for it's support of local suppliers and localvore dining. Now they plan to take that commitment one step further by identifying the vegetables used in their dishes as to their origin within the 100 mile radius from the restaurant. Sometimes it will be the region that is specified, and sometimes it will be the actual farm.  For example, Helmers Organic Farm in Pemberton regularly supplies Raincity from their heirloom potato crop.  The "Regional Vegetables" section listed on the menu will change seasonally.
 
Maureen Fleming , Chef Romy Prasad and partners have invited industry members down to So.Cial at Le Magasin this February 9th when prices will be marked down to that of 1990.

... CONTINUE READING

MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS AFTER THE JUMP : Illuminate Yaltetown, Hamilton Street Grill throws a cocktail party, lunch at Quattro on 4th, new Caffe Artigiano, Sprout Awards winner, Allison Spurrell eats her way through 200 cheeses, new name for Joie, Tinhorn Creek creates new position.

Filed in DAILY NEWS/ Announcements .





FOOD FILMS - ( February 4, 2009 )
FROM THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

Two entries in this year's Sundance Film Festiva l are likely to emerge as the year's most controversial films. And although each are concerned with food and consumption, neither present their subjects in an upbeat light. The first film, The End of the Line , a cinematic rendering of the bestselling book by Charles Clover , is a serious documentary focused on the devastation of the world's marine stocks from overfishing. While the second, and the complete opposite in approach if not tone, is Next Floor , a Canadian made, macabre fantasy about gourmand indulgence taken to a deadly extreme.  ... CONTINUE READING ...


Filed in ARTS & CULTURE/ Cinema .




ANNOUNCEMENTS - ( February 3, 2009 )
( All items in this posting were either edited from, or excerpted directly from official press releases .)

RESTAURANTS
 
For more than 20 years John Bishop has led the field in serving food that is organic, produced locally and sustainably. Many consider his eponymous Bishop's restaurant at 2183 West 4th avenue to be Canada's answer to Chez Panisse . With a reputation like that, lots of people don't realize that Bishop's is also a cosy neighbourhood haven serving quality dishes at affordable prices. For only $38 you can enjoy the most recent version of Bishop's three-course table d'hôte every evening (including Friday and Saturday) from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Chef Andrea Carlson has created a menu that starts off with ... CONTINUE READING ...

MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS AFTER THE JUMP : New resource for restaurateurs from the BCRHA; Chef Oliver Beckert joins the Four Seasons Vancouver; Frank Pabst competes in Calgary; Dining Out for Life; Empty Bowls Project; Join Laura Caulder for popcorn and a movie .


Filed in DAILY NEWS/ Announcements .




ARTS & CULTURE - BOOKS - ( February 2, 2009 )
WALLPAPER CITY GUIDE
Phaidon Press, 2009  $9.95 paperback

Vancouver ... it's not a bad looking place without all those people messing it up.

Recently at CityFood Central, we received a review copy of the new Wallpaper City Guide to Vancouver , and the proof that the style arbitrators were aware who we are, at least enough to have our mailing address, gave our coolness quotient insecurities no end of comfort.

But then again, perhaps they thought we were in need of a little design edification.... CONTINUE READING ...

Filed in CULTURE/ Books .