THE PLAYERS CHOPHOUSE (VANCOUVER) IS POISED TO SET BEATTY STREET AFLAME IN JULY.
(Directly from the press release.)

Points West Hospitality Group is pleased to announce the opening of their fifth venture in B.C. In the heart of Vancouver’s sports and entertainment district.

(Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC) – Set between two entertainment venues at the end of famed Robson Street, Points West Hospitality Group and its partners are set to open their fifth restaurant venture, The Players CHOPHOUSE, Bar & Lounge in July 2007.

The Players CHOPHOUSE, Bar & Lounge will entice guests to come and experience an atmosphere best described as “B.C.’s West Coast with a flavour of San Francisco flare� explains Rob Ward, President of Points West Hospitality Group. “We want our guests to enjoy the best the west coast has to offer while also providing the perfect venue to celebrate a night out, to entertain clients, or to stop in before or after concerts, sporting and entertainment events�.

Soaring ceilings with both natural and elegantly subtle lighting - a lounge and bar with buttery leather booths - surrounded by elegant hardwood, invites guests to join us in casual elegance. In addition, the patio is the ideal place to dine outdoors. With warm toned Teak tables and cushioned wrought iron chairs, guests will be left feeling satisfied and relaxed.

The informal, inviting atmosphere is the backdrop to a menu boasting perfectly grilled, unique cuts of meat, prime dry aged beef and the freshest west coast seafood available, with an extensive and well paired wine list, all served alongside innovative and traditional accompaniments.

Points West Hospitality is proud to announce the appointment of Thai Ngo as Executive Chef for The Players CHOPHOUSE, Bar & Lounge. Chef Thai Ngo brings with him a myriad of cultural and geographical experiences spanning twenty-five years in the culinary world, eighteen as an Executive Chef. Executive Chef Thai Ngo has developed a northwest inspiration and passion in his unique culinary style that began with his traditional roots and grew each year with experiences in many of the city’s finest restaurants, as a restaurant owner, operator and consultant. Chef Thai Ngo also spent the last 4 years serving as Executive and personal Chef to famed Hollywood actor ‘Wesley Snipes’.

James Drummond has been welcomed aboard as a partner and General Manager for The Players CHOPHOUSE, Bar & Lounge. James has brought with him more than twenty years of knowledge and experience in the restaurant business, acting as a General Manager for thirteen years, for two of the city’s largest restaurant groups. His culinary experience and extensive wine knowledge will be paramount in helping Players CHOPHOUSE, Bar & Lounge become a Vancouver, and world renowned food and entertainment venue.

Points West Hospitality Group, founded in 2000 by Rob Ward and NFL player Mitch Berger has partnered with current and past NHL players such as Len Barrie, Nolan Baumgartner, Steve Passmore, Darryl Sydor, Scott Ferguson, Jason Strudwick and Garth Snow - Along with world champion skeleton racer Jeff Pain, actors Roman Danylo and Ellie Harvie.

(Editor's note: The Points West Restaurant Group, a Vancouver, owns & operates the restaurants Saltaire and Settebello in Vancouver, as well as Darcy's Pub and Upstairs Caberet in Victoria and Player's CHOPHOUSE and Lounge in Kamloops. They are currently planning to expand their Darcy's/Upstairs venue to include a rooftop addition.


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HOWE SOUND BREWING COMPANY TAKES GOLD AT NORTH AMERICAN BEER AWARDS
(Directly from the Press Release.)

(Squamish, BC) The Howe Sound Brewing Company in Squamish, BC took home Gold and Bronze awards at the North American Brewers Association’s 2007 North American Beer Awards in Idaho Falls, Idaho this past weekend.

The Howe Sound Brewing Company was awarded a gold Medal for its Garibaldi Honey Pale Ale and a Bronze for its Oatmeal Stout. More than 1000 entries representing breweries from New York to Alaska, Canada and Mexico were judged.

Manager of Sales John Ohler was too busy bottling orders in the basement of the Brew Pub to attend the medal ceremonies which were held June 1st, but expressed his exhilaration at the win. “The awards mean a lot to everyone at the Howe Sound Brewing Company. This is validation for all the hard work put in by the brewery team and shows that our beers really stand up with the best beers out there,� said Ohler.

The award-winning Garibaldi Honey Pale Ale and Oatmeal Stout are now available at more than 200 government and private liquor stores around the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island as well as the Howe Sound Brew Pub in Squamish, BC where the medals will soon be hanging behind the bar.


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