Announcements for May 29, 2009

In the photo: Chef at Miku applying the Aburi method.


ANNOUNCEMENTS - ( May 29, 2009 )
( Items on this page were edited from, excerpted directly, or subjected to our warped viewpoints via official press releases.)



RESTAURANTS/HOTELS


Provence Marinaside has opened their patio for the season and will be extending their Spot Prawn menu for an additional month. Here's Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia's tips for cooking spot prawns: simply toss them with sea salt and light olive oil, then place on the BBQ whole (heads and shells). Cook for two minutes on each side, squeeze some fresh lemon over them, and voila!


Miku, one of the newest Japanese Restaurants to arrive on the scene (1055 West Hastings Street), is not only the only Japanese restaurant to offer aburi-style sushi (involves the use of a blowtorch), it is also set to become the first Japanese restaurant in downtown Vancouver to be welcomed onto the Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise program. (Zen Japanese restaurant on the Northshore, is also a member.) Diners can also look forward to a pretty patio to be in operation once a few items, such as screens, are installed. Try out their Red Wave Roll, Salmon Oshi-Sushi and Miku's own signature cocktails.  And be such to check out their website to watch at least the start of the promotional video. These people are taking their mission seriously!


Each month from June through September, Wild Rice (117 W. Pender St.) will present a special Summer Light Menu. Lighter seasonal ingredients, lighter flavours and light on your pocket book. Each menu comes with three different food courses. You pick any two for only $22 or enjoy all three for $27. June’s menu includes Caramelized Qualicum Bay Scallop on a Salad of Pea and Bamboo Shoots, Seared Orange-spiced BC Albacore Tuna served with a Coconut Ginger Rice Cake with a cooling Mango Cucumber Emulsion and Coconut Beignets with Star Anise Caramel and Spiced Pineapple Sorbet. Owner Andrew Wong suggests an optional wine pairing for each course at the same light pricing. Any two for $10 or all three for $15.


Indulge your crabbiness with a three-course menu built around fresh and local BC Dungeness Crab. For three weeks only, starting Tuesday, June 9th, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts’ soon-to-be graduating class will be cracking, shelling and cooking in the kitchen for their BC Dungeness Excrabagannza Menu. The Excrabaganza is available for lunch and dinner in the marina-view restaurant at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. For $38 per person (excluding taxes and gratuities) crab lovers can choose from a number of dishes on the three-course menu including crab bisque, crab cakes, wild sockeye salmon with crab hollandaise. This limited time menu is only offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays along side their regular weekly restaurant menu currently featuring BC Spot Prawns. Reservations recommended and available by telephone at 604-734-4488 or online at www.picachef.com. Special discount and promotional coupons not accepted. Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts is located at the entrance to Granville Island (1505 West 2nd Ave.)


Enjoy a front of line pass to the Dutch Masters exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery (runs to September 13th), then summon your muse to a romantic stay in the luxurious "Artist Series Suite. Vancouver's artful hotel, The Listel Hotel on Robson Street, is offering special package deals combining room stays, VAG tickets (or private guided tours), discounts at the Gallery Store and baskets of chocolates from Vancouver's own Dutch Girl Chocolates. Check out the details here. 



PEOPLE

The contributions of longtime Vancouver media member Joy Metcalfe was recently recognized as she received the 2009 C.H.I.L.D. Foundation Inspiration Award -- an award presented annually to an individual whose work has served as an inspiration to others through their dedicated efforts on behalf of children.  C.H.I.L.D. (the Children with Intestinal and Liver Disorders Foundation) is dedicated to raising funds to further research into Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis, and liver disorders in children, with the goal of finding a cure for the disorders.  Joy’s extensive record of advocacy on children’s issues made her an ideal recipient for this honour. In presenting the honour, chairperson Grace McCarthy referred to Joy Metcalfe as one of Vancouver's most personable and caring media personalities.  Her evaluation was clearly shared by the crowd, which gave Ms. Metcalfe a standing ovation as she accepted the award.
 


COCKTAILS

It would seem that liquor and associated mixer product companies all share the same, the one, and the only idea on how to market their brands these days -- 1) Run a bartender contest, 2) rattle the event through social media like a walnut in a pinball machine, 3) send a photo of the winner and his drink to the established media. We must have seen a hundred of these last year and expect more of the same before the end of 2009. Here's the latest from Divine Mixers for mixologists with video know how. The new twist is that Divine has the bartenders making their advertising videos for them, for the price of two bottles of mixer. Crafty!



BOOKS

Previously listed...The June 6 Michael Pollan fundraiser at UBC Farm is less than 2 weeks away and tickets are selling quickly. If you haven't purchased your tickets yet, please do so soon. If you would like to have your tickets mailed to you, the deadline for purchase is this Friday, May 29. After this date, tickets may be purchased and picked up at Barbara-jo's Books to Cooks  at 1740 West 2nd Avenue.Don't miss this rare opportunity to meet Michael Pollan and support UBC Farm.  Click here for more details, or call 604-688-6755 to purchase tickets.


Happening this weekened at Barbara-Jos Books to Cooks. Today... start your weekend with a Friday evening Six O'Clock Salon with author Jane Ganahl, editor of Single Women of a Certain Age. This is Jane's second visit to Books to Cooks from San Francisco.  The evening includes refreshments and a copy of the book. Cost is $35.00. Tomorrow ... Fall in love with the lush foliage of the Sicilian countryside at a Sicilian Saturday event on Saturday, May 30 at 11:00 a.m. Fabrizia Lanza, who is travelling from Siciliy, will present the beautiful book, Herbs and Wild Greens from the Sicilian Countryside written by her mother, Anna Tasca Lanza. Guests will enjoy a discussion of the herbs and greens commonly found in Sicily and will sample recipes using them. The cost of this event is $85. Call 604-688-6755 to register.

Yara Castro Roberts, author of The Brazilian Table joins Barbara-Jo's Books to Cooks at a dinner at Cobre restaurant in Gastown on June 11th. (See details below in Calendar).




NEW IN THE CALENDAR



JUNE 1, 2009:
Dinner at Le Crocodile with Barbara-Jo Books to Cooks.
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Escape to the Alsace, at an evening at Le Crocodile Restaurant where Chef Michel Jacob will treat guests to an elegant menu prepared in the Alsatian tradition. Guests will delight in exploring the food and wine of this less celebrated French region. The evening includes wine pairings, a copy of Hachette Vacances: Alsace and gratuity. 6 p.m. Tickets are $140. Information available at Barbara-Jo's Books to Cooks. 604-688-6755. Taking place at Le Crocodile.


JUNE 11, 2009:
Yara Castro Roberts at Cobre.
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Barbara Jo's Books visits Cobre Restaurant (52 Powell Street) for a little taste of Rio. The evening will feature The Brazilian Table by Yara Castro Roberts. Chef and author Yara will be the special guest and she will share her knowledge of the rich food culture of her native country. Guests will dine on a Brazilian inspired menu prepared by Chef Stuart Irving. Tickets of $95 includes food, beverages, gratuity and a copy of the book. Information available at Barbara-Jo's Books to Cooks. 604-688-6755. Taking place at Cobre. 52 Powell Street, Vancouver.


JUNE 21, 2009:
Whistler Farmers' Market.
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The Whistler Farmers' Market returns to the pedestrian streets of the Upper Village (near the Fairmont Chateau Whistler) every Sunday this summer, featuring local produce from the Pemberton Valley and beyond, tasty artisan foods, live cooking demos by Whistler Chefs and live music. Choose from a selection of crafts, organic and local produce, jams, honey, baked goods, jewellery and much more on offer. The market runs every Sunday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. until October 11, 2009.


JUNE 27, 2009:
Fraser Valley 2nd Annual Wine & Culinary Extravaganza.
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The 12 wineries of the Fraser Valley are once again pairing up with local restaurants for a spectacular afternoon of food, wine and live entertainment. Formed in 2006, The FVWA includes: Domaine de Chaberton Estate Winery, The Fort Wine Company, Lotusland, Lulu Island Winery, Mt. Lehman Winery, Pacific Breeze Winery, Real Estate Vineyards & Winery, River's Bend Winery, Sanduz Estate Winery, St. Urban Winery Ltd., Wellbrook Winery, and Westham Island Estate Winery. Participating restaurants at this year's event include: Bacchus Bistro, Coza! Tuscan Grill, Memphis Blues, Restaurant 62, Sonoma Grill, The Seasonal Experience, and more.  Be sure to check the website for up to date information. 2 - 5 p.m.   Tickets are $50 + tax and are available at 1-800-663-1900 or via the website. Partial proceeds will go to Langley's Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities. This organization was established in 1973 to provide therapeutic horseback riding to individuals with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities. Taking place at Langley’s Highpoint Equestrian Estate Community (2 Avenue at 200 Street, Langley).