Thought for the day ... Patrick Maguire, a server from Boston, MA reports heavy traffic to his website www.servernotservant.com, since he posted a rebuttal to the New York Times' article "100 Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do" with his own "64 Suggestions for Restaurant Customers". Maguire reports nearly 9,000 unique visitors in 3 days from every US state, plus 69 countries worldwide. While we suspect a lot of this readership was likely to be fellow waitpersons virtually high-fiving Patrick with a "Right On!", as opposed to education needy restaurant patrons, it shows that heightened awareness of social etiquette may be one of the best trends to emerge from social media.

(All items from here on down are edited directly from official press releases. )


C Restaurant made a splash at the Vancouver Aquarium with the debut of its new cookbook, C Food. Over 200 guests came out in support of C’s book launch, celebrating with champagne and canapés as they admired cleverly displayed copies of C Food submerged in fish tanks. Keeping with the ocean friendly theme, a scuba diver wowed guests by diving into the largest tank to retrieve the first-ever copy of C Food. To celebrate the release of the book, C Chef de Cuisine, Quang Dang, has created a six –course tasting menu inspired by the recipes inside. For $128, guests will receive a copy of the book as well as a chance to savour items such as Chilled Fennel Consommé (page 22) and Honey Glazed Sablefish, a combination of two recipes (page 32 and 60). For reservations, please contact: C Restaurant at 604-681-1164.

A block wide fire on Main and Broadway on November 12th has destroyed Zocalo Mexican Restaurant , Slickity Jim's Chat and Chew (a popular breakfast cafe), and Kishu Sushi . Nearby Lugz was also damaged. Apparently, the fire broke out in the Japanese restaurant in the early morning hours and quickly spread to the neighbouring establishments. 

Fuel: has announced that it will perform its last service on November 29th. After which it will reopen on December 2nd, with a new name, branding and concept as a casual, northwest cuisine restaurant. Details on this to be announced later. Ownership by founders Tom Doughty , Chef Rob Belcham and their partners will remain as before. See the full announcement here .

Japa Dog : Looks like Vancouver's favourite hot dog stand is going from street food to street front. See story here .

Villa del Lupo : A grand re-opening party is in the works for December. More on this later. 869 Hamilton Street, Vancouver.

Miku restaurant will celebrate its first anniversary with an exclusive Omakase menu, available from November 16th to 22nd. Seigo Nakamura, Miku's Owner and Executive Chef (who is usually based in Japan) will be joining the kitchen team in Vancouver to serve three special multi-course menus for one week only, showcasing Miku's signature aburi sushi and Omakase style. 1055 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. 604) 569-3900.

MARKET by Jean-Georges will be open seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as of November 14th.  An à la carte breakfast is available daily from 7 – 11:30 a.m. Full and hearty breakfast options include a Shangri-La Healthy Start at $29 and a traditional Chinese Breakfast for $28. Lunch hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; dinner 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. (last seating). In the Shangri-la Hotel Vancouver . 1115 Alberni Street, Vancouver. 604-695-1115.

 

PEOPLE

The Governor General of Canada invited Chef Robert Clark to Ottawa for a dinner in honour of the Prince of Wales. Clark sat with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall at a dinner that celebrated the Nation’s Table. The group indulged in culinary creations based on the fresh, seasonal and organic diversity of distinctly Canadian products. The honour also included an invitation for Clark to sit on a Canadian Advisory Committee for future Governor General Awards. These awards are given to outstanding contributions to arts, literature, sports, humanities and sciences. Clark will assist the committee going forward in selecting recipients for awards concerning the arts as they relate to culinary talent and products from around the country.

Kelowna-based Chef Rod Butters has teamed with Sandhill winemaker Howard Soon for Raudz restaraurant's lastest installment of Home Plate video podcasts. You can find the Home Plate podcasts on iTunes and on the raudz.com website.


WINE

A limited amount of tickets for the 2010 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival will go on sale as of November 24, 2009. Of the 1,000 advance tickets that will be released, 30 will be allotted to the exclusive Gold Pass Lounge ($375), and 30 to the New Zealand & Argentina Discovery Package ($200), with the balance to the International Festival Tasting Room ($80). With this year’s festival already approaching participation by 196 wineries from 14 countries pouring more than 1,700 wines, attendance is expected to surpass 25,000 wine enthusiasts. Advance Tasting Room tickets may be purchased online at www.playhousewinefest.com .  All advance tickets and packages are also available through the Playhouse box office at 604-873-3311. All public events will be on sale on February 2, 2010.


Recognized as one of the wine world's most prestigious competitions, the Wine Tasting Challenge offers up to a value of $150,000 in prizes, the world's largest purse for both expert and amateur oenophiles. Competitors in the professional category will taste seven wines and strive to identify their varietal, region of original and vintage; amateurs will taste three wines. For additional information and to register, visit www.winetastingchallenge.com. The event takes place in Toronto at the Four Seasons Hotel. 21 Avenue Road, Toronto, Ontario. On Monday, November 23, 2009. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. For further information: about this year's competition contact: Joseph Cassidy, (416) 558-3240, j.cassidy@rogers.com.



COCKTAILS

Nons Drinks and the BC Hospitality EXPO have announced the dates of the 2009 Sortilège Cup competition for professional mixologists.  The Gentlemen’s Competition will be held on Monday, November 23 2009, and the Ladies’ Competition will take place a day later.  Both events will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Hosted by the BC Hospitality EXPO, the Sortilège Cup is an opportunity for local mixologists to compete with their peers to create an original drink featuring Sortilège maple liqueur.  Each event will include six to eight mixologists, who will prepare original cocktails that include Sortilège, a unique blend of maple syrup and Canadian whisky.  The drinks will be judged by a committee including two media judges, two mixologists, and two head judges. The winner of each day’s competition will be awarded a trip to Montreal in summer 2010 to visit the Sortilège plant.



NEW EVENTS IN THE CALENDAR


NOVEMBER 15, 2009 :
Creme de la Creme Wedding Show at the Four Seasons Vancouver Hotel .
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Expecting a proposal this Christmas? Start planning the wedding of your dreams at this wedding show hosted by the Four Seasons Vancouver Hotel. All exhibitors are hand picked as recognized leaders in their respective fields and include Yew Catering, Ganache Patisserie, Bisou Bridal, Blus Bridal Occasions, Jeweliette jewelry and Accessories, Absolute Spa, Frocks Modern Bridesmaids, Blo, Blow Dry Bar, Hayley Millar Makeup Artistry, Reine Weddings. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket includes Fashion Shows (1 and 4 p.m.), Deluxe Gift Bag and food tasting. $35 per person. $45 Vip tickets include consultations with fashion stylists. Register online at the link above.


NOVEMBER 19, 2009:
Fall into the Market.
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A Pacific Northwest wine tasting complimented by seasonal fare from Granville Island Market vendors. This is a benefit for the BC SPCA. 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. $24.99. Tickets available at all Liberty Wine Merchants. At the Net Loft on Granville Island. 1689 Johnston Street. 604-602-1120.


NOVEMBER 21, 2009 :
Fourth Anniversary Celebration at Quince.
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Quince in Kitsilano celebrates their Fourth Anniversary on Saturday with a series of free preview cooking classes, cooking demonstrations and a Black Box Cooking Competition. For a listing of scheduled events and times log on to the website link above. 1780 West 3rd Ave., Vancouver. 604-731-4645.


NOVEMBER 22, 2009:
Joie Farm at C Restaurant.
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Joie Winery will pair with C Restaurant for an exquisite farm dinner. Join winemaker Michael Dinn and Chef Robert Clark as they guide guests through an extraordinary evening. 6 p.m. The 6 course dinner including wines is $110 (taxes & gratuity included) and may be purchased by contacting C Restaurant directly at 604-681-1164 or by emailing info@crestaurant.com. 1600 Howe Street, Vancouver.


NOVEMBER 22, 29, 2009 :
Sake Tasting Dinner at Coast .
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A selection of dishes prepared by restaurant chef, Mike Robbins, and Sushi Chef, Max Katsuno paired expertly with saki by Sommelier, Kye Melchert.  The cost for the evening is $95 exclusive of taxes and gratuity. Seating is limited to 20 seats each night, as participants will be seated around the bar. See the full menu here . Coast Restaurant. 1054 Alberni St., Vancouver. 604-685-5010.


DECEMBER 8, 2009 :
Immaculate Conception: The Whiskey Dinner .
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Similar to the Whiskey 101 classes that local whiskey aficionado Andrew Starritt is known for, this event will combine Andrew's talent for sourcing obscure whiskies (five for this event), while Refinery Chef Michael Carter creates a 5-course menu using whiskey in thoughtful ways. The evening begins with an award-winning whiskey cocktail by Refinery's General Manager & Mixologist, Lauren Mote. This event is not for the faint-at-heart. There will be bundles of whiskey consumption, a sensory-overload, and a huge educational component. Tickets are now available with a credit card at The Refinery, either in person or by email. $100 per ticket. rsvp@therefineryvancouver.com. Subject: "Immaculate Conception". Taking place at the Refinery. 1115 Granville Street, Vancouver, B.C. 604-687-8001.