Valentine’s beckons—so the Hired Belly has been working diligently on the Gentle Art of Seduction. Only in theory, you understand. But in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day it feels appropriate to suggest a few wines (and bites) to serve your beloved. You might be surprised how much of a challenge narrowing such a selection can [...]
Several dishes stood out from our tasting, a multi regional showcase for Tutto Chef Omar Hadi’s offerings. Topping the list, porcini brown butter further enlivens an already flavourful beef short-rib ravioli.
The Haggis Match: What to Drink (as opposed to sip) on Burns Night
This week’s Vancouver Somm Smackdown turned out to be a fitting way to celebrate 30 years of BC VQA, on many levels. The BC Wine Institute and CAPS BC-sponsored ‘Smackdown’ featured dishes from three chefs, their plates matched with a wine pairing from each of three sommeliers. Our task was to pick what we considered [...]
Provence Marinaside joins the list of re-openings in Vancouver, which have been coming thick and fast this week. That’s really good news. How reassuring to see all those familiar names returning to whatever the new normal might be. Of course, many never completely shut down but switched to takeout almost without [...]
It’s easy to miss vinAmité Cellars. The family-run winery is on the east side of Highway 97, almost still ‘in town’, on Oliver’s southern limits. Unseen from the road is the vineyard and a delightful terrace overlooking the vines. The view—best enjoyed with a glass or two on a comfortable settee—looks east and south down the valley. […]
It’s a wrap! Sunday’s Vintners Brunch capped off in style another highly successful Vancouver International Wine Festival. Sponsored by the Vancouver Sun, Vintners Brunch is the week’s undisputed highlight for those lucky enough to attend. After all, it is one of the fastest selling events in the festival. Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre ‘backstage’ [...]
With 18 years of Dine Out under my (thankfully elastic) belt, a few hours spent clicking through the current festival’s menu offerings has me convinced that this is one of the best lineups yet. There are plenty of good reasons to relish Dine Out Vancouver. While the festival has grown to include many more special [...]
Vintners Brunch is for many still their VanWineFest highlight. It's easy to see why. The setting is dazzling, especially on a day like this past Sunday, when the North Shore Mountains and harbour seem almost on the edge of the room. It's also a great party, one of few events that comes with live music. And while [...]
Quails’ Gate is celebrating 30 years. Time flies. It seems like only yesterday that Ben Stewart poured us a taste of the first Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir. We were sitting on a picnic table outside a then much smaller winery. And we almost fell off when Ben told us the price. “You’re going to [...]
