Toptable Group has announced that award-winning West Restaurant + Bar will close at year end. It will not be renewing its lease. It's by no means official. But I'll hazard a pretty good guess that the cost of the new lease didn't make sense to continue. The building is also possibly slated for development. The closing [...]
This year’s British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Award winners were announced last night in Kelowna. The winners were unveiled at Okanagan Wine Festival’s signature tasting and reception at the Packing House. The event kicked off the 39th Annual Fall Okanagan Wine Festival. Wine of the year is: Deep Roots Syrah 2017 (Naramata Bench) $29.48—which edged [...]
Bordeaux’s biggest BC sales day of the year is fast approaching. Saturday, September 28th, marks BC Liquor Stores 2016 Bordeaux release. For serious wine collectors it’s beyond keenly anticipated. This vintage is one of the best in many years. And even better, there is, truly, something for everyone. Bordeaux boxes awaiting September 28th [...]
Row Fourteen is the newest addition to Similkameen's already blossoming scene. And it's a worthy one at that.
The Tasting Menu is back. Although, truth be told, at West Restaurant it never went away. Earlier this summer I had the opportunity to witness the artistry of West Chef Bobby Milheron in two contrasting settings. The first was at the BC Seafood Festival in Comox. The second was at the South Granville restaurant itself. [...]
Papi’s Seafood & Oyster Bar—the successor to Beach Bay Café—recently arrived in the space once occupied by long-running Raincity Grill. It’s hard to say precisely why Beach Bay didn’t make it. But, evidently, Viaggio Hospitality (Ancora, Uva, Cibo) felt it was time to start over. English Bay has long been Vancouver’s summertime epicentre. Arguably the [...]
Harry McWatters, founder of Sumac Ridge Estate, SYL Ranch, Time Estate, Time Winery and Evolve Cellars died in his sleep on July 23rd, 2019. I’m profoundly saddened by his unexpected death as, I know, are the legions of his friends and others who knew him. Not only was Harry a force to be reckoned with, [...]
Howard Soon, in Canadian wine terms, is ‘a living legend.’ Yes, I know. He’ll hate me for saying that. But it’s true. And this week it was confirmed by Howard being recognized with one of the highest awards in the country: the Order of Canada. That had me digging back to 2017, for a story [...]
The All Canadian Wine Championships are the country’s longest running national wine competition, since 1981. Just out are the results for 2019. And, once more, BC has come away with a very strong showing. This year's awards were held adjacent to the historic Waring House and cozy Barley Room Pub, in Prince Edward County [...]
Stag's Hollow News Release (Edited) Okanagan Falls, BC (April 22, 2019): Stag’s Hollow Winery & Vineyard has been purchased by a local, private investor. This person is well vested in the Okanagan and in the BC wine industry. They own vineyards in Summerland, the Similkameen and Bench 1775 Winery on the Naramata Bench. As a [...]
