Papi’s Revitalizes Iconic West End Spot

By |2019-07-31T14:05:15-07:00July 31st, 2019|Latest Posts, Dining|

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, BC Wine Icon and Pioneer, Passes

By |2020-04-14T16:37:30-07:00July 24th, 2019|Latest Posts, Wine|

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 named to the Order of Canada

By |2019-06-29T10:07:04-07:00June 29th, 2019|Latest Posts, Wine|

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 [...]

BC Sweeps All Canadian Wine Championships. Again.

By |2024-04-28T10:57:04-07:00June 11th, 2019|Wine, Latest Posts|

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 Winery Sold to Bench 1775 Owner

By |2019-04-23T17:41:24-07:00April 23rd, 2019|Latest Posts, Wine|

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 [...]

Argentina: Taking Malbec (and more) to New Heights

By |2019-04-14T22:39:54-07:00April 14th, 2019|Latest Posts, Wine|

Malbec is on a roll. Still. And Malbec World Day (April 17th) is again almost here.  Argentina founded its reputation on Malbec, which has become immensely popular. Yet that love affair is actually quite a recent phenomenon. Historically, in France, Malbec was used mainly as a blending wine. The exception is in Cahors, where it’s [...]

Quebec Rendez-Vous Gourmet at PICA

By |2020-05-17T19:37:46-07:00April 4th, 2019|Dining, Latest Posts|

Quebec, even though you may leave, never leaves you. Excuse me for being a tad sentimental. But yesterday I indulged in a small slice of my past. Quebec came to town—at least a select few artisan Quebec producers did, along with their wares. The venue was Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts— PICA, which is also hosting [...]

Curry Cup 2019 Crowns The Cascade Room

By |2019-03-14T08:23:17-07:00March 12th, 2019|Dining, Latest Posts, Sustainable|

Curry Cup 2019 is a wrap! I’ve judged at a few competitions over the years. But I’d have to say that the Curry Cup is one of the coolest. Maybe it has something to do with my U.K. upbringing. But I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for a good curry—which is still [...]

Vintners Brunch: A Worthy Culinary Crown

By |2019-03-06T14:54:05-08:00March 4th, 2019|Dining, Latest Posts|

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 [...]

Sheringham Wins World’s Best Contemporary Gin

By |2021-07-08T18:48:59-07:00February 24th, 2019|Spirits, Craft Distilleries, Latest Posts|

I’ve been following the adventures of Sooke’s Sheringham Gin almost since Day One. So I’m beyond thrilled to hear their Seaside Gin won ‘Best Contemporary Gin in the World’ at the World Gin Awards.  I’m especially delighted for Sheringham, in that they embody so much of what it takes to succeed as a small, remote [...]

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