Vancouver’s been abuzz this past week with speculation concerning the imminent closure of what was supposed to be the long running extension of iconic lumiere and dbBistro, on March 13th. It’s a sad development, considering the role that lumiere has played in Vancouver’s culinary ascendance. We won’t ruminate too much—except to say that the [...]
It should have come as no surprise. But John Bishop's 25th anniversary celebrations were as understated as the man himself. Just before Christmas, on December 14th, 2010—25 years to the day when Bishop’s first opened—it was almost business as usual in the modest, west-side Vancouver room that still holds considerable sway in the [...]
D-Original Saucisson Sec, Tim Pawsey photo Just like a lot of people, we have a weekly habit of dropping by Vancouver’s Les Amis du Fromage. Not only does ‘Alice ‘n Alison’s’ boast the city’s most extensive (and best maintained) cheese selection but the chances areeven if it’s not cheese related but savoury [...]
Two hours after landing in Oporto, we’re hot on the trail of two essentials: sardines and octopus. Oh—and wine! Well, that’s not too hard to find around these parts. Nor are the first two. Down a narrow side street, not far from our hotel, in the centre of the old town, we discover [...]
A few tastings come around each year which we consider ‘don’t miss’ dates. Some are pretty obvious, such as when Penfolds senior winemaker Peter Gago comes to town, or Yalumba’s irrepressible ambassador Jane Ferrari. However, it might surprise you learn that another worthwhile event on our calendar has turned out to be the [...]
Even though Vancouver prides itself on being a forward thinking dining scene (and has no end of choice and variety to prove that point), introducing new tastes and ingredients can still be a challenge. Just ask Mark Hills. He’s the founder of Hills Foods, which has been single-handedly elevating The Game Game in Vancouver since [...]
Recently we broke bread (and sipped some excellent '05 Burrowing Owl Cab) with Jeremy Roncoroni. He’s the dynamo behind Vancouver’s St. Regis Hotel (602 Dunsmuir St., 604-681-1135), who’s been busy turning that property into one of the city’s most successful boutique business properties. How successful? You should check out what guests are saying [...]
We know of no more fervent advocate for the advancement of sake than Masa Shiroki. The dynamo behind Granville Island’s Artisan Sake never rests in his efforts to convert more people to the idea of matching sake with food. His latest undertaking involved a six course dinner at ShuRaku Sake Bar and Bistro [...]
Tuned up heritage bar and dining lounge adds up to historic district's latest lively lure L'Abattoir's bar has a real buzz—and great tastes too, Tim Pawsey photo Walk into Gastown’s newest star, L’Abattoir (217 Carrall St., 604-568-1701) and the first person you’ll likely meet is Shaun Layton, who runs everything bar-wise here. Shaun [...]
We’ll be honest. When it comes to watching sports, we’re one of the first to jump on the proverbial bandwagon. We don’t have time to watch much in the way of TV, so whether it’s ice-hockey, football or championship tiddlywinks there’s just one rule: don’t bother—except for a playoff game or other serious [...]