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 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 [...]
Updated: Sea Star 2018 reviews 94 Sea Star Salish Sea 2018 (Gulf Islands) A blend of 60 percent Ortega with 40 percent Siegerrebe lures with seductive rose petal hints and orange blossom on the nose, before a complex blend of grapefruit and citrus notes almost reminiscent of Riesling, which is a parent of Siegerrebe. Superbly [...]
Tap & Barrel is no longer the new kid on the block. That was apparent when this casual eatery landed downtown at the Convention Centre. And became even more clear when Tap & Barrel Shipyards launched, about three years ago. This week they pulled the wraps off (yet another) patio at Shipyards. It couldn’t be completed [...]
Natural wines. Coming to a glass near you, soon. Natural Wine Defined What’s a natural wine, you might ask? It means the wine in your glass is in the purest possible form. It's the closest it can be to the fruit that was in the vineyard, preferably organically or bio-dynamically farmed. Most likely it’s made with [...]
Lure is the latest project from Chef Ned Bell. He’s the founder of Chefs for Oceans, who, in 2014, cycled across Canada. He took time out from his post as executive chef of Vancouver's Four Seasons to raise awareness for seafood sustainability. Since then he’s been even busier with a big career move. And spent [...]
Amovino is the name of a new agency making its mark on the BC wine scene. It’s the brainchild of Jessica Luongo and Marisa Varas. They're a couple of smart, young women who decided to pool their experience and resources. I’ve been following this new enterprise with interest. I got to know Jessica Luongo during [...]
Malbec is emblematic of Argentina. Every wine region has its own, ‘signature’ wine or style, blend or variety. The Germans remain Riesling champions of the world. Italy’s Veneto lays claim to the uniqueness of apassimento and Amarone. The Chileans still care about Carmenere (though less so, perhaps, these days). And the French have a lock [...]
Mirabel makes its mark A few months ago I was sitting in a corner by the cozy fireplace at Vancouver's Bacchus Lounge. I was there to meet Doug and Dawn Reimer. They were in town to preview their (inaugural) Mirabel Vineyards Pinot Noir 2015. In many ways the couple epitomize the new wave of Okanagan [...]
Maji offers more than a passing nod to Ocean Wise. In the best of all possible worlds, every restaurant I walked into would adhere to Ocean Wise. I know that to realize such a dream may take a while. Ongoing over-fishing, by-catch and compromised habitat threaten seafood stocks that we continue to take so much for granted. Vancouver Aquarium’s game changing [...]
