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Cocktails

May23

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CityScape: Kimpton’s Palomar Phoenix

Posted in: Cocktails, Dining, Lodging, Music, Tea, Travel, Wine

[Not for riding, but admiring: scooters in the lounge]

The Kimpton Palomar Phoenix is just under a year old, located in the heart of downtown. If you’re not familiar with the Kimpton chain, they’re an artful collection of hotels with all the amenities, in this case including a full-service Gold’s Gym next door for guest use. As we entered the Palomar Phoenix, a pair of loaner bikes greeted us (something we’d hoped to use, but with 99 degree heat, our bodies still needed time to acclimatize from a much cooler Vancouver).

The wifi is speedy; if you’re a Kimpton InTouch member, it’s free upon registration (as well as the $10 ‘raid the minibar’ perk). We were happy with the quiet airco system, a necessity in these parts.

Settling into our king bed room, we looked around to spot the design details that always make staying at the Kimpton a fun experience.

Little touches like a blanket with its own belt, a lamp with tree limbed-base, and quirky objects d’art add to the room’s character.

The Palomar Phoenix forms part of CityScape, a downtown shopping, dining, and entertainment hub. You’ll find everything from Urban Outfitters and CVS Pharmacy, to the Arrogant Butcher (a wonderful local favourite) and a frozen yogurt shop all within walking range of the hotel.

Hotel parking is available (self or valet). There’s light rail around the block to get around the city. Phoenix’s downtown core is pretty walkable, even in the heat. And if you’re a sports/music fan, the Palomar is right next to US Airways Center, where the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Arizona Rattlers play, alongside major concert tours. We noticed that the Phoenix Convention Center and several theaters were also close by.

The next venue over is Chase Field, home of MLB team Arizona Diamondbacks.

[Blue Hound Kitchen]

A wine hour in the lobby (with free appies) leads to thoughts of dinner. We enjoyed a light meal and drinks at the Blue Hound Kitchen, where flatbreads and locally-inspired creations form the menu’s focus. Crafted cocktails and a good size gin selection left us spoiled for choice.
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Apr25

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Previewing The Roof at Black+Blue

Posted in: Cocktails, Dining, Events, Vancouver, Wine

Glowbal’s Black+Blue steakhouse has opened a beautiful rooftop dining experience: The Roof at Black+Blue. The restaurant and lounge space is well-heated with ample room to spread out and chill with views of the city.

I was invited to a packed house last night to enjoy an array of beautiful appetizers, cocktails, wines and spirits while engaging in friendly conversation and watching the chefs at work.

Black & Blue carries a large selection of fine meats from around the world. Hand-carved steak, jerk chicken, bacon-wrapped scallops, prawns, flatbreads, mini sandwiches and sweets were some of the appetizers being passed around this cool new space.

Executive Chef Jason Labahn presided over the outdoor oven, busy preparing bacon, steaks, and jerk chicken directly from oven to counter. I noticed that no food lasted very long on that marble counter either!

[Arrival at Black+Blue’s The Roof]

The Wood Stone Josper Charcoal Broiler oven can reach temperatures of 1700 degrees Fahrenheit, adding a new spin on the word charbroiled. The Josper oven’s tradition began in Spain over 40 years ago; it’s now owned by more than 20,000 customers in over 50 countries.

Chef Labahn will get a lot of use out of the Josper, cooking up prime meats, skewered fish, seafood and chicken over the grill’s wood coals.

The Roof has an adjustable electronic ceiling depending on the weather; 120 guests can be accommodated al fresco rain or shine. There’s curved booths, tables, bar seating, and cozy benches with smaller tables.

Two walls of glass-enclosed fireplaces add warmth and a romantic vibe to the modern design.

[Chef Labahn with owner Emad Yacoub]

Congrats to owners Shannon Bosa-Yacoub, Emad Yacoub, and Chef Jason on this gorgeous new endeavor.

[Meat lovers unite: floor-to-ceiling glass case of meat cuts on the restaurant's main floor]

The Roof at Black+Blue is officially open as of today and is a wonderful urban space to enjoy with friends over a relaxing meal and drinks.

Black+Blue is located at 1032 Alberni Street (on the 3rd level) in downtown Vancouver. They’re open seven days a week from 11:30 am to 10 pm as well as weekend brunch. Visit the website for detailed menu information.
Apr24

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Grain Tasting Bar Opening

Posted in: Cocktails, Craft Beer, Dining, Interior Design, Sustainability, Vancouver, Wine

Last night, I was invited to the opening of Vancouver’s newest lounge space, Grain Tasting Bar. Drawing its name from the reclaimed wood doors and accents located throughout, this new downtown player offers smoked wood-fired pizzas, salads, crafted sandwiches, charcuterie and cheese, and shared plates, all created with local ingredients.

[Pear and ginger margarita]

Grain is located inside the Hyatt Regency Vancouver’s lobby, its entrance chic and urban. It’s the perfect spot to grab a light meal or drinks before heading upstairs to dine at Chef Thomas Heinrich’s other venue, Mosaic Bar and Grille.

The salads on the menu are under the Lettuce section; a couple of salad choices that stand out are the Gelderman Farms pulled roasted pork and crispy kale salad, with Klippers organic butternut squash, apple, pea greens with apple vinaigrette, as well as the seared Vancouver Island Albacore tuna salad with farm tomatoes, arugula, and cucumber vinaigrette.

On the charcuterie side, house-made duck proscuitto, Toscano proscuitto, and Okanagan salted and dried Sezmu beef are delicious choices to pair with Little Qualicum Cheesework’s Brie, Olde Farmer raw cow’s milk cheese, and Salt Spring Island Cheese’s Romelia. Softly-scented truffle honey, candied walnuts, pickles and other lovely accompaniments make the cheese and charcuterie experience complete here.

Local suppliers such as Oyama Sausage, Gelderman Farms Pork, Skuna Bay Salmon, plus several craft brewers, wine makers and distillers keep Grain’s dishes high in both quality and sustainability.

[Photo provided by Grain Tasting Bar]

The space captures a lot of natural daylight and looks equally imposing at night, offering city street views with lush trees outside the window.

[Photo provided by Grain Tasting Bar]

In summer, the windows slide open to integrate the outdoors into the lounge, a creative, cutting-edge window design by Sunflex.

[Photo provided by Grain Tasting Bar]

I especially like the bar’s colouring and design. The shimmery ceiling reflects the lighting and bar stools below, almost adding a water-like quality. Everything from inventive cocktails, BC wines, and craft beer begin their journey here, in a beautiful space designed by California firm EDG Architecture.

The cocktail list is equally fun and inventive: Cherry and Basil Margaritas, Bangkok Mules, Ginger Pear Martinis (my favourite–so far), Poet’s Reach, and Ruby Tuesday are just a few on offer. Hand-made, small batch Victoria gin, including concoctions from Long Table Distillery, the city’s first micro distillery, find their home here as well.

Beers are available on tap and in bottles (both domestic and imported). You’ll feel at home with the BC red and wine listings, including Burrowing Owl Merlot, Quail’s Gate Pinot Noir, Mission Hill’s ‘Five Vineyards’ Cabernet/Merlot, Sumac Ridge’s unoaked Chardonnay, Prospect Winery’s Pinot Blanc, Haywire’s Gamay Noir-Rose and others. All wines are available either by the glass or bottle and range from $9 to $16/glass.

Judging from the last night’s scene, this will become the spot to hang your hat (or laptop bag) for some serious unwinding. Kudos to Chef Heinrich and his team for putting together yet another spot to celebrate simply delicious food and drink.

Grain Tasting Bar is located at 655 Burrard Street and is open daily from 11 am to 1 am.
Apr23

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Rare Finds 2013 at VanDusen Garden

Posted in: Charity, Cocktails, Dining, Events, Fundraising, Vancouver, Wine

[Executive Chef Dana Hauser, Pastry Chef Stephanie Greenslade at 2012's Rare Finds]

Rare Finds is an annual fundraising cocktail party to benefit the Rare Disease Foundation. The 2013 event will be held at VanDusen Botanical Garden, hosting many of Vancouver’s top chefs and pastry artists in a naturally beautiful setting. Now in its fourth year, this popular event will include both a silent and live auction, delicious bites, and open wine and rare martini bars. I attended last year—it was a fabulous night on the town. Here’s a photo set from that memorable evening as well.

The Rare Disease Foundation is committed to growing and developing a community that provides a new approach for rare disease research and care. The organization provides funding to inspired clinicians and scientists for their patient-focused projects.

These studies directly impact the care and the quality of life of a child affected by a rare disease. Event proceeds will benefit these extraordinary children.

As a media sponsor this year, I chose to highlight a few of the chefs that will be creating their rare finds at the upcoming event.
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Feb22

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2013 Spring West Coast Women’s Show

Posted in: Charity, Cocktails, East Vancouver, Events, Fashion, Health, Music, Wellness

[Joshua Morrow. Photo credit: Charles William Bush]

Get ready for the ultimate girls’ weekend as the inaugural Spring West Coast Women’s Show comes to town next week. Western Canada’s largest and most successful women’s consumer event is set to premier its much-anticipated Spring Show at Vancouver’s PNE Forum.

The 2013 Spring West Coast Women’s Show will feature celebrities, fashion, food, décor, health and wellness, fitness and a wide variety of products and services for women in the Lower Mainland. Over 200 exhibitors will showcase the latest trends and the hottest products. Get inspired, shop ‘til you drop, nourish your mind, body, and spirit, and enjoy celebrity speakers and high-energy fashion shows on the Main Stage.
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Feb19

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FWE Gala: La Dolce Vita

Posted in: Charity, Cocktails, Events, Fundraising, Networking, Vancouver, Wine

This is my third year covering the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs Gala; each year, the theme and guest speaker changes however the message and camaraderie don’t.

This year, a La Dolce Vita theme was chosen to highlight the 11th annual event that raises funds to help support women in their journey to entrepreneurship.

A silent auction was held throughout the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel’s ballroom lobby while an accordionist entertained guests.

By 6 pm, the room was fully packed with women (and men) from all industries, mingling and networking over wine and canapés.

[eBay Canada founder/Gilt Groupe's Alexis Maybank]

I had a few moments to sit inside the beautifully decorated ballroom with keynote speaker Alexis Maybank. Alexis started eBay Canada in 1999, leaving the US for one year to live in Toronto. She’s currently part of the Gilt Groupe duo, an online shopping site currently worth over $1 billion dollars with more than five million members. Together with fellow New York City mom Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, they started with a combined passion for sample sale shopping that’s led to an enormously popular “flash sale” e-commerce site. Gilt Groupe is now the go-to source for online fashion deals.

[Alexis Maybank, Emcee Monika Deol, Pamela Martin]

Alexis has a business background, and spent the 90’s in Silicon Valley, honing her e-commerce, product development, and marketing background. She’s all about creating online experiences.

As I spoke with Alexis, it dawned on me that even though last night was her first Canadian speaking engagement, she does as much as possible to support female entrepreneurs as a member of New York City’s FWE. She’s also involved with two organizations, Springboard Enterprises (on the Media/Tech Council), and Girls Who Code (on the Board of Directors), fostering high school girls to continue their tech/coding interests, even though “it’s not cool”.

And if that’s not time consuming enough, she’s recently been added to the Audubon Society’s board of directors.

We also bonded over our former beloved San Francisco neighbourhood, Noe Valley, and learned that we lived about four blocks away from one another (though at different time periods)! Alexis is an easy-going, soft-spoken woman who’s given a tremendous amount of her time and talent to several organizations throughout the States.

[Christina Anthony, CFA, Premier Christy Clark, Gilt Groupe's Alexis Maybank]

The evening continued with a delicious supper and live auction. Premier Christy Clark gave a speech at this year’s gala as well. Clark’s most memorable comment? “I believe that government should get out of the way of entrepreneurs like you”, with regard to Alexis Maybank. Alexis seemed to engage the Twitter crowd as well, proclaiming “It’s no longer OK to have a 30 second pitch. Find a way to get your message out in 5 to 10 seconds”.

As if 140 characters weren’t hard enough to formulate a brilliant thought.

The sold out gala saw over 500 attendees. That’s truly amore.
Feb5

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Luke’s Corner Bar & Kitchen

Posted in: Cocktails, Craft Beer, Dining Reviews, Recycling, Sustainability, Vancouver, Wine

The amount of restaurants opening up in Vancouver over the last couple of years has skyrocketed. Each new spot seems to offer a menu filled with delicious, fresh, and innovative items plus lovingly crafted beer, wine, and cocktail lists.

I recently found a wonderful new gem in the crowd. Luke’s Corner Bar and Kitchen has been open for little over a year and half now, located in the South Granville corridor.

An inviting space awaits diners as the welcome sign on the door indicates. The interior is filled with wooden tables, a centrally located bar, and booths, offering a variety of seating options for sports and non-sports lovers alike.

This forward-thinking establishment is owned by Mark Roberts, who together with co-owner Peter Baker is putting truly sustainable dining on the map. This is the first Vancouver restaurant to dive into high-temperature composting of vegetable waste (plus coffee grinds and tea bags). This new technology greatly reduces a restaurant’s ecological footprint.

Later this month, a micro-farming operation will begin from behind the restaurant: a container is being prepared by Urban Stream’s Nick Hermes that will turn the waste into compost, either to be planted back into the onsite garden or sold back to the community. For now, several herbs and arugula are grown and used in Luke’s dishes. Plans are to add hydroponically-grown bib lettuce and oyster mushrooms, an extremely locally-sourced option.

[Diane's Choice salad]

Chef Megan Anahaw has a flair with presentation, bringing out colourful, healthy, and fresh dishes to enjoy. I ordered Diane’s Choice salad, named after the restaurant’s neighbour, Diane’s Lingerie. Part of the brand-new menu, this dish is a hearty mix of grilled chicken mixed with quinoa, black beans, asparagus, and other vegetables – a meal in itself.

[Ahi tuna poke stack]

Another new and very welcome menu item is the Ahi tuna poke stack, piled high with tuna, and offset with flavourful fruit salsa, and a lovely ginger/soy dressing to complement to crisp wonton chips.

Luke’s uses 100% heritage Angus grass-fed beef for its burgers. This ensures a hormone and antibiotic-free product. The burgers are hand blended and served with a house made chipotle Granny Smith ketchup and skinny fries.

[Luke's house made veggie burger served with skinny fries]

I opted to try the house made veggie burger, piled high on a brioche bun. This thick, flavour-packed burger is made with black beans, wild mushrooms, quinoa, egg, and BC white cheddar. It is a lovingly crafted masterpiece!
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Jan18

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The BC Liquor Stores iPhone App

Posted in: Cocktails, Craft Beer, Technology, Vancouver, Whisky, Wine

Over the holidays, while cleaning out unused apps on my iPhone, I also discovered a wonderful new one to download, available for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.

BC Liquor Stores have put an amazing (and free!) app together that’s feature-rich. This app will come in handy at the upcoming Vancouver International Wine Festival. If you can type it in, you can look it up later! Note: You must be at least 17 years of age to download the app.

- Wines can be searched via type, colour, country, price, volume, varietal, organic, VQA, etc.
- Browse and search through a huge database of wine, beer, and spirits
- See current inventory in nearby stores (allowing location based services to access your phone)
- Share created lists via email, Facebook, Twitter, and text message

- The wine and food pairing guide will help you find just the right wine with your creation
- There are food and drink recipes culled from BC Liquor Stores Taste magazine
- Items can be scanned in order to find details and store availability
- You can save your favourites and create a Cellar for easy access
- Rate and comment on your favourite discoveries

- Find a store, get directions, and view store hours
- Map view will show stores open (green pins) or closed (red pins)
- Detailed product information plus space for typing in your own notes

Find the app here. And remember to taste, sip, and spit at your next wine event!
Dec28

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Dining at Forage Vancouver

Posted in: Cocktails, Craft Beer, Dining, Reviews, Vancouver, Wine

Though I’d never had the chance to dine at O’Doul’s Restaurant at Vancouver’s Listel Hotel, I’ve enjoyed Head Chef Chris Whittaker’s food at several events around the city. Forage, open for one month as of this writing, is Chef Whittaker’s dream restaurant brought to life. He was looking for a way to marry his philosophy of locally-sourced food with a completely sustainable operation. He’s a forager at heart, growing his own veggies, catching his own fish, canning preserves, composting his family’s waste, all in the true spirit of keeping as light an environmental footprint as possible.

Originally from northwestern Ontario, he left in 1999 to follow his dreams of becoming a professional chef. He’s worked for five years at the now-defunct Pacific Palisades Hotel (back when it was part of the Kimpton chain), later working for five and a half years at O’Doul’s, the space where Forage has now blossomed from.

I was invited together with a couple of other food lovers in the media (Fred Lee and Joshua McVeity) to sample several dishes off the menu. Forage opened its doors in November, and has seen a steady stream of customers from locals, businessmen, hotel guests and foodies curious about Chef Whittaker’s new digs.

The clean, modern space is welcoming and warm, with a central bar located just past the entrance. I like the little design touches such as the Forage-branded candle holders and little moss-filled jars containing those nifty battery-operated tea lights.

Once seated at the bar, there’s a wealth of drink choices available. Look for 10 BC craft beers on tap (this year’s seasonal is Russell Brewing’s A Wee Angry Scotch Ale), bottled Cascadia beers, Sea Cider’s ‘Pippins’ craft cider, cocktails, and wines on tap and by the bottle. Sweet, sour, and savoury cocktails ($12 each) cater to several palates.

I particularly enjoyed the 2010 Blue Mountain Pinot noir with our flatbreads, charcuterie plate, and bison tongue ravioli. That dark fruity aroma and medium body with its velvety smooth tannins is such a great accompaniment to many of the dishes here.

The 2010 is sold out, however there’s a March 2013 release date for the 2011 Pinot.

We also sampled Nichol Vineyards‘ 2011 Pinot gris, excellent with one of the restaurant’s go-to appetizers, cracklings and popcorn, but it fell short of wooing me for the meatier dishes to follow. It has a drier finish than what I normally look for in a dinner wine, but the colour is delicate with a light golden hue, and it has pear, apple, and grapefruit notes with a long finish.

One by one, the appetizers came out. Cracklings and popcorn ($6), as mentioned earlier, has become somewhat of an institution at Forage. Duck fat and pork rinds with popcorn, oh my! Such a great little dish to start the evening off, with the subtle smokiness of the crackle mixed in with Chilliwack corn kernels.

The spicy kale and apple chips ($5) were also a great combination of flavours and textures, but what I enjoyed the most was the gnocchi and brown butter ($6), served in a little iron skillet. Warm, soft goodness here.

The squash pierogies ($12) are served with birch syrup vinegar reduction, smokey potatoes, and scallion crème fraîche. Another winning combination of heart-warming comfort food.
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Nov5

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Yaletown For the Holidays: CandyTown

Posted in: Cocktails, Events, Holidays, Vancouver, Yaletown

To add to the variety of seasonal craft shows, entertainment, and cultural offerings in Vancouver, Yaletown will transform into CandyTown, a holiday market on November 23 and 24. CandyTown is Vancouver’s only free winter festival and will include an outdoor skating rink, reindeer petting zoo, and horse drawn carriage rides.

Local artisans, street performers, costumed characters, and many other fun activities will complete the holiday atmosphere.

[Photo courtesy of Yaletown Business Improvement Association]

Get into the spirit with the CandyTown Cocktail Tour, a sampling of colourful candy-themed drinks available at participating Yaletown restaurants.

Friday, November 23, 3 pm to 9 pm
Scotiabank Skating Rink – 3 pm to 9 pm
Gift Market – 3 pm to 9 pm
Horse-drawn carriage rides – 6 pm to 9 pm
CandyTown Cocktail tour – 6 pm to 9 pm

Saturday, November 24, noon to 9 pm
Scotiabank Skating Rink – noon to 9 pm
Gift Market – noon to 9 pm
Horse-drawn carriage rides – 1 pm to 5 pm
Reindeer barn – 1 pm to 5 pm
CandyTown Cocktail tour – 6 pm to 9 pm

Visit the Yaletown Business Improvement Association website for additional events held throughout the year.