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Dining

Jun12

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Chef Matt Stowe Wins Top Chef Canada

Posted in: Dining, Events, Television, Vancouver

By now, this article won’t have to carry any spoiler alerts, since the outcome of Top Chef Canada Season 3 was announced on Monday, June 10.

A crowd of over 250 media, chefs, and invited guests attended the Coal Harbour Cactus Club season finale party earlier this week, enjoying the sunny patio spaces, superb watermelon margaritas (or wine), and beautifully-crafted appetizers.

Hands-down, my favourite dish was the tuna sushi cone, wrapped in colourful rice paper, piled high with fresh tuna, tobiko, sprouts and rice. Rob’s goat cheese flatbread also made the rounds, topped with grape tomatoes, pesto, arugula, caramelized onions, balsamic glaze and Maldon sea salt. Other indulgent nibbles included Spicy Chicken Bites and Tuna Tataki.

Mouthwatering appetizers and drinks aside, we were all gathered to see whether local chef Matt Stowe would beat out Quebec’s Danny Smiles as Top Chef Canada in season three’s final episode.

Both chefs were asked to prepare a five-course menu as well as complete a food truck challenge that would be judged right down to the final nail-biting moment.

During the tv-watching festivities, three courses were brought out as samplers, trademark Stowe creations including the roasted banana and coconut tapioca dessert prepared during Episode 9: Chefs on Safari. This episode saw the chefs head to the Toronto Zoo in order to put together a menu inspired by the animals and their regions of origin.

[Roasted banana and coconut tapioca with tropical fruits, macadamia nut crumble]

[Curry cauliflower soup with dried apricots, currants, and toasted almonds]

[Maple leaf slider: maple pork patty, bacon and Rickard's beer jam, fresh apple slaw, challah bun]

It was a pretty surreal experience, watching Chef Stowe and his wife Amber, who together with their toddler took to the restaurant’s makeshift stage when Matt’s name was called as the winner on TV.

The newly-minted Top Chef Canada learned an appreciation for good food from a young age, thanking both parents for giving him the opportunity.

Matt also thanked a high school chef instructor (present at the event). At 16, he took a chef training course while at school in Cloverdale (Surrey), mostly to learn how to survive once he’d leave home. The instructor saw promise in the young chef and entered Stowe into a few competitions (from which emerged a cooking scholarship). This early experience started Matt in the direction he’s taken to this day.

Surrey-born Stowe was also grateful to the Cactus Club for the opportunity to head off to compete for eight weeks during the filming season, thanking everyone right down to the waitstaff, head office, and marketing teams. With regard to the competition, he felt that the representation was well-rounded.

[L to R: Amber Stowe, Chef Vikram Vij, Chef Matt Stowe, Cactus Club CEO Richard Jaffray]

Chefs have been given a lot of great opportunities through the show and Stowe is thrilled to see the title back in BC after previous winner Chef Dale MacKay and runner-up Chef Trevor Bird were chosen in earlier seasons.

As TV crews filled the room, it was hard to not figure out the final outcome, yet the fun and socializing made it a great way to reveal Chef Matt Stowe as the winner. Chef Stowe has been with the Cactus Club for three years, and is currently their Product Development Chef.

“I am not going to leave Calgary without the title of Canada’s Top Chef.”

His wish came true, along with $100,000, a GE Monogram Kitchen, plus a $25,000 custom surface to work on.
Jun4

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Romantic Dining at Hastings House

Posted in: Dining, Lower Mainland, Wine

A wonderful indulgence while staying at the Hastings House is a dinner prepared by the culinary team of Executive Chef Marcel Kauer and Sous Chef Nick Trehearne. Menus are created to take advantage of the garden’s abundant vegetables as well as local, seasonal ingredients. Upon arriving at my dinner table with a view of Ganges Harbour, I knew that I’d be in for a treat.

Swiss-born Marcel Kauer started at the Hastings House in 1992 as sous chef for Hastings House; after four years he took the helm as Executive Chef.

Each table seating contains a customized dinner menu featuring the guest’s name on the cover. Any food restrictions are given to the staff ahead of time with careful attention paid to any allergies.

My first foray into the Hastings House dining experience was an amuse of in-house smoked tuna. Chef Kauer recently started smoking locally-sourced fish in-house and this served as a flavourful introduction to the meal.

Marinated prawns are served perfectly seasoned with a lemon, caper, and garlic dressing, alongside an artfully prepared crispy proscuitto cup topped with a small edible pansy.

I enjoyed this together with a glass of Pinot noir from Salt Spring’s own Mistaken Identity Vineyards, a certified organic winery with a 7.5-acre vineyard. The black currant and spice was a good match for the garlic in the marinade.

My herb-crusted wild Pacific halibut arrived with parmesan polenta and a circle of sweet soya emulsion with seasonal veggies. The polenta alone was divine; when combined with a mix of the garden’s own herbs and local, delicate fish, a sublime experience. This was enjoyed with a glass of Abbondante Rosso 2009, also from Mistaken Identity. The dense red estate blend has notes of cherry and pepper, while not overpowering the soft fish.

I got a completely new experience from the halibut when the sommelier poured a glass of Burrowing Owl’s 2009 Merlot, one of my hands-down top 10 BC reds. The deep, rich texture of the merlot was well suited to stand up to both the parmesan polenta (I need that recipe!) and the sweet soya.

If you’ve not yet tried Burrowing Owl’s Merlot, it’s a beautiful, complex wine that works both with a meal or enjoyed on its own.

The evening continued with a dark Belgian chocolate pâté, served with chantilly cream, strawberry-rhubarb purée and a few fruits and delicate white edible flowers. Not only was the taste combination incredible, but the presentation was almost too pretty to eat.

Kettle Valley’s Caboose fortified wine was poured to compliment the rich chocolate experience. This Naramata Bench dessert wine is a blend of both Malbec and Petit Verdot grapes from the winery’s King Drive vineyard, aged in French oak.

Other entrée options on the menu that evening were filet of Alberta beef, wild mushroom, mascarpone, and kale ravioli, and five spice duck beast in a red wine reduction.

This meal was slowly savored from start to finish, and the experience was heightened by attentive staff and quiet music in the background. A roaring fireplace and atmospheric lighting to match the Sussex style manor added to the enjoyment.

The dining room seats 30 people; the newly-completed verandah accommodates an additional 60 guests.

My dinner at Hastings House was compliments of the Hastings House Country House Hotel on Salt Spring Island, BC.
Jun4

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Pampered Luxury at Hastings House

Posted in: Dining, Fine Art, Lodging, Nature, Resorts, Travel

I recently came back from several days of pampered luxury with a two-night stay at Hastings House on Salt Spring Island. While I’ve been to Salt Spring several times, I had yet to enjoy this corner of the island, close enough to downtown Ganges yet far enough away to appreciate the solitude and nature that helps define this Relais & Chateaux property.

The welcoming hotel grounds are filled with fragrant flowers and colourful birds, all with a view to Ganges Harbour. The rooms are quiet and warm, with a super comfy bed and lots of sitting space to relax and do nothing.

Salt Spring Island is a place to escape from daily stress and the bustling city pace. The locals are super friendly and know how special this place is. The big ‘to-do’ list of daily life quickly gives way to where to go for a hike, enjoy a freshly-brewed organic coffee, check out one of the numerous studios on the island or simply breathe in the sea air.

Hastings House is named after the Barbara and Warren Hastings, owners of the Salt Spring Island property from 1939 to 1980. The newly-married couple from the UK lived in the original farmhouse and continued farming while planning their new home.

They’d decided to move their goods from England to Canada to settle permanently, however their timing was poor: England was preparing to go to war. They made a pact that if their belongings arrived safely, they’d build a home similar to the 11th century English manor home in Kent that they’d left behind.

Luck was on their side; had their furnishings been lost at sea, a log home would be standing in the same spot as the beautiful country home is in today.

The history, recounted in a book inside the Manor House living room and lounge, tells of lost loves, horsemanship, and the house’s various periods of construction. The property was purchased by Donald Cross and Shan Cross in 1980, with the goal of creating a country-style resort. Former guests/current owners Bonny O’Connor and Jerry Parks later purchased the property in 1995 after learning that Donald and Shan were planning on selling it.

[Post Cottage]

I was happily settled into the Post cottage, the property’s inaugural building. It also served as the first Hudson’s Bay Trading Post on Salt Spring Island!

The Post was later finished in stucco to match the Manor House and Farmhouse, yet it retains its original floors from the 1800′s.

Wood beams and fresh flowers greeted me at the Post cottage for my two night stay.

Once the rain let up, I wandered around the garden, walking along the manicured veggie patch and into the moss-covered forest. Within moments, I’d landed in a lush forest solitude, the only sounds coming from the birds.

[Yummy afternoon treats to go with the teas]

Completely enveloped in my own serene space, I joined a few fellow guests for afternoon tea, scones, and cookies by the wood-burning fireplace. The Manor House living room is stocked with books of local interest, the hotel’s history, and nature. On one afternoon, a couple was set up at the window table playing a game of Scrabble.

A lovely trail on the property leads to a sculpture garden. Several locals artists have their works displayed around the property, including Robert Bateman, Michael Hames, Louise Woodward and Jill Louise Campbell. Many pieces are for sale.

Days can be spent simply relaxing with a book or exploring Ganges town, a 10-minute easy walk down the road.

[Hastings House is an enchanted place to hang out, but don't just take my word for it!]

Warm muffins are brought to your door early in the morning, and coffee and tea are in the room to start the day prior to a fantastic full English breakfast served in the dining room.

The breakfast menu also features a daily special. I’ll be posting a separate dining feature later today.

[A great start to the morning: breakfast at Hastings House]

With three days filled with relaxing moments in the heart of nature, it was hard to tear myself away from the cozy Post cottage to head home to Vancouver. Everything about Hastings House is top-notch, from service to food.

An experience on Salt Spring Island can be anything from being out for the day on hikes and studio tours to curling up with a book in one of Hasting House’s many cozy nook and garden spaces.

I arrived by Salt Spring Air, an easy way to get to Salt Spring in 30 minutes, with a driver from the inn waiting for you on the other end. Returning to the Salt Spring Air terminal or to one of the ferry docks is also easily arranged.

Whatever your chosen mode of transport, make sure to block off plenty of time to enjoy Hastings House.

Guest amenities:
- 18 suites and rooms located in the main house or nearby historic outbuildings
- Guest parking
- Flatscreen TV equipped with lots of cable channels
- Molton Brown skincare and bath products in bathroom
- Turndown service
- Wake-up morning hamper with baked goods at 7:30 am daily
- A full English breakfast served in the dining room from 8 to 10 am daily
- Picnic menus and lunch with advance notice can be accommodated.
- Afternoon tea from 3:30 to 4:30 daily in the Manor House living room
- Suites equipped with coffee machines, coffee pods, and tea
- Housekeeping begins when you ‘Put out the cat’, a fabric kitty with one side for ‘privacy’ and the other to ‘service the room’
- The spa at Hastings House offers massage and body treatments, aromatic steam showers, body wraps, manis and pedis (with advance booking).

My stay at the Hastings House was courtesy of the Hastings House Country House Hotel. My return flight to Salt Spring was graciously provided by Salt Spring Air, a friendly travel service I’ve used on previous trips to the island.
Jun3

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Nicli Antica: Margherita Month

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

June 1889 is a significant month in the history of Italian cuisine. That’s when humble Neapolitan tavern owner Raffaele Esposito won the praise of Margherita of Savoy, Queen of Italy, by serving her a local peasant specialty – a flatbread, which he designed in the colours of the Italian flag in honor of her visit to Naples.

Legend has it that the Italian queen was so delighted by Esposito’s creation that she insisted a wood-fired ‘flat-bread oven’ be installed in the palace. Thus was born the first Pizza Margherita which set the standard for all future pizzas for generations to come. Further adhering to Neapolitan pizza’s highest standards, in 1984, the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) was founded in Naples, Italy.

In 2009, the European Union protected Neapolitan pizza with its designation as a Specialty Guaranteed Dish. Nicli Antica, Vancouver’s first AVPN-designated pizzeria, is celebrating Pizza Napoletana with a month-long series of special events.

Last week, I was invited to sample that basic but wonderful pizza and learn about Neopolitan pizza-making methods. 00 flour, Italian tomatoes, fior di latte, basil. It’s those four ingredients plus a list of regulations, that creates a true AVPN-certified pie. The fifth ingredient is love.

We also learned that photos of pizzas created for certification have to be submitted to AVPN in order to qualify and to make sure that protocol is being followed. Once a pizzeria is certified, it’s given an authenticity number. Neopolitan pizza makers are often referred to as “custodians of an ancient product”. Nicli’s Margherita is divine. Each bite is infused with the wood-oven aroma, combined with the cheese and marinara sauce. The basil sits pretty and adds a sweet bite to the overall palate.

[Nicli Chef David Tozer]

David Tozer started at Nicli as a sous chef. After a year and a half, owner Bill McCaig deemed him ready to take the helm. Tozer’s zen zone is getting into the pizzeria at 9 am and working out between 40 and 80 kgs of dough. Weekends see a higher volume of dough being made into 250 gram balls for hand-stretching and hitting the wood-fired oven for 60 to 90 seconds.

A Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA) graduate, Tozer went to work at Central City Brewpub in Surrey, where he got his first taste of ‘artisan’ pizza creation. A stint at Rocky Mountain Flatbread Pizza in Kits instilled in him the love of creating pizzas using local ingredients. He’s working to get locally-sourced meats and produce into Nicli’s kitchen as well. His favourite Vancouver pizzeria? Farina on Main Street.

Nicli’s Margherita Pizza June events
June 25
La Stella Wine Dinner
Four different pizzas paired with four different wines from the South Okanagan’s award-winning La Stella Winery, ending with a special dessert to complement Moscato d’Osoyoos. $60 per person, including taxes and gratuity. Special winery guest TBA. Tickets and details available here.

Date to be announced
PINQ Presents a Royal Affair
Enjoy a benefit evening for Friends for Life starring Vancouver’s reigning queen, Joan E. Get your glam on at this bejeweled evening of Margherita pizza, cocktails, and good fun. Date and ticket details to be confirmed soon on both PINQ and Friends for Life websites.  

All month
Margherita Lunch
Nicli is offering a special three-course lunch at $40 for two people. 10% of the proceeds from each lunch will go to support the Strathcona Community Centre. Menu includes insalata (choice of green or arugula and fennel), Margherita pizza, and dolci (Panna Cotta with blackberry lavender compote).  

Dine Like an Italian
Any Sunday to Thursday evening from 9 pm to closing, Nicli will offer diners a 50% discount on an order of Margherita pizza.

 Margherita Cocktail: Her Royal Majesty
A delicious concoction of Campari, star anise, syrup and fresh grapefruit juice topped with prosecco, specially priced at $12.  
May28

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Krause Berry Farms Estate Fruit Wine

Posted in: Bakery, Dining, Farmer's Market, Lower Mainland, Sustainability, Wine

Last week, a small group of media were invited to sample Krause Berry Farms’ latest goods: fruit wines from their newly-launched estate winery. Several fruits from Alf and Sandee Krause’s 50-acre farm in Langley have now been cultivated to create various wines by winemaker Sandra-Lee.

Set in the middle of some of the best field fruits of the Fraser Valley, The Krause Berry Farms Estate Winery is a modern facility, one that can easily can produce 10,000 cases of table, dessert, and sparkling wines per year. The spanking-new winery is the latest addition to the 40-year-old business, one of BC’s most successful agricultural operations.

At present, four tanks are onsite, each with a 3,000 litre capacity. Much of the fruit comes in frozen, an advantage being not having to wait until picking season to produce wine.

Alf Krause explained that Krause Berry Farm is an sustainable farm. The best products used to kill pests or keep crops disease-free may not always be the organic ones. They also don’t limit to mono-culture crops by growing asparagus, corn, squash and other veggies to provide a good rotation to the berries. Irrigation is done via drip and overhead sprinklers.

Krause Berry Farms is known for its 200 acres of berries, u-pick fruit and flowers, seasonal market featuring locally grown vegetables, home made breads, famous pies, fruit preserves and more. And as of this writing, the winery is officially open to the public.
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May28

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Arizona Highlights Part 2

Posted in: Architecture, Dining, History, Lodging, Nature, Travel

Route 66 winds along Arizona, passing through Kingman, Flagstaff, Winslow, Holbrook, Williams, etc. This is the only state with the longest stretch of the Mother Road still in operation within its borders.

There’s portions of the road in poor condition; other parts of Highway 40 simply weave in and out of the historic road.

We caught up with it in Flagstaff, Winslow, Holbrook and even into the Petrified Forest, where a long-abandoned car sits near the site of the original road-tripping dream for many Americans.
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May27

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Adobe Grand Villas: A Deluxe B&B

Posted in: Dining, Interior Design, Lodging, Travel

The Adobe Grand Villas have a secluded feeling even though the Adobe-styled deluxe B&B is located a few minutes off roadway 89A leading into Sedona. The first thing that greets you through the archway is a fountain with sculptures and a pool/spa area.

The main lobby is a tastefully designed space to relax and enjoy fresh cookies, coffee, and tea (with savouries served late in the afternoon) as you ponder your next move.

A breakfast room and dining area are included in the main building. Each villa is unique and a retreat of its own. Our French Quarter villa made us feel as though we’d stepped foot into a quaint French village.

Faux windows with tiny awnings, a sitting area with pillows and blanket to cozy up in, right down to a kitchenette are detail-rich and make for a one-of-a-kind lodging experience.

Satellite radio as well as a TV and DVD player are well-hidden from view via a set of double doors meant to evoke another era. A guest computer in the main building is available free of charge, and free high-speed wifi is located throughout the property.

A sweet little wrought iron table for two is the perfect spot for enjoying freshly-baked bread in the afternoon. Yes, a bread machine is timed to your afternoon arrival/daily return from exploring the town, producing a mouthwatering smell as the bread nears its baking time. Gourmet jams, butter, a cutting board, knife, and ziplock bag are at the ready for taking the bread out on a late afternoon hike if desired. Other indulgences include a prix-fixe dinner prepared by chef Michael Merilli.

After a day exploring those amazing red rock formations, we greatly looked forward to coming back to our villa. One half of the villa contains the bathroom area with a spacious clothes closet, sinks, a walk-in shower, vanity table and separate toilet. At the end of the spacious area is the jetted tub and fireplace. We admired how much attention and inspiration went into creating this space.

Hanging lanterns above the bed and table add whimsy and atmosphere, especially at night. There are two gas fireplaces: one in the living room and the other near the jetted tub. So romantic! All the doors are of reclaimed wood; the villas are created by designer Steve Berman.

A balcony with table and chairs offers great Red Rock views.

The staff are very friendly and accommodating. All 16 villas vary in design and detail. I was led on a tour by Michael to check out some of the other styles.

[The Silver Spur Villa]

The 16 villas (each 850 square feet or larger) have seen their fair share of celebrities, counting Lenny Kravitz, Olivia Newton-John, Melissa Etheridge and Siegfried & Roy amongst its guests.

[Visions Villa]

A full service spa offers rejuvenating massages, healing sessions, reflexology, Reiki and other services all available by appointment.

This family-run B&B was one of the highlights of our stay in Sedona, especially with a mattress so difficult to leave in the morning, offering by far one of the best sleeps we’ve had in recent memory.

The only things to wake us up in the mornings were the Sedona sunshine and sweet sounds of yellow and red finches in the trees outside our door. And Chef Michael’s gorgeous full breakfasts, including French-born Jacqueline’s homemade croissants and muffins.

If you’re planning a visit to Sedona and truly want to enjoy a relaxing stay, this is the spot. Condé Nast has crowned Adobe Grand Villas with “One of the World’s Best Hotels” for the past two years running.

Adobe Grand Villas is located at 35 Hozoni Drive in Sedona. Our stay was compliments of Adobe Grand Villas for the purpose of writing this article.
May24

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Fable Kitchen Turns One!

Posted in: Charity, Dining, Events, Kitsilano, Vancouver, Wine

[Fable's Executive Chef Trevor Bird]

On Thursday June 6, Fable Kitchen Restaurant will celebrate its one year anniversary with a charity event to benefit FarmFolk CityFolk.

Fable, brought together by Top Chef Canada Season 2’s Chef Trevor Bird with partners Ron MacGillivray and Kathy Schleyer has struck a cord with Vancouver diners.

Fable was voted Best New Restaurant of 2012 by both The Georgia Straight (Golden Plates Award) and West Ender Magazine. Where Magazine voted Fable as last year’s Best New Restaurant; it also made the top 10 Canadian restaurant list. Additionally, The London Financial Times highlighted Fable as one of the five restaurants to visit in Vancouver.

A canapé and wine charitable event will be held in celebration of Fable’s highly successful first year. All profits from the event will benefit FarmFolk CityFolk, a not-for-profit society that works to cultivate a local, sustainable food system. FarmFolk’s projects provide access and protection of our food sources, support local growers and producers, and engage communities in the celebration of local food.

The evening will be sponsored by Vintage Corks, featuring Intersection wines from the Okanagan Valley. Live fiddle music will serve as the evening’s entertainment.

Your ticket will include wine, food, and entertainment.

Fable’s One Anniversary Party Benefitting FarmFolk CityFolk
Date: Thursday, June 6, 6 to 9 pm
Venue: Fable Kitchen, 1944 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Tickets: $45; phone the restaurant for tickets at 604.732.1322
May24

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Loews Ventana Canyon Resort: Oasis!

Posted in: Cafe, Dining, Fitness, Lodging, Nature, Outdoors, Resorts, Sports, Travel, Wellness

Nestled against the saguaro-dotted Santa Catalina Mountains high above Tucson, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, a spacious and welcoming property, served as our home base for three days of exploring the area.

With four restaurants, a pool and spa, gym, tennis, golf courses and nature trail, it was hard to leave the natural scenery, as this hotel has created a modern oasis in the Arizona desert.

[Loews Ventana Canyon's herb garden]

The Flying V Bar and Grill is the resort’s destination restaurant, one in which we enjoyed my recent landmark 50th birthday celebration. Chef de Cuisine Josh Willett offers a menu filled with seafood, steaks, and baby back ribs, all with a southwestern flair. Over 70 tequilas grace the bar’s shelves, and signature cocktails as well as local beer and a range of wines compliment an enjoyable meal.

Our dinner featured lobster tacos, Ahi tuna piled atop black quinoa and spaghetti squash, and sea bass prepared with seasonal veggies. A fruit-topped crème brûlée was brought out as a birthday treat.

[Pineapple upside-down pancakes]

The Canyon Café has a great weekend brunch offering with outdoor seating in the shade. As well, the Cascade Bistro and Bill’s Grill are on hand for various lunch and dinner items. Vista Barista is great for on-the-go iced Starbucks coffee (and sweets). Pets won’t feel left out either: a full pet menu developed by a licensed veterinarian includes Chow hound chicken and Kitt’s salmon supreme. There’s even a veggie dish with eggs developed to help travel-weary pets adjust to jet lag and altitude.

Your pet’s meal will be served will bottled mineral water on ‘appropriate pet ware’. In other words, your pet is pampered here as well.

Wifi charges are $10.95 (day), $32.85 (3 days), and $76.65 (week).

Local tours as well as mountain bikes can be arranged. A helpful concierge desk was staffed with two women (during our visit) who gladly helped out with maps, calling local businesses to ask for directions, and arranging dinner reservations.

We stayed in one of the 398 rooms, offering both a pool and mountain view.

The spacious rooms have TVs and sitting areas, a desk with convenient outlets for plugging in electronics, and the highlight— a square shower tub large enough for two people to float in.

With long towel racks at the back of the enormous shower space, this hotel gets it: a real way to conserve on their washing.

So many hotels we’ve stayed in aim to be green by asking guests to hang towels for reuse, but many offer nary a spot to actually hang them up on. Right under the sink is another long towel bar that accommodates three hand towels. Again, a small design detail that goes a long way to helping the environment.

The Kiva Ballroom was empty when we arrived, so I was able to capture this photo of the entrance; in total 10,800 square feet.

A full service spa includes a $10 daily fee that will entitle guests to fitness classes, cardio/workout areas, an adult-only lap pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam and locker rooms. The onsite Lakeside Spa at Loews is equipped to offer hair and nail services, makeup, facials, massages, collagen and exfoliation treatments.

While we’re not golfers, there are two Tom Fazio-designed PGA golf courses on the property. Two lit tennis courts, a fitness center, two pools, riding trails and kids activities are just a few of the hotel’s perks. Tennis rackets and ball machines can be rented; both semi-private and group lessons are offered by appointment.

This particular Loews offers several daytime activities for kids and adults alike, a tequila-tasting supper, and star-gazing nights with the resort’s own telescope. More events get added for long weekends and busy periods (we noticed that the hotel was ramping up for Memorial Day).

Once we did descend into Tucson (a 30-minute drive from the resort), we realized that while it does have a few historic areas of interest (as well as 4th Avenue, a cross between Vancouver’s Kitsilano and Main Street hoods), the view from above was much more enjoyable.

Colourful birds greet diners at breakfast, and the walking trail is a few minutes from the pool. Signs help point the way to various flora and fauna (and watch out for rattlesnakes – never touch beyond where you can see your hands). Mountain lions, road runners, lizards, hawks, and other wildlife grace the foothills above.

If only it weren’t so hot, we’d have done a lot more exploring as the local trail head starts next door to the property.

Loews Ventana Canyon is located at 7000 North Resort Drive in Tucson. We received a one night stay plus discount on subsequent nights for the purposes of writing this article and experiencing the resort.
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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