ariane c design, a communication design studio specializing in art direction, graphic design, logo identity, copy editing, proofreading and web design

  • Archives

  • Jan19

    Dine Out 2013: Plated and Paired

    Posted in: Dining, Events, Granville Island, Music, Tea, Wine

    The Salmon Shop appetizers at Plated and Paired

    Last night, Dine Out Vancouver’s 2013 edition kicked off throughout the city with prix-fixe menus, the clicking of wine glasses, and various events.

    Plated and Paired at Granville Market-4 Plated and Paired at Granville Market-11

    I attended Plated and Paired, a fantastic way to experience the Granville Island Public Market off-hours.

    Plated and Paired at Granville Market-25 Odie! Plated and Paired at Granville Market Winebard Karen Gurney pouring wines from The View Winery

    38 BC wineries were on hand to pair their wines with samples from Public Market shops and dishes prepared by Granville Island chefs from The Sandbar, Bridges Restaurant, and Edible Canada at the Market.

    The Sandbar represents. R: Executive Chef William Tse Plated and Paired at Granville Market-5 Plated and Paired at Granville Market-23 L'Épicerie, Rotisserie and Gourmande at Plated and Paired
    [Top: Sandbar's chefs; Bottom: L'Épicerie's pear + bleu cheese tarts with caramelized onion and balsamic syrup]

    It was a very lively yet casual evening with entertainment, a chance to ask questions of the vendors, and simply to savour bites of delicious foods while sampling wines.

    L'Épicerie, Rotisserie and Gourmande
    [L'Épicerie, Rotisserie and Gourmande]

    Granville Island Tea Company at Plated and Paired
    [Granville Island Tea Company]

    The two hour event was fully sold out, yet there was enough room to make your way around to the tables and poke into shops such as L’Épicerie, Rotisserie and Gourmande and the Granville Island Tea Company. Samples of loose teas were on display while hot teas were prepared for guests.
    Read the rest of the post »

  • Oct15

    Aquarium Fun at Toast to the Coast

    Posted in: Events, Fundraising, Vancouver, Wine

    Entertainment by DJ Leanne and musicians
    [Tunes by Buddha Sax, DJ Leanne, and Percussionist Pher]

    Last Friday evening in the heart of Stanley Park, Vancouverites had the chance to dress up and enjoy some of the city’s favourite restaurants while sipping BC wines at Toast to the Coast.

    Luminescence: Baby jellies getting older

    This fun annual gala raises needed cash to help the Aquarium fund several key programs. Over 500 guests attended the sold-out event while music and a silent auction kept everyone entertained.

    Toast to the Coast silent auction table
    [One of several silent auction tables]

    Diving for Pearls of Gratitude

    For a $25 donation, guests got a 50% chance at winning a set of pearl earrings at the Pearls of Gratitude “Diving for Pearls” station.

    All seafood served at the event was Ocean Wise-sanctioned.

    Toast to the Coast/Hillside Bistro's spiced carrot apple soup with golden apple froth Toast to the Coast/Fish House in Stanley Park's Rainbow Dungeness crab California roll
    [Hillside Bistro's spiced carrot apple soup; Fish House's Rainbow Dungeness crab California roll]

    Savoury Coast's pepper crusted seared albacore tuna, tomato gelee, crispy onion ring
    [Savoury Coast's pepper crusted seared albacore tuna, tomato gelee, crispy onion ring]

    Wild Rice's smoked kabocha squash, braised shitake mushrooms on a sesame cracker
    [Wild Rice's smoked kabocha squash, braised shitake mushrooms on a sesame cracker]

    Toast to the Coast/YEW's Albacore tuna burgers, truffle brioche, pear and golden raisin relish, honey aioli, avocado
    [YEW's Albacore tuna burgers, truffle brioche, pear and golden raisin relish, honey aioli, avocado]

    Food, wine, and craft beer (courtesy of Granville Island Brewing) was interspersed around both levels of the aquarium, letting guests mingle amongst the colourful aquatic displays. As always, an oyster bar is one of my go-to spots for any event. Oyster Seafood & Rawbar shucked up some nice bivalves amongst the fish tanks.

    Toast to the Coast-6 Oyster Vancouver at Toast to the Coast Oyster Vancouver at Toast to the Coast
    [Oyster Seafood & Rawbar at Toast to the Coast]

    Hotel stays, fine jewellery, a 16GB Samsung Galaxy S III, and beauty packages were a few of the numerous items up for bid at the silent auction. CTV’s weatherman Michael Kuss kept the evening flowing as emcee.

    Toast to the Coast emcee Michael Kuss from CTV Toast to the Coast-8

    Here are several photos I took during the course of the evening. Congratulations to both the Ocean Wise and Toast to the Coast organizers for putting on another wonderful evening full of gourmet food and BC wine, while bringing together the food and wine-loving community, all in support of a great cause!
    Read the rest of the post »

  • May11

    Sip into Spring With BC VQA

    Posted in: Dining, Events, Vancouver, Wine

    Cedar Creek Winery
    [Cedar Creek Winery]

    Spring is in the air and BC wineries have a vibrant bouquet of freshly picked BC VQA wines on offer. Renew your affection for BC’s homegrown gems as you sample the latest releases and connect with the winemakers behind the labels.

    house wine is thrilled to be celebrating BC wines at the newest hot spot in the city, Vancouver Urban Winery. I’ve already attended several events here and it’s a great venue for hosting wine and food pairing events such as this one.

    Lifford Wine and Spirits Tasting-26

    In addition to wines from all five of BC’s wine growing regions, Sip Into Spring With BC VQA will also cover BC’s wine subregions: Kelowna, Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Golden Mile and Black Sage/Osoyoos. What better way to enjoy these exciting newcomers than by shooting fresh oysters at the BC Shellfish Growers Association raw bar, indulging in elegant hors d’oeuvres from Chef Marta Pan, and savouring delicious Canadian cheeses?

    Painted Rock Estate Winery: 2009 Merlot

    This event will feature over 100 wines from 35 wineries, including:
    - 2011 Cedar Creek Estate Winery, Riesling, Okanagan Valley ($18)
    - 2010 Clos Du Soleil Winery, ‘Célestiale‘ Similkameen Valley ($25)
    - 2008 Gray Monk Estate Winery, Odyssey Rosé Brut, Okanagan Valley ($20)
    - 2010 Lake Breeze Vineyards, Seven Poplars Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley ($25)
    - 2009 Laughing Stock Vineyards, ‘Portfolio‘ Okanagan Valley ($42)
    - 2010 Meyer Family Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley ($25)
    - 2010 Moon Curser Vineyards, ‘Afraid of the Dark‘ Okanagan Valley ($22)
    - 2009 Painted Rock Estate Winery, Estate ‘Red Icon’ Okanagan Valley ($55)
    - 2007 Poplar Grove Winery, ‘Legacy‘ Okanagan Valley ($50)
    - 2011 Quails’ Gate, Chenin Blanc, Okanagan Valley ($19)
    - 2008 Quinta Ferreira Winery, ‘Obra – Prima‘ Okanagan Valley ($35)
    - 2010 Sperling Vineyards, Old Vines Riesling, Okanagan Valley ($32)

    Purchase tickets now and save $10! Only a few tickets remain at this special price.

    Sip Into Spring with BC VQA
    Date: Friday, May 25, 6:30 to 9:30 pm
    
Venue: Vancouver Urban Winery, 55 Dunlevy Ave, Vancouver

    Tickets: $60 + HST ($50 until May 18)

return home