Archive for the ‘Restaurant Promotions’ Category

The Oakwood Dine Out 2012

February 1st, 2012 admin

The other night I made a return visit to The Oakwood in Kitsilano for dine out, there menu was one of my picks in this years festival, they featured a $28 menu with 3 courses.

For my 1st Course Appetizer,

Roasted Potato, Pepper and Leek soup w/ Garlic Foam

I had the hearty, Roasted Potato, Pepper and Leek soup w/ Garlic Foam the other option for Appetizer was Radiccio Salad w/ Honey Vinaigrette, Goat cheese, Candied Pecans and Bacon Lardons.

For my 2nd Course Entree,

Braised Lamb Stew

I had the comforting, Braised Lamb Stew w/ Carrots, Brussel Sprouts garnished with Potato Ravioli the other option for Entrée was Butter Poached Albacore Tuna w/ Tuna Confit and Herb Risotto.

For my 3rd Course Dessert,

Nanaimo Bar Custard

I had the outstanding Nanaimo Bar Custard with Vanilla custard on the bottom, topped with pecan, coconut, & chocolate ganache; the other option for Dessert was Beet and Carrot Cake w/ Blue Cheese Cream.

The Oakwood’s Dine Out Vancouver promotion runs thru February 5th.

Reservations for Dine Out are now being accepted via phone at 604-558-1965. The Oakwood is open for dinner from 5pm daily. For more information visit  http://www.theoakwood.ca/

By: Richard Wolak

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Raincity Grill Dine Out 2012

January 29th, 2012 admin

Last week I made a return visit to the Raincity Grill for dine out, there menu was one of my picks in this years festival, they featured a $38 menu with 3 courses as well as a special $48 menu of 3 different courses.

Potato Rolls, Butter and Sea Salt

It was nice to see Chef Jennifer Peters in the kitchen, both of her Dine Out menus had some gems, my dining companion and I ended up ordering off both of the menus. We were served a plate of freshly baked rolls with butter and sea salt.

For our 1st Course Appetizer,

North Arm Farms Squash Soup

North Arm Farms Mushroom & Sunchoke Soup

I had the delicious North Arm Farms Squash Soupwith creme fraiche, toasted pumpkin seeds. My dining companion had the delicious North Arm Farms Mushroom & Sunchoke Soup.

Thiessens Duck Parfait

We then added an extra appetizer course to share as this was one that we were curious about, both of us loved this dish, the Thiessens Duck Parfait with brioche toasts and pear jelly.

For our 2nd Course Entree,

Eco-Tagged Line Caught Ling Cod

Wild BC Salmon

I had the outstanding Eco-Tagged Line Caught Ling Cod with a delicious side stripe shrimp, leeks, fennel & watercress risotto, with roasted garlic & herb butter. My dining companion loved the Wild BC Salmon with roast sunchokes, soffritto, and parmesan risotto, braised celery & chard.

Pumpkin Pot de Creme with apple, pear sorbet

Fromage Frais Cheesecake

Chocolate Ganache

For dessert, we mixed this up a bit and ordered an extra dessert. In my opinion my favourite dessert after trying the three was the Pumpkin Pot de Creme with apple, pear sorbet which had quite the contrasting flavours, the 2nd favourite was the delicious and light Fromage Frais Cheesecake followed by the Chocolate Ganache in caramel sauce with Hazelnut Macarons.

Raincity Grill’s Dine Out Vancouver promotion runs thru February 5th.

Reservations for Dine Out are now being accepted via phone at 604-685-7337. Raincity Grill is open for dinner from 5pm daily. For more information visit http://www.raincitygrill.com/

By: Richard Wolak

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C Restaurant Dine Out 2012

January 22nd, 2012 admin

On Friday night I kicked off Dine Out Vancouver 2012 by having dinner at C Restaurant. Their dine out menu was one of my picks in this years festival, at $38 it features 4 courses, 1 more course than the usual 3 courses which most of the restaurants in $38 category are featuring.

Amuse Buche -selection of morsels

A treat as I discovered was seeing notable Executive Chef Robert Clark back in the kitchen taking over while Chef Lee Humphries is away. Rob will be in the kitchen through-out the dine out festival, say hello to him when you visit. This Dine Out menu that Chefs Robert Clark and Lee Humphries created highlights the best of BC and a commitment to sustainable practices, C’s menu for dine out offers the restaurant’s fine-dining experience at an incredible price point.

My friend Ryan West joined me for this wonderful dinner. To whet our appetite, we were served an Amuse Buche of tasty morsels on sticks. Then for our 1st Course – Appetizer

North Arm Farms Beet Panzanella Salad

North Arm Farms Beet Panzanella Salad, harissa dressing, shaved ricotta salata

BC VQA Wine Pairing: Jackson Triggs White Meritage 2009

Pan Seared Foie Gras

We added an additional course ($15.00 extra) as our 2nd course and had the elegantly served  Pan Seared Foie Gras with Ginger Soda, Toasted Brioche and Cranberry Chutney, the experience alone was a wonderful addition to the menu, our server delivered the silver dome covered plates to the table to us voila!

For our 3rd Course

Seared Albacore Tuna

 Seared Albacore Tuna, winter minestrone, garlic pistau and crisp basil

BC VQA Wine Pairing: SYL Ranch Nelly 2009

For our 4th Course – Entree

Seared Lake Babine Salmon

Seared Lake Babine Salmon, squash puree, almond tapenade

BC VQA Wine Pairing: Nk’Mip Pinot Blanc 2010

Lemon Olive Oil Sorbet

Then to cleanse our palate after the outstanding Lake Babine Salmon we were served a Lemon Olive Oil Sorbet with an almond cookie ($4 additional cost).

Lastly to end this one of a kind Dine Out experience our 5th Course – Dessert

Spiced Chocolate Pudding

Spiced Chocolate Pudding, Crisp Caramel Puffed Rice, Vanilla Chantilly

BC VQA Wine Pairing: Sumac Ridge Vintage Pipe 2006

C Restaurant’s Dine Out Vancouver promotion runs January 20th thru February 5th.

Reservations for Dine Out are now being accepted via phone at 604-681-1164. C Restaurant is open for dinner from 5pm daily. For more information visit www.crestaurant.com.

By: Richard Wolak

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Glowbal Group Dine Out 2012

January 16th, 2012 admin

Last week I was invited to a menu tasting preview at  Society, Glowbal Grill & Sanafir for their Dine Out menu. At Society a 3 course meal for $18 is being offered or $38 per person with wine pairings, at Glowbal Grill their 3 course menu is on for $38 or $63 per person with wine pairings and at Sanafir the 3 course menu is $18 or $38 with wine pairings.

Global Group’s Dine Out Vancouver promotion runs January 20th thru February 5th.

Started off the evening at Society

Spinach Salad

Sweet Potato & Pulled Pork Croquette

I was served a smaller portion than the regular of each of the Starters, my favourites in order of best went to the Spinach Salad, followed by the Sweet Potato & Pulled Pork Croquette.

Prawn Linguini. & Veal Piccata

I was then served a smaller portion than the regular of each of each of the Main’s, my favourites in order of best went to the Veal Piccata followed by the Prawn Linguini.

Chocolate Smore “Flambe” Crème Brulee

For dessert I had the outstanding Chocolate Smore “Flambe” Crème Brulee and this is one that you will want to return for time and time again.

From there I walked over to the Glowbal Grill, to start all over again.

Prawn Cocktail and Grilled Beef Tataki

I was served a smaller portion than the regular of two of the Starters, my favourites in order of best went to the Grilled Beef Tataki, followed by the Prawn Cocktail.

Seared Alaskan Black Cod & Beef Tenderloin

I was then served a smaller portion than the regular of two of each of the Main’s, my favourites in order of best went to the excellent Beef Tenderloin followed by the Seared Alaskan Black Cod (or Sablefish if you prefer the other way to describe it).

I wasn’t served a taster of the dessert here even though I would have liked to try it, the dessert selection is the Chocolate Crème Brulee.

For the last stop of my Glowbal Group of restaurants dine out preview, I walked over to Sanafir to start all over again.

Pan Seared Tandoori Prawns & Cous Cous Salad.

I was served a smaller portion than the regular of two of the Starters, my favourites in order of best went to the Pan Seared Tandoori Prawns, followed by the Cous Cous Salad.

Butter Chicken, Singapore Prawn Curry & Almond Cauliflower Korma

I was then served a smaller portion than the regular of each of the Main’s which was served with papadum and rice, my favourites in order of best went to the delicious Almond Cauliflower Korma, followed by the Butter Chicken and then the Singapore Prawn Curry.

Cardamom Dusted Zelbias

For dessert I was served a smaller portion of the Cardamom Dusted Zelbias.

View the Dine Out Menus and make Reservations for all of the participating Glowbal Group Resaurants including Society, Glowbal Grill, Sanafir, Coast, Italian Kitchen, Trattoria and Black + Blue.

By: Richard Wolak

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Dine Out Vancouver 2012 -picks & tips

January 11th, 2012 admin

Here is a primer on how to choose the best restaurants in Vancouver for Dine Out that runs January 20 – February 5th. This year there are 231 restaurants participating which is the largest ever for Dine Out Vancouver, that means there are a lot of choices for you all to discover! The prix-fixe menu are in one of three price points – $18, $28, or $38. For a full list of restaurants and menus, look HERE but come back after you have finished reading this article.

Crispy Ceci at Campagnolo

Buttercup Squash Risotto at Campagnolo

I took part in a media tour the other night to preview a few of the restaurants dishes for Tourism Vancouver’s 10th Anniversary Dine Out. On the tour our group visited Campagnolo (I loved the Crispy Ceci and I would have eaten the whole bowl if I did not have to share; as well the Risotto was rich in taste and delicious), Kitsilano Daily Kitchen (the Cauliflower soup was divine and more so with the house baked bread they served, dipping the bread in the soup was yum) and Bacchus in the Wedgewood Hotel for dessert.

Roasted Cream of Cauliflower Soup at Kitsilano Daily Kitchen

Cornish Game Hen at Kitsilano Daily Kitchen

Here is my take of the restaurants you should try, the buzz, the value and why.

I have read all the restaurant menus, and all the restaurants that I am telling you about are ones that I have eaten at myself, for many you may find reviews of those restaurants at VancouverFoodster.com, by going to the search box in the top right corner of the page and searching the respective restaurants.

First off – some tips – choose different times than you would normally dine out, by selecting earlier 5pm or later after 8:30pm times you will have a better chance in getting in to some of the popular restaurants than hitting refresh on the 6-7pm time slot. If you have kids and you need to get a baby sitter so that you can enjoy date night, change the night and look at Monday-Wednesday so that you get the restaurant that you want as opposed to settling for the restaurant you don’t want on a Friday or Saturday night.

Many of the restaurants are offering BC VQA Wine Pairings as well as Kronenbourg Beer Pairings for an extra cost with the meals, and in many of the restaurants the pairings provide great value.

Second — my picks on the restaurants that provide the best value for the money as well as the best menu, in my opinion.

$18 Menu (3 courses)

Beachside Forno

Doolin’s Irish Pub

Dunn’s Famous

Irish Heather Gastropub

Mahony & Sons Coal Harbour

Pink Elephant Thai

Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co

Sanafir Restaurant and Lounge

Trattoria Italian Kitchen

Urban Thai Bistro

Westward Ho

Wild Rice

$28 Menu (3 courses)

Abigail’s Party

American Grille at Vancouver Airport Marriott

Banana Leaf in Kitsilano

Baru Latino

Bistro Pastis

Café Pacifica at Pan Pacific Hotel

Campagnolo Restaurant

Carthage Café

Cento Notti at the Opus Hotel

Cork & Fin

Dockside Restaurant at the Granville Island Hotel

EBO Restaurant

Edible Canada

Fleuri Restaurant in Sutton Place Hotel

Fraiche Restaurant

Gusto di Quattro

Hamilton Street Grill

Hapa Izakaya Kitsilano

Lobby Restaurant at the Pinnacle Pier Hotel

Maenam Restaurant

The Oakwood

O’Doul’s Restaurant at the Listel Hotel

Refuel

Salmon & Bannock

The Teahouse

Via Veneto

$38 Menu (3 courses)

C Restaurant  (*4 courses)

Café Il Nido

Carver’s Steak House at Executive Airport Plaza Hotel

Diva at the Met

Federico’s Supper Club

Fraîche

Glowbal Grill

Goldfish Pacific Kitchen

Hapa Umi

Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House

Kitsilano Daily Kitchen

MARKET by Jean-Georges at Shangri-la Hotel

Miku Restaurant

Provence Marinaside

Provence Mediterranean Grill

Q4 al Centro

Raincity Grill

Q4 Ristorante

Tramonto at the River Rock Hotel

West Restaurant

Yew Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel

View Menus Online

Honey and Poached Pear Creme Brulee at Bacchus in Wedgewood Hotel

Following our visit to Kitsilano Daily Kitchen we headed back to Bacchus in the Wedgewood Hotel for dessert and I indulged on a Honey and Poached Pear Creme Brulee along with a Dark Chocolate Ganache & Praline Tart. This was my first Tourism Vancouver Media Dine Out preview which provided me with a taste of what is to come in Dine Out 2012.

By: Richard Wolak

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Dim Sum Cooking Classes at Wild Rice

December 2nd, 2011 admin

Chef Todd Bright

Hankering for har gow? Desiring dumplings? Craving cha siu bao? Yearn no longer. Wild Rice Executive Chef Todd Bright, a master of the art of new-style dim sum, will be conducting three intimate cooking classes in dim-sum making at the newly opened Wild Rice in New Westminster’s River Market starting next Monday, December 5th. The other two classes will be held on the following Mondays – December 12th and 19th respectively.

Each class starts at 6 p.m. Price is $30 and includes a four-course dinner at the conclusion of the evening. Optional wine pairing is an additional $15. Seats for these classes are very limited and pre-registration is required. To sign up please call Wild Rice New Westminster at 778-397-0028 or contact Caroline Levy at caroline@wildricebc.com

Wild Rice New Westminster is located at 810 Quayside Drive in New west’s River Market.  If you live in Vancouver, it’s just a short ride on the skytrain.

 

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Signature Dish Dining Festival

October 28th, 2011 admin

I tasted my way around some of the restaurants participating in the Signature Dish Dining Festival in Burnaby recently. Happy to have been invited along with some other media to try a multitude of Signature Dishes at three very different Chinese restaurants.

BC Prawns & Scallops with Vegetables

Alberta Beef with pickled green

Spicy Chicken with peanuts

Spicy Green Beans

The first restaurant we visited on the tasting tour was Alvin Garden where we sampled many dishes, I especially liked the BC Prawns & Scallops with Vegetables, Alberta Beef with pickled green, Spicy Chicken with peanuts, and Spicy Green Beans.

Created and organized by Chinese Restaurant Awards (CRA), the Signature Dish Dine Out Festival is the first of its kind in North America. It will take place between November 1st – 18th, 2011, with 18 restaurants in Vancouver, Richmond and Burnaby participating, each offering different exclusive menus designed and prepared by top local Chinese chefs. Diners may choose from menus for 4 people at $100, menus for 6 people at $150, or menus for 10 at $300, and find out about these exciting menus online at the Festival’s official website: www.ChineseDiningGuide.com To participate, diners may simply call or make reservations at the participating restaurants and make note of their desire to try the Signature Dish Dine Out Festival’s menu.

The second restaurant that we visited was Fortune House where we sampled many more dishes.

Pan Fried Jumbo Prawns

Alberta Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Walnuts in basket

I loved the Pan Fried Jumbo Prawns as well as the Alberta Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Walnuts in basket.

Signature Dish Dine Out Festival breaks ground by establishing a creative platform that encourages local Chinese chefs to create innovative dishes with fresh, local ingredients, while the public take part in enjoying them.

We then visited Grand Dynasty to taste some more dishes.

Pan-Fried Double Lobsters with Amoy home-made Sweet sauce

My favourite dish was the Pan-Fried Double Lobsters with Amoy home-made Sweet sauce.

Building on CRA’s three consecutive years of success with Diner’s Choice Awards, diners can vote online for the Best Restaurant, Best Service, Best Dinning Environment and Most Innovative, all under the Signature Dish Dine Out Festival category in the upcoming Diner’s Choice Awards commencing this November. Eight critics from this year’s CRA judging panel will also taste the dine-out dishes from all 18 participating restaurants and carefully select dishes that are best fit for the following award categories: Best Alberta Beef, Best Alberta Pork, and Best dish made with Amoy Sauces. Results will constitute to CRA 2012‘s Critics Choice Award and will be announced at CRA award ceremony on January 17, 2012.

Make sure that you visit at least one of the participating restaurants in the Signature Dish Dining Festival.

By: Richard Wolak

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Thanksgiving: Eat-in or Take-Out

October 5th, 2011 admin

Celebrate Thanksgiving in a restaurant or at home, here is a random selection of restaurants offering brunches, buffets, dinners or turkey to go!

Tableau Bar Bistro is offering busy Vancouverites with no time to cook a way to impress friends and family with a Thanksgiving takeaway menu. Executive chef Marc-André Choquette will prepare delicious, four-course gourmet dinners for those wanting to kick back and enjoy the long-weekend without the worry of having to cook or clean up after the big occasion. For every dinner package ordered, Tableau will donate a turkey to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society (GVFBS).

This Thanksgiving, those wanting to avoid the stress and mess but wanting to entertain with flair and sophistication, Thanksgiving To Go Menu simply need to contact Tableau by 7pm on October 5 to place their order. Full traditional turkey dinners with all the trimmings can be made for 4, 8 or 12 and picked up over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Pick up orders are available on Oct 8, 9, 10: 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and can be placed by dialling 604 639 8692. Call for more information or visit www.tableaubarbistro.com.

 

Hamilton Street Grill serves up an Organic  Thanksgiving Feast

Sunday, October 9th – $25 per person

Roasted organic turkey, fresh cranberry sauce and gravy; yams, potatoes, vegetables and pumpkin pie for $25 per person. Simple ingredients, very traditional, cooked well. Share with many at a communal table or have your own table. Relax and enjoy Thanksgiving at Hamilton Street Grill.

exclusive of tax and gratuity

Reservations a must please

1009 Hamilton Street Grill

Yaletown, Vancouver

604-331-1511

Hamiltonstreetgrill@telus.net

www.hamiltonstreetgrill.com

 

Maple Grill celebrates with Thanksgiving dinner

Monday Oct 10

Open for dinner Only

5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Come in for our turkey dinner special!!

Roast Pumpkin soup

Crisp local turkey wrapped around a moist fruit and berry bread stuffing, paired with rich chicken gravy, mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables

Apple tart with cinnamon caramel ice cream

all for just $30 per person

1967 West Broadway, Vancouver

Call for Reservations: 604-568-4885

 

Teahouse, Seasons in the Park, Sandbar & Cardero’s

Our Thanksgiving Menu is available for dinner for $25 per person

at all four Sequoia Restaurants on Sunday October 9th

and Monday October 10th from 5:30pm

Reserve for any of their restaurants here

 

Heron’s in Fairmont Waterfront

Thanksgiving Dinner

Join us in Herons West Coast Kitchen for our twist on a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet.  Click here for our Thanksgiving Day Menu.

Monday, October 10, 2011

5:00p.m. – 9:30p.m.

Reservations are required.

 

Fleuri Restaurant in Sutton Place Hotel

Thanksgiving Dinner Weekend

October 8th – October 10th, 2011

4 course dinner

5:00pm – 10:00pm

$57.00 per adult

$28.50 per child 12 years & under

Exclusive of taxes and gratuities.

TURKEY EXPRESS (TURKEY-TO-GO)

Approximate weight of turkey: 18lbs.

Dinner for 8 – 13 people

$350.00 per order

Exclusive of applicable taxes.

*Please note:All turkey express orders must be taken by Thursday, October 6th at 12:00pm.

To order, please call the Room Service Department at 604.682.5511 ext. 34

Menu and details here

 

Bacchus in the Wedgewood Hotel

Thanksgiving

Sunday October 9th &

Monday, October 10

Dinner served between 5.30pm and 10pm

$55.00 per person

$20.00 children under 10 years old

Gratuity and Taxes not included

Compiled by: Richard Wolak

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