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Eastside Flea Returns to Wise Hall Saturday, June 8th

4 Jun

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The ever popular Eastside Flea returns to the Wise Hall, 1882 Adanac Street (Venables & Victoria) on Saturday, June 8th.  A great selection of collectibles will be on hand again as well as some new artisans including RISH jewelry, Big Starr Vintage, Retro Specks sunglasses and Window Arcades. The Eastside Flea gets under way at 10:00 a.m. and goes till 4:00 p.m. If you can’t make this Saturday, their next two dates have been scheduled which will be July 13th and August 17th.  Check their Facebook Page for any updates.

After all that shopping, you might get a little hungry?  Why not pop into Woodland Smokehouse & Commissary, 485 Commercial Drive (at East Hastings Street) for a snack or something to go.  They are located just a mere six blocks from the Wise Hall ie. easy walking distance.   Woodland Smokehouse has a a great selection of  in-house and locally made delectable goodies. As well they carry products from Cartems Donuterie,  Earnest Ice Cream, RainCity Soups, Golden Ears Cheesecrafters to name just a few and last but not least their own amazing selection of smoked meats and sausages.  Although yes I stocked up on Earnest Ice Cream while I was there, I also tried their Moroccan Chicken Pie which I highly recommend.  The flavours were amazing. Woodland Smokehouse is a perfect spot to pick up some items for that last minute picnic or quick dinner on the way home when you are too tired to cook.  It’s a great little spot worth checking out. They are open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Italian Day Coming To The Drive Sunday, June 9th

3 Jun


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How would you like to be Italian for just one day? Well on Sunday, June 9th, you will get the chance to experience everything Italian from the food, to the music to the culture.  The 4th Annual Italian Day returns to the Drive with this year’s theme being Carnevale di Venezia.  The Drive which is very much alive most days of the week will be transformed into a ‘Venetian style’ which will include masks, costumes, street entertainers, music, food, fashion, contests and much more.

The day will be filled with activities including outdoor cooking demonstrations which be hosted by award-winning Chef/Instructor Romy Prasad. Cooking demonstrations will take place throughout the afternoon and are conducted by 3 different Vancouver Chefs showcasing some yummy Italian favourites! The audience even has an opportunity to sample some of these delightful treats. This is where you will find me! I heard a Twitter rumor that there will be Scroppinos available.  What is that you might ask? A Scroppino is a Venetian drink made with lemon sorbet, vodka and white wine. Bellissimo!

Some favourite contests will be returning which you can participate in including pizza tossing, grape stomping, pasta eating and watermelon eating. And, of course, there will be music. The musical lineup includes showman Federico Fuoco, international singer/songwriter Carmelina Cupo and Langley’s youth Ukulele Ensemble. Britannia Community Centre will be offering a drop-in mask-making workshop. The Italian Cultural Centre will be selling pastries and setting up a “Little Italy” Kids Zone in Grandview Park.

While on the Drive, don’t forget to purchase raffle tickets for the big draw. Prizes include:  Two tickets to Italy compliments of Columbus World Travel,  ECM Espresso Coffee Machine,  spa package for two compliments of Flaming June Day and a deluxe specialty food basket, courtesy of Renzullo Food Market.  Raffle tickets will be available at the BIA Information Booth as well as other locations along the Drive. The raffle draw date is August 15, 2013. Italian Day kicks off at Noon and goes till 8:00 p.m.  Come out and be Italian for a day! Ciao.

 

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It’s Spot Prawn Season Now … Time to Feast!

1 Jun

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Twitter is a flutter with the arrival of spot prawns this season which, as many of you know, are  only available for a short period of time.  Spot prawns usually arrive in May and are only available into the early part of June. So get them while they are here.  If you are a cook, make your way over to Wheelhouse Seafoods, 2605 East Hastings Street, which has a fresh daily supply. They also have lots of other great fresh fish on hand perfect for throwing on the BBQ now that the warmer weather is finally here.  As an added bonus, Wheelhouse Seafood has recently started carrying Earnest Ice Cream.  I have it on good authority that they are now stocked up with 6 flavours including Brown Butter Almond Praline, yum!  I have also heard that Wheelhouse Seafoods has a great seafood chowder that is made fresh daily.

Now there is another way to experience a spot prawn feast brought to you by Campagnolo Restaurant, 1020 Main Street. They are offering a Spot Prawn Boil on Wednesday, June 5th at 7:00 p.m. for $59. The price includes beer, tax and gratuity.  The event will be held in their upstairs dining room where all the guests will be seated at communal tables. You will all  share in a massive boil of BC spot prawns, Sawmill Bay claims and house-made chorizo sausage and seasonal vegetables.   R&B Brewing Co. is providing the beer.  If you prefer wine with your dinner, Campagnolo’s invites you to bring your own wine with no corkage fee attached.  Campagnolo’s does have a great selection of Rieslings available at an additional cost. To ensure your place at the table, tickets can be purchased at:

http://campagnolospotprawnboiljune5.eventbrite.com/

I would say it’s time to feast!

Photo Courtesy: Island Vittles

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SOMM: VIP Wine Night and Documentary Screening At The Rio Theatre – June 11th

29 May

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The Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway, is presenting their first ever wine tasting along with the screening of the highly-anticipated documentary SOMM.  This debut film by director Jason Wise explores the “massively intimidating” Master Sommerlier Exam. This film will take you into the mysterious world of the Court of Master Sommeliers. The Court of Master Sommeliers is one of the world’s most prestigious, secretive, and exclusive organizations. Since its inception almost 40 years ago, less than 200 candidates have reached the exalted Master level. The exam covers literally every nuance of the world of wine, spirits and cigars.  Following the screening, a lively and entertaining Q&A is to follow which will include SOMM’s director Jason Wise attending via Skype along with an expert wine panel featuring Westender Vancouver’s wine columnist, Kurtis Kolt, Advanced Sommelier candidate Robert Stelmachuk and Shane Taylor, Assistant Wine Director at Blue Water Care + Raw Bar.   This VIP event gets underway at 7:00 p.m. on June 11th.  Tickets for the wine tasting and film screening are available online in advance for $25.00, or $30.00 at the door. Tickets for the screening only are available online for $12.00 or at the door  for $15.00. Movie screening and Q &A gets underway at 8:30 p.m.

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Dinner, Comedy and Dancing Tonight At Federico’s Supper Club

24 May

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Federico’s Supper Club, 1728 Commercial Drive, and Jeff Turner Entertainment Group are featuring two of Canada’s best comedians tonight. The comedy show opens with Ben McGinnis who is a native of Vancouver and will entertain you with his caustic wit.  The comedy headliner is Carter Hortie. Carter is a veteran of the comedy scene and has been delivering his satirical comedy for over 15 years across North America.

Come out for dinner before the show and enjoy a 3 course meal.  Reservations are being accepted from 6:30 p.m. onwards.  The comedy portion of the evening begins at 9:30 p.m.  Then cap off the evening with live music by Federico Fuoco and Shannon Green and a little dancing.   All this for $50 not including taxes and gratuity of course.   For reservations call 604.251.3473 or book on-line.

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Gourmet Warehouse Offers Cooking Class Perfect for Summer Entertaining

23 May

GourmetWarehouseLogoNow that summer is finally approaching, are you thinking about entertaining?  If so, Caren McSherry, owner of Gourmet Warehouse, 1340 East Hastings Street, has a cooking class with your name all over it. Gourmet Warehouse is offering one more cooking class before the summer break. The focus is on Summer Salads and Starters which will be perfect for entertaining.   You will learn how to make:

· Crisp Tuna Rolls on Thai Salad

· Grilled Basil Lemon Prawns with Chorizo

· Pancetta Wrapped Dates with Compote and Chili

· Red and Black Quinoa Salad with Roasted Vegetables and Hazelnut Vinaigrette

· Sante Fe Style Chicken Salad

The demonstration cooking class will be held on Saturday, June 8th from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at a cost of $70 plus tax. If you are interested in participating in this class, I suggest you hop to it.  Classes fill quickly and are limited to 20 people.  To register call, 604-253-3022.   

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South Hill Festival This Saturday, May 25th

20 May
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The South Hill Business Association is presenting the South Hill Festival this Saturday, May 25th. The event will be taking place in the parking lots behind the Fraser Street shops (east of 44th Avenue to 48th Avenue).  This a family centered event with lots of activities for the kids including a climbing wall, art and craft projects as well as an obstacle running circuit.  There will also be a Food Fair with local restaurants participating including the Lovely Thai Restaurant, Pizza Plus (the plus being East Indian food), Magda’s Restaurant which serves South American food and Dairy Queen. There will also be a main stage with entertainment by Jim Book from Noon to 1:00 p.m. and one of my personal favourites, Lesismore from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The festivities start at Noon and go till 4:00 p.m.
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New Culinary Walking Tour: Main Street Restaurant and Cocktail Tour

13 May

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The ladies from Off The Eaten Track Tours launch a new culinary walking tour on Thursday, May 16th.   It is called the Main Street Restaurant and Cocktail Tour. This new tour hopes to capitalize on all the great buzz this neighbourhood has been generating with great restaurants, pubs, boutiques, antique and coffee shops.  Co-owner, Bonnie Todd, says  “This is a neighbourhood that is beloved by locals and has such a diverse and lively dining scene yet it is rarely visited by tourists. We are shaking things up and showing visitors there is more to Vancouver than just the downtown core.”

This new tour is a progressive dinner that involves five courses and two alcoholic beverages.   The tour starts at Trafiq Café for a savoury appetizer, a glass of wine, and a private tour of their amazing bakery where they make all of their pastries and cakes from scratch. Then the tour heads to Trilussa for some very authentic Roman style pizza. The next stop is an entrée of fresh Pacific Northwest cuisine at a neighbourhood classic, Locus Restaurant & Lounge. Next up is a cheeky cocktail at the newly opened Shameful Tiki, then the tour finishes at Sweet Revenge for some sinful deserts.

The tour runs every Thursday and Friday from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 pm. The cost of the tour is $65 per person and includes all food and beverage samples, tour guide, taxes, and private transportation. You must be 19+ in order to participate in this tour. For more information  or to purchase your tickets, visit www.offtheeatentracktours.ca or call 778.918.4584.

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The Farmers Market Returns to Trout Lake Saturday, May 11th

10 May

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The ever popular farmers market that spent the winter next to Nat Bailey Stadium returns to Trout Lake this Saturday, May 11th.  There will be over 60 vendors at this Saturday’s market with some popular favourites including:  A Bread Affair, Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and Pate Pastiche to name but a few.

For the month of May, Vancouver Farmers Markets will be hosting Garden Month. At Trout Lake Aloe Designs will be presenting free mini garden workshops for children over the next few weeks. There will also be lots opportunities to grow your garden whether it’s bedding plants, herbs or that hanging basket for mom. As always, there will be lots of fresh produce, local artisans, live music and food carts.  Food carts on deck this weekend include local favourites Creperie La Boheme and the Chili Tank. The summer market will be located at the North Parking Lot of John Hendry Park.   Market starts bright and early at 9:00 a.m. and runs till 2:00 p.m.  See you there!

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Stone Soup Festival Coming to Britannia Community Centre May 11th

6 May

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Saturday, May 11th the Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street, will be hosting the 18th Annual Stone Soup Festival.  This event is a celebration of food, art, environment and community and is very much a family oriented event.  There is something for everyone at this celebration.    On site there will be a food market as well as local artists and community groups showcasing their works, live music, tea leaf reading, free soup, children’s activities including a Children’s Seed Planting Workshop from 1:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m. in the West Kids’ Area. Also from Noon to 5:00 p.m. Jan Nguyen will be presenting an Origami Workshop at the Britannia Site.

This event focuses on food and the sharing of resources and eating ‘local’.  Stone Soup Festival will celebrate the diversity of food within the neighbourhood and the importance of food to the culture of our community. This year there will be a special focus on Urban Agriculture. To that end, there will be workshops on a variety of topics including The Urban Food Garden (Planning Tips & Advice from Victory Gardens) from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Family Activity Room, How To Plant & Care For A Tree Workshop by David Tracey from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Al Mattison Lounge as well as a presentation by Peter Ladner on Digging Economic Sustainability into the Urban Food Movement at 3:00 p.m. in the Britannia Library. And if that isn’t enough, does your bike need a tune up? Kickstand will be hosting a Bike Tune Up Workshop which is by donation.

Live music will be at the Commercial Drive Stage. The schedule kicks it off with Katheryn Petersen at Noon. At 1:00 p.m. you will find the Carnival Band, then Tim Sars Band will be on stage at 1:30 p.m., Backspin gets going at 2:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m. Glenn Watts takes the stage and to finish things off, Rio Samaya at 4:00 p.m.  And of course free soup will be available from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in Gym D compliments of Liquids and Solids Cafe & Market.  Come out and celebrate local food in your community!

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