In the immortal words of Noel Coward, "I went to a marvelous party..." And no, I didn't "cry 'fiddle-de-de' and jump in the sea." Not quite, anyway.
Sometimes there's no better way to experience Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»than through the eyes of folks from elsewhere, which is precisely what I spent last weekend doing: hanging with out of town guests, here for the wedding of good friends (also from out of town).
One of the challenges the couple faced was coming up with an icebreaker that would allow guests to get to know each other quickly and in a (relatively) relaxed setting.
Their solution was a stroke of genius: a group cooking class hosted by The Dirty Apron. Keeping the event and location a mystery until we arrived only added to the fun and anticipation.
In a matter of minutes, a score of people from across the globe, many of whom had never met, were busy dicing and slicing, deboning game hens, making scratch fettuccini in white wine cream sauce, stirring morel and thyme risotto, crafting intricate desserts, and much more, all under the expert tutelage of Dirty Apron's amiable, professional instructors.
To say that I was impressed would be an understatement, as the chefs calmly coped with a broad range of skills and breezily coaxed a tasty three-course lunch out of the previously unsuspecting guests, who prepped and cooked everything in three groups. And then we dined, at a convivial long table, each team plating and serving their own course.
Kudos to The Dirty Apron for such a successful event. Team building as part of a wedding was a first for them. But I suspect it won't be the last.
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From the "What's in a name?" department comes news that the much anticipated resurrection of West End treasure Delilah's is not to be, at least not as "Cafe Delilah" as was intended. Plans to open on the B.C. Day long weekend were abruptly derailed by "challenging and unforeseen circumstances," according to owners Daryle Nagata and Paul Puratich. And the shiny new red logo at 1789 Denman St. has been black-taped over.
No firm news yet on the new moniker but the duo hopes its no-name cafe - in what surely everyone will refer to in perpetuity as "the old Delilah's location" - will be up and running with a new, even less notorious handle by mid-month.
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Regional cuisine is not what first comes to mind when you think of the Hyatt Regency. However, the main floor resto has been impressively revitalized as Grain Tasting Bar. The casual and sleekly modernistic room sports a decidedly local-focused menu - not to mention a dramatic, fold-away wall that brings the outdoors in.
One recent sunny day we worked our way through tastes of healthy fare such as Albacore tuna sliders with apple and fennel slaw and lime aioli, crab Louie, a Spring Creek prime rib sandwich, an Oyama charcuterie platter and more.
Local wines and brews match the menu, with decent draught on tap from the likes of Lighthouse, Red Truck, Howe Sound and R&B, while a serious drinks list calls on Long Table and Victoria Spirits to assist in an inventive cocktail lineup.
If the daytime room is bright and breezy, looking out onto leafy Burrard, the evening mood is sophisticated and sexy, enhanced by a reflective ceiling, coloured glass and richly textured woods.
Belly's Budget Best
Finca Los Primos 2012 Torrontes (San Rafael) -This Argentine producer enjoys a well earned rep for good budget drops-and this is no exception. Pale gold in the glass with orange-citrus on top before a textured palate with floral and honey notes and a touch of acidity. Think chilled chicken with mandarin salad. The Deal - BCLS $9.99, 89 pts.
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