For all of the creativity that it took to become Canadas Top Chef, when Dale Mackay kicks back, theres nothing he likes more than the comfort food of his youth on the Prairies. Thats why his favourite dish on the menu of his new restaurant, eTap, is sauerkraut and a smoked pork rack chop. (Of course, his version takes an eight-hour brine bath first.) There are also items that were probably never on the Sunday dinner table such as slow-braised pulled pork nachos and dry Thai chicken wings with kaffir lime and chili oil. I am a super-competitive person and I really wanted to use everything I know about food and have learned to perfect simple food, and let people know that there is more to me and to my culinary team than what they may have seen so far, he says on his website. (990 Smithe, next to Scotiabank Theatre, 604-566-9770, )
The folks behind West Broadways popular wine bar, , have picked up the old Star Anise location at 1485 W. 12th on South Granville with plans for a new restaurant. Siena, as it is to be called, will focus on casual Italian fare with southern French and Spanish influences. Cru chef Alana Peckham is designing the menu, which aims to be one of the most accessible and affordable in the neighbourhood.Opening day is scheduled for February 2012.
A Canucks game, the re-opening of a favourite neighbourhood bar/restaurant, and a fire-free renovation: it turned out to be the perfect combination for The Bimini Public House on Dec.8. The Kitsilano institution was packed as people celebrated the re-launch of the venue that started Jeff Donnellys career as a Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»entrepreneur. (The cheering was also for the Canucks 4-3 shoot-out win.) Designed by Evoke International Designs, the restaurant features 85-year-old reclaimed wood from a defunct Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»mill as well as imported tiles and custom-made light fixtures. Along with the 24 craft beers on tap, the Bimini also caters to the new cocktail culture. On hand to greet everyone last Thursday were owner Jeff Donnelly and Wendy Derzai, the Donnelly Groups director of sales and sponsorship. (2010 W. 4th, 604-733-7116, DonnellyGroup.ca.)
owner/chefs Lucais Syme and Adam Pegg are on the verge of opening LOfficio next door at 3687 W. 4th (off Alma). A tour last week revealed a completed, already operationalkitchen and a room about 90 per cent done.The little wine bar (just 20 seats) will see its many by-the-glass offerings paired with small, authentic Italian plates in a casual atmosphere. We can expect their first service before Christmas (they wont be taking reservations).
Like cooking and follow food blogs? Make sure you bookmark TheDryAge.ca, a new and oft-updated Tumblr that delivers tasty, frank and revealing insights from inside the kitchens of Tom Doughty and Robert Belchams three restaurants (Campagnolo, Campagnolo Roma, Refuel).
Following on the success of its four-day Halloween Party, is pulling out all the stops for a hotel-wide New Years Eve bash. There will be live figure skating on an artificial rink on the Cabaret stage, an orchestra playing music inspired by David Lynch, the premiere of local dance producer Blood Diamonds new collaboration with a special guest, magicians, psychics and forbidden areas where the wearing of masks is required. The dinner is being crafted by Ernesto Jut Gomez and Cesar de la Parra. Reservations required. General admission $60; with dinner $95. (604-253-7141, WaldorfHotel.com)
Youre at the grocery store wondering what to buy for tonights vegan dinner. Flummoxed, you take out your smart phone to check out the app. It features recipes by Sarah Kramer, dubbed the worlds coolest vegan by Herbivore magazine. There are recipes from her various cookbooks plus 10 new ones, original videos and, best yet, an electronic shopping list.
Give the gift of local offers a variety of gift baskets that feature some of the best B.C. products. Theres a Party in a Basket ($95), the Snack Attack ($60), an all-in-one mixologist kit called the Cocktail Hour ($80) and a Coast to Coast express ($140), among others. You can also buy your favourite foodie tickets for the 2012 Market Dinner Series which starts with chef Andrea Nicholson of Top Chef Canada and Killer Condiments (Jan. 26) and includes a whisky dinner with chef Eric Pateman and Cask Strength (six dates), a taste of Tofino (Feb. 16) and the alfresco summer dinner series. (Granville Island, 604-682-6675, EdibleCanada.com)
Heres another what Id like for Christmas suggestion (hint, hint): is also offering a series of cooking classes. The 9-Day Basics provides intensive techniques for the serious amateur. Part one is Wednesdays from Jan. 18 to Feb. 15, 6 to 9:30pm, and part two is Wednesdays from Feb. 22 to Mar. 14 at the same time. To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, Quince is holding a Chinese dim sum and Japanese sake class on Jan. 23 from 5:30 - 6:45pm. There are several other interesting programs planned for 2012. (1780 W. 3rd, 604-731-4645, Quince.ca)
