Picture this five beautifully set tables, five star chefs preparing five different three-course dinners, beautiful wines from Vista DOro and gracious hosts. This is whats on the menu for Growing Chefs Guess Whos Coming to Dinner fundraising dinner on April 14. It is a secret supper featuring simultaneous dinner parties hosted in elegant private homes and prepared by some of Vancouvers most exciting chefs Andrea Carlson (formerly of Bishops), Jane Cornborough (Campagnolo Restaurants), Bonetas Jason Leizert, Ann Kirsebom of Chef Anns Gourmet Sauces and Che Babas Geoff Van Hassel. At the end of the evening, all the guests will convene for the dessert and champagne finale created by Wendy Boys of Cocolico. Guests pick their three favourite themes from the list of five. Tickets for the full evening are $129 per person. There is also a limited number of tickets for the Dessert Finale only at $29. Both are available at . Growing Chefs is a non-profit society that teaches elementary school children about healthy foods and urban agriculture.
Cru restaurant at1459 W. Broadway is nowoffering a special Date Night supper every Thursday night that will includes three courses and a bottle of wine for $99 per couple ().
A new locavore grocery called Harvest is coming to 243 Union in Strathcona. The new 600 sqft space will include a wall of fresh, local produce and coolers/freezers filled with unmedicated organic meats and seafoods. Opening day is anticipated for April.
Rejoice! Gastown oyster bar Cork & Fin has extended its hours to include lunch Thursday through Saturday, 11:30am to 2:30pm (221 Carrall St., ). Mmm, fresh oysters and sunshine...
Alex Tsakumis and Peter Corsi of Kitsilanos on Fourth (Q4) have picked up the old DB Bistro/Lumiere locations at 2551 West Broadway. Theyre considering turning the DB Bistro into another Quattro restaurant (not for certain yet), while the Lumiere side is reserved for a wine bar. Expect an opening at the start of summer.
Theres nothing like sitting in a French bistro (ah, the two-hour lunches in Paris...) But for those who dont have the time for such an indulgence, Coal Harbours Tableau Bar Bistro is offering 20 French favourites to go. The full take-out menu is available at .
To celebrate its 19th anniversary, is offering scratch-and-win tickets to shoppers until April 12. Customers will get a scratch card for every one-time purchase of $35*; two cards with every purchase of $70*, and so on. Prizes include 10 Samsung Google Galaxy Nexus cell phone plus one-year data plan (valued at $1780 each), 21 sets of Apple iPad 2 and $100 NCIX gift cards.
The secrets of the agave plant will be revealed when Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant and the Consulate General of Mexico team up for the first Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»International Tequila Expo on May 12. The event features seminars on Tequila 101 and Ancient Origins of Agave Spirits ($45 each), a trade and media tasting with a nominal fee and donation to the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation, and a Consumer Tasting of the full lines of well-known and yet-to-be-imported brands of tequilla (tickets $65.) All events take place at the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Convention Centre. For information and tickets go to .
Going to a sugar shack isnt a rite of spring in British Columbia but for Quebecois chef and culinary bad-boy Martin Picard of Au Pied de Cochon, its a celebration. Join him at Barbara-Jos Books to Cooks on March 29 for a sugaring off party. The $85 fee includes a signed copy of his book, Sugar Shack. Other events at the West 2nd book store include a visit from Food Network celebrity Lynn Crawford on March 30, and Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts author Alice Medrich on May 6 and 7. Book browsing never tasted so good. Go to for details and tickets.
Bob Blumer might not have seen it all yet but he has done some pretty odd things for his Food Network show, Worlds Weirdest Restaurants. On Mar. 28, hes hosting one of his Worlds Weirdest Pop-ups at The Waldorf Hotel. Working with executive chef Cesar De La Parra and creative director Ernesto Gomez, theyre offering a four-course dinner served with fascinating stories from the show. Tickets for the 6 pm seating are $38 (drinks extra). Theyre available at .
The largest tasting tour of California wines comes to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»as a fundraiser for the Arts Club. West restaurant is hosting the California Dreaming Dinner on April 17 but, alas, that event is already sold out. On April 18 at the convention centre ballroom, 700 wine enthusiasts will be able to meet with 120 vintners from family-run boutique brands to large-scale benchmark wineries. Tickets are $75 each or $65 each for groups of six or more. Then, on April 30, the Francis Ford Coppola Winery stars in the Food, Wine, Adventure Dinner at Q4 restaurant. Hosted by the winerys Lise Asimont, the evening features an Italian four-course dinner and highlights from the Rosso & Bianco, Diamond Collection, Directors Cut and Sofia labels. Tickets are $185 each. To order call 604-687-1644 or visit .
