Ok, I am not a wheat beer fan but if you are I have news about the quintessential wheat beer launching in the LCBO store May 31st. A Beer Baron is launching it’s premium high quality wheat beer, “Hefeweissbier” in Canada, from the world’s oldest brewer, Weihenstephan. “Hefeweissbier” is brewed by Weihenstephan, a world-renowned brewery in Germany that began nearly a thousand years ago as a monastery brewery of the Benedictine monks. If you have never tried wheat beer, this is the one to try (more…)

Here are pictures of all of the creative dishes Bob created for our dining in the dark experience. Everything was finger friendly or bite sized to make your mouth an easy target. The salad was a bit tricky but otherwise it worked pretty well. Bob Blummer was kind enough to let me post his recipe for Bang Bang Chicken Salad from the Maille lunch he hosted.

Here it is: (more…)

Restaurants are constantly trying to find new and innovative ways to expand the guest’s sensory experience. There are a few around the world that have embraced the latest dinning trend of dining in the dark. The idea is guests are lead into a completely dark room and fed courses in the dark without being able to see a thing they are eating, textures and smells are supposed to be enhanced. O’Noir in Montreal is the latest to embrace the trend. Maille mustard hosted a dinner at Bob Blummer’s Toronto loft where he created a sensory style menu based on the dinning in the dark concept. Each of the diners were blindfolded (the scarf was a gift, presumably as a peace offering for making us look goofy) and seated a the table. Bob focused on texture, aroma and he was careful to design dishes in small bites to make them easier to eat and of course each dish featured a different mustard . There were also wines paired with each course that we had great fun guessing what we were drinking and what was in each dish.

I thought it would be a great idea for kids, they would love to be blind folded, eat with their hands and you might be able to squeeze something healthy into them! (more…)

Eric Pateman of Edible BC is the guy to see when it comes to the Vancouver foodie scene. Eric runs gastronomical tours of all types and toured me around the Granville market to check out the Vancouver food scene. Here is Eric picking out his favourite tea at Granville Tea Co. (more…)

Here are pictures from a beautiful lunch catered by Joy Road Catering at Red Rooster vineyard in the Okanagan Valley. The lunch featured local Jerusalem artichokes, wild foraged watercress, tiger blue cheese, Dragon Chocolates and a stunning view. Local food and wine producers joined us for lunch and we had the chance to talk to them about the area, their products and the local food scene. The food was the best I had in the Okanagon! (more…)

Around the corner from the pool of the The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver is a beautiful ever-changing herb garden. The centre piece is an engaging bay leaf topiary surrounded by countless herbs, tiny strawberries, rhubarb and whatever else the gardner sees fit, Some of the rooms of the hotel open out onto the fragrant garden in the city. When I visited I was also privy to some new information, (more…)

Siting at the bar at West Restaurant & Bar in Vancouver on a Monday night, I was lucky enough to be entertained by the artistry of David Wolowidnyk, bar manager and award winning mixologist. Aside from being an outstanding restaurant, it is worth dropping in on the joint to witness the fantastic skill and taste the libations of Wolowidnyk. Four of us sat rendered speechless as he mixed up the house cocktails, we all ordered something different just to see him work. The intricacy of the drinks and the skill of execution was like nothing I had ever seen.After David mixed us our cocktails, he whipped us up a taster of his award winning Jolicoeur that was so beautiful and crisp I think I will rip him off and make it my summer entertaining cocktail for 2008.Here is the recipe and pictures of his creation: (more…)

Blue Water Cafe and Raw Bar were kind enough to host me for dinner while I was in Vancouver. They had a set menu arranged for me that was divine - all the best that the ocean had to offer. I photographed the whole dinner to post here because it was as visually beautiful as it was delicious. Wine Director and Manager Andrea Vescovi was a fantastic host and paired each course with a complimentary wine for us. I had dinner with the restaurant representative Shelley McArthur who regaled me with tails of the mountains of chanterelle mushrooms that grow all her families property on one of the islands - I was green with envy!
Here’s what we ate, there was also a Dungeness Crab Salad that was served after the oysters but gluttony over took me and I ate it before I could click a pic! (more…)

I was lucky enough to be in Penticton on the opening weekend of the farmers market. Not quite is full swing, it was still a great morning to walk around with one of Dana Ewart of Joy Road Catering’s delicious rhubarb tarts in hand checking out the local goods. Big beautiful bunch of sorrel, fresh herbs, dried fruits, delicious baked goods, hand made perogies, and smokey sausages were up for sale the weekend I visited.

Also met Kevin Dunn who had a bone to pick with the local organizers who have banned him from selling (more…)

While in BC I went to the launch party for Nota Bene wine at Black Hills vineyard in Oliver. Black Hills has been earning rave reviews for this Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend since their opening in 1996. It was one of the best wines I had while in BC and I would say give it a try but according to their website they are sold out of 2006 so you will have to hunt for it at retail outlets. Celebrity chef, Ned Bell was catering and promoting his soon to be opening restaurant Cabana Bar and Grille. He was serving fresh caught BC spot prawns, oysters, and excellent short ribs that he served me himself among other delicious treats each paired with Black Hills wine selections. If you are in Kelowna, Caribana is open for business with it’s gorgeous giant patio, try it out and let me know how it is! (more…)