Il Giardino is not only one of the oldest Italian restaurants in Vancouver, but in an industry that has three times as many failures as successes, it has earned the reputation of being one of the best since it opened in 1976. But now the building at the corner of Pacific and Hornby has been sold for a condo development and owner/maitre d Umberto Menghi has decided to close the restaurant. It was a very bittersweet decision to make, he says in a press release, as Il Giardino is one of my proudest career achievements. The restaurant will continue to serve dinners only until this spring, with Menghi giving double helpings of praise to his long-serving staff. Meanwhile, he will continue to operate his two restaurants in Whistler, Il Caminetto and Trattoria di Umberto.
January 15 will be Jay Jones last day as lead bartender at Shangri-la but hes not putting away his cocktail shaker for very long. The next day the 2012 recipient of enRoute magazines Canadian bartender of the year becomes the executive bartender and brand ambassador of Donnelly Group. This new role has been tailor-made for me, he says in a letter to friends and colleagues. I am a bartender at heart and in function creating experiences with hands-on drink design andpersonalized hospitality is at the core of what I do. My focus now is to share my philosophies, experience and passionwith the bartenders of Donnelly Group and inspire them to be better and create great experiences. I look forward to continue getting my hands dirty doing what I love and mentoring the next great generation of bartenders.
More than 240 restaurants creating special prix fixe menus for every budget with wine pairings from BC wineries and beers from Granville Island Craft Beer. Hotels offer discounted rates. A 10-part culinary speaker series at Edible Canada. Street food carts gathered near the gallery. Culinary tours of Railtown and East Van and a secret supper soirée. Somehow, Tourism Vancouver has managed to make Dine Out Vancouver even better this year. What started as an initiative to get bums in seats during the slowest time of a restaurants year has turned into a city-wide celebration of our food culture. Its a chance to enjoy great deals at your favourite restaurants and be lured into trying new ones from January 18 to February 3. Since many restaurants sell out, its wise to make reservations. For details go to DineOutVancouver.com.
We all need a little bit of that liquid California sunshine right about now. Tickets are now on sale for the hugely successful Vancouver International Wine Festival, which this year pays special attention to California wines, especially chardonnays. From Feb. 25 to Mar. 3, there will be 176 wineries from 15 countries sharing their wares at dinners, tasting events and seminars. Home base is the Vancouver Convention Centre but many of Vancouvers top restaurants are also coming up with perfect pairings of West Coast cuisine. Traditionally a fundraiser for the Vancouver Playhouse, which closed last year, the charitable partner is now Bard on the Beach. Full details at VanWineFest.ca.
Japanese sake and Brazilian music. Its not a very traditional partnership but on January 17, its bound to work well when Masa Shiroki of Artisan Sake Maker teams up with Yujiro Nakajima (guitar) and Liam MacDonald (percussion) at Visual Space (2075 Alberta). The sake will be paired with Mr. Shirokis favorite cheeses and cured meats and vegan delicacies will be created by chef Melissa LeClair. Tickets are $35 and are available by emailing [email protected] or 778-233-9757.
Marquis Wine Cellars first wine dinner of 2013 is January 22 at La Cigale French Bistro (1961 W. 4th). La Cigale is Brigitte Rayes newest project after 11 years at Cafe La Regalade in West Vancouver. Her son Kevin is the head chef and has come up with a Provence-inspired menu. On this dinner hes working with certified chocolate master Pierre Gruget to come up with dishes such as a lobster bisque with bitter chocolate bouchée (Domaine Huet 2011 Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Sec and Domaine Albert Mann 2010 Pinot Gris) and pan-seared duck foie gras with chocolate reduction (Domaine Henry Natter 2009 Sancerre Rouge and Domaine Louis Claude Desvignes Le Voûte Saint-Vincent.) Tickets are $99 and are available at Marquis Wines (1034 Davie or 604-684-0445.)
