TimK

Heather makes great desserts. Craving some now.

I was in Toronto last summer and i got to eat at both places and have the burgers. I didn't pay for either as I was being shown about town. Jump burger and the jump fries were a 9.5/10. The mini burgers at Bymark were also great but i tasted them all night long. Does Darlene still manage at Bymark? Pretty blond woman? We used to work together here in Vancouver back in the day.

5:40 am? Holy crap Neil. Was it that coffee we served you yesterday afternoon? As far as City Dine goes it is San Pellegrino putting forth the money to the food bank not the individual restaurants.

I received this in an email today. More charity events. Good Vibrations - A Celebration of California Food & Wine A charitable event to benefit the Canadian Mental Health Association On behalf of the California Agricultural Export Council, and the office of the United States Consul General, please join us. Saturday, September 23rd, 2006 6:00pm Reception – 7:00 Dinner The Four Seasons Hotel - Park Ballroom 791 West Georgia Street Vancouver, British Columbia A truly "California-Style" evening, combining top foods, high-end wines and good California music, in one of Vancouver's most prestigious properties, the Four Seasons Hotel Chefs, wine connoisseurs and “foodies” of all types are coming together on this special night to enjoy California’s finest cuisine prepared by Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver Executive Chef Rafael Gonzalez and Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Hills Executive Chef Ashley James paired course by course with a collection of rare California wines Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2005 Kendall Jackson Camelot Highlands Chardonnay 2004 La Créma Russian River Pinot Noir, 2004 Cakebread Benchland Cabernet 2002 Saint Francis Pagani Ranch Zinfandel 2002 The evening festivities will begin at 6:00 pm with a California sparkling wine reception featuring Domaine Carneros Le Reve 1999 Dinner will be served starting at 7:00pm For further information please call Cate Simpson at 604-730-9626 or go to www.goodvibrationscanada.com Partial ticket price and all proceeds to benefit The Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Chapter _________________ $175 per ticket or $1,300 for a table of eight Please rsvp to CaliforniaVibrations@telus.net Tickets in advance only - Can be picked up in person or with credit card by phone and e-mail.

Wouldn't it be great if we could order our wine and spirits through whoever we wanted? Private collections for instance instead of having to use the BCLD for everything. Is it just wishful thinking?

Are there any other charity events besides Dining Out for Life and City Dine?

I asked a participating restaurant about it and they confirmed that it was $1 per person. They mentioned something about the event hoping to raise $5,000. That is an average of 16 diners a night per each participating restaurant. Seems like an easy target to hit. It would be nice to see them surpass it. ← The early response to the event seems to be very strong and the marketing by San Pellegrino hasn't even started yet. Radio and major newspapers start the ad campaign next week. If the early response is any indication Vancouver should raise way more than $5000 for a good cause.

Three places I USED to go to but don't because of the sounds of drilling, the constant mess of water and dirt and the view of construction fencing. 1.) Jugo Juice on Pacific and Davie 2.) Quiznos on Pacific and Davie 3.) Coffee shop at Opus. I know this is off topic but.... I feel for the owners at the shops on Davie at Pacific. Jugo Juice used to be a prime summer hang out. There were always customers there. Now??? Dead. the patio is not usable because of all the scaffolding. 24 months? Are there any concessions to businesses that are impacted by the contstruction?

Is that plan that was submitted to city council back in 2004 still active? What is going to be going in that area? When? That will be a nice addition to the neighbourhood! Cheers! ← I have heard about this development going in as well from a friend who has bought a condo on Beach Crescent just east of the Granville Bridge. I could not find any information on it in the City development archives.

I just received this from City Dine organisers, they expect the website to be updated by the 15th of August... Here is the official City Dine List. It’s pretty diverse and spread out around the city. · Amarcord Ristorante Italiano (Yaletown) · Bistro Pastis (4th ave) · Bravo Bistro (coal Harbour) · Bridges (Granville island) · Brix (Yaletown) · Capones (Yaletown) · Cassis (downtown) · Century (downtown) · George Ultra Lounge (Yaletown) · Gramercy Grill (Arbutus/Kits) · Hamilton Street Grill (Yaletown) · La Terrazza (Yaletown) · LK Dining Lounge (Yaletown) · Lucy Mae Brown (downtown) · Maurya Indian Cuisine (Broadway) · Provence (Yaletown) · Quattro On 4th (4th Ave/Kits) · Rare (downtown) · Relish (downtown) · Stonegrill (Downtown) · Tapastree (downtown/Denman) · Watermark on Kits Beach (Kits) · Zin (Robson/downtown) · The Beach House at Dundarave (West Vancouver) · The Beachside Café (West Vancouver) · Saltaire (West Vancouver) · Pearl on the Rock (White Rock) · A Kettle of Fish (downtown) · Savoury Coast (Robson/Downtown)

I was in Toronto last August for a culinary visit and was disapointed to find Susur's closed for the month. Lee's next door was packed and we could not get in. We "settled" for Thuets's. I say that jokingly as I think Marc Thuet is an amazing chef. Perhaps on my next visit to T.O. I can dine at Susur's.

I believe that Lucy Mae Brown's, Century, Brix, HSG, La Terrazza and many more (yes Rare is participating) are offering City Dine. My Open Table rep said that 70% of their restaurants were involved so it should be a great event.

I walk by it almost everyday on my way to work. I have witnessed the hard work that Alex the owner/chef has put into it. He has been on this project a long time. I am glad he is finally open. I will post about it as soon as I can get in and try it.

City Dine is an event that started last year in many American cities and is now coming to Vancouver and Toronto the last two weeks of September. Their website CityDine will have more details coming in early August. Many top end Vancouver restaurants are participating with 3 course $35 meals. $1 from each meal served goes to the Canadian Association of Food Banks. I am excited to see what the participating restaurants will be offering for the event as well as raising money for a good cause. It is my understanding that menus will be posted online after August 4th.

Oh, I see what you meant. Good question, anyone want to speculate?

I think it is great that Harmony is showcasing BC's best chef's. Good for Chef Feenie. Why would Feenie's futurre be in question with this move? What kind of time commitment would creating these menus take from his time at Lumiere and Feenie's?

I know that they have David Nicolay from Evoke Design doing their room (Sanafir, Crush, Coast). Outside of that....not much more.

The space next to Tony Roma's will be called "Infinity". They are hoping for a mid month opening. Infinity

I have a date with another 'industry person' next week. Going out in Vancouver, the very small and close knit Vancouver, can be difficult. I do not want to share my dating with the industry. Are there any out of the way, descrete restaurants that Industry people escape to? Favourite out of the way bar? Seafood? Fine dining?

Almost 2 months in with Open Table and I can't imagine not having it at Rare. It is more than a reservation system. The data base management on it is the real value that I see in it. It allows us to track concierge bookings, our regular's likes and dislikes, most recent visits, and so much more. I am now exploring the marketing opportunities that OT offers. I find that there is good value for it. It allows customers to book anytime and get an immediate confirmation saving me the $$$ on having someone at the restaurant in the morning to answer phones, well I actually have Quang pretty much trained up on that role. That is another point, from a user standpoint it is very very easy to master. The staff all know how to take a reservation with the system. I think that EAT Magazine is running an article on OpenTable in their next (May) issue.

Neil I have had not one but two reps from Vincor calling on me. For a serving of ginger bread pudding I will share a rep with you, no need for me to be greedy. Extra carmel sauce please.

We have not had any problems with Vincor. Service the last two weeks has been great. Tim Rare Restaurant

I think my stomach just growled. Good luck with the lunch roll out, menu looks great.

Mr. Sherwood is correct on his statement. I had a very enjoyable EARLY morning last week at the Liquor Board being instructed on compliance issues for Food Primary. According to the facilitator if a customer has 2 drinks and still has not ordered food then the licensee is in violation of their license. Gone it seems are the days of intent to eat. I am sure we will see a change prior to 2010, look at the changes that Expo brought in 1986.

That man is a machine (Sean Heather) ....how does he do it? I think I need to increase my Guinness intake or something. I look forward to reading the blog. I am looking forward as well to Un-wind opening up at the old Panama Jacks on Howe Street. I think that may be my late night watering hole after Rare closes for the night (or when Brian and I sneak out for a libation and some food).