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Tasting Plates South Granville September 12th

Before summer ends, take a stroll on South Granville Rise as Vancouver Foodster’s Tasting Plates South Granville edition visits the neighbourhood.  Savour the flavours of the ‘hood’s diverse eateries.

During the tasting extravaganza restaurants in the area along Granville Street, between 12th and 16th Avenues, will open their doors to bring patrons a Tasting Plate that best exemplifies their kitchens. Taste the bites, visit with chefs, and meet new and old foodie friends as you roam table to table, taste to taste.

Starting at a to-be-determined staring location, Tasting Plate participants will check in and pick up their Tasting maps and menus then set off to seek out new tastes and flavours.  Walk, ride, or roll your way around the streets with your friends and family for a pleasant late-summer evening.

The participating eateries for Tasting Plates South Granville include;

The Rise Eatery, 3121 Granville Street

Fiore Restaurant, 1485 W 12th Avenue

Meinhardt Fine Foods, 3002 Granville Street

Phoscao Cafe, 3007 Granville Street

More restaurants and the opening location will be announce by Vancouver Foodster as the event draws near.

Tickets are available now on Eventbrite:
$29 Ultra Early-Bird Ticket sales end on Friday August 17th
$35 Early-Bird Tickets, from August 17th – 31st
$45 Advance Tickets after August 31st
$60 per person regular tickets, after September 9, 2018

If you don’t want to wait until September, there’s still the chance to attend Vancouver Foodster’s Tasting Plates Commercial Drive coming next week August 22nd, kicks off at The Drive Coffee Bar, 1670 Commercial Drive

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Hit the water with Cultus Lake Marina

Hot summer days beg for a trip to the shore, Vancouver is lucky to have Cultus Lake, a hub of water recreation just a up the highway.  At just under 90 minutes from downtown Vancouver to Cultus Lake Marina, it’s a quick getaway, but the aquatic oasis feels like a world away.  

Whether your overnighting at one of the campgrounds and cottages, or just taking a day-trip with friends, Cultus Lake is a hive of activities.  The famed Waterpark bring tons of friends and families to play on the waterslides and other rides but the lake itself is nature’s water park. The compact 6 sq km lake punches above its size for what it has to offer.

Tubing on Cultus Lake

Beaches for swimming, shores for picnics and family gatherings, calm coves for fishing or stand-up paddle-boarding, and open water for jetskiing, boating, waterskiing and more.

The hub of most of these activities, is the Cultus Lake Marina; rent jetskis, wake boards, tubes, or like our gang, one of the many boats that the Marina has to offer.

11 Passenger Four Winns Funship

One of the 7,8,9 or 11 passenger Four Winns powerboats are ready to tow waterskis and tubes or just leisurely enjoy the waters. Groups of 13 can hit the water in the Marina’s Pontoon Boat, perfect for a party on the water. A boat license is not required to rent a boat from Cultus Lake Marina but the drivers (max 2) are required to watch a 10 minute safety video, inspect with the boat with the marina staff and take responsibility for the operation and condition of the boat.   Once all the checks are done and all passengers have their personal floatation device fitted it’s time to sit back and enjoy the open water.
Cruising around Cultus Lake is a great way to surround yourself in nature, the evergreen slopes and granite cliffs rising from the lakeside, only interrupted by the tiny villages of Cultus Lake and Lindell Beach book-ending the ends of water.

Whenever you’re looking for a getaway from the city, pack up the car, hit the road and enjoy everything Cultus Lake has to offer.

Jetskis & Boats await at Cultus Lake Marina

Cultus Lake Marina is located at #50 Sunnyside Blvd, Cultus Lake, BC.
(about 90 minutes from downtown Vancouver or 10 minutes from Chilliwack)
Visit cultuslakemarina.com for pricing and more information
Call 604-858-9990 or email rentals@cultuslakemarina.com to book your boat, jetskis or other watercraft.
Follow @cultuslakemarina on instagram to get inspired for your own day on the water.

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Cocktails, Canapes & Croquet make for a ‘wicket’ day at Fairmont Empress

Where better than the iconic Fairmont Empress in Victoria to host a leisurely garden party and croquet tournament.

On August 26, 2018, don your best summer garden party, cricket-friendly attire and join MC Joe Perkins of CTV Vancouver Island as the Fairmont Empress brings the beloved pastime to the front lawns of the restored grand hotel.  Just as the hotel has gone under a $60+million rebirth to bring new life to the hotel’s rooms and interior spaces, the social scene is returning to the hub of Victoria’s Inner Harbour.  Like the social affairs of the colonial era, the verdant front lawns of Fairmont Empress, have been transformed to roll out a civilized Croquet tournament. The lush flower gardens Victoria is famous for, bloom around comfortable lounge seating, as the participants and guests enjoy culinary treats and craft cocktails from the Fairmont Empress team of chefs and bartenders, creating an ‘only in Victoria’ afternoon.

No experience is required to participate in the tournament, croquet attire consists of grass friendly footwear (flats, sandals, or wedges, no heels on the lawn), a sun hat to shield your eyes, and your smartest summer outfit to  impress and intimidate the competition. Prizes are awarded for best dressed croquet team.  If you don’t want to play, spectator tickets are available also.

Register, on Eventbrite, as a team (two people), or as a single to be paired with a teammate at the event:
$89 per person plus tax & gratuity after August 1, 2018 at 5pm (must be 19+ to attend)

Included in ticket price:

  • Pimm’s Welcome cocktail
  • Passed canapes, finger tea sandwiches, sweet bites.
  • Access to social lawns including lounging, games, food and cash bar
  • Minimum of two rounds of croquet play on the front lawns of The Empress

 

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KitsFest brings Bathtub Races to Vancouver August 11

After a 22 year absence, Bathtub Races are returning to Vancouver, yes Bathtubs are back!

Part of KitsFest, Vancouver’s healthy living & sport beach fest, running August 10-12, 2018 at Kits Beach, The 1st Annual Bathtub Races will bring thrills and excitement to the water on Saturday.

Photo: Willow Friday Iron Oxide Art Supplies

This year’s bathtub event hearkens back to the Nanaimo to Vancouver Bathtub Races that were part of the defunct Vancouver Seafest until the 90s. The Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society and KitsFest are bringing the quirky races to a whole new generation.  Nearly three dozen racers, in three heats, will hop in their bathtubs and speed around the mile-long course off Kits Beach. Spectators will be dazzled at the speed and agility of the tiny watercraft, as they watch from the shores of English Bay or large licensed race pit. Live entertainment, DJ and prizes will keep the everyone amused during the Bathtub Races. The races get underway at 2:30pm, with heats following every hour until the final run at 5:30pm to determine the Bathtub Races champion.

The Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub society have been racing bathtubs since Canada’s Centennial in 1967, the spectacle of the Nanaimo to Vancouver Bathtub Races came to an end when SeaFest came to an end but the tradition has continued in Nanaimo Harbour and now the tubs are ready to return to Vancouver at KitsFest.  KitsFest is a weekend filled with sport and activity from beach volleyball, and waterpolo to Lululemon Sunset Yoga, touch football, or try your hand at Steve Nash Spin by the Sea, tennis or Zumba.

To join in the fun of the Bathtub Races or any of KitsFest’s multitude of healthy living and family-friendly activities, head to Kits Beach August 10-12, visit kitsfest.com for schedule and events.

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Vancouver Foodster Iced Tea Challenge – Results

The 2018 Vancouver Foodster Iced Tea Challenge has wrapped up, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying the cool brewed entries from the six Vancouver & Richmond teahouses. With this hot weather all of them will help refresh your palate during a day in the sun.

From July 12 – August 5, 2018, the public and the trio of media judges, including myself, Maggi Mei and Andrew Chan, set about tasting and selecting their favourites from Boba Monster, Sencha Tea Lounge, T-Go Tea, Taan Char, Treasure Green Tea & Vietnamese Tea House.  Like all Vancouver Foodster challenges, the chefs were invited to be as creative as they like with their iced tea entry, either highlighting an already existing menu item or create a wholly unique dish.  The tea masters created a wide variety of iced black, fruit, milk teas and more that made selecting a favourite a difficult, but thoroughly enjoyable, task to choose the Judges’ Choice Winner. I’m sure the public vote was equally as difficult of a selection process.

The results are in:

Judge’s Choice; 
First Place – Treasure Green Tea
Entry: Champagne Jasmine Iced Tea

Treasure Green Tea – Champagne Jasmine Iced Tea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Second Place – Vietnamese Tea House
Entry: Vietnamese Pandan Milk Tea

Vietnamese Tea House : Pandan Milk Tea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Third Place – Taan Char
Entry: Peach Strawberry Full House Tea

Taan Char – Peach Strawberry Full House Tea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


People’s Choice;
First Place – Treasure Green Tea
Entry: Champagne Jasmine Iced Tea

Second Place – Boba Monster
Entry: Boba Monster Milk Tea

Boba Monster – Milk Tea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third Place – T-Go Tea
Entry: Premium Matcha Green Tea Latte Smoothie Blizzard

T-Go Tea – Premium Matcha Green Tea Blizzard Smoothie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If any of the entries strike your fancy ask for them when you visit the restaurants, for complete points totals and details about entries visit vancouverfoodster.com . While you’re there, look for Vancouver Foodster’s next events; Best Sundae Challenge on until August 26, 2018 or  Tasting Plates Commercial Drive on August 22nd and

 

 

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2018 PNE food is much more than mini-donuts

When people think about food at The Fair at the PNE, “those little donuts” come to mind for most of us. However, the The Fair also brings some of Western Canada’s most outrageous and unbelievable culinary creations to the midway, 

Cricket Caramel Apple Photo: PNE

“Outrageous and innovative food is a Fair at the PNE staple, and our team has set the bar even higher this year,” says Laura Ballance, Spokesperson for the Pacific National Exhibition. “Whether you’re looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth, or a dish that reminds you of a home cooked meal, foodies won’t want to miss the 2018 Fair this summer.

Beyond the mini donuts, this year, Fair patrons should keep an eye out for new over the top  items like Cricket Caramel Apples, a classic Caramel Apple rolled in salty, oven-roasted Entomo Farm crickets to create a sweet and salty delight that will add a bit of crunch for the courageous.

Charcoal Soft Serve. Photo: PNE

For a modern take on ice cream, Smoking Charcoal Soft Serve will cool you down in the hot summer sun. Try a taste of Black Charcoal Pineapple Ice Cream, a twist on the hottest ice cream trend; black charcoal soft serve ice cream served right out of a fresh pineapple! Also check out S’luscious, with boozy slush drinks in a variety of flavours, including Frosé, Lime, Mango, and Dark & Stormy.

Garlic Vanilla Milkshake Burger
Photo: PNE

This year’s lineup of delicious burgers are sure to invoke memories of the 1950s diners Gourmet Burgers, to try a Garlic Vanilla Milkshake Burger, or its cousin, the Sweet and Salty Milkshake Burger, covered in rock salts, caramel drizzle and vanilla ice cream.

 The Deep-Fried Burger will take the classic cheese burger and stop it up a notch.  Wrapped in a bread dough and deep fried to a crisp, yet golden brown perfection, this burger will be an explosion of taste and texture – a must try for all fairgoers.

 Churros Locos introduces Chocolate Dipped Churros, chocoholics will love the churros  dipped and rolled in your favourite toppings, or Churro Fries, smothered with chocolate and caramel sauce, with marshmallows tossed into the mix, available only at the PNE Marketplace.  

Steve O’s Public House is set to return, with their own creation, KitKat Fries. Dipped in a signature batter and deep-fried to a soft, fluffy, and chocolatey perfection while maintaining the famous KitKat crunch, you’ll want to try these again and again and again.

Last, but certainly not least – what’s a Fair without a corndog? Corndog King will offer, for the first time this year, the Big Pizza Corndog, which is stuffed with Mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, herbs and spices, with a side of pizza sauce. And for dessert? The Red Velvet Corndog will be a sweet, delicious twist on the classic, available only this year,

Experience the sweet, savoury, salty and sour, as the Fair at the PNE returns August 18th to September 3rd.

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Provence Marinaside 9th Annual Tomato Festival

La Tomatina, the famed tomato throwing festival takes place in Spain in August, but you don’t have to go across the globe to get a your hand on fresh tomatoes.

For the entire month of August, Provence Marinaside celebrates all things tomato with its Ninth Annual Tomato Festival. You might not get to take out your aggressions by throwing them but you’ll certainly get to enjoy the summer fresh goodness. Provence Marinaside is offering special prix fixe menu that will satisfy even the most addicted tomato-holic.

Whether eaten fresh-picked from the vine, mixed into salsas and salads, juiced, roasted or sun-dried – there are almost as many ways to enjoy tomato’s flavourful goodness as there are varieties.  “They are the taste of the sun, and remind me of long summer days when I was a child in Provence,” says Provence Marinaside’s Executive Chef Jean Francis Quaglia.

Grilled Halibut with Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette
Photo: N Wong

This three-course seasonal menu is priced at $58 with an optional rosé wine pairing which has been carefully selected by Wine Director Joshua Carlson and his sommelier team. The wine pairing is priced at $30 for a different rosé with each course, or only $20 for a smaller pour. Both the individual dishes and the wines are also available à la carte should you so choose.   For the three-course Tomato Festival menu options; starters, mains and dessert visit Provence Marinaside online.

“Locally-grown tomatoes have a more intense flavor profile,” says Chef de Cuisine Sheldon Maloff who worked with Chef Jean Francis to design the Tomato Festival Menu. “They could not be more different from the tasteless varieties you find at the large grocery stores. We are fortunate to work with BC producers who supply us with amazing varieties of heirloom and modern varieties. Local tomatoes just taste so much better.”

Provence Marinaside Patio
Photo: N Wong

The Ninth Annual Tomato Festival, starts tomorrow, August 1 and continues throughout the month at Provence Marinaside, located at the foot of Davie St. and across from the Quayside Marina in Yaletown.