Robert Burns Dinner in West Vancouver

January 25th is known the world over as Robert Burns Day. Famous for his poems and songs, Scotland’s national bard is celebrated every year with a traditional dinner featuring bagpipes, honourary toasts and the “Address to the Haggis” – an often maligned (but rather tasty) Scottish delicacy. Last week it was the feisty folks at …

Vancouver’s Biggest Upcoming Events for the Year 2012

Get out your datebooks and calendars, it’s time to plan your social schedule for the New Year. And while 2011 proved to be extra exciting, with red carpet galas and glamorous restaurant / wine events everywhere, here are a a few suggestions to pencil in for what promises to be a fabulous 2012. See you …

Whistler’s Cornucopia 2011 Featuring Crush Gala, Ric’s Grill Casino Royale and Bearfoot Bistro’s Cirque du Soleil Masquerave Party

Whistler’s annual 2011 Cornucopia Food and Wine Festival returns with the best year yet. Regular features, like the Crush Grand Gala Tasting Room and Casino Royale at Ric’s Grill are back. This year also marks the return of the Bearfoot Bistro’s famous Masquerave featuring Cirque du Soleil type performers, live music, free flowing libations and …

Sarah McLachlan School of Music Opening and Glowbal Group Black and Blue Steak House Party

  She’s one of West Vancouver’s most famous residents, and now, thanks to the donations and support of another prominent West Vancouver family, the Sarah McLachlan School of Music has a stunning new home. Last week, a special formal reception marked the official opening of the new school. Providing full scholarship music programs to less …

North Shore Vancouver Rotary Wine and Food Festival to Benefit Youth

North Shore Rotarians from both North and West Vancouver chapters came together last weekend to raise funds for North Shore Youth programs at this very special night out. The North Shore Rotary Wine & Food Festival was held last weekend at West Vancouver’s Park Royal Shopping Centre. Featuring food and wine from local restaurants and …

Barney Bentall and Jully Black Headline Spectacular Gala of the Year at La Stella / Le Vieux Pin Winery in Osoyoos

Singers Barney Bentall and Jully Black helped headline a spectacular gala wine weekend in and around Osoyoos last weekend. The rich and famous from all across the North Shore headed to the Okanagan to help celebrate at Sean and Saeedeh Salem’s Enotecca wineries La Stella and Le Vieux Pin. A casual Friday night reception at …

Rogers Chocolate Party, Beachside Forno Winemakers Dinner and Impressions of Bolivia

West Vancouver’s Park Royal Shopping Centre continues to open new doors with the inclusion of yet another tasty spot. Rogers Chocolates, famously known for their pink checkered wrappers, has set up shop in the Village and earlier this month they invited friends and guests to enjoy a opening celebration chocolate party. Rich dark chocolate “shots”, …

North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Governors’ Gala and New Zealand Wine Tour Vancouver

The North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce’s Governors’Gala took place last week at North Vancouver’s Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier. Media personality and actor Jackson Davies played MC as guests and members enjoyed an elegant evening of dining and entertainment. Presented by Neptune Terminals, the evening also included performances by Veena Sood and a live and …

Sutherland School Starry Nights Gala and Louis Gervais Catering Reception

Two great nights highlight last week’s events and activities. First, it was time to dress to the nines with the parents and friends of North Vancouver’s Sutherland Secondary school for their first ever Starry Nights Black and White Gala. Designed as a fundraiser for the school and the primary feeder schools, this elegant evening was …

Bard on the Beach, Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Vancouver Auto Show and More

A wrap-up of spring events this week means a look back at several great nights and a few famous North Shore faces. First, the Vancouver Auto Show had its most successful year ever and kicked off their week long event with a first-of-its kind introductory evening gala. Hanging in the VIP room here was a …

Forum for Women Entrepreneurs Grapewine and Face of Tomorrow Galas in Vancouver

The Annual Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) Gala was held last week in honour of British Columbia’s female winery owners and experts. The ballroom at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel looked beautiful as former Premier Gordon Campbell took to the stage to congratulate all of the evening’s honourees at “Once Upon a Grapewine”. There was also …

Blue Mountain Wine, C Restaurant, Ambleside Business Association, Dine Out Vancouver

A roundup of January events means there was no time for the winter blues. Instead, there was wining and dining and lots of new ideas, some of them tempting enough to consider giving up a few of those New Year’s resolutions. Cheers. 01 – Toasting the evening at the Blue Mountain and Friends / BC …

Osaka Seafood Market Opens in Park Royal West Vancouver

Last week, Park Royal Shopping Centre welcomed its newest anchor tenant, Osaka Supermarket, with a celebration that rivaled New Year’s Eve. Part of the T&T chain, this newest location is only the second of its kind in Canada. With over 37,000 sq. ft. and 205 employees, it focuses on high-end products and an “upscale multicultural …

Rotary Wine Festival at Park Royal

It’s always a great night out and this year was no different. The 9th annual North Shore Rotary Wine and Food Festival was held last weekend at Park Royal South. Several wine and food stations, provided by local agencies and restaurants like Taylor’s Crossing, Grouse Mountain, The Keg, Mangia e Bevi and more, ensured guests …

Tanya Slingsby Art / Pinnacle Hotel / Eastside Marios

A new hotel, a new restaurant and a new art opening help wrap up the month of March and a busy Easter weekend filled with activities. First, it was a special private party to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new East Side Mario’s Restaurant and Lounge in the Lonsdale Quay. Food and festivities helped …

BACIO Cancer Fundraiser at Mangia e Bevi

All month long, West Vancouver’s Mangia e Bevi restaurant has been raising money for oncology research through their third annual “Festa Invernale”. Called B.A.C.I.O (Because a Cure is Obtainable), it is a cause close to the hearts of owners Doug Grisdale, Rob Parrott and Antonio Sauro, all of whom have had family members affected by …

Taste the World Wine for Angkor Children’s Hospital

The recent tragic events in Haiti will not soon be forgotten. Yet, while we attempt to help those devastated by this earthquake, we sometimes forget that there are children in need all over the third world where flood, famine and abject poverty occur every day. Last night, the good people behind the Angkor Hospital for …

Canadian Culinary Championships and Mangia e Bevi Fundraiser

It was a culinary event of Olympic proportions and the big winners were our own Olympic athletes. The Canadian Culinary Championships (CCC) were held late last month and were the culmination of the local regional Gold Medal Plates city competitions held throughout the year across Canada. The fundraisers were all designed to help put Canadian …

Quattro Cookbook, BC Chowder and more

IT was a fun “foodie” type week last week as competitions, cookbooks and the first sign of Christmas crept into the headlines. First up, local chefs help promote sustainable seafood at the Vancouver Aquarium during the Seafood Chowder Chowdown. Then, it was time for a little Viva Italia at Quattro on 4th as local favourite, …

Rotary Wine Fest at Park Royal West Van

The 8th Annual North Shore Rotary Wine and Food Festival took place last weekend at Park Royal Shopping Centre. Sipping and sampling was on the menu as was live music and more. Local restaurants, wineres and volunteers all pitched in to help make it happen and proceeds raised will go to the North Shore Youth …

Canadian Country Music Awards, Chef Meets Grape and more

Country music, Bhangra drums plus celebrity chefs and wine helped wrap up the last week of Summer 2009. First up, the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) brought big name singers to the city with a festival that included live concerts, fan parties and a fabulous live awards show that was broadcast across Canada. Next up, West Vancouver …

Edge on Granville Opening in Vancouver

Granville Street is cleaning up its act – and a large part of that is due to a few good people from the North Shore. The Edge Social Grille & Lounge (1100 Granville) is attached to the Chateau Granville Hotel and is one of the new shining stars on the see-and-be-seen, scene. Owned by experienced …

Blue Water Cookbook and Red Cross Gala

Kermit the Frog said it best – It’s not easy being green. However, thanks to some new sustainable programs (like the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program), Vancouver chefs are responding with enthusiasm. Such was the case at Blue Water Cafe last week. West Vancouver owner Jack Evrensel, along with his talented team, launched a new …

Vancouver Playhouse Wine Toast

The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, which officially starts March 23, got an early start last week at two separate events. First, it was a six-course, 17 glass dinner at the Vancouver Club as the Grandi Marchi dinner welcomed delegates and winemakers from Italy. Next, at The Shore Club, it was the official Festival Toast …

West Van Taphouse with Chef Rob Feenie

The big lighthouse in Park Royal’s Village is shining a light on something new thanks to some funky changes and an innovative menu designed by famed Vancouver chef Rob Feenie. Since taking over the former Steamworks location, the gang at the Cactus Club’s West Van Taphouse has reinvented the space making it unique by offering …

Liberty Wines Taste of BC

Liberty Wines, who was known for their famous annual oyster festival each January, has got a whole new look. They’ve shucked off the old shell and now are getting rave reviews for their new annual Taste of BC event at the Hyatt hotel. Lots of North Shore faces in the crowd got a chance to …

BC Chef’s Society Dinner

  It was billed as the dinner of a lifetime. North Vancouver’s own Pino Posteraro, of Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill fame in Yaletown, played host to an elite group of famous foodies at his restaurant earlier this month to serve a $500 a plate, 12-course feast in support of the BC’s Chefs’ Table Soiety (CTS). The …

World AIDS Day at Cioppino’s in Yaletown

  For the last 10 years, Lesley and Mike Rogers have hosted a World AIDS Day luncheon in support of Vancouver based charity – A Loving Spoonful. This year, they celebrated the anniversary with the help of friends and super chef Pino Posteraro at the stylish Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill and Enoteca in Vancouver’s Yaletown district. …

Lumiere Daniel Boulud Bistro Opening and Shut Up and Shoot Movie Launch

When you make a movie with the likes of Gary Busey, Tom Sizemore and Daniel Baldwin, it’s definitely time to celebrate. That’s what Vancouver’s talented Silvio Pollio did at the DVD launch of his “Shut Up and Shoot” movie. Pollio and several other cast members, including Joe Cortese, toasted the occasion at the Can-Am Importique studios …