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Posts Tagged ‘Diva at the Met’

Hot Chefs Cool Jazz 2012 – A Recap

Posted in Burnaby, By Invitations, Culinary Events, Joyce, News, Vancouver, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 17, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Last Friday we were invited to the Hot Chefs Cool Jazz event. If you have been following our blog for awhile, you would remember two years ago we attended the same event. This takes place every two years in support of Bocuse d’Or Canada. In January 2013, Chef Alex Chen will represent Canada to compete in Bocuse d’Or in Lyon, France, where chefs from 24 countries will convene for the most demanding culinary competition in the world.

Chef Alex Chen to represent Canada at Bocuse d'Or 2013

Chef Alex Chen to represent Canada at Bocuse d’Or 2013

Hot Chefs Cool Jazz was a fun event, with 16 savoury and sweet food stations, wine & beer, as well as live jazz performance. It was very nice to see the support Chef Alex received from his peers in the culinary industry in BC.

All chefs pose for a photo

All chefs pose for a photo

Of everything we tried, here are a few of our favourites: (more…)

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Dine Out Vancouver Returns & Past Dine Out Reviews

Posted in Chocolate, Culinary Events, Dessert, Dine Out Vancouver, Dinner, French, Great Views, Italian, Joyce, Latin American, News, North Vancouver, Pan Asian, Seafood, Soup, Vancouver, West Coast, West Vancouver, Yaletown, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on January 10, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Dine Out Vancouver 2012 is set for Jan 20-Feb 5, 2012 and is now open for reservations. In its 10th year, 230 restaurants are participating in this event, offering prix fixe menus at $18, $28 or $38.

While I understand this event is meant to be a filler to help restaurants through its down time (January is usually the slowest month due to post-Christmas blues), I have always hoped and expected restaurants to treat this as an opportunity to showcase and market themselves and bring their A-game. Not usually the case. In fact, I’ve heard many stories where restaurants completely flopped during Dine Out, but redeemed themselves afterwards on a separate visit. I don’t quite get why restaurants would want to ruin customers’ first impression on them if Dine Out were their first point of contact. Perhaps thinking people are being cheap to go the Dine Out route?

Grilled Alberta AAA Beef Striploin from La Terrazza

Grilled Alberta AAA Beef Striploin from La Terrazza

Anyway, I thought I’d round up some past Dine Out experience that we have had in recent years (2009-2011), good and bad. Maybe this will help your research as you try to determine which ones to try. Here’s the list in alphabetically order, but I also included its menu price: (more…)

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Hot Chefs Cool Jazz VI – Event Recap

Posted in Culinary Events, Joyce, Mr., Vancouver, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 19, 2010| 2 Comments »

30 Food Stations + 10+ Beverage Stations  + Live Jazz + 300 guests = One unusual fundraiser.

A few weeks ago we told you about Hot Chefs Cool Jazz VI, a fundraiser for Bocuse d’Or Canada and the 2011 team led by Chef Ryan Stone. VanFoodies.com was invited to attend this event, so Mr. and I went and let me tell you, it’s quite the privilege to have some of BC’s top chefs cooking for you at the same spot.

300 guests enjoy an evening of food & wine

300 guests enjoy an evening of food & wine

How it works?

Each of the food stations was paired with a beverage station. Guests were encouraged to explore by matching each dish with its respective beverage pairing. And to make it easy for us (especially after a few drinks), the pairings were marked with matching colour of table cloths.

Luscious Food Station

Luscious Food Station

Luscious Beverage Station

Luscious Beverage Station

Not only did this event showcase the culinary talent we have in our province, it also featured local agriculture and aquaculture products. All wines were from BC wineries and local ingredients such as albacore tuna, spot prawns, oysters and scallops were used.

So without further adieu, take out your bib and let us walk you through this mouth-watering photo blog post.

Participating Restaurants

Here are some restaurants that we’ve tried and their respective dishes: (more…)

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Diva at the Met

Posted in Dessert, Dine Out Vancouver, Dinner, Group Dinner, Guest Post, Joyce, Mr., Vancouver, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 3, 2010| 2 Comments »

For the first time on VanFoodies.com, all three writers have joined forces to provide you with a full scope of the Dine Out dinner at Diva at the Met. None of us has ever been there before, but we have heard good things about the restaurant. Intrigued by all the praises it receives, despite the recent personnel change in the kitchen (Quang Dang replaced Dino Renaerts as the Executive Chef), I personally was hoping for a treat.

Food

Let us each share our thoughts on the menu. We may have the same dishes but we certainly have different views on them.

Joyce: Roasted Beet and Potato Veloute + Braised Lamb Cheeks + Stilton Cheesecake

Being the black sheep at the table, I was the only one ordering the veloute. The Roasted Beet and Potato Veloute came in a saucer, of which the server poured into a bowl with the dill crème fraiche and croutons – I really liked this extra touch and reminded me of the Dine Out I had at C Restaurant a couple of years ago.

Pouring the Veloute

Pouring the Veloute

The soup was very creamy, with hints of sweetness from the beet, but not too rich. (more…)

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Dine Out Vancouver – Suggestions from the VanFoodies

Posted in Dine Out Vancouver, Guest Post, Joyce, Mr., Vancouver, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 21, 2010| 2 Comments »

In case you haven’t heard, in case you haven’t noticed, it’s Dine Out Vancouver time! I often take this opportunity to test the water, get a sneak preview of what some big players in Vancouver’s dining scene have to offer. Here on VanFoodies.com, each of the writers is giving you their Top 5 list. If you haven’t made up your mind, and/or have no idea where to go, check out the following list. Feel free to share your thoughts on these restaurants with us!

Mr.’s  top 5 places under $20 that he’s never been:

  • MIGZ BBQ on Broadway:  Having been quite satisfied with Memphis Blues, I’ve always wanted to try out another local BBQ joint. Both the St. Louis side ribs and pulled pork are making me salivate as I type. I couldn’t care less about their salad, soup, or dessert.
  • Chutney Villa: I have only had Indian food a few times in my life. It’s a crime considering how long I’ve lived in Surrey. I know little about the cuisine but I’d like to try something other than butter chicken this time.
  • The Calling: Ok I think it’s about time someone tells me what a Sheppard pie is…(Joyce: Yeah me too. I only know what a Shepherd’s Pie is. lol.)
  • Blarney Stone:  The pub that everyone has talked yet I’ve never been. Wouldn’t mind finding out what’s in an Irish stew and how badly can an Irish pub screw up tofu.
  • The Westward Ho! at the University Golf Club:  The menu would certainly suggest a higher price tag. At $18, I’d try this for what appears to be a great deal.

Frank’s top 5 dinners that he doesn’t want to miss:

  • hidden ($18): I was sold as soon as I saw pacific poutine with halibut cheeks, chicken and waffles, and root beer, hazlenut and maple ice cream parfait. Such comfort food is rarely seen elsewhere. The plus? It’s newly opened inside the Westin Grand Hotel (and, $18 for crying out loud).
  • Baru Latino ($28): Always enticed by empanadas and a sucker for Paella, I was immediately intrigued by the menu. The restaurant also seems legitimately latino.
  • db bistro moderne ($38): The Rock Hen duo and grilled swordfish got me fixated on the menu. The flavours sound uncomplicated and just delicious. How would I decide if I were to have dinner there?
  • Diva at the Met ($28): I just couldn’t turn down the opportunity to have Diva’s famed Caramelized Stilton Cheesecake. Oh, and the duck liver parfait with rhubarb chutney sounds like a killer combo. (Joyce: According to OpenTable, this menu will be offered until July 2010 so don’t panic if you can’t get a table. You’ve got a few more months to try it out!)
  • Boneta ($38): A favourite of mine… it’s always attentive with its dishes. The menu appears seasonal; and the flavours clean. Come on, they have pork belly! Also, it definitely has one of the better dessert menus.

Joyce’s top 5 restaurants that are worth returning:

  • Cardero’s Restaurant ($28): Decent menu offering with a view of the North Shore in the background. Good value for where it’s located.
  • Le Gavroche ($38): Voted “The Most Romantic Restaurant in Vancouver” for a number of years, this restaurant also has a fair share of wine offering to pair with your meal.
  • Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House ($38): Joe Fortes has since redeemed itself from my very first DOV dinner there. This year’s menu, although has no surprises, offers some solid choices for seafood lovers.
  • Cru ($38): This menu is almost a replica of its regular prix-fixe menu. It’s usually priced at $42 so now you can save a few bucks and buy yourself a cocktail to start the night.
  • Trafalgars Bistro ($28): Mr.‘s and my favourite restaurant and of course I’d take this opportunity to encourage you to give it a try.

Now that you’ve got some idea, better act soon and start booking. Some restaurants sell out quickly – I heard that West was sold out on the first day, as did every year’s Dine Out. For a complete list of Dine Out restaurants, visit Tourism Vancouver’s website.

Happy eating!

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