Araxi is bringing its popular Longtable al fresco summer dinners to Vancouver for the first time. On July 27, 300 people will enjoy a communal meal along a single table by chef James Watt elegantly presented at Prospect Point in Stanley Park. Local suppliers will be on hand to talk about Araxis commitment to freshly sourced ingredients; the wine pairings are by Mission Hill and the spirits are handcrafted by Pemberton Distillery. (See the bottom of this page for the complete menu with pairings.) There will also be longtable dinners at Lost Lake in Whistler on August 3 and North Arm Farm in Pemberton on August 17. Tickets are $175 per person per event, which includes the reception, wine, four-course menu, tax and gratuity. To reserve, contact Neil Henderson at 604-932-4540 or [email protected].
Last year it was quite a scene under the white sails at Canada Place: Hundreds of people, dressed exclusively in white, eating at white-linened tables. This years Diner en Blanc promises to be even more stunning, with 2,500 people expected to sign up. Although the location will be kept secret until the day of the event, the 2013 dinner is scheduled for August 22. Its $30 per person plus a $5 membership but heres the catch: You have to bring your own picnic-basket dinner, white table cloth, table and white chair. You have to arrive and depart by bus or public transit, and take all your leftovers and dishes home with you. Go to Vancouver.DinerEnBlanc.info for details.
Five Hole For Food is rolling across Canada and on July 20, the cross-country food-raising street hockey tournament will make its final stop on Granville Street in Vancouver. Its a month-long, uber-Canadian road trip and summer festival that aims to cure hunger and hockey madness, and the rules are simple: bring a can of food, and play some hockey. We just invite all of Vancouver to come out and play hockey, says founder Richard Loat.
For more than 200 years the French have been celebrating the storming of the Bastille. Guests are invited to celebrate this national holiday on July 14 at Vancouvers very own two corners of France, Bistro Pastis in Kitsilano and Le Parisien in the West End. Bastille Day is a time for sharing good food and wine with friends and neighbours and both restaurants have planned festive menus for the occasion. And, in addition to great food (think Vichyssoise aux Petit Pois and Confit de Canard aux Pruneaux), Bistro Pastis presents Vancouvers very own chansonnier, Josh Minsky. Guests may find themselves singing along in a rousing rendition of La Marseillaise. Between 5 and 10pm, reservations are recommended. Location specific info at OpenTable.com.
First
Tofino Dungeness Crab + Cold Smoked Wild Sockeye Salmon
rolled in avocado and egg with local cucumbers and Rootdown radishes
North Arm Farm summer vegetables
Mission Hill SLC Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Second
Local Heirloom Tomatoes + Buffalo Mozzarella
Rootdown spicy greens, smoked salt and cherry tomato vinaigrette
tomato chips and organic black olive tapenade
Mission Hill Martin's Lane Pinot Noir 2011
Main
Okanagan RR Ranch Beef
grilled whole fillet with cheek and shortrib ravioli and toasted peppercorn jus
roasted Pemberton beets, baby onions and chimichurri
Mission Hill Quatrain 2009
Dessert
Pemberton Raspberries + Okanagan Cherries
New Style Black Forest Cake with brandied cherries and white chocolate
North Arm raspberry, yuzu and mint ice with raspberry jellies
