Local chocolatiers Dominique and Cindy Duby of Wild Sweets have been named among the top 24 best chocolatiers in the world by Georg Bernardini, one of the world’s foremost experts on chocolate, in his 2015 edition of Chocolate—The Reference Standard. The annual 900-page tome reviews over 4,000 chocolates made by 550 brands from over 70 countries. DCDuby.com
Gillespie’s Distillery, noted makers of Gastown Shine Gin and other artisan spirits in Squamish, have just opened their tasting lounge. Award-winning mixologist Kelly Ann Woods will be mixing up craft cocktails, as well as a small selection of local wine and craft beer. GillespiesFineSpirits.com
Bauhaus has launched new à la carte and tasting menus. The latter has four-, five-, and six-course options for $75, $85 and $95, respectively, with optional wine pairings. New dishes include scallop with foie gras and beets in miso, arctic char with caviar, pine nuts and lemon, both grilled and braised lamb, and cauliflower soup with mussels. Bauhaus-Restaurant.com
On Jan. 25, The Cascade Room marking celebrating Robert Burns day with a special evening featuring Scottish bagpipes, whisky, haggis and other treats. In addition to the regular à la carte items, a special three-course menu will be available throughout the evening. The $29 dinner includes cock-a-leekie soup, haggis with ‘neeps and tatties, and a deep-fried Mars Bar for dessert. There will also be live Celtic music, and Glenlivet specials. All guest welcome on a first come, first serve basis. TheCascade.ca
On Jan. 29, chef Nick Nutting of Tofino’s Wolf in the Fog is taking over the kitchen at Fable in Kitsilano for a four-course seafood-focused dinner. Tickets are $60 per person, plus beverages, tax and gratuity. The menu will be revealed to ticket holders shortly before the event. FableKitchen.ca
On Jan. 31, chef Angus An of Maenam will welcome chef Antonio Park of Montreal’s Park and Lavanderia, as well as sommelier Kurtis Kolt, for a one-of-a-kind dinner of spicy Asian cuisine paired with four vintages of aged Sauternes from Château de Fargues, ranging from 2001 to 2011. The five-course dinner will also include a chilled champagne and canapes reception, as well as taste of a special vintage Bordeaux from Chef An’s personal collection, the 1995 Tertre Rotebeouf St Emilion Grand Cru. The dinner will be held at Pacific Restaurant Supply and tickets are $225 per person, including tax and gratuity. Tickets on Eventbrite.
Joe Fortes is bringing back their Benny Bonanza Feb. 6-28. During this time, three egg benedict dishes will be offered during weekend brunch for $9.95 each. Options include classic, sausage, and fried chicken. JoeFortes.ca
Vancouver Brewery Tours is once again offering its Valentine-themed “For the Love of Craft” tour on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2pm-5:30pm. The tour includes tastings at Big Rock and Storm breweries, as well as chocolates from Thomas Haas paired with brews from Strange Fellows. Tickets $85 per person and include beer samples, appetizers, and chocolate and beer tastings. VancouverBreweryTours.com
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar will be trading in their regular à la carte menu on Feb. 14 for a four-course “Yours & Mine” Valentine’s dinner for $99 per person (optional wine pairings available for an additional $59 per person). Menu options include chilled shellfish parfait with Northern Divine caviar, hen’s egg pasta with B.C. honey mussels and chorizo sofrito, New York steak, sunchoke risotto, and more. In addition, each table will receive a box of petite fours from Boulevard pastry chef Jason Pitschke. BoulevardVancouver.ca
On Monday, Feb. 15, Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks presents an evening with Ruth Reichl, former restaurant critic for The L.A. Times andThe New York Times, editor of Gourmet Magazine until its demise, and author of Delicious! and My Kitchen Year. Ruth will be interviewed by blues legend Jim Byrnes. Tickets $75 and include interview, reception with tastes from Reichl’s new book, wine and book signing. BooksToCooks.com
