Inside Vancouver

The art of the doughnut

by Taraneh in Food & Drink on February 21, 2012

Cartems' earl grey and carrot cake doughnuts. Image: Cartems

Cartems Donuterie opened last Wednesday at Carrall and West Hastings bringing the fancified doughnut to Gastown. Demand shows that Vancouver’s #1 culinary hive was keen to have their own version of Seattle’s Top Pot, Portland’s Voodoo and San Francisco’s Dynamo; Cartems has sold out of doughnuts before 3pm every day since.

Cartems’ founder Jordan Cash turns age-old dough frying into epicurean endeavor, serving over 10 varieties including honey pecorino, carrot cake (pictured above), earl grey (pictured above), citrus glazed, maple bacon, triple chocolate, vegan and gluten free. He’s leasing the six month Gastown pop-up shop from Sean Heather, the mastermind behind the Gastown hospitality empire that includes Irish Heather Gastropub, Salt Tasting Room, Judas Goat and the new Bitter Tasting Room.

Find out more about Cartems Donuterie and weigh in on the best doughnut in Vancouver after the jump. Continue reading:
The art of the doughnut

Vancouver Playhouse Wine Fest Returns, Feb 27-March 4

by Remy Scalza in Food & Drink on February 20, 2012

For oenophiles, it’s the event of the year. More than 1600 different wines from 15 countries. 180 world-class wineries. 64 gala events attended by more than 25,000 wine lovers.

The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival is back this Feb. 27-March 4. The 34^th installment of the wildly popular festival promises to be one of the most extravagant ever, with seven days of tastings, wine-paired dinners at top Vancouver restaurants, seminars and informal minglers.

Taking center stage at this year’s festival are the New World wines of Chile, ranging from the region’s signature Merlots and Cabernets to crisp Sauvignon Blancs and luscious Chardonnays.

Continue reading:
Vancouver Playhouse Wine Fest Returns, Feb 27-March 4

Leap Year Celebrations at the Fairmont Waterfront

by Inside Vancouver in Food & Drink on February 17, 2012

A Leap Year springs upon us but once every four years. In recognition of this, the culinary team at The Fairmont Waterfront is introducing a tantalizing menu full of local, leaping ingredients.

From February 29th through March 3rd 2012, this specially designed menu will be leaping from the kitchen to the tables of Herons West Coast Kitchen + Bar. The menu features delicacies like tempura Frog legs, oven roasted Rabbit and a special springing dessert paired with a Grasshopper cocktail.

What’s more, if you only get the chance to officially celebrate your birthday once every four years; on February 29 Fairmont would like to invite you to enjoy this creative indulgence on them!

WHAT: Local, Leaping Leap Year Menu (see menu)

WHERE: Herons West Coast Kitchen at The Fairmont Waterfront. 900 Canada Place Way, Vancouver. Call 604-691-1818 for reservations.

WHEN: February 29th till March 03rd 2012.

Best Hotel Bar in Vancouver? You make the call!

by Remy Scalza in Food & Drink on February 16, 2012

Hotel bars are funny things. Some people absolutely hate them. Some people love them.

At root, there’s a pretty complex dynamic at work. Hotel bars are just about the opposite of your local watering hole. They’re not chummy. They’re rarely gritty or authentic. But, done right, that works in their favour.

A good hotel bar, you see, is partly a fantasy. It’s a little bit classier, a little bit more mysterious, a little bit more exotic than what you might be used to. You certainly wouldn’t go there all the time – But once in a while, it’s a nice change of pace.

Now, there are plenty of great hotel bars in Vancouver. Too many, in fact – which is why I’d like your help.

Do have a favourite hotel bar in the city? A classy, cosmopolitan spot with a nice mix of travelers and locals and great drinks? Please let us know below.

I’ll start things off with a hotel bar I visited recently: Xi Shi Lounge in the Shangri-La Hotel.

Continue reading:
Best Hotel Bar in Vancouver? You make the call!

Cupcake Throwdown 2012

by Taraneh in Food & Drink on February 15, 2012

Cupcakes are the food trend that won’t die. They are immortal; they’ve been around since 1998. In food trend years, that’s more than a few life cycles.

The 3rd annual Cupcake Throwdown – February 16, 7pm – 10pm, at Chapel Arts – celebrates the longevity of mini cake while raising funds for the H.A.V.E. Culinary Training Society, a DTES institution.

Find out more about who will compete for cupcake supremacy and how to taste the goods after the jump. Continue reading:
Cupcake Throwdown 2012

The art of the doughnut

Vancouver Playhouse Wine Fest Returns, Feb 27-March 4

Leap Year Celebrations at the Fairmont Waterfront

Best Hotel Bar in Vancouver? You make the call!

Cupcake Throwdown 2012

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