Vancouver Block. Photo credit: Zorro1968 on Flickr
The public is invited to submit nominations for heritage restoration, rehabilitation and conservation for sites located within the city of Vancouver. This is a simple process to encourage anyone to nominate a project – large or small – that they feel deserves recognition. All that is required is up to three photographs, and some basic information – your name and e-mail contact and a few sentences summarizing the work.
Heritage Award winners include architects, community organizations, developers, writers, artists, and ordinary citizens. Recipients are recognized for their extraordinary work efforts to preserve our diverse heritage throughout Vancouver’s neighbourhoods.
Past award winners include the Salt Building (2011) which was built in 1930 and is now home to CRAFT Beer Market; Hotel Georgia (2013) for respectful, detailed restoration of the landmark hotel and for balancing heritage conservation with modern interventions; Hudson’s Bay Company (2013) for the re-creation of the historic ground floor entrance canopies; the Vancouver Block (2011); Flack Block (2009); Friends of Victory Square (2007); and many more.
For the People’s Choice Award, nominate your favourite example of work that represents quality heritage conservation in Vancouver. The presentation of the City of Vancouver Heritage Awards, to be held in early May 2015, will include the winners of the People’s Choice Heritage Awards.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Review — This is not a paid post. Views are my own. Our meal was compliments of Boulevard. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
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“These are the best chicken wings I’ve ever had!” is not something I expected to exclaim during a romantic, candlelit anniversary dinner in the city’s best new fine dining restaurant, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar.
Photo courtesy of Boulevard
John and I recently enjoyed an epic dining experience at Boulevard, and I use the word epic because a six course pairing menu, with impeccable service, starting with oysters and ending with coffee and hazelnut semi-freddo is worthy of the adjective.
Our night began with some bubbles to toast the occasion, 9 years of marriage and our first visit to this award-winning restaurant in the heart of Downtown Vancouver. We put ourselves in the hands of Executive Chef Alex Chen as multi-course meal was prepared for us along with a few special requests from John — the Iowa boy who has to try the pork on every menu.
Our fresh oysters were served with Taittinger Brut Réserve, and a delicious frothy Thai fish sauce along with chardonnay and pinot noir meunier options. Next came the Yellowfin Tuna Crudo, paired with a 2011 Verdejo from Bodegas Naia.
The crispy chicken wings were next. Crunchy, crackly, and smothered in sticky fish sauce caramel served with sambal chili and pickled vegetables. The texture was my favourite part, with such a loud crunch even though it wasn’t over battered. The succulent morsels of chicken soaked up the sweet and spicy flavours that were buoyed by the Sperling Vineyards 2013 pinot noir pairing. Delicious.
Photo courtesy of Boulevard
Reeling from the party in my mouth caused by the chicken wings, we got down to business as two preparations of Boulevard’s popular entrees arrived at our table. Roasted sablefish with coconut rice, gai lan flan, beech mushrooms, shallot, and lemon grass vinaigrette paired with Laughing Stock’s 2013 Viognier was bright and aromatic.
John’s Snake River Farm pork chop made him smile with the accompanying daikon choucroute, confit carrot, bacon, caramelized apple, and mustard jus paired with a 2012 Zweigelt from Arrowleaf.
We honestly turned down another course at this point as we were getting so full and our taste buds were loaded with so many explosive flavours that they were dancing and waving a white flag, content and perfectly satiated. But we couldn’t miss out on dessert.
Affogato parfait with layers of coffee and hazelnut semi-freddo, mocha hot chocolate, vanilla ice cream with a glass of Château d’Orignac sent us from cloud nine to cloud ten.
Photo courtesy of Boulevard
Although we haven’t been back yet for Boulevard Bar Manager Justin Taylor’s highly-praised cocktails, we definitely have plans for another date night there soon. The impeccable and professional service, the wide selection of wines, and the European ambiance with modern decor will make us regulars soon enough. That, and those chicken wings. They’ll keep me coming back for sure!
Boulevard Happy Hour
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar is giving guests a new reason to look forward to punching out at the end of the work day thanks to the restaurant’s new, seasonally-inspired additions to the lunch and dinner menus from Executive Chef Alex Chen, as well as Happy Hour drinks and small-plate specials available from 3:30pm to 5:30pm daily beginning Friday, March 27, 2015.
Justin Taylor’s new daily Happy Hour drink menu features
Russian Standard Moscow Mule, $5
Vodka, Gin and Bourbon Highballs, $5
Red Truck Ale, Lager and India Pale Ale by the bottle, $4
Granville Island Lager on tap, $5
Nichol Vineyard and Estate Winery Wine by the glass, $7
Chef Chen’s Happy Hour food menu offers a range of small-plate selections
Heirloom Beet Salad with hazelnut, frill lettuce, white balsamic, $9
Clam Chowder with smoked black cod, sawmill bay clam, potato, fennel pollen, $9
Crispy Chicken Wings with fish sauce caramel, sambal chili, pickled vegetables, $10
Crispy Stuffed Olives with anchovy, ricotta, spiced citrus aioli, $6
With all of this in mind, I am more than happy to announce an amazing giveaway from Boulevard to celebrate their new Happy Hour offerings.
Boulevard Happy Hour Giveaway
You can enter to win Boulevard Happy Hour for 8 People valued at $250! Here’s how:
Leave a comment naming a menu item you’d love to try (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win $250 for #BLVDHappyHour at @BLVDYvr from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/KTLTH
Must be 19+. Please enjoy responsibly. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, April 3, 2015. Find Boulevard in the Sutton Place Hotel, located at 845 Burrard Street just off Robson. Follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more information about Happy Hour.
If you ask any local to create a list for an out-of-towner that includes tourist attractions and favourite hidden gems you’ll always see Grouse Mountain, Granville Island, and Stanley Park on the list but more often than not, you’ll also find a recommendation for Steveston. This historic fishing village is located along the South Arm of the Fraser River in Richmond and has attractions, quaint coffee shops and boutiques, annual festivals and some of the best eats around — from hearty barbecue and fish & chips, to a classic ice cream cone to be devoured on the boardwalk on a sunny summer day.
12 Beautiful Photos of Steveston
Every week when I put together a collection of photos from the Miss604 Flickr Pool and the #Photos604 tag on Instagram there are always images of Steveston. Whether it’s an epic sunset, a cool boat reflection photo, or art at Garry Point Park. Here is just a small sampling of images that feature this charming part of the “604”.
Easter arrives in early April this year as it brings spring showers, blooming flowers, and the ability to finally wear all that white you put away at Labour Day. Over the next two weekends there are several family-friendly events happening around the Lower Mainland with the main attractions being good old fashioned Easter egg hunts.
Specific fees and ticket prices can be found by clicking the link in the title of each event below. In many cases, pre-registration is encouraged to guarantee participation. Some age restrcitions may apply as well.
Stanley Park Easter Train
Where: Stanley Park Miniature Railway (Vancouver)
When: Saturday, March 28th – March 29th, April 1st – April 6th from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: Yes
West Point Grey Breakfast with Bunny
Where: West Point Grey Community Centre (4397 W 2nd Ave, Vancouver)
When: Saturday, March 28th from 10:00am to 12:00pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: Yes
Grandparent & Family Easter Event
Where: Bonsor 55+ Centre (6533 Nelson Ave, Burnaby)
When: Saturday, April 4th from 10:00am to 12:00pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: Yes
False Creek Community Centre
Where: 1318 Cartwright St (Granville Island, Vancouver)
When: Saturday, April 4th from 10:30am to 12:00pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: Yes
Sunset Community Centre
Where: 6810 Main St (Vancouver)
When: Sunday, April 5th from 10:00am to 12:00pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: Yes
Heywood Park Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Heywood Park (1621 Hamilton Ave, North Vancouver)
When: Saturday, April 4th from 10:30am to 12:00pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: No
Easter at Maplewood Farm
Where: Maplewood Farm (405 Seymour River Place, North Vancouver)
When: Sunday, April 5th from 10:00am to 12:00pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: Yes
Easter at Lonsdale Quay
Where: Lonsdale Quay (123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver)
When: Sunday, April 5th from 10:00am to 1:00pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: Yes
Dundarave Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Dundarave Village (2400-2500 block Marine Drive, West Vancouver)
When: Saturday, April 4th at 11:00am to 12:00pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: Unconfirmed
Easter Eggstravaganza in Richmond
Where: South Arm Community Centre (8880 Williams Rd, Richmond)
When: Saturday, April 4th from 9:30am to 12:30pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: Required
Eco-Easter Egg Hunt at Colony Farm
Where: Colony Farm Regional Park (Colony Farm Rd, Port Coquitlam)
When: Saturday, April 4th from 10:00am to 12:00pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: No
Bear Creek Park Easter Train & Egg Hunt
Where: Bear Creek Park Train (88th Ave at King George Blvd, Surrey)
When: April 3rd, April 4th, April 5th, April 6th from 10:00am to 4:30pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: Yes
Fort Langley Easter Egg Scramble
Where: 23433 Mavis Ave (Langley)
When: Sunday, April 5th from 11:00am to 3:00pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: Yes
Township 7 Winery Annual Easter Festival
Where: Township 7 Winery (21152 16th Ave at 212th St, Langley)
When: Sunday, April 5th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: Yes
Easter Dino Egg Hunt
Where: Britannia Mine Museum (1 Forbes Way, Britannia Beach off the Sea to Sky)
When: Sunday, April 5th from 10:00am to 2:00pm
Ticket/Registration Fee: Yes
Should you know of any other community events, Easter or generally happening in April, please feel free to submit them for possible listing in my monthly event roundup.
