John and I recently treated ourselves to a quick trip South of the border to enjoy a little retail therapy, the tulip festival, and a Mariners game. Thanks to recommendations from my Twitter followers, we ended up staying at the Four Seasons Seattle.
The hotel invited us down to ART Restaurant for dinner and three hours later, we were sufficiently stuffed with taste buds pleasantly exhausted.
Cocktails (sorry, no photos of these)
Shanghai Bunny (boulard calvados, fresh ginger, carrot juice, ginger ale)
Minetta in Spring (bulleit bourbon, navan, rosemary syrup, cherry bitters)
Starters
Each guest receives a bread basket with red bean hummus and we had an amuse bouche with crab, rolled in cucumber.
First
Baby Gem Lettuce, Shoots Endive
Sunchoke Bisque with Goat Cheese Spring Roll
Second
Seared Indian Spiced Salmon with Alaskan Crab and Yukon Gold Potatoes
Pan Seared Halibut with Fiddlehead Ferns, Asparagus, Spring Morel Mushrooms
Dessert
Walk the Red Carpet (red velvet cake, honey yogurt panna cotta, blueberry puree)
It’s Complicated (gluten-free valhrona bittersweet chocolate tart, pistachio ice cream)
There’s a Hole in My Bucket (vanilla bean dusted donut holes)
This is not a review post, as dinner was compliments of the hotel, but hopefully you will check out ART the next time you’re in Seattle. The Yelp ratings are impressive and now we know why. The ingredients are “market fresh”, which would be expected of a high-end restaurant so close to so much seafood and produce at Pike Place Market. The inspiration behind each dish and the source of the ingredients (whether it be from the farm or from the sea) is explained. The atmosphere is classy and comfortable and the staff was very friendly.
You’ll want to make a point of ordering some of Giorgio’s Limoncello – he’s the restaurant manager and he’ll be sure to tell everyone at your table about how this secret family recipe came to be at the Four Seasons. Even if you’re not a hotel guest, stop by for Happy Hour in the lounge, enjoy some charcuterie and a cheese plate, and catch the game on one of the big screens.
You can find the Four Seasons Seattle on Twitter @FSSeattle as well as @ARTRestaurant.
Disclosure: cmp.ly/2 I was not paid to visit this hotel or restaurant however as stated above, this meal was compliments of the hotel.
The world will be watching April 29, 2011 as Prince William takes Kate Middleton as his bride in the “Royal Wedding of [this] Century”. From souvenir stickers, tea cups, and postcards to virtual guest books, the excitement that was felt around the globe as Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 has been rekindled.
Being a dutiful member of the British Commonwealth, most Canadians are excited to witness these regal nuptials and locally, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has taken charge of celebrating in style – even if festivities do kick off at 3:00am Pacific Time.
On the morning of April 29th, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver will be airing full wedding coverage and Breakfast Television will be broadcasting live from the “Royal Breakfast” event from 5:30am until 9:00am.
900 West Lounge will be serving up a three-tiered breakfast platters (complete with the hotel’s famous scones) for $29 per person, including coffee or tea. Please note that breakfast reservations are required and can be made by calling (604) 662-1900. The Royal Breakfast is a part of Fairmont Hotels’ “Royal Month” campaign throughout April.
Image courtesy of Fairmont Hotels
The hotel has kindly offered up a special contest package so that one of my readers can enjoy this occasion in style. The “Royal Breakfast Sleepover” contest package includes an overnight stay at the legendary Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (Thursday, April 28, 2011) and the Royal Breakfast in the morning of the 29th. The winner and their guest can make their way down to 900 West Lounge to see the live television coverage (starting at 3:00am, if they’re so inclined) and watch BT do their broadcast at 5:30am.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post naming your favourite royal (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at 11:00am next Tuesday, April 26, 2011. The prize is valid April 28th – April 29th and for the Royal Breakfast. It cannot be redeemed for a stay on different dates at the hotel.
Update The winner is @kristenbull (Twitter entry) – congratulations!
Related post: King George VI in Vancouver
The central branch of the Vancouver Public Library will be celebrating its “Sweet 16” anniversary next month by hosting a late-night, all-ages music and dance party. The coliseum-style building has been an iconic part of downtown Vancouver’s skyline, and has even played a starring role in various TV series and films produced in Hollywood North.
What: Central Library’s Sweet 16
When: Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 8:00pm
Where: Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level of Central Library, 350 West Georgia St
Admission: Free
No need to be silent at this festive occasion, that will have live entertainment, a candy buffet, door prizes, and treats sponsored by Sweet Naturally, Natural Baked Goods.
What: Past, Present, & Future displays and exhibits throughout the day
When: Thursday, May 26, 2011
Where: Central Library Promenade
Admission: Free
On May 26th a time capsule, to be opened in 2040, will be buried. Both events are sponsored by Friends of the Vancouver Public Library.
The photos in this post were all submitted to the Miss604 Group on Flickr.
Organized by two local food bloggers, Melody (GourmetFury.com) and Joy (Gourmeted.com), Bake for the Quake aims to raise $5,000 for Doctors Without Borders and relief efforts in Japan.
What: Bake for the Quake
When: April 20, 2011 from 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Where: Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown)
There will be entertainment by Artinair and Kristie Yung, prizes for attendees, and of course baked creations from over a dozen Vancouver-area bakers and bake shops.
There is no admission charge but attendees are encouraged to bring cash (only) to purchase the baked goods and make donations to the cause. Also, be sure to bring along a re-usable cloth bag or container so that you can transport the cupcakes, cookies, and other treats that you purchase.
If you are unable to attend you can still contribute through their online donation page.
Last Tuesday I launched a new 10-week series with backyardbc.com where we’ll be celebrating the best in local travel while offering up weekly giveaways for BC residents.
backyardbc is a new travel website designed specifically for residents of British Columbia. Essentially a “be a tourist in your own backyard” program, participating hotels & resorts offer residents of BC exclusive rates and specials, designed to motivate BCers to travel more within the Province. Each offer has its own unique reservation code, and all bookings are done directly with our hotel and resort partners. Visit backyardbc online, on Twitter, or Facebook and see more of BC!
The winner of “Week 1: Delta Ocean Pointe in Victoria” is Tamara (she has been contacted by email). This week’s featured property is just 45-minutes away from Vancouver along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway. It’s a beautiful local getaway in a tranquil community and this prize would definitely be ideal for beer-lovers. John and I stayed in the quaint, comfortable Inn above the brewery last summer.
Howe Sound Inn & Brewing
Website, Twitter, Facebook, backyardbc listing
Location: 37801 Cleveland Ave, Squamish, BC
About: Howe Sound Inn & Brewing offers gorgeous views of the Stawamus Chief, Western Canada’s premiere rock climbing venue. They’re a minute’s walk from downtown shops, the local marina and the Squamish Estuary. The estuary offers excellent walking and running trails, and is a site for great birding opportunities all year long. The Inn offers a warm, casual atmosphere, where you can enjoy affordable accommodation, a great meal and a pint of real ale brewed on the premises.
Prize: 2 night stay in the Inn for 2 people plus a brewery tour.
Value: $250
To enter to win, leave a comment on this post and/or post the following on Twitter:
Winners will be announced every Tuesday on the latest BC Travel Tuesday contest post until the 10 weeks are up. Gift certificates for hotel and resort stays will be sent directly to each weekly winner so they can arrange their visit personally with the property. Some restrictions apply, based on availability.
Update The winner is Cliff! Congratulations!
View all posts in the series by following or subscribing to my BCTravelTuesday tag. Open to all residents of BC. Must be 19+ for this contest at the brewery.
