Dine Out is one of the most highly-anticipated events in Vancouver as it gives locals and visitors alike the chance to sample menus from their favourite restaurants or those they have always wanted to try. Its popularity is also due to the prix-fixe menus available at participating locations including 3-course meals for $18, $28, or $38.
Gearing up for the 2011 campaign, running January 24th until February 6th, Tourism Vancouver will be releasing the menus in advance of the official January 10th launch date to Twitter followers on their account, @MyVancouver.
The menus from dozens of local restaurants will be posted and as usual, they also include suggested wine pairings (which are always spot on in my books). Last year I had dinner at Glowbal Grill as well as r.tl in Yaletown.
Tourism Vancouver will provide additional information through the official Dine Out Vancouver website as well as their Facebook page. However, menus will only be released early via their Twitter account.
Update January 5, 2011 The menus have been release via @MyVancouver on Twitter. You can find them here and start planning your night out at a new restaurant or an old favourite.
Disclosure: cmp/ly/3
When John and I covered the Western Canadian Music Awards in Kelowna last weekend, we were guests of the Delta Grand Okanagan.
The Grand is the largest conference centre and resort hotel in the Okanagan and was recently voted Best Resort/Hotel in the Okanagan by readers of the Georgia Straight in the 2010 “Best of Vancouver” issue. My only previous experience at a Kelowna hotel was during a road trip with John in 2006 (where we stayed at the Best Western) and during a rugby tournament when I was in high school (where we stayed at a motel in Rutland) — needless to say this was definitely a treat.
Upon arriving at The Delta Grand you’ll immediately notice its proximity to Prospera Place, home of the WHL Kelowna Rockets and live concerts with big-name acts who pass through the region. Located within walking distance of downtown shops and eateries, it’s also in the heart of the cultural district. The Center for the Arts, the Kelowna Community Theatre, and the Kelowna Art Gallery are just around the corner.
Our room was in the Royal Private Residences section of the resort, past the main building, lobby, and casino. These suites are purchased privately and then rented out by the hotel (as they do with vacation properties in Whistler or on the Sunshine Coast). Our 3-bedroom well-exceeded our needs but it was great to see what they offered aside from the standard hotel room.
The resort is located right alongside Lake Okanagan and features a lagoon, suited for peddle boats and lovely wedding backdrops. Joggers run along the lakeside pathway that also connects the resort to restaurants and amenities on its way to the downtown core. Conference and banquet facilities also compliment a giant fitness centre nestled beside the Spa at the Grand.
We were impressed with the dining options at the Grand, especially when we ducked into the late night lounge for some margherita flatbread after the awards ceremony. The following day we had lunch in the Grand Bay Cafe where we were treated to a fruit-topped salad, basil pea soup, and the sandwich of our choice. The pea soup was one of the best I’ve had.
As has always been my experience with Delta (being most familiar with the Ocean Pointe in Victoria) they staff was incredibly friendly and helpful at all times. They also cater to families and activities either inside the hotel or out in the community. In Victoria I know they used to have storytime in their lobby that saw sleepy children in their pajamas come down to enjoy a bedtime tale and glass of milk before dozing off. At the Grand, you can sign up for a wine tour or float plane tour in the lobby or have a family bingo night.
Heading into ski season, you can find rooms online for about $139 a night. Although we only spent one night at the resort, it got me thinking about returning for industry events or conferences, or even to catch a Rockets game.
Disclosure: cmp.ly/2
The British Columbia chapter of Safe Harbour: Respect for All is hosting a special breakfast on Tuesday November 2nd. I was recently invited and will be unable to attend however I thought the information would be worth sharing.
You may have seen the Safe Harbour stickers on storefronts or the windows of businesses around town which means that employees of the company are helping to create a safer, more welcoming community that supports diversity and rejects discrimination. These workplaces have been armed with education and knowledge to help individuals better understand their diverse workforce and improve their service to diverse customers and clients.
Canada Safeway, RONA, TD Canada Trust, the Royal Bank, Vancity, London Drugs, the City of Burnaby, Surrey Board of Trade, Service Canada, the YMCA, the Brain Injury Society, and the David Suzuki Foundation are examples of Safe Harbour-certified establishments.
On Tuesday morning, the breakfast will honor one Safe Harbour partner with a special award. It will also be an opportunity to network with business owners, immigrant service providers, municipal and provincial leaders and others who are keen on working together on these initiatives.
The event will take place at the Executive Airport Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre (7311 Westminster Highway, Richmond) from 7:00am – 9:00am. Tickets are available for $35 and include breakfast along with a keynote address from Edmond C Luke, Chair of the Multicultural Advisory Council of BC.
A group table can be purchased for $300 (for 10 people). Contact Alison Scott, Officer Coordinator, AMSSA at (604) 718-2778 or amssa[at]amssa.org to book your spot. You can follow @SafeHarbourCDN on Twitter for updates about future events.
At one time it was the largest pocket of Canadian Francophones west of Manitoba and today, Maillardville is historic cultural community in Coquitlam.
In 1891 the District of Coquitlam was incorporated and toward the end of the century, Frank Ross and James McLaren opened Fraser Mills, a $350,000 state-of-the-art lumber mill on the north bank of the Fraser River.
“By 1908, a mill town of 20 houses, a store, post office, hospital, office block, barber shop and pool hall had grown around the mill. A year later one of the most significant events in Coquitlam’s history took place. Mill owners, in search of workers, turned their attention to the experienced logging culture of Quebec and in 1909 a contingent of 110 French Canadians arrived, recruited for work at Fraser Mills. With the arrival of a second contingent in June 1910, Maillardville was born. Maillardville, named for Father Maillard, a young Oblate from France, was more than just a French-Canadian enclave in Western Canada.” [source]
Maillardville hosts annual events such as the Festival du Bois, a community garage sale, Christmas party, nighbourhood walks, and a barbecue. It is also home to historic churches, shops (including the box stores on the flats such as Ikea), theatre productions, a children’s festival, Mackin Park and the Mackin House Museum.
While the French language and culture has faded away over the years, you can still see evidence of its impact in the street names, architecture, and the continuing Société francophone de Maillardville.
You can check out local event listings or upcoming activities on the Place des Arts website, or follow Place des Arts on Facebook and Twitter.
The Rainforest Theatre in Maillardville presents the Haunted House Dungeon of Doom this Friday, October 29th.
The Dungeon opens every 15 minutes from 6:30pm until 8:30pm at Place Maillardville, 1200 Cartier (at Laval) in Coquitlam [Google Map]. Admission is by donation.
Throughout the year the Rainforest Theatre also operates theatre workshops and a festival for kids. They have also done live productions at Trout Lake and produced all-ages concerts.
Read about more Haunted Houses in Metro Vancouver: Barclay Manor, Scare Affair, To Hell and Back, Dungeon of Doom.
