Valerie van der Gracht

I am a Boomer, mom, gram, wife, foodie, wine novice, and I love to travel. Experiencing life and dividing my time between Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Formerly a Vancouver Wine Festival volunteer and freelance blogger for HelloVanCity.com and VancouverIslandStyle.com now Editor and Publisher of MyVanCity.ca Connect at [email protected] Twitter @myvancity Instagram @myvancityca and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/myvancity/

A Grand time at the Dine Out Vancouver Festival kickoff – The Grand Tasting

Dine Out Vancouver Festival – The Grand Tasting was an opportunity to taste bites from fourteen local restaurants that are participating in Dine Out Vancouver Festival which begins today and runs through February 4th. Alongside the culinary stations was a representation of BC wineries. This included 27 wineries, four breweries, cideries and distillers. So basically two stations of libations for every culinary station.

Where are you dining for Dine Out Vancouver Fest? – Vancouver Fish Company

Clearly the Vancouver Fish Company knows seafood and how to prepare some fabulous fare. “Home of Amazing Seafood and West Coast Hospitality” is their mantra and I would concur. Although we enjoyed just a sampling of each dish it was enough to recommend Vancouver Fish Company as a “must visit” during Dine Out Vancouver Festival.

Where are you dining for Dine Out Vancouver Fest? – The SandBar Seafood Restaurant

The second of three restaurants on our tasting tour for Dine Out Vancouver Festival was The SandBar Seafood Restaurant.

Where will you be dining? Dine Out Vancouver Festival – Dockside Restaurant

Thanks to a special preview night several media types were treated to the delights of Chef Koo An and his team. So many courses and so many choices on the Dockside Restaurant Dine Out menu.

#FavouriteThings New Years Suggestions – Let’s Talk Bubbles!

Time to talk Bubbles! Both Christmas and New Year’s Eve wouldn’t be the same without the pop and the bubbles so we are giving you our suggested sparkling wines that will make your holiday festivities bright and fun.

#FavouriteThings last recap of Holiday Gift Suggestions 2018

A few more “non wine” suggestions on the list as we continue on through December. Now including bubbly and sparkling #FavouriteThings that are just right for Christmas and New Years.

Enjoy the Festive Set Menu at TWG Tea Canada

The dinner was nothing short of fabulous. Service impeccable. The TWG Tea salon is a formal yet very comfortable room. This is where you take your mother, grandmother or favourite aunt. It also would be a fun spot to take your best girlfriend before you hit the holiday party circuit. You should try it.  Please note TWG Tea on Georgia Street closes at 7:00 pm.

Blind wine tasting with Vinum & Cibus Italici Consortium with Town Hall Brands

The blind tasting and seminar did not disappoint and I came away with a better understanding into the wines of Veneto and the Vinum & Cibus Italici Consortium.