Valerie van der Gracht 
Who knew? There is a wonderfully classic dining room smack dap in the middle of “old town” Duncan on Vancouver Island. Opened just this past November I was delighted to have discovered this adorable establishment while I was in Victoria attending Culinaire. What first made me even consider the foray up Island from … Read more
Before you even arrive at Culinaire Victoria in the Crystal Gardens expectations have been set pretty high. Although quite a different event from Scott Gurney’s popular Brewery and the Beast it still has the earmarks of the same success. Brewery and the Beast debuted in Vancouver in 2013 on a brilliantly warm and sunny … Read more
My afternoon this past week was an introduction to new beverages that are either speculative or recently listed in the government liquor stores presented at a New Product Salon. Here is what I sampled, in random order, which is only a fraction of what was being poured. The majority are speculative beverages and I … Read more
You know I enjoy wine tastings even though I consider myself to be an entry level taster or a novice wine taster but it wasn’t until I started to discover other events beyond wine tasting that I came to love food and wine (or beverage) events. First it was experiencing Parksville Uncorked. I … Read more
We are giving away 2 free tickets to YVR Foodies East is East in Kitsilano on April 6 from 3 to 5 pm To enter you must do three things, Sign-up for our newsletter, Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter: Sign-up for our My Van City newsletter http://myvancity.ca/newsletter/ (mandatory for 1 entry) Like … Read more
There is no doubt that the number of events, including dinners, receptions, lunches, grazings and seminars are many during the Vancouver International Wine Festival. For me there is always one that stands above the crowd, not necessarily the fanciest or most expensive but the one that, in my opinion, best captures the essence of what … Read more
The 2014 Vancouver International Auto Show is opening its doors to car enthusiasts from all over the province. From noon today until Sunday, March 30, British Columbia’s premier annual automotive event will give visitors the opportunity to see over 400 vehicles from 22 manufacturers and experience the latest in automotive art, design, and technology. Auto buffs … Read more
The Magnolia is centrally located, recently underwent an extensive renovation, has a top notch spa, an on trend Mediterranean restaurant on site and the most comfortable rooms ever. A boutique style hotel the Magnolia is a gem in Victoria. The hotel is quiet and efficiently run. Many of the guests are in Victoria on … Read more
Outstanding young chef Paul Moran, winner of the Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship competition, recently took the reins of the kitchen as Executive Chef at the exclusive resort Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler, British Columbia. Joined by Chef Stephanie Noel who takes the position of Director of Food and Beverage at Nita Lake Lodge. It was … Read more
How you can enjoy the taste of Culinaire Victoria With only two days until Culinaire Victoria we just had to bring you the list of all the other great restaurants, bistros, pubs, wineries and caterers that will be participating this year. A reminder that all these fine establishments, and the others we have … Read more