La Stella, La Bella Vita!

  I just got back from a quick trip to the south Okanagan where I had the chance to stop in to one of my favourite wineries, La Stella. This Tuscan inspired winery is beautifully situated along the northern shore of Osoyoos Lake. With four hundred feet of apricot tree-lined shoreline, it is not uncommon … Read more

TORAFUKU ROARS ONTO MAIN STREET

The “lucky tiger” eatery by Le Tigre food truck’s duo official grand opening on July 24th     Le Tigre food truck owners Clement Chan and Steve Kuan officially marks their new territory at 958 Main Street on July 24, 2015 with the grand opening of Torafuku (Japanese for lucky tiger). The 2,200 square feet, … Read more

BC’s Central City Brewing Takes Over the Taps at Earls Restaurants across Canada

This Canadian based, family owned restaurant group has been supporting local craft breweries for over 30 years   Earls Kitchen + Bar is pleased to announce Central City Brewing, best known for their “Red Racer” beers,  as the  newest brewery to take over brewing the restaurants ‘  historic “Rhino” house beer in BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, … Read more

Singles Night launches at Smartypantz Escape Rooms on August 4th

Escape Rooms are a fun and exciting group activity, but what happens when you’re the only one from your group of friends who wants to play? Singles Night at Smartypantz Escape Rooms is what happens. Starting on August 1st and continuing on the first Tuesday of every month, Smartpantz will be inviting teamless players to … Read more

Bonne O: The Art Of Sparkling Beverages Just Got Better

The first home carbonation system to infuse real, natural ingredients in one bottle   This summer, people can now take their barbeque and cocktail party to a whole new level. Bonne O‘s home carbonation system creates fun, innovative and healthy beverages made with real natural ingredients. Watch as the ingredients dance in the sealed bottle while being … Read more

Taste of Thursday wine pairing suggestions for Chef Ron Shaw’s Summer Pea Salad

Wine Pairing suggestion for Summer Pea Salad courtesy of Hao-Yang Wang   Our Summer Pea Salad at Grapes & Soda was inspired by the Sauvignon Blanc grape. In the restaurant, we pair it with the Clos Roche Sauvignon Blanc No. 5 Touraine ’12 — a natural and organic wine from Loire, France — however, there … Read more

Taste of Thursday Summer Pea Salad recipe by Chef Ron Shaw – Grapes & Soda

Summer Pea Salad with Creamed Goats Cheese, Sprouted Wheat Berries and Lemon Dressing   Serves 4 INGREDIENTS 1 cup shelled Green Peas 2 cups Snow Peas 2 cups Snap Peas ¼ cup Raw Wheat Berries (we use GRAIN) ½ cup soft Goats Cheese/Chevre (may substitute for cream cheese or Boursin Cheese) ¼ cup Goats/Cow Milk 2 … Read more

Beach Bay Café and Patio Opens For Weekday Lunch Service  and…

Celebration of Light lovers get their fill of fireworks and fine food Vancouver’s newest eatery with iconic views of English Bay has revealed its lunch menu. The recently opened Beach Bay Café and Patio is now serving up weekday lunch Monday through Friday from noon to 3pm. Whether hungry for a light lunch or a heavier midday meal, … Read more

The Wonderful “Taste of Washington”

Taste Washington is the largest single region wine fest in the US, with 230 wineries taking part with more than 800-featured wines. Now in its 18th year, it is four days of wine and food tastings and seminars, which culminates with a Grand Tasting at CenturyLink Field Event Center, near Safeco Stadium, on the last … Read more

The Small Guys Shine

  Who are the ‘small guys’ of the BC wine world? They are several small, wineries, both physical and virtual, which are very specialized and thus produce what’s called ‘small lots’ or under 2000 cases of wine per year. These small artisan producers are modeled on the ‘garagiste’ winemakers of France, who gained attention producing … Read more