The shoe, sock, and carpet combo stylings of Vij's manager Mike Bernardo

I’d share what I tasted today, but that would be a chorus too busy for someone of my limited expertise to join. So I’ll get right tangential instead, and notice the absence of drunks.

It used to be, back in the day, that some industry folk would tie one on at either of the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival’s two Trade Tasting days. These were probably the days of the year when most front and back of house would find trouble sipping too much and then either pitching up at work with the linguistic gifts of hamsters or calling in violently ill, stuck in a Pan Pacific bathroom cubicle. Our stats show that several lifers have been fired for both. But how could any irresponsible person resist?

Explore the International Festival Tasting Room with your food and beverage industry peers at this unparalleled opportunity to meet wine producers from around the world, taste rare wines and boost your knowledge. The Trade Tastings are not only an excellent opportunity to network and taste away from the crowds, but also a chance to sample 159 wines that are unlisted and not yet available in this marketplace; these are in addition to the 723 served at both trade and public tastings. [my italics]

All the sommeliers were there with their waitstaff keeners during the buyer’s hour together with a few dozen restaurateurs, but there were no overzealous busboys or 19 year old hostesses off their gourds, their breath the cruel stench of goat’s cheese, Freybe meat products, Export A’s, and 468 one ounce pours of everything from Golan reds to diligent local saké. It would have been far more entertaining if that were to be the case, as a room that soaked in booze deserves a few good drunks, like the fellow who woke up to find himself being massaged by a strange woman in a wine rep’s suite across the street from the tasting. He tipped her and promptly left, extremely confused, through another room littered with dozens of half drunk wine bottles, used canapé napkins strewn everywhere, and a hundred wine glasses, half empty or nearly and the other half lip-lathered in a dizzying spectrum of rouge pink. It wasn’t that he’d passed out. He was tired. It was a good massage. He fell asleep. It happens.

Times have changed. Or maybe the trade has. Either way, today seemed exceptionally sober, and uncharacteristically so. I have no clue as to why, but that’s my main take away from the day. A memory, such as it is, put into question. Oh, and there also were fewer Australian cock-of-the-walk types in loud suits. Mike Bernardo’s shiny robot dancing shoes were the biggest statement in the room.

Karen Hamilton was in with me shooting for Scout today, and I’ve added several of my own photos (the much shittier ones) to the gallery as well, making for about 100 shots in all. Kick back and click through. You might recognise a few faces…

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More tomorrow…

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Andrew Morrison is a west coast boy who studied history and classics at the Universities of Cape Town and Toronto after an adolescence spent riding skateboards and working in restaurants. He is the editor of Scout Magazine, the weekly food and restaurant columnist for the Westender newspaper, a contributor to Vancouver and Western Living magazines, and a proud board member of the Chef’s Table Society of BC. He lives and works by the beach in Vancouver.

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Read the Gluttony Blog

In the past month, I visited three art galleries, where I…

• spilled coffee,
• danced all over the gallery floor, and
• drew on a man. In crayon.

I really should have been kicked out. But they all loved it and invited us all to come back for more.

Let me tell you more about these gallery visits and each of their quirky departures from the usual style of art appreciation…

Drink coffee, digest art

at Harrison Galleries

As much as I loved their window displays, I walked by the handsome brick of Yaletown’s Harrison Galleries almost every day for 4 years without daring to step inside. A few weeks ago, I did a double-take at the makeover of its corner window:

Intrigued, I paid a visit to their new cafe, The Buzz, for a cup of 49th Parallel brew and a lovely wild salmon panini (rife with capers, yum). The cafe storefront did much to lure me in. Inside, gallery owner Chris and cafe proprietor Terry made me feel even more welcome.

I strolled through the rest of the space and picked out my fave artists after my meal. It was surprising how inviting and accessible this gallery is–so different from my initial impressions. Lots of seating available to reflect on local works at your leisure.

Got kids? Let them sit and colour in the family room.

FUSE at the VAG

Playing with crayons isn’t just for kids, it seems. As part of the late-night festivities at FUSE, held every few months at the Vancouver Art Gallery, I recently scribbled over a man’s coveralls for what I assume to be a display of (very) interactive art. The rest of the gallery pulsed with electronic beats, dramatic performances, and some of the best contemporary works I’ve seen out of Vancouver in recent years. I didn’t have time to see it all so I’m tempted to renew my membership.

My voyeurism was slaked as much by the artwork as the sea of young, beautiful people that FUSE draws out. A recommended destination for a cool date or where to find a candidate for your next one.

Salsa Sundays at

Autumn Brook Gallery

My visit to Autumn Brook Gallery wasn’t for the art at all. Every other Sunday, the gallery is venue to a hopping salsa dance party held by organizers Jennifer and Stephen of SalsaVancouver.net. As an avid salsa dancer, I can attest to the unique exposure that the salsa crowd gets to local artists as they whirl and dip to Latin rhythms. They also have a fantastic floor for spinning.

If dance isn’t your thing, I’ve also heard good things about their gourmet weekend brunches.

As for me, my feet are having a hard time sitting still until the next Autumn Brook salsa party, which happens to be tomorrow.

So. Are you going to a plain ol’ gallery next time around, or one where you can eat, dance, or doodle your own works of art?

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Karen Hamilton is a writer, photographer, and maker of websites. Her exploration of all things edible in the Lower Mainland is diarized at tinybites.ca.

Nothing gives me greater pleasure at the dinner table than to appreciate local bounty with the very people responsible for its harvest. It was therefore my privilege to dine alongside Anna Helmer of Helmers Organic farm with a small group of food lovers, gathered to discuss eating and growing local and to sample the new, Pemberton-focused “100 mile” tasting menu at Raincity Grill.

Helmers Organic is a family-run, 76-acre property, which Anna Helmer described as “small by Pemberton standards”. They use biodynamic methods and yearly crop rotations to grow the 16 varieties of potato for which the farm is renowned. In Raincity’s 100 mile lineup, Helmers potatoes graced our plates in 2 of 5 courses: as a bed of Chieftains and Russian Blues with Coho salmon and as a pavé of Chieftains served with braised beef.

Other Pemberton players were profiled on the new 100 mile menu. Pemberton Meadows Beef was wrapped tenderly in verdant savoy cabbage. The produce of North Arm Farm was featured in nearly every course, including a delicate dessert of carrot sorbet, yogurt snow, and fireweed honey meringue.

The efforts of Chef Peter Robertson to showcase these local producers were commendable: every plate was visually stunning, causing conversation to tangent into an inspection of the unique presentations as each course arrived. Shallots encased in a salt crust were of particular interest, triggering one diner to play with her food.

Sensory delights continued as each course hit. The grilled pork belly from Sloping Hills melted on the tongue in a caramel dissolve, and the accompanying Baynes Sound scallop was perfect in its doneness.

For me, the highlight of the menu was the North Arm Farm beetroot snow. Hills of crimson crystals were set out in front of us as waitstaff poured on a stream of zingy horseradish cream. The candy cane contrast set a festive tone for the rest of the evening, and the ephemeral taste of the dish paired well with the accompanying Bianco di Collina from Duncan vintner Venturi-Schulze.

Other guests seemed to have clear favourites. Anna Helmer was speechless in her enjoyment of the Sloping Hills pork. Chef’s Table Society head Sid Cross surreptitiously drained every drop of the broth that encircled the Coho salmon.

Throughout the tasting menu, general manager and sommelier Brent Hayman introduced the table to a breadth of 100 mile wine, most from Vancouver Island regions in or around Duncan.

Dinner drew to a close with a special tasting of walnut wine from Langley wine newcomer Vista D’oro. It was presented with another unexpected treat: an experimental tarte tatin from Chef Robertson that was nearly a 100 mile diet achievement. Although the table was nearing its saturation point in good food and drink, little was left of this delicious tarte after the slices were portioned out.

After this delightful dinner preview, Raincity Grill passed on their finalized tasting menu (listed below) that will run from now until the end of Dine Out Vancouver 2009. Don’t miss this chance to partake in the bounty of the year’s Pemberton harvest.

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100 MILE TASTING MENU

PEMBERTON FALL HARVEST

“NORTH ARM FARM” BEETROOT SNOW

horseradish cream

Wine accompaniment:

Garry Oaks, Pinot Gris

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GRILLED “SLOPING HILLS” PORK

bayne sound scallop, wild mushroom, celery root, chervil beurre blanc

Wine accompaniment:

Venturi-Schulze, Bianco di Collina

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SEARED “ORGANIC OCEANS” SALMON

braised “north arm farm” artichoke, grilled salt spring island mussel, garlic

“helmers” seig linde potato

Wine accompaniment:

Averill Creek, Pinot Noir

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BRAISED “PEMBERTON MEADOWS” BEEF

“helmers” potato pave, grilled shallot

“north arm farm” parsley root, marrow jus

Wine accompaniment:

Alderlea, Clarinete

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A selection of local cheese (add$8.50 per cheese)

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CARAMELISED SQUASH

“north arm farm” beetroot jelly, honey caramel, merridale cider sorbet

Wine accompaniment:

Merridale winter apple cider

$65.00

With wine accompaniment $89.00

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Karen Hamilton is a writer, photographer, and maker of websites. Her exploration of all things edible in the Lower Mainland is diarized at tinybites.ca.