Elixir Bistro Geared Up For Earth Hour And Whisky Tastings

News from Scout supporter Elixir Bistro

Vancouver, BC | In support of Earth Hour 2010, Elixir Bistro will shut off the lights and offer guests a special candle lit dinner in support of this global climate change initiative. Elixir Bistro?s celebrated chefs have designed an inspired 3-course menu that features local and organic ingredients including Aldergrove beets, Permberton Valley potatoes, and sustainably harvested Halibut from the Queen Charlotte Islands. Elixir is proud to be a member of both Vancouver?s Ocean Wise Sustainability program and the Green Table Network. [ Keep reading ]

Dear Restaurateurs, Please Buy This And Open Something Sweet

A reader pointed me to this ad on ICX last night. It’s 906 Main St. (conveniently close to our new digs) and it’s selling for $2.2 million. Up the block is Campagnolo. Down another is Bao Bei.

This converted Bank of Montreal branch is now a two-level 4,360 sf retail unit that boasts spectacular neo-classical details & unprecedented quality. The unit features natural light, large windows, upgraded electrical, upgraded lighting, two washrooms, elevator, wheelchair access & is vented for a restaurant. The improvements to this heritage building are beautifully finished & only enhance the original structure. Don’t miss this excellent owner/user or investment opportunity.

The “unprecedented quality” hyperbole should be overlooked (the Pantheon still stands in Rome) and the price is on the silly side of ambitious, but it’s pretty swell-looking just the same. Any takers? A few more snaps after the jump… [ Keep reading ]

The Very Best Music Video In The World, Ever (Not Safe For Work)

This is Reggie Watts promoting his upcoming Comedy Central gig and the upcoming release of his new DVD, Why Sh#t So Crazy. The track is called “F@ck Sh#t Stack”. WARNING: this is definitely NSFW or even remotely intended for people running a deficit of humour. If we get a single letter of complaint over it, it’ll go straight to the shredder with the pieces subsequently burned. Enjoy, warned though you be (found via TheDailyWhat).

CedarCreek Estate Winery Joins The Growing Scout Community

The Fitzpatrick family and their CedarCreek Estate Winery are now proud member supporters of Scout. We will be publishing their news and press releases on our front page and hosting a page for them in our list of wineries and breweries. We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support. Click ahead to read on or jump directly to their Scout page here. [ Keep reading ]

On The Line: Each Chef’s Brand Is Their Professional Philosophy…

Building Blocks

Fourth in a series documenting A. Chef’s first year as an executive chef.

There have been lots of experiences over the years that make us, as cooks, what we are. The school we went to, the people we work with, the places we work at, and the tools we work with. We all have our mentors, we all have our defining, eye opening restaurant gig, and we all have our favourite, must have, go-to ingredients and supplies. Butter? Cream? Cheap Swissmar peeler? C’mon, I know I have mine.

One thing that’s never really been part of my experience has been the building of a brand, something I was (and still am) so wholly unfamiliar with as to not really know which way to turn next. Thankfully, I have some connections in the marketing world who have been able to set up a couple of interviews, some limited media events, and find a decent food photographer to take the pictures of what it is we do that will make their way into magazine advertisements, websites and other promotional material as we see fit.

One thing that should happen is that you should come up with a game plan, and make a list of questions that, when answered, will take you to where you want to go. What’s my target market? Who do we already have and need to maintain? What delivery methods will this take? [ Keep reading ]

Beer Ad #537: Man Plums Feeling Is The Carlton Draught Tingle…

Try getting this beer ad ditty out of your head. More of the same here.

Heads Up: “I Want To Be Alone (With You)” At The Art Gallery…

From VAG: “FUSE goes lo-fi with a series of performances and environments designed to let you chill out, get down and take it easy. Get to know your neighbour by sending postcards to a stranger, enjoy free gifts by Natalie Purschwitz, performances by Carol Sawyer, Hello, Blue Roses and more. For more information on the series, visit the FUSE page.” This seriously sounds like one of the better FUSE evenings that the VAG has put on yet – or maybe we’re just all about chilling out these days after our move. Also keep in mind that this will be one of your last chances to catch Leonardo da Vinci: The Mechanics of Man. We hear the guy was pretty good.

March 19 | 6pm – midnight | VAG | $19.50