GOODS: Top Table Rooms Win Accolades At The 23rd Annual Van Mag Restaurant Awards
April 24, 2012
Every one of Top Table's restaurants were recognised for their contributions to the Vancouver restaurant scene this year
The GOODS from CinCin, Araxi, West, & Blue Water Café
Vancouver & Whistler, BC | If cherry blossoms herald spring across the province, in British Columbia’s culinary industry, the change of seasons is marked by the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards. Now in their 23rd year, and unique in Canada, the awards were convened on a fitting spring day – Monday, April 23rd – at the Sheraton Wall Centre. A panel of 18 judges acknowledged industry excellence as Araxi, Blue Water Cafe, CinCin, West and Thierry were honoured before an audience of leading restaurateurs, chefs, and service professionals. Details after the jump… Read more
GOODS: Top Table’s Araxi, Blue Water Cafe, CinCin And West Shine At The Wine Festival
March 2, 2012
To learn more about Top Table
The GOODS from CinCin, Araxi, West, Blue Water Café
Vancouver & Whistler, BC | Top Table Group’s restaurant wine lists were once again saluted at the 9th Annual Wine List Awards Luncheon convened earlier this afternoon during the 34th annual Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival. In attendance at the Luncheon were Top Table wine directors Samantha Rahn (Araxi), as well as Andrea Vescovi (Blue Water Cafe) and Owen Knowlton (West), each of whom has previously been awarded ‘Sommelier of the Year’, in 2009 and 2011 respectively. Blue Water Cafe and West were two of only six restaurants awarded with the highest Platinum Wine List Award, while Araxi and CinCin Araxi and CinCin were among a distinguished group to win the Gold designation. Read more
Fifteen Minutes With Celebrity Chef And “Fabbrica” Cookbook Author Mark McEwan
November 14, 2011
photo: James Tse
Mark McEwan is one of Canada’s foremost chefs and restaurateurs. He the host of Fine Living Network show “The Heat with Mark McEwan” and head judge on Food Network Canada’s “Top Chef Canada”. From his home base of Toronto, he owns and operates several restaurants, among them Bymark, North 44, and ONE, as well as his eponymous food store, McEwan. We had a lovely dinner at CinCin with him recently, after putting to him the following questions…
Name the thing that you eat that is bad for you that you will never stop eating? Fatty meats, aka pork belly.
Default drink/cocktail of choice? Dry vodka martini with olives.
Name three drinks/cocktails you’ll never have again? Cosmos, Black Russians and Grasshoppers.
The Canadian that you admire most and why? Paul Martin, because he saved us from a US style banking system.
Your role models? Heather Reisman, Ralph Lauren and Steve Jobs. They are timeless, innovative characters that fight through anything.
Your favourite sound? The surf.
Your least favourite sound? Exhaust fans. Read more
AWESOME THING WE ATE #854: Christophe Bonzon’s “Fabbrica” Tiramisu At CinCin
November 3, 2011
Celebrity chef Mark McEwan was in town a couple of nights ago promoting his new book, Fabbrica, so Barbara-Jo McIntosh’s Books To Cooks arranged for CinCin chef Todd Howard to prepare several dishes from its pages. You can read the menu full here, complete with all-Italian wine pairings. Howard’s cooking was really top drawer (particularly the steelhead with clams and sausage), but I still can’t stop thinking about the deconstructed tiramisu by pastry chef Christophe Bonzon. I will never look at the ubiquitous dessert the same way again. A few more shots from the meal below…
MORE AWESOME THINGS WE ATE
GOODS: Celebrity Chef Mark McEwan To Prepare Four Courses At CinCin On Nov. 1st
October 18, 2011
CinCin Ristorante is located in the heart of downtown at 1154 Robson St. | Vancouver, BC | 604-688-7338 | CinCin.net
The GOODS from CinCin
Vancouver, BC | Star of ‘The Heat’ and head judge of ‘Top Chef Canada’, McEwan enjoys a coast-to-coast following. In his new cookbook, Fabbrica, he turns his very able hand to the gusto of Italian cooking. On November 1st, we welcome Chef McEwan to CinCin, for a luscious four-course dinner prepared by Chef Todd Howard. Guests will enjoy antipasti and wine before being seated for this very special Italian feast inspired by the flavours of Fabbrica! Menu and details after the jump…
GOODS: Private Blends Launched By “Top Table” Wine Directors And “Laughing Stock”
September 14, 2011
Top Table's partnership with Laughing Stock Vineyards produces two uniquely blended wines
The GOODS from CinCin, Araxi, West, & Blue Water Café
Vancouver & Whistler, BC | Top Table’s four wine directors—Araxi’s Samantha Rahn, Blue Water Cafe’s Andrea Vescovi, CinCin’s Sarah McCauley, and West’s Owen Knowlton—are excited to debut their inaugural wine label, Director’s Blend, a duo of personally blended wines produced by Laughing Stock Vineyards in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.
Augmenting the extensive international wine cellars at each restaurant, the 2009 Director’s Blend Red and 2010 Director’s Blend White are now available exclusively at Top Table restaurants and represent the first vintages of an ongoing project. Learn more after the jump… Read more
GOODS: Robson’s Venerable “CinCin” Now Open For Lunch, Monday Through Friday
July 5, 2011
Top Table's CinCin Ristorante is located at 1154 Robson St. in Vancouver, BC | 604-688-7338 | CinCin.net
The GOODS from CinCin
Vancouver, BC | CinCin Ristorante + Bar has opened its doors for weekday lunch, Monday through Friday, complementing its nightly dinner service. Perched above bustling Robson Street in Vancouver’s downtown core, CinCin is the ideal venue to showcase Vancouver, host a business lunch (guaranteed 45-minute departure upon request), or take in a leisurely afternoon with friends. Read more
GOODS: The Spring Line Up Of Events From CinCin, West, Araxi And Blue Water Cafe
March 24, 2011
Veteran Top Table restaurant staff have been recognised for their contributions to the Vancouver restaurant scene...
The GOODS from CinCin, Araxi, West, & Blue Water Café
Vancouver & Whistler, BC | Top Table restaurants and our chefs will be leading a number of exciting upcoming events that speak to our involvement with local farmers, ranchers, purveyors, wineries and breweries. And through other events, such as Dining Out For Life and the Red Cross Red Carpet Soiree, we’re also deeply engaged in our community. We invite you to join with us as we celebrate where we live. Browse the exciting line-up of Spring events after the jump… Read more
GOODS: “CinCin” To Host One of Italy’s Top Brunello Producers At Winemaker’s Dinner
February 15, 2011
CinCin Ristorante is located in the heart of downtown at 1154 Robson St. | Vancouver, BC | 604-688-7338 | CinCin.net
The GOODS from CinCin
Vancouver, BC | Through her role as wine director of CinCin Ristorante and frequent trips to Verona’s annual VinItaly Expo, Sarah McCauley has had the opportunity to taste the very best wines that Italy has to offer. Every so often, Sarah finds something truly special—a producer “that really captures my attention,” she says.
From the high slopes of Montalcino, Mario and Athena Bollag’s small production Terralsole Winery has steadily developed into one of Tuscany’s top Brunello producers—its Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2004 placed highly in Wine Spectators’ Top 100. Its unique, high altitude terroir and micro-climate promote a singular expression of Sangiovese.
Throughout the evening, Executive Chef Todd Howard will present a special multi-course menu paired with the wines of the Terralsole portfolio, while winemaker and proprietor, Mario Bollag will offer commentary and insight into his remarkable wines, and the label artwork that he creates. Read more
Vancouver’s Best Bartenders Let Loose With Beer And Booze
August 18, 2009
Yesterday, local bartenders were asked to craft cocktails incorporating beers from Whistler Brewing Company in a timed competition. Held at The Refinery, the showdown included efforts from fifteen barkeeps in all, which meant my palate was in for something of a rude ride for over three hours (I was judging). Much fun was had, and some of the drinks were very impressive. Here’s what it looked like from my end, a recap of who made what with which ingredient and how it looked through a blender of tasting notes and photos. Thirsty? Giddy-up… Read more
