Holiday Cheer Means Brunches, Late Nights & Asian Street Food

News from Scout supporters Abigail’s Party and Flying Tiger

Both popular restaurants are fully prepped for the holiday season, selling gift cards, organising Christmas parties, and shaping New Year’s Eve events that are coming cheaply and with bubbly. Get all the details after the jump… Read more

Van Westen Wine Dinner Brings The Bench To Bistrot Bistro

News from Scout supporter Bistrot Bistro

To celebrate the origins of Tammi and Rob Van Westen, who are from the Netherlands, and match the great wines they will be pouring and presenting on Thursday, November 19th, we have designed a menu from the North of France (pour les ch’tis quoi!). Read more

“Bishop’s” To Host Thanksgiving Dinner With All The Trimmings…

News from Scout supporter Bishop’s

Vancouver, BC | Bishop’s will be offering a special three course Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings for only $55 this upcoming Sunday and Monday. Their regular menu will also be available. Reservations are highly recommended… Read more

John Bishop To Lead Tour Of The Okanagan Wine Country…

News from Scout Supporter Bishop’s

(VANCOUVER) It’s a proven medical fact that sipping a moderate amount of red wine is good for your heart – it helps to reduce the amount of ‘bad cholesterol.’ The French have known for centuries that red wine is good for you – they aren’t concerned about ‘physical health’ per se, they are talking about being good for you, good for your life. A little wine promotes conviviality amongst friends and strangers, complements the flavours of food, encourages people to really enjoy a meal, causes you relax and has even been known to inspire poetry. Yes, a little wine is good for your ‘heart’ in all the senses of that word. Read more

Q&A With The King of Vancouver Coffee

Each week, Scout poses 60 questions to a local who has made life in BC that much more interesting. They pick and choose. The minimum response is 20 answers. A Rorschach test, for sure…

Vince Piccolo is the owner of 49th Parallel Roasters and its 49th Parallel showcase cafe at 2152 West 4th Ave in Kitsilano.

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Scout Q&A

Default coffee drink of choice: I drink a single espresso in the morning with nothing added to it and a high grown Ethiopian coffee like a Yirgacheffe with high acidity which gives me a kick start in the morning. Of course I drink these separately.

Drink you’ll never have again: Crown Royal. Had a bad experience in College with it.

Sexiest fashion item for the opposite sex: Lululemon tights.

Favourite wine varietal: Nebbiolo.

The person you can imitate: My staff who think they imitate me. I get a kick out of doing it when they’re not around actually.

One thing you’d like to change about Vancouver: The drug problem and resulting homelessness associated with it.

Cheap place for dinner: Giusseppe’s on East Hastings across from the Kootney loop. We have remarkable home cooked meals but they close at 7pm. I make sure I’m there early.

Book you’re reading: Blink by Malcolm Gladwell (ed note: New York Times review).

Last place traveled: Mexican Riviera.

Biggest fear: Ill health to loved ones.

Cliche that you use too often: “Come on man”

Best sneaker in the world: Converse.

Your ancestry: Italian.

Under what circumstances would you join the army: Never. There is no reason to kill for political gain.

Your paternal grandfather’s personal story: Was a farmer and herder who was born in southern Italy and fought in WW2.

Dumbest purchase ever: Bubble tea.

What are you proud of: My kids.

The thing that makes you the angriest: People who take advantage of others. Child abuse.

Saddest thing about Vancouver: Homelessness and its drug problem.

Talent you wish you possessed: Patience. I think it’s a talent.

Sport you gave up: Hockey.

Mac or PC: Mac.

Best concert experience ever: Rolling Stones.

Aspect of your personality you wish you could change: Which I could relax more in front of people.

How you waste time at work: Telling others what to do.

Town you were born in: Vancouver.

Old television shows you can tolerate re-runs of: Seinfeld.

Album that first made you love music: Mothership by Led Zeppelin.

Default junk food of choice: Anything with cheese on it.

The career path you considered but never followed: Medicine.

The one country that you have no interest in ever visiting: Somalia.

Luckiest moment of your life: Birth of my children.

Favourite book as a child: The Tiger Wore Spikes – a story abut Ty Cobb. I was a baseball fanatic growing up. I read anything that had to do with baseball autobiographies.

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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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New Year’s At Bistrot Bistro

Have you got your New Year’s Eve plans all sorted? This just in from Scout member Bistrot Bistro:

Bistrot Bistro will ring in the New Year with Delectable Cuisine, Smooth Jazz, and Good Value

Just announced, Bistrot Bistro restaurateurs’ Valerie and Laurent Devin will once again offer customers a night to remember on December 31 – New Year’s Eve. The two dinner seatings will both feature the live jazz duet Rebecca Jenkins and Joel Bakan and a prix fixe menu – value priced at $75.00 per person (not including tax/gratuity). The four course menu (five if you consider Champagne a food group) will focus on house favourites including, Filet Mignon with Béarnaise Sauce and Organic Chicken Breast with Apple and Calvados Sauce. Dinner will conclude with a variety of chocolate treats and a glass of champagne.

Also, in the spirit of giving, the team at Bistrot Bistro would like to treat two hard-working people to New Year’s Eve dinner and music. We are asking customers to nominate an individual or couple that work hard in the community and that deserve to have a night out. The recipients will be treated to dinner for two on December 31st at 6:00pm, the musical artistry of Jazz duet Rebecca Jenkins and Joel Bakan, and the festive atmosphere of Bistrot Bistro. Do you have someone in mind? If so, contact Bistrot Bistro at info@bistrotbistro.com by December 23rd with the name(s) and why they should win. The winner will be notified by phone by December 26th!

New Year’s Eve Dinner and Jazz Details:

Two seating’s: 6pm and 9pm / $75 per person ($30 deposit req’d)

Menu

Smoked duck magret caramelized onion tart or/Mango red onion coriander salsa green salad
Smoked salmon

Filet mignon served with béarnaise sauce or/Organic Chicken breast with apple and calvados sauce or/
Halibut saffron tomato sauce

Glazed carrots and gratin Dauphinois

Cheese Platter Baguette

Chocolate sampler including chocolate mousse, chocolate petit pot de crème, chocolate brownies with a glass of champagne

(Vegetarian option on request)

About Bistro Bistro

In just one short year, Bistrot Bistro earned itself the reputation of Kitsilano’s favourite new neighbourhood night out. Owners Valerie and Laurent’s daring juxtaposition of sleek, contemporary design with traditional and hearty French comfort food struck just the right chord with the exacting tastes of West Coast diners.

Add to that mix an utterly non-pretentious atmosphere with warm service and their recipe for a successful restaurant was complete, and fortified by its many recent awards. You are cordially invited to come in and sample a serving for yourself.

Brian Fowke Joins Mon Bella

Yes, but only temporarily, as per the definition of the word “locum”. News from the inbox:

In a quick turn of events, and as opportunities and stars align, Mon Bella Bistoria lands Brian Fowke on a locum contract as Executive Chef. On the heels of Fowke’s exit as President and Executive Chef at Metro and the much loved Rare Restaurant, Fowke made his first appearance at Mon Bella Bistoria last night.

“Brian brings to Mon Bella a world of experience and creativity. We are incredibly happy to have the opportunity to welcome him to our kitchen. With Brian at the helm, we are eager to see what he creates in the coming weeks. While our concept is classic bistro and trattoria style dishes, we know Brian will also bring his own style and talent which we are very much looking forward to,” says owner and front of house Brad Roark. “The timing of meeting Brian couldn’t have been better orchestrated, and the past couple of days have extremely exciting. Our first round of customers last night were more than pleased.”

So I guess that’s the last word on Rare’s resurrection. Good score for Kits.

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