SEEN IN VANCOUVER #351: Nevermind The Cold, It’s The Sun! Take Your Damn Shirt Off
March 26, 2012
It’s not summer yet (as evidenced by the cold and lack of greenery), but a sunny, nippy walk along Jericho Beach over the weekend brought with it a typical find for late March: nuts who just can’t wait. Bless ‘em.
EVERYTHING SEEN IN VANCOUVER
SEEN IN VANCOUVER #350: The Last Day Of Refuel’s Fried Chicken (The Best In The City)
March 23, 2012
by Andrew Morrison | Today was the last day that Vancouverites could enjoy the taste of Refuel’s ridiculously good buttermilk fried chicken. Sadly, the Kitsilano restaurant will close for good tomorrow (Saturday) after nearly two and a half years in business. It will make way for Fable, the first restaurant from Top Chef Canada competitor Trevor Bird, who has a hard act to follow.
Unsurprisingly, they were so jam-packed at lunch today that they ran out of chicken. Word is they’re busily making more for dinner service as I write this, but I’ve certainly had my fill for the day (three pieces of Polderside Farm’s chicken, a jalapeno biscuit, coleslaw and gravy). Saying goodbye has never been so tasty, but the question remains: who has the best fried chicken in town now that Refuel is gone?
EVERYTHING SEEN IN VANCOUVER
Zulu Report: Everything That You Should Listen To This Week
March 23, 2012
Our friends over at Kitsilano’s Zulu Records once again present their weekly Scout feature, the Zulu Report. Within, staff from the West 4th music store provide The Track, the song that is on heavy rotation that week; The Playlist, which is pretty self-explanatory; The Gig, the must see show of the week; and The Glance, a view ahead to music on the horizon. From their ears to yours, enjoy…
The Track
THE HORRORS Changing The Rain
UK’s gothic prog-rockers The Horrors have always hinted at greatness! They mix up all the best elements of Can, Spiritualized, Mbv, and Joy Division in a way that is not only super pleasing but also free of all the immense pitfalls that would normally accompany any band cooking with such potent ingredients. Their second release, 2011’s game changing Skying, saw them moving deeper into the trance-like side of their bombast as synths, strings, and a fair bit more of the blissed out ambience bubbled higher in the mix. The anime on acid approach to this new video also lends well to this newer dreamy sonic tack, and if you read the liner-notes you will find that it was created by Horrors pal and fellow psychedelic rocker Pete Fowler of Super Furry Animals fame! Enjoy! Read more
AWESOME THING WE DRANK #670: Late Afternoon Latte At 49th Parallel On West 4th
March 19, 2012
Tough call as to what’s better, the latte or the cool mug with new branding | 49th Parallel (2152 W 4th Ave)
Zulu Report: Everything That You Should Listen To This Week
March 13, 2012
Our friends over at Kitsilano’s Zulu Records once again present their weekly Scout feature, the Zulu Report. Within, staff from the West 4th music store provide The Track, the song that is on heavy rotation that week; The Playlist, which is pretty self-explanatory; The Gig, the must see show of the week; and The Glance, a view ahead to music on the horizon. From their ears to yours, enjoy…
THE TRACK
THE WOODEN SKY Child of the Valley
Any time a band plays in an old church you know it’s going to sound and feel infinitely cool. The high ceilings reverberate in ways that an ordinary studio can only hint at, and the austere setting adds a real sense of drama to a song’s emotive quality. Toronto’s indie-upstarts The Wooden Sky must have realized this well in advance of this recent session at Toronto’s legendary Grace on the Hill Church, as they’ve really dialed in the vibe for this performance. Recorded during an extreme weather alert, complete with rolling thunder and whooshing wind, their fragile acoustic songs take on a near haunting serenity akin to a prayer before the approaching storm. This track really has a layered richness to it – acoustic guitar and voice are the song’s base and slowly organ, harmonies and simple percussion all chime in building into an amazingly more complex whole. Here at the shop we are currently really into their new release Every Child A Daughter. It has been flying off the shelves – we even have had a discussion with them about bringing some of their haunting aesthetic into the store on April 11th for an impromptu jam – stay tuned! Read more
DINER: Refuel Closing, Top Chef Competitor Trevor Bird To Open “Fable” In Its Place
March 13, 2012
As you may have heard, restaurateurs Tom Doughty and Robert Belcham have sold their first restaurant, Refuel (formerly Fuel). It had been on the market for quite some time, and we expect that the move will allow them to concentrate on the opening of Fat Dragon on the DTES, which could open as soon as April 1st (the duo also own the two Campagnolos). Current Top Chef Canada competitor Trevor Bird approached Belcham and Doughty three weeks ago, made an offer, and a deal was made. The 28 year old, a newcomer to Vancouver, announced last night that he will be opening a new joint in Refuel’s place called “Fable”. It will be his first time as a restaurant owner, and as far as we’re aware, his first crack at being an executive chef (he currently operates a catering company). We hope to bring you more details as they’re received, but right now we’re wondering which restaurant will have the best buttermilk fried chicken in town once Refuel shutters for good on March 24th…sniff. The good news is that all the staff there have already found places of employment at Belcham and Doughty’s other restaurants.
GOODS: “La Quercia” Welcomes Tenuta Sant’Antonio To Supper On The West Side
March 7, 2012
The intimate La Quercia is located at 3689 West 4th Ave on Vancouver's West Side | 604-676-1007 | www.laquercia.ca
The GOODS from La Quercia
Vancouver, BC | On Wednesday March 14th at 6:30pm, La Quercia will welcome Aldo Steccanella from Italy’s Tenuta Sant’Antonio (makers of fine Amarone, Valpolicella and Soave). We will be pairing six of Aldo’s premium wines with a menu crafted by La Quercia chefs/owners Adam Pegg and Lucais Syme. The menu will reflect the Veneto, offering several classics dishes from the region. The event is nearly sold out already. Tickets are $150, which includes all wines, food, taxes and gratuities. To book, call 604-676-1007. Learn more about the restaurant after the jump… Read more
The View From Your Window #125
March 2, 2012
From R.K. | Stalking a crow’s nest | 5th Ave, Kitsilano | Vancouver, BC | 11:00am | SHARE YOUR VIEW
We love posting the photographs that reveal the views from our reader’s windows. Whether it’s a back alley in the fall or a sandy beach in high summer, we’re always stoked to see what you see from home, work or while on the road. Some of our all-time favourite reader submissions below… Read more
GOODS: West 4th Ave’s “Oakwood Canadian Bistro” Launches New, Down To Earth Menu
February 29, 2012
The Oakwood Canadian Bistro is located at 2741 West 4th in Vancouver, BC | 604.558.1965 www.theoakwood.ca
The GOODS from Oakwood Canadian Bistro
Vancouver, BC | The Oakwood Canadian Bistro is delighted to launch a new dinner menu, showcasing BC’s finest ingredients. The casual, down-to-earth room is quickly carving a name for itself as Kitsilano’s favourite neighborhood restaurant, welcoming guests with honest Canadian fare crafted by Executive Chef Mike Robbins. The 85-seat bistro features a cozy fireplace and 16-seat communal table, perfect for gathering old and new friends.
Chef Robbins’ new menu continues to raise the bar on quality and value at the Oakwood. All dishes are made from seasonal and locally sources organic products. The meats are organic, local and free of hormones and antibiotics, while the seafood is sustainable, seasonal and Ocean Wise certified. From the breads to pastas to the butchery and sauces, all products are made in-house with quality and consistency. Read more
GOODS: “Thai For Two” This Valentine’s Day At Kitsilano’s Award-Winning Maenam
February 13, 2012
West 4th's crticially acclaimed Maenam is located at 1938 West 4th Ave in Kits | 604-730-5579 | www.maenam.ca
The GOODS from Maenam
Vancouver, BC | It may be down to the 11th hour but it’s not too late. Kitsilano’s Maenam restaurant has a few reservations remaining for their Valentine’s Day Four-Course Chef’s Menu priced at $55 per person. Lovebirds looking to spice things up this V-day can choose from options of plah yang nahm jim, slow cooked ahi toro served with coriander and nahm jim sauce, and tom sap, a north eastern hot and sour soup of sloping hills pork, thai basil, tomatoes. Perfect for sharing, main course tastes include: yam nahm, crispy rice and fermented sausage salad curried rice puffs, fermented thai sausage, ginger julienne, coriander; pla tort samun plai, crispy lingcod, served with palm sugar caramel sauce with 8 different fried spices; and two types of curries – geng gati hoi, southern style mussel curry, rich in coconut and turmeric, spicy and aromatic, finished with kaffir lime leaves and zest, or geng gola neua, grilled sirloin curry, southern style curry rich and aromatic, served with pickled ginger. Those feeling a little sweet and salty can choose from a dark chocolate pot de crème, sea salt, tamarind tuilem tamarind semifreddo; or passion fruit rice doughnuts, passionfruit jelly, passion fruit ice cream. Looking to stay in with your sweetheart? Call for take-out. For full menu details, click here. Read more
