Restaurants : Catherine Barr Vancouver Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Canada’s Bartender of the Year 2014 in Vancouver

Posted: July 13, 2014

What does it take to become Canada's Bartender of the Year? Well, you must know your spirits and mixes for starters. A knowledge of basic ingredients also helps. Then there's the whole science of muddling things. And, if you want to impress, you must have a flair for the dramatic too. Last week ten of the best from across the country came together to compete in Canada's most prestigious contest ...more

Glowbal Group’s New Trattoria Opening Night

Posted: May 13, 2014

West Vancouver's Emad Yacoub and Shannon Bosa Yacoub are well known for their Glowbal Restaurant Group. With names like Italian Kitchen, Black and Blue, Coast and more, this yummy enterprise has achieved great success in Vancouver over the last few years. Now it's time to add another member to the family with the opening of their newest venture - Trattoria. Located at Park Royal as part of the shopping centre's ...more

Gotham 15th Anniversary Soiree Attracts Local Celebs

Posted: April 13, 2014

Gotham Steakhouse is a well known celebrity hotspot in Vancouver. With big wines, a glamourous cocktail lounge and famous faces - it is a see-and-be-seen kind of place that has held some legendary parties and charity events over the years. Celebrating its 15th anniversary last week, owner Neil Aisenstat invited friends and VIP guests to help mark the milestone. Cheers and congrats! - - - 01 - Lovely ladies are alway part ...more

New White Spot Opening at Park Royal

Posted: March 10, 2014

It's legendary - in more ways than one. West Vancouver's White Spot Restaurant, located at the corner of Taylor Way and Marine Drive, was a place of memories for many of us who grew up here. The Pirate Paks, the burgers and shakes, and the carhop service are all part of a history that stretches back almost 60 years. But even though the old locale is no more, do not ...more

Dine Out Vancouver Festival 2014

Posted: January 20, 2014

Have you been sticking to that New Year's diet plan? If yes, then this will probably not help. If no, then get ready to indulge in one of the most delicious times of the year. Tourism Vancouver's Dine Out Vancouver Festival is on now (Jan 17 - Feb 2) and you won't want to miss it. This city wide event was originally designed to give a boost to a traditionally ...more

Dine Out Vancouver Festival 2013 North Shore Picks

Posted: January 27, 2013

It was once the slow time of year for restaurants. But now, tables are full and kitchens are hopping thanks to Tourism Vancouver's 2013 Dine Out Vancouver Festival. Taking place until Feb 3, participating restaurants are offering a choice of either $18, $28 or $38 set menus featuring some of the best items from their regular menus. The list of North Shore restaurants participating includes: The Boathouse at Horseshoe Bay, ...more

New Two Lions Public House Opens in North Vancouver

Posted: January 22, 2013

The New Year is always a good time for a little resolution and change. Such is the case with a North Vancouver entertainment group that is anxious to bring the party back all year long. The Two Lions Public House, formerly known as the Mosquito Creek Bar & Grill, has swung open its doors to a new crowd, new menu and new attitude. Now owned by the Jennings Hospitality & ...more

West Vancouver Italian Restaurant Holds Cancer Fundraiser and Gala Dinner

Posted: February 6, 2012

Since 2008, Mangia e Bevi Ristorante in West Vancouver has started the year off on the right foot with a charity month of dinners designed to raise funds for cancer research. Last week, it was time for the B.A.C.I.O. (Because A Cure is Obtainable) final night gala. "Bacio" - which means "kiss" - featured a fabulous menu of Italian specialities, live music, auction items and more. Monies raised this night ...more

Sarah McLachlan School of Music Opening and Glowbal Group Black and Blue Steak House Party

Posted: October 30, 2011

She's one of West Vancouver's most famous residents, and now, thanks to the donations and support of another prominent West Vancouver family, the Sarah McLachlan School of Music has a stunning new home. Last week, a special formal reception marked the official opening of the new school. Providing full scholarship music programs to less privileged students in Grade 4 - 12, this latest step helps bring to fruition a dream ...more

Rogers Chocolate Party, Beachside Forno Winemakers Dinner and Impressions of Bolivia

Posted: August 14, 2011

West Vancouver's Park Royal Shopping Centre continues to open new doors with the inclusion of yet another tasty spot. Rogers Chocolates, famously known for their pink checkered wrappers, has set up shop in the Village and earlier this month they invited friends and guests to enjoy a opening celebration chocolate party. Rich dark chocolate "shots", chocolate carvings and live music by the Lynn Canyon Band were all part of ...more

Michael Buble, Jann Arden, Mike Reno, Bob Rock and More at Crystal Buble Restaurant Opening

Posted: May 22, 2011

It was a star-studded opening last week as several North Shore show business names were spotted at a very special restaurant reveal. Crystal Buble, sister to international singing sensation Michael Buble, rolled out the red carpet for VIP friends and family at the opening of her new Displace Hashery restaurant in Kits. The timing was perfect as newlywed brother Michael was also in town celebrating his recent marriage to Argentine ...more

Blue Mountain Wine, C Restaurant, Ambleside Business Association, Dine Out Vancouver

Posted: January 24, 2011

A roundup of January events means there was no time for the winter blues. Instead, there was wining and dining and lots of new ideas, some of them tempting enough to consider giving up a few of those New Year's resolutions. Cheers. 01 - Toasting the evening at the Blue Mountain and Friends / BC Hospitality Foundation "Feast for the Senses" event are West Vancouverites Mark Bishop, left, Patti Cross-Bishop, Robyn ...more

Rossini’s in Kits Closes Doors – Charity Event Planned

Posted: August 11, 2010

After 18 years, the May family has formally announced the closing of their iconic jazz restaurant Rossini's on Kits beach. "You have all meant more to us than you realize as so many of you were not just our customers . . . you truly became family," writes the family in a recent press release confirming the details of the closure. Legendary for its Saturday afternoon jam sessions, the pasta parlor was ...more

West Van Library Mallet Masters, Roxy Anniversary and Goldfish Summer Splash

Posted: June 27, 2010

As we say goodbye to June, it's time for a look back at several great summer events. First up, the West Vancouver Library Mallet Masters Croquet Tournament was held at Ambleside Greens Golf Course where mulligans are not only allowed, they're encouraged. Dressed in Hampton's whites, teams took to the field to pound it out for glory and charity. Next, it was sexy swimwear by Anna Kosturova and art by ...more

Rogue Lounge and Night at the Aquarium

Posted: June 14, 2010

You know it's a good party when you get to play with the Belugas and tickle the sea otters. Add in some sustainable seafood, a glass of vino and some lavish auction items and you've got "Night at the Aquarium" - the Vancouver Aquarium's signature gala fundraiser. This year, the gala raised over $300,000 and all of the proceeds go directly toward supporting the Aquarium’s numerous research, education and conservation ...more

Canadian Culinary Championships and Mangia e Bevi Fundraiser

Posted: January 4, 2010

It was a culinary event of Olympic proportions and the big winners were our own Olympic athletes. The Canadian Culinary Championships (CCC) were held late last month and were the culmination of the local regional Gold Medal Plates city competitions held throughout the year across Canada. The fundraisers were all designed to help put Canadian athletes on the podium come February - so no matter how you slice it, everyone ...more

Quattro Cookbook, BC Chowder and more

Posted: December 1, 2009

IT was a fun "foodie" type week last week as competitions, cookbooks and the first sign of Christmas crept into the headlines. First up, local chefs help promote sustainable seafood at the Vancouver Aquarium during the Seafood Chowder Chowdown. Then, it was time for a little Viva Italia at Quattro on 4th as local favourite, Antonio Corsi, teamed up to publish his family's food secrets in a fabulous new cookbook ...more

Edge on Granville Opening in Vancouver

Posted: July 28, 2009

Granville Street is cleaning up its act - and a large part of that is due to a few good people from the North Shore. The Edge Social Grille & Lounge (1100 Granville) is attached to the Chateau Granville Hotel and is one of the new shining stars on the see-and-be-seen, scene. Owned by experienced hotelier and West Vancouverite Amir Virani, last week the new crew celebrated with a ...more

North Vancouver Lolo Restaurant Opening

Posted: July 15, 2009

It's a chic and stylish corner in an up-and-coming neighbourhood and, judging from the menu, the music and the moniker, the name of the game is success. Lolo (taken from the slang for Lower Lonsdale) is billing itself as a "small plates and wine" restaurant that offers artisan cheeses, charcuterie meats and a rather plump wine list. This week they held an elegant opening party for friends and guests. Add ...more

Blue Water Cookbook and Red Cross Gala

Posted: May 25, 2009

Kermit the Frog said it best - It’s not easy being green. However, thanks to some new sustainable programs (like the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program), Vancouver chefs are responding with enthusiasm. Such was the case at Blue Water Cafe last week. West Vancouver owner Jack Evrensel, along with his talented team, launched a new seafood cookbook focusing on “Spare the Ocean, Spoil the Palate”. The restaurant also played host ...more

Zen Sushi Oceanwise in West Vancouver

Posted: April 27, 2009

Sushi is one of my favourites. But when you savour that melt-in-your-mouth sashimi - it’s sometimes easy to forget about the impact it has on today’s aquaculture. So now, thanks to the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise Conservation Program, we can all learn to make smarter choices. West Vancouver’s Zen Sushi is leading the way by becoming Metro Vancouver’s first Ocean Wise sushi restaurant. During a special event last week, ...more

West Van Taphouse with Chef Rob Feenie

Posted: March 3, 2009

The big lighthouse in Park Royal’s Village is shining a light on something new thanks to some funky changes and an innovative menu designed by famed Vancouver chef Rob Feenie. Since taking over the former Steamworks location, the gang at the Cactus Club’s West Van Taphouse has reinvented the space making it unique by offering their 20/20 beer menu, entertainment and more. Last week all was revealed at a special ...more

V is for Variety – Earls Yaletown Event

Posted: February 23, 2009

V is for Variety, The Children’s Charity that is. But V is also for Vodka, Vancouver and Va-va-va-voom. At least that’s the way I’d describe the new Earls hotspot in trendy Yaletown. West Vancouver’s Fuller family has done it again by re-inventing style in the upper loft of their newest location. Designed for private parties and a more “upscale” experience, the room is nothing short of spectacular. “Vodka is at ...more

Lumiere Daniel Boulud Bistro Opening and Shut Up and Shoot Movie Launch

Posted: December 7, 2008

When you make a movie with the likes of Gary Busey, Tom Sizemore and Daniel Baldwin, it's definitely time to celebrate. That's what Vancouver's talented Silvio Pollio did at the DVD launch of his "Shut Up and Shoot" movie. Pollio and several other cast members, including Joe Cortese, toasted the occasion at the Can-Am Importique studios in Burnaby which was the perfect setting since owner Paul Pincott is known for warehousing ...more