Annalena is modern comfort food in a hip space

Dining with my partner at the new Annalena, helmed by Michael Robbins of Season 4 of Food Network’s Top Chef Canada in 2013, was a gastronomic delight. An airy, playful, chicly decorated space welcomes you to linger with its deep. plush black leather banquette booths and lively conversation surrounds its rec-room lighting and decor and very hip Kidrobot Munny toys, Darth Vader alarm clock, and Lego sculptures throughout.

We started with a grilled octopus salad, cooked sous-vide, cooked perfectly tender with a hint of grill char. Served with fingerling potatoes, sauce gribiche, and lobster mayonnaise, I really enjoyed the umami flavours that lingered on my palate.

My dining partner had a refreshing and elegant Clockwork Blood Orange, a concoction of Bombay gin, aperol, blood orange tea, lemon and bubbly. I paired with the seafood a balanced and fruity Sea Star Blanc de Noirs rosé wine, made from Pinot Noir grapes, punctuating the strawberry, rhubarb, and cranberry flavours of the wine.

We moved on to the unexpected presentation of the garlic confit lobster, seared mirepoix, potato, lobster bisque and lemon gel. The dish arrived as a frothy cloud with generous fronds of dill. The sweet, tender morsels of the lobster and strong personality of the broth stood up well to the wine.

We concluded our gastronomic journey with a perfectly prepared sous-vide Wagyu beef short rib, seared and served with peppercorn jus, sunchoke purée, peas, sunchoke chips, radish and pea shoots, and tiny potatoes carved into tinier mushroom shapes. It was a melt in the mouth cut and was the highlight of our first trip in search for well executed modern comfort food.

A Wine Tasting with the Godfather of Zin

Hearing stories of Zinfandel winemaking with an Edgar Allen Poe influence under a canopy of ivy and a rustic chandelier made for a hedonistic escape. I listened to renowned winemaker Joel Peterson, of Ravenswood, speak to his experience creating his new Besieged wine, cultivated from California’s heritage grape, Zinfandel. With my peers, I tasted the suite of offerings from this distinctive pioneer of old vine Zinfandel at celebrated Yaletown restaurant, Brix, and whiled away the afternoon in bliss.

Besieged, in particular, captured my interest with its blend of old vine varietal grapes sourced from the surrounding Sonoma County vineyards as well as North Coast, Central Coast and Lodi regions.

The limited release 2013 vintage was borne out of a great story. While the heavy rain clouds were falling on his vines, Joel Peterson worked alone to collect the grapes to debut this wine. The ravens circled above his head menacingly in the rain, and instead of being an omen of doom in stories of old, he believes it brought him good fortune as he reaped a good harvest despite the odds.

Besieged boasts a robust and rich palate with aromas of  signature cherry. Blended with Petite Sirah, Carignane, Zinfandel, Syrah, Barbera, Alicante Bouschet, and Mourvèdre, I found the finish to be an elegant and smooth mouth feel with its fruity flavours of blackberry, black cherry, plum and cardamom spice. Paired well with Brix’s roast lamb, the French oak balances out the structure and stands up to the game-y taste. 

Another old vineyard standout from the collection is the top-tier Teldeschi Zinfandel, blended also with Petite Sirah grapes and Alicante Bouschet from the Dry Creek Valley. Made in the Old World France style incubated for 18 months in the oak with native yeast fermentation, small open-top fermenters, and manual punching down of the cap, it’s all about creating a powerful wine that is sure to impress. The 2010 vintage boasted aromas of black cherries, coffee and sweet notes like vanilla caramel. On the palate were cherry liqueur, vanilla with satisfying spice and smokiness that leads to a long, bright, fruity finish with balanced tannins.

The quality of the portfolio and the care in the presentation is evident from my brief encounter at Brix. Now, I’m dreaming of a California sunset rendezvous with zinfully delicious wine!

Get First Dibs on Naramata Bench Wines at Wine for Waves

Taste the newest Spring release of Naramata Bench’s wines on May 2 at the Four Seasons Hotel supporting the Vancouver Aquarium – while supporting conservation of the ocean.

Encounter a magical evening sampling delicious Ocean Wise culinary offerings and meet the Naramata Bench winemakers and owners. The experience isn’t complete without a very cool silent auction of fine wines from Naramata Bench and exclusive prize packages.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program. I’ll be there, will you?

Wine for Waves on May 2 at the Four Seasons Hotel benefitting The Vancouver Aquarium.

 

 

Vancouver International Wine Festival: It’s a French Champagne Love Affair at Ginger62

What’s more enchanting than sparkling wine and macarons in a French themed abode? Champagne, Crémant and Faubourg pastries were the stars of the France Bubbly Party at Ginger62 to celebrate the Vancouver International Wine Festival and its global focus on France and bubbly.

Vancouver’s wine connoisseurs and beautiful party people came out to the sexy red room decorated with lanterns and Parisien accoutrements, and mingled to the music spun by Tyson Villeneuve.

The room was inviting with luxe velvet sofas and little nooks to sit with your sweetheart or conspire with your girlfriend over flutes of effervescent joy. In the private nooks of the lounge, you can view naughty, suggestive flourishes of French culture such as gilded bird cages housing elegant golden bottles of Champagne amongst the velvet banquettes and paper lanterns with a curious saying: “Ne touché pas.” I understand that it’s derived from a French story about unrequited love. 

A fun photo booth and charming roving photographers in berets captured spontaneous moments. I spied eligible bachelorettes in gaggles and distinguished older gentlemen admiring the generous pours of bubbles in the light. The oysters were a perfect accompaniment to the Champagne though there didn’t seem to be any tuna or lobster rolls as indicated on the program. However, the highlight was the colourful and decadent Faubourg pastry towers filled to the brim with miniature desserts. The famous macarons, éclaircrème brûlée, tiramisu, and Mille Feuilles were on display and elevated the atmosphere to an authentic Parisien experience.

Nine stations of Champagne and Crémant for two hours allowed me a leisurely introduction to the offerings of its various production regions in France and Alsace. The well-known Lanson Champagne showcased both Black Label Brut and White Label. Both displayed fine but persistent bubbles and crisp mouth feel. The Black Label, with Pinot Noir grapes, adds more depth. Subtle floral and honey aromas with that unforgettable dry toasty note, apple and lemon on the palate and a long finish rounded out the experience. The White Label, with Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir grapes, resonated more with me as it was softer and sweeter, yet elegant with balanced acidity. A yellow straw colour with floral and pear aromas punctuated with soft minerality delighted the senses as I took in the party.

The acclaimed house of H. Blin presented the hard-to-find Limited Edition Blanc de Blancs and Champagne Rosé. The Blanc de Blancs, a highly coveted 100% Chardonnay 2005 vintage, displayed a golden yellow colour with a honey wheat aroma, along with buttery, nutty aromas, a subtle preserved lemon note on the palate, and a full, long finish. The Rosé exhibited a striking pink with golden undertones, a nose of red fruit, vanilla almond, along with the classic brioche, herbaceous notes, and a mineral structure. 

My favourite was the Domaine Zinck Crémant d’Alsace paired with the oysters. This Methodoise Champagne, with Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay grapes, pleasantly surprised me with its fruity, velvety mouthfeel, a toasty aroma, and honeyed tropical fruit on the palate when paired with oysters in citrusy mignonette.

There’s more parties to be had! Don’t miss out on tasting the rare wines debuting and not presented anywhere else along with education from wine exporters and wine principals. The Vancouver International Wine Festival is on until Sunday, March 2.

Exploring Oregon: Food, Wine, Beaches & Hotels

Recently, I went on a road trip with some friends to Portland and briefly explored the Willamette Valley wine region and the coastal Cannon Beach area. We took our 2013 Ford Explorer Sport on the road for the urban pursuits, the beach escape, and through the winding, hilly roads of wine country. We booked a room at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco for 2 nights and enjoyed the central location, service, and amenities provided. Stepping inside the luxe lobby, I was immediately taken with its colours and unique vintage décor. Our Monaco King Suite was stylish appointed with unique prints and artwork, an unforgettable vanity counter, and even a goldfish pet to soothe you after a long day visiting Portland. Staying on the hypo-allergenic floor, I was appreciative of the lengths the hotel took to ensure we had a comfortable stay like the complimentary organic morning coffee service, and a yoga mat to continue your healthy regimen. We were pleasantly surprised to receive an elegant bottle of Lange Estate Winery 2010 Pinot Noir and chocolates to enjoy upon arrival as I had signed up previously for the Kimpton InTouch loyalty program, which also allows me up to $10 worth of (gluten-free) honor bar selections. Other perks that we unfortunately didn’t get to enjoy were the cruiser bicycles and the hosted wine reception hour. We had fun lounging by the gorgeous fireplace sipping whisky and playing the piano late into the night. We also received cocktail vouchers for the lively Red Star Tavern next door as part of the “We Love Our Northwest Locals” promotion.

In Portland, we visited the food cartsBlue Star DonutsPok Pok RestaurantClyde Common for pre-dinner drinks and Mother’s Bistro & Bar for brunch. I enjoyed visiting the vintage Decades boutique shop. Portland boasts a strong bike culture and a pretty waterfront promenade in addition to beautiful, old but well-kept buildings amidst modern high rises. I spotted a sleek residential condo with three wind power turbines and it added to the eco-chic and DIY aesthetic that is so charming about Portland.

We visited the Beaux Frères, Argyle and Archery Summit wineries and enjoyed the renowned Oregon Pinot Noir offerings at each vineyard. At Beaux Frères, we tasted a flight of elegant Pinot Noir wine grown in the tradition of Burgundy. The 2011 Willamette Pinot Noir was my favourite: it displayed dark ruby colours with a nose of cherries, raspberries, and a subtle wood spice. At Argyle, we treated ourselves to a flight of the sparkling wines and lounged outside by the courtyards of the beautiful white heritage house. Archery Summit proved to be a destination worth visiting at the top of a winding hill with vistas that blew us away. We really enjoyed sitting outside on a hot day and tasting their lineup of vintages. I especially enjoyed the off-dry 2012 Vireton Rosé, with a Bing cherry aroma, and their award-winning signature 2011 Premier Cuvée Pinot Noir, velvety and complex with an herbaceous, mineral and floral structure. We toured their barrel caves and bid farewell to wine country for now.

We then headed to Cannon Beach in our Ford Explorer Sport for surfing and beach contemplation. We had a wonderful time dining in town at the Driftwood Restaurant & Lounge by the fire pit outside and met some entertaining Vancouverites. I enjoyed wandering the boutique shops and gazing at the façade of the historic inns all around while the boys enjoyed surfing near Haystack Rock. As we left Cannon Beach, we drove along Highway 101 down the beautiful Oregon coastline and stopped at a breathtaking scenic viewpoint near Manzanita village, showcasing its long beaches.

The 2013 Ford Explorer Sport transported surfboards easily while looking stylish inside and out. Read more on my experience driving the car around Oregon.

My visit to Portland was fun and filled with discovery of the charming neighbourhoods and fun memories at every corner. I’m looking forward to visiting Oregon again to experience more food, wine and the serenity of the Pacific Northwest sights very soon!

Driving Oregon with my 2013 Ford Explorer Sport

The 2013 Ford Explorer Sport transported surfboards easily while looking stylish inside and out. It was useful to have a voice-activated GPS navigation system, rear-view camera assistance and Blind Spot Information System sensor for its size. The twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine with 350 hp and four-wheel drive with a Terrain Management System was responsive and proved to be solid for the terrain we encountered in Dundee, Oregon.

We enjoyed the car’s handling and conveniences for our long drive with its cruise control, dual climate control temperature for the front and back, the moonroof, as well as multi-command power recline and lumbar controls and the Sony entertainment system. It was exceptionally safe because it detected when I got too close to a car in front of me with its front collision sensor alert that lights up on the driver side.

I struggled with the voice-activated GPS navigation system with its somewhat limited commands but I was able to use it without fail in the conventional manner with its touchpad screen. I also couldn’t hook up my iPhone 4 without an Aux jack but we found we could play our podcasts with the built-in Bluetooth technology. Overall, the car felt very safe and comfortable.