BAMBUDDA X DEAD FROG BREWERY DINING EVENT

_{Photo credit: Jennilee Marigomen}

Craft beer lovers, this is an event you don’t want to miss. On Wednesday February 11th, Bambudda will host a five-course dinner with special beers pairings from Dead Frog Brewery. Chef Curtis Luk has created a special menu that features wings and frog legs with beer caramel, beer poached oysters, beer braised duck with plum sauce, beer and black peppered ribs with sticky rice, and dessert. This craft beer dining event is $66 including complimentary beer pairings and cocktails. If you’d like to purchase a ticket, email info [at] bambudda.ca or call 604-428-0301.

ALFIE ITALIA HOSTS ROSE & ROSES

Alfie Italia will host a full-service Valentine’s Day shop for all your pre-date needs. The ‘Rosé & Roses’ event features in-store pop-ups to offer Valentine’s goers locally-made gifts such as floral arrangements by Olla Flowers, along with roasted chocolates and Italian espresso from East Van Roasters. During the weekend, Alfie Italia will also launch a Chicago-style shoe polish lounge. Sit down and get your shoes buffed while you and your special someone shops.

  

CELEBRATING VALENTINE’S DAY

_{Photo credit: Alison Page}

This weekend is a gentle reminder to spend quality time with your favourite person. If you’re looking to impress, treat the one you fancy to a night of excellent food.

A few restaurants will prepare set menus inspired by romantic gastronomy. Take your ‘My Blood Alley Valentine’ to enjoy a three-course dinner with featured flights of bubbly at Salt Tasting Room – and let their wine-savvy servers assist you with specially selected wine pairings. For a more intimate night, join L’Abattoir in their private dining room for a three-course dinner that features Chef Lee Cooper’s creations of fraiche and roe and roasted prime rib of beef with potato gratin. Or, cozy up inside Brioche, for delicious four-course Valentine’s Day lunch and dinner specials. Taking inspiration from Sicilian recipes, dishes will fuse bold flavours with West Coast flair. Or, if you want a low-key gathering, here’s a list of restaurants that will also set the mood.

A simple gesture, like fresh cut flowers, will surely take it to the next level. You can surprise your Valentine with a custom creation by floral artist Heather MacKinnon of Heather’s the Flower Shop, or pick up fair trade roses or a seasonal bouquet from Olla Flowers. It’s a busy time for floral shops, so be sure to pre-order your arrangement.

And if you’re feeling extra generous, top it off with a box of local artisan chocolates by East Van Roasters, or heart-shaped chocolates or boxed Victoria creams from Roger’s Chocolates – and decorate it with Meadow Gift’s adorable Canadian-made Valentine’s cards, or a sarcastic greeting card found at Nouvelle Nouvelle.

ODDITIES SHOW & TELL

When discovering a unique antique, you’re bound to acquire a few interesting anecdotes. For those who are interested in the world of curios and oddities, Salmagundi West is hosting a show & tell event at the 15th of every month. Guests will convene inside their basement to share their most unique antique items with like-minded collectors. Space is limited, so be sure to call 604-681-4648 and reserve your spot quickly.

DON’T FORGET

POUTINE CHALLENGE

Who has the best poutine in the city? We might be a little bias, but the poutines at Jules Bistro and Salida 7 are worthy of stealing your vote. Both restaurants are competing in the 4th Annual Poutine Challenge. Grab a table at Jules Bistro for a Thai-inspired poutine, and head over to Salida 7 to taste their smoked chorizo cheese creation. The Poutine Challenge runs from February 5th until 28th. Visit here for more details.

HI-FIVE

The buzz from Hi-Five’s opening has got everyone talking about grilled cheese. The new sandwich shop has officially debuted their take-out window at 22 East Cordova (beside La Fleur Hair Salon) to offer five sandwiches, soup, and to-go items to the weekend crowd. Owner, Corben Winfield, a partner of Six Acres will also serve up the Six Acre’s mac and cheese.

HOT CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL

A cup of hot chocolate will surely make these rainy days more tolerable. This week is your last chance to sip on local concoctions from the Hot Chocolate Festival. East Van Roasters has spiked their drinking chocolate with wild and delicious flavours, available now until February 14th. Drop by and try their ‘Salty Malty’, a melted Madagascar drinking chocolate served with a salted chocolate chip cookie.

CONDOBED

Since space is hard to come by in newly developed apartments, CondoBed has created new designs that offer storage solutions, while retaining a sophisticated décor aesthetic. The manufacturer and retail company has opened a new location in Gastown, showcasing their latest and former collections. If you’re looking to maximize your space, take a look at what they have to offer on 206 Carrall Street.

WEEKLY ENTERTAINMENT

Join Guilt & Company for their weekly ‘Ground Up’ night, a celebration urban music for a good cause. For two years, this Gastown nightlife mainstay has introduced the cities blossoming new talent to raise funds for neighbouring communities. On Thursday February 12th, Talkbox Vs. Vocoder returns with members of Start Captions. Preview their music here.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10

Steve Kozak Blues Trio at Revel Room

Live Music Night at The Irish Heather

Gastown Cabaret at Guilt & Company 

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 11

The Revellers at Revel Room

Jen Hodge All Stars at Guilt & Company
 

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 12

Mike Van Eyes at Revel Room

DJ Take 5 at Milano Espresso Lounge  

Live Music Night at The Irish Heather 

Rock & Reggae with LaBidos Live at The Blarney Stone

Ground Up feat. Talkbox vs. Vocoder at Guilt & Company
 

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13

DJ Take 5 at Milano Espresso Lounge

The Sheets Live at The Blarney Stone

Valentine’s Day Live Piano at Jules Bistro

Harpdog Brown Band at Guilt & Company

Flipout & Rhek at Portside Pub
 

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14

The Unusual Suspects with DJ Steel at The Blarney Stone

Harvey Paris & The Pulp Factory at Guilt & Company

Valentine’s Day Live Piano at Jules Bistro

Sharon Bryson Live at Salida 7

Nathalie Morel & Marlon J English at Alexander Gastown

Relly Rels & The Stuntman at Portside Pub
 

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 15

The Do-Rites at Revel Room

Live Jazz at Pourhouse

Valentine’s Day Live Piano at Jules Bistro

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