Belly’s Budget Best

BC Riesling Deal Alert: Peller Estates VQA Private Reserve Dry Riesling 2011

August 2, 2013
Eagle-eyed observers will know that Peller Okanagan Dry Riesling heralded in this year

 Peller Okanagan (Similkameen?) Dry Riesling If you move really quickly you can buy Andrew Peller Private Reserve (VQA) Dry Riesling for just over $11 at BC Liquor Stores.  Believe me, as they say “while stocks last”, it’s worth it. I can’t say for sure (as I don’t have my notes handy) but I’m fairly sure […]

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Belly’s Budget Best: Seven Summer Sippers

August 2, 2013
This absolutely unique wine is always on our Go-To summer

In sippers, Picpoul Rules   There’s no rhyme nor reason to this list. Just a few decent and, above all, pretty wallet friendly whites, perfect for value-driven summer sipping. You can pin this one to the fridge!  We’re also working on a better way to feature many more Belly’s Best picks … • Ormarine Picpoul […]

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Chicha Brings Vibrant, Modern Peruvian Cuisine to Vancouver

July 12, 2013
A Chicha highlight: quinoa salad with red onion, mango and avocado plus jalapeño and Haucatay dressing

Chicha: tasty, healthy and novel plates Chicha, 136 East Broadway, between Quebec and Main, 604-620-3693. Open for dinner nightly; for lunch maybe in the fall.   Even after more than a few years in this business, I never fail to be impressed when people hit the ground running. When I bumped into chef Shelome Bouvette, […]

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Fat Bastard Revisited and Gabrielle Meffre at Le Crocodile (Video)

April 20, 2013
Best selling Fat Bastard Chardonnay

I’m not sure why but I always figured that cheekily named “Fat Bastard” had to have something to do either with the guy who might drink it (me) or the guys who made it—Thierry Boudinaud and Guy Anderson. But here’s the real story, as told by Fat Bastard co-owner (and Gabrielle Meffre globe-trotting sommelier) Anthony Taylor.   […]

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Belly Up to Que Guapo: A Bargain Taste of the Barrio

February 22, 2013
Que Guapo - it means "You

I’m always looking for ways to re-live last fall’s visit to Argentina, and to remind me of my first visit to Buenos Aires—a truly remarkable city that’s not just big (Greater BA is home to 12.8 million) but amazingly diverse and culturally fascinating. Here’s a wine that’s a fitting salute to one area. And you can’t […]

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From Tapas to Tostadas: Vancouver’s The Mexican Trips the Right Fandango

February 15, 2013
The Mexican partners Roger Creixams, chef Ana Vander and Claudia Roma, TP photo

Something about the shifting scene of the restaurant business intrigues me. And, believe me, it is always shifting. Restaurants come and go, and usually their owners go with them—although sometimes owner and surroundings stay put, and the change comes from within. Case in point: Angus An, who turned Gastropod into Maenam, on a dime, so […]

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Six Last Minute Ways to Toast Your Valentine

February 13, 2013
Hot on the heels of Haywire

        Roses are red Violets are blue If I drink pink You will too     Some men (apparently) are notorious for leaving Valentine’s (and probably a whole lot of other things) until the last minute. And as you might have guessed, we’re no exception to the rule. That said. Here’s a […]

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Vinexpo Tracks the World of Wine: China Rising; Bullish on Canada (Added: All the Stats Fit to Print…)

January 27, 2013
Robert Beynat, Vinexpo co-founder and CEO, image supplied

  Looking or someone with their finger on the pulse of the world wine market? Chances are Robert Beynat is your man. Beynat is one of the co-founders of Vinexpo. Held every other year in Bordeaux since 1981, it’s now widely regarded as the world’s leading international wine and spirits exhibition. He’s also the brainchild behind […]

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In Vancouver’s Yaletown, this Pig is Still Flying High

November 30, 2012

One spot that’s an easy lure for lunch—particularly when it’s raining cats and dogs—is Yaletown’s The Flying Pig (1168 Hamilton St, 604-568-1344). There’s just something about this place, from its easy going ways and cosy room with a great buzz to the quality that comes out of the kitchen at very fair prices. They refer to […]

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Great Value Bites and a Smart New Wine at Edible Canada

November 15, 2012
Another winner from Okanagan Crush Pad!

A few weeks ago we dropped byEdible Canada at the Market(1596 Johnston St. 604-682-6681) for a post theatre, late night bite. (Somehow a trip to Chile in between derailed our good intentions to post about it sooner.) It’s also been a while since we wrote at length about Edible Canada but there have been more than a few meals and […]

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