By Alicia Woodside, Modern Mix Vancouver Fitness Writer

Do you miss that epic party, also referred to as the Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games’ Cultural Olympiad?

Wether you soaked in never-ending parties at cultural houses, visited our local mountains in a new light, or let your hair go at amazing gigs around the city, we Vancouverites were sad to see our amazing global party come to a close in 2010. Encore, anyone?

Welcome, City & Slope!

In true 2010 fashion, Vancouver’s brand new signature winter festival celebrates our unique city and the winter sports, art, and music that we love. From February 10-12, expect a jam-packed weekend that brings you back to 2010, when the local mountains and party venues come alive with special events, and the streets of Yaletown light-up with the free lluminate Yaletown. Expect big name performers like Benny Benassi, local favourites like Hey Ocean, and special events at all the local mountains, including the spectacular 24 Hours of Winter at Grouse.

I had the chance to speak with Gregory Hegger, who is one of the organizers for this first-annual event. Greg set me straight with a few of my questions.

MMV: Hey Greg! We are excited to see a lot of Olympic connections here. How is this event going to be similar to the 2010 Olympics?

Greg: We want to harness that feeling that people had during the Olympics, that buzz in the air… the feeling that the city was alive! We definitely want to get that feeling back. With City & Slope, it’s that same combination of winter sports, music, and arts, that’s very inherent to Vancouver. Our company was involved in producing Heineken House, Vancouver House, and Alberta House during the Games, and so some of the City & Slope events will have the same feel. We’re tying this in to the Grouse legacy, with their 24 Hours of Winter, as well as the Cypress Olympic Legacy, where we will be taking over a lodge and giving it a Canada House feel with bands and activities, called Canadiana! We have a schedule online with all the events.

MMV: For our friends who already maxxed-out their credit cards this month, what would recommend as the top free event during City & Slope?

Greg: Definitely Illuminate Yaletown! It’s a completely free event, concentrated on Mainland Street, which we have closed down to cars from Nelson to Davie. There will be 20 different artists creating light projections, live ice-carving performances, building mapping, and as Mini Yaletown is a sponsor, we will see some creative art installations with Mini cars.

MMV: For the well-heeled types, what would recommend as the top splurge during City & Slope?

Greg: Definitely the pass to all the mountains, and the Benny Benassi concert at the Vancouver Convention Centre, which is expected to sell-out… We have some great “Stay and Slope” hotel deals and packages that combine music, skiing, and hotel deals, so a staycation would be the best way to spend an amazing weekend!

MMV: What is your vision for the future of this event?

For a complete schedule of events, we recommend you surf on over to City and Slope’s website here, and you can find out about some awesome packages here.

By Carolyn Fung, Modern Mix Vancouver writer

An unexpected find this Sunday in Kitsilano was a cozy little brunch spot called Café Zen.  This restaurant is almost hidden on the street – so much so that you might walk past a few times before realizing its there but when you finally do discover it, you get that  feeling that you’ve found a true “local” spot.  When you first walk in your greeted by tables that fit the restaurant wall to wall. As a true believer that the more tables that are filled in a restaurant the better it is, I was sold on giving it a shot.

The jam-packed restaurant at 10:30AM on a Sunday was actually comforting, giving the feel of a neighborhood cafe rather than a pretensions, spacious breakfast spot.  For weekend brunch my rule is to detour from my healthy eating to indulge in some of my favorite guilty pleasures. For me, this means eggs benedict, with lots of hollandaise sauce, side fries and ketchup.

Before stumbling upon Café Zen, I had never been to a breakfast place that offers so many Eggs Benedict combinations. With an entire section of the menu dedicated to 15 variations of my favorite breakfast this place is no joke. I ended up going with Eggs-Flo Greek with spinach and feta cheese, which also seemed to be a popular choice amongst other patrons.

For a healthier option, I couldn’t help but eavesdrop on the woman next to me who had the same order except with egg whites only and the hollandaise sauce on the side. The restaurant was extremely accommodating to her request and it looked equally as delicious!

Brunch starts from $9-$12 and includes much, much more than just benny’s – there are many other breakfast options, including a fresh bowl of fruit! For a full list of what they have to offer click here, but beware of the weekends – go early to miss the out-of-the-door line up!

I went to Glowbal Grill in early January when they had a promotion for 25% off breakfast and brunch.  I requested sitting outside because I love the enclosed patio at Glowbal and the heat lamps were a perfect contrast to a sunny winter day.  Our meal started off with complimentary strawberry smoothies in shotglasses and warm sugar donuts served in round dim sum baskets.

Since our complimentary starters were sweet, we decided to go with more savoury dishes for brunch.  I’m a huge fan of benedicts and at glowbal you can get your choice of the “Glowbal Benedict” ($12.95), Smoked Salmon ($12.95), Dungeness Crab ($16.95) and Lobster ($16.95).  I got the  classic Glowbal Benedict which is made with pancetta and drenched in a rich, creamy, buttery hollandaise sauce.  The poached eggs were done perfectly, a bright buttercup-yellow yolk coming out from bright white egg-white.  The pancetta (salt cured italian bacon) was extremely salty – had to drink about 3 glasses of water after my meal and probably maxed out my sodium intake for the day.  The diced potatoes were fluffy with a crispy exterior and the salad was necessary to balance out the saltiness of the pancetta.

Off the menu as a special order we were told about there was a Breakfast Poutine ($12).  French fries, cheese curds, sliced sausage and bacon topped with two poached eggs and a hearty gravy.  Sounds like a hangover breakfast to me!  It actually kind of reminded me of the midnight poutine one would get at Fritz on Granville (minus the eggs).  I would recommend sharing the breakfast poutine with someone because it’s such a heavy breakfast…you wouldn’t normally eat a massive plate of fries and poutine to yourself, so perhaps this would be a good dish to share.

Overall, the Glowbal Collection of restaurants has a great reputation for being a higher-end but affordable restaurant.  It’s location in the heart of Yaletown makes it a convenient meet-up spot and after brunch you can spend the rest of your morning browsing through cute boutiques in the area. They are also a regular annual participant in Dine Out Vancouver (for dinner only), this year, with a $38 3-course set menu.

By Alicia Woodside, Modern Mix Vancouver Fitness Writer

During winter, what do you to replace Vancouver’s Grouse Grind?  While the winter might bar you from your favourite trail, it enables a whole new Grind experience, with the Grouse Mountain Snowshoe Grind!  Make way for the winter relative of our city’s favourite stairmaster, at Grouse Mountain’s Social Snowshoe evenings. Tackle the Snowshoe Grind with a free guided tour offered every Monday and Wednesday that helps you to enjoy the winter pleasures of crunching fresh snow, sliding down the occasional snow bank, and admiring pristine winter beauty– all from the best views atop Vancouver.

All participants meet in front of the Fireside Hut at the mountaintop Ice Skating Pond. If you need rentals, a $10 rental rate is available to all session participants. You can purchase rental vouchers at either Base Guest Services or Alpine Guest Services, and pick up your snowshoes at the Snowshoe Hut beside the Ice Skating Pond.

At my first Social Snowshoe, I saw something for everyone. If you’re like me, I was able to get my advanced fitness fill by joining in with the “Fast” group, and I found myself among other runners and triathletes who were using the evening as cross-training. If you’re out there for a more casual experience, there is also a “Social” (slow) group and a “Medium” group, which cater to beginner and intermediate levels.

Joining the “Fast” group was a great way to dive in head-first. As a novice snowshoer, I couldn’t believe some of the steep climbs the group seamlessly tackled. Although my friend and I had no idea what we were doing, we picked it up pretty fast. Slowly, we gathered faith that our snowshoes would work, and the rest followed.  After about 50 minutes of mostly upward hiking, we reached the peak of the Snowshoe Grind and marveled at the wonderful view. If we are to compare the regular (summer) Grind and the Snowshoe (winter) Grind for the view, the winter edition would win, without a question. Surrounded by snow-capped trees and lit only by weak headlamps, you get a beautiful winter take on the popular city view.

The rest of the journey entailed some uphill, but mostly downhill– which we found more natural to conquer by running. Toward the end we passed underneath some of the chair lifts, which were lively with skiers overhead. I decided to snowshoe-run the rest of the way, with a motivation to beat the pace of the chairlift. Now, that’s something you can’t do in the summertime! Within a few minutes, I was back at the Lodge, comparing times and stripping off layers, much like what I do after the summer Grind.

In the summer, I tend to skip the social drink at the top of the Grind. Maybe it’s more of a strictly-fitness endeavor, or perhaps the heat makes the transition from hill to pub more complicated. Showshoeing is far more suited for an “aprés” event. The tour ends at 8:30pm, which presents a great time to go for a drink with some of the new friends you met during the training. In my experience, it was very easy to meet and mingle with the other snowshoers at Altitudes Bistro, who were exceptionally friendly and welcoming. For those of you who love the social prospect, I am told that starting in the new year, the aprés will become even better: Grouse will be kicking off Winter Social Nights with DJ’s, prizes, and drink specials every Wednesday, as though the friendly people and awesome view were not enough.

Summer or Winter Grind? Why choose, when you can have both? For those of you that cannot compare yet, I advise you get out there and see for yourself. For more information about the Snowshoe Social evenings, please visit the Grouse Mountain snowshoe page.

With a few clicks of the mouse, Vancouver-based Panty By Post will deliver a beautiful package and customized note to your Valentine, thoughtfulness that will linger on your lovers mind long after the big day is over.  Panty By Post makes it easy for anyone to order in advance a gorgeous French panty or sexy brief, that will be packaged beautifully, along with your customized note, and delivered to your loved one in a delightfully old-fashioned way: by the local postman.

PantybyPost.com makes it easy for busy people to quickly place an order online in advance, and provides guidance as to how to choose the perfect package.  You can order a single or stay in your lover’s mind month after month with your sexy surprise by signing up for a three, six or twelve month subscription.  Order your gift by February 12th (Vancouver) or February 7th (across Canada) and Panty By Post will ensure that your package will arrive on time for Valentine’s Day.  What if you miss those dates?  You can an e-gift certificate that will arrive in her inbox within minutes.

Men don’t have to be intimidated, as there is a special area on the website just for them: the Men’s Room. Ordering couldn’t be easier.  As advised by Panty By Post:

1. Pour a beer or favorite beverage
2. Go to pantybypost.com on your computer
3. Click on Enter the Men’s Room
4. Follow the prompts to order a package for your sweetie
5. Relax, Valentine’s Day gift that will make her swoon is in the bag!

The arrival of Burgoo has been a much-anticipated addition to the restaurant scene on West 4th since renovations started in the fall.

Still in its first few weeks of opening, Burgoo brings to Kitsilano an affordable, comfortable eating environment that already has people lining up out the door. With three previously existing locations, Burgoo brings with it a unique eating experience that can be enjoyed by families, couples, friends and tourists alike. Its cozy atmosphere is a welcome addition to the area. When you first enter the restaurant, you are welcomed by a closed off patio filled with wooden seating and windows facing the street. A little further in is an open area decorated with wood panels, tables and chairs that make you feel like you’ve just stepped into your best friends cottage.

For first time customers your challenge will be figuring out what to order from this extensive menu that covers just about any comfort food you could image. From three types of mac and cheese to classic stews this place has it all. For my first visit, I settled with an all time favorite – beef bourguignon ($18). Tender pieces of beef with carrots, and onions on a bed of mashed potatoes this dish was almost better than going home.

At such an affordable price it’s tempting not to think about going back again already. The menu has laid down a challenge for me and I intent to accept by trying as many new dishes as possible before 2013. Burgoo will be taking reservations soon but for now be aware – the front entrance is small and the wait can be cramped but well worth the wait.

I went with my friend to Raincity Grill for brunch this past weekend, she’s a vegetarian so I followed suit and went meat-free for the day.  For brunch at Raincity Grill, patrons have the option of ordering brunch items a la carte, or as a prix fixe – 2 courses for $20.  After ordering, Raincity Grill starts off your brunch with a complimentary amuse bouche – a miniature cup of warm apple cider and a bite-sized scone (which had a texture of a soft cookie, rather than a typically crunchy scone).

My friend got the prix fixe menu and started off with french toast as an appetizer.  The portion was (half a slice of thick-cut bread) but she said it was “amazing” and unlike any french toast she has ever had – the bread was soft and fluffy, and the maple syrup had a sweet, buttery taste.  There was a generous dollop of whipped cream on top.  There were also bits of caramelized apple in the dish, which reminded me of the filling in apple pie.

With a craving for potatoes but a vegetarian palate to accommodate, my friend’s second course in the prix fixe menu was a custom ordered vegetarian version of the  Helmers Potatoes and Ham Hock Hash.  We “oooh’d” when the dish came because the bright greens and oranges of the vegetables, and the stark white of the poached eggs, had a look of freshness. From past experience, breakfast hash items are usually quite greasy but this one was quite light and fresh (maybe it was because of the vegetable substitutions) and mildly flavoured.  However, my friend thought the potatoes were too mushy and would have been better if they were more fried.

I had the Roasted Sunchoke & Soffrito Linguine ($15) from the lunch menu.  The sofrito in my pasta consisted of a chopped mixture of vegetables, cubed into small chunks.  The linguini was presented in a folded, wrapped up sort of way, which was kind of fancy and the sofritto sauce was spooned on top.  The sofritto had the consistency of fresh salsa but crunchier, I loved the fresh crunch of the carrots, onion and celery.  There was too much pasta for the sauce, but our server was kind enough to add more sauce at no extra charge when I requested it.

Overall, Raincity Grill is a classy place for Pacific Northwest cuisine.  They even had a 100-mile menu where all the ingredients in a set-menu come from within a 100-mile radius. If I came back, for the full oceanside experience, I’d try to return during the summer as you have a good street view of English Bay from the windows and it’s always nicer to look out on the water when it’s sunny, rather than grey and rainy.

As I have previously written on Modern Mix Vancouver, Hidden Restaurant  is located on the second floor inside the Westin Grand Hotel in Downtown Vancouver. Every time I have gone there for a meal, I have been impressed by their extensive menu pairing and excellent service – going there for brunch was no different!

Our meal started off with complementary breakfast pastries – a raspberry crown, a maple syrup plait and a cinnamon swirl.  (By the way, my pasty names could be totally off, I found this image off Google and matched ‘em up).

I noticed that many of the breakfast and brunch menu items have a slight flavour twist to them.  For example, the Buttermilk and Lemon Waffle ($16) were made with lavender butter, which is a unique butter pairing, or the Mexicana Benedict ($16) which was topped with a chili-lime hollandaise.  I ended up ordering the Frenchie’s Breakfast Poutine ($15) which consists of two poached eggs served over roasted potato hash, little qualicum cheesery curds and topped with hollandaise.  I liked how the hearty serving of fresh cut potatoes was the focus of this meal – often in breakfast dishes, hash-browns are off to the side.

My friend ordered the Sausage Split ($19), which is a breakfast spin off from a banana split, consisting of three poached eggs on hash browns stuffed between a roasted toulouse sausage and finished with a sweet pepper relish.

We also ordered coffee, and our server was thoughtful enough to put our last complementary refill in a disposable cup so we could keep the coffee with us while walking around downtown.  Not too many places would offer to do that – I think other breakfast restaurants have a lesson to learn from this!

Lastly, if you are a local resident of Vancouver, you get 25% off your bill for breakfast & brunch at Hidden Vancouver!

Started by local wine writer and consultant Kurtis Kolt about a year ago, the East Van Wine Academy produces wine-related events “that don’t suck” at The Waldorf Hotel. All events are produced and hosted by Kurtis, who “likes a good time just as much as you do”.  Recently, Modern Mix Vancouver had the opportunity to do a quick Q&A with Kurtis and learn more about his background in wine and his visions and involvement with the East Van Wine Academy.

MMV: How did you develop your expertise in wine and how did you get into wine writing?

Kurtis: I developed my wine knowledge by working my way up through the restaurant industry, from bussing to serving, managing and so on. Along the way I’ve taken courses which helped me grow by leaps and bounds. I’m certified by the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) and have credit in the Winemaking department of UC Davis. Most of all it’s been constant tasting, whether at home or trade events. The writing aspect came from being asked here and there for the odd tasting note or recommendation from certain magazines, and finding I really enjoyed that process.

MMV: When did you start the East Van Wine Academy?

Kurtis: About a year ago. I constantly hear from people that they’d love to learn a little more about wine, but don’t want the time or financial commitment of taking a ‘serious’ academic course. I saw a place for fun, casual, educational wine evenings that would help people navigate store shelves or wine lists that where I could impart some solid basics that are totally easy to grasp but generally elusive to the average consumer. My goal is to share my enthusiasm of wine while breaking down those needless hurdles that prevent people from trying new things or increasing their knowledge.

MMV: Why did you choose to focus on East Vancouver?

Kurtis: I’ve worked with the Waldorf Hotel in a few capacities since it relaunched as a creative compound just over a year ago. I love the energy and inspiration that emanates from the place, there’s always so many cool, fun things going on – from art shows and concerts to dinners, film screenings and parties. The place seemed a natural fit to develop this project. I chose the name East Van Wine Academy because I thing it extends the fact that while, yes, there’s an educational side to the evenings and some people see wine as an elitist thing, confidently throwing the words “East Van” in there really illustrates the accessibility of the events for everyone.

MMV: What kind of crowd usually comes out to your East Van Wine Academy events?

Kurtis: I love the crowd that show up to East Van Wine Academy events. The age range stretches from 20 to 50, with hipsters, bikers, foodies, blue collar workers, white collar professionals and everything else you could imagine. Very colourful and dynamic, very East Van!

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The East Van Wine Academy’s next upcoming event is “Around the World in 80 Minutes” on Tuesday January 10th at The Waldorf Hotel.  Tickets are $40 and are available online here.