MONTECRISTO Monday – Jay Jones on Bartending
For their second issue, MONTECRISTO Magazine is very excited to have Jay Jones join its team of contributors. Though Jones is the mixologist and head bartender at the Loden Hotel’s Voya Restaurant, it’s the latter title he prefers. Throughout his career at the bars of some of Vancouver’s most prestigious restaurants, he has been dubbed a variety of names, each one seemingly an attempt to elevate the public perception and appreciation of the lowly barkeep. To him, it seems that “bartender” has become a dirty word, so in the spring issue of MONTECRISTO, Jones makes a humble appeal for its resurrection.
You could see the [hospitality] industry percolating, as new ambitious kitchens began to pop up. We started to embrace fresh, regional ingredients and to pay attention to seasonality. The ambition and creativity was inspiring as chefs became celebrities. The world began to notice. Bartenders began to notice.
MONTECRISTO magazine is a regional lifestyle quarterly created for the discerning, cultured Vancouverite, and is designed with the highest standard of quality in mind. The upcoming spring issue of MONTECRISTO will be available at Chapters/Indigo stores across Greater Vancouver, as of April 20th. www.montecristomagazine.com
R.TL – Regional Tasting Lounge
Modern Mix Vancouver was invited to Yaletown’s r.tl (1130 Mainland Street) last week for a sampling of its new regional features. In case you missed the first article, r.tl’s menu is split into three sections, with each section featuring five to six small plates inspired from a distinct region of the world. The featured regions rotate on a three month basis, with the exception of BC, which is a constant on the menu.
A quick peek at the menu reveals that executive chef Erik Smith has chosen Portugal and France to join BC as its regional features for the next three months. The 50-seat establishment is chic and trendy, with dark wood furniture contrasted by contemporary white chairs.
VFW 2009 – Helen Lee
…decorative knots were used as fastenings while black silks were embroidered with subtle oriental detail, reminding us of her Asian design influence.
BC Book and Magazine Week (April 18th to 25th)
Apparently, British Columbians are bookworms. According to the press release I was sent by BC Book and Magazine Week, British Columbians are among the world’s most avid book consumers and spend far more leisure time reading than is the case in any other part of the country. Spend the week of April 18th to 25th checking out the various events put on by BC Book and Magazine Week. I had the PR rep for this event help me filter through the numerous events to help me choose the events most relevant for Modern Mix Vancouver readers!
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- Saturday, April 18, 7pm – 9pm
BC BOOK PRIZE SOIREE
Cristal Room, Metropolitan Hotel (645 Howe Street)
Celebrate the 25th annual BC Book Prizes with finalist authors and literati at the BC Book Prize Soirée. Free admission, music, refreshments and a silent auction, with proceeds going to the BC Book Prizes On Tour program. - Tuesday, April 21, 7 PM
MAGAZINE CABARET: VANCOUVER (Free)
The Railway Club, 579 Dunsmuir Street
The BC Association of Magazine Publishers and subTerrain magazine presents a literary cabaret featuring Timothy Taylor, Paul Carlucci, Emily Kendy, penny k-kilthau, Alex Leslie and Diane Tucker, who will read from their work recently published in BC magazines.
- Thursday, April 23, 6 PM – 9 PM
MAIN STREET LITERARY TOUR
Main Street, Various Venues, Vancouver
Main Street is the home of dozens of artist-run galleries, quirky cafés, boutique shopping and local writers. Your neighbourhood tour guides, writer, filmmaker and performance artist Amber Dawn, and poet Jennica Harper, lead you to various Main Street hot spots for an evening of arts and literary exploration.
CK Fragrance – “Euphoria Spring Temptation”
Euphoria Spring Temptation is an updated interpretation of the classic Calvin Klein fragrance Euphoria.
“The dream unfolds with lush pear blossom and guava leaf, mingling with a fluid waterfall
accord and an intoxicating heart of pink lily and dewy violet. The weightless sensuality of
white sandalwood engages with the pure frosted musk and untouched amber to tantalize the
senses, creating an irresistible temptation.”
Top: pear blossom, guava leaf, waterfall accord
Mid: pink lily, dewy violet, freesia petals
Dry: creamy sandalwood, white amber, frosted musk
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The clear glass bottle is tinted a pale pink from the color of the fragrance. A “sensuous” floral design decorates the outside of the bottle. A personal tidbit: this was the scent from the newly-opened bottle of fragrance which I wore to my university graduation dinner!
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100 ml eau de parfum spray $98 | 50 ml eau de parfum spray $78 | 200 ml body lotion $58
VFW 2009 – Interview with Innergypsy Design
…e-interview with designer and metalsmith Kerianne Taves, a jewelry participant in VFW 2009.