BC Business
The Expert: Steve Schmietenknop, bar and wine manager, Gotham Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar
The Dish: 17-ounce New York strip loin of Canadian Prime Beef
The Pairing: Macauley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, $166 list
I chose this wine because of the natural marriage between a well-marbled prime steak and California Cabernets. The suggested serving is medium rare, and that nicely complements the balance and acidity of the Macauley. Being a steak house, our wine list comprises mainly big reds that can cut through, stand up to or pair easily with the beef. The Macauley has weight but not so much that all you taste is a big fruit bomb. The wine’s layers are comprised of black cherry and espresso, and have a great mineral aspect that delivers the terroir of the vineyard.
Many Napa Valley Cabernets are great wines; however, every now and then you come across a spectacular vintage and a winemaker who places their heart and soul into their wines. Such is the case with Macauley. I love all the layers that get exposed from when the wine hits your palate to the extended finish several minutes later. I would decant this wine for at least 45 minutes before starting to enjoy it. However, wines are made to drink upon release these days, and the best way to let a wine breathe is to give it mouth-to-mouth. – as told to Alexandra Barrow l
After a holiday season of overindulgence, resolving to maintain a healthier lifestyle is atop many New Year’s to-do lists. And with the Alessi Juicy Salif Citrus squeezer displayed prominently on your kitchen counter, this resolution might (just might) make it past month’s end. Designed by Philippe Starck and once displayed in New York’s MoMA, the three-legged aluminum juicer is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Half sculpture and half appliance, it’s a design that will definitely have your guests talking. And bonus for you: it’s simple to operate and easy to clean. $128, mingwo.com – A.B. l
For those nursing a hangover, or simply craving comfort food, check out Vancouver’s La Brasserie and its new Sunday brunch menu. We’re big fans of the French-inspired Croque Madame. A bit complicated for fuzzy brains, perhaps, but here goes: Sauce Mornay made with
Gruyère cheese is combined with porchetta ham and sandwiched between two slices of brioche. The sandwich is then dipped in egg, fried until golden brown, topped with shredded Gruyère and broiled. Add one poached egg and about 1/3 cup of Choron sauce et voilà! $14, labrasserie vancouver.com – A.B. n
Mrs. Dexter and Her Daily Vancouver’s Arts Club gets a national premiere in the form of award-winning playwright Joanna McClelland Glass’s new work, Mrs. Dexter and Her Daily (co-produced by the National Arts Centre English Theatre). Glass’s story chronicles the relationship between Rosedale matron Mrs. Dexter (Fiona Reid) and her maid Peggy (Nicola Cavendish). Dexter is getting a divorce and the two women must part ways; as they prepare for their new separate lives, the women reflect on time together and a friendship neither one expected. The Saskatoon-born Glass traces inspiration for the piece back to the late ’90s, when she befriended her Nova Scotia housekeeper while living in Toronto. Jan. 7 to Feb. 7, Stanley Theatre, artsclub.com
The Great Lake Swimmers Toronto indie rockers the Great Lake Swimmers bring their rural-tinged sound to the West Coast later this month after a tour of Europe and China. Last year the group released their fourth full-length studio album, Lost Channels, which was shortlisted for the 2009 Polaris Music Prize. Tony Dekker, lead singer and songwriter, continues to create haunting, sombre ballads that emit an otherworldly atmosphere – a sound that recalls “After the Gold Rush”-era Neil Young. Victoria, Jan. 27; Vancouver, Jan. 29; Prince George, Jan. 30; greatlakeswimmers.com
Drinking Vancouver: 100+ Great Bars in the City and Beyond BCBusiness contributor John Lee was born in St. Albans, England, but since the early ’90s has called B.C. home – when he is, indeed, home. The prolific travel writer has penned five Lonely Planet guides dedicated to B.C. and Vancouver, and just before Christmas saw the release of a book celebrating his other abiding passion: drinking. Drinking Vancouver: 100+ Great Bars in the City and Beyond features reviews and recommendations of Lotusland’s most reputable establishments, as well as some prominent drinking holes in Victoria and the Okanagan. Helpfully, for those who get lost on their pub-crawl, the book also contains maps of 11 Vancouver neighbourhoods. TouchWood Editions, touchwoodeditions.com