Monday, January 10, 2011

Diva's cast of star chefs all return for 15th anniversary gala event

All previous executive chefs return to restaurant to create a course for the March 10th charity dinner
www.divamet.com

January 10, 2011; Vancouver, B.C. – Former Diva at the Met executive chefs will return for one night only this March, contributing a course each to a special gala dinner celebrating the restaurant’s 15th anniversary. Opening chef Michael Noble, Scott Baechler, Chris Mills, Ray Henry, and Dino Renaerts will join forces with current executive chef Quang Dang to create a special seven-course menu for the event of March 10th, benefitting Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver.

When Diva at the Met opened in 1996, it shook up not only Vancouver’s hotel dining scene, but also the city’s restaurant scene in general. A high-end, contemporary room focusing on the region’s bounty of ingredients, Diva put its stamp on cutting edge dining in a city already known for innovation. Over the years, Diva at the Met has been home to a who’s who of Canadian cooking talent, informally functioning as an incubator for a whole generation of chefs.

“When we opened Diva at the Met 15 years ago, there was really nothing like it in Vancouver,” says Metropolitan Hotels President, Henry Wu. “We’re proud to say that the restaurant continues to celebrate the phenomenal ingredients and influences of the Cascadian region while forging ahead with innovative cuisine in a refined environment. With all of our executive chefs joining us, this event is the perfect way to celebrate both Diva’s roots and where we’re heading.”

Tickets for the Diva at the Met 15th Anniversary Gala are $280 per person (plus taxes), including a pre-dinner reception, seven-course dinner, all wine pairings, entertainment and gratuities, with partial proceeds of ticket sales going to Big Brothers of Great Vancouver. A silent auction benefiting the charity will also be held during the reception.

Tickets are available now by calling 604.602.7759.

Metropolitan Hotels operates four luxury properties: Metropolitan Toronto, the Soho Metropolitan, the Grande Rockies Resort and the Metropolitan Vancouver. With more than 920 rooms, Metropolitan Hotels is committed to providing luxury accommodation for business and leisure travellers seeking an independent choice. A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Metropolitan strives to provide superior service with distinctive accommodations. Award-winning restaurants at Metropolitan Hotels include Hemispheres and Lai Wah Heen (Metropolitan Toronto), Senses (SoHo Metropolitan), Diva at the Met (Metropolitan Vancouver) and Lai Toh Heen (mid-town Toronto).

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Diva offers three Cascadian courses for just $38

Make a night of it during Dine Out Vancouver and combine dinner with an overnight stay at the Metropolitan for an evening of outstanding value
www.divamet.com

January 6, 2011; Vancouver, B.C. – From January 24 to February 6, Vancouver diners can enjoy a three-course dinner at Diva at the Met for just $38! The special menu, created by Chef Quang Dang for the Dine Out Vancouver promotion, includes the indulgent and sophisticated Cascadian cuisine expected at Diva, with options such as Crispy Fraser Valley Pork Belly, a Duo of Yarrow Meadows Duck, and Pan Roasted Fraser River Sockeye Salmon. BC VQA wine pairings will be available with each menu choice for an additional cost.

“For Diva at the Met, the Dine Out Vancouver promotion gives us the opportunity to introduce new restaurant guests to our signature cuisine at a great price-point,” says Chef Quang Dang. “For those already familiar with Diva, we invite them to come and treat themselves without the need for a special occasion.”

Dine Out Vancouver reservations are now open and can be made either online through www.divamet.com, or by calling the restaurant at 604.602.7788.

First Course

Gala Apple & Endive Salad
whipped salt spring island goat cheese, pecan vinaigrette
Desert Hills, Gewurztraminer, Okanagan, B.C.

~ or ~

Creamy Mushroom Soup
sourdough crouton, chanterelle relish
Cedar Creek “M”, Okanagan, B.C.

~ or ~

Crispy Fraser Valley Pork Belly
warm beet salad, gribiche dressing
Muse, Pinot Noir, Vancouver Island, B.C.

Main Course

Yukon Gold Potato & Leek Cannelloni
slow roasted turnips, sherry brown butter reduction

Nk'Mip, Chardonnay, Okanagan, B.C.

~ or ~

Pan Roasted Fraser River Sockeye Salmon
olive oil poached potato press, peas, cucumbers, manila clam essence
Tantalus, Riesling, Okanagan, B.C.

~ or ~

Duo of Yarrow Meadows Duck
creamy mustard spaetzle, braised red cabbage, okanagan lapin cherry jus
Young & Wyse Merlot, Okanagan, B.C.


Dessert

Passion Fruit Mousse Cake
pineapple and citrus salad

Mission Hill Reserve Riesling Ice Wine, Okanagan, B.C.

~ or ~

Dark Chocolate Sponge Cake
anjou pear butter, caramel Chantilly

Sumac Ridge Pipe, Okanagan, B.C.

To encourage diners to make a night of it, during Dine Out Vancouver, the Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver is offering a stay in one of their Luxury rooms at a rate of just $138 per night. The rate is based on double occupancy and is available January 24 – February 6. For reservations, please visit Tourism Vancouver’s website here.

Metropolitan Hotels operates four luxury properties: Metropolitan Toronto, the Soho Metropolitan, the Grande Rockies Resort and the Metropolitan Vancouver. With more than 920 rooms, Metropolitan Hotels is committed to providing luxury accommodation for business and leisure travellers seeking an independent choice. A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Metropolitan strives to provide superior service with distinctive accommodations. Award-winning restaurants at Metropolitan Hotels include Hemispheres and Lai Wah Heen (Metropolitan Toronto), Senses (SoHo Metropolitan), Diva at the Met (Metropolitan Vancouver) and Lai Toh Heen (mid-town Toronto).

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Metropolitan Hotels offer choices for Christmas and New Year

Diverse entertaining options are available at some of Canada’s best restaurants including Vancouver’s Diva at the Met
www.metropolitan.com/xmas2010.htm

December 8, 2010; Vancouver, B.C. – This winter, the renowned chefs of Metropolitan Hotels want guests to entertain stress-free by leaving the shopping, cooking and cleaning to them. That’s why each Metropolitan restaurant has offered holiday dining options that play to each chef and restaurant’s strengths and unique style.

“The holidays is the season for celebration and spending time with family and friends,” says Caroline Neish, corporate director of food and beverage for Metropolitan Hotels. “By offering a variety of spectacular and yet value-driven choices for our customers, we hope that everyone can focus on enjoying his or her holidays with what is most important.”

Diva at the Met’s Chef Quang Dang has created menus for each special day of the season, with sumptuous dishes ranging from a more traditional butter-poached turkey breast, through to true Cascadian options such as Vancouver Island scallops with a duck “pho” broth. As is now tradition, Lai Wah Heen’s lineup includes its sumptuous New Year’s Day buffet that combines traditional Chinese classics like Peking Duck and abalone with international favourites such as Roast Prime Rib and sushi. Hemispheres Restaurant is already running its Christmas around the World Luncheon menu. Lai Toh Heen is planning a reprise of its successful Christmas and New Year’s Eve dinners. Senses Restaurant will feature the luscious libation of Champagne to anchor its offerings. And Habitat Restaurant, the newest Metropolitan restaurant, also plans to be the focus of celebrations in Canmore with special dinners and its Twelve Days of Christmas festivities.

The entire range of Christmas and New Year’s special events can be found at www.metropolitan.com/xmas2010.htm.

Metropolitan Hotels operates four luxury properties: Metropolitan Toronto, the Soho Metropolitan, the Grande Rockies Resort and the Metropolitan Vancouver. With more than 920 rooms, Metropolitan Hotels is committed to providing luxury accommodation for business and leisure travellers seeking an independent choice. A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Metropolitan strives to provide superior service with distinctive accommodations. Award-winning restaurants at Metropolitan Hotels include Hemispheres and Lai Wah Heen (Metropolitan Toronto), Senses (SoHo Metropolitan), Diva at the Met (Metropolitan Vancouver) and Lai Toh Heen (mid-town Toronto).

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Su Foster Jewellery offers new lines perfect for holiday gift giving

Available at both Fab Fair and on East Side Culture Crawl with online store coming soon

November 2, 2010; Vancouver, BC: This holiday season, choosing a unique, fashion forward present for your loved one is made easy with two new locally-handcrafted lines from su foster jewellery+art+object: Salad Days, a collection of stackable rings; and the Twisted and Hammered collection of high-end filigree statement pieces.

Working on a similar concept to the charm bracelet, the new Salad Days collection includes hand-crafted sterling silver rings that can be worn individually, or stacked, swapped and changed depending on whether the moment calls for pared-down chic or a bold splash. Current designs are inspired by nature, including seed pods and leaves, and new issues in coming seasons will be easily mixed and matched with previous editions. This makes them a great gift that can be added to over the years. Affordable and an easy fit for this winter’s lady-like trend, Salad Days rings have a finish that that will develop a deep patina over the years. Matching post earrings are also available.

Intricate filigree earrings and necklaces make up the Twisted and Hammered collection. Available in both sterling silver and 18K gold-plated sterling silver (and sometimes both in the one piece), the collection is at once delicate and bold. Some of the most iconic pieces in the Twisted and Hammered collection are made up of painstakingly crafted filigree balls incorporated into elegantly dangling earrings and necklaces.

Those buying for the man in their lives will appreciate the West Coast collection - a range of silver men’s rings taking inspiration from B.C.'s natural surroundings: bark, rainforest, driftwood and yes, rain. The pieces are both substantial enough to create a statement, but still appropriately refined.

To make it easy for holiday shoppers to pick up distinctive presents for their fashionable friends and family, pieces from all three collections will be available from the su foster jewellery+art+object table at the Fab Fair Winter Show at Vancouver’s Main Street Heritage Hall on November 20 and 21 (www.fabfair.ca). Su Foster’s workshop at 1177 Parker (at the back of the Mergatroid Building) will also be open to the public during the East Side Culture Crawl, November 26, 27 and 28 (www.eastsideculturecrawl.com). Holiday shoppers will also be able to pick up items through an online store, launching in the next few weeks at http://shop.sufoster.com.

Throughout the year, pieces from the Salad Days collection are available at Forsya Boutique & Gallery (2206 Main Street, Vancouver; www.forsyaboutique.com), while West Coast collection rings are available at Lloyd's of Gastown (157 Water Street, Vancouver; lloydsofgastown.tumblr.com).

su foster jewellery+art+object is a local company that consists of the slightly hippy-like Su Foster working away in her cosy, Eastside studio, focusing on small details of jewellery design that would send other people either crazy or blind. Su graduated from the Jewellery and Small Object Design program at Kootenay School of Art in Nelson, B.C. In 2002. Since then she has worked as a professional goldsmith alongside world-class artists and has continued her education both locally and abroad. www.sufoster.com

Metropolitan Vancouver holiday parties: festive, stylish & stress-free!

Book your holiday celebration now for the chance to win a Beringer Napa Valley luxury getaway
www.metropolitan.com

November 2, 2010; Vancouver, B.C. – The Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver is taking the work out of planning corporate holiday parties this year, with stylish, festive, and most importantly, stress-free options. Better yet, those booking their seasonal corporate or client event at the Met will be entered to win the ultimate holiday gift: a luxury Napa Valley getaway for two people, compliments of Beringer Vineyards.

For an all-inclusive price, starting at just $82 per person including wine, corporate groups can get together to celebrate with wonderful food, wine, holiday spirit and fun, toasting the season and the new year ahead. Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver’s worry-free, all-inclusive price includes:
  • Festive menu options;
  • Two glasses of Beringer wine per guest;
  • Stylish holiday décor and room set-up;
  • The assistance of expert event planners to help at every step of the way;
  • A special overnight rate at the hotel with complimentary upgrade to a Junior Suite – starting at $149, based on double occupancy.
Those booking before November 26 will be entered to win a three-day, two-night luxury trip to the Napa Valley from Beringer Vineyards. The trip includes return airfare to San Francisco from any major Canadian city, premium accommodations at the Westin Napa, a Beringer sommelier guided wine tour, wine tasting and gourmet dinner.

For more information and bookings, contact Lee-Ann Gin, Catering Sales Manager, at 604.643.7253 or lgin@metropolitan.com.

Metropolitan Hotels operates four luxury properties: Metropolitan Toronto, the Soho Metropolitan, the Grande Rockies Resort and the Metropolitan Vancouver. With more than 920 rooms, Metropolitan Hotels is committed to providing luxury accommodation for business and leisure travellers seeking an independent choice. A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Metropolitan strives to provide superior service with distinctive accommodations. Award-winning restaurants at Metropolitan Hotels include Hemispheres and Lai Wah Heen (Metropolitan Toronto), Senses (SoHo Metropolitan), Diva at the Met (Metropolitan Vancouver) and Lai Toh Heen (mid-town Toronto).

Friday, October 22, 2010

Make Fresh Tracks during your stay in Vancouver with new Met package

“Fresh Tracks” gives you the best of the city with a mountain snowshoeing adventure
www.metropolitan.com

October 21, 2010; Vancouver, B.C. – Why choose between the mountains or the city, when you can enjoy both in the one day? The Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver's new “Fresh Tracks” winter package combines the luxury of a city stay with a snowshoeing adventure high up on Grouse Mountain, overlooking the city.

Located right in the centre of the city, Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver is perfectly situated for a stay in the city, exploring the nightlife, shopping, arts and culture. Spend one day exploring the Vancouver Art Gallery, just one block from the hotel and then perhaps indulge in some Robson Street shopping. Enjoy Vancouver’s renowned dining scene and take in a performance at one of the city’s many theatres and live venues. The next day, get in your luxury ride and head up to Grouse Mountain to enjoy a guided snowshoeing tour followed by a fondue dinner at Altitudes Bistro. Head back down the mountain and enjoy a night cap at Diva at the Met in your hotel.

The “Fresh Tracks” package includes
  • Two nights’ accommodation in a Luxury room
  • Breakfast for two at Diva at the Met restaurant
  • Grouse Mountain’s “Snowshoe Fondue” tour for two people, including an hour-long guided snowshoe tour as part of a group, followed by three types of fondue in Altitudes Bistro
  • Luxury transfers to and from Grouse Mountain
  • A night-cap in the lounge at Diva at the Met for two
Priced from $525 (plus applicable taxes, based on double occupancy), the package is available from December 1, 2010 – March 31, 2011 (blackout dates apply). For reservations, please visit the website at www.metropolitan.com/packages or call toll-free 1-800-667-2300.

Metropolitan Hotels operates four luxury properties: Metropolitan Toronto, the Soho Metropolitan, the Grande Rockies Resort and the Metropolitan Vancouver. With more than 920 rooms, Metropolitan Hotels is committed to providing luxury accommodation for business and leisure travellers seeking an independent choice. A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Metropolitan strives to provide superior service with distinctive accommodations. Award-winning restaurants at Metropolitan Hotels include Hemispheres and Lai Wah Heen (Metropolitan Toronto), Senses (SoHo Metropolitan), Diva at the Met (Metropolitan Vancouver) and Lai Toh Heen (mid-town Toronto).

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Diva Thanksgiving takes you out of the kitchen and back to the table

Special Thanksgiving menu and hotel package lets you focus on family and friends instead of the oven
www.divamet.com

September 29, 2010; Vancouver, B.C. – This Thanksgiving, swap the apron for a linen napkin and let Diva at the Met take care of the cooking. Chef Quang Dang has created a special holiday menu that pays tribute to the seasonal harvest and provides the perfect complement to the company of family and friends.

The three-course menu is available for dinner from Friday, October 8 through to Sunday, October 10 inclusive and is priced at $45 per person exclusive of tax and gratuity. Specially chosen wine pairings for each of the courses are also available at extra cost.

Appetizer
Red kuri squash soup
seared Vancouver Island scallops, honey crème fraiche
Suggested wine pairing: Muse Winery, Ortega, 2009, Vancouver Island, BC

Main Course
Fraser Valley “turducken” (turkey wrapped around duck wrapped around chicken)
hazelnut & sage stuffing, glazed brussels sprouts with bacon, cranberry jus
Suggested wine pairing: Desert Hills, Gamay Noir, 2008, Okanagan, BC

Dessert
Apple & pecan brioche bread pudding
with spiced apple cream tarts, house made apple cider
Suggested wine pairing: Cedar Creek "M", 2005, Okanagan, BC

“Thanksgiving falls right in the middle of the autumn harvest,” said Chef Dang. “Here in the Cascadian region, we have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to our dinner plates and this menu is all about celebrating that bounty.”

To create the perfect stress-free Thanksgiving, Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver is offering a package combining Diva’s Thanksgiving feast with an overnight stay. The “Thanksgiving Feast @ The Met” package includes:
  • Thanksgiving dinner for two at Diva at the Met
  • One night’s accommodatio
  • An upgrade to a Luxury room and late check-out
  • Complimentary valet parking
Starting at $239 (excluding applicable taxes), the package is based on double occupancy and is available October 8-10. Extra nights available at $145 per night. For reservations, please visit the website at www.metropolitan.com/packages or call toll-free 1-800-667-2300.

Metropolitan Hotels operates four luxury properties: Metropolitan Toronto, the Soho Metropolitan, the Grande Rockies Resort and the Metropolitan Vancouver. With more than 920 rooms, Metropolitan Hotels is committed to providing luxury accommodation for business and leisure travellers seeking an independent choice. A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Metropolitan strives to provide superior service with distinctive accommodations. Award-winning restaurants at Metropolitan Hotels include Hemispheres and Lai Wah Heen (Metropolitan Toronto), Senses (SoHo Metropolitan), Diva at the Met (Metropolitan Vancouver) and Lai Toh Heen (mid-town Toronto).