British Columbia Canada Blog

After eight great years as the Copper Kettle Grille, chef Vince and his crew are ready to launch Santé Bar & Grille, Big White’s newest restaurant. During the severe cold snap in late November a pipe froze and flooded the dining room 36 hours prior to the planned Grand Opening.

 Thanks to the diligent efforts of the reconstruction team, the Lounge area will be reopening on December 17th 2010, followed by the dining room on December 23rd 2010, just in time for Christmas. Located slope-side in the White Crystal Inn, and just steps from the top of the Gondola, Santé specializes in eclectic Canadian cuisine. Choose a bottle from our affordable Okanagan Valley wine list, and let our servers pamper you. Bring your children and let them choose from our extensive kids menu.

If you are looking for a more mature, relaxed environment to enjoy a nightcap, come and visit Santé Bar (no minors please), also located in the White Crystal Inn. Sit by our stone fireplace and enjoy a signature martini or one of our specialty coffee drinks. Santé Grille is open for Breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. For reservations call 250-491-8122 or just come down after a great day of skiing.

Plan your next ski trip with BC Travel guide

Springtime in British Columbia is beautiful and we welcome it with open arms. To celebrate Spring in Victoria, British Columbia, Spinnakers Gastrobrewpub and Guesthouse (located on 308 Catherine St., Victoria, BC) invites craft beer lovers to share a day of extraordinary cask conditioned beers in its third Cask Festival, to be held on Saturday, March 20, 2010. 

The guests will be able to sample at least 20 different one-of-a-kind cask-conditioned beers made by brewers from Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, Washington and Oregon at this event.

Place: Spinnakers Gastrobrewpub

Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010

Time: 11:30am - 5pm

Price: $35/person and  $30 for CAMRA members*
*Get a $5 discount on admission by joining the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) at their website and click on “join”
Ticket price includes souvenir glass and first 3 drink tickets (drink tickets $1 afterwards)

For Ticket info. call: 250- 384-2739

When it comes to nightlife, Whistler is quite happening for a resort village. No doubt, people from all over the world love coming down to Whister which is British Columbia’s most popular resort town. Check out our favourite Top 5 pubs in Whistler for Vancouver 2010.

1. Amesterdam Cafe and Pub: One thing I love about Amesterdam Pub is that they have a very popular patio overlooking the village square. Amesterdam Cafe and Pub is open from 11.00 am to 1.00 am everyday. There veggie villain burger priced at $11 will certainly appeal vegetarian option seekers. Call: 604-932-8334 for more information.

2. Dubh linn Gate Pub : Visit PanPacific Mountainside Resort to experience this Irish style pub which is open from 7.00 am to noon for breakfast and for full service until 1.00 am. For more information, call: 1-800-387-3311

3. Buffalo Bill’s Bar and Grill: Buffalo Bills Bar & Grill is the premier nightspot for partying in Whistler. Conveniently located next to the Conference Center, in the heart of Whistler Village Buffalo Bill’s is your place if you want to love dancing. For more information, call: 1-604-932-6613

4. Longhorn Saloon and Grill: You can let your hair down and totally relax at Longhorn Saloon, located right at the village lift base in the Carleton Lodge. Call: 604-932-5999 for more information.

5. Garfinkels Nightclub: Garfinkel’s Nightclub is one of Whistler’s largest pub known for its longest running parties. It can get really busy in here so call: (604) 932-2323 for more information. 

Just came across a very interesting news story about much talked about HST (Harmonized Sales tax) and how it’s going to effect BC restaurant industry. Check out the complete story at CBC News. Here is the sneak preview:

Many British Columbia restaurant owners plan staff cutbacks if the province carries through with its planned shift to a Harmonized Sales Tax, according to a recent survey.

The Canadian Restaurant and Food Services Association surveyed a few hundred of its 4,000 B.C. members and found two-thirds plan to cut staff and another six per cent said they’ll shut down if the HST is introduced, association president Garth Whyte said in a news release.

Premier Gordon Campbell and B.C. Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced July 23 that B.C.’s HST will combine the five per cent federal GST with the seven per cent provincial sales tax for a harmonized 12 per cent tax, starting in July 2010.

At that time, Campbell said the HST would boost the economy, but food industry leaders believe it will do the opposite.

“We’re going to have a seven per cent increase in taxes on the consumer when they come to restaurants – it’s going to really hurt us and it’s going to reduce consumer spending,” said Whyte.

The way the HST will be applied means the province’s consumers will pay extra tax on items such as restaurant meals, airline tickets, funerals and haircuts – all of which were previously exempt from the PST.

Hmmmm..I have a feeling that it will affect BC tourism a lot. Hopefully it won’t hurt a lot!

Although Whistler has 4-5 Golf Clubs but Whistler Golf Club is my all time favourite. This beautiful Golf Course will take your breath away and will exceed your expectations. Whistler Golf Club was chosen by Arnold Palmer as the site for his first Canadian design and using the natural contours of the region, the creation of intimidating lakes and the redirection of meandering Crabapple creek, Arnold Palmer has created a unique course which is challenging yet enjoyable.

Nestled among towering peaks of Whistler, this Golf Course is a perfect escape from busy corporate life. You can relax here at the patio with your clients or improve your game at the learning and performance centre. Check out some features of Whistler Golf Club below:

• Driving range and practice putting green

• Custom club fitting and repair centre

• Learning & Performance Centre

• 150-seat licensed, indoor/patio dining facility

• On-course licensed, refreshment cart and halfway house

Other Related Links:

BC Golfing

Whistler Resorts and Lodges

Victoria is one of the popular places to visit in British Columbia and now there is one more reason to visit it and that is 6th annual ‘Dine Around and Stay in Town Event, Victoria.’ Starting February 19th up until March 8th 2009, you will get to enjoy mouth-watering food in some of the best restaurants of Victoria at a reasonable price paired with fantastic wines of British Columbia.

In this event participating restaurants will offer three course menus to the guests for $20, $30 and $40 CDN per person. Of course, these menus will all be paired with BC VQA wine suggestions. Visitors will also get some wonderful deals from Victoria’s hotels and accommodations like rooms starting from $79, $89, $99 and $129 CDN.

Did you know that Victoria has the second highest number of restaurants per capita in North America and over 50 local restaurants are participating in this wine and dine event? There are plenty of good restaurants to choose from so take your pick, make reservations and enjoy.

For more information, visit:  The British Columbia Restaurant & Foodservices Association

Other Related Links:

Victoria Accommodations

Vancouver Island