Tacofino is expanding its empire, this time into Yaletown. The newest addition is located at 1025 Mainland Street and set to open this June. Expect a counter-service operation with a 40-seat dining room, 16-seat patio and take-out service similar to The Burrito Bar in Gastown.
Pepper Lunch, the popular fast-steak eatery, has opened its first Vancouver location in Cambie Village. The 2,200-square-foot space has 50 seats and a private mezzanine. The DIY-sizzle concept came to Richmond one year ago. It uses a patented hot plate with electromagnetic technology that cooks the high-quality cuts of meat and seafood to diners’ preference. All sauces are made in-house daily from scratch, and the restaurant uses only Canadian Certified Angus Beef, in addition to local ingredients in each market, such as BC steelhead salmon. Try the beef pepper rice or ribeye steak, and the shrimp alfredo.
Mooo-ve over, Dolly… Bella Gelateria, the Big Daddy of artisan gelato in Vancouver, has launched a brand new product, water buffalo milk gelato. The Gelato di Bufala is listed as a healthier alternative to cow’s milk, with more calcium, protein and iron, and less cholesterol and sodium. James Coleridge, owner of Bella Gelateria, sources the buffalo milk from Abbotsford farmer Casie Prium, who recently acquired a herd of Italian water buffalo. The gelato is currently available in several flavours, including lemon, chocolate, fior di latte, and white coffee.
The patio at Joe Fortes is officially open for the season, along with a dozen new cocktails and some new lunch specials, including the formerly brunch-only chicken and waffles.
Bistro Wagon Rouge is launching lunch! The tiny French bistro with the big flavours will now be open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 11am-2:30pm. On the menu is tuna niçoise, croque madame, French onion soup, steak frites, country pâté and steak tartare, as well as a daily soup, baguette sandwich, omelette, moules frites, and mac and cheese.
Cibo Trattoria is offering a spring three-course prix fixe menu for $44 per person. Options include salad with poached pears and gorgonzola, veal and pork Bolognese, Tuscan fish stew, chocolate “salami” with crème fraîche, and seasonal panna cotta.
On Sunday, April 17, Garagiste “The Small Guys” Wine Festival is back in Vancouver at Wise Hall. This annual event celebrates artisan winemakers creating commercially produced small lot wines (under 2,000 cases). More than 20 B.C. wineries will be pouring samples. Tickets $49 on Eventbrite.ca.
Tickets are still available for this month’s Colab at Latab Food. On April 18, join Latab chef and co-owner Kris Barnholden, along with local forager Camille Flanjak of Museum Eats, forager Cease Wyss of Raven + Hummingbird, chef Jefferson Alvarez of Mosquito and bartender Rob Scope of The Cascade Room. The six-course menu will feature traditional, indigenous foods. Tickets $75 per person via Eventbrite.ca.
On April 21, 11:30am-1:30pm, Glowbal Restaurant Group is holding an outdoor barbecue on the grounds of the Vancouver Art Gallery in support of BC Children’s Hospital Jeans Day. Proceeds from the sale of every $13 lunch will be donated to the hospital. $10 early bird tickets also available at BCCHF.ca.
On Thursday, April 21, the fifth annual Taste for Life gala in support of the BC Oral Cancer Prevention Program will take place at the Terminal City Club. This year, Vikram Vij will join Terminal City executive chef Greg Van Poppel to create a multi-course dinner that celebrates the five senses of taste: sweet, salt, bitter, salt and umami – the senses we would lose if afflicted with oral cancer. There will also be live entertainment, wine and champagne pairings, and VIP tasting rooms. Tickets $350 per person or $2,800 for a table of eight.
On April 22, the Young Associates and Here There are joining forces to host a special collaborative evening at The Vancouver Art Gallery between The Acorn and Latab Food, inspired by Mashup: The Birth of Modern Culture. Enjoy four playful courses, join a guided tour of the “Digital Age” exhibit and make your own collage at the arts station. Tickets $52.
On Saturday, May 7, 4pm-10pm, Wet Ape Productions, Buena Onda of Savoury Chef Catering and LatinCouver will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo celebration at Robson Square (plaza level). Look for gourmet tacos, ceviche and other Mexican street-style foods, as well as signature margaritas, palomas, micheladas and cervezas. There will also be street vendors and artisans, piñatas, mariachi bands, traditional dancers, and even a wrestling ring with Luchador wrestlers. Tickets $20 at CasaDeAmigos.ca.
Coal Harbour Liquor Store will once again be hosting its Spring Patio Wine Tasting on the patio at Dockside Restaurant on May 12, 5pm-8pm. Tickets are $49.95 and include all wine samples, tapas from Dockside, a $10 voucher toward any purchase at Coal Harbour Liquor Store, free shuttle from the store to Dockside, and 10 per cent off dinner at Dockside on the event evening.
