L’Abattoir’s Lisa Haley has been promoted to the role of Restaurant Director. The former assistant GM and wine director was voted Sommelier of the Year at the 2017 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards. labattoir.ca
Sad news for fans of Charlie’s Little Italian on Main Street. The restaurant held its last service on Aug. 6 and is now permanently closed. Part of the Cascade Company group of restaurants, which includes The Cascade Room, The Union and El Camino’s, the cozy eatery has been serving up casual Italian fare since 2013. Look for the staff to transition to the other locations and stay tuned for news on what will be coming to this space.
Chancho Tortilleria, a new Mexican eatery, has opened at 1206 Seymour St. The corn tortillas are made in house daily on a special machine from Mexico. Look for various carnitas and vegetarian tortillas. Open Monday to Saturday, 11:30am until food runs out (around 5pm). chancho.ca
TWG Tea has decided to steep and chill. The premium tea purveyor has added almost a dozen new tea-based milkshakes to their summer menu, with multiple ice cream and sorbet flavours, including Sakura, Earl Grey, Crème Brulée and more. twgtea.com
Time to catch a ferry… Superbaba is now open at 1325 Blanshard St. in downtown Victoria. The Middle East-meets-West Coast counter-service restaurant is a collaborative project from Robbie Kane of Café Medina, Jason Sussman and Ryan Spong of Tacofino, Josh Carlsen and Mike Dawson of Tacofino Victoria, and Abdallah El Chami of The Dallah Menu. Look for Middle Eastern favourites like falafel and hummus in a variety of bowls, sandwiches and sides, as well as chicken and steak kabobs, fresh-baked pita, turmeric cookies, housemade pickles, fried cauliflower, iced Turkish coffee, mint lemonade and loads more deliciousness. eatsuperbaba.com
Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio has launched a new Champagne menu for August, available by both the glass and bottle, designed to appeal to a wide variety of palates and price points. Find rare vintages like Ruinart R Brut as well as more famed houses like Dom Perignon. A tasting flight of one rosé and two bruts is available for $49. Each bubble is designed to pair with executive chef Ricardo Valverde and raw chef Yoshihiro Tabo’s Peruvian-Japanese menu. ancoradining.com
Kris Barnholden has joined Bows X Arrows on Fraser Street as its new chef and has created new lunch and dinner menus. Look for house-smoked herring and Danish rye tartine, heirloom potato salad, farro and squash risotto, pork and lentil stew, house-smoked salmon, sandwiches, soups and desserts. bowsxarrows.ca
The Pride parade may be over but you can still show your solidarity. Caffè Artigiano is offering rainbow latte art, as well as special rainbow sleeves, through this week at all locations. All proceeds from the rainbow lattes will go to the Dr. Peter Centre for HIV/AIDS. caffeartigiano.com
House Special is now offering brunch and happy hour menus. The family-style “Saigon dim sum” brunch menu includes several vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes, as well as classic breakfast items with a twist, such as red bean cinnamon bun, coconut shrimp cakes, dumplings, cocktails and more. The new happy hour is available Monday to Friday 3-6 p.m. and 9 p.m. until closing, and weekends 5-6 p.m. and 9 p.m. until close. The dedicated small-bites menu includes betel-wrapped beef, cassava fries, panko-coated boiled egg with tamarind-chili jam, $4.50 wines, $5 craft beers and highballs, and $1 off cocktails. housespecial.ca
On Wednesday, Aug. 16, H2 Rotisserie and Bar will host a 30-seat long-table dinner on its garden terrace. The five-course dinner will be paired with wines from Syncromesh in Okanagan Falls. Dishes include foie gras and scallops, blackened ahi tuna, crispy pork belly, Fraser Valley duck breast, and matcha green tea brulée. Tickets $150 per person, including dinner, wine, tax and gratuity. westinbayshore.com/long-table
On Friday, Aug. 18, the Italian Cultural Centre will host Il Mercato, an Italian night market, from 5-9 p.m. Find organic and artisan products, prepared food, children’s activities, Italian music, and more. italianculturalcentre.ca
