Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar’s executive chef Alex Chen has won the top spot at the 10th annual Gold Medal Plates Competition in Victoria, for his pairing of local pork terrine with Foxtrot Vineyard’s Pinot Noir. Chen will go on to represent BC at the Canadian Culinary Championships in Kelowna, Feb. 5-6, 2016.
In other news from Boulevard, chef Roger Ma has been crowned Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Champion for his lobster miso chowder with sidestripe shrimp, clams, wakame seaweed and miso flakes. People’s choice winner was chef Alessandro Vianello of ARC at the Fairmont Waterfront for his cedar-smoked sablefish chowder with kelp powder and crispy pancetta, served in a bread bowl.
Osteria Savio Volpe, the newest Italian eatery to grace the Fraserhood, has officially opened its doors. The 75-seat eatery is open nightly from 5pm.
In other Fraserhood news, Graze, the popular vegan eatery, has closed its doors. Don’t be sad, though, as the move is temporary until larger commercial digs can be found that will accommodate the restaurant’s growing retail line of nut-based cheese products.
Shark Club is reopening Dec. 1 after 18 months of renovations. The new space also features a completely new menu from Chef Brandon Thordarson, as well as a custom cocktail list from created by top bartenders, including Grant Sceney, Justin Taylor, Gez McAlpine, Shaun Layton, and Joel Virginillo.
Prohibition, the cocktail lounge at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, will be opening its doors from 4pm starting in December.
The Cascade Room on Main Street is having a tree-trimming party on Dec. 1. Tickets are $45 and include assorted canapes, two different bottomless punch bowls, and the fun of decorating Christmas trees with your friends or colleagues.
Juniper, the latest addition to the Chinatown dining scene, will be opening its doors on Dec. 3. The “spirit-forward” restaurant and lounge features 100-plus seats, and a menu that focuses on Cascadian ingredients. First-time EC Sarah Stewart previously worked at Edible Canada, and her food will be paired with cocktails designed by Shaun Layton (L’Abattoir), including a revolving list of G&Ts.
In time for the annual Rogers Santa Claus Parade, Glowbal at Telus Garden will be holding a buffet brunch on Dec. 6 with 100+ items, as well as visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Partial proceeds from the brunch will be donated to BC Women’s Hospital Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit. Tickets $49 for adults and $22 for children under eight.
Save the date…the 14th annual Dine Out Vancouver festival is back Jan. 15-31 with multiple events, as well as hundreds of restaurants offering value-priced prix fixe menus.
