SCENE | HEARD
Café Medina’s new location is officially opening its doors as of Tuesday, Aug. 12 at its new location at 780 Richards Street. New executive chef Jonanthan Chovancek has expanded the menu to include more seasonal creations in addition to Medina’s popular Mediterranean-inspired dishes. MedinaCafe.com
Cray Kitchen & Bar on Main has closed, but in its place, signage has gone up for the venerable Frenchie’s Diner. Get ready for Montreal smoked meat and authentic poutine very soon. Frenchies-Diner.com
Seven BC restaurants have been nominated for enRoute’s Canada’s Best New Restaurant People’s Choice Award. Nominees are Ask for Luigi, The Blacktail Florist, Cinara, Farmer’s Apprentice, Victoria’s Little Jumbo, Surrey’s My Shanti, and Tofino’s Wolf in the Fog. You can vote for your favourite at EatAndVote.com.
Chef Alex Tung of La Grotta del Formaggio has taken first place at Rustichella d'Abruzzo's 2014 Primograno Pasta International Competition for his dish of primograno spaghettoni with Abruzzo sausage, Pescara shellfish, chili, and roasted cherry tomato.
DRINK | DINE
On Sunday, Sept. 14, the 11th Annual Scotiabank Passions gala fundraiser in support of The Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation will be held at The Imperial. This has become one of Vancouver’s epic culinary events and features over 20 of the city’s top chef chefs and bartenders, as well as local and international wines and spirits. Early bird tickets $225 until Sept. 1. DrPeter.org
The BC chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier will be honouring John Bishop on Oct. 3 at an iconic multi-chef, multi-course dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver. Bishop, who is one of Vancouver’s most iconic chefs and restaurateurs, is the creator of the farm-to-table movement in Canada’s restaurant scene. Guest chefs will be flying in from all over the country and include Michael Allemeier, Wendy Boys, Adam Busby, Andrea Carlson, Ned Bell and Jeff Van Geest. Tickets are $325 and available on Eventbrite. LesDames.ca
Provence Restaurantshas launched their fifth annual Tomato Festival. Running all this month, each restaurant offers special three-course prix fixe menus featuring local tomatoes. Menus are different at each restaurant and include dishes such as fresh tomato tarte, chilled yellow Campari tomato soup, tomato and nectarine salad, Dungeness crab and tomato stew, halibut puttanesca and dessert. Prices and full menus available at ProvenceVancouver.com.
Adding to the slew of restaurants celebrating the legalization of Happy Hour in B.C., Pidgin is offering “Before and After Dark” food and drink specials from 5-6:30pm and again from 10:30pm until late. Drink specials include Old Fashioneds, Negronis, Manhattans, Margaritas and Moscow Mules for $6.50 each, glasses of red and white wine for $6, and Tiger tall cans of beer for $5. PidginVancouver.com
And, they’re not the only ones… Heirloom vegetarian restaurant is also doing double duty on food and drink specials from 4-6pm and 10pm to midnight. On offer are small plates starting at $4.50, $6 cocktails and glasses of wine, and $5 drafts. HeirloomRestaurant.ca
The Abbeyis also doing Happy Hour, with 50 per cent off small plates and $5 drink specials. Long may Happy Hour reign! AbbeyVan.com
Vancouver Aquarium is holding their annual Toast to the Coast on Oct. 17 to support ocean conservation. This grazing feast includes samplings from top Ocean Wise restaurants, as well as signature BC wines. Tickets are $120. VanAqua.org
