The Holy Crab, a Louisiana-style seafood restaurant originating from Jakarta, has opened its first Canadian location at 1588 Robson. The menu features Ocean Wise seafood served with signature Cajun and garlic-pepper sauces, as well as chowders, bisques, calamari, and more. Liquor licensing will be in place in the next couple of weeks. TheHolyCrab.ca
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Gastown’s Jules Bistro is offering prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus until Feb. 12, each of them featuring their original prices of $21 and $23, respectively, from when the restaurant opened a decade ago. JulesBistro.ca
The Donnelly Group of pubs has teamed up with Postmark Brewing in support of the Salvation Army. Throughout February, one dollar from the sale of every Mosaic Hop IPA will be donated to the charity on behalf of the Donnelly Fund. As well, Donnelly chef Alvin Pillay has created a dish to pair with the beer: Postmark Ale Cumberland sausage and patatas bravas, which will be available at all Donnelly locations. DonnellyGroup.ca
Vancouver Farmers Markets is giving away a year’s worth of food-truck lunches to one lucky person. Purchase a meal at the Nat Bailey or Hastings Park winter markets during Food Truck February and you’ll be automatically entered to win the Golden Ticket: a 52-week pass to VFM food trucks. EatLocal.org
Odd Society Spirits releases its Amaro (an Italian digestif), called Mia Amata, on Feb. 10. Its ingredients include indigenous aphrodisiacs from Brazil blended with myrrh gum from Somalia, kola nut from West Africa, candied plum from Persia, and elderflower and magnolia from B.C. Available at the distillery in 375 mL bottles for $22. OddSocietySpirits.com
Whistler’s Il Caminetto, the acclaimed Italian restaurant from Giardino owner Umberto Menghi, has been sold to Toptable Group (Araxi, Cin Cin, Blue Water Cafe, and others). Araxi executive chef James Walt will be overseeing the new menu after the restaurant changes hands on Apr. 15. It will close briefly for some revamping, but will reopen in time for summer.
More special meals and events exclusively for Valentine’s Day:
Tableau Bar Bistro is offering a three-course menu for $75 per person. Options include beet-cured salmon, lobster bisque with lobster ravioli, mushrooms on toast with foie gras and chicken boudin blanc, porcini-crusted veal loin, Fraser Valley duck breast, crispy-skinned arctic char, dark chocolate mousse and ginger crème brûlée. Guests will also enjoy an amuse of ham croquettes and mignardises. Call 604-639-8692 to reserve. TableauBarBistro.com
Maenam’s Valentine’s Day dinner is $75 per person. The multi-course menu includes options such as candied prawns and chicken, lobster latiang, hot-and-sour salmon soup, duck with crab consommé, Wagyu beef salad, whole sea bass, caramelized beef tenderloin, scallop or duck curry, and dessert. Optional wine pairings are available for $28 (3 oz pours) or $38 (5 oz). Reserve at 604-730-5579. Maenam.ca
Market by Jean-Georges is offering a five-course tasting menu for $110 per person. Start with scallop ceviche over a coriander flan, followed by roasted beet agro dolce with burrata, Dungeness crab chowder with sweet potato gnocchi, seared duck breast with cashew purée, elk with salsify and black truffle, and passionfruit “pearl” with elderflower gel and almond granita. MarketByJGVancouver.com
TWG Tea’s Valentine’s Day three-course menu is available from Feb. 7-14, for $65 per person. It includes a tea-infused sparkling wine cocktail, pan-seared scallops in tea-infused dashi broth, steamed vegetables and tea leaves, garlic Korean brown rice, and a selection of desserts, as well as hot or iced tea. TWGTea.com
Les Cocottes, a new local mystery box service that mails out a gourmet selection of French foods every two months, is offering a special Valentine’s deal: sign up for three boxes and get the fourth one free. Vancouver orders placed before the 10th of February will be delivered in time for Valentine’s Day. LesCocottesBox.co
Sharpen your love. On Feb. 12, Douglas Chang of Ai & Om Knives hosts an interactive culinary workshop celebrating togetherness in the kitchen. Couples will create a romantic meal featuring a dozen oysters with mignonette, tuna tataki with pickled vegetables, and sliced fresh fruit. The hands-on, three-hour class will teach guests how to properly shuck oysters, brunoise shallots, julienne vegetables, and slice tuna, as well as prepare and plate the evening’s creations. Guests will also enjoy sparkling Junmai sake from Granville Island’s Artisan Sake Maker. Space is limited to four couples; $235 per couple. Reserve by emailing info@aiandomknives.com.
The Cascade Room is holding a “For the Love of Rum” event on Feb. 14. The seminar and tasting of Havana Club rum runs 3-4pm, and gives attendees the opportunity to taste and learn about the rum from brand ambassador Donnie Wheeler, as well as enjoy complimentary snacks. TheCascade.ca
