Vancouver Farmers Markets have kicked off their summer season at Trout Lake and Kitsilano, with the West End, Main Street and Mount Pleasant markets opening by end of May, and Downtown to open June 1. Look for a host of new vendors, new lunchtime hours at the Downtown market, and a brand-new market to open at Riley Park on June 24. See the full schedule, list of vendors and more at eatlocal.org.
Big news from Zest Japanese Cuisine…the award-winning Japanese restaurant, known as much for its wine and sake lists as for its cuisine, will be temporarily closing its doors for an extensive renovation as of May 28 (last service before renos is on May 27). The closing will coincide with the departure of executive chef Tatsuya Katagiri, who is leaving to open his own restaurant in the Metrotown area later this year. A new EC will be arriving from Japan (stay tuned for further details). zestjapanese.com
Sen Pad Thai, the latest eatery from chef Angus An (Maenam, Longtail Kitchen, Freebird, Fat Mao), is now officially open in The Net Loft on Granville Island, directly across from the public market. The new counter-service noodle stall focuses on Thai street food, including stir-fried noodles, snacks, sides and desserts. See the full menu at senpadthai.com.
Campagnolo Roma is now open for lunch, Monday to Friday, 11:30am to 2:30pm, to coincide with the opening of its garden patio. Look for daily features as well as popular dishes from the main menu. campagnoloroma.com
Assembli, a new fast-casual concept that focuses on pizza and salad, is coming to Cambie and West 8th. Launched by Vancouver-based entrepreneur Deanna Embury and several partners, the concept allows diners to build their own pizzas and salads for one flat price, as well as order from an à la carte menu. assembli.ca
Pepper Lunch, the popular fast-casual chain that specializes in high-quality beef prepared on hot iron skillets, is opening its third Metro Vancouver location on May 18. The third location will be in Richmond at #1625-4791 McLelland Road. Pepper Lunch already has one other location in Richmond and one in Vancouver on Cambie Street. pepperlunchcanada.ca
Just a reminder that Tonight for Tomorrow is happening Wednesday, May 10. For every dollar you spend on dinner at participating restaurants, two dollars will be donated to Mealshare, the not-for-profit organization that focuses on ending youth hunger, both in your local community and abroad. See the full list of participating restaurants at mealshare.ca.
TWG Tea will be offering special brunch tea and afternoon tea sets for Mother’s Day. The Mother’s Brunch Tea Set is $52 per person and available Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14, with 90-minute seatings at 9:30am and 11:30am. The Mother’s Day Tea Set is $68 per person, and is available May 9 to 15, with 90-minute seatings available at 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, and 5:30pm. Kids 12 years and under can enjoy the Mad Hatter’s Tea Set for $30 per person and available until 5:30pm, May 9 to 15. twgtea.com
On Sunday, May 14, Chef David Gunawan of Farmer’s Apprentice and his team will be cooking up a special menu for Mother’s Day, based on the team’s childhood favourites. Dishes include meatloaf with Yorkshire pudding and raspberry ketchup, asparagus salad, vegetable lasagna, baked salmon with potato and sorrel gravy, pork chop with mushroom sauce, and cookies and ice cream for dessert. $65 per person. farmersapprentice.com
On Sunday, May 14, Yew Seafood and Bar is holding its annual Mother’s Day brunch buffet, 9:30am to 2:30pm. Offerings include fresh pastries and baked goods, soups and salads, a raw bar, cheeses and charcuterie, an egg station, a carvery, classic brunch dishes like lobster Benedict and french toast, various sides, desserts, and more. There is also a special children’s table. $88 per adult, children’s pricing available. yewseafood.com
Also on May 14, Yew is launching its Spot Prawn Boil supper series, with additional dates on May 21, 28 and June 4. On each night, a limited number of tickets will be available for this messy, bib-required evening, that will see guests enjoying a salad to start, followed by the spot prawn boil, served with marbled potatoes, grilled asparagus, sautéed zucchini, confit heirloom tomatoes, and housemade baguette, followed by two desserts. Tickets $75, including a glass of CedarCreek Estate Winery Chardonnay. Optional wine pairings also available. yewseafood.com
On Wednesday, May 24, Edible Canada will launch its third annual Canadian Table Dinner Series with a community seafood boil just in time to celebrate BC’s spot prawn season. This dinner is the first in a series of six that will span the year. Held in the newly renovated demonstration kitchen, this dinner will be hosted by chef Tobias Grignon and sustainable seafood expert Meighan Makarchuk of Ocean Wise. Menu includes Fanny Bay oyster hush puppies, clam and rockfish gumbo, spicy octopus succotash, and, of course, a spot prawn boil with fresh BC spot prawns, Saltspring Island mussels, andouille sausage, new potatoes, sweet corn, zucchini, and dessert. Tickets $139 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and includes wine pairings, welcome cocktail, and dinner. ediblecanada.com
On Monday, May 29, My Shanti will be hosting a special dinner featuring former co-workers Vikram Vij and Andrey Durbach. This collaborative dinner will feature four courses, with the two chefs alternating for each course. Ingredients will be supplied from a local farm and each course will be paired with a B.C. wine. Tickets $125 per person. Email namaste@myshanti.com with the subject line “Dinner with Andrey” to reserve your spot. myshanti.com
