Its a simple concept, but one that has sounded off with a boom in Chinatown in the months since it opened. Bestie, a beer and sausage parlour at 105 East Pender, is exactly what it sounds like, except the dark wood and greasy seats have been replaced with light panelled walls, bright windows and clean minimalist lines. The sausages come from local butchers such as Oyama and the curried ketchup, pickles and sauerkraut are made in-house. The stand-out is definitely the currywurst, a popular German street food of sliced sausage with curried ketchup over crispy fries ($8). But the classic sausage and warm sauerkraut ($9.50), served with the house mustard, fries and mayo, is nothing to sneeze at either. Open for lunch and dinner until late Monday to Saturday, with a late-night window until 3am on weekends. Bestie.ca
It was with a heavy yet happy heart that Steve Brand and Neil Ingram announced the end of an era on December 23, Gastowns Boneta restaurant will serve its last supper. When it opened, enRoute magazine named it one of the best new restaurants in 2008. But in an announcement posted Tuesday via social media, Bonetas owners said The decision was made to go out at the top of our game heads high. We opened it to make change, shake shit up and be the best. I couldnt be prouder with the results. Our last service will be December 23, get your ass in and celebrate with us. Boneta loves you xoxo. And Vancouver loved Boneta right back.
A new pastaria has opened in Gastown at 305 Alexander. From the team behind Pizzeria Farina and The Pourhouse comes Ask for Luigi, an Italian restaurant with a focus on fresh and hand-made pasta. Jean-Christope Poirier, the chef and co-owner, has also created a nice selection of antipasti and a fantastic grapes and hops list. AskforLuigi.com
Forage executive chef Chris Whittaker has once again been crowned Chowder Champ at Vancouver Aquariums 6th annual Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown. Whittakers wild BC spot prawn and pork hock chowder with quails egg and pork crackling is the same recipe he used last year, and will be available at the restaurant. ForageVancouver.com
The 4th annual Vancouver Christmas Market is now open, and running daily through to December 24 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza. If the carousel and artisan gifts arent your scene, no worries, as its the food and drink you should be going for. German favourites such as gluhwein, shupfnulden, schnitzel and bratwurst, not to mention strudel and chocolate, line the walkways. VancouverChristmasMarket.com
Hart House Restaurant at Deer Lake is once again offering its annual Dickens buffet lunch weekdays from December 2 to 20. Includes roasted turkey and a beef carving station, seafood platters, salads, charcuterie, cheeses, and, of course, dessert. $34.95 per person. HartHouseRestaurant.com
The Parker is hosting a Top Chef Canada reunion dinner on December 2 when Parker EC Curtis Luk is joined by Jimmy Stewart of Housexguest. The five-course vegetarian Fall of Autumn dinner is $49; tickets available at TheParkerVancouver.com.
Yew Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel is offering a four-course Christmas Eve dinner for $91 per person. Choices include Dungeness crab, cake, candy cane beet salad, celery root soup, lobster risotto and short ribs, and Fraser Valley duck. Dont want to cook on Christmas Day? The brunch buffet ($89 per adult; $41 per child), has everything from pastries and granola to seafood, salads, soups, prime rib, roast turkey, shucked oysters, desserts and a special kids menu. YewSeafood.com
Anya Levykh has been writing about all things ingestible for over a decade. Hear her every Monday on CBC Radio Ones On the Coast, follow her on Twitter @foodgirlfriday and catch up at FoodGirlFriday.com.
