For a man who has opened many successful restaurants in his life, Emad Yacoub is as excited as a schoolboy as he welcomes guests to The Roof at the Black + Blue restaurant.
Inspired by a U2 rooftop concert video, the founder of Glowbal Group wanted to create a space reminiscent of New York. He spent a year and a half getting approvals for Vancouvers first open rooftop kitchen and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the proper safety features needed to accommodate the state-of-the-art, intensely high-heat Josper Charcoal Broiler Oven that can perfectly cook a thick steak in four and a half minutes. The oven, which can reach internal temperatures of 1700, is first of its kind in Canada and one of only 20 in North America. Theres nothing else that can give you that speed and that flavour, Yacoub says.
The rooftop terrace creates the feeling of a sophisticated yet relaxed backyard patio as in an aerial backyard of downtown condo towers.
Yacoub once again turned to award-winning BOX Interiors to design the 120-seat area.
Executive Chef Jason Labahn brings al fresco dining to new levels with his menu of prime meats, skewered fish, seafood and poultry cooked over the wood coals, although there is also lighter fare including pizza, sandwiches and shared plates. But save room for dessert new on the menu is a pie made with 23 apples and a 20-layer chocolate cake.
Starting April 25, The Roof is open seven days a week from 11:30am to 10pm. Media night April 24 (pictured, left) saw more than 3,000 people come through, in colour-coded waves, to christen the new space and enjoy some serious cuts of meat.
Next in Yacoubs sights? Opening Trattoria at Park Royal in the fall.
Fathers Day for meat lovers
Vancouvers first festival of meat is June 16 at Concord Pacific Place a perfect place to take your dad on Fathers Day. Brewery & The Beast will feature more than 30 restaurants and chefs, including those from Forage, Hawksworth, Maenam, West and Wildebeest. There will be lots of meat on the grill whole pig roasts, classic BBQ cuts, charcuterie and what theyre calling experimental meat concoctions for the more adventurous carnivores. And whats a bbq without beer in the cooler, this time provided by Phillips Brewing Company. There will also be wine on tap from Vancouver Urban Winery, Left Field Cider, Phillips homemade sodas and traditional iced tea. Tickets are $79 and include all food and beverages. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the BC Hospitality Foundation, which provides financial assistance to sick and injured hospitality staff. Ticketweb.ca.
Okanagan chefs at Dirty Apron
Theyre back! Three of the chefs who are featured in The Butcher, The Baker, The Wine & Cheese Maker An Okanagan Cookbook will be teaching at The Dirty Apron in Gastown on May 5: Natasha Schooten of Terrafina Restaurant in Oliver, Gold Medal Plates Award winner Chef Mark Filatow of Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar in Kelowna and Sandrine Raffault-Martin, owner of Sandrine French Pastry & Chocolate in Kelowna. Each course will also be paired with Okanagan wines including Rustic Roots Winery, Meyer Family Vineyards, and Bella Wines. Tickets $150 each; DirtyApron.com.
Rhizome Café
Rhizome Café is not just a place to eat. The East Van restaurant has also been a place where owners Lisa Mooor and Vinetta Lenuat share their passions for social activism and open their doors to various community groups. But its days are drawing to an end. Rising costs and a desire to devote more of their energies to their families and social justice causes have prompted them to close the café in July. there will be a farewell open house on June 22. RhizomeCafe.ca
A little Blackbird told us...
The Donnelly Group is in the midst of plans for transforming The Kegs former location at Dunsmuir and Hornby into the Blackbird the groups 18th location. Wendy Derzai, the director of sales, says theyre working on three concepts, one for each floor of the space. On the ground level is a high-end cocktail den/restaurant. One storey up will be a club with either a barber shop or high-end coffee bar. (Theyve also got some beautiful old wooden pool tables.) The third level will be the groups new corporate headquarters. Altogether there will be 450 seats and the plan is to add a little attitude to the downtown core. The Blackbird is slated to open in early August; meanwhile, The Keg is moving to the former Shore Club.
Concerts on the Hill
Enjoy a little music with your wine? Mission Hill Family Estate has an amazing line-up of performers this summer. Chris Botti is on July 12, Gipsy Kings perform July 27, two-time Grammy winner LeAnn Rimes comes to the Okanagan on July 28 and Pink Martini will take you on a musical adventure on August 9. There are only 1,000 seats at the outdoor amphitheatre so tickets, which start at $99, are expected to sell out quickly. Go to MissionHillWinery.com or call 250-762-5050 for details.
Food Rave
Chef Michael Lyon and DJ Krucial K are teaming up for Ex Nihilos Food Rave, an evening of food, wine and music on May 11. Tickets are $65 each to the Lake Country event, and are available at ExNihiloVineyards.com or 250-766-5522.
Wine for Waves
Naramata Bench wineries are saluting the Vancouver Aquariums OceanWise program at Wine For Waves at the Four Seasons on April 26. Tickets are $95 each and are available at VanAqua.org.
