De Dutch is celebrating Canada Day with Front Row at the Fireworks, a fundraiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundations BC Yukon Chapter. Through its website, DeDutch.com/bestseats, nine waterfront tables at De Dutchs Vancouver Convention Centre location will be auctioned off, with bids starting at $200 for a table of two or $400 for a table of four. Winning bidders will enjoy the best seats for the annual July 1 Burrard Inlet Fireworks from 9-11pm, with a $20 voucher from De Dutch included. Bidding closes June 28 at 12 pm. DeDutch.com/bestseats
If Food Truck Alley or a Sip & Savour Garden sound like your cup of tea, youll want to head up to VanDusen Gardens for this years EPIC: Sustainable Living Festival July 6 and 7 from 10am to 9pm. Theres also an Eco Marketplace with inspiring products and ideas, an EPICurean Corner hosting exhibitors such as Green Table Network chefs (with samples of delicious local and sustainable food), gardening workshops, classes conducted by the BC Society of Master Gardeners and an education speaker series at the outdoor event. Tickets: One-day $21/ Two-day $36; For youth, senior and member prices, event details and advance tickets, go to EPICFest.ca. Enter to win two tickets to EPIC here.
When Mike Tran was delivering his collection of Vietnamese sauces to Urban Fare in Yaletown, hed linger in the neighborhood, hoping to find somewhere to open a new branch of his Little Saigon restaurant. A few months ago, he got his wish when Blaq Sheep coffee shop closed. The location, right across from the Roundhouse community centre on Pacific Boulevard, is just down the street from the popular DD Mau Vietnamese sandwich shop. Its the third Little Saigon for Tran and his wife Loan, whose parents taught him how to cook. They also have restaurants in Abbotsford and Mission, as well as their line of four Saigon brand sauces hoisin, peanut, fish and chili oil and iced teas. The menu has many traditional recipes, and many dont use MSG for flavouring.
If you feel like hitting the road on Canada Day (check out our list of what to do in Vancouver on page 4), Backyard Vineyards (3033 232nd Street in Langley) is also throwing a party in honor of Canadas birthday. You can raise a toast with its newly released 2011 Syrah or 2012 Riesling. A country picnic lunch will served from 1 to 4pm; tickets are $20 in advance with reservations strongly recommended. (A limited number of $25 tickets will be available at the door.) There will be live music from 1 to 5pm. Call 604-539-9463 to book your tickets.
On July 1, the Choices Market in Yaletown (1202 Richards) will celebrate Canadas 146th birthday and its 13th anniversary. From 11am to 3pm, it will host a donation barbecue and serve coffee and cake.
