SCENE | HEARD
• Bufala, the new pizzeria from James Iranzad and Josh Pape of Wildebeest, is now open at 5395 West Boulevard in Kerrisdale, serving up Napoletana pies and Italian cocktails for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
• Crackle Crème dessert café is also now open at 245 Union Street, featuring crème brûlée and liege waffles. CrackleCreme.com
• The Fat Badger, second lovechild of Neil Taylor and Ed Perrow of Espana fame, is open in the old Le Gavroche space in the West End, serving up classic British pub fare and UK beers.
• Skinny Fat Jack’s has opened in the space behind Slickity Jim’s Chat n Chew. The sister space is a back alley dive bar run by the same owner, featuring local craft beer and local artists and musicians. Facebook.com/SkinnyFatJacks
• Pronto Caffe on Cambie, well-known for their otherworldly porchetta, has opened up Prontino, a wine and cocktail bar, next door. Look for classic Italian cocktails, a good selection of wines by the glass, and lots of small bites to go with the booze. ProntoCaffe.com
• Japanese brasserie Shirakawa has opened in Gastown. The restaurant is located in Blood Alley at the old Boneta space, and specializes in grilled items, with an extensive cocktail list.
DRINK | DINE
• Bel Café has launched a new summer menu of gourmet popsicles and housemade ice cream, with flavours ranging from mountainberry tea popsicle to milk chocolate almond salted caramel. BelCafe.com
• Mamie Taylor’s in Chinatown has extended their hours and launched a late-night menu that will be available until 1am on weekends. Look for fried chicken with summer corn, grilled pork chops, scotch egg turducken. Stay tuned for the opening of their new patio later this summer. MamieTaylors.ca
• Salt Tasting Room is bringing back its popular Salt Cellar Series for the summer. This series of unique dining experiences includes Salt opening up its cellars for guests to sip and sample from exceptional B.C. producers, including local wines, meats, cheeses and high-quality whiskeys. Tickets are $51.60 for each night. Visit website for full schedule. SaltTastingRoom.com
• The Movies at Market series is back on June 27-28 with a screening of Three Stars, which looks at the behind-the-scenes stories of 10 three-Michelin-star restaurants. The movie screening, which includes bubbly and popcorn, is followed by a four-course dinner with optional wine pairings. Tickets $78 per person. 604-695-1115
• Choices Markets are hosting a Kids in the Kitchen summer camp run by Project CHEF from July 21 to 25, for kids ages eight to 14. The chefs at Project CHEF work to reconnect children with the food they eat, helping them discover the process and pleasure in cooking and sharing food together. For more information, visit ChoicesMarkets.com or call 604-736-0009.