If youve never heard of Brad Miller, youve probably eaten his food without knowing it.
Formerly at Bistro Pastis, West, and the now-closed Au Petit Chavignol, Miller is long and well-versed in the elements of French bistro cuisine (the stint in Paris and some time at a Michelin-starred resto didnt hurt either).
While his first run at ownership, The Red Wagon, is a casual diner focusing on all-day breakfasts sourced from ethical, sustainable ingredients with a French heartiness, Millers latest opening, Bistro Wagon Rouge, is all French, all the time, but still with a decidedly charming and blue-collar sensibility.
The menu changes constantly, but expect a rotating list of classics such as cassoulet, duck confit, and steak frites. The steak tartare blew me away and, as a bonus for those with dreams of kicking up their heels at Le Moulin Rouge someday, there is absinthe behind the bar, complete with a proper water drop dispenser that can muddle up to four sugared cocktails at a time.
No resos, so just walk in and prepare to be happy.
The Liberty Distillery has officially opened its cocktail lounge for service seven days a week from 11am. Serving certified craft BC organic, gluten-free spirits fermented and distilled on site, look for cocktails using their Truth Vodka, Endeavour Gin and Railspur No.1 White Whiskey.
Robert Stelmachuk, noted sommelier and formerly of Le Crocodile, Market by Jean-Georges, and Chambar, has joined the team at Uva Wine Bar and Cibo Trattoria as general manager and wine director. Stelmachuk replaces Steve Edwards, who left to accept an executive position with a project scheduled to open later this year.
Pidgin has introduced a special Putins Pride cocktail, available until February 23. The rainbow-coloured concoction is made with Mount Gay rum, Cointreau, pineapple syrup and coconut water.
It's time for Calvados, the apple brandy from Normandy, to have its time in the sun. Uva Wine Bar is hosting its inaugural Calvados Cocktail Competition on Feb. 18. It features six of Vancouver's behind-the-bar stars: Thor Paulson (Wildebeest), William Johnson (L'Abattoir), Julia Diakow (Cuchillo), Martin Correveau (La Pentola), Justin Anello (La Terrazza) and Sean McGuigan (Clough Club). They're vying for $1,000 in case and a limited bottle of Pere Magloire 20-year-old Calvados. Tickets are $30 each and are available here.
DRINK | DINE
On Sunday, March 2, Fable Restaurant will be hosting a five-course Top Chef Canada reunion dinner created by chefs from seasons two and three Top Chef Canada. Five chefs, including Fable EC Trevor Bird, will craft one dish each. Tickets are $125, including all taxes and gratuities (beverages extra).
Wild Rice in Gastown may have closed, but its New Westminster location at River Market is alive and well, and will be offering a romantic and hearty dim sum platter for two on February 14. For $34 per couple, you get crispy shrimp wontons, duck confit spring rolls, lobster and pork sui mai, braised lamb potstickers, and barbecue pork steam buns.
Xi Shi Lounge at the Shangri-La Hotel is offering a special Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea for $38 per person until February 28 in honour of The Year of the Horse. Look for barbecue pork brioche buns, smoked salmon bagels with yuzu mayo, duck spring rolls, egg tart, green tea opera cake and other dainties.
It's Family Day Week at Olive & Anchor in Horseshoe Bay. Take the kids for a drive to watch the ferries come and go and then enjoy lunch or dinner knowing that children under 12 eat for free this week(except the 14th and 15th after 4pm).
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 FoodGirlFriday.com
