Ensemble, eTap close
It was with a tremendous sense of loss that Vancouver food fans learned that Dale Mackay has closed his two restaurants, Ensemble and eTap. The amiable chef had opened both establishments shortly after being crowned Top Chef Canada by the Food Network. While his down-home-with-flair cooking was popular, he told the Vancouver Sun that wasnt properly financed when he opened eTap so soon after Ensemble, and that now hes thinking of heading to his home province of Saskatchewan. It will be sad to say farewell to someone whose gracious acceptance of his television fame endeared him to everyone. Vancouver can be proud of the way he acted as an ambassador of the citys food culture and his support of various causes.
Sanafir closing party
Sanafir (1026 Granville) is scheduled to close after dinner service on September 1. The Glowbal Group restaurant and lounge known for its fusion Mediterranean, Asian, North African, and Indian menu will undergo a $450,000 renovation and reopen in the fall of 2012 with a new concept. The restaurant will celebrate its five years as part of Vancouvers food scene with a closing party, which will include live music and belly dancers, on September 1 starting at 6:30pm. from BC Les Clefs dOr
Section (3) replaced by Romers Burgers
Section(3) will be closing on Sept. 22 after 18 years in Yaletown! They are taking reservations until Sept. 21st before closing the doors permanently on their 6,543rd day in business. The space has been sold to Romers Burger Bar which will spend two months renovating the space. from BC Les Clefs dOr
The Tiffin Project
Refillable travel coffee mugs and water containers are about to be joined by metal bowls that aim to reduce how much garbage we create. As part of the Tiffin Project (TheTiffinProject.com), consumers are urged to buy the $24 food-grade stainless steel containers by Onyx Containers. You then take this container to one of 10 participating restaurants when you make your order. The restaurants will give you a discount because youre not requiring disposable containers and you know youre doing your bit to reduce the amount of waste going into our landfills. Participating restaurants are The Noodle Box, Curry2U, Nuba, Edible Canada, Harvest Union, Tacofino, Fable and The Stock Market. Joining them soon will be W2 Media Café, Calabash Bistro, Vijs Rangoli and Railway Express and The Whip.
Gastown chili contest
On Sept. 1 and 2, Gastowns Blarney Stone pub is hosting a bbq and chili cook-off for charity festival. The outdoor block party includes live music, kids activities and food, with participants invited to join celebrity judges Vancouver Canuck Jason Garrison, Breakfast TV's Dawn Chubai, Global TVs Sophie Lui, Team 1040s Joe Leary and Vancouver chef Peter Gray from Whets Kitchen in voting for the best chili cooked up by 12 Vancouver restaurants. The finale is Sunday night when, after a pig roast, everyone can cheer on the winners and then dance to a cover band and DJ. The proceeds go directly to Athletics 4 Kids, a local charity that helps underprivileged kids participate in sports. Carrall Street between Cordova and Water will be shut down for the two days. For details go to BlarneyStone.ca.
Dinner a la Julia
Following on the success of Julia Childs 100th birthday party across the city, Les Dames dEscoffier is hosting Julia in Paris, a stunning 10-course dinner prepared by some of Vancouvers favourite chefs. Special guest chefs (in alphabetical order) are Dame Andrea Carlson (formerly of Bishops and now chef at her new restaurant Burdock & Co); Bala Kumanan, Hys of Canada (Celebrating their 50th anniversary this October); Bruno Feldeisen, executive pastry chef, Four Seasons; Hidekazu Tojo, Tojos; Kerry Sear, Four Seasons, Seattle; Lee Cooper, LAbattoir; Dame Lee Murphy, Vista dOro; Les Amis du Fromage with Dame Lesley Stowe; Raincoast Crisps; Dame Margaret Chisholm, Culinary Capers Catering; Ned Bell, Yew Restaurant; Scott Jaeger, The Pear Tree with artisan breads by Dame Mary Mackay, Terra Breads; Thomas Haas of Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates; and Dame Ann Kirsebom providing a grand cachet chocolate noir with Grand Marnier liqueur. Theres a champagne reception to start and a cognac and chocolate bar to end. This elegant dinner party on Sept. 8 is on the rooftop deck of the Four Seasons hotel and limited to 100 people. Tickets are $300 each and proceeds will fund the Dames local outreach projects, including Growing Chefs, as well as the Les Dames dEscoffier International Julia Child Foundation Legacy Awards. For details go to LesDames.ca.
