Aaron Ash, owner of Gorilla Foods, has announced on his website that both locations of his popular raw-vegan café and retail operation have closed. While we’re sad to see him go, vegans should take heart, as Vegan Pudding & Co, a new dessert operation, is taking over the Powell Street location.
Chef Mike Robbins, formerly of The Oakwood, will be taking over the former Kitsilano Daily Kitchen space along with business partner Jeff Parr to open his first restaurant, AnnaLena. Look for a March opening.
Earnest Ice Cream is expanding, with a second location soon to open at 1829 Quebec, in the former Organic Lives location.
Edible Canada is launching the first-ever coast-to-coast dinner series, featuring a different province or territory each month. At the start of each month, a different award-winning Canadian chef will launch the regional focus with a four-course kickoff dinner. Edible Canada chef Tyler Dallner will also collaborate with each chef to develop a three-course menu that will be offered for the rest of the month. The first dinner, featuring the Yukon, will be on Feb. 2. Tickets for this event only are $75, with the remaining dinners $125 per person. Tickets include dinner, beverage pairings and gratuities.
Odd Society Spirits is preparing to barrel their second-annual batch of single malt and is now offering the public private 30-litre casks for $1,500. Last year’s batch sold out and resulted in a waiting list for 2015, so interested buyers should order soon. Offer ends Feb. 9. All casks purchased are stored at Odd Society for three years. Price also includes bonding and insurance.
Looking to dine in during Dine Out? L’Epicerie Gourmande on Granville Island is offering a three-course take away menu for $28 that includes options like veal feuillets, pan-seared wild sockeye salmon in saffron cream, roasted duck leg in shitake sauce and lemon sabayon verrine. LEpicerieGourmande.com
The District Brasserie is holding their first-ever Single Awareness Week with $2 off Belgian beers, cocktails and martinis, $50 gift card prizes and more.
Looking to get away? Parksville is hosting their annual Uncorked Wine and Food Festival Feb. 19-22. Showcasing craft beers and fine wines from around BC, as well as food from local chefs, events include tastings, dinners and galas.
The dining journey continues at Secret Location with two weeks of Italian-themed 10-course tasting menus featuring dishes such as charred caprese salad, lemon ash branzino and lobster and tiramisu modern. Dinner, including drink pairings, is $95 per person, with seatings beginning at 5:30pm.
Celebrate sustainability at the Vancouver Aquarium on Feb. 20 at an inaugural event featuring chef Rob Clark of The Fish Counter (and founding member of Ocean Wise), along with Aquarium executive chef Tim Bedford. The Sustainable Table dinner includes six courses featuring Ocean Wise sturgeon, BC spot prawns and Humboldt squid, among other local sustainable ingredients. Tickets $100, with proceeds going toward supporting Vancouver Aquarium’s conservation, research and education programs.
