JS Dupuis has returned to Homer Street Café and Tableau Bar Bistro as beverage director. Dupuis formerly worked at both locations before leaving for stints Charton-Hobbs and Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar. Look for updated cocktail lists at both restaurants.
Savoury Chef Foods has just announced Geoff Rogers as its new executive chef. Rogers previously worked at Ricer Café, Home Tasting Room, and Market in Calgary, as well as Fable and Blacktail here in Vancouver. Rogers will be working alongside owner Taryn Wa. SavouryChef.com
Royal Dinette also has a new executive chef at its helm. Alden Ong previously served as sous chef under Jack Chen and will be releasing a new spring menu in the coming weeks. RoyalDinette.ca
Popular Paris-based éclair shop, L’Éclair de Genie, is opening its first North American retail location on April 22 at 1210 Robson Street. The store will start with 10 kinds of eclairs and then introduce two new flavours every month. The store will also serve coffee to pair with your choux choices.
The Fish Shack is now offering AYCE classic steamed mussels or clam steamers every Sunday for $29.95. Each one-pound order comes with your choice of fries or bread. GlowbalGroup.com/Fish-Shack
The Dirty Apron has launched a new breakfast and brunch menu, with more than a handful of tasty options, including a breakfast sandwich with house-cured gravlax or grilled Mennonite sausage, huevos rancheros, acai and smoothie bowls, buddha bowls, and berry hand pies. This is in addition to its daily baked pastries, Friday doughnuts, and more. DirtyApron.com
For the month of April, in support of Autism Awareness Month, El Santo has created a feature menu with proceeds going to Canucks Autism Network. The restaurant already donates $1 from every kid’s menu order to the cause. The feature menu includes dishes like local foraged mushrooms, local octopus with squid ink mole, Fraser Valley duck, and more. ElSanto.ca
Chocolatier Thomas Haas has unveiled his latest collection of handcrafted Easter-themed confections – available exclusively at both Thomas Haas Chocolates & Pâtisserie locations – and is bringing back his annual Charitable Easter Egg Raffle benefiting the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre and North Shore Crisis Services Society. The new collection features bunnies, hens and chicks, as well as truffle eggs, roadsters and lollipops, and even an Easter stöllen. ThomasHaas.com
Bel Café is also getting into the Easter mood with the return of its popular hot cross buns, as well as milk chocolate choux puffs and blackberry-citrus desserts, only available April 10 to 16. BelCafe.com
Beta 5 Chocolates is resurrecting its Cambie Street pop-up location as of April 4, just in time for Easter. The pop-up will operate through to May 15 and offer a rotating selection of ice cream sandwiches, bright chocolate eggs and chocolate clouds that shower peanut butter rain drops. Also look for special cream puff flavours and bubble tea. Beta5Chocolates.com
BC Distilled, the annual “spirited” festival that celebrates B.C.’s craft distillers, is back this month, with the main tasting event on Saturday, April 8 at the Croatian Cultural Centre. This year, 34 distilleries are participating from all over the province. The event will also feature bites from The Cascade Room, Homer St. Café, Juniper, Koko Monk, Lucky’s Doughnuts, Timber, and more. Tickets $69.99 per person. BCDistilled.ca
On Tuesday, April 11, Wildebeest will host a special winemaker’s dinner with Tyler Harlton of TH Wines in Summerland. The six-course menu includes cheese panna cotta, sockeye salmon tartare, Magret duck breast, elk loin, and dessert, all paired with various vintages from this estate winery. Tickets $140 per person. Wildebeest.ca
On Thursday, April 13, come learn the science behind the wines of the Golden Mile Bench at Science World. Origins of Wine will feature lively conversation with moderator Kurtis Kolt and a panel of B.C. principal wine makers. The event will feature nine Golden Mile wineries, as well as food pairings from Backyard Farms and Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek. Tickets $65 per person. ScienceWorld.ca/Wines
On Sunday, April 16, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar will offer a special Easter buffet brunch service featuring house-baked breads and pastries, salads, charcuterie and classic brunch favourites as well as a raw seafood bar, carving station and kids'-only menu that includes a handcrafted take-home chocolate bunny for the little ones ($72 adults; $25 kids 12 and under). BoulevardVancouver.ca
On Friday, April 28, Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program will host its annual Wine for Waves fundraising event at the Four Seasons Hotel, in partnership with Naramata Bench Wineries Association. Taste the spring offerings from 27 Naramata wineries, as well as food from a dozen Ocean Wise partners and chefs, including Ned Bell of Vancouver Aquarium, Holt’s Café, Forage, Fanny Bay Oyster Bar, Nomad, Yew Seafood & Bar, and more. Tickets $110 per person. All proceeds go to support the Ocean Wise program. VanAqua.org/WineForWaves
