Vikram Vij’s My Shanti, which won Best Indian Restaurant at the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards this year, will be opening for lunch as of June 2. If you haven’t made the trek to South Surrey, both the food and cocktail program are worth the drive, as is the large, flamboyant patio. MyShanti.com
Juniper has launched three new summer menus. The new happy hour menu is available daily, 4pm-6pm, in the bar and adjoining lounge, and includes $3-$5 tasters of jerky, root chips and pickles, as well as daily open-faced toasts, and charcuterie boards. Daily tap beer/cider ($5) and wine/cocktail ($7) also available. A new $40 three-course prix fixe menu will also be available daily, 5pm-6pm, in the dining room. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. Finally, a new late-night menu will be available 10pm until close, and will include smoked duck wings, lamb perogies, and a rotating selection of housemade sausages. JuniperVancouver.com
On May 29, La Pentola will be holding the next installment of its Sunday Supper Series with Dinner of the Cow. Almost every part of the animal will be used in dishes like buratta with housemade bresaola, beef tenderloin tartare, whole-roasted striploin and more. Tickets $65 for the usual seven to 10 courses served family-style. Optional wine pairings available for $45. LaPentola.ca
On June 6, Café Medina will be hosting a special evening chefs’ kitchen party in support of Mealshare Aid Foundation. Participating chefs include Dan Larsen (La Quercia), Joël Watanabe (Bao Bei, Kissa Tanto), Nico Schuermans (Chambar), Eleanor Chow (Cadeaux Bakery) and more. Ten dollars from the sale of each $95 tickets (which includes beer, wine and cocktails) will be donated to Mealshare. MedinaAfterDark.Eventbrite.ca
Improve your manners and give back at the same time. On June 11, come out for a private champagne and fine dining etiquette lunch at The Shangri-La Hotel and support the Fort McMurray Red Cross Fires Appeal. Tickets are $150 and include fine dining etiquette lesson, a four-course catered lunch, glass of champagne and an automatic $25 donation to the appeal and a tax receipt for $25. Taxes and gratuities includes. Tickets on Eventbrite.
Tickets are now on sale for Harmony Arts Festival’s Best of the West food and wine pairing event on Aug. 3 at Ambleside Pier. The sixth annual event sells out quickly and pairs 12 of the North Shore’s best restaurants with 12 BC wineries for a culinary arts competition in which guests vote for their favourite pairing. Tickets $105 per person. HarmonyArts.ca/BestOfTheWest
While you’re at it, don’t miss the Mixology Night on Aug. 4 in the same location. Bar stations featuring some of BC’s top bartenders, catered food and live music will make for a great evening. Tickets for both events are available for a reduced price of $175, which includes one ticket to each event, as well as boat moorage at the Pop-up Marina & Club 25. HarmonyArts.ca/Mixology.
On Sunday, Aug. 21, Araxi will hold its sixth annual Longtable Dinner at North Arm Farm in Pemberton, welcoming 400 guests for the single longest longtable dinner in BC history. Tickets are $159 plus tax and gratuity, and include a four-course family-style dinner with wine pairings, and a cocktail reception. Araxi executive chef James Walt will also be debuting his new cookbook, Araxi: Roots to Shoots, Farm Fresh Recipes, at the event. The book will be available for purchase for $37.95. Araxi.com
