Nightingale, the much-anticipated new restaurant from chef David Hawksworth, has officially opened at 1017 West Hastings, and is operating seven days a week from 11am to midnight. The casual, share-based menu is vegetable-forward and features pizza, daily features, and select proteins. HawkNightingale.com
Central City Brewers & Distillers has won first place in the grape brandy category at the inaugural Vancouver International Spirits Competition for its Spirit of Merlot. CentralCityBrewing.com
Brunch is back at La Brasserie after a two-year hiatus. Every Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am to 2:30pm, enjoy chicken Mornay crepes, breakfast poutine, the Brasserie burger and other Franco-German favourites. LaBrasserieVancouver.com
Les Dames d’Escoffier BC has awarded a record number of scholarships to BC women already in the hospitality trade or wishing to purse hospitality studies, for a total of $24,000 to 33 recipients. LesDames.ca
AnnaLena is no longer serving brunch, but will be amping up their dinner service to seven days a week, starting June 3. Look for a new menu and a refreshed interior. AnnaLena.ca
Sad news…due to legal action taken by certain Yaletown merchants, the Yaletown Farmers’ Market will be leaving the neighbourhood in June this year and moving to the Queen Elizabeth Plaza instead. The new location will launch June 2. The Yaletown market was the fastest-growing market in the city and generated over $600,000 in sales last year. In addition, most local businesses reported higher sales on market days. EatLocal.org
Just in time for the warm weather, Soft Peaks Ice Cream has introduced new ice milk bars, housemade bars that are served “naked” or with toppings like Tim Tam flakes, housemade blueberry puree, or dipped in melted chocolate. SoftPeaks.ca
Spot prawn season is upon us and Yew Seafood & Bar is celebrating with its first-ever Spot Prawn Boil series. On May 29, June 5 and June 12, a limited number of guests will be able to enjoy a family-style feast of poached spot prawns, new potatoes, grilled asparagus and green beans, along with white cheddar and jalapeno scones, salad and dessert. Tickets $85 per person. YewSeafood.com
On May 18, come out in support of Mealshare, the community-based program that works with local restaurants to provide free meals to youth in need. On this night, 12 participating restaurants across Vancouver will donate one dollar for every dollar customers spend on food. The event, Tonight for Tomorrow, also features seven major buildings being lit up orange in support of Mealshare, including BC Place, Science World, City Hall and more. Learn more at Mealshare.ca/TFT.
The seventh annual Vancouver Craft Beer Week returns May 27 through June 5 with multiple events, including a mass tasting event at the PNE Centre Grounds, a pop-up barbecue, a Herculean beer party and more. VancouverCraftBeerWeek.com
Railtown Café annual tailgate barbecue series returns on May 28 from 4pm to 10pm. Enjoy slow-smoked brisket and pork shoulder, beer-brined chicken, sausage, jalapeno corn bread, corn on the cob, Carolina coleslaw, potato salad and more. Tickets are $19 per person. A rotating list of craft beers, as well as housemade sangria and wine will also be available for purchase. RailtownCafe.ca/Events
On June 7, join Marquis Wine Cellars and Lock & Worth Wines at Latab Food for a stellar wine dinner featuring sparkling wine reception with snacks and canapes, and a five-course dinner paired with wine. Dishes include ricotta dumplings, hazelnut pork confit, squab and more. Tickets $89. Marquis-Wines.com
Italian Day returns to the Drive on June 12 with a food-focused theme this year. Enjoy cooking demonstrations and almost 150 vendors and merchants serving up pizza, pasta, cannoli, sfogliatelle, arancini, polpette, panini, gelato and more. There will also be interactive activities, live entertainment, and much more. ItalianDay.ca
Lombardo’s Pizza is celebrating 30 years in business by bringing back Expo-era prices. Running now until Labour Day, all medium-sized pizzas will be available for $9.75 Sundays through Thursdays, from 8pm to 10pm. Lombardos.ca
On June 16, come out for an evening of Italian fine dining and dancing with Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks at the Vancouver Club, in honour of Italian Heritage Month. Menu is inspired by Florentine: The True Cuisine of Florence and paired with Italian wines. Tickets $195 and include wine, dinner, dancing and a copy of the book. BooksToCooks.com
