The City of Vancouver has approved a suite of changes to its liquor licensing system. The changes include allowing grocery stores to sell wine, beer and/or liquor; allowing galleries and museums, as well as other arts and culture establishments, to sell alcohol, boosting outdoor patio liquor seats, extending brewery and distillery lounge hours until midnight; and allowing restaurants to operate as bars after 10pm, without the requirement to serve food. The changes also include the pilot “last entry” program for the Granville entertainment district, which will restrict entry or re-entry to clubs and bars one hour before closing.
A new restaurant is coming to South Granville. The Rise Eatery is owned by husband-and-wife team Dan Leung and Wanda Lai. Both are industry veterans and created a menu that is “globally inspired,” with flavours that range from Argentina and Korea to Germany and beyond. There will also be a selection of vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes, and a cocktail list. theriseeatery.com
Riley Park Farmers Market is back after an eight-year hiatus, running every Saturday, 10am-2pm, through Oct. 7. The market will feature more than 30 farms and producers offering seasonal produce, ethically raised meat, eggs and dairy, sustainable seafood, craft beer, wine and spirits, artisan foods and crafts, food trucks, and more. eatlocal.org
Market by Jean-Georges has launched a summer brunch series, Rosé All Day, that runs every Saturday and Sunday, 11:30am-3pm, through Sept. 3. In addition to shared plates, new cocktails and live music, there will also be a selection of rosés available by the glass and bottle, as well as rosé-based cocktails. Dishes include short rib hash with poached eggs, sautéed peppers and lemon-chili asparagus; and smoked cauliflower Croque Madame with gruyere, sourdough and sunny-side-up egg. marketbyjgvancouver.com
Beaucoup Bakery has launched a new summer menu that includes strawberry mille-feuille, matcha-raspberry tart, butter-shoyu roasted corn tart and rhubarb iced tea. Pastries are priced from $4.95 to $6.50, while the iced tea, made with rhubarb-ginger syrup, organic black Ceylon tea, rose petals, lavender and cornflowers, is $3.95. beaucoupbakery.com
On Thursday, July 6, The Cascade Room is hosting a special fundraiser for Aprons for Gloves, a local non-profit that provides community outreach through boxing programs. A donation will be made to the organization for every sale of Main Street beer, Jack Daniels whisky and a Cascade food special purchased throughout the evening. Cover charges will also be donated. There will be live music, raffles and more. thecascade.ca
From July 14 to Aug. 6, local restaurants and bars will team up for the first annual Pride Cocktail Crawl in support of the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. Pride-themed cocktails will be offered, with partial proceeds going toward compassionate care for HIV treatment and prevention at the Dr. Peter Centre. With 45 restaurants and bars participating, there’s plenty of drinking for the cause to be had. Participating businesses include Blue Water Café, Tacofino, Campagnolo, The Emerald, Cibo, Cin Cin, H2 Rotisserie and Bar, L’Abattoir, Wildebeest, West, and many more. drpeter.org
EAT! Vancouver food festival returns Nov. 6-11, with 13 separate events in addition to the main event. Look for multiple collaboration dinners between local, Canadian and international chefs, many paired with wines and/or cocktails, plus classes, demos and more. Proceeds will benefit Project Chef. Tickets go on sale July 17. eat-vancouver.com
