Rosewood Hotel Georgia will be reopening Reflections, its al fresco rooftop bar and lounge, on April 7. Look for a new design and menu concept.
Hawksworth Restaurant Group has announced Phil Scarfone (Hawksworth Restaurant, Oru, DB Bistro Moderne) as head chef of Nightingale, the soon-to-open casual restaurant that will focus on modern Canadian cuisine.
Laduree Boutique and Tea Salon has officially opened, and, judging by the line-ups, is living up to the hype. The Robson Street storeis open daily 10am-9pm.
The Red Wagon is closing for the month of April to undergo renovations. Last service before closure will be lunch on March 29 and the reopening is scheduled for the first week of May.
Hungry Guys Kitchen has opened on the Granville entertainment strip with its modern healthy and fast-food concept. The restaurant offers dine-in and takeaway menus focusing on burritos and salads at reasonable prices, including a build-your-own salad menu.
Milano Coffee has received its seventh gold medal for best espresso from the International Institute of Coffee Tasters. Its winning Cognac espresso is available at all three locations as a single espresso serving, as well as in take-home bags.
Market by Jean-Georges is celebrating spring with a cherry blossom-inspired menu, running now until April 30. The five-course tasting menu is $98 per person and includes sidestripe shrimp with eggplant salad, sablefish marinated in sake lees, and albacore tuna with sake-cured torchon of foie gras. Optional sake pairings from Granville Island’s Artisan Sake Maker available for $70 per person.
Aburi Restaurant Group is also celebrating pink blossoms with special dishes at each of its restaurants. Miku and Minami each are offering their own distinctive Sakura rolls for $19 and $18 respectively, as well as cocktail specials at both restaurants as well as Gyoza Bar. Specials available through to April 17.
In other spring news, Sai Woo has launched new spring menus and is now offering an early bird three-course prix fixe menu for $35, available daily 5pm-6:30pm. Options include lemongrass chicken with pandan rice, beet salad with blackberry sauce, mango mousse cake, and more. The restaurant is also offering a special three-course “date night” menu every Thursday for $30, along with drink specials.
Provence Marinaside will be celebrating its eighth annual Poisson d’Avril April 1-30. In France, Poisson d’Avril corresponds to April Fool’s Day. Chef/owner Jean-Francis Quaglia has extended the “fishy” celebration for the entire month with a special three-course prix fixe menu for $56 (optional wine pairings $24). Dishes include seabream carpaccio, fennel seed and corn-crusted steelhead, grilled whole fish, poached lingcod and more.
On April 1, Cactus Club will be launching its Sweet Dreams Dessert Month. Partial proceeds from every dessert sold will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation B.C. & Yukon.
Vancouver Urban Winery’s popular Sunday School series is back on April 17 (BC vs the World), May 8 (Mother’s Day edition) and June 12 (Cider House Rules). Each seminar features multiple flights of wine served blind. Tickets are $40 by phone, 604-566-9463, or email, [email protected].
Tickets are still available for Vancouver Aquarium’s Wine for Waves at the Four Seasons Hotel on April 28. The evening will feature the first spring releases of the Naramata Bench Wineries Association, in addition to top restaurants and artisan producers from both Vancouver and the Okanagan. Participating restaurants include Hillside Estate Bistro, Mosquito, The Vanilla Pod, Yew Seafood & Bar, Beach Bay Café, The Vancouver Fish Company, and more. Tickets $110.
Fancy a drive? The fifth annual Osoyoos Oyster Festival is taking place April 20-24, offering visitors a chance to sip Canadian wine, craft beer and spirits while feasting on oyster creations (as well as raw shucked oysters, natch) from local chefs.
Dish ‘n’ Dazzle, the wine and food spectacular, returns May 18 for the seventh straight year. Presented by The BC Hospitality Foundation and Wines of Australia, proceeds from the fundraiser go to support workers in the hospitality industry dealing with serious medical issues. More than 100 wines will be poured by 30 Australian wineries. In addition, 13 top restaurants and chefs will be preparing dishes for guests to try. There will also be a signature cocktail competition, live music, a silent auction, and a grand prize raffle. Tickets are $85 at Eply.com/DishNDazzle2016. Learn more at BCHospitality
