Foodie Friday – Father’s Day in Vancouver, Collabs, and New Menus

Hi foodie friends! We have once again curated a list of our current and upcoming culinary favourites and notable limited edition menus in Vancouver and surrounding areas, into one convenient spot for the Foodie Friday June feature. Here are our updates for all foodies alike:

Foodie Friday – Father’s Day in Vancouver, Collabs, and New Menus

New Menus & Dinner Series

Tojo’s Restaurant Celebrates 36th Anniversary with Classics Menu

• When: Now Available
• Where: 1133 West Broadway, Vancouver
• Details: Tojo’s Restaurant has announced its 36th anniversary this year, a milestone that Chef Hidekazu Tojo is commemorating with a specially curated Classics Menu. This menu features a selection of timeless classics and signature dishes that highlight Chef Tojo’s culinary journey and southern Japanese heritage. Additionally, the restaurant is currently featuring BC Spot Prawns for a limited time. Guests can enjoy Amaebi Nigiri, known for its sweet, crunchy texture paired with warm sushi rice or the Boiled Spot Prawn, served with a soy jalapeño vinaigrette. Check out the Classics Menu here.

The Living Room: New Food Menu & Cocktail Faves

• When: Now Available
• Where:  654 Nelson St., Vancouver
• Details: The trendy spot downtown Vancouver, The Living Room at Hotel Belmont, is welcoming summer by refreshing and redesigning their food menu. Their focus is laid-back small bites, elevated “home-cooked meals” in an atmosphere fit for a date night or a lively happy hour. New dishes include starters like Mussels Congolaise, Crispy Cauliflower and Pork Dumplings made with B.C. pork and shiitake mushrooms and mains such as Thai Green Curry, Fish & Chips and a Truffle Mushroom & Brie Smash Burger. Vegetarian or gluten free substitutions are available. Learn more.

Fairmont Waterfront’s Garden Dinner Series

• When: June 20th, July 18th & August 22nd, 2024
• Where: 900 Canada Pl., Vancouver
• Details: The beautiful Fairmont Waterfront is hosting a Garden Dinner Series this summer – with three separate dates to choose from. They have pulled together a unique culinary menu to enjoy among their lush geenery of the rooftop garden. They are proud to welcome guests into their garden, but also to serve menu items with produce and herbs that have been locally sourced in the urban garden and bee apiary. Tickets begin at $238.10. Reserve yours here.

New Openings & Collaborations

Fraser Valley’s Bow & Stern to Open First Metro Vancouver Location in Burnaby

• When: Coming Soon this Summer
• Where: 4567 Lougheed Hwy., Burnaby
• Details: Fraser Valley’s popular seafood dining destination Bow & Stern is expected to make its Metro Vancouver debut in Brentwood in Burnaby, joining its existing two sister locations in Abbotsford and Chilliwack. The restaurant brand is known for its ocean-inspired dining experience, with a high-quality a surf menu featuring fresh oysters at a oyster bar, seafood platters and towers, in addition to their signature classic “fish n’ chips”. For those looking for other options besides seafood, they will offer steak entrees and various cocktails. The 5,000 square foot restaurant will have 160 seats inside, with 60 on the patio. When they open, Bow & Stern will host happy hour and dinner service, with weekend brunch service to come later on. Follow along for updates via their Instagram.

Downlow Burgers and Street Hawker Collaborate for Limited Edition Smash Burgers

• When: June 14th to 23rd, 2024 at Street Hawker and June 28 to July 8, 2024 at Downlow Burgers
• Where: Street Hawker at 3088 Main St., Vancouver & Downlow Burgers at 926 Main St., Vancouver
• Details: Two Main Street burger favourites are teaming up for the ultimate smash burger collaboration. Available for two weeks only – June 14th to 23rd, 2024 at Street Hawker and June 28 to July 8, 2024 at Downlow Burgers – Doug Stephen of Downlow Burgers and Justin Cheung of Street Hawker have created the DL Hawker Royale. The limited edition item is made with two wagyu smash patties, charcoal tallow, house-made salted egg yolk cheese, DL fried chicken skin, sliced heirloom tomato, shreddice and the famous Hawker sauce. It was created to celebrate fresh ingredients, collaboration and Southeast Asian flavours. There will also be special add-ons at each location!

Father’s Day in Vancouver

To celebrate Father’s Day, there are quite a few local spots with special menus or events to choose from for any father figure:

• Smitty’s Oyster House on Main Street
  • Location: 3124 Main St., Vancouver
  • Details: Another summer surf + turf option, offering a special feature of Steak and Spot Prawns with chimichurri and truffle fries, plus a complimentary pint of beer or glass of wine for only $50! Or enjoy a Seafood Boil For Two for $50, which includes mussels, clams, chorizo, prawns, potatoes and corn. Optional add-ons including lobster tail for $20 or half order of grab for $25 also available. Smitty’s Oyster house is open from 12:00pm – 9:00pm on Father’s Day.
• Fairmont Waterfront ARC
  • Location: 900 Canada Pl., Vancouver
  • Details: Tell Dad to grab his stretchy pants for a feast of unlimited brunch (10:30am – 2:30pm) at Fairmont Waterfront ARC. For one day only, ARC Executive Chef Adam Middleton is pulling out all the stops for dads with unlimited house-smoked beef ribs and small plates, paired with complimentary coffee or tea. Brunch is $65 per person exclusive of applicable taxes and gratuities. Reservations can be made online.
• Fairmont Vancouver Airport
  • Location: Vancouver International Airport, 3111 Grant McConachie Wy., Richmond
  • Details: Treat dad to an unparalleled Bourbon & BBQ Lunch (11:00am – 3:30pm) this Father’s Day. Treat him to a handcrafted BBQ tower, complimented with a barrel-aged smoked bourbon old fashioned cocktail, all while taking in the sweeping views of the North Shore Mountains and YVR’s activate airside operations. For younger guests in attendance, a special platter is available with a selection of kid-friendly favourites. Lunch is $69 for adults and $30 for Children (6-12) exclusive of applicable taxes and gratuities. Reservations can be made online.
• Fable Kitchen
  • Location: 1944 W 4th Ave., Vancouver
  • Chef Matthew Villamoran at Fable Kitchen is crafting an exclusive Father’s Day Tasting Menu priced at $60 per person, featuring the finest seasonal ingredients guaranteed to impress your fathers. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Fable Kitchen is open from 9am – 2:00pm and 5:00pm – 10:00pm on Father’s Day.
• The Sandbar
  • Location: 1535 Johnston St. #35, Vancouver
  • On Granville Island, The Sandbar will be celebrating Father’s Day all day with special features like Corn Beef Hash (yams, red pepper, caramelized onions, poached eggs, hollandaise for $24), Sticky BBQ Ribs (hoisin glazed for $19), Pork Chop (lemon herb potatoes, seasonal vegetables, mushroom demi-glace for $35) and Seafood Boil for Two (1 lb of mussels and clams, andouille sausage, potatoes, local corn on the cob for $109) and live music!
• Honey Salt
  • Parq Vancouver Casino Resort, 39 Smithe St., Vancouver
  • Honey Salt is featuring The Ultimate Father’s Day Feature that’s available on June 15th and 16th all day long. Options include a 10oz Prime Holstein New York Steak & Nova Scotia Lobster Tail for $59 (churrasco style, chimichurri sauce, burnt onion, garlic confit or roasted potatoes included).

Don’t forget to check out last month’s Foodie Friday for local restaurants to add to your “must try” list. And check back in July for Foodie Friday! Tried one of our recent recommendations and have thoughts? Be sure to tag @miss604 during your adventures or send us your own recommendations!