Foodie Friday – Heirloom Tomato Fest, Alice in Wonderland Tea and More

As a new month begins, we’ve curated a list of our current and upcoming culinary favourites, along with notable limited edition menus in Metro Vancouver, all in one convenient spot for our Foodie Friday August feature. Here’s your restaurant news, menu updates, special events, and more exciting tidbits for all food enthusiasts and those who love a good time:

Foodie Friday
Heirloom Tomato Fest, Alice in Wonderland Tea and More

Upcoming Themed Events

“Summer Like An Italian” Returns with a Chance to Win a Trip to Italy

• When: Started July 23rd through September 21st
• Where: Participating restaurants in the Vancouver metro area
• Details: Summer Like An Italian is a annual campaign through Kitchen Table Restaurant, dedicated to honoring Italian traditions and hosting fun feasts with loved ones at twelve different restaurants. This year’s participating restaurants include Ask for Luigi, Bacaro, Carlino, Di Beppe, Farina a Legna, Giovane Caffè (West Cordova and West Georgia Street locations), Mercato di Luigi (East 12th Avenue and East Georgia Street coming soon locations), MONZO, Motoretta, Pizzeria Farina, Pourhouse and Caffè Super Veloce. After picking up a passport from any participating Kitchen Table Restaurants, you’ll earn a passport stamp when you pay your bill (no minimum spend required). Submit your completed passport at any participating restaurant by September 30, and you’ll be in the running to win:
  • Trip for two to Milan, Italy in partnership with Campari (12 stamps required)
  • Overnight stay for two at Shangri-La Vancouver with $250 gift card to Carlino (10 stamps required)
  • $500 gift card to Kitchen Table Restaurants (8 stamps required)

Provence Marinaside Celebrates Heirloom Tomato Fest in August

• When: Starting August 1st, Monday – Friday 10:00am to 11:00pm and Saturday – Sunday 9:00am to 11:00pm (open for brunch)
• Where: 1177 Marinaside Crescent, Vancouver
• Details: Heirloom tomatoes are a summer treat and a passion for Provence Marinaside Owner/Executive Chef, Jean-Francis Quaglia. They are once again offering their special Tomato Fest Menu, featuring three courses for $75.00. Reserve your spot here and learn about the special wine pairings for the specialty tomato dishes.
  • The appetizers include a tomato and watermelon gazpacho or tomato salad. Entrées are the option between a tomato & seafood risotto or a tomato baked halibut. For the final course, the dessert included is a lavender panacotta with candied cherry tomatoes and basil honey.

Five Sails Alice in Wonderland Tea

• When: August 3rd through September 29th, starting at 11:30am
• Where: 999 Canada Pl. Suite 410, Vancouver
• Details: Five Sails is excited to launch their Alice in Wonderland Afternoon Tea, available on weekends at 11:30am, starting August 3 through September 29, at $75 per person. This whimsical experience features a menu with both sweet and savory items. Indulge in sweet treats such as the “Eat Me” Cake with cherry jam and milk chocolate ganache, the “Flamingo” with pate a choux and raspberry-rose coulis and the “Spade” with dark chocolate mousse and blackberry compote. Enjoy the “Mushroom” Tart with matcha ganache and yuzu curd and freshly baked scones with candied lemon and honey Chantilly. Savory bites include the truffle brioche, a crispy “Treasure Map” ham and cheese pastry, truffle quiche with caramelized leek, crab arancini with lemon aioli, smoked salmon sandwiches with dill crème fraîche, cucumber sandwiches with kewpie mayo and “Curious Oysters” with lemon and olive oil. Reservations are available online.

Please! Beverage Co. Anniversary Pop-Up

• When: Thursday, August 8th from 6:00pm to 11:00pm
• Where: 222 W 5th Ave., Vancouver (the Mount Pleasant tasting house)
• Details: Please! is celebrating its first anniversary with a special event featuring Cobie Smulders, star of How I Met Your Mother and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. On Thursday, August 8, Smulders will join the party at Please! Beverage Co.’s tasting house in Mount Pleasant to meet fans and sign autographs. She will also make an appearance at a pop-up tasting at Legacy Liquor Store in Olympic Village on Friday, August 9th, from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

Chefs’ Table Society of British Columbia x BC Salmon Marketing Council Celebration

• When: August 9th to 11th
• Where: Participating restaurants in the Vancouver metro area
• Details: Chefs’ Table Society of British Columbia (CTS), in collaboration with BC Salmon Marketing Council, is proud to present a celebration with ten restaurants across BC honouring the rich heritage of wild BC salmon and to promote sustainable fisheries. On August 9th to the 11th only, these select, renowned restaurants will feature unique salmon dishes that show the region’s seafood. The Wild Salmon Celebration aims to raise awareness about the significance of sustainable fishing practices in safeguarding this valuable resource for future generations. Participating restaurants include Douce Diner in North Vancouver, Cassette Café Bar in Salt Spring, Wildlight in Vancouver, Timber Shuswap, Sabà Bistro in Fort Langley, The Vancouver Fish Company, Row 14 in Similkameen Valley and Humo Izakaya in Kelowna.

August Only Specialty Menus

Skye Avenue Kitchen and Lounge Moroccan Month in August

• When: August 1st to August 31st
• Where: 13450 102 Ave. #190, Surrey
• Details: Skye Avenue Kitchen and Lounge is excited to launch Moroccan Month this August, bringing the vibrant flavors of Morocco to Surrey. For the entire month, guests can savor an authentic Moroccan menu crafted by Chef Zouhair, a native of Fez. This special event, part of a series of themed dining experiences, will feature dishes like Salatat Al Jazar, Tagine, Couscous and Jawhara. Alongside these traditional delights, Moroccan-inspired cocktails will also be available. The event offers a unique opportunity to experience Morocco’s rich culinary traditions, with a special appearance of bisteeya, a classic Moroccan dish.

Rosie’s BBQ & Smokehouse Adds New Items to Summer Food Truck Menu

• When: Starting now through the remainder of the summer
• Where: Rosie’s BBQ will be popping up at festivals, breweries and events around the Lower Mainland this summer. Follow along here.
• Details: Once again, Rosie’s has launched a collection of new dishes to showcase their slow-smoked meats and housemade sauces in different, delicious ways; such as, the Ultimate Texas Trinity Baked Potato, the Texas BBQ Banh Mi, their homemade Sausage Wrap, the Beef Fat Fries or Rib Bites.

New Openings

Coming this August: El Gato Gab Gab

• When: Coming this August, TBD
• Where: 2650 Main Street, Vancouver
• Details: This summer, Boxset Collective, the team behind acclaimed restaurants Published on Main and Bar Susu, are opening El Gato Gab Gab – a modern Mexican cocktail bar and botanero. Guests can expect a wide range of flavours from the food and cocktail menu, in addition to a dedicated agave spirits list, new custom beers and NA options. The cocktail menu will include the Pinoy to Pińa, a tropical mezcal and rum highball with banana soda and ube ice cream; the ¿Que Pasa, Folks? a warming tequila fizz with pasilla chile, carrot and marigold; and the Gatorita, their take on a classic margarita. Fun dishes to expect from the kitchen include the Dungeness Crab Flautas Ahogadas and Sweetbread Tostadas. Stay in the loop here.

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 September for a fall 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!