Vv Magazine’s Helen Siwak fills us in on Vancouver’s best new restaurants, those opening in August 2016 and the most talked about hot spots coming up this month.
It is August and so the Diner en Blanc white madness begins. Best known for their incredibly organized events, The Social Concierge once again brings people together in a secret location to dine and be part of a spectacle. This year’s event will have 5,000 people trucking in gear (table, chairs, food, decor) to enjoy an evening with friends under the stars. Those who do not wish to bring their own food have the option to order a special meal in advance.
The Craft Beer Fest kicks off on August 20th at the annual PNE. Tickets are $10 and samples are $2. Highly recommended that you stop in and grab a bag full of those little donuts, corn dogs, and giant pretzels from the midway, to complement the beers.
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There are two summer foodie pop-ups worth checking out. First, the Birds and the Beets is holding a craft cider bar in the evenings at their location on Powell Street. Aptly rechristened Orchard and the Sea, patrons will also have a selection of tapas plates available. Try the Manchego cheese with quince paste appie to prepare for a sweet night. Second, Mensch Jewish Delicatessen and its owner, Nitzan Cohen are serious about meat. Sandwiches include home-made Montreal Smoked Meat, lox made with beet cured salmon, egg salad and more. 666 East Broadway from Mon-Thurs 11am to 3pm and open until 6 on Fridays.
August Openings
Fluffy Kittens Ice Cream
Chinatown’s latest dessert spot has opened and they’re selling many of Vancouver’s Summer faves ranging from dairy to vegan. Pop in for delights from Nice Vice, Brown Paper Packages, Artisto Gelato, Salt Lick, and Johnny’s Pops.
Tacofino
The Yaletown location boasts a 40-seat dining room, plus a 16-seat patio, a full bar, and a take-out counter styled after their Gastown “Burrito Bar” set-up. The restaurant occupies the space at 1025 Mainland. This is the fourth brick-and-mortar restaurant for Tacofino, which began in 2009, and now includes locations in Vancouver and Victoria, and operates three food trucks. This is a company on a major roll.
Lucky Taco
Una más de tacos favor! This 36 seat diner replaces James Iranzad and Josh Pape’s restaurant Supermarine and prepares super-tasty tacos but we recommend a binge on the roasted corn when available. Smothered in mayonnaise, spices, pico de gallo and fresh goat cheese, it is a real palette pleaser!
Mak N Ming
This spot is almost ready to open at 1629 Yew Street in Kitsilano. At last check-in (on Twitter) Amanda and Makoto were picking out ceramic bowls for the new venture. Chef Makoto Ono, who opened Pidgin in 2013, will open the new restaurant in Kitsilano with chef Amanda Cheng. Mak N Ming will bring a slightly more formal take on Japanese-French fare which is unique and inspiring. Look for the opening by the end of summer.
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Fife Bakery & Toast Bar
Bread, bread, and more bread! Located at 64 East 3rd Avenue, Fife uses some of best natural ingredients from the lower mainland. BC farmers are repped by the hearty flours of Chilliwack, the golden rich eggs of Langley, and milk of Abbotsford dairies. Fife creates some of the most mouth-watering, aromatic, deliciously addictive bread in the city. Watch their Twitter for upcoming bread tastings. Yes, tastings are not just for whiskey and beer anymore.
Juke
From tacos to fried chicken and ribs, everyone waited patiently for the hole-in-the-wall Juke to launch at 182 Keefer Street and so far, so good and crunchy. The chicken has been receiving two thumbs up from friends. Recommendations include following it up with a batch of Yo Mamma’s Doughnuts and/or a Peanut Butter Chocolate Bar.
Fable Diner
Situated at 151 East Broadway is the second venture from Chef Trevor Bird, now open with expanded hours (from the soft launch) at Main and Broadway. Bird is continuing his farm-to-table theme from Fable Kitchen, albeit at lower price points, and with more casual comfort food dishes keeping everyone enjoying their twist on burgers and milkshakes. 86 seats is a great size to bring the whole gang to catch-up with while munching.
Crowbar
Located at 646 Kingsway is the new restaurant and bar from young (former L’Abattoir staffers) Jeremy Pigeon and William Johnson. The two have crafted a menu that specializes in tantalizing adult bevies and tiny things (some on a stick), petite stuffed chicken wing pies, and a juicy $21 secret burger.
DD Mau
Located at 145 East Pender Street in Chinatown, the Tran siblings do bánh mì west coast style. Their love of food has created this sought after handheld torpedo which blends traditional and modern flavors which take the bánh mì to the next level. They serve up simple, fresh food with a twist, 7 days a week. *Correction: DD Mau will not open their new location until the end of the year.
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BowsxArrows
Opened officially on August 5, BowsxArrows is fully licensed and is serving up more than just coffee. Pair the best roast with flakey pastries, breakfast, lunches, weekend brunch, and simple dinners. For those who never touch coffee but like to hang with the bean brew crowd, cocktails, beer, and wine are also served up with no judgment.
The Captain’s Boil
Craving a seafood boil without the mess at home? Then you’ll want to check out Toronto-import, The Captain’s Boil, which opened their first West Coast resto in Richmond this month. The new resto serves up Southern-style seafood boil using fresh crab, lobster, clams, shrimp, mussels and more, which is then dressed in delicious spices, boiled to perfect and served up in… plastic bags! Plastic gloves and bags included.
Other Food News
Tasting Room at Secret Location
This restaurant closed at the end of July and the space is scheduled to be swallowed up by more of the beautiful couture and vintage Chanel of the adjourning retail space.
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Next month, the Chefs’ Table Society of BC, will be hosting their 3rd annual Slow Fish Dinner with the assistance of PICA students and BC wines representing local vineyards. The venue is the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts and the event is for one night only.
RELATED LINK: New Restaurants in Vancouver: July 2016
Did we miss any new Vancouver restaurants? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below, or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.