We’re always hungry and looking for hip new spots to head to in order to satisfy our cravings, so when we did a recent survey of what’s recently opened (or, as it were, opening eminently) our food-focused agendas just got a bit busier! For starters, add the following three new spots to your weekly dine-out mix for summer…

Pazzo Chow
Pazzo Chow Italian Deli opened in Vancouver’s Chinatown neighbourhood and is a small food-retail spot that offers a range of fine artisan products and fresh house-made food-to-go. Daily specials are announced via their Instagram feed (soups, salads, panini sandwiches, and house-made pastas) and it’s the perfect spot to source hard-to-find items for foodies on your list (think specialty infused olive oils, dried pasta, and sauces).

Jackalope Neighbourhood Dive
This dive keeps it all short and sweet with a cropping of simple southern inspired dishes done right, prime cuts of meat, and plenty of fresh local produce to satiate any appetite. Located in East Van, they’ve got a menu brimming with drenched slow-cooked beef brisket, tantalizing racks of baby back ribs in their signature sweet and smoky bourbon BBQ sauce, and crisp, sweet and spicy southwest salad. (With healthier items like yams, black beans and avocado, as well as something for gluten-free fanatics like vegan grits medallions, seasoned and seared and tossed with kale and mushroom peppercorn gravy.) Wash it all down with a southern inspired cocktail or locally brewed beer and chill out in the laidback, unpretentious atmosphere (give or take a Hipster or two) and you’ll feel right at home.

Shirakawa Gastown
Shirakawa Gastown has taken over Boneta’s old abode and is a true and complete Japanese dining experience. Shirakawa takes a refreshingly stripped-down approach to cuisine and is focused on serving high quality organic produce and proteins and doesn’t skimp by sacrificing traditional Japanese culinary methods. Led by a young team of Japanese-trained chefs who pride themselves in preparing exquisite (and delicious) dishes, Shirakawa specializes in Japanese kappo, sushi, and teppan grilled high-end Kuroge Wagyu beef from Japan. We love the fact that they’ve kept the space looking pretty much the same – open-concept kitchen, casual bar-like setting, and quaint courtyard entrance-way. It’s guaranteed to be a hot spot in time for summer.