Attention, chicken lovers … Freebird Chicken Shack has finally re-opened at its new location in New Westminster’s River Market. The larger space can now seat 24, including four at the bar, and has an expanded menu that includes fried chicken, turmeric fried chicken with curry and roti, grilled chicken vermicelli, fried cauliflower, roasted chicken pho and more. freebirdchickens.com
Monarch Burger, a new venture from chef/owner Robert Belcham of Campagnolo and Campagnolo Roma, is officially opening at The American at 928 Main St. on April 27. Belcham has long been famous for his “dirty” burger and the new space will offer more of his inspired burger creations, all made from scratch. facebook.com/monarchburger
Botanist, the new restaurant at Fairmont Pacific Rim, has officially opened. In addition to the dining room, led by executive chef Hector Laguna and wine director Jill Spoor, there is also a cocktail bar and lab, led by the award-winning Grant Sceney and David Wolowidnyk, a champagne lounge and a garden space. botanistrestaurant.com
Bauhaus has announced its new executive chef team. Two chefs will take over as co-executive chefs from former Michelin-starred chef Stefan Hartmann, who has moved on to Tacofino as its new regional executive chef. Tim Schulte and David Mueller both have experience at top restaurants in Germany, Australia and Vancouver. The duo takes over in May. bauhaus-restaurant.com
In a surprise announcement, Coast Restaurant, part of the Glowbal Group empire, has brought on the acclaimed and long-time Joe Fortes maitre’d, Robert “Frenchy” Gagne, as well as former Joe Fortes GM Scott Garrett. Frenchy was a 26-year veteran at Joe Fortes and a 2007 inductee to the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame. Prior to his 12-year stint at Joe Fortes, Garrett was restaurant guest services manager at Walt Disney Resorts in Florida and will now be Coast’s new operations manager. glowbalgroup.com/coast
On Thursday, May 4, The Cascade Room is hosting a Howling Moon Craft Cider Dinner to coincide with BC Cider Week (April 29 to May 7). The five-course dinner will be paired with Howling Moon’s Revival, Revolution, Rebellion and Serenity ciders, as well as a special cider crafted specifically for this event. Tickets $75 through eventbrite or thecascade.ca
On Friday, May 12, Vancouver Aquarium will host a Spot Prawn Pop-Up with executive chef Ned Bell and The Fish Counter’s chef Rob Clark. The five-course dinner, which will take place in the Aquarium’s café-turned-bistro, will feature the sustainable shellfish paired with some of BC’s best wines. Dishes include chilled, marinated spot prawns, spot prawn and razor clam soup, spot prawn ravioli, sake-poached spot prawns with coho salmon and “sugar kelp” chocolate mousse. Tickets are $155 per person. Proceeds go to support Vancouver Aquarium’s ongoing conservation, research and education programs. vanaqua.org/spotprawnpopup
Also on May 13 and 14, Homer St. Café and Bar will also be offering featured brunch and dinner dishes, including bacon, onion and spinach quiche, as well as rotisserie duck breast with fingerling potatoes, asparagus and cherry jus. homerstreetcafebar.com
On May 13 and 14, Tableau Bar Bistro is offering feature dishes for Mother’s Day. Brunch offerings include smoked salmon and goat cheese frittata with asparagus, as well as a classic crêpes Suzette with vanilla ice cream and pastry cream. Dinner includes a full rack of roasted lamb served family-style for the table, with herbed crust, spring vegetables, mashed potatoes and red wine jus. tableaubarbistro.com
