Spring brings us cherry blossoms, more daylight, and a crop of fresh spots on Vancouver’s food scene. Here’s the latest we’re keeping tabs on.
First, coffee.
Matchstick Coffee heads south for a third branch, coming soon at Main and 32nd, a welcome edition to the part of SoMa which -hotspots Au Petit and Long’s Noodle House aside – is situated in an otherwise sparse few blocks.
Newcomer Porto Cafe has joined the hub of solid coffee options in the Cambie-Olympic Village corridor. The space is bright and airy, seating is plentiful, and beans are from Vancouver’s Pallet Coffee Roasters. Heads up Fraserhood, they’re coming for you next with shop number two.
The hot dish.
Fans of Bibo in Kitsilano will be happy to hear of their expansion across the city. A second location is now open at McArthurGlen Outlets in Richmond, and a third (focused on pizza by the cut) is in the works for Olympic Village.
Under new management, Feast in West Vancouver has a Pinterest picture perfect design aesthetic, honest-to-goodness West Coast food, with the welcoming vibe you’d want from your neighbourhood local. Our evening meal here was substantial and relaxed, but we might have to return for brunch to try out their Chicken & Waffles and a Hangover Burger.
Notturno turns down the lights on the current Italian focus at the end of March and will re-open later this year with a Japanese concept. Your final chance (and we did just that this week) for a farewell Felice cocktail by H (Vancouver Magazine’s Bartender of the Year 2013), who will depart with Notturno’s closure.
The owners of Cork & Fin have stripped the space and in its place is their newest brainchild, Ono Raw Bar, featuring sushi, fresh seafood, and Japanese-inspired small plates.
Rosewood Hotel Georgia’s Reflections Lounge will kick off the patio season on April 7th with a refresh of both its design and menu (we hear there will be poke)
Save room for dessert.
Ladurée is now open, but you didn’t need us to tell you that. If you’re amongst those who need to get your French macaron fix NOW, throw a hail Mary, head down Robson Street and look for the lineup a hundred people deep.