A Few Happenings Around Town and in the Fields to Keep You Busy This Summer

We headed up to the Okanagan last night and drove through a thick blanket of smoke, just past Merritt and well into Kelowna. Our thoughts are with all that have been evacuated and are on alert and we are devastated thinking about all the wildlife and agricultural and forest that this beast has consumed. It’s a nasty situation. I have a few suggestions for those that can travel or take advantage of a few online happenings this week.

Celebrate Fresh BC Blueberries with #GoBlueBC and WIN

Until August 2nd, celebrate the arrival of fresh blueberries in British Columbia by visiting GoBlueBC.ca and win Amazing #GoBlueBC Prizes from White Spot and BC Ferries

 Sponsored by White Spot and Triple O’s, enter for a chance to win a total of $1,000 in gift cards to White Spot and Triple O’s! On August 3rd, one British Columbian will win this special prize to try out the seasonal BC Blueberry offerings at both restaurants! Enter at GoBlueBC.ca.

BC Ferries is offering another prize: a chance to win one of five round-trip passes (one vehicle and driver plus three passengers, each valued up to $275.60) between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. While onboard ferries, you can now purchase the limited-time Fresh BC Blueberry Pie available at the Coastal Café on BC Ferries. Enter at GoBlueBC.ca.

What would you rather do, taste or travel? Enter at GoBlueBC.ca by August 2nd for a chance to win!

Ocean Wise at H Tasting Lounge

H Tasting Lounge presents Into the Blue, a collective seafood initiative supporting the Ocean Wise ocean conservation program. Try the Deep Sea Afternoon Tea or their majestic seafood tower until September 5. A portion of proceeds from both the Deep Sea Afternoon Tea and the seafood towers will be donated to Ocean Wise.

Seafood Tower
A three-tier seafood tower featuring crab legs, prawn cocktail, steamed mussels, and clams, Kusshi oysters, tuna tataki, ceviche, and bonito chips. Enhance your feast with a 12-gram tin of Northern Divine caviar. View the full menu at htastinglounge.com.

Deep-Sea Afternoon Tea
Embark on a journey into the blue with the exquisite flavours of our Deep Sea Afternoon Tea. A golden Ferris wheel bears a variety of enticing seafood delicacies, including Miso Aburi Oyster, Crab Éclair, Poached Trout Blini with caviar, smoked salmon, and halibut-and-leek potato pie. A cotton candy Bonsai tree completes your photo-worthy spread. Available exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-3pm. Visit htastinglounge.com to reserve your spot.

Deep-Sea Tea in the Park
Presented in Partnership with Picnic Thyme Co.
The Deep-Sea Afternoon Tea picnic experience, presented in partnership with Picnic Thyme Co. included sweet treats and savoury bites styled on silver towers with matching cutlery and surrounded by an elevated picnic set-up, including plush velvet pillows with silk flower arrangements. Picnics are available for groups of 2 to 8, exclusively on weekends. Book your picnic today at picnicthyme.co.

Straight and Marrow marks a one-year milestone with food and drink specials available exclusively from July 29 to August 1

Opened in Vancouver’s East Village on July 29, 2020, Straight and Marrow is the long-time dream of owner and industry veteran Chris Lam, who has a reputation for pushing the culinary envelope with his adventurous cuisine and sustainable culinary philosophy. In celebration of an ambitious first year in business, Lam has curated an anniversary menu of flavourful food and drink specials designed to mark the restaurant’s one-year milestone. Available exclusively from Thursday, July 29th to Sunday, August 1, the limited-edition menu will include a selection of signature small plates that previously appeared as weekly feature items at Straight and Marrow over the past year. Regular menu is also available.

Lamb Sweet Breads ($16.50) Garlic gel, brown butter powder, daikon, Brussel sprouts

Korean Fried Chicken Oysters ($17) Charred rice, squid ink gochujang, kimchi dust

Humboldt Squidtzel ($17.50) Squid ink scallop spaetzle, uni demi

Funnel Cake ($10) Strawberry gel and powder, vanilla cheesecake, duck fat sugar

At the bar, guests will be able to raise a glass and toast the restaurant’s success with a surprise anniversary cocktail designed by Bar Manager Chad Rivard or enjoy a special cocktail flight ($18) of personal favourites from the Straight and Marrow team. The cocktail flight will feature a sampling of four small-scale libations – Old Fashioned, Gin & Tonic, Negroni and Paper Plane – selected by General Manager Marc Dumouchel, Sous Chef Justin Macalanda Pascual, Chad Rivard and Chris Lam, respectively.

Straight and Marrow is located at 1869 Powell Street and is open Wednesday to Sunday from 5:30 to late. As seating will be limited during Straight and Marrow’s anniversary weekend, reservations are recommended and can be made online at straightandmarrow.com or by calling the restaurant directly at 604-251-4813.

For more information about Straight and Marrow, visit straightandmarrow.com.