7 Food and Drink Events Around Vancouver That You’ve Gotta Try This March

A friend was visiting from Quebec last week and stopped in their tracks just off Robson Street.

“Are those snowdrops? And cherry blossoms?!”  Why yes, I said smugly, as only a good Vancouverite can, and led them off to happy hour oysters in the sunshine. My advice? As soon as the sunshine hits, race to your nearest patio and soak up the good times and great food. After all, our friends across the country are facing snowstorms for months to come, so let’s enjoy that West Coast wonder. Grab your napkins… this month is gonna get messy.

Get Super French at L’Abattoir

I showed the brilliant Super French Mai Tai at L’Abattoir to a friend who used to smoke, and he said that it was “very triggering.” Me, I love it. First, it’s freaking delicious: rhum agricole, pastis and a hit of orgeat and lemon. Second, it looks astonishing. Third, you get to gobble up a candy cigarette and wonder what the heck people were thinking selling these to kids back in the day. Oh—and don’t snooze on L’Abattoir’s terrific daily HH deal (and all day Wednesday), 50 percent off all champagne, which, thanks to their head sommelier, Peter Van de Reep, offers up some very fun and tasty bottles to try. If you’ve not visited since Executive Chef Jasper Cruickshank and Chef de Cuisine Baker Hsu took over the culinary reins, you’re in for a treat.

Shuck Yeah! Fanny Bay Is Back at Copperpenny

If you’ve been paying attention over the years, you’ll know that I love two things: gin and oysters. So, imagine my delight that Fanny Bay Oyster Bar and Shellfish Market are hosting a new season of pop-ups over at Copperpenny in North Van. The Sunday shuck sessions will take place on March 22, April 12, May 10 (Mother’s Day) and May 31 from 2 to 7 p.m. in the distillery’s lounge in the Lower Lonsdale Shipyards District.

Fanny Bay master shucker Hannah Nguyen will serve up premium oyster varieties and seasonally inspired Shucker’s Choice selections for $21 per half dozen or $39 for a dozen, while the Copperpenny bar team will offer a curated menu of gin-based libations created especially for the occasion. If you’ve never tried it, it’s a good chance to sample Copperpenny’s first-of-its-kind-in-Canada No. 006 Oyster Shell Gin, handcrafted using shells harvested from the rocky shores of Fanny Bay on Vancouver Island. So freaking good.

Get Down(stairs) at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

From Thursday to Sunday, head into the basement at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver to discover a sexy lil’ Japanese pop-up vinyl bar, Hibiki. I’m obsessed with the Roku Sour, a foamy matcha-spiked delight that’s surely this year’s espresso martini alternative. Not to mention the fact that the menus are actual vinyl records. Don’t miss the Funk to Suntory Sessions on Friday and Saturday nights with live DJs and enjoy tasty snacks including karaage and nasu dengaku.

Cherry Blossom Festival Returns

I love cherry blossom-inspired food and drink. And the festival gives me (and you!) the chance to head into the city and explore bite by delicious bite and sip. This year, there are 27 vendors across Metro Vancouver featuring 50 different Sakura-inspired creations, which will be revealed on March 9. You can take part in festival missions (snap a photo, unlock secret menu items, get bonus stamps), grab a festival passport at your first stop (collect three stamps or more to win prizes) and also play gacha games with cherry blossom collectibles, stickers and mystery prizes. Live that Sakura life.

All Change at St. Lawrence

I’m such a raving fan of, well, everything that St. Lawrence’s chef JC Poirier does that I can tell you without even tasting a bite that his new Cuisine Bourgeoise menu will be an absolute smash. What is it? According to the chef: “It’s simply a natural evolution of how I want to cook right now, with more restraint, more confidence and even more respect for the product.” What will it taste like? Only one way to find out (by booking a table). Plus, you can still enjoy their Cabane à Sucre menus through till the end of March too for traditional rib-sticking maple syrup-hosed delights.

Prix-Fixe at Lavantine

A three-course prix-fixe menu for $65 in this economy? Yes please! Head up to the roof at the AZUR legacy hotel to Lavantine restaurant for this Sunday through Thursday special to enjoy their delicious take on eastern Mediterranean food—their fire-kissed skewers are juicy and crisp—with dishes including truffle hummus and a burrata and lamb shank tajine.

The Final Stretch of the Curry Cup

All good things must come to an end… to make way for even better things. It’s time to say farewell to the Curry Cup, one of the most hotly contested culinary contests in Vancouver’s recent history. On Monday, March 30, the final edition of the cup, the Tournament of Champions, will bring together past winners for one last, legendary battle at Heritage Hall. Returning champions include Balvant Ajgaonkar (Desi Lounge), Katy Cheung (Burdock & Co), Felix Zhou (Personas Patio + Restaurant + Lounge) and Roger Ma (Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar). Beverage partners include Main St. Brewing Co., Sea Cider Farm + Ciderhouse, Edna’s Cocktails and Revelry Wine Imports. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Mount Pleasant Community Centre’s Food Security Program. Tickets are on sale now and include all eight competitors’ curry and beverages.