Delayed opening adversely impacted operation
Will Mount Currie’s Wild Seed Enoteca eventually take root or will it wither in the Pemberton Valley heat? Despite the doors being locked for nearly a month prospective diners are greeted with either an account of the upscale eatery’s hours or a message explaining that they are closed for renovations when attempting to make reservations.
"We’re going through a little bit of a transition period right now, some stuff with the owners," says manager Glen Brubacker. "We’re trying to get it re-opened but there are some stumbling blocks."
While Brubacker would not elaborate on the nature of the "stuff with some of the owners" he did concede that a delayed opening was instrumental in the Wild Seed’s current plight. Originally scheduled to open last August, it was December before the restaurant opened its doors. This extra time was spent reconfiguring and outfitting the room, changes which are to undergo further modification in a new round of renovations.
"We’re changing the interior of the building – chilling it out a bit – making it so it’s not so high end," says Brubaker.
While the manager is hesitant to give a date for reopening, he feels that a strategy for reopening the restaurant will be in place after two more meetings between the partners.
The restaurant had become a popular showcase for local talent with its Sunday night live entertainment.
According to a health inspection report from Environmental Health Services — Coast Garibaldi Area, as of June 25 the restaurant had "ceased operation as a fine dining restaurant and is now operating as a delivery pizza facility in the evenings. Plans are to close within a month."
Vancouver’s Taste of Health vegetarian food festival Aug. 14-15
By Lindsay Mackenzie
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recently honoured Vancouver with the title of Canada’s most "vegetarian friendly city." In explaining its decision, PETA cited the abundance of vegetarian restaurants in the city as well as Vancouver’s annual Taste of Health Vegetarian Festival as factors contributing to Vancouver’s vegetarian friendliness.
This accolade has put the pressure on the EarthSave Canada, organizers of the Sixth Annual Taste of Health Festival, who promise that this year’s event, taking place on Aug. 14 and 15, will be bigger and better than ever.
Participants in the festival will have the chance to listen to prominent vegetarian speakers, take part in a range of workshops, and watch vegetarian cooking demonstrations, among other activities. An eclectic mix of entertainers will perform at the festival, including Feso, a traditional song and dance group from Zimbabwe; the Khac Chi Ensemble, a versatile Vietnamese duo; and Jewish Worldbeat group Tzimmes.
The Taste of Health festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 15 at the Chinese Cultural Centre on 50 East Pender Street. The cost is $5 per person.
For more information visit www.tasteofhealth.com .
