Last call for Cherry Blossom Food Fest

Hey there,

Welcome to the April 26th edition of Noms Mag weekly run-down!

Can you believe it is already almost May?

I sure can’t - cause it reminds me that the Hello Kitty Cafe is now 9 months delayed. Wild.

But if you saw our recent update, we finally got in touch with Sanrio and things are happening (albeit slow and meticulous).

Anyways buckle up and let's get filled in for this weekend!

🌧️ WEEKEND WEATHER FORECAST

🌸 LAST CHANCE FOR CHERRY BLOSSOM ITEMS

This weekend is your LAST CHANCE to enjoy the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Food Fest (Mar 29 - Apr 28) items, fill out your festival passport with stickers, and complete the festival missions!

So if you need an excuse to kidnap your food bestie for some cherry blossom desserts, this is the last chance to do so before they’re gone!

🌟 NEW & COMING SOON & GOODBYES

1.🍕🍜 Kinton Ramen's newest outpost - Soft opens April 26 at Marine Gateway.

2.🔚 R+D Kitchen by White Spot to close - the test kitchen concept is shutting down April 28.

3.🌆 Lavantine opening May - Panoramic views meet Eastern Mediterranean flair.

4.☕️ New Pallet Coffee opens May 1st - Marking their 7th location in the city.

5.🌙 Richmond Night Market reopens today - 110+ food stalls await but increase in admission prices may deter some.

6.☕️ West End's Cafe closes - Peculiar case of its shop opening & put out on the market within 2 weeks.

7.🍻 Sing Sing Beer Bar expands - New location on Commercial Drive coming soon.

8.🥧 The Pie Hole opens in Greektown - Relocation comes after the unfortunate lease termination

9.🍲 End of an Era for Sala Thai - Final days for the restaurant after 38 years of service.

👉 Check out 10 more new restaurants that have opened here.

👉 Or check out 10 more restaurants that have closed recently here.

📰 QUICK FOOD NEWS & DEALS

1.🌷 Mother's Day Dining Delights - 18 Vancouver restaurants roll out special menus for 2024.

2.🍸 Two Vancouver Bars Hit North America’s Top 50 - Only 7 Canadian bars landed on prestigious ranking.

2.📢 Outrage over food bank misuse - Ontario student's viral video sparks heated debate.

2.🗞️ Rising Food Prices Challenge - Canadians found to consume food past best-before dates due to inflation.

3.🍹 Nude Beverages line sold for $11M - Vancouver's Ready To Drink (RTD) pioneer shifts to Toronto Corby ownership.

4.🍔 [PHOTOS] First McDonald's Canada revisits history - Richmond site, from 1967 beginnings to present-day evolution.

💰 DEALS THAT MATTER

1.🍜 $12 Ramen deal at ZUBU - Apr 22 - 28 at Downtown & Park Royal locations. Excludes signature ramen.

2.🥩 Blackwalnut Tomahawk Steak - $89 (original $150) for min. 36 oz. tomahawk steak w/ fresh greens and fries. Only available Tues - Thurs.

3.🥐 Buy 2 Get 1 Free Croissant @ Hazukido - Free croissant is equal or less in value; only valid at Yaletown location; until April 30th

4.🥭 BOGO Free @ HuiLauShan Downtown - soft opening promo at their Club Kitchen location; valid for slushes and fruit teas; must present this voucher to redeem offer (CC @memoirsofapig)

🗓️ EVENTS THAT MATTER

1.🌸 [FESTIVAL] Vancouver Cherry Blossom Food Fest (Mar 29 - Apr 28) - 10+ food spots around Metro Vancouver offering limited time cherry blossom inspired items + festival passport to win prizes

2.🖼️ [MARKET] Vancouver Etsy Co Spring Pop Up (Apr. 27) - 40+ local vendors and smallbusinesses; @ Heritage Hall; 10AM - 5PM; TICKETED

3.🥟 [MARKET] Richmond Night Market (Apr 26 - Oct 14) - the night market is back with its rows of food vendors and sock vendors. This year the theme is Summer Sweet Dragon; @ Richmond; TICKETED

4.🌷 [FESTIVAL] Botanica Tulip Festival (Apr 12 - May 12) - floral displays spanning over 13 acres and 1.5 million bulbs; @ Chilliwack; TICKETED

5.🖌️ [MARKET] Got Craft Spring Market (May 4 - 5) - 80+ vendors and makers, food trucks, swag bags; @ Maritime Labour Centre 1880 Triumph Street; 10AM - 5PM; TICKETED

6.🇵🇭 [EVENT] The Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party (Apr 27) - a tribute to Filipino indigenous warrior and chieftain against Spanish colonization; food, craft vendors, DJs, BBall Tournament; @ South Vancouver Fraser Street; 11AM - 7PM

🗓️ Check out more events happening in Metro Vancouver here.

That's all for now! Stay warm and have a delicious and exciting weekend!

-Jason