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Ontario wines celebrated

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:09:06 PST

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON—Malrize Beyers of Hidden Bench Vineyeards and Winery was awarded winemaker of the year at the May 10 Ontario Wine Awards.

Square targets restaurant industry

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:05:44 PST

SAN FRANCISCO—Square Inc., the payment startup founded by Twitter chair Jack Dorsey, launched updates to its payment register in late April in an effort to target the restaurant industry, according to a news release.

UPDATE: A familiar face vies for a Down Under dream job

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:15:56 PST

TORONTO—Tourism Australia released its shortlist of applicants for “The Best Jobs in the World,” and a notable name from the Canadian culinary scene made the cut. Mary Gazze, communications specialist for the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA) was among the top 25 people selected for the Taste Master position.

Nation’s brews celebrated at Canadian Brewing Awards

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:55:41 PST

VICTORIA—Breweries of all sizes put their best brews forward at the 11^th annual celebration of Canadian brewing excellence held at the Inn at Laurel Point from May 9 to 11.

New chair and board members for Smart Serve Ontario

Wed, 15 May 2013 07:17:45 PST

Mary D’Alton is the new chair of the board of Smart Serve Ontario. D’Alton is the president and managing director of the Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel, and has previously served on the Board of Smart Serve Ontario.

Putting the cool in crustaceans

Wed, 15 May 2013 05:20:21 PST

TORONTO—Two industry veterans are transforming the former Mildred Pierce space at 99 Sudbury. Chef Michael Pataran, who has been executive chef at The Prince of Wales Hotel’s Escabèche, Taboo Resort and The Windsor Arms Hotel, and Marco Petrucci, co-owner/partner of Porzia restaurant and the El Macombo, are teaming up to open Cool City Oyster Yard in early June.

McDonald’s all-day breakfast?

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:50:33 PST

Oak Brook, IL—The idea of all-day breakfast at McDonald’s has been getting buzz after CEO Don Thompson said he was entertaining the idea in a late April interview with CNBC.

Downtown Hamilton’s restaurant restoration project

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:52:08 PST

HAMILTON—A brand new Art Deco style chophouse is moving into a part of the historic Lister Block at the corner of James and King William St. in downtown Hamilton. Owner and seasoned restaurateur Chris DesRoches told ORN that his new 28 Lister, a chophouse and grill, is the right fit for the restored space.

Fishermen tie up boats in protest against lobster prices

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:31:08 PST

CHARLOTTETOWN – With the lobster season beginning early last week, a Thursday (May 9) meeting on lobster prices between P.E.I. fishermen and seafood processors ended in an impasse. On Thursday morning, more than 700 P.E.I. fishermen rallied outside the Department of Fisheries and Oceans demanding a higher price for the popular crustacean.

A dinner for the fishes

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:00:16 PST

CALGARY—A group of West Coast chefs will collaborate in support of sustainable seafood and Ocean Wise for a May 29 boat-to-table dinner at River Café.

Regina restaurant patios approved

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:51:12 PST

REGINA—City council unanimously approved a new policy allowing Regina restaurateurs to set up temporary patios. The policy was passed April 29, allowing patios to operate from April to October, reported the CBC.

Mixed reaction to private liquor stores in Saskatchewan

Thu, 09 May 2013 08:22:26 PST

SASKATOON, REGINA—The province of Saskatchewan announced it is allowing the addition of private liquor stores in Regina and Saskatoon. Both cities will see existing retail stores build or expand their brand with the addition of liquor outlets, not operated by Saskatchewan’s Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA), according to the SLGA.

A sunny outlook for restaurants this summer

Thu, 09 May 2013 05:44:01 PST

TORONTO—With patio season blossoming, more than one third of restaurateurs expect sales to pick up over the next half year, according to the first quarter results of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association’s (CRFA) Restaurant Outlook Survey.

Vancouver street food program expanding

Mon, 06 May 2013 08:55:25 PST

VANCOUVER—Despite concerns from restaurateurs, Vancouver officials expanded the city’s street food vendor program. Mayor Gregor Robertson introduced 15 new food trucks on May 2, according to a news release, bringing the total in Vancouver to 114.

New milk class changes cheese designation

Mon, 06 May 2013 08:27:28 PST

OTTAWA—Effective June 1, a new milk designation will allow restaurants to purchase Canadian mozzarella for fresh pizzas at a lower cost. The Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) announced the new milk classification was approved by the Canadian Milk Supply Management Committee (CMSMC) in a May 1 release.

Culinary Institute of Canada’s kitchen gets smarter

Mon, 06 May 2013 05:04:06 PST

CHARLOTTETOWN—Holland College is upgrading what is already called Canada’s Smartest Kitchen, with help from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). With an investment of more than $100,000 from ACOA and another $34,000 from the college, the kitchen will stay at the cutting edge, according to an April 29 release.

Rock Lobster Co. pops up again

Fri, 03 May 2013 12:22:54 PST

TORONTO—The Ossington strip’s pop-up restaurant, turned brick and mortar, will open its second location in Toronto’s Queen West neighbourhood. Less than one year after Rock Lobster Co.’s inaugural opening, its second incarnation will take over the Shanghai Cowgirl space at 538 Queen St. West in early June, according to The Grid.

A new REDS for Toronto

Fri, 03 May 2013 08:48:01 PST

TORONTO—The Financial District’s REDS WINE TAVERN will open a second location in the College Park neighbourhood. The restaurant will keep the REDS title, with a new moniker added on befitting the new neighbourhood and offering, Martha Danobeitia, marketing manager for Signature Restaurants, Service Inspired Restaurants told ORN.

A Barrington bar’s final goodbye

Fri, 03 May 2013 04:34:12 PST

HALIFAX—The Pogue Fado on Halifax’s bar-laden Barrington Street has officially closed its doors. The Irish public house’s owners explained their position in a Facebook post, saying the closure is effective immediately.

Chinese restaurants exhibited in Alberta

Thu, 02 May 2013 05:32:29 PST

EDMONTON—An exhibit at the Royal Alberta Museum looks into the succession of Chinese restaurants in small towns across the Prairies. Having opened in late April, Chop Suey on the Prairies: A History of Chinese Restaurants in Alberta will show for a year, according to Metro Edmonton.