OCEAN WISE
The Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise conservation program has been a driving force in promoting well-managed coastal fisheries and educating consumers about over-fished and endangered species. As founding members of Ocean Wise, Toptable Group restaurants and their chefs have long championed sustainable seafood practices.
CELEBRATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF OCEAN WISE
In honour of the 10th Anniversary of Ocean Wise, each Toptable Group restaurant will feature a showcase of British Columba’s finest sustainable seafood products throughout the summer season.
WEST RESTAURANT
West Restaurant will host an Ocean Wise 10th Anniversary Collaboration Dinner on Tuesday, June 23rd. The dinner will see the artistry of West Executive Chef Quang Dang together with the legendary Chef Robert Clark, an Ocean Wise founding chef and currently an owner of Vancouver’s sustainable seafood store and eatery, The Fish Counter. The event begins with a sparkling wine and canapé reception followed by a six-course dinner prepared by the two chefs. Tickets are limited to 70 guests and are $125 per person. Proceeds will be donated to Ocean Wise.
Furthermore, ‘The Canadian Collection’, an anthology of month-long, local specialties, has run to great acclaim at West Restaurant for the past year. The next Canadian Collection menu will celebrate Ocean Wise beginning in mid-June and will be extended to run through the end of August. Priced at $38, this special three-course menu will be featured for lunch every day, and for dinner Sunday through Thursday. For reservations, contact Restaurant Director Owen Knowlton at 604 738 8938 or owen@westrestaurant.com.
ARAXI RESTAURANT + OYSTER BAR
Farm-to-table pioneer Executive Chef James Walt is no stranger to the ocean’s harvest. This June he will feature a $39 four-course prix fixe Ocean Wise menu at Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar. The menu is available Sunday through Thursday, from June 1st to 25th. Furthering his commitment to the sustainable seafood program, Walt’s Longtable Dining Series menus will serve 100 per cent Ocean Wise ingredients. To make a reservation, contact Restaurant Director Neil Henderson at 604 932 4540 or book online.
BLUE WATER CAFE
For the past decade, Executive Chef Frank Pabst’s menu at Blue Water Cafe has raised the bar on sustainable seafood, as has his well-known ‘Unsung Heroes’ annual seafood festival. Now, following extensive training from Ocean Wise experts, service staff will take on the role of sustainability ‘ambassadors’, focusing on educating guests of Vancouver’s ‘Best Seafood’ restaurant about Blue Water Cafe’s commitment to coastal fisheries and sustainable harvesting practices. For reservations, contact Restaurant Director Stephan Cachard at 604 688 8078 or book online.
THIERRY CHOCOLATERIE, PATISSERIE AND CAFE
Best known as a master of all things chocolate, Chef Thierry Busset has also committed to supporting Ocean Wise at Thierry Chocolaterie, Patisserie and Cafe, downtown Vancouver’s favourite spot for delicious pastries and coffees. On his menu, Busset will feature a warm-weather lunchtime option: a cold-smoked Ocean Wise sockeye sandwich with cucumber and caper cream cheese, perfectly paired with a refreshing housemade soda or lemonade, or a glass of crisp sauvignon blanc.