NEW ON MAIN
Worth the wait, the Cascade Room (2616 Main Street) is finally open. Perch on an Eames reproduction barstool, sip retro cocktails, and tuck in. With spiced calamari ($11), tortilla pie ($10), grilled lamb sirloin on focaccia with curried-tomato chutney and polenta fries ($12), and thin-crust pizzas ($12 to $13), Travis Williams's upmarket bar menu sounds yum.

HELLO DELHI
Premiering today (September 6) at 9 p.m. on Knowledge Network, Feast India with Brit-born Australian chef Barry Véra explores street food and regional cuisine across the country. Catch a Hindu wedding in Rajasthan in the first episode.

LAST CALL
Act fast and you might still snare a ticket for Passions, next Sunday (September 16) at the Dr. Peter Centre (1110 Comox Street). Fourteen top chefs, and a good cause: the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. Tickets, $200, from www.drpetercentre.ca/ or call 604-331-3452.

NAME SAYS IT ALL
When an event's called Nibbles & Bites, you know where you stand, and that's around Richmond this weekend (September 8 and 9) from 11 a.m. At this annual fest, now in its 16th year, 25 Richmond restaurants join forces at the Thompson Community Centre (5151 Granville Avenue) for family-geared fun. Details from www.nibblesandbites.com/ .

BENCH PARTY
If you haven't visited Okanagan wine country for a while, the fourth annual Naramata Bench Tailgate Party this Saturday (September 8) at Red Rooster Winery will bring you up to speed–at least with the 19 area wineries putting on the shindig. Eat, dance, and drink plenty of the Okanagan's most coveted wines. Tickets, $75 from www.naramatabench.com/events.asp .

ALLORA ITALIA
Vancouver's newest hot table is Italian Kitchen (1037 Alberni Street), sib to thriving Sanafir, Glowbal, and Coast. This sleek double-decker space pays homage to Vancouver's past with wall-sized archival photos while serving pastas like spaghetti with truffle cream and Kobe beef meatballs, antipasti, pizza, steaks, and more. Best cocktail: Campari Kiss.

WAKE-UP CALL
If you're interested in building awareness about our region's sustainability, then set your alarm and attend the free monthly Sustainability Community Breakfast on Taking Action on Climate Change, Wednesday (September 12) from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Canada Export Centre (602 West Hastings Street). Register at www.gvrd.bc.ca/sustainability/breakfast.html .

SWEET SEVEN
A Group of Seven three-day dessert affair, Thursday to Saturday (September 6 to 8) at the Canvas Lounge (99 Powell Street), features seven $7 desserts created by seven top pastry chefs, including Thomas Haas of Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates, and Peter Fong of Ganache Pâtisserie. The event supports the nonprofit Vancouver Pastry, Art and Design Association's Pastry Lecture Series. Interested? See www.vancouverpastry.ca/ or call 604-609-9939.