We be jammin’
The Reef is the latest Vancouver resto to expand to Commercial Drive digs (1018 Commercial) following Memphis Blues Barbeque House and Vera’s Burger Shack. Invoking the Caribbean spirit, vibe, and colours of the original Reef (4172 Main Street), every day feels like summer. A seat on the patio, a Red Stripe, and kick-ass plantain chips with jerk mayo, and we’re there.

Homegrown pride
Food mag Saveur has named Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks (1740 West 2nd Avenue; Net Loft, Granville Island) in its list of the world’s 10 best cookbook shops, the only one in Canada. There was more cause for congratulations on March 29 when staff member Annie Petrusa came tops in the fifth annual William Tell/Vancouver Community College Culinary Arts student of the year competition.

Live from New York
Canadian Tim Harris, who cheffed for Canadian consul general Pamela Wallin in New York City, and his American photographer wife Natalie have just opened picture-perfect Cardero Bottega (1016 Cardero Street), a New York–style Italian deli. Patterned after their NYC faves, the Bottega is loaded with Italian meats, cheeses, pastas, tomatoes, and sodas (try the nonalcoholic pinot noir, chardonnay, and rosé versions), plus soups, paninis, and more for takeout.

Last chance for girls
The final Diva show before the summer happens Saturday (April 5) at Delilah’s Restaurant & Bar (1789 Comox Street). Down a few Gin Tinglers or Blue Leis while you ogle a parade of pulchritude. Rumours are that up to five grrrrls will flaunt their feathers.

Do what you love
Sounds like a dream job: earn money while hanging with local growers, producers, and food aficionados. If you can commit to the whole season, you could be needed at the upcoming farmers markets. Details on-line at www.eatlocal.org/ .

Just one more taste
Slurp your way though all 150 wines and beers on offer Saturday (April 5, 5 to 9 p.m.) at Just Here for the Beer’s 2008 Wine and Beer Festival, at the Plaza 500 Hotel (500 West 12th Avenue), and it’ll cost you just 30 cents a swallow. Tickets are $45 at www.justhereforthebeer.com/ or Firefly Fine Wines and Ales (2857 Cambie Street).

Great shelf life
Visit the newly launched online Market Gourmet Foods (450 West 2nd Avenue) at www.shopwhitefish.ca/ and you’ll wish you hadn’t. The “aisles” offer gorgeous goodies like Aurora pastas, olive oils, Italian vinegars, ethically produced herbal, black, and Thai chai teas, Steaz green tea sodas, and Salty Dog trans-fat-free chips. It’s pure seduction, and bulk buys net wholesale prices.