A little bit western With a down-at-heel exterior, Ping’s Café (2702 Main Street) belies a sleek, modern interior complete with Rodney Graham art. Many might think yoshoku is izakaya-style food, but owner Josh Olson, formerly at Dunbar Street’s Modern Club, describes it as postwar Japanese Western-style food. Sample dishes include “regular” items like gyoza, edamame, and yakitori, plus pork cutlets, breaded seafood, and a Ping dog (grilled bratwurst with daikon).

Your weekly food round-up

From his city backyard to yours Professional agrologist Ward Teulon, a.k.a. City Farm Boy, grows scads of veggies in urban backyards and brings them to farmers markets. Sounds like a good green thing to do. Learn how by registering on-line at www.cityfarmboy.com/ by Saturday (April 26) for his May 3 daylong workshop ($149).

Shaken: Not Stirred Sunday Brunch, Shakespeare’s 444th birthday, a hip new watering hole, carbon-neutral coffee bar, Vista D’oro Farms, FigMint Restaurant & Lounge and fried chicken Fuel Restaurant.

Secrets of Norte We’re pleased as punch to report that much missed Philip Mitchell of gone-but-so-not-forgotten Café Norte is back in our sights and will be teaching a few secret-no-more Norte Mexican favourites at Tools and Techniques (250–16th Street, West Vancouver). Maximum Mexican Comfort Foods is on April 21 and Mexican Fiesta Flavours on May 12. Book early at www.thestoreforcooks.com/.

2008 Wine and Beer Festival, The final Diva show at Delilah’s and more

Dining Out for Life, Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival & more.

New face for Feenies, Wine fest awards, Tequila takes a shot with new resto & more

It’s Irish for party Over the past 11 years, Sean Heather’s Irish empire has shamrock ’n’ rolled the city on St. Patrick’s Day. Go on-line now to www.irishheather.com/ (and we stress now ) to reserve the various lunch and dinner packages offered March 17 at The Irish Heather (217 Carrall Street). Why? Because this will be the last such St. Pat’s party, as the whole shebang moves to new digs (210-212 Carrall Street) sometime soon. Go weep in your Guinness.

Fraîche debuts, pastry boot camp & more

Mardi Gras on Davie From Thursday to Saturday (February 21 to 23), break out the boas, glitter, and beads and celebrate Davie Village’s third boffo Mardi Gras in high style. This year, your $10 wristband—available at Little Sister’s bookstore, Priape Vancouver, and participating bars—gets you discounts at many bars, eateries, and shops, and eliminates cover charges and lineups. Proceeds benefit the LGTB Centre at 1170 Bute Street.

I HEART YOUIt’s odd that each Valentine’s Day so few eat what you’d think would be the logical dish. One place to track down the real thing is La Bodega (1277 Howe Street) where you can order a grilled, medium rare tapa of marinated veal heart. Two skewers cost $6.50.

Rob Feenie joins Cactus, celebrate Chinese New Year on Granville Island , + more

Already trashed those new year’s resolutions? Get re-inspired at the 16th annual Wellness Show

Noon With a View Amid the Dine Out Vancouver dinner foofaraw, one restaurant also does lunch (with a harbour view). Book yourself into The Cannery (2205 Commissioner Street), weekdays through February 3, for three courses at $25. Try black-bean lemon soup with habanero-pepper-and-herb croutons, grilled salmon with chive-and-cream sauce, and a bitter chocolate “tower”.