Red Wagon Rolls Into Action
Chef Brad Miller, formerly of Au Petit Chavignol and Bistro Pastis, is set to open the Red Wagon Restaurant (2296 East Hastings Street) this week. The casual, kid-friendly café serves breakfast and lunch and specializes in brunch. Menu items are under $15 and include burgers, Reuben sandwiches, chicken stew with mushroom herb dumplings, and short rib pot roast. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.

Pig Out
The promise of porchetta sandwiches had passersby salivating as they awaited the unveiling of Meat & Bread (370 Cambie Street). Patience has been rewarded, and this brick-and-beam sandwich shop has been swamped since its recent opening. Besides the mainstay porchetta sandwich ($8), other sandwiches from a changing selection include soy-glazed chicken, lamb, meatball, and barbecue beef brisket ($7 to $8). For dessert? A maple-bacon ice cream sandwich ($3).

From Tapas to Italian
After 13 years, popular tapas spot and wine bar Tapastree (1829 Robson Street) has renovated and reemerged as Tavola (Italian for table) under the same ownership. There is now a mozza bar with buffalo mozzarella and burrata cheeses, and highlights from the all-Italian menu include agnolotti with osso buco, brick chicken, pork chops, and prime rib steak. Mains run $15 to $24, except for the steak, which is $45. Partners Mike Jeffs and Nicole Welsh also own Nook—a pasta-pizza smash hit—around the corner on Denman Street.

Nu Goes Greek
Across from Granville Island, Nu Restaurant + Lounge (1661 Granville Street) is rebranding and shifting its fare from West Coast to Mediterranean-focused. By the end of November, the restaurant will be known as Nu: Aegean Cusina. It’s currently closed for weekday lunches while its décor is being updated (including replacement of the Jetsons chairs). It remains open for dinner every day as well as weekend brunch with a transitional menu that adds a taste of what’s to come to its previous offerings. For example, small plates include spanakopita and souvlaki ($8 to $12), and mains feature baked orzo and crispy saganaki ($19 to $29). See www.whatisnu.com/ for updates.

In the Market for Spices
Diners can get a taste of New York’s Spice Market this month when the executive chef of Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Asian restaurant visits Vancouver. Anthony Ricco is teaching a cooking class at sister restaurant MARKET by Jean-Georges (1115 Alberni Street) on Wednesday (November 10); it’s open to a mere six people at $125 each. If that’s sold out, six of Spice Market’s signature dishes ($10 to $30), including black pepper shrimp and Vietnamese chicken curry, will be available on MARKET’s dinner menu from November 8 to 30. A tasting menu will be on offer for $68.

Gastown dining for a twenty
Until November 3 and from Sunday to Wednesday (November 7 to 10), catch the final days of the first Eat Drink Local promotion, which highlights five eateries in Gastown and environs. Twenty dollars buys an entrée plus a cocktail or a glass of wine at Cork & Fin, Boneta, the Diamond, 2 Chefs and a Table, or Au Petit Chavignol. See www.eatdrinklocalweek.com/ for menus and more info.