Vancouver, B.C., July 21, 2026 – The team behind beloved Mount Pleasant tapas bar ¿CóMO? Taperia is taking guests on another trip to Spain, this time, to its rugged northern coast. This coming winter, founders Shaun Layton and Frankie Harrington are set to open ¿CóMO? Ultramar – a seafood-focused restaurant inspired by their travels throughout Northern Spain – at 592 East Broadway.

“Ultramar is inspired by the places Frankie and I travel to often during our annual trips to Spain,” says Layton. “There will be a definite focus on the cuisine of Northern Spain, such as the seaside towns of the Basque Country, Cantabria, and Galicia, but also the old-school seafood bars of Madrid, the modern, playful seafood restaurants of Barcelona, and the tabernas of Cádiz. In all these places, there is just big love for seafood in its simplest forms, but yet, full of flavour.”

The 2,500 square-foot space features a dining room and a mezzanine on the second level.

Located on Faber Block, the building was originally constructed in 1926 and formerly known as The Carolina, which is currently managed by Kiri Properties. Over its century-old history, the building’s previous tenants included popular neighbourhood spots such as a confectionery shop, Black & White Grocery, and Seb’s Cafe.

Joining Layton and Harrington is chef-partner Daniel Kim, a 15-year veteran of Vancouver's fine dining scene who spent nearly a decade at award-winning Boulevard, rising to chef de cuisine. His accolades include the 2018 Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship and the 2021 RC Show Garland Competition.

Leading front-of-house is general manager Sean Grady, who moves over after several years at ¿CóMO? Taperia, where he currently serves as GM.

“The cooking will be centred around live charcoal. Think whole fish over fire, Basque-style, with the best seafood we can source locally and from afar,” explains Layton. “Our philosophy at Como Ultramar is to keep things simple with classic dishes and exceptional ingredients, all executed with great technique. We’ll also have a few fun surprises inspired by our favourite rooms in Spain.”

¿CóMO? Ultramar has tapped award-winning firm Ste. Marie with the design, Glasfurd & Walker with the branding, and Harmony Pacific with the construction.

In preparation for its launch, Layton, Harrington, Kim, and Grady are heading back to Spain in September for R&D. Keep an eye on their Instagram at @comoultramar for updates!

For more information about ¿CóMO? Ultramar and to follow along on its journey, please visit comoultramar.com.

Vancouver, BC – July 20, 2026 – Les Dames d'Escoffier BC Chapter (LDBC) invites food lovers to experience one of British Columbia's premier culinary fundraising events during Dames Dine Around 2026, taking place on Tuesday, September 15 and Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

Over two unforgettable evenings, guests will enjoy specially curated multi-course dinners at many of British Columbia's most celebrated restaurants while supporting scholarships and educational initiatives that help advance women pursuing careers in the culinary, beverage, agriculture, and hospitality industries.

Tickets

Tickets on Sale: Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Price: $50–$250 per person (gratuity not included)
Tickets & Menus (where available): LesDames.ca

An Evening to Remember

Each participating restaurant will welcome a limited number of guests for an exclusive multi-course menu created especially for Dames Dine Around.

Thoughtfully selected beverage pairings and opportunities to meet many of British Columbia's leading chefs, restaurateurs, winemakers, cidermakers, and beverage producers make this one of the province's most memorable culinary experiences.

"Dames Dine Around celebrates the incredible talent found throughout British Columbia's culinary community while helping create opportunities for the next generation of women in food, beverage and hospitality," says Pam Williams, Event Co-Lead. "Every ticket purchased directly supports scholarships and educational initiatives that invest in the future of our industry."

Participating Restaurants

The following restaurants are participating as of July 20, 2026. The most up-to-date list, along with available menus, can be found at LesDames.ca.

Vancouver & Lower Mainland

Baan Lao (Richmond), Bacchus Restaurant & Lounge, Bar Bravo, Blue Water Cafe + Oyster Bar, Botanist, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, Bridge Brewing Co. (North Vancouver), Bufala (North Vancouver), Chez Céline, Elisa Steak, Fable Kitchen, ARC Restaurant at Fairmont Waterfront, Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market, Five Sails, Globe@YVR at Fairmont Vancouver Airport (Richmond), Hart House Restaurant (Burnaby), Honey Salt, Restaurant Kavita, Kissa Tanto, L'Abattoir, Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie, LIFT Bar Grill View, Lila Restaurant, Maxine's Cafe & Bar, Nui, Provence Marinaside, Sandbar Seafood Restaurant, The Farmhouse, Uli's Restaurant (White Rock)

Okanagan

Derrick's Steakhouse (Kelowna), The Restaurant at Poplar Grove (Penticton), Terrafina at Hester Creek Estate Winery (Oliver)
Sunshine Coast
Osprey (Garden Bay), The Station Tapas & Wine Bar (Gibsons), The Breeze (Sechelt)

Victoria

Q at the Fairmont Empress, Janevca Kitchen & Lounge, The Courtney Room, Ugly Duckling

Whistler

Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar, Il Caminetto, Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar

Participating Beverage Partners

Adega on 45th Estate Winery, Batasiolo, Gate 22 Winery, Hester Creek Estate Winery, Lunessence Winery & Vineyards, Observatory Wines, Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, SpearHead Winery, Tenuta Poggio Torselli, Theoria Estates, The Wine Umbrella, Tommasi

Etobicoke, July 20, 2026 – Second Cup Café will open a new location at 98 Marine Parade Dr., Unit 2, in Etobicoke, further expanding its presence in the Greater Toronto Area. The community celebration is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, with guests, neighbours, and local leaders invited to attend.

The first 100 guests between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. will receive a complimentary small hot or iced coffee. All guests will receive 10 per cent off purchases throughout the day and a voucher for 15 per cent off a future visit, valid until August 31, 2026. The grand opening ceremony will begin at 11:00 am with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and cake cutting.

“Opening a new café is about creating a welcoming gathering place where people can connect, relax and feel part of the community,” said Roxane Desjardins, marketing director at Second Cup Café. “We look forward to welcoming Etobicoke residents to the new café and celebrating this milestone together.”

The opening is part of Second Cup Café’s ongoing investment in expanding its café network and offering Canadians premium coffee, handcrafted beverages, and fresh food in welcoming community settings.

"We are thrilled to be putting down roots in Etobicoke's Marine Parade lakeshore community and to start welcoming guests through our doors," said Parth Khurana, who owns and operates the café alongside his sister, Shreya Khurana, as franchise partners at Second Cup Café. "Whether someone is popping in for their morning coffee, catching up with friends or taking a well-earned break during the day, we want every guest who visits to feel right at home."

For more information, please visit secondcup.com.

Toronto, July 20, 2026 – Canada’s restaurant industry is seeing stronger-than-expected sales growth in 2026, but rising operating costs continue to outpace revenue growth and erode profitability, leaving many operators at risk of closure and with less capacity to invest, according to Restaurants Canada’s Q2 Quarterly Report released today.

The findings highlight the growing disconnect between sales and profitability and underscore the importance of an investment climate that enables restaurants to grow, invest, and create jobs.

Canada’s restaurant industry generates $125 billion in annual sales, contributes nearly four percent of Canada’s GDP, and generates $2.25 in economic output for every dollar spent—well above the national average. Restaurants are Canada’s fourth largest private sector employer, with 1.2 million workers, 40% of whom are youth.

“Stronger sales are always welcome, but they aren't enough to offset the cost pressures restaurants continue to face,” said Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. “When restaurants are constantly managing rising costs and shrinking margins, investment slows, employment stagnates, new equipment isn’t purchased as quickly, renovation plans are delayed and plans to expand are put on hold. That has repercussions well beyond the restaurant industry.”

Quarterly Report at a glance:

• Real commercial foodservice sales are expected to grow by 1.5% in 2026 (inflation-adjusted), a slight improvement over the Q1 forecast.
• 64% of operators say their profitability is lower than last year.
• 41% of operators are operating at a loss or breaking even, up from 36% in March.
• Rising fuel prices are hitting restaurants twice, through increased food, transportation and operating costs, and reduced customer traffic and spending.
• 73% of restaurant operators say current tax policies at all levels of government are limiting their ability to invest and grow.
• 71% say they would be more likely to invest if restaurant capital investments were eligible for accelerated tax write-offs like in other sectors.

Despite ongoing profitability challenges, the restaurant industry continues to be a major engine of employment and economic growth. During the first half of 2026, the restaurant industry added approximately 50,000 youth to its workforce compared to the same period last year, making it Canada's largest net creator of youth jobs, and reinforcing its role as the country’s leading source of first-time jobs.

“Restaurants continue to create opportunities for Canadians, particularly young people entering the workforce,” said Higginson. “But that success shouldn't be taken for granted. It depends on an operating environment that allows businesses to invest, grow and create even more jobs.”

The report’s findings are clear—stronger sales alone won’t restore restaurant profitability. It requires addressing the cost pressures affecting Canadians and restaurants alike, while creating the conditions for restaurants to invest again.

Restaurants Canada is calling on the federal government to:

• Permanently exempt all food, including restaurant meals, from the GST/HST to lower food costs for Canadians while supporting job creation and economic growth.
• Establish permanent full first-year expensing for restaurant capital investments under the Accelerated Investment Incentive to encourage reinvestment, modernization and growth.

“The restaurant industry continues to be an economic driver in communities across Canada,” said Higginson. “With the right investment climate, restaurants can continue investing, creating jobs and contributing to Canada's economic growth.”