Restaurants

FILE – Mr. Mikes in Langford, B.C. (Black Press Media file)

‘Just being stupid’: Premier slams abusive customers at Langford restaurant

Restaurant said rude customers reduced its hosts to tears

FILE – Mr. Mikes in Langford, B.C. (Black Press Media file)
People sit in outdoor booths, built on top of street parking spots outside a restaurant as people walk on a road closed to car traffic in the Byward Market in Ottawa, on Sunday, July 12, 2020. As restaurants start to welcome customers back with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, one thing Canadians may soon have to get used to is providing their personal information before they grab a bite. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
People sit in outdoor booths, built on top of street parking spots outside a restaurant as people walk on a road closed to car traffic in the Byward Market in Ottawa, on Sunday, July 12, 2020. As restaurants start to welcome customers back with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, one thing Canadians may soon have to get used to is providing their personal information before they grab a bite. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The aftermath of a violent incident at Mittz Kitchen on July 4, when a customer pushed owner Steve Mitton over a table and smashed a plate of food on the floor over being asked to follow COVID-19 safety protocols. (Kamloops This Week)

Kamloops business owners say ‘rude, unruly’ customers need to start following COVID rules

Some incidents have even turned violent, restaurant owners say

  • Jul 27, 2020
The aftermath of a violent incident at Mittz Kitchen on July 4, when a customer pushed owner Steve Mitton over a table and smashed a plate of food on the floor over being asked to follow COVID-19 safety protocols. (Kamloops This Week)
Mo:Lé Restaurant, a popular Greater Victoria eatery, has shut its two locations indefinitely, as owner Josh Miller confirmed on Facebook. (Facebook/Mo:Lé Restaurant)

Popular Greater Victoria eatery Mo:Lé Restaurant shuts its doors permanently

Owner says decision ‘wasn’t an easy one to make, but it was the right one’

Mo:Lé Restaurant, a popular Greater Victoria eatery, has shut its two locations indefinitely, as owner Josh Miller confirmed on Facebook. (Facebook/Mo:Lé Restaurant)
The Lakes Restaurant assistant manager Renee Barone (left) and general manager Holly Langlais are looking forward to opening the pool deck turned patio to restaurant guests. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Pool deck turns patio as Saanich restaurant cooks up creative outdoor seating options

District supports local businesses such as The Lakes Restaurant in creating seating

The Lakes Restaurant assistant manager Renee Barone (left) and general manager Holly Langlais are looking forward to opening the pool deck turned patio to restaurant guests. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Corbin Bartley walks away with his curbside pick-up takeout order from Mr. Mikes in Williams Lake on Tuesday, May 19. Restaurants in B.C. will be permitted to offer dine-in as long as they implement COVID-19 precautions. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Pandemic-related restaurant closures take an emotional and financial toll

Many have been left with large debt, little savings and an uncertain future

Corbin Bartley walks away with his curbside pick-up takeout order from Mr. Mikes in Williams Lake on Tuesday, May 19. Restaurants in B.C. will be permitted to offer dine-in as long as they implement COVID-19 precautions. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Curb-side parklets, such as this one created on Commercial Street in 2015, will allow restaurants to expand their seating capacity while meeting provincial COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. Nanaimo city council voted unanimously Monday to allow temporary service area expansions, primarily into parklets that will by built by city staff. (News Bulletin file photo)

COVID-19 brings curbside ‘parklet’ patios back to downtown Nanaimo

Nanaimo city council votes for restaurant service area expansions to meet social distancing measures

Curb-side parklets, such as this one created on Commercial Street in 2015, will allow restaurants to expand their seating capacity while meeting provincial COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. Nanaimo city council voted unanimously Monday to allow temporary service area expansions, primarily into parklets that will by built by city staff. (News Bulletin file photo)
Chameleon Cafe, located in Maple Ridge, B.C., has a permanent street-side patio. (Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press Media)

COVID-19: Province streamlines patio applications for B.C. restaurants, wineries, pubs

The goal is to get more businesses operating with patio spaces sooner, amid government’s reopening plan

Chameleon Cafe, located in Maple Ridge, B.C., has a permanent street-side patio. (Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press Media)
On March 16, 2020 the Tofitian closed its doors until further notice due to COVID-19. (Nora O’Malley/Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News)

COVID-19: B.C. restaurants can host dine-in guests again, but what will that look like?

As B.C.’s COVID-19 reopening plan enters Phase Two on Tuesday, restaurants have some challenges ahead

On March 16, 2020 the Tofitian closed its doors until further notice due to COVID-19. (Nora O’Malley/Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News)
(Smoke ‘N Water logo)
(Smoke ‘N Water logo)
The B.C. Restaurant and Food Association will be hosting a conference call with nearly 25 Greater Victoria small food businesses to explore ways to best re-open their doors to the public once the provincial health authority gives the green light. (Facebook/Indecent Risotto)

Victoria food truck owner sees 90 per cent decline in sales, looking for new ways to operate

Local food industry members to discuss best ways to safely re-open amid COVID-19

The B.C. Restaurant and Food Association will be hosting a conference call with nearly 25 Greater Victoria small food businesses to explore ways to best re-open their doors to the public once the provincial health authority gives the green light. (Facebook/Indecent Risotto)
This Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, photo shows a McDonald’s sign in Salt Lake City. McDonald’s Canada says it will start importing beef as Canada’s beef supply chain struggles amid COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Rick Bowmer

McDonald’s Canada to start using imported beef amid Canadian supply concerns

It will continue to buy as much Canadian beef as possible and supplement the remainder with imports

This Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, photo shows a McDonald’s sign in Salt Lake City. McDonald’s Canada says it will start importing beef as Canada’s beef supply chain struggles amid COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Rick Bowmer
A food delivery driver using a bike delivers food to a woman in Vancouver, on Sunday, April 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Local restaurants feel squeezed by delivery apps’ commission fees

Delivery platforms can take up to 30 per cent commission

A food delivery driver using a bike delivers food to a woman in Vancouver, on Sunday, April 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Adam Slight, left, and Janet Lourenco, handle a grocery order for a customer at Pauper’s Pub in Toronto on Saturday, April 25, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

Restaurants pivot to groceries, cater to community amid COVID-19 woes

The global pandemic has been a disaster for the restaurant industry, costing about 800,000 jobs in Canada

Adam Slight, left, and Janet Lourenco, handle a grocery order for a customer at Pauper’s Pub in Toronto on Saturday, April 25, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin
Victoria Quarantunes is the name of the Spotify playlist that Canoe Brewpub has made in reaction to their live music nights and restaurant being shut down in response to COVID-19 fears. (Spotify)

Victoria Quarantunes playlist encourages support for struggling artists

Victoria brewpub creates local playlist after restaurant closes in response to COVID-19

  • Mar 24, 2020
Victoria Quarantunes is the name of the Spotify playlist that Canoe Brewpub has made in reaction to their live music nights and restaurant being shut down in response to COVID-19 fears. (Spotify)
Starting this week, in response to the COVID-19 situation, OX Chophouse will be closing their dining room doors and, instead, offer its new menu items to-go, right from their restaurant doorstep. Bluetree Photography

Island restaurants ‘thinking outside the dining room’ in response to COVID-19

Campbell River trio among those closing their sit-in dining room and switching to take-out service

  • Mar 17, 2020
Starting this week, in response to the COVID-19 situation, OX Chophouse will be closing their dining room doors and, instead, offer its new menu items to-go, right from their restaurant doorstep. Bluetree Photography