THE FRESH SHEET: Food & Drink Happenings (July 8)

The highly anticipated L’Abattoir restaurant in Gastown should open to the public by the middle of the month. The 80-seat space at 217 Carrall used to house the original Irish Heather and is being re-imagined as a casual, French-backboned boîte. Chef and co-owner Lee Cooper, formerly of Market in the Shangri-La, oversees the kitchen; co-owner Paul Grunberg (ex-Chambar and Market general manager) runs the front of house; Bartender of the Year Shaun Layton will be behind the wood; and Salt Tasting Room alum Jake Skakun is in charge of the wine program. Visit LAbattoir.ca for developments as they’re announced.

Vancouver’s top chefs have joined forces with the Vancity Theater (1181 Seymour) to create Cinema To Savour. On Monday, July 12 at 7pm. The first event of this foodie film fest pairs the cooking of Pino Posteraro (Cioppino’s) and John Bishop (Bishop’s) with the cult classic, Big Night, starring Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini. In addition to dinner and a movie, guests will be treated to wine, beer, and a copy of the Chefs’ Table Society of BC’s cookbook, Vancouver Cooks 2, which can be signed by many of its chef contributors following the screening and a Q&A;. For more information, call 604-683-3456. Tickets $75 from VIFF.org. Proceeds benefit Chefs’ Table Society of BC, which supports innovative and sustainable programs that inspire, educate and nurture chefs, producers and the local food industry. Visit ChefsTableSociety.com for more information.