Political Genius Proposes Ban On All Salt In NYC Restaurants

From MyFox in New York (via reader LN) comes news that local Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, a democrat from Brooklyn, has put forward a bill to the State Legislature that bans all salt use in restaurants. It reads, in part…

“No owner or operator of a restaurant in this state shall use salt in any form in the preparation of any food for consumption by customers of such restaurant, including food prepared to be consumed on the premises of such restaurant or off of such premises [...]

The reported reaction from the trade is fittingly more bemused than outraged, as the chances of this thing becoming law sit at nil. Still, though moronic, you have to admire the courage.

Ethical Bean Coffee Launches New Recycling Pilot Project

News from Scout supporter Ethical Bean Coffee Company

Vancouver, BC | Ethical Bean Coffee launches a new recycling program on Monday, March 22nd that will reduce the number of coffee bags in landfills and will put a hot cup of coffee into the hands of the environmentally conscious in return.

Eco-conscious coffee lovers are invited to bring their empty coffee bags to the Ethical Bean Xpress drop-boxes located at the Granville Skytrain station and Commercial Skytrain station, or to the Ethical Bean Café and roasting facility at 1315 Kootenay Street in East Vancouver. Those who bring in 5 bags or more at a time will receive an extra treat: a cup of fresh drip coffee on the house. Additionally, all recyclers who write their name and email address on the side of their bags before returning them will be entered each week into a draw for a free pound of coffee. This program isn’t just limited to Vancouverites. Anyone across Canada can mail their empty coffee bags, along with their name and email address, to Ethical Bean Coffee, 1315 Kootenay Street, Vancouver, BC V5K 4Y3 and be entered into the weekly draw. Read more

World Water Day Observed With “Blue Gold” At Rhizome Cafe

You can count on East Broadway’s Rhizome Cafe to always come up with some pretty solid community-oriented events. This week they’re screening the documentary Blue Gold (by the same producers as “The Corporation.”) which will be followed by a discussion on local efforts to conserve and protect water. It’s all going down in anticipatory recognition of World Water Day on March 22.

In honour of World Water Day, we’ll reflect on organizing successes internationally and locally. What can we do nationally and provincially to protect our commons? We’ll screen the film “Blue Gold”. Information on other WWD events will be available. Proceeds will go to Partners in Health for water support in Haiti.

Find the Wiki on WWD here. | March 18 | 7 pm | Rhizome Cafe | Sliding scale $5 – 10

The Long Awaited “Judas Goat” Opens In Gastown’s Blood Alley

Judas Goat has finally opened in Gastown, and it looks great for a shoebox hideaway that doesn’t take itself too seriously. For an explanation of the art within from co-owner Sean Heather and shot shots of the pre-opening interior shots of the 21 seat, Spanish-inspired tapas micr0-restaurant and wine bar, click here. For shots from their first full day in action, check below for several…

Break a leg.

Dear Restaurateurs, Please Buy This And Open Something Sweet

A reader pointed me to this ad on ICX last night. It’s 906 Main St. (conveniently close to our new digs) and it’s selling for $2.2 million. Up the block is Campagnolo. Down another is Bao Bei.

This converted Bank of Montreal branch is now a two-level 4,360 sf retail unit that boasts spectacular neo-classical details & unprecedented quality. The unit features natural light, large windows, upgraded electrical, upgraded lighting, two washrooms, elevator, wheelchair access & is vented for a restaurant. The improvements to this heritage building are beautifully finished & only enhance the original structure. Don’t miss this excellent owner/user or investment opportunity.

The “unprecedented quality” hyperbole should be overlooked (the Pantheon still stands in Rome) and the price is on the silly side of ambitious, but it’s pretty swell-looking just the same. Any takers? A few more snaps after the jump… Read more

YEW Pays Tribute to Earth Hour as Part of Global Celebration

News from Scout supporter YEW restaurant + bar

Vancouver, BC | YEW restaurant + bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver will join 46 Four Seasons sister properties to create a chain of candlelight dinners that will circumnavigate the globe in celebration of Earth Hour. On Saturday, March 27th, a sequence of candlelight dinners will begin at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney at 8:30pm local time and move westward across the planet. Read more

Gastown’s Legendary Alibi Room Joins The Scout Community

The good people over at our favourite watering hole, Gastown’s Alibi Room, are now proud member supporters of Scout. We will be publishing their news and press releases on our front page and hosting a page for them in our list of recommended restaurants. Click ahead or jump to their Scout page here. Read more

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