After a series of sold-out summertime pop-ups around Victoria and Vancouver, Lumache – a new Italian-inspired concept from Heather Dosman (Existential Eating) and James Frost (previously Livia, La Quercia) – is sliding into the Subject to Change space in Hastings-Sunrise later this month, from November 20th to 23rd.

If this is the first that you’re hearing of the cheekily named Slow Food inspired project (Lumache means “snails” in Italian – get it?), here’s the rundown: headquartered on Vancouver Island, Lumache takes the best locally sourced raw ingredients and transforms them into Italian-inspired dishes filtered through Frost’s experience cooking in the Italian Alps and Dosman’s affinity for plant-based creations. Dosman and Frost are currently operating as a monthly pop-up restaurant and take-away Lasagne Bolognese and Tiramisu shop (‘Sfizi delle Lumache’) out of Victoria’s Cafe Brio and Ugly Duckling locations, respectively.

For their Subject to Change stint, Dosman and Frost will be offering up guests a five-course Italian-meets-PNW menu articulating their unique Lumache “language”. Although the menu is still being developed, we’ve been told that fresh pasta (filled and long), seafood from the Pacific, and locally grown bitter greens and roots are all to be expected, plus Cowichan-milk-ricotta-filled cannoli with local hazelnuts and candied quince. How’s that for a teaser?

Tickets are $80 per person (for the food only). There are four seatings per night, beginning with a special Chef’s Table option at 5:45pm (all ensuing seatings are at regular tables, with the final spot at 8:15pm). Lock in your reservation here. And stay tuned to Lumache’s Instagram feed (@lumachepianopiano) for future event announcements, and other delicious things.

Subject To Change

Neighbourhood: Hastings Sunrise

1879 Powell Street

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