by Andrew Morrison | Jefferson Alvarez has wrapped his tenure at Mosquito (pastry chef Andrea Jones is taking over) and is set to turn Gastown’s Birds & The Beets into a craft cider-focused pop-up joint called Orchard & The Sea every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night starting July 14th. From the PR desk this morning:

Cider’s popularity is on the rise and shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. The province has seen huge increases in availability of both locally­ made and imported ciders, but the cider selection on most menus is rarely more than one or two craft products…until now.

Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening, starting July 14th, Txotx Imports and chef Jefferson Alvarez will transform Gastown’s famed Birds & the Beets restaurant into Orchard & The Sea, BC’s first craft cider bar!

With curated rotating selections ranging from dry to sweet, and from draft to limited­ edition ciders from local and imported producers, Orchard & The Sea will have it all. Cider won’t be the only star on the menu, either, as critically­ acclaimed (Globe & Mail, Scout, The Georgia Strait, multiple Michelin­-starred restaurants) chef Jefferson Alvarez will have full control of the food offerings. Jefferson says, “I want the menu to be rustic, playful, and unique to Vancouver.”

Orchard & The Sea also plans to host various cider­-themed events, including:

– Seasonal tasting dinners
– Educational seminars
– “Meet the Cider Maker” nights

“We want to build awareness about how complex cider can be,” says Txotx Imports co­-owner Shawn Pisio. Committed to providing the best ciders from local, national, and international producers paired with expertly hand-­crafted small plates, Orchard & The Sea will serve up quality products both in your glass and on your plate. It’s all about the apple.

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