New Menus at Wildebeest + Aura; West End Patio Alert!

WHISTLER — New Summer menus have hit Aura at Nita Lake Lodge and chef Paul Moran is continuing his fresh and seasonal theme. Try a prix-fixe vegetarian menu for $55 or a chef's menu for $69 with dishes which showcase local produce from the Pemberton Valley and foraged wild greens from the lush forests surrounding Nita Lake. [EW]

WEST END — The new concept replacing Le Parisien on Denman, Left Bank, is now open for business with that rare West End delight - a spacious patio which seats 35. Happy hour begins at 4pm weeknights with $5 wine and appy specials, followed by dinner nightly; brunch is available weekends and holidays from 10:30a.m. [EW]

GASTOWN — Wildebeest also is launching their summer menu with a "focus on lighter proteins and the reciprocity of crisp flavours and varied textures" which roughly translated probably means less slow-cooked, rib-sticking fare and more fish. Items include 'halibut with oyster mushrooms, (told you so) oyster 'Blumenthal' with poached razor clam and Fraser Valley rabbit with butter-poached white asparagus, fava beans, and peas'. [EW]