Gastown has grown in restaurant girth again, beginning with Cobre at 52 Powell St. In terms of looks and despite the above video which just doesn’t do the room justice, it’s a great improvement from its predecessor Curious. Excellent lighting. Perhaps not ideal for a shit digital camera, but there it is.

We were just there for an introductory, post Nuba drink: a finely balanced Mojito -the best drink I’ve had this summer and maybe the best cure for hummus breath anywhere (great bartender). The copper ceiling above the open kitchen’s pass is slick, as is the plush wine lounge in the basement. Music is good and loud. I look forward to trying the food.

Enjoying their first night in business was Abdel Elatouabi’s Le Marrakech, now open at 52 Alexander (again, please excuse the video quality). There’s a great energy here. A very sexy room. Bartender wearing a fez. Abdel working the room in his whites (his wife totally thrilled).

The night before I went skating around Crosstown and Gastown (sorry for bombing past you without stopping, Paul Grunberg) and stopped at Boneta for a refreshing pint of Brooklyn Lager. They were doing gangbusters but the dishwasher was AWOL. Co-owner Andre McGillivray was found laced up in the pit. Way to work it.