Food, cocktails and photography are joining forces for an art exhibition opening next week.

Wild Rice restaurant at River Market is hosting an artist's reception on Wednesday, July 4 to launch a collection of work by photographer Gabor Gasztonyi.

Gasztonyi's evocative black-and-white photography has been featured in various publications and galleries, including the acclaimed A Room in the City - an anthology of the living quarters of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside residents.

"Gasztonyi lives and breathes photography and is scarcely seen without a camera slung around his neck," says a press release about the exhibition. "Capturing the extraordinary in the everyday is not only a talent but a passion for the longtime artist and gallery owner. Gasztonyi's work will be sure to add another dimension of creativity to Wild Rice's already engaging environment."

Wild Rice, which is known for its modern Asian cuisine and creative cocktails, also hosts art exhibitions in conjunction with a local gallery.

The exhibitions are curated by Trudy Van Dop, owner of New Westminster's Van Dop Gallery.

For more information, email gallery@vandopgallery.com, call 604-521-7887 or see www.vandopgallery.com.