March 2017 - West Coast Food

Farms March 29, 2017

It’s Tarragon Season on Canada’s West Coast

By Jennifer Foden With spring finally here, people are starting to think about their gardens—from flowers and plants to vegetables and herbs. One popular selection is tarragon, a green culinary herb used in chicken, fish and egg dishes; it’s also a main ingredient in Béarnaise sauce. “Tarragon season in BC is essentially the whole growing season, from April to October,” says Conor Preston of Figaro’s Garden, a garden centre on Vancouver’s Victoria Drive (near the Commercial Drive neighbourhood). However, tarragon is one example of many herbs that are perennial and can survive non-extreme winters, like the ones in the Lower Mainland of BC. People often provide the herb shelter throughout the winter months by placing them in a greenhouse. In the summer months, tarragon likes sunshine, but not hot weather; another reason why the Lower Mainland is the perfect climate for growing this popular herb. “Tarragon is all about flavour,”…

New Westminster March 27, 2017

Search for the Best Sandwiches in New Westminster

By Kristi Alexandra Global grub can be found all over the Lower Mainland, but where do you go to find a bite of comfort food? A map of some of the best places to find a great sandwich (besides the corporate franchises) in the Royal City of historic New Westminster will put your mother’s brown bags to shame. 1. Big Star Sandwich Co. The most obvious haunt to hit when craving a huge hunk of sandwich is downtown New Westminster’s Big Star Sandwich Co. Offering up 27 different sandwiches — like the beef dip with demi-glace gravy or the turkey and stuffing — on a fresh baked filone, this Columbia Street spot pairs subs with vintage sodas that Pop Tate would be proud to serve. 2. Columbia Street Sandwich Co. Tucked into a narrow shop front along Columbia Street, you’d be forgiven for missing this gem if not for its…

Adult Beverages March 22, 2017

Central City Brewers + Distillers Go Rogue with Craft Whisky Launch

By Kristi Alexandra When you’re known for producing some of the nation’s best beer, having twice won the title of Canadian Brewery of the Year, you might think you’d stick to the winning formula. But ambition does not elude the key players at Surrey’s Central City Brewers + Distillers, who released a small batch premium whisky at the end of January. Brewmaster Gary Lohin, along with head distiller Stuart McKinnon, created one of only a handful single-malt whiskies in British Columbia. Aptly named Lohin McKinnon, the 43 per cent alc. per vol. craft spirit is aged in select oak barrels in small batches. While whisky-making might seem like a misnomer for a company known best for its beers, the duo maintains the process is not so different. “Brewing and distilling really isn’t that far apart so it’s a natural progression for us to start distilling,” says McKinnon. “The distilling process…

Craft Beer March 21, 2017

Get Ready For Coquitlam’s First Craft Brewery

By Jennifer Foden Craft beer lovers in Coquitlam can rejoice: the city’s first craft brewery is scheduled to open in summer 2017. After the city of Coquitlam changed their liquor regulations last year (allowing craft breweries to exist in the city), Byron Vallis went ahead with plans to open Mariner Brewing in the city he grew up in. Mariner Brewing will be just a 25km/16mi drive from Vancouver or a 10 minute walk from Coquitlam Central Skytrain station. The 3,000 square foot space is located at Barnet Highway and Lansdowne Drive, just a short walk from Coquitlam Central SkyTrain station. Plans for the brewery include a 50-seat tasting room that will have an “exploration” vibe (look out for constellation designs and lots of navy blue.) The brewery and tasting room will also have growler fills, a food menu (including gourmet hot dogs and charcuterie boards) and, of course, delicious beer.…

Where to Eat March 17, 2017

Where to Get Treats for Happy Hiking on Vancouver’s North Shore

By Ashley Lockyer Few places on earth let you enjoy freshly made food from the city in the quiet wilderness of a rainforest: Vancouver’s North Shore is one of them. At places like Lynn Canyon Park, you can take in sweeping horizon views, test your fear of heights on the suspension bridge, or simply wander in nature with friends and family. Start your adventure at the Lonsdale Quay Market and pack some unique treats for the trail. Bowen Island Pizza Company Beware: Thin crust pizzas (in flavours like pear and brie cheese with caramelized onions) will attract envious looks on the trail. Crack one of these mild pepperoni whip sticks to keep you moving on the trail. They are best described as a “snappable” snack because of their crunchy casing. Try one to see! Kin’s Market Stroll through a farmer’s field of fresh fruits and vegetables, and harvest a few…

Festivals & Events March 13, 2017

Support People in Need by Dining Out for Life, March 2017

By Catherine Dunwoody This year’s Dining Out For Life fundraiser takes place on Thursday, March 30, and restaurants participating go well beyond Vancouver. The annual event is now in its 23rd year raising funds to support local men, women and kids affected by HIV/AIDS. Restaurants across the Lower Mainland that are involved will donate 25% of their food sales to the cause. That means when you enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at one of the partners, you’re doing a good thing. Restaurants like The Old Bavaria Haus in New Westminster, Burgoo on Vancouver’s North Shore and Bravo in the Fraser Valley are part of the list of eateries who will continue to raise funds. Over the past 23 years, Dining Out For Life has raised over $3 million, with proceeds directly benefiting the programs and services provided free-of-charge by registered not-for-profit A Loving Spoonful. If you’re not familiar with A…

Where to Eat March 10, 2017

Five Off-The-Beaten-Track Richmond Restaurants for Foodies

By VisitRichmondBC Traveling to the Greater Vancouver area? Be sure to stop at these five places in Richmond to grab a bite to eat, or a refreshing drink before taking off to your final destination. Prata-Man Singaporean Cuisine 9060 Capstan Way For absolutely traditional Hainanese Chicken, Prata-Man is the place to go. The definition of ‘hole-in-the-wall,’ Prata-Man is hidden at the end of a small plaza on Garden City Way. The specialty here is Hainanese chicken, which is essentially a deboned, poached chicken served cold, with a bowl of clear, gingery broth and a bowl of chicken-oil rice. Enjoy this with a side of their skewered meats (chicken, pork or beef) and some house-made roti and curry to round out the meal. Flying Beaver Bar & Grill 4760 Inglis Drive The Flying Beaver Bar & Grill is a bustling bar located in the Harbour Air seaplane terminal. What makes this…

Shops & Markets March 9, 2017

Langley is Well Seasoned with Cooking Classes and Gourmet Ingredients

by Catherine Dunwoody We love shopping in a gourmet food store, and one that offers hard-to-find products, plus cooking classes and seminars just makes our day. Well Seasoned is a Langley-based culinary mecca, in business since 2004, that sells both international and local BC ingredients, plus spices, cookware and condiments. Weekly in-store cooking classes have top chefs sharing their secrets, and educational seminars give customers the edge in new food trends and products. Pick up a Best of BC basket that is chock-a-block with gourmet goodies, or a freshly baked homemade pie, or perhaps a bottle of pomegranate champagne vinaigrette for your next salad. Owner Angie Quaale has a background in menu development and retail food distribution, but her accolades and experience is about as good as it gets – past president of the BC chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, past president of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, past…

Chef Stories March 7, 2017

Curing Salmon on Vancouver’s North Shore with Squamish Nation’s Chef Paul Natrall

By Jaclyn Jularbal Right in the heart of Squamish Nation on Vancouver’s North Shore, lies the PR Bannock Factory – a catering business and food trailer owned and operated by Chef Paul Natrall. Paul began his cooking career a decade ago as a teen involved with the Cook Street Café, a six month program for youth on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. His love for preparing meals led him to enroll and graduate from the Aboriginal Culinary Arts program at Vancouver Community College, where Paul launched his career specializing in traditional Indigenous cuisines. The dream to start his own business came into fruition after finding success as part of Team Canada’s Culinary Team in the 2012 World Culinary Olympics. Though he’s been working professionally for just a decade his journey to owning his own business has been much longer. Paul’s love for cooking started when he was just a boy. “I’ve been…

Craft Beer March 2, 2017

Passport to Vancouver’s East Village Breweries

By Catherine Dunwoody There’s a new offering from Vancouver’s vibrant east side – a self-guided tasting tour and passport program, featuring some of the best breweries in the city. Yep, seven of Vancouver’s favourite artisanal breweries and one small-batch distillery have come together to make it easy, and rewarding, to sip and sample the best in craft beer and spirits. Here’s how it works. Just pick up your passport and map at any of the participating breweries and distilleries listed below. Self guide yourself through the tour, learning all about what you are tasting as you go, and collect a stamp at each stop. And, it’s no coincidence that some of the hippest eateries are also located in this ‘hood, meaning stopping mid-way for a bite just makes for a fantastic way to spend some time here. Have all your seven stamps in the passport now? Well done. You’ll be rewarded…

Sweets March 1, 2017

Burnaby’s New French Flavour: Mon Paris Pâtisserie

by Catherine Dunwoody Burnaby’s constantly evolving Metrotown just got a little French and we couldn’t be more excited. Paris-trained Chef Elena Krasnova opened her first standalone shop, “Mon Paris Pâtisserie” and that means delicious pastries, café au lait, and much more. The 1000 square foot space has a pretty modern, bright Parisian vibe with an open-concept kitchen, and intimate bistro-style seating (plus a patio space will open this spring). Republica Coffee Roasters is the café of choice, plus specialty teas, traditional French pastries, and Cacao Barry chocolate confections are served. Chef Krasnova trained at the famed Ferrandie Ecole de Gastronomie in Paris, and uses only the best local and international ingredients to create classic French desserts like the ‘Opera’ (intense coffee flavours melded with moist dark chocolate mousse), macarons, plus wedding and special occasion cakes. Feeling like trying your own hand at French deliciousness? We say oui! And with pastry…