June 2017 - West Coast Food

Sweets June 30, 2017

National Creative Ice Cream Flavours Day is July 1

By Catherine Dunwoody How cool is it (literally) that this most delicious and special day happens to fall on our very own Canada Day, July 1st? Vancouver and its diverse surrounding communities certainly know how to celebrate two things at once, and the proof is in the cone. Celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday by toasting with one of these super special flavours, and some for a very limited time only. Here’s what they are and where to find them. Flavour: Canadian Maple Bacon Where to get it: Welcome Parlour Ice Cream, Vancouver’s North Shore The scoop: This shop just opened this past spring in a 1909 heritage building, and this special flavour is only available for 1 day. Made with caramelized bacon and real maple syrup. Patriotic and proud! Flavour: Roasted Strawberry Where to get it: Rain or Shine, Vancouver The scoop: Brought back for another summer, this fave 4th Avenue…

Family Friendly June 20, 2017

Try Hearty Family Fare at The Gray Olive in Burnaby Heights

By Kristi Alexandra In a time when $22 avocado toast is the norm, even going out for a casual brunch can feel pretty bourgeois. Fortunately for residents of Burnaby Heights, The Gray Olive Cafeteria has brought classic, casual fare to the neighbourhood — while still maintaining the class. Located at the corner of Hastings Street and Carleton Avenue, the cafeteria-style, 20-seat eatery opened its doors in February of 2017, serving up comfort food with a refined twist. Founded by brothers Brian, Steve, and Jeremy Wong, the trio of siblings attests they just wanted to dish up mouth-watering food that recalls simple home-style cooking. “We’re such a food-driven family,” Steve, the youngest brother, tells WestCoastFood at the Hastings Street eatery, “all of us are so food-driven. Our mom would cook all our meals and even my friends would come over just to eat dinner with us. All of us are just…

Festivals & Events June 16, 2017

What to Eat at National Aboriginal Day at Trout Lake in Vancouver

By Jaclyn Jularbal Wednesday, June 21st marks the 21st Annual Celebration of National Aboriginal Day. Each year, thousands of people head to Vancouver’s Trout Lake Park for a fun-filled day of both traditional and contemporary Indigenous activities, entertainment, and food. And what would a community gathering be without a mouth-watering, stomach-filling feast? With food trucks, caterers, and bannock makers on site – come hungry and get ready to journey into the tastiest National Aboriginal Day festival of all time. Great gatherings start with great food, and this year the PR Bannock Factory will join the festivities as the featured caterers serving a community favourite: Chef Paul Natrall’s bannock tacos. For the first time ever, the National Aboriginal Day at Trout Lake site map includes a food truck village open all day from 12pm to 10pm. Park visitors can enjoy plenty of street eats both savory and sweet, full of pizza,…

Chef Stories June 14, 2017

Chef Will Lucas’ Classic Italian Pizza has Community Appeal at Cotto Enoteca in Burnaby

By Brittany Tiplady The age-old motto “first we eat, then we do everything else,” rings true at North Burnaby’s modern Italian nook, Cotto Enoteca Pizzeria. Serving up generous portions of modernized Italian cuisine, Neapolitan VPN certified pizza, and wine on tap, Cotto Enoteca is the perfect spot to indulge in a bevy of carb-loaded menu options made with sustainability in mind. In true west coast fashion, this pizzeria engages in some unique, eco-friendly initiatives including QWater (filtered water, eliminating bottles), Ocean Wise seafood, and choosing to source their ingredients, specifically produce, locally. Found on the corner of Hastings and Fell, this Italian joint aims to “[Showcase] the best of BC and Italy, [marrying] the traditional techniques of Italy with the best of local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients.” Still wondering what Neapolitan VPN certified pizza means? This authentic seal of approval is awarded to restaurants by the Naples-based Associazione Verace Pizza…

Canadian/American June 6, 2017

Fairmont Pacific Rim’s New Botanist Serves West Coast Colour

By Catherine Dunwoody One of downtown Vancouver’s favourite hotels now offers even more reasons to want to hang here. New restaurant and bar, Botanist, has taken over the former Oru restaurant, and has refreshed the palette of the Fairmont Pacific Rim. With four diverse spaces made up of a dining room, cocktail bar, glassed-in lab, garden, and a champagne lounge, Botanist wowed me from the get-go. Executive chef Hector Laguna, formerly of stints at both Toronto’s Susur Lee restaurant and at Vancouver’s Hawksworth, has created a botanical-centric menu that’s bursting off the page and plate with colour, texture and taste. Clearly dialed-in to what our region offers when it comes to its world-class culinary ingredients, organic regional produce, sustainably sourced meat and seafood – Chef Laguna has found his sweet spot running the show here at Botanist. Signature items include roasted root vegetables, perfect micro spring greens, and fresh seafood…

Recipes June 2, 2017

Recipe: Bohemian Sour

By Tacofino INGREDIENTS Torres Brandy (1 oz) Becherovka (½ oz) Lemon juice (1 oz) Spiced fig syrup (½ oz Egg white (1) Nutmeg (garnish) DIRECTIONS Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and dry shake. Shake once again over ice and fine strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with nutmeg.

Canadian/American June 1, 2017

Boy With A Knife Now Open For Dinner in Richmond

By Catherine Dunwoody A few months ago we shared the news that one of Metro Vancouver’s most sought after catering companies had opened a restaurant in Richmond. At that time, Boy With A Knife Catering was only open for lunch – but due to popular demand for their fabulous fare – they are now open for dinner. The 55-person restaurant also has a licensed patio open until 10 pm Monday-Friday, so we know where you’ll find us this spring and summer. Chef Brandon Dac and owner, Sean Fay are the talented team behind the recently overhauled menu, and here are some favourites. The hoke poke bowl and ham hock ragu are brand new and ridiculously delish. Plus, their burger options go deep, like the Stinky Pete (beef patty, garlic + thyme sautéed mushrooms, crumbled blue cheese, beer braised onions, butter lettuce, garlic mayo), or the tuna bacon club (rare seared…