July 2018 - West Coast Food

Festivals & Events July 27, 2018

A New Beer Festival in Surrey’s Cloverdale

By Brittany Tiplady Giddy-up for the inaugural Clover Valley Beer Festival, happening August 11 in the heart of Cloverdale! This first-time festival— hosted by the powerhouse team that also produces the Whistler Village Beer Festival and the Great Okanagan Beer Festival—promises an afternoon of coveted craft beer, food truck favourites, live music, and event support from local sponsorship. Clover Valley’s festival team has also partnered with Twins Cancer Fundraising as their charitable partner, who will receive proceeds from ticket sales to support their efforts on raising money for cancer-fighting charities. Over 40 craft breweries are expected to set up camp at the fest, including Langley’s Trading Post Brewing, Central City Brewing, and Port Moody’s Yellow Dog Brewing and Parkside Brewery. “We really want to highlight BC craft beers and ciders but we also have some international brews joining us,” explains events manager Tara Myers. For cider lovers, this festival has…

Festivals & Events July 27, 2018

Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Festival Celebrates Six Years in New Westminster

By Kristi Alexandra It’s no wonder that New Westminster’s downtown hub is warming up to its nickname “Delicious Downtown.” It’s home not only to a handful of hip eateries, but to Canada’s largest-ever food truck festival. The Royal City’s residents and their neighbours are about to get all trucked up as the annual Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Festival celebrates its sixth year on July 28, 2018. With more than 150 vendors on the docket for the mouth-watering milestone, there will be no shortage of options to treat the taste buds. From newly-scouted trucks such as the Frying Pan (crispy fried chicken) and Taco’N Todo (authentic Mexican fare) to returning favourites like Vij’s Railway Express and Gypsy Trunk Vegan Food Cart, there’s a nosh or nibble for everyone. REEL Mac & Cheese, Japadog, Crab Park Chowdery, and Feastro the Rolling Bistro also feature on the lineup — but food isn’t the…

Seafood July 19, 2018

Fish n’ Chips on the Patios of Steveston’s Fisherman’s Wharf

By Jaclyn Jularbal The Steveston Fisherman’s Wharf in Richmond boasts an amazing view of the Fraser River and it’s also home to some of the best fish and chips around. Whether you’re a cod, halibut, or even a prawn fan – the deliciously deep-fried choice is up to you. In rain or shine, for here or to go, the wharf is open year-round to serve you up some world-famous eats. Pajo’s 12351 3 Ave, Richmond, BC One of the most recognizable, long-standing places along the wharf is Pajo’s. Having been around for over 30 years, its yellow banner and unique dock-style entranceway has been a staple in Steveston for decades. Don’t let the lineup of people fool you, the cooks and counter clerks are speedy and the food is worth the wait. Ask anyone in line and they’ll be able to attest that what they’re waiting for is fish-and-chip perfection. Pajo’s…

Self-guided Tours July 17, 2018

Pubs & Patios Pedal: A Bikeable Feast Along Vancouver’s Seawall

by Kathy Mak Few things are more Vancouver than the beloved seawall, considered the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path. Cycling the seawall bike lane is one of the most entrenched pastimes of locals and a must-do for newcomers. Some folks ride the Vancouver seawall for exercise, some for the extraordinary views and iconic sights, and some for the novelty; but few may realize the seawall is a string of the best waterside pubs and patios in the city! If pairing tasty bites and beverages with your wheels is a priority, then you’re in for a treat with over 24 waterfront pit stops to please your palette while you pedal! This suggested “Pubs & Patios Pedal” route will take you on a bikeable feast along Vancouver’s seawall. Start at Canada Place for 11 am and wind along the mostly paved, flat path for 22 km (13.7 miles) via Stanley Park, English…

Festivals & Events July 16, 2018

Get Into the Culture and Cuisine of Syria at an Evening in Damascus in Vancouver

By Ariane Fleischmann On July 31, 2018, you’ll have a chance to experience an authentic spread of Syrian cuisine and be entertained by bellydancers and drag performers – all while supporting a charity that ensures safe passage of queer refugees into Canada. When Danny Ramadan first came to Canada as a Syrian refugee in 2014, he initially felt alone and out of sorts. He’s proud of his Syrian heritage and, although he was forced to leave his home, slowly but surely, Ramadan says he fell in love with his new Canadian community. “Syria has a very rich and long history that has so many identities being accepted,” says Ramadan, who informed us that same-sex marriage was accepted and normalized in the 1800s and welcomed as part of the structure of their communities. “Only over the past hundred years or so has the community become more and more socially and legally…

Sweets July 11, 2018

Icy Cold Desserts in Richmond to Cool the Summer Heat

By VisitRichmondBC.com We’re ready for summer! When the sun is shining, indulge and cool down with one of these five delectable treats found in Richmond, BC. Screamers The Screamer is a half drink, half dessert hybrid that combines flavoured slush with vanilla soft-serve ice cream on the bottom and top. You can pick this treat up at Screamers Soft Serve in Steveston during the spring and summer months. Mango Desserts This juicy tropical fruit’s natural tartness and sweetness is a natural pick for Asian desserts. A great mango dessert should be juicy, fragrant, sweet and most importantly, it should send you on a tropical escape. Mango Yummy (6564 No. 3 Road) features a menu of mango-based desserts including drinks, shaved ice bowls, ice cream bowls and much more. Our top pick is the mango sago with pomelo, made with mango, pomelo, sago, coconut milk, cream, sugar and drizzled with condensed…

Craft Beer July 9, 2018

Where to Try the Funky, Tart, and Estery Beers Found at Farmhouse Fest in Vancouver

By Joyce Chua, Vancouver Foodie Tours Funky, fruity, estery, tart, dry, and sour; these beer flavours can be under-appreciated but, this July, the fourth annual Farmhouse Festival returned to Vancouver to tease some diversity into a sold-out romp of discerning palates. If you didn’t make it to the festival, not to worry, we’re here to help you find some of the featured flavours. Over 50 breweries and cider makers were invited to the UBC Farm, bringing their most innovative concoctions with them. From mouth-puckering to thirst-quenching, it was a field day (quite literally) for beer enthusiasts. While the majority of recipes were created specifically for the event, a handful of items are will be available for British Columbia locals. Here are 5 locals Farmhouse Festival beers to look out for: Hailing from Burnaby, Dageraad Brewing was the proud supplier of this year’s official Farmhouse Fest beer. The Genever -…

Canadian/American July 4, 2018

Dine Among the Treetops at Capilano’s Cliff House Restaurant

By Catherine Dunwoody Visitors to Vancouver’s North Shore and locals alike enjoy spending time in Capilano Suspension Bridge Park; breathing in all that pine-scented fresh mountain air while you explore one of British Columbia’s oldest rainforests just can’t be beat. But fresh air also makes us hungry. Cliff House Restaurant is situated so that after you wobble bravely over the suspension bridge with its jaw dropping views, scramble on the Treetops Adventure and conquer Cliffwalk, a lovely sit-down restaurant with canyon views awaits for the whole family to enjoy. Inspired by the first park owner’s original cabin in 1889, the restaurant’s décor has a Pacific Northwest look that is part old-timey and part modern chic. 150 seats both indoors and on the patio allow for visiting when the sun is shining brightly and when coastal rains roll in to quench the lush greenery. The menu is all about local. There…

Recipes July 3, 2018

Recipe: Pomme de Moluccas’ Cocktail

By Marc Slingsby-Jones, Bar Manager, Café Medina INGREDIENTS Flor de Cana (any aged rum will do) (1 oz) Calvados (½ oz) Fresh lemon juice (¾ oz) Fresh apple juice (1 oz) Moluccas syrup* (¾ oz) Garnish: Apple slices, cinnamon, sugar INSTRUCTIONS Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into coupe or glass of choice. Garnish with apple slices dusted in cinnamon and sugar. *Moluccas Syrup Recipe Makes 1L INGREDIENTS Sugar (1kg) Water (1L) Cinnamon stick Whole nutmeg (3) Cloves (8) Whole all spice (4) Vanilla bean (½) Peel of half an orange INSTRUCTIONS Add all ingredients to a pot and bring to boil, then simmer for 1 hour. Remove from heat and allow to cool overnight. Strain to remove spices before use.