December 2019 - West Coast Food

Where to Eat December 27, 2019

Coquitlam’s Cozy Eateries and Hidden Gems in Eagle Ridge Plaza

By Visit Coquitlam As the temperatures begin to dip, there’s nothing better than watching the rain through the window of a nice cozy eatery and Coquitlam’s Eagle Ridge Plaza is home to some terrific hidden gems. Located near the start of the Coquitlam Crunch hiking trail, and across from Eagle Ridge Outdoor Pool, these spots are convenient, friendly and delicious. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed sit-down experience or planning to curl up at home with a great take-out meal, Eagle Ridge Plaza has a fix for whatever you’re craving. Woking Dragon Woking Dragon has been a Coquitlam staple for over a decade and was started by a family that has provided Chinese food to the Lower Mainland for more than forty years. The restaurant rebranded in the summer of 2018, with a cool new logo, but made sure to keep the delicious favourites that customers know and love, like…

Shops & Markets December 21, 2019

6 Expert Tips to Last-Minute Christmas Foodie Gifts at Granville Island

By Joyce Chua, Vancouver Foodie Tours It’s the last “sprint to the finish line” to find a unique and thoughtful gift for everyone on that Christmas list. Luckily, here in Vancouver, we’re blessed with Granville Island – an area filled with Canadian artisans, one-of-a-kind goods, and delicious wares. The best part? It’s all at your fingertips – no shipping required. Check out these 6 expert tips on how you can find awesome last-minute gifts at Granville Island: 1. Arrive early or late Granville Island is a hub for Christmas activity, especially in and around the Public Market. If you’re able to shop the Island before 11:00am or after 4:00pm, you’ll avoid the masses and have a chance to chat with the bakers, chefs, artisans and makers. 2. Start at Make Vancouver Start at Make for a dose of gift inspiration. Start with a Canadiana t-shirt printed with images of Justin Trudeau,…

Holiday December 20, 2019

Restaurants Open Christmas Eve and Day around Vancouver

By Gail Johnson It’s looking a lot like Christmas, and for those who prefer to dine out rather than eat in during the holidays, local restaurants have got you covered. Here are a few that will do the cooking for you. Vancouver YEW Seafood + Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver (791 West Georgia Street) Christmas eve dinner, Christmas day brunch buffet, and Christmas day dinner are all on extravagant offer. This is the last time you’ll be able to celebrate the holidays at the Four Seasons: the luxury property is closing on January 30, 2020. Bombay Kitchen and Bar (1018 Commercial Drive; open December 24 and 25) Authentic Indian dishes will warm you up when the weather outside is frightful. On the menu are tandoori chicken, prawns, veggies, lamb chops, and goat chops alongside vegetarian dishes like tofu tikka masala, eggplant bharta, and paneer vindaloo. Juke Fried Chicken…

Holiday December 19, 2019

Where to get Holiday Baked Goods in Metro Vancouver

By Brittany Tiplady Not much of a baker? Neither am I, but that doesn’t mean you can pull up to the party empty-handed. We’ve rounded up six Metro Vancouver bakeries and pie shops that are serving up decadent and unique cakes, tarts, cookies, and more. Catering to an array of dietary restrictions? We’ve sourced some gluten-free and dairy-free options for you as well! Pop in to your next holiday gathering with a bounty of holiday treats courtesy of one of the locations listed below. Cakes n Sweets 2773 Barnet Hwy, Coquitlam Near Coquitlam Centre SkyTrain station. This holiday season, Cakes n Sweets in Coquitlam will be offering gingerbread people cookies, gingerbread cupcakes, chocolate orange cupcakes, chocolate mint christmas tree cupcakes, christmas sugar cookies, red and green meringues, biscotti and ginger snap cookies. Find Cakes n Sweets just two blocks west of Coquitlam Centre Mall, pop in for your holiday sweets…

Holiday December 17, 2019

Locally-Made Gifts you can Eat at Christmas Markets around Vancouver

By Kristi Alexandra There’s no time like the present to fill up on presents! While you’re leisurely taking in the lights, sounds and smells of holiday markets around Metro Vancouver, don’t forget there’s also a bounty of food-based stocking stuffers from local artisans all over. There’s something for everyone, from your chocolate-loving neice to your gourmand grandmother. Check out the assortment of preserves, gluten-free treats and more, and which markets you can find them at, below. Vancouver Christmas Market Jack Poole Plaza – 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver Candy Meister at Vancouver Christmas Market invites you to the sweet side of life, offering a selection of colourful, all-natural, gluten-, dairy-, and corn-free candies from Germany! West Coast Wild Foods takes a walk on the wild side. As one of Canada’s leading wild mushroom companies, they bring wild mushrooms such as Chanterelle, Morel, Porcini, Pine and many others for the ultimate stocking…

Sweets December 16, 2019

Deliciously Decadent Desserts Around Vancouver

By Sonu Purhar Everyone knows Christmas calories don’t count (right?) – and that’s why you’ll find us embarking on pilgrimages throughout the holiday season in search of desserts that even Santa would approve. Read on for our top picks, and be sure to post your own so we can expand our horizons and waistlines. Let’s get this sugarfest started! Clever Cupcakes 109-2985 Northern Avenue, Coquitlam 2 minute walk from Lincoln SkyTrain station. This cute cupcake shop was founded by Juan and Elsa Escobedo, who started the company after searching fruitlessly for tasty, allergy-friendly treats for their kids. Their cupcakes are certainly clever, boasting half the sugar of standard cakes, absolutely no peanuts or nuts, and exquisite designs holding bold flavours of double chocolate, vanilla and caramel. There are also vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives, which means everyone can find a sweet treat that satisfies. View this post on…

Holiday December 13, 2019

Local Gifts for the Foodie on Your List

Whether you have a food (or drink) lover on your Christmas list this year or have been invited to a fabulous party and need a hostess gift, something local and delicious is always the way to go. We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite local foodie gifts that are sure to delight! For the Aspiring Bartender Craft distilleries are rapidly gaining ground as the “new” craft beer phenomenon, with new establishments opening regularly throughout the region. Put a bottle of hand-crafted spirits in their stocking – Surrey’s Mainland Whisky is the newest distillery in town (they opened December 14), and a bottle of their Cinnamon Whisky is sure to spice up any stocking! Or the subtle sweetness of Amaro from the Woods Spirit Company in North Vancouver is the perfect addition to any bar. Round out your gift with an adorable cocktail kit set from The Cocktail Box Company.…

Where to Eat December 12, 2019

Where to Eat Among Festive Holiday Lights In and Around Vancouver

By Brittany Tiplady If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the holidays, why not take a stroll through a gorgeous display of lights? Treat your family, your significant other, or maybe just yourself to some Yuletide cheer! Metro Vancouver sure knows how to get into the holiday spirit with a vast selection of holiday light festivals popping up from Vancouver’s North Shore all the way to Langley. The artistry and brilliance of these events are bound to dissolve any Grinch-like feelings. The holidays are for feasting and you know that here at WestCoastFood we’ve got you covered in the food department. Grab a bite before or after with one of our recommendations below. Happy Holidays to you and yours! Vancouver Festival of Lights at the VanDusen Botanical Garden 5251 Oak St, Vancouver The annual Festival of Lights at the VanDusen Garden is arguably one of the most beloved holiday events in Vancouver…

Sweets December 11, 2019

Sweet Holiday Treats in Richmond

By VisitRichmondBC.com In the nights before Christmas, you and your loved ones may well have “visions of sugar-plums” dancing in your heads. Part of the delight of the holidays is the chance to indulge in decadent sweets and desserts, as well as gift them to friends and family. Richmond is home to some amazing boutiques and patisseries that are bound to satisfy everyone on Santa’s nice list— read on for details. Wild Sweets Dominique and Cindy Duby are the ultimate Christmas elves, busily coming up with innovative ways to transform ordinary chocolates and cakes into innovative works of art. Wild Sweets® (2145 – 12191 Hammersmith Way) has just released some new chocolate tasting gift sets, which consist of three, four, or five tiers of their cocoa bean-to-bar chocolate collections. One of the tiers is their new Crispy Praline & Ganache ‘arOma’ Collection, with each chocolate featuring crunchy nut butter praline,…

Shops & Markets December 9, 2019

Potter’s Farm & Nursery in Surrey Gets in the Christmas Spirit

by Catherine Dunwoody Imagine 28,000 square feet of Christmas entertaining ideas, delectable gift shopping, and décor all under one roof. The Christmas Store at Potters Nurseries in South Surrey is open now until Christmas Eve, and you have never seen a thing like it. The foodie on your list will love the thought you put into creating your own culinary gift basket, delicious hostess gift, or stocking stuffers for them. Think hot chocolate packs, dips, soups, crackers, sauces, jellies, British biscuits, and preserves from local wineries. Bacon candy canes? Why not. Ornaments with a food theme? How do a burger and fries grab you? And nutcrackers? Imagine an entire section dedicated to a jaw-dropping display and variety of options that make fabulous gifts. The Gourmet Food area offers thousands of products you won’t easily find elsewhere, including popcorn in at least 10 fun flavours, a staggering 30 flavours of hot…

Holiday December 5, 2019

Recipe: Awesome Eggnog

By Chef Janet Wait, Jan’s on the Beach Jan’s on the Beach, named for Chef and Owner Janet Wait, is a popular eatery on the iconic White Rock strip, overlooking the San Juan Islands. The menu is described as “seafood and more,” offering fresh and unique dishes often lovingly made by Wait herself. This recipe for Awesome Eggnog is one of their most requested holiday recipes. Makes 12 servings INGREDIENTS Eggs (6 large, separated) Salt (1/4 tsp) Sugar (2/3 cup, divided in 1/2) Light Cream (1-1/4 cup) Whipping Cream (1 cup) Milk (2 cups) Spiced rum (optional) Nutmeg to taste INSTRUCTIONS Beat egg whites and salt until frothy. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. In another bowl (the largest), beat the egg yolks until light, gradually add remaining sugar (1/3 cup), beating until thick and lemon coloured. Very slowly add light cream and milk, beating constantly. In another bowl…

Coquitlam December 3, 2019

Warm-Up Foods Near Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake Holiday Lights

By Brittany Tiplady ‘Tis the season for ubiquitous social media photos, Instagram stories, and Snapchats of holiday parties, outings, and events. Amongst the many options to get into the festive spirit in Metro Vancouver is the Lights at Lafarge. Conveniently located only 140 metres from the Lafarge Lake-Douglas Evergreen line station, the Lights at Lafarge the largest free outdoor lights display in the lower mainland. Free, being the operative word. Enjoy the display after dusk while going for a light stroll around the LaFarge Lake – a suitable and lovely outing for families, couples, and dog owners. As we enter the winter months, and temperatures drop, warming up after your walk through the Lights at Lafarge is essential. Browse through this selection of restaurants, cafes, and watering holes nearby. Pappa Roti Unit 100 – 1196 Pinetree Way If you haven’t given these fluffy, decadent, Malaysian style buns a chance-now is…