March 2022 - West Coast Food

Brunch March 31, 2022

OEB Breakfast Co. Rises and Shines in North Vancouver, Burnaby and Yaletown

By Wade Kinley A Michelin Star restaurant at a breakfast joint? Not as crazy as it sounds. Not crazy at all, according to OEB Breakfast Co. founder and chef Mauro Martina, whose lofty ambitions have helped turn this Calgary upstart into one of the fastest-growing chains in the country. That star has eluded them – so far – but that hasn’t stopped them from taking their elevated breakfast concepts as far east as Toronto and south into Arizona, and now their latest ‘hatchling’ comes to the restaurant-rich Lonsdale Ave and 15th St area of Vancouver’s North Shore. The bright, airy space with bold, sleek lines and contrasting pastel colours opened its doors in January of 2022, hot off the heels of a Burnaby location in 2021 and Yaletown in 2019. Opening not one but two restaurants in the midst of a pandemic is a feat unto itself and should speak…

Sweets March 28, 2022

Gluten-Free Cakes that Taste Fantastic

By Catherine Dunwoody The secret to delicious GF baked goods? Products that don’t have the unfortunate and often typical texture (read: sand or Styrofoam) associated with the term ‘gluten-free’. As a card-carrying Celiac (ok, there is no ‘card’, but you get the idea) I was diagnosed with the auto-immune disorder a few years ago, long after I’d been eating gluten for a lifetime. Always on the hunt for gluten-free options (and sharing ‘cause I’m nice that way), I’m as picky a food-writer as ever; because I know what the gluten-full versions taste like. Sure, it’s tough to measure up, but not impossible. Julia Child once said, “a party without cake is just a meeting.” We literally can have our cake and eat it too, especially at these bakeries who do special-occasion or any-day cakes, throughout the Vancouver area. Helpful hint? It’s best to pre-order these cakes by visiting their websites…

Festivals & Events March 24, 2022

Coquitlam’s Festival du Bois is Back with French Canadian Treats

by Catherine Dunwoody Poutine enthusiasts rejoice! From April 1- 3, our favourite Francophone festival returns with musical artists, cultural activities, and of course fabulous food. It’s all happening at Mackin Park in Maillardville, Coquitlam in celebration of the 33rd annual Festival du Bois. The festival is the largest of its kind in BC, bringing a little bit of Québécois culture to the west coast. The official kick-off on the first evening begins with the Friday Night Contra Dance featuring live music from The Sybaritic String Band with Maureen Collier. What exactly is Contra Dance? It’s a social dance done in lines of couples usually done accompanied by live traditional music. There’s a dance caller who teaches easy “figures” on the spot, like in square dancing, and prompts you during the dance. A great way to work up your appetite we’d say! Speaking of which, we are already salivating in anticipation…

Self-guided Tours March 19, 2022

Start Spring with a Kick! Join The Surrey Spice Trail

So… you’re ready to start shedding your layers and reawakening your senses again? While we’re all for the seasonal foods of winter, once you get to the tail end of it, you’re ready for something with a bit more of a flavourful edge to it. That’s where the Surrey Spice Trail comes in. Naturally, Surrey is the perfect backdrop for an event that celebrates a diverse roster of flavours. From a smoky Caribbean kick, to plates finished with freshly grated wasabi root, there are delicious discoveries for every spice level. Spread across 6 neighbourhoods and over 60 restaurants, this celebration of world cuisine is a fantastic escape from any bland food routine. Try authentic Jamaican fare at Stanley Market (North Surrey), home-style Japanese comfort food at Mr. Tonkatsu (Guildford) or the well-guarded family recipes at Afghan Kitchen (South Surrey). There are just about as many flavour possibilities here as…

Family Friendly March 17, 2022

Kids Cooking Workshops Around Vancouver for Young Foodies

By Ariane Fleishmann We all have one: that friend who posts pictures of every meal on Instagram; who hosts immaculate dinner parties and amps up the carefully curated cheese board with homemade sourdough and prosciutto cured in their own garage; who frequently visits farmer’s markets or forages for fiddleheads. They’re a foodie. But whoever said foodies were exclusively adults? With the ubiquity of cooking shows, YouTube tutorials, and wherever else kids get their information these days, Gen Z is ready to make something delicious. And what responsible parent wants to ignore their child’s desire to be in the kitchen? (So long as they learn to clean, anyways.) Indulge your kid with one of these top-notch cooking classes whether you live in BC or are just visiting; after all, the best way to experience regional cuisine is to make it yourself. Your kids will learn to appreciate different kinds of food…

Coquitlam March 16, 2022

Video: Taste Something New this Spring Break in Coquitlam

By Tourism Coquitlam Want to try some global flavours in Coquitlam? Let their new video inspire you, and then plan your tasting tour – links to all the featured restaurants in the video are below! Phở Phú Thịnh Coquitlam Grill Singapore Hawker John B Neighbourhood Pub Mercado Mexican Market & Taqueria Pasargad Restaurant Looking for more spring break adventures? Check out this Tourism Coquitlam blog post.

Festivals & Events March 14, 2022

Explore One of BC’s Top Foodie Towns with Bite of Burnaby

If you’ve visited our site before, you know we never really NEED an excuse to dine out or try a new restaurant. However, when a GREAT excuse for doing both of those things happens, you can bet we’ll be ready to hit the road. Bite of Burnaby has given us the perfect opportunity to stand by that foodie mantra, with over thirty local restaurants offering exclusive menu options. Throughout March, you can choose from $15, $30 and $60 set menus at some of the finest eateries in BBY. Not only that, but you’ll also have the chance to nab weekly vouchers to Burnaby businesses as well as be entered to win the grand prize of a Burnaby shop, stay, and dine package. It’s really the perfect set up- eat delicious food, be rewarded with delicious food. First, we’ll have the heavenly pancakes from Gram Cafe in Brentwood. A semi-sweet Japanese-style…

Self-guided Tours March 10, 2022

Trip Your Taste Buds Through Langley

By Wade Kinley How much do you miss travelling? When the longing gets too much, take the International Taste Bud Tour on now in Langley City. Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend getaway, a few solid additions to your Instagram feed or just a rejuvenating break from your everyday, Langley City has an itinerary to satisfy your travel bug as well as your taste buds. It’s a great thing to support restaurants in your own neighbourhood, but if you’re feeling like you could just use a little change, get to Langley City for the Reset, Refresh and Reconnect Tour. No matter what time your day actually “starts,” kick it off with brunch like you’ve never quite seen it at Egg Bomb. After a stroll through Langley’s Downtown Mural Walk, grab an authentic smoked meat sandwich and a side of poutine from Estrella’s Montreal Deli. Then whisk yourself away to…

Where to Eat March 6, 2022

Food for Power on International Women’s Day

By Avneet Takhar In honour of International Women’s Day (IWD), we pay homage to those who are women-identifying that serve up some mean meals in and around Metro Vancouver. From bakers to caterers and servers of ancestral cuisine, these ladies are showing how it’s done and running the show with other supportive women and allies to keep the “girl power” realness intact. Here are our recommendations on where to dine, knowing that your dime is going towards equality-driven enterprises. Sweet Thea Bakery Named after the owner, Thea, this bakery is a welcome addition to the Main Street location and a long-time favourite in Langley. The trademark red packaging makes their infamous fruitcake even more luxurious, containing brandied sour cherries from Okanagan and just the right amount of rum and spices to pack a punch. And if going savoury is more to your taste, they have focaccia and sourdough all week…