Darren, Author at West Coast Food

Festivals & Events April 22, 2025

Celebrate May the 4th with our Force-focused Foodie Tour

Image Credit: Cris Bosch on Unsplash.com With the help of your force insight, you may have foreseen that a very special day is fast approaching. The annual day celebrating Star Wars fandom/culture/lore is almost here, and with it, plenty of ways to show your fellow rebel fighters that you could bullseye a wamp rat with the best of em’ back home! *Disclaimer! The writer of this piece is cool. While you might not first associate dining out with a salute to the trilogy of trilogies, there are definitely (maybe) a few local eateries you can try that come close! We might not have a cantina that attracts the galaxy’s scum and villainy, or a floating sail barge where you can get a drink while watching people chucked into a sand pit, but within the realm of interpretation, you’ll find the force in places you might not expect. It’s like…

Festivals & Events April 15, 2025

May 2025 Foodie Events in Metro Vancouver

Feature Image Credit: Vancouver’s North Shore You can always count on May to bring a gorgeous flourish of flavour to the calendar. The whole month is like a bridge between spring and summer, and when the seasons overlap, our local ingredients start reaching their full potential. Berries are ripening, spot prawns are arriving, and outdoor markets are reopening their food stalls. With the forecast looking decidedly tasty, there are plenty of upcoming ways to pamper your palate around Metro Vancouver. These are just a few of the upcoming foodie events that you should keep at the top of your menu! Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea at Notch8 — Vancouver Until May 25 Cherry blossom season is one of the most beautiful times of the year in Vancouver, and what better way to celebrate the occasion than with a spring-focused afternoon tea? The indulgent menu is full of pastries, scones, and…

Where to Eat in Metro Vancouver March 21, 2025

April 2025 Foodie Events in Metro Vancouver

Featured Image credit: Richmond Night Market Spring arrives with plenty of reason to come out of your burrow and take in the new scents of the season. Across Metro Vancouver, hungry foodies are ready to explore outdoor food festivals, dig into picnic baskets, and enjoy the fresh ingredients coming into full flavour. There’s a lot to get through on this month’s menu, so leave your coat at home, and let’s head out into the sunny (fingers crossed), sweet, and savoury forecast! Food Truck Wars – Surrey Apr 11-13 Surrey’s BIGGEST street food showdown returns! Catch a wide variety of Greater Vancouver’s most exciting local food trucks all in one place. Visitors can try the delicious offerings at each one and vote on their favourites. It’s a friendly culinary competition where hungry diners decide on the top dog. Hot Chefs & Cool Jazz Gala – Vancouver April 11…

Dining in Metro Vancouver March 20, 2025

Naturally Delicious: Metro Vancouver Restaurants Prioritizing Sustainability

With Earth Day coming this month (April 22), it’s a fantastic time to practice mindful eating for the sake of the planet (and your health)! Whether that means choosing a vegan menu from time to time or visiting restaurants that prioritize sustainability, there are lots of tasty ways to lower your footprint. We’re pretty lucky in the Lower Mainland to have a wealth of progressive chefs and restaurant owners who are transparent about their efforts to improve the world. So with that in mind, here are a few local spots where we can do our part—one delicious plate at a time! The Acorn Restaurant – Vancouver The Acorn Restaurant is so much more than just a plant-based restaurant! The Mount Pleasant eatery artistically reinvents vegetarian and vegan cuisine by adding a knack for presentation and exploring flavours you wouldn’t expect from the plant kingdom! What’s more, every plate is…

Cafés in Metro Vancouver March 17, 2025

Spring Is on the Menu at These Scenic Metro Vancouver Restaurants

Feature Image: Blue Canoe Restaurant; Credit: bluecanoerestaurant.com Now that Spring is in full swing, it’s time to start considering not just what we’re going to eat, but where we’re going to enjoy fresh and local BC ingredients–and what we want most is to be up front to equally fresh views of the blossoming season. Here are a handful of places to pair Spring scenery with lunch or brunch in Metro Vancouver. Jess’ Fine – Coquitlam Set on the mountainside of Westwood Plateau, this eatery at GreenTee Golf and Country Club offers splendid views of the changing season all over the Lower Mainland and out to Vancouver Island on their panoramic patio. Bask in the colours while enjoying a locally sourced menu. Shaughnessy Restaurant – Vancouver Where natural Spring beauty meets a menu inspired by the very same season, this restaurant is part of Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Garden.…

Sweets February 24, 2025

Happy Pi(e) Day: Just a Slice of What’s Available Around Metro Vancouver

March 14th, or 3.14, or Pi Day, maybe a big day on the calendar for math enthusiasts—but what about the rest of us? We tack on an “e” and celebrate all things pie! Anyway you slice it, it’s a pretty good day to get out and explore these wonderful purveyors of the pastry throughout Metro Vancouver. Aphrodite’s Organic Pie Shop – Vancouver 3598 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver Like their namesake, “love” is the main ingredient in all Aphrodite’s does—which includes making some delicious pies. They spread the love through a passion for wild, organic and sustainable food, working directly with local farmers and producers across their entire menu that also does breakfast and lunch. The Pie Hole – Burnaby 7832 6th Street, Burnaby Endorsed by none other than Guy Fieri himself, The Pie Hole has built a reputation for mouthwatering desserts, as well as savoury meal-pies, since its…

Metro Vancouver Guides February 19, 2025

March Foodie Events in Metro Vancouver

Feature image: Galbi Korean BBQ, photo Credit: @TricitiesCOC Here comes Spring, and with it a spate of spectacular foodie events throughout Metro Vancouver. Miss Dine Out? Check similar events in Burnaby and the Tri-Cities this month. A couple events are on the menu, too, for those that prefer a sip to a sup. Bite of Burnaby – Burnaby Mar 1 – 31, 2025 A foodie favourite since 2021, this annual dining event just keeps getting bigger and better. Throughout March, local standout eateries and hidden gems alike offer special menus and deals—from $10 to $60—to cater to all tastes and budgets. More than a festival, Bite of Burnaby is a celebration of the city’s rich cultural makeup, showcasing cuisines from around the world. Rail & River March Voyager Club: Stop in Spain – Langley TWP March 25, 2025 This month’s Voyager Club Dinner invites you on a…

Adult Beverages in Metro Vancouver February 12, 2025

What’s On Tap at The 46th Vancouver International Wine Festival

Photo Credit: Marjo Wright, vanwinefest.ca The Vancouver International Wine Festival (VIWF) is back again this year with wines from all over the world. This year’s festival has 15 participating countries taking part in entertaining and educational events all over the city. Running from February 22 – March 2, the 46th VIWF is celebrating its legacy as one of the biggest and oldest wine events in the world. International Festival Tastings are the heart of the festival where you can browse and sample from select wines from 120 wineries as well as themed regional tasting stations and wine bars—there are nearly 700 wines to sample in the room. You’ll also find wine-friendly food and beverage exhibitors offering tasting samples. The Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction is on February 22 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. One of the most spectacular wine and food events in the city any time of year kicks…

Family Friendly Dining around Metro Vancouver February 10, 2025

10 Family-Friendly Restaurants in Metro Vancouver to Try on Family Day

Mark your calendars… Family Day is this February 17! If you’re looking to head out for the day with little ones in tow, then it’s always good to know of a few spots where, you know, they’ll actually eat. So, to mark the occasion, we’ve assembled a list of family-friendly local spots that kids and adults will love equally. Who knows, you might actually sneak off to visit again while they’re in school—good chicken strips do hit extra hard this time of year. When you pile into the family wagon and the cries of “I’m hungry!” echo from the back seat, you’ll be well prepared to throw out some reliable suggestions. Happy Family Day! Anton’s Pasta Bar – 4260 Hastings St, Burnaby Anton’s is a pasta institution in Greater Vancouver, and for good reason! Their generous portions and reasonable prices make it an excellent option for families to dine, and…

Dining in Metro Vancouver February 4, 2025

A Valentine to Our Fave Romantic Metro Vancouver Restaurants (Whether Single or Taken)

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and whether you observe the holiday or not, we can all agree it’s a solid excuse to head out for a meal. Whether you’re here planning an outing with your sweetie pie (we hope you’ve made reservations already!) or dining out in silent protest (solo or with friends), these are a few of the local spots we’d hit up first. Yes, you might have to wait for a table, but expressing your unabashed love for food with a special outing is well worth the waitlist. Start with a delicious Valentine’s gesture to yourself, and then MAYBE consider sharing with your plus one. It’s best not to rush these things, you know? Atlas Steak + Fish – Burnaby One of Burnaby’s best spots for a date night, their stylish ambience and stellar menu will make any occasion special. Fresh seafood, steaks cooked to…

Metro Vancouver Communities January 28, 2025

Foodie Events in February

February has arrived with a bit of a chill, but there are so many tasty ways to keep your temperature up! Start by stopping by any of the Dine Out Vancouver events happening this month, or maybe book a romantic dinner with someone special for Valentine’s Day. However you decide to fill your calendar, consider these delicious events where you can dig into the local culinary scene, sample the wares of renowned chefs, and meet like-minded foodies along the way! From dumplings to hot chocolate, you’re in for a hearty month ahead. Let’s see what’s on the menu! *feature image: Honolulu Coffee for the 2025 Hot Chocolate Festival Dine Out East Van Dumpling Fest – Vancouver Feb 5 Tantalize your taste buds at several restaurants in Mount Pleasant, Commercial Drive, & beyond to taste different kinds of dumplings on this dinner tour. Coquitlam Craft & Ales Festival 2025…

Dining in Metro Vancouver January 22, 2025

Learn to Cook in ‘25: Local Metro Vancouver Classes for the New Year

Is your new year’s resolution to eat better? Well, there’s no better way to ensure you’re getting exactly what you need than by preparing your meals yourself. Thankfully there are plenty of opportunities throughout the Lower Mainland to learn from the best. Check out these cooking classes for foodies in 2025. The Dirty Apron – Vancouver You’ll find your one-top-shop for cooking classes at The Dirty Apron in downtown Vancouver. This delicatessen-slash-cooking school offers a jam-packed hands-on class schedule featuring countless different menus and cuisines, from 3-course Italian to brunch to full vegan. Best yet, when class is over, you’ll sit at a communal table with your classmates to enjoy the fruits of your labours. Posh Pantry – Burnaby How do you like your cooking classes? Apron covered in flour? Or sitting back with a glass of wine? You can get both at posh Pantry Kitchen in Burnaby. Weekends offer…

Asian January 17, 2025

6 Tasty Spots to Celebrate Lunar New Year 2025 in Metro Vancouver

Lunar New Year is almost here! Kicking off on January 29 and running until February 16, LNY is a spirited holiday filled with culture, tradition, and, most importantly, food! While the occasion is celebrated across numerous countries in Asia, in Metro Vancouver, our vibrant Chinese community always makes a memorable splash with street festivals, live performances, and local restaurants offering special menus and experiences. If you’re looking to celebrate with fantastic Chinese cuisine from all our local communities, you’re in the right spot! Vancouver Notch8 Celebrate the Year of the Snake with this Lunar New Year-inspired afternoon tea experience at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Indulge in a curated selection of exquisite teas paired with a variety of sweet and savoury treats inspired by traditional flavours and festive delights. A kid’s tea service is also available which includes finger sandwiches, cookies, scones, and other delicious treats. Mott 32 One of the…

Surrey January 15, 2025

Add a Bit of Spice to the Season with a Foodie Staycation Through Surrey!

Keep warm through the winter with a flavourful staycation in Surrey, BC! The January temperatures may have you bundling up, but there are plenty of other ways for you to maintain warmth around Metro Vancouver—most notably, with food! And let’s be honest, there’s really no better place on the West Coast to enjoy the full palate of world cuisine than in Surrey! Surrey offers a culinary cross-section of so many types of food that you could easily point to a spot on the globe and find an accompanying restaurant nearby. So with that in mind, and with it never being a sure bet when winter will actually end (fingers crossed), we’re giving away a package of a few of our favourite Surrey spots so you can keep a sunny (and spicy) outlook no matter the forecast. Enter now, and you could be levelling up your winter 2025 with all kinds…