Mark Shelling, Author at West Coast Food
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Vancouver

Dine Out Vancouver Returns with More Tasty Ways to Tour the City

The tastiest, time-honoured tradition returns to Metro Vancouver to keep us warm and well-fed through the winter—Dine Out! Running from January 22 – February 9, if your resolution was to tour through some of the best eateries of the city, here’s your chance! For the uninitiated, Dine Out Vancouver is a celebration of local restaurants, chefs, artisans, and foragers. The annual foodie festival offers a delicious way to kick off the year by trying new things and sampling new flavours. So consider this your official invite to take a break from the holiday leftovers, and dig into the wonderful world cuisine of the West Coast food scene Participating restaurants will feature exclusive menu options that often let guests try the breadth of flavours on their main menu, while offerring a bit of a discounted price. It’s the perfect chance for an overdue friend catch up, a solo dinner to decompress,…

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Vancouver

January 2024 Foodie Events in Metro Vancouver

While on paper, January might not be known for its bountiful flavours, the famously overcast month has had more and more tasty surprises in the last few years. For every cloud in the new calendar year, it seems like there’s now a tasty silver lining to pair with it. Whether it’s a food truck festival or a wine and cheese night, these are a handful of the bright spots you should make a note of— care of the creative chefs from our local food scene! *Featured image: Street Food Vancouver at the Vancouver Art Gallery The Perfect Pairing – Wine & Dine – Coquitlam All Saints R.C. Parish, 821 Fairfax Street, Coquitlam Delight your senses and support a great cause! The Rotary Club of Coquitlam is pleased to present The Perfect Pairing – Wine & Dine. Learn more about a variety of wines paired with a curated multiple-course meal. January…

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Chocolate, Sweets, and Baking around Metro Vancouver

A Love Letter to East Van’s Perfect Cookie

I’ve eaten a lot of cookies in my day. But, if I’ve learned anything in my travels it’s that secret of making a good one, depends on two things: An outstanding cookie should always be slightly underdone. While it may look impossibly gooey out of the oven, once that baby cools, you’re going to have a perpetually soft biscuit no matter what temperature it’s at. And that is the sweet spot for diving into those nostalgic bites from when you were no taller than a Keebler. Boosting that savoury flavour. Anybody can dump sugar in flour, chuck a stick of butter in and call it a day. But for a cookie to transcend, there should be full palate engagement, not just the tip of the tongue.    I wanted to outline these rules first because the “Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookie” from Flourist Bakery takes these criteria and pushes them as far…

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Holiday

A Holiday Food Tour Through Vancouver’s South Granville

If you’re lacking Christmas spirit, Vancouver’s South Granville neighbourhood is the prescription. Over the last few years, the South Granville BIA has turned their strip into a picture-perfect snow globe with a public Christmas tree, Santa-themed pop-ups, live music, and pops of holiday-inspired street decor. Aside from the cheerful adornments, South Granville is truly the perfect spot for holiday shopping and entertainment. You can tackle your shopping list in one visit, enjoy a wonderful meal or two, and catch some live theatre by the Arts Club at the iconic Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol is on until Dec 24, don’t miss it!). To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve compiled a few of our favourite South Granville spots and eats to help fuel your holiday cheer. Gary’s on 12th 1485 W 12th Ave Fresh off their 2024 Michelin recognition, Gary’s has…

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Holiday

Restaurants Open on Christmas Eve and Day in Metro Vancouver

The holiday season is the quintessential time to gather with good people for good food, so why not share these festive moments with some of our wonderful local eateries? Wondering what restaurants are open on Christmas Eve? These favourite foodie spots are offering holiday service on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so you can focus more on catching up and less on turkey temperatures. Whether it’s offering a special menu for the occasion or just opening for regular service, the following eateries have you back this holiday. Whatever your traditions are this time of year, it’s never a bad time to start something new, especially if it means someone else taking care of the dishes afterwards. So grab a Christmas cracker, order an eggnog, and dig into one of these delicious yuletide meals! Restaurants Open in Vancouver Botanist  1038 Canada Place, Vancouver Celebrate the magic of Christmas…

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Chocolate, Sweets, and Baking around Metro Vancouver

Local Metro Vancouver Bakeries with Must-Try Holiday Treats

Gingerbread, yule logs, apple pie—this is the best time of year to have a sweet tooth! We’re already into the holiday season so if you haven’t indulged a bit yet, then you’ve got some serious catching up to do. Across the Lower Mainland, local bakeries are filling their menus with all kinds of seasonal treats. These are just a few of the things we can’t wait to dig into over the break. We just hope there will be enough for Santa! Mon Paris Patisserie – Burnaby 4396 Beresford Street, Burnaby  Red Fruits & Vanilla Christmas Log With the right decadent dessert, you can win the potluck party every time. Filled with red fruit confit, white chocolate mousse, vanilla biscuit, and waffle crunch this holiday staple is the perfect end to any gathering. Blacksmith Bakery – Langley 115-5385 216 St. Langley Marzipan Stollen Don’t call it fruit cake! This…

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Langley

Tasty Langley Spots to Visit on Your Holiday Break

Langley is already a destination for holiday shopping, so why not explore their vibrant food scene while you’re out gathering gifts? Whether you’re craving Pad Thai while you’re in line for the register or looking to celebrate crossing the last name off your list with a craft beer, you’ll find delicious possibilities at every turn. These are just a handful of the places we love in the area that are perfect for a midday break from store-hopping. Farm Country Brewing – Langley #5 – 20555 56 Ave Langley, BC Raise your glass to the holiday season with some of the finest craft beer in Langley City! A flight of crisp seasonal brew is the perfect reason to catch up with old friends over the break. Food by Fanta – Langley 20542 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC A bit of Thai flavour is always welcome during the…

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Cocktails, Wines & Spirits around Metro Vancouver

Spirited (And Free Spirited) Cocktails to Toast the Season With in Metro Vancouver

Since we’re entering the season of staff parties and long-winded toasts, we figured we’d put together a quick menu of sippers worth raising a glass with. Three cocktails and three mocktails, these local libations are the perfect way to let your boss know that you’re making good use of the open bar (fingers-crossed). Featured image: The Acorn Full-spirit Night of a Thousand Eyes at Keefer Bar – Vancouver This one smacks of that “special” coffee you take up Robson Street to keep your hands warm while holiday shopping, or to keep you from lashing out during the long lines to the check out. Kahlua, amaro, espresso and a salted caramel sake. Vancouver: 135 Keefer Street The Fall Negroni at Nightingale – Vancouver While it feels like Winter, it’s still technically Fall, and whatever, it’s always a good time for a Negroni. This one is infused with…

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Brunch in Metro Vancouver

December 2024 Foodie Events in Metro Vancouver

H Tasting Lounge’s Winterlust – Vancouver November 1, 2024, to March 16, 2025 Escape to a cozy and enchanting winter retreat with our private dome dining experience. Embrace vintage charm and nostalgic Alpine accents for an unforgettable seasonal dining experience. 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver Wine and Cheese Pairing – Charcuterie Class – Vancouver December 17, 2024 Elevate your wine and cheese pairing skills with this interactive class. Taste a variety of wines alongside carefully selected cheeses and learn the principles of pairing to create harmonious combinations. LaSalle College Vancouver, 2665 Renfrew Street, Vancouver Festive Cookie Decorating – Cooking Class by Classpop! – Vancouver December 8, 2024 In this cooking class, join Chef Roy to create cheerful, colourful cookies perfect for any celebration!  Get ready to unleash your creativity as you explore a variety of fun toppings, including vibrant sprinkles, M&M’s and a rainbow of icing made with…

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Dining around Metro Vancouver

Stay Warm Through Winter with These Metro Vancouver Pho Spots

When the winter chill sets in, there’s really no better remedy than a good bowl of soup. And thankfully, in Metro Vancouver, we’re blessed to have plenty of options! Especially so when it comes to the most rejuvenating bowl of warmth you can order—pho! The Vietnamese specialty is never tastier than on a brisk day, so let’s dig into some tasty locales where you can shake off the cold and dig into the flavour. Featured image: Hai Phong Vietnamese Restaurant Hai Phong Vietnamese Restaurant – Vancouver 1242 Kingsway, Vancouver With a stylish modern interior and TVs to watch sports on, this is a great spot to bring friends both for the social vibe and the pho alike. Known for its light and refreshing broth, the pho here is always a crowd-pleaser on a chilly day. Pho Den – Burnaby 6401 Kingsway #120, Burnaby Pinnacle savoury pho…

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Coquitlam

Coquitlam Giveaway: A Holiday Staycation Gift to Yourself!

The holiday season is almost upon us, but if you still need an extra nudge to get into the spirit of giving, here’s your cue! Start with a kind gesture to someone who might not take enough time off, who could likely use a recharge before the calendar fills with invites and RSVPs—YOU! For our latest contest, we’ve teamed up with Tourism Coquitlam and put together a staycation package to make the most of the holiday break (or the lull afterwards). It can be a hectic time of year, but with this local tour of cuisine and culture, you can carry that holiday glow right into the new year. Have a look at your prize if you win: A 1-night stay at the Executive Plaza Hotel Coquitlam First things first, check into your cozy room and get ready for the relaxing day ahead. Located in the bustling heart…

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Burnaby

The Praguery Brings Chimney Cakes To New Coquitlam Location

By Kristi Alexandra Move over, waffle cones— chimney cakes are here to stay! While they’ve been around for a while in Europe, this innovative and delicious alternative to the traditional ice cream cone is still relatively new to the Vancouver food scene. Jaroslav Mestka, owner of the Praguery, has been a key player in introducing the delicacy to the Lower Mainland over the past decade. The Praguery has quickly become a beloved line of food trucks across Metro Vancouver and the sea-to-sky area, famous for serving up delicious soft serve, fresh fruit and sauces, and other toppings inside freshly baked (never-fried) chimney cakes. At the moment, you can find the Praguery’s sweet treats at any of their frequent local stops: Richmond’s McArthur Glen outlet mall, Squamish’s Sea-to-Sky Gondola, and as a roving ice cream truck in Coquitlam. West Coast Food recently talked to the Mestka about his journey from Prague…

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