Megan Halkett, Author at West Coast Food - Page 10 of 28
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Vancouver

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Tea in the Window Returns

It’s high time it came back! One of the city’s best tea services has returned and, we’re ready to toast to the occasion. Starting June 7, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Tea in the Window will be back for its third year of sipping and pinnacle people watching. From Monday to Friday through the summer, the hotel will host one 2 pm exclusive seating in their front window for lucky (tea) partygoers. Surrounded by gorgeous custom art from fashion illustrator Mandy Lau, this is another luxurious reason to dress up from one of YVR’s oldest institutions. But with one seating per day, you’d best make a reservation, as space is extremely limited (reservations in 2019 and 2020 sold out quickly!). Book your spot here, and perhaps we’ll see you in the window! fairmont.com/hotel-vancouver

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Langley

You CAN Sit With Us! In Celebration of Eating Indoors Again

In case you haven’t heard the news, restaurants are reopening their doors and allowing indoor seating once again! And all we can say is, *sigh of relief*. While all the new patios across the city have added so much to the feeling of community, we can’t wait to get back to the full dining experience, you know, without being exposed to the elements.  So here’s the rundown,  -Restaurants are open as soon as they’re able to. -You can dine in groups of up to 6 people (can be from outside your household) – Masks are still required when you’re not at your table -Liquor service ends at 10 pm -Restaurants will still be required to have a COVID-safety plan That’s the long and short of it! Foodies rejoice! We’re already compiling a list of places that we’re planning to hit in the coming weeks. Just off the top of our…

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Burnaby

New “Know Before You Go” Series Gives BC Diners Peace Of Mind

As someone who talks to restaurant owners and hospitality workers regularly, it’s tough to see how much the last year has negatively affected them. But it’s also been inspiring to see so many of them do their best to thrive, and at the same time, have the community rally around the businesses they love.  It’s been a long year, but thankfully, there’s a lot of positivity coming out of the struggle. President of The BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, Ian Tsotenson, shares the outlook that with the continued dedication so many have already shown, we’ll get through the final stages of this, and the industry will be back stronger than ever. The Tourism Industry Association of BC’s new video series, “Know Before You Go” is a great resource for how restaurants are ensuring the safety of their guests and staff.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX-woHWJAAo Here’s hoping that we’ll be back to making reservations…

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Vancouver

You Look Smashing: Local Tapas Bar Gets Creative Amid Recent Restrictions

On a recent rainy Saturday afternoon, a crowd of umbrellas and slickers began to form outside Como Taperia in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant. A line stretched around the block while the patio outside was as full as it could get as hungry folks sipped cava and… waited, some for up to an hour. But it wasn’t patatas brava or jamon croquetas they braved the weather for — this time. This time, it was all about las burguesas. For the last couple of weeks, Instagram stories were abuzz, tweets were tweeting, and phones were generally pinging all over that one of the most beloved tapas joints in the city was doing something special. The word was out and that word was: “Damn-that’s-a-tasty-burger.” When indoor dining was banned at the end of April (I still can’t write that without taking a forlorn look out my window), restaurants without a sizable patio — which…

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Burnaby

Tasty Ways to say “Thanks, Mom!” on Mother’s Day

Depending on when you’re reading this, you’ve either got plenty of time before the big day (May 9), or you’re cutting it way too close. So, in the tradition of Choose Your Own Adventure books, we’re letting you pick the tone of how you should be reading the following Mother’s Day guide. May 2-5th: You’re golden, any of these picks will fit the bill for a meaningful maternal gesture. And you’ll have time to spare to fill a card with touching sentiments or perhaps a tender anecdote. May 5-8th: Getting down to the wire, but you’re probably still fine. While you may have missed the pre-order window on some of these, you can still pull something together and act like you’ve had it in the works all along. It’s all dependent on your acting chops.  May 9th: WHAT ARE YOU DOING. This poor woman carried you in her womb for…

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Vancouver

Delivery Apps: Local Restaurants Consider the Next Course

Food delivery is nothing new. From Queen Margherita demanding her namesake pizza be brought to her on a visit to Naples, to the legendary milkman of 19th century America, the world over has been “ordering in” for centuries.  2020, though, changed the story. Only a few years into their mass popularity, third-party delivery apps exploded as we all were forced to stay home, and local restaurants began shutting their doors. We could demand almost anything we wanted without even getting up from the couch. But as it always does, convenience comes with a price. And it goes beyond just those pesky service fees. As many restaurants over the past year came to rely on national and multinational companies such as Skip the Dishes, DoorDash and Uber, some also saw their bottom line shrink. Commissions charged by these companies can be 30% or more, meaning that some small…

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Coquitlam

Celebrate Earth Day with these Planet-Friendly Eateries

We’re all about random National Days and using them as reasons to eat, but how can we go about celebrating an occasion that actually holds a lot of weight, like Earth Day? Aside from reducing emissions and being smart about waste, there are food-centric ways to help out, as we’ve learned through some local restaurants. A visit to any of these businesses will do your part to lighten your footprint every time you visit. Whether it’s because of compostable containers, a farm-to-table model that reduces transport and packaging, or by going vegan, you can make a positive change on the earth and eat great food while you’re at it. Coquitlam  The Yoga Chef  Family-owned, wholesome food with compostable containers, The Yoga Chef is feel-good food on so many levels. With a plant-forward menu (and hormone-free protein add ons for meat eaters), this Port Coquitlam cafe/ meal prep…

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Uncategorized

A Forgetful Bunny’s Guide to Last Minute Easter Gifts

Easter is one of those holidays that creeps up out of nowhere. You’re sittin there, minding your business, when suddenly the day has arrived, and someone close to you is dropping hints that they got YOU something for the occasion. Remain calm! We can be proactive about this. Simply go through this handy guide, pick one of the delicious Easter offerings listed, and sprint like you’ve never sprunt before!  Gem Chocolates With an emphasis on natural ingredients and no preservatives, every treat at this Kerrisdale cocoa destination is more tantalizing than the last. Receiving worldwide chocolate acclaim, Gem has been recognized by countless honours: The Top Truffle Artistry Awards, The Luxury Caramel Awards, The International Chocolate Salon (if you can’t tell, we love all of these names). Their resume speaks for itself, but you should absolutely stop by their store and workshop to try for yourself. Always…

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It’s Not Cheese, It’s Nut Cheese: A Guide to Dairy-Free Gluttony Around Vancouver

After the birth of our daughter last year, it soon became clear that dairy did not agree with her (a common issue with newborns, we came to learn). As my wife continued to breastfeed, what she ate, baby ate, so my wife had to give up the goods as well. So my baby is dairy-free, and now my wife is dairy-free, so to paraphrase Jules in Pulp Fiction, that pretty much makes me dairy-free too. But we’ve always been a cheesy household, we like the finer things in life*, after all. So for the past year, we’ve been on the hunt for the specific delight and comfort only cheese provides, without getting cows involved.  We also love our wine (see above*) and there have been many nights when dinner was a bottle of Montepulciano and a cheeseboard. Back when we could entertain, a pile of cheese was always at the centre…

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A Foodie’s Guide to Vancouver’s Most Underrated Neighbourhood: Cambie Village

When it comes to Vancouverites naming their favourite YVR district, typically, it ends up being where they’d direct tourists to. But while those areas all have their charms, Cambie Street Village has something distinctly singular about it. Of all the neighbourhoods in the city, Cambie is one that exudes a sense of community. While it could be chalked up to it being a bit more localized than most YVR districts, for us, it’s because it’s built around community niches. Whether you’re looking to take in a comedy show at the Kino Cafe or rent a flick at one of the city’s last video/DVD businesses, it would seem like there are countless niche communities served by this little stretch of road.You can’t walk 10 feet without being drawn into one of the small businesses here, be it via outstanding gift ideas, or the tantalizing smells from each restaurant or bakery.…

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Uncategorized

10 Delicious Restaurants to Brighten up the Dark Months

Alright, one more before 2021 officially sinks in! With the last year having been such a bleak discourse, we figured we were entitled to stretch the merriment of the holidays a little further. Our Season of Giving campaign is wrapping up this week, but before we go, here are a few of our fave spots to dine out with your household crew. Valentine’s is coming up after all; a list like this certainly could come in handy when you’re stressing about making plans with someone special. Go get em! White Rock: Taka’s Sushi This unassuming little spot, for our money, has the best sushi across several municipalities. Premium seafood handled with care by expert chefs is really the secret here (who would’ve thought!). The level of quality in every roll and piece of sashimi is so high, it will make a connoisseur out of anyone.…

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Uncategorized

Our 10 Fave Coffee & Tea Spots to Start 2021 Right

2021 has finally arrived! While we’re relieved to have put the final nail in the previous year, we could definitely use a little wide-eyed optimism to carry forward. What better way to make this happen than with a little kick of caffeine. We might not have shaken off all of the dust from 2020 just yet, but these roasters, cafes, tea houses, and java joints will keep us alert, nimble and ready for anything that 2021 tosses our way! Surrey Black Tiger Coffee Some schools of thought think that coffee is only as good as what you dunk in it. By that metric, Black Tiger is a must-visit for any self-respecting connoisseur. While their beans are sourced from the finest local roasters, it’s their donuts that bring the taste sensations full circle. Quickly becoming a cult favourite for pastry hounds, their flavours range from Maple Brownie, to Peanut Butter…

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featured.

10 Spots To Get Your New Years Toast Started

Who says just because Christmas is over we need to snap back to that old 2020 feeling. We’re just glad it’s the end of the year, so our Season of Giving campaign can keep the gifts coming. This week, it’s all about getting countdown-ready with some of our favourite bottles and cans to pop. If you can’t be around your preferred company when the ball drops this year, then you can surely send them a long-distance cheers (or a gift card) from any of these outstanding BC beverage businesses. Langley Township 7 One of our fave places to pick up a bottle for dinner, this Langley winery also has a sister location in the Okanagan. With reasonable prices on big reds, aromatic whites and delightful sparkling, their straight to your door subscription service will keep you well-stocked through the colder months, so you don’t have to brave the…

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featured.

7 Spots to Make the Holidays a Little Sweeter

The holidays are in full swing now, and thank GOODNESS. If we were to describe this year as a food metaphor (and why wouldn’t we?), then 2020 has been a long, arduous meal with marathon chewing, and nothing to wash it down. So it’s only fitting that as it comes to a close, the last few weeks should be spent indulging in the sweet spirit of the season. That’s what our Spirit of Giving campaign is all about, spreading the good cheer around like a thick layer of homemade marmalade. Ok, we’ve got our appetite back now. And what better way to kick off this final course than with a hit list of lower mainland spots for you to indulge at? Whether for yourself, buying as a gift for a friend, or going back for seconds, we’re indebted to these locales for giving us something sweet to finish the year…

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Burnaby

A Coffee Lovers’ Gift Guide with Heights Coffee Co.

Christmas is only a couple of weeks away, so you probably think you have plenty of time to snag all your gifts in a roundabout fashion. That’s why West Coast Food is pitching in, so you have a gift resource when you finally come to your senses and realize you’ve completely wasted your head start! Today, we’re starting with the coffee aficionados on your list. To be fair, we had a little help with this one, courtesy of the good people over at Burnaby’s best new craft coffee roaster, Heights Coffee Co. Heights was created by Rob and Garnet – two longtime North Burnaby locals – as a way to celebrate their passion for coffee roasting and pay tribute to their community. If you’ve never been, North Burnaby feels a bit like a small town. It has a long history, incredibly diverse residents, and the merchants that live there take a…

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Vancouver

Quick Read: An Ode to the Best Bread Service in Vancouver

Thank you L’abattoir. Being cooped up for the bulk of a year has shown us the true colours of our cravings. Surprisingly, it’s not always the main courses, the featured protein or the house specials that have us longingly pawing at the rain-soaked window pane. Today, we’re pining for a bowl of carbs, and not just any garden variety: The most exquisite bread service in the city. You’re likely now asking yourself, is this seriously an article about a bowl of bread. Why yes it is, and we don’t care. Judgement be damned, this is the article! If you’ve visited L’abattoir in Gastown, you know they’re well known for outstanding Westcoast/French fusion, and impeccable service. But for us, the MVP in the whole operation is the complimentary bread service. Worth the visit alone, and all housemade here’s what’s in it: Bacon Brioche Warm, fluffy and savoury, these little bundles…

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7 Terrifyingly Tasty YVR Spots For Halloween Treats

There are certain tried and tested ways to get yourself into the spirit of Halloween quickly: Accidentally walk through a cobweb while exploring a shadowy attic. Use a Oujia board to contact a restless spirit only to have it to run amok while you flee from your home. Eat spooky-themed treats! While the first two we don’t recommend, the third is our bread and butter!  Fair warning though, we know there are a few of these lists on other Vancouver sites, so to differentiate with SEO, we will be using absolutely NO Halloween-related puns. That’s right, this is a hard-hitting look at the Vancouver snack scene, so forgive us if we’re all business. Here’s our list of essential YVR spooky eats, without further a-BOO! Ok but seriously, no puns starting now. Temper Chocolate & Pastry This off the beaten path bakery keeps West Vancouver well stocked with spooky delights. Whether…

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featured.

World Food Day: 7 Restaurants Giving Back with Mealshare

Seeing as it’s World Food Day, a yearly reflection on world hunger and poverty, we thought we’d take it as a chance to feature some YVR restaurants who are giving back through their menus. 2020 has been hard on everyone, especially in the service industry, but these businesses continue to show empathy, even when their own livelihood isn’t always looking so lively. For their continued contributions to Mealshare, these restaurants deserve an extra order from us. In case you don’t know, Mealshare is a Canadian non-profit that gives restaurants the chance to donate a meal to local and international youth in need. When you see a Mealshare logo beside a menu item, it means that when that item is ordered, the restaurant then donates a simple, healthy meal to a youth in need. So let’s follow their lead and give back a little; that’s what World Food Day is…

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5 Last-minute Thanksgiving Dinners You Can Pick up For the Fam

If you still haven’t made plans for the looming turkey tradition on October 12, you better get your tail feather in gear! Seeing as 2020 has broken ground on the new trend of hoarding supplies, the threat of being gravy-less on the big day is very real. This is why you should take stress out of the equation and sign up for a pre-made dinner from one of your favourite Vancouver restaurants. You can finally do away with peeling, oven times, and basters, and instead relax with a glass of wine. Get your order in quickly for one of these pre-made Thanksgiving dinners, as the demand is only going to go up! You don’t want to be solely relying on a wishbone to make it all happen. Railtown Catering One of Vancouver’s premier suppliers of event and private catering, there’s a reason why Railtown’s reputation is unmatched. Catering…

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Chocolate, Sweets, and Baking around Metro Vancouver

Up Your Candy Game Ahead of Halloween

You’re an adult now, and while you may not still be trick or treating (hopefully), it’s time to have a serious talk about candy. If you’re one to commit to cheat days, then it’s worth doing it right. If you’re going to cheat, then cheat well. With Halloween looming, it’s a fitting time to up our candy game, instead of waiting until Nov 1, to pillage the dollar stores for discounted leftovers. If nothing else, these options will introduce you to a whole new world of snacking that is worth circling a few more days on your calendar. *Cover image care of Karameller Candy Shop Steveston Sweet Shoppe What better way to cap a zenned-out stroll by the water than with a mouth full of Pop Rocks? Come crashing back down to Earth and speed towards its sugary core with all manner of extreme sweets on offer. Crack…

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Five Spots to Celebrate Sober October with Kombucha

If someone told you five years ago that grocery stores would soon start selling fermented tea made with a live yeast culture, you’d likely raise an eyebrow or two. But this is exactly what has happened with Kombucha. While it’s by no means new (it’s believed Kombucha first originated in 221 BC), the probiotic-rich drink has gone from specialty niche to mainstream markets seemingly overnight.  The Kombucha boom of the last five years rivals Vancouver’s craft brewery scene about ten years ago. There are so many brands popping up now that it seems like just about everyone is getting into the fermenting business. It’s a rise to prominence boosted by reported benefits for gut health and immunity, as well as more and more people drinking less and less alcohol. While there isn’t quite a craft-beer-level snobbery to it yet, give it time, and we’re sure Kombucha hipsters will sprout up…

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Burnaby

5 Ways to Help Restaurants Right Now

We all have our favourite restaurants. Visiting them feels like getting together with a good friend. And right now, our friends are facing hard times. So what do we do when we see a friend in need? We help, of course, in any way we can. Here are some ways to support our incredible restaurants so they can make it through the newly announced restrictions. Take Out/Patio Service Let’s get the obvious out of the way first — Let them cook for you! Seeing as indoor dining has been suspended again, it’s time to put in a little leg work and repay the hustle that our food workers have shown us over the years. Stop by to get pick up, or order delivery, both options help keep a business afloat. Of course, if they have patio seating then obviously you should be out there catching some sun, working on…

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Dining in Metro Vancouver

10 Must-Try Menu Items of Dine Outside

Seeing as 2020 has been a year like no other, Dine Out Vancouver has decided to follow suit! We noticed the new patios popping up all over the city, and took it as our cue to open things up a bit. Welcome to Dine OutSide, the same high standard of fantastic food, all served in a safe, socially-distanced environment. It hasn’t been easy hearing the low rumbling of Vancouver appetites yearning for a night out, so from Aug 21 to Sept 21, we’ve put together an impressive roster of restaurants to help curb all that growling. Before you go wading into the possibilities of your next meal though, we thought we might share a few of our most anticipated orders. Start here with a hit list of things to try, so you can cut right to the chase in planning your reservation or Picnic-2-Go. If 2020 has given us anything, it’s…

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Where to Eat in Metro Vancouver

Get Your Greens with These Salads for Take-Out & Delivery

By Gail Johnson You may be baking bread and craving comfort foods these past few weeks, but with spring upon us, now’s a good time to seek out healthy bowls abundant in veggies and greens. With hundreds of restaurants in the region offering takeout, delivery, and curbside pickup, here are a few hearty salads to seek out. Cardero’s Vancouver Kale and quinoa are nutritional powerhouses. In the Coal Harbour restaurant’s dish, grains and baby kale are jumbled with bright strawberries, creamy avocado, crunchy almonds, fresh goat’s cheese. Add grilled chicken for some extra protein. Chickpea Vancouver All things green rule at the popular plant-based restaurant. Treat yourself to the Cauliflower of Life Platter: Gluten free, it boasts roasted cauliflower drizzled with fresh parsley, mint, tomatoes, red onions, all drizzled with tahini and lemon-garlic sauce. COVID-19 bonus: spend $100 and get a free roll of toilet paper. Field & Social Vancouver…

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Metro Vancouver Chef Stories

Meet Chef Shallaw Kadir of Fishworks on Vancouver’s North Shore

By Gail Johnson North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood has seen massive growth and development lately, but when Shallaw Kadir opened Fishworks (91 Lonsdale) eleven years ago, he was an outlier: there was no other seafood restaurant in the community anchored by the SeaBus terminal and Lonsdale Quay. Focusing on sustainable, locally sourced ingredients, Fishworks has been earning accolades ever since, and Kadir still thrives in the heat of the kitchen. (In fact, he wears shorts year-round, even on the most miserable of days, his apron over top.) Here, he dishes on life as a North Shore chef. Due to COVID-19, Fishworks’ dining room is currently closed, but you can sample some of their best dishes, along with some wine, though their take-out service. How did you get your start in the restaurant biz? I moved to Vancouver in 1999 from Eastern Turkey as a teen. My first job in my…

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Canadian/American food in Metro Vancouver

Raving Gamer in Langley Now Offering Take-Out and Delivery

By Brittany Tiplady Now more than ever it’s important to support and showcase local business. Although we are in the midst of a trying and complicated time, food businesses are still trying to operate within the recommended guidelines the best they can, offering takeout and delivery to feed hungry customers weathering the outbreak. The Raving Gamer in Langley is one of them. The Raving Gamer is a retail space and board game restaurant, “serving up food and fun in a funky, family-friendly full-service environment.” They have an impressive selection of over 600 table-top games for guests to play, while offering a robust and locally-sourced lunch and dinner menu, including a full-service bar. The bistro is a family affair: Kenneth Nishidate is the co-founder, owner and chef and his daughter Miyoko also helms the kitchen. Kathy Nishidate is the Raving Gamer’s administrator and Ken’s longtime friend Daniel Szukalow is the game…

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Shops & Markets

Foodie Experts are Delivering the Granville Island Public Market to Your Door

Now is the time to stay home and practice social distancing. But it can be had to find a selection of new foods to try while limiting your grocery time. Vancouver Foodie Tours have paused their live experience, and are now bringing a little bit of their delicious surprise and delight tours into your home. “Since people can’t get out to enjoy our local food scene, we wanted to bring the Public Market foodie experience to them,” says Vancouver Foodie Tours Founder Michelle Ng, “It’s a way to practice self-care, support our hardworking Granville Island Public Market Merchants and reconnect people with some local foodie favourites.” You have three choices: The Starter Pack $49: A little culinary pick-me-up for your mouth. Sharing Pack $99: A treat for two foodies. Family Pack $249: Perfect for feeding the whole household. Build Your Own: Not seeing what you want? You can choose the…

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Salmon n Bannock Burger by Matt Law
Where to Eat in Metro Vancouver

Taking-Out is the New Going-Out in Vancouver and the North Shore

By Gail Johnson With the closure of B.C. restaurants amid the spread of COVID-19, more and more eateries are getting creative when it comes to take-out and delivery. Here’s a bunch on the North Shore and in Vancouver to check out so you can indulge at home while social distancing. [For take-out in Burnaby, New Westminster and Richmond, click here.] [For take-out in Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley and White Rock, click here.] Vancouver’s North Shore CC’s Chinese Restaurant 5020 Capilano Rd Singapore-style noodles chow mein, bean cakes, lemon chicken, beef and broccoli and other Chinese classics are all available for delivery. Olive & Anchor 6418 Bay St The Horseshoe Bay restaurant specializes in comfort food made of international flavours with a West Coast flair. Co-owner Lisa Kim is the chef, while her husband, Rick, handles operations. In the era of coronavirus, that means he’s personally delivering orders within a certain radius. Otherwise,…

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Where to Eat in Metro Vancouver

Get it To-Go in Burnaby, New West and Richmond

By Kristi Alexandra We’re living in uncertain times, and local businesses and eateries are taking hits as people rush to grocery stores to stock up for the future. Never fear, your fix of comfort food or things you just can’t make at home is just a phone call or online order away. Here are some restaurants in Burnaby, New Westminster and Richmond that are open for pick-up, take-out or delivery. [For take-out in Surrey, Coquitlam, Langley and White Rock, click here.] [For take-out in Vancouver and the North Shore, click here.] New Westminster Kozak Ukranian Eatery 444 Sixth Street Homestyle Ukrainian food such as cabbage rolls and borscht, with vegan options available. Open from 9 am to 9 pm for takeout and delivery only. Visit Kozakeatery.ca to place your order for pickup, or get scheduled delivery Tuesday and Saturday. Pacific Breeze Winery 320 Stewardson Way New Westminster’s only garagiste winery…

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