Images by Michelle Mateus When the sun is out and the air is fresh, there is no reason to drink and dine indoors. Slip on the sandals, bring your friends and family, and set out to a few of Coquitlam’s best patios. We’ll be your photographic guide. First up, Pasta Polo. The Margarita pizza is topped with fresh basil from the on-site greenhouse, that even the youngest clientele love. Next up: Mariner Brewing. Click here for Part 2.
Images by Michelle Mateus Part 1 was Pasta Polo. Click here to start there. Next up, a sunny hidden patio to wash down all that pasta, pizza and salad. Head to Mariner Brewing for a cold glass and if you’re still hungry, a bite. And over to Part 3! Click here to continue to John B Pub.
Images by Michelle Mateus Part 1: Pasta Polo Part 2: Mariner Brewing As the sun wanes, John B Pub is there to fulfill your patio needs with deliciously crafted pub grub, cocktails, and an absolutely huge selection of beer.
Bu Sonu Purhar Summer is here, and that means even longer days to fill with… well, food! To maximize your warm-weather enjoyment, we’ve rounded up eateries across Metro Vancouver where patios meet palate-popping brunches. Slap on your sunscreen, slip on your sunnies and let’s go! The Boathouse 900 Quayside Drive, New Westminster Lazy Sundays were made for brunching alongside a shimmering river. Situated along the New Westminster Quay, the Boathouse is best known for a traditionally West Coast menu starring locally sourced seafood, and brunch is no different. Try the Dungeness crab cake benny, topped with eggs, greens and creamy hollandaise; it pairs nicely with a sunny mango mojito. MARKET by Jean-Georges 1115 Alberni Street, Vancouver MARKET’s sun-washed patio is an idyllic spot for warm-weather brunching – especially with an innovative menu that raises the bar for morning meals. Start with avocado bruschetta for the table, topped with heirloom tomatoes,…
By Catherine Dunwoody Visitors and locals alike love Vancouver’s Granville Island. Last summer Popina literally popped up as a brightly-hued shipping container turned food “truck”, right near Granville Island Ferry Dock and outside the Public Market doors. A covered, heated patio with seating for 20 makes it comfy to eat outdoors rain or shine, but it is the food, ohhh the food, that really make this special. A collaboration of four of Vancouver’s rockstar chefs, including Angus An (Maenam, Long Tail Kitchen, Freebird Chicken Shack and more), Robert Belcham (Campagnolo, Campagnolo Roma and Monarch Burger), Joël Watanabe (Bao Bei, Kissa Tanto) and Hamid Salimian (Diva at the Met, Bocuse D’Or, Earls), have created a menu including lobster rolls, fried chicken, burgers, salads and more – including a signature dessert called the Puffcream, which is soft serve ice cream in choux pastry and a choice of 9 flavours. How did 4…
By Jenni Sheppard Andrea Alridge’s lifelong passion for food and cooking may have had simple beginnings during her childhood in Jamaica, but these days she’s cooking up a storm at CinCin. Alongside Executive Chef Andrew Richardson, the Chef de Cuisine and her talented team serve up award winning modern Italian fare in downtown Vancouver every night. The seasonal dishes on the menu are myriad, including fried zucchini blossoms with montasio, stinging nettle and ricotta tortelli, and whole branzino with lemon and cavolo nero. To find out more about the heart behind the heat, we spoke to Alridge about her remarkable rise from irrepressible childhood foodie to inspirational chef extraordinaire. How did you first get interested in cooking? I became interested in cooking when I was eight years old. I was in Jamaica with my family and my dad and uncle had taught me about the art of butchery. My grandmother…
By Anna Black Do you ever wonder what happens to all those bumped, bruised, or misshapen fruits and vegetables from your local farms and markets? Thanks to Surrey’s social enterprise Luv The Grub, produce seconds are finding a second lease on life, as delicious chutneys and jams rather than food waste, perfect for cheese and charcuterie boards, spread in sandwiches and wraps, or served with meats and sausage. Founded by social entrepreneur and Simon Fraser University Sustainable Innovation Lecturer Alia Sunderji, Luv the Grub was inspired by student research and Sunderji’s passion for poverty alleviation. The business partners with both farmers and markets to turn normal food waste into a pantry staple and along the way mitigate environmental and socioeconomic issues in the community. Sunderji and her team create paid employment training programs for women with varying barriers to employment, including those from the Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House’s Drive Youth…
By Jenni Sheppard Fridays on Front is back, bringing artisan markets, live music, delicious food, and craft beers to Front Street in New Westminster every Friday evening this summer. Now in its third year, the free series showcases a myriad of food trucks and micro breweries, with new vendors joining each week, for eight weeks in July and August. Fridays on Front will also feature guest food trucks from New Westminster’s Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Fest, North America’s largest one-day food truck festival, in July. Of course, with so many tasty options, it can be tough to know where to tickle your tastebuds first. To help you out, here’s our guide to where to eat at Fridays on Front. Prebāk Prebāk is a cute little food truck that serves up raw cookie dough made with heat-treated flour, organic cane sugar, and chia seeds instead of egg. Flavours bound to bring…
By Kristi Alexandra Tucked away in Crescent Beach, the Seahorse Grill is the perfect spot to eat if you’re in the mood for fine dining with a laid-back West Coast atmosphere. The neighbourhood bistro has been a staple at the corner of Sullivan Street and McBride Avenue–so close to the ocean, you can practically hear the waves break as you savour your mussels avec pomme frites or the melt-in-your-mouth braised beef short ribs. From all descriptions, you could call the menu eclectic–but if you’ve followed executive chef John Kavanagh’s career, you might be able to glean where the inspiration for his dishes comes from. “This place is an extension of our travels,” says Kavanagh, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife and general manager, Francina. “Being raised in the French style of food, then moving to Australia and then moving to Holland, you’re seeing a variation of all those menus.…
By Gail Johnson Whether they’re red, green, mild, or feverishly hot, peppers are a coveted B.C. crop. Capsicums grow from March or April to November in local greenhouses, while the season for Fraser Valley field peppers typically runs from July to October. Either way, we’re now in peak pepper season, and Metro Vancouver chefs are doing all sorts of creative things with the vividly coloured veggies. Burdock & Co – Vancouver 2702 Main Street, Vancouver Chef/owner Andrea Carlson has been committed to making “farm-to-table” fare before that became a restaurant-industry buzz phrase. She stuffs a delicate grilled leek with mushroom and the moderately spicy cayenne chili pepper, topping the toothsome dish with olive-oil emulsion and smoked walnuts. Di Beppe – Vancouver 8 West Cordova Street, Vancouver A hit on the cicchetti—small bites—menu at this Italian restaurant is tuna conserva, or confit, the fish bathed in olive oil, with olive and…
By Sonu Purhar On July 1, celebrations commence nationwide for Canada’s birthday–and as with any major festivity, one of the best parts is the food! Whether your pleasure lies in red-and-white waffles, maple-and-bacon cupcakes or locally sourced salmon, we’ve rounded up 10 venues across the Lower Mainland dishing up patriotic fare this Canada Day. Bon appetit! Lobster Cookout on Granville Island Granville Island, Vancouver Live entertainment, family-friendly activities and tons of food will greet visitors to Granville Island on July 1. The Lobster Man is hosting its annual lobster cook-out, complete with corn-on-the-cob–an indulgent combo that sells out every year (so arrive early!). At Lee’s Donuts, you’ll find a themed Canada Day donut; and, at Liberty Distillery, you can show your patriotism by ordering a specialty Caesar. If you still have room for more, browse the artisan market and nibble on homemade local fare. It’s a food free-for-all! Salmon Barbecue…
By Kristi Alexandra Here are five delicious places to go vegetarian and vegan in New Westminster. V Café 789 Carnarvon Street Set kitty-corner to New Westminster Station, V Cafe takes a cruelty-free approach to Vietnamese cuisine. For those who crave the comfort of a warm bowl of pho while enjoying a meat-free diet, V Cafe has got you covered. A large steaming bowl of vegetable pho in a vegetarian soup base, complete with broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, mushrooms, tofu and meat-free protein will run you $9.95, while vegetarian and vegan banh mi baguettes are $6.60. We tried the vegetarian lemongrass “chicken” banh mi and it was virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. Soup and sandwiches aren’t the only thing vegetarian Vietnamese cuisine lovers can find, though. Explore V Cafe’s 8 different salad rolls, from the vegan California roll to the vegan smoked BBQ rib rolls ($6.60 per pair). Old Crow Coffee…
By Gail Johnson There’s something magical about dining outdoors at a long table set amid beautiful surroundings. A communal table transforms a meal into a celebration. Summertime calls for languorous evenings of delicious food and drink that bring people together during golden sunsets. Here are a few long-table dinners in the region taking place this summer. Rooted at Central Park Farms July 6 | Langley What began with 500 baby chicks and Kendall Ballantine’s desire to know where the foods she was feeding her kids comes from has evolved into the full-time, family run Central Park Farms. The 40-acre spot near Little Campbell River produces free-range chicken, pasture-raised pork, grass-fed black Angus beef, and more. Its only communal dinner of year is truly farm-to-table, less 100-mile diet than 100-feet: everything on the menu comes from the very fields guests will be surrounded by. Abbotsford’s award-winning Restaurant 62 will prepare share…
Images and words by Matt Law In Vancouver it’s easy to find restaurants serving delicious food from around the world. Italian, Japanese, Indian – sometimes there are so many to choose from that it’s hard to make a choice at all. However, if you’re after a truly traditional West Coast meal with international acclaim then Salmon n’ Bannock should be at the top of your list. Since 2010 Salmon n’ Bannock has been one of Vancouver’s only Indigenous-owned and operated restaurants. The menu is crafted around fresh local ingredients, and everything is made from scratch. The appetizer list includes treats like BBQ salmon mousse (served with bannock, of course), house smoked braised duck wings, and a sampler plate of free-range game meats. Their mains include a bison pot roast, red snapper, and “garden balls” – vegan baked vegetable fritters on a bed of bannock dumplings. One of the favourite items…
By Sonu Purhar Once a hot culinary trend, buffet dining has slowly dwindled into obscurity, replaced by farm-to-table dining, organic and sustainable everything, and tapas-style small-plate meals. But who says you can’t enjoy the best of both worlds? We’ve rounded up our favourite AYCE experiences across Metro Vancouver, many incorporating the exquisite platings, cultural diversity and sustainable ethos we’ve come to expect from our food. So, what are you waiting for? Step into those stretchy pants and let’s go. Mongo Bongo Mongolian Grill – New Westminster 512 6th Avenue, New Westminster Dishing up an intriguing selection of Eastern Asian cuisine, Mongo Bongo is renowned for its Mongolian-style stir-fry. You can take advantage of the restaurant’s AYCE lunch and dinner by filling up your bowl with crisp veggies, meats or tofu, piling on the sauce, and then carrying the concoction to the chef, who will cook it up on the grill.…
By Anna Black The BC Highland Games and Scottish Festival is bringing a little bit of Scotland right to the heart of Coquitlam with a day full of food and festivities (including a whisky school!) in a brand new location for 2019, at Lafarge Lake Park in Coquitlam, BC on Saturday, June 15th, 2019. The Games continue a tradition started in the Scottish “old country” that was a customary part of life in the highlands. Historically, the core of the games included tossing the caber, putting the stone, throwing the hammer, bagpipe competitions, and Highland dancing. Competitions were held to determine who could best represent various Scottish clans or work for the chief or chieftain. As the economy changed in Scotland, the tradition was brought by Scottish settlers to the Vancouver area where it has continued for over one hundred and fifty years. Although the competitive nature of the games…
By Brittany Tiplady “Who we are because of who we came from.” Steeped in the power of matriarchy, Indigenous plant knowledge, and the healing properties of the natural world, is local family business Raven Hummingbird Tea, helmed by mother-daughter team T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss and Senaqwila Wyss. Based in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), Raven Hummingbird offers hand-made, small batch teas, alcohol-free tinctures and salves to Metro Vancouver’s residents and visitors. I spoke with Cease and Senaqwila over the phone on a Saturday afternoon and I am instantly warmed by their kindness, generosity and articulate knowledge, as we speak about the craftsmanship behind their Raven Hummingbird Tea products and the ways in which their business is woven into their unique family dynamic. Cease, Senaqwila’s mother, opens the conversation, diving into her 30 years of experience studying and working in ethnobotany, indigenous plant use and medicinal herbs. “I got started blending teas…
By Sonu Purhar Move over, Mothers – it’s Dad’s time to shine! Father’s Day is coming up Sunday, June 16, and what better way to tip your hat to the man who taught you how to start a campfire, change a tire, hit a baseball, cook a meal, or shave your beard? What about the man who boasts about you at the office, even though you’re a grown-up, too? Or the man who danced with you at your wedding, even though he hates (like, really hates) dancing? Whatever your relationship with your dad, seize the day – Father’s Day, that is – to show him that he’s appreciated, too; and when the cheque comes, take pride in pulling out your wallet and saying, “Don’t worry, Dad – I’ve got this.” For the dad who secretly adores mimosas: The Taphouse Coquitlam 405 North Road #2, Coquitlam Weekend brunch here will satisfy…
By Brittany Tiplady Moral Gluttony opened June 2016 and has been serving satisfied customers from near and far ever since. Chef and owner Andrew Granger-Brown has curated the perfect “hole in the wall” spot; the kind of place that serves up delicious, nostalgic, comfort food, with ingredients that are lovingly made in-house. Granger-Brown’s trajectory to entrepreneurship was paved by the unique path his parents forged; his family ran one of the first-ever stores in Langley to carry exotic spices and homemade products. Today, Moral Gluttony proudly operates in the same location. We sat down with Andrew Granger-Brown to learn more about his background as a chef, and the mouth-watering, soul-nourishing, Moral Gluttony grub that customers just can’t stop raving about. When did your love of cooking begin? Andrew: My parents were both immigrants, my dad is from East Africa and my mom is from England. In some ways, they were…
By Kristi Alexandra It’s been more than a decade since New Westminster’s Brewery District actually housed a brewery, but all of that is about to change when Another Beer Co. opens its doors. The Brewery District, which resides in the Royal City’s Sapperton neighbourhood, was named in homage to the Labbatt Brewery that operated in the area from the late 1800s to 2005. Nearly 15 years later, the area is getting a new watering hole just a stone’s throw away from Sapperton Skytrain Station. While we know Metro Vancouver has no shortage of craft beer makers, Another Beer Co. takes a unique — if not cheeky — approach to craft draughts. Want to know more about what the company has up its sleeve? Well, it’s all in the name. “Our name is ironic, but there’s also a lot of reasons behind it,” owner Alex Jopson tells WestCoastFood. Jopson co-owns the…
By Wade Kinley Stretched along the shore of glittering Semiahmoo Bay, White Rock is a seaside gem, seemingly made for lazy afternoons of sunbathing and people-watching – with a cocktail in hand for both. Book your next mini-vacation at one of these four happiest hours in White Rock. Charlie Don’t Surf A venerable institution around these parts, Charlie Don’t Surf has been serving hungry beachcombers along the White Rock strip and watching amazing sunset after amazing sunset for over 30 years. Grab a seat as close to the street as you can and enjoy one of the prettiest happy hours in the province. From Monday to Friday, 3 to 6 PM, post up with a Charlie Lager for $3.50. Highballs are $3 and a glass of the house wine is $5. When the fresh sea air stirs up your hunger, go for their signature house-made clam chowder – New England…
As Burnaby grows into a big city in its own right, locals are flocking to fill the new spaces that are popping up all over. Here are four of the happiest hours that show why Burnaby is worth a mid-afternoon stop.
TransLink teams up with tourism agencies to promote region’s dining hotspots Dine the Line campaign highlights dining destinations around the region VANCOUVER, BC — TransLink today announced a partnership with WestCoastFood and 13 destination marketing groups to promote Metro Vancouver’s dining and brewpub neighbourhoods. WestCoastFood is an initiative that was created to highlight the Lower Mainland section of the Vancouver, Coast and Mountains region as a culinary hub, and to promote the food of the various communities as a driver of tourism. Dine the Line will feature restaurant and craft brewery tours in neighbourhoods throughout the region and will encourage tourists and diners to take transit while enjoying a day out. The campaign will suggest new culinary experiences by providing maps and videos that highlight restaurant and brewery tours at westcoastfood.ca/dinetheline. Dine the Line makes finding a great new restaurant simple, creating three separate experiences along each of TransLink’s SkyTrain…
By Brittany Tiplady “We love making people happy through food,” says Uli’s Restaurant owner Tyson Blume. “So any way that we can do that, we certainly try to and that’s what our burger program is all about.” If you’ve had the privilege of biting into one of Uli’s famous burgers, there’s a high possibility that you’re now an Uli’s burger fanatic. At least I know I am. I waltzed into the Uli’s stunning patio overlooking the White Rock strip and ordered the 4.0 burger off of their secret-not-so-secret menu (we’ll get into that later). Spicy BBQ sauce, goat cheese, pickled jalapenos, crispy shallots, garlic aioli, arugula, ordered medium rare, with a necessary addition of thick bacon, perched on top of the most perfect, pillowy bun. I pride myself in being a burger connoisseur, so trust that when I say that burger was one of the best I’ve had in all…
By Kathy Mak When I think of sublime cocktails, I think of bartender Tarquin Melynik. He is among the top cadre of bartenders elevating the cocktail game in Vancouver. I first met Melynik in 2014 when he was the bar manager at Gastown’s Bambudda, which shuttered in 2017. His level of creativity–panache, really–had an indelible effect on many cocktail aficionados, including yours truly. He continues to improve the art of libations, currently helming the cocktail program at the Long Table Distillery’s lounge. During a recent visit to the distillery, Melynik told me that when he first became interested in cocktails over a decade ago beverages were not understood in the same way that chefs knew cuisine. At that time, as an example, fresh ingredients or juices were not used for mixing at bars. “To train as a bartender, you had to travel to cities like New York, San Francisco, Tokyo…
By Matt Law Appearances, they say, can be deceiving. Despite an unassuming facade, The Richmond Public Market holds true to the expression. For almost 30 years, the market (located at 8260 Westminster Highway) has been home to food stalls offering traditional Asian fare as well as modern dishes with some twists. The first floor of the market is home to grocers, butchers, a bakery and a seafood stall. You can also find hand-made frozen dim sum to take home if you haven’t had your fill of Asian food. It’s best to visit the first floor after gorging yourself upstairs, lest you shop on an empty stomach. The second floor is where the fun begins Be warned, it is best to visit this floor with at least one friend as the portions are very generous. Jammed with stalls, the food court offers everything from the ubiquitous sweet and sour pork to…
By Sonu Purhar She shared your life, kept you fed and clothed, listened to your teenage angst and continues to shower you with love every single day. Your mom (or moms) deserve a Mother’s Day treat, and here’s a secret: all she wants is time with you! So, dear readers, we’ve done the hard work: below are our top 10 picks for sure-to-impress Mother’s Day brunches across Metro Vancouver. Your job? Block off Sunday, May 12, book a reservation, and prepare to show your momma some love! For the Mom who Likes her Luxuries: YEW Seafood + Bar, Vancouver 491 West Georgia St. Vancouver Every year, YEW splashes out on a luxe brunch buffet guaranteed to leave Mom feeling like a queen – and this year is no exception. The enticing array includes raw bar delicacies like snow crab claws, oysters and sushi; healthy goodies such as fresh fruit with…
By Alexis Baran On May 15th, high profile chefs and culinary professionals from Vancouver will be peering into local kitchens to witness the talent that kids and families of BC put into their food. Better Together has invited BC families and friends to showcase the way they prepare and share meals by submitting a video of their cooking. With talented judges such as Ocean Wise Executive Chef Ned Bell, registered dietician Anna Brisco, and Chef David Hawksworth who champion sustainable local products, participants will want to be sure to include local healthy ingredients that are also delicious. For some tips, we caught up with Sydney Massey, Director of Nutrition Education for Better Together and BC Dairy to share five of her top picks for local flavour. Apples There are seemingly endless varieties of apples grown in BC. Sydney “love[s] apples and these days, you can get a really good BC…
By Brittany Tiplady Have you ever wondered just how many dim sum restaurants there are in the city of Richmond? The answer is over 40. If that incredible selection means you’re overwhelmed by the amount of options, you’re not alone! Richmond is renowned for its abundant and authentic selection of Asian cuisine. But lucky for you, we love giving a good dining and menu recommendation, and dim sum falls under that category. Next time you’re hungry for dim sum—week day or weekend— consider making a reservation at Chef Tony Seafood Restaurant. “Chef Tony is a dim sum restaurant during the day, and a dinner restaurant at night. Their dinners tend to me more homestyle Chinese food but with more elegance to it. They are considered a fine dining restaurant, and that’s definitely part of what makes them unique,” explains Lesley Chang, communications manager for Tourism Richmond. Chef Tony Restaurant arrived…
By Brittany Tiplady If there’s one thing you can expect from Jan’s on the Beach it truly is great food, made from scratch. Janet Wait, owner and operator of her namesake restaurant, may be a bustling chef and business woman but her story is as heartwarming as it gets and she’s never too busy to sit and have a chat. In 2006, Wait said goodbye to her 20-year career as a real estate agent in the Delta and went after her longtime dream of becoming a chef. “I was a realtor for 20 years. Our son was doing career planning in grade nine, and he asked me what I wanted to be growing up. I told him that I always wanted to be a chef but life happens. I got married and put my [husband] through university and then started as a realtor after we bought our first house. And…