Megan Halkett, Author at West Coast Food

Cocktails, Wines & Spirits around Metro Vancouver May 9, 2017

Behind the Craft Spirits at Sons of Vancouver Distillery

By Kathy Mak The local craft spirit movement has been gaining momentum for the past five years in Greater Vancouver thanks to a burgeoning breed of small-format distilleries that produce atypical products for a thriving cocktail community. Nowhere is that truer than at the Sons of Vancouver Distillery, based on Vancouver’s North Shore. This self-proclaimed really, really small batch distillery has won over fans and followers with their grassroots energy and well-crafted roster of artisan products – a vodka, a chili-infused vodka and an amaretto liqueur. The dynamic duo behind Sons of Vancouver are James Lester and Richard Klaus who met during trade school. They are part of a breed of new artisan distillers shaping the craft cocktail landscape in British Columbia. These two enterprising friends and business partners are not ones to chase conventional dreams. When they started their adventure as one of a few local early-adopters in craft…

Cafés in Metro Vancouver May 4, 2017

Try Glass Vacuum-Brewed Chinese Teas served with Local Goodies in Yaletown

by Catherine Dunwoody Tea time in Yaletown just got much more interesting, and authentic. Cha Le (pronounced chah•luh), which translates to Happy Tea) features more than 20 high-quality, handpicked teas for take home in large tins and small boxes, beautifully designed by Vancouver-based branding firm Glasfurd & Walker, as well as a full-service tea cafe serving a rotating list of proprietary teas, blends, tea lattes, herbal infusions and a small bites menu. The new Yaletown Cafe is not your typical Chinese teahouse – think a state-of-the-art, computer-controlled glass vacuum brewing system that customizes temperature and brewing times for each individual tea to ensure optimal results. But don’t think you’ll be sitting around waiting for a good steep. Most teas can be ready within 90 seconds, less than the time it takes to make an espresso latte. Whaa? We know right? Now let’s chat about food, shall we? Not only does…

Burnaby May 3, 2017

Go Way Beyond Granola with Hippie Foods from Burnaby

by Catherine Dunwoody You may be familiar with Left Coast Naturals, a Burnaby-based brand that started back in 1996. Owned by Jason Dorland and Ian Walker, they kicked off with a line of natural nut butters called Skeet & Ike’s that they sold on Granville Island Market on weekends. Things went well, the company ticked along for a long while, and then in 2005 they launched a variety of tortilla chips, named Hippie Chips, after the 60s hippie movement where people looked to raw, natural foods for better health. Hippie Foods has grown since then, and now is a whole line of healthy (and tasty!) snacks, cereals and cookies. See? Going way beyond granola. Though their granola is darn good. Here are some goodies to watch for in markets on Canada’s west coast. Bonus? All of these are organic, gluten free and non-GMO too: Hippie Snacks Coconut Clusters. Organic roasted…

Festivals & Events April 28, 2017

Celebrate BC Cider Week April 29 – May 7, 2017

Not a beer fan and feel like you miss out on all the festival fun this summer? We get you. Or at least the organizers of the third annual BC Cider Week do. If you love the crisp, fresh tang of an icy cold cider one on a spring day, then this fest is just for you. The best place to view events and updates is the festival’s Facebook page, but one event we’ve bookmarked is Surrey’s Central City Brewers and Distillers tap-takeover at their Beatty Street location. Wednesday, May 3rd, the brewpub will be serving 12 different BC ciders on tap, including their own seasonal Hopping Mad Mosaic Hop Apple Cider. This particular cider is dry-hopped, using the tropical flavoured, mosaic hop that provides notes of mango and citrus. Admission is free. Drink tickets extra. Here’s to cider and spring sipping!

Vietnamese Food April 24, 2017

Banh Mi Bar: Your Must-Try Vietnamese Sandwich Stop in New Westminster

By Anna Black Tucked just a few blocks from the New Westminster Skytrain station, you’ll find a cozy little Vietnamese eatery on Carnarvon Street called Banh Mi Bar. Now in its second year of operation, the restaurant has become a popular choice with locals because of their affordably priced and freshly made traditional Vietnamese baguette subs and friendly customer service. Owners Lily and Tung have been described on Yelp Canada as an “absolutely lovely pair of people” that are “nice and friendly” and always “deliver with a smile”. The restaurant has received numerous five star reviews and as a result was recently named one of the site’s Top 100 Restaurants for 2017. The menu, although simple, offers a delicious choice for every sub lover complete with delicately flavored grilled meats, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and just a splash of sriracha, all served on crisp freshly toasted baguette. One of Banh Mi Bar’s…

Festivals & Events April 20, 2017

A New Rustic Food and Beer Festival in Langley begins May 2017

By Catherine Dunwoody If you have ever spent time in BC’s charming Fort Langley then you know that hosting an annual food and beer festival just seems like a natural fit. Be sure and mark your calendars for May 20tt, 2017! Fort Langley’s old-timey streets are a mix of pleasant restaurants, quaint shops and there is a cozy neighbourhood feel that’s hard to capture unless it just comes about organically. The Fort Langley Beer & Food Festival is the dreamchild of Fort Langley’s own Trading Post Brewing Company, and the aptly put slogan, “tap into the local” says it all. This first-time festival will feature fabulous local food and craft beer from the Vancouver area and the Fraser Valley, plus live music and more. At the Fort Langley National Historic Site, fest-goers will have an opportunity to learn about the lives of the First Nations communities, international fur traders, gold…

Festivals & Events April 18, 2017

May 2017 marks 11 Years of Vancouver’s BC Spot Prawn Festival

By Joyce Chua of Vancouver Foodie Tours This Year’s BC Spot Prawn Festival is coming up on May 13th, and it’s your chance to try these little local sea creatures that are coveted around the world for their delicate flavour, plump nature, and eye-catching “spotted” markings. 2017 marks the 11th annual Spot Prawn Festival, which will include a spot prawn gala, spot prawn cooking classes and the famous spot prawn boil. Festival founder, seafood entrepreneur and Ocean Wise advocate, Chef Rob Clark, reflects on over a decade that’s gone by. How it began: Starting the Spot Prawn Festival When Chef Robert Clark started the Spot Prawn Festival, he was the chef at C Restaurant – a fine dining establishment that until it’s closure in 2014, was known for its impressive seafood menu. The search for sustainable seafood and spot prawns sprouted out of necessity, as Chef Robert wanted to serve…

Sweets April 13, 2017

Chocolatey Easter Treats on the West Coast

by Catherine Dunwoody No excuses – our west coast palette is refined, so waxy chocolate bunnies, rock-hard jellybeans and Peeps (what are those even made of anyway?) are just plain unacceptable. We can do better. And we do! Here, three of BC’s best chocolate makers show us what’s new for Easter 2017. Wild Sweets By Dominique and Cindy Duby in Richmond have new chocolate art collections with made in-house designs and from origin cocoa bean-to-bar chocolate. Sophisticated flavours include cassis caramels, pistachio praline and cherry caramel ganache, and a liquid strawberry caramel with dulce de leche. Almost too pretty to eat. Almost. Shop at their online boutique or at Wild Sweets’ own retail store The Atelier Chocolate Lab Gallery in Richmond, BC. Purdys Chocolatier is about as old-school and iconic as you get. Founded in 1907 in Vancouver, they have a long history of providing the West Coast with melt-in-your-mouth…

Recipes April 12, 2017

Recipe: Asiago Lemon Thyme Scones

By Thomas Haas, Thomas Haas Chocolates & Pâtisserie Yields 8 servings INGREDIENTS All-purpose unbleached flour (5 ½ cups) Granulated sugar (¼ cup) Baking powder (¼ cup) Salt (1 tsp) Butter (1 cup) Heavy cream (2 ¼ cups) Fresh thyme (¼ cup) Lemon zest (1 ½ tsp) Asiago cheese 1 cm diced (1 ½ cups) METHOD 1. Cut cold butter into cubes and chill in freezer 15 minutes. 2. In a large bowl, combine flour, parsley, sugar, thyme, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. 3. With pastry blender or fork, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 4. Add cream and filling at the same time and continue mixing just until dough forms. 5. Stir in cream and cheese just until moistened. 6. On floured surface, gently knead dough 8-10 times. 7. Place on cookie sheet. Roll or pat dough into a 6″ round. 8. Cut 8 wedges; separate slightly.…

Shops & Markets April 11, 2017

Local, Fresh, and Here May-June: B.C. Asparagus

By Anna Black If you’ve been keen to get your hands on a nice crisp bundle of local-grown savoury asparagus your wait is almost over. Considered one of the delicacies of the vegetable world, asparagus will make its debut back onto the shelves of grocers, and menus of local eateries starting in May. The supply of fresh asparagus won’t last long though so catch it while you can! The normal growing season is very short in the Vancouver area, lasting only until the end of June. A great source of vitamins A and C, potassium, iron and calcium, asparagus is available in over twenty varieties grouped by color: green (the most common), white, and violet. Regardless of color, all varieties taste delicious no matter how they are prepared. When selecting your asparagus, look for bundles where the tips are tightly furled and perky rather than limp. The shoots should also…

Cafés in Metro Vancouver April 7, 2017

Hey Coffee Snobs! Sip a $40 Brew and Stay Late at Faebrew in Richmond

By Winnie Tam Attention coffee and dessert lovers! There’s a unique game in town that promises to change your perceptions of what a coffee shop is like. Faebrew opened in Richmond in August 2016. The first thing you’ll notice about Faebrew that’s different from other coffee shops is that there’s no menu. That’s because owner Vincent Wong says Faebrew exists to make customers happy, so he’s ready to make whatever they are in the mood for drinking, however weird or outlandish it may be. To illustrate, he’s made coffees that are fruity, coffees that are highly acidic, ones that represent depression…even one with a raw egg in it. And if you don’t like what’s presented to you, you don’t get charged for it, even though Vincent says he’s yet to encounter an unhappy customer. The name Faebrew comes from faeries, and the idea that each coffee served is magical and…

Farms April 3, 2017

The Many Shades of West Coast Canadian Honey

By Jennifer Foden Have you ever passed by the honey stand at the farmers’ market and wondered why there are so many different colours of the sweet stuff? “Bees make honey by collecting nectar from flowers,” says Karin Giesbrecht of Lulu Island Honey, a family-owned beekeeping company from Richmond. “Different nectar sources mean different flavours, colours and aromas.” Crystallization also affects the colour (crystals cause honey to appear lighter), as well as the temperature outside (understandably, as there are different flowers in bloom in each climate and season.) The USDA classifies honey into seven colour categories: water white, extra white, white, extra light amber, light amber, amber and dark amber. Typically, honey that’s lighter in colour is milder in smell and taste; darker honey is stronger. Because there are so many different types of flowers all over the world that bees can collect nectar from, there are hundreds of varieties…

Farms March 29, 2017

It’s Tarragon Season on Canada’s West Coast

By Jennifer Foden With spring finally here, people are starting to think about their gardens—from flowers and plants to vegetables and herbs. One popular selection is tarragon, a green culinary herb used in chicken, fish and egg dishes; it’s also a main ingredient in Béarnaise sauce. “Tarragon season in BC is essentially the whole growing season, from April to October,” says Conor Preston of Figaro’s Garden, a garden centre on Vancouver’s Victoria Drive (near the Commercial Drive neighbourhood). However, tarragon is one example of many herbs that are perennial and can survive non-extreme winters, like the ones in the Lower Mainland of BC. People often provide the herb shelter throughout the winter months by placing them in a greenhouse. In the summer months, tarragon likes sunshine, but not hot weather; another reason why the Lower Mainland is the perfect climate for growing this popular herb. “Tarragon is all about flavour,”…

New Westminster March 27, 2017

Search for the Best Sandwiches in New Westminster

By Kristi Alexandra Global grub can be found all over the Lower Mainland, but where do you go to find a bite of comfort food? A map of some of the best places to find a great sandwich (besides the corporate franchises) in the Royal City of historic New Westminster will put your mother’s brown bags to shame. 1. Big Star Sandwich Co. The most obvious haunt to hit when craving a huge hunk of sandwich is downtown New Westminster’s Big Star Sandwich Co. Offering up 27 different sandwiches — like the beef dip with demi-glace gravy or the turkey and stuffing — on a fresh baked filone, this Columbia Street spot pairs subs with vintage sodas that Pop Tate would be proud to serve. 2. Columbia Street Sandwich Co. Tucked into a narrow shop front along Columbia Street, you’d be forgiven for missing this gem if not for its…

Adult Beverages in Metro Vancouver March 22, 2017

Central City Brewers + Distillers Go Rogue with Craft Whisky Launch

By Kristi Alexandra When you’re known for producing some of the nation’s best beer, having twice won the title of Canadian Brewery of the Year, you might think you’d stick to the winning formula. But ambition does not elude the key players at Surrey’s Central City Brewers + Distillers, who released a small batch premium whisky at the end of January. Brewmaster Gary Lohin, along with head distiller Stuart McKinnon, created one of only a handful single-malt whiskies in British Columbia. Aptly named Lohin McKinnon, the 43 per cent alc. per vol. craft spirit is aged in select oak barrels in small batches. While whisky-making might seem like a misnomer for a company known best for its beers, the duo maintains the process is not so different. “Brewing and distilling really isn’t that far apart so it’s a natural progression for us to start distilling,” says McKinnon. “The distilling process…

Craft Beer in Metro Vancouver March 21, 2017

Get Ready For Coquitlam’s First Craft Brewery

By Jennifer Foden Craft beer lovers in Coquitlam can rejoice: the city’s first craft brewery is scheduled to open in summer 2017. After the city of Coquitlam changed their liquor regulations last year (allowing craft breweries to exist in the city), Byron Vallis went ahead with plans to open Mariner Brewing in the city he grew up in. Mariner Brewing will be just a 25km/16mi drive from Vancouver or a 10 minute walk from Coquitlam Central Skytrain station. The 3,000 square foot space is located at Barnet Highway and Lansdowne Drive, just a short walk from Coquitlam Central SkyTrain station. Plans for the brewery include a 50-seat tasting room that will have an “exploration” vibe (look out for constellation designs and lots of navy blue.) The brewery and tasting room will also have growler fills, a food menu (including gourmet hot dogs and charcuterie boards) and, of course, delicious beer.…

Where to Eat in Metro Vancouver March 17, 2017

Where to Get Treats for Happy Hiking on Vancouver’s North Shore

By Ashley Lockyer Few places on earth let you enjoy freshly made food from the city in the quiet wilderness of a rainforest: Vancouver’s North Shore is one of them. At places like Lynn Canyon Park, you can take in sweeping horizon views, test your fear of heights on the suspension bridge, or simply wander in nature with friends and family. Start your adventure at the Lonsdale Quay Market and pack some unique treats for the trail. Bowen Island Pizza Company Beware: Thin crust pizzas (in flavours like pear and brie cheese with caramelized onions) will attract envious looks on the trail. Crack one of these mild pepperoni whip sticks to keep you moving on the trail. They are best described as a “snappable” snack because of their crunchy casing. Try one to see! Kin’s Market Stroll through a farmer’s field of fresh fruits and vegetables, and harvest a few…

Festivals & Events March 13, 2017

Support People in Need by Dining Out for Life, March 2017

By Catherine Dunwoody This year’s Dining Out For Life fundraiser takes place on Thursday, March 30, and restaurants participating go well beyond Vancouver. The annual event is now in its 23rd year raising funds to support local men, women and kids affected by HIV/AIDS. Restaurants across the Lower Mainland that are involved will donate 25% of their food sales to the cause. That means when you enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at one of the partners, you’re doing a good thing. Restaurants like The Old Bavaria Haus in New Westminster, Burgoo on Vancouver’s North Shore and Bravo in the Fraser Valley are part of the list of eateries who will continue to raise funds. Over the past 23 years, Dining Out For Life has raised over $3 million, with proceeds directly benefiting the programs and services provided free-of-charge by registered not-for-profit A Loving Spoonful. If you’re not familiar with A…

Where to Eat in Metro Vancouver March 10, 2017

Five Off-The-Beaten-Track Richmond Restaurants for Foodies

By VisitRichmondBC Traveling to the Greater Vancouver area? Be sure to stop at these five places in Richmond to grab a bite to eat, or a refreshing drink before taking off to your final destination. Prata-Man Singaporean Cuisine 9060 Capstan Way For absolutely traditional Hainanese Chicken, Prata-Man is the place to go. The definition of ‘hole-in-the-wall,’ Prata-Man is hidden at the end of a small plaza on Garden City Way. The specialty here is Hainanese chicken, which is essentially a deboned, poached chicken served cold, with a bowl of clear, gingery broth and a bowl of chicken-oil rice. Enjoy this with a side of their skewered meats (chicken, pork or beef) and some house-made roti and curry to round out the meal. Flying Beaver Bar & Grill 4760 Inglis Drive The Flying Beaver Bar & Grill is a bustling bar located in the Harbour Air seaplane terminal. What makes this…

Shops & Markets March 9, 2017

Langley is Well Seasoned with Cooking Classes and Gourmet Ingredients

by Catherine Dunwoody We love shopping in a gourmet food store, and one that offers hard-to-find products, plus cooking classes and seminars just makes our day. Well Seasoned is a Langley-based culinary mecca, in business since 2004, that sells both international and local BC ingredients, plus spices, cookware and condiments. Weekly in-store cooking classes have top chefs sharing their secrets, and educational seminars give customers the edge in new food trends and products. Pick up a Best of BC basket that is chock-a-block with gourmet goodies, or a freshly baked homemade pie, or perhaps a bottle of pomegranate champagne vinaigrette for your next salad. Owner Angie Quaale has a background in menu development and retail food distribution, but her accolades and experience is about as good as it gets – past president of the BC chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, past president of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, past…

Metro Vancouver Chef Stories March 7, 2017

Curing Salmon on Vancouver’s North Shore with Squamish Nation’s Chef Paul Natrall

By Jaclyn Jularbal Right in the heart of Squamish Nation on Vancouver’s North Shore, lies the PR Bannock Factory – a catering business and food trailer owned and operated by Chef Paul Natrall. Paul began his cooking career a decade ago as a teen involved with the Cook Street Café, a six month program for youth on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. His love for preparing meals led him to enroll and graduate from the Aboriginal Culinary Arts program at Vancouver Community College, where Paul launched his career specializing in traditional Indigenous cuisines. The dream to start his own business came into fruition after finding success as part of Team Canada’s Culinary Team in the 2012 World Culinary Olympics. Though he’s been working professionally for just a decade his journey to owning his own business has been much longer. Paul’s love for cooking started when he was just a boy. “I’ve been…

Craft Beer in Metro Vancouver March 2, 2017

Passport to Vancouver’s East Village Breweries

By Catherine Dunwoody There’s a new offering from Vancouver’s vibrant east side – a self-guided tasting tour and passport program, featuring some of the best breweries in the city. Yep, seven of Vancouver’s favourite artisanal breweries and one small-batch distillery have come together to make it easy, and rewarding, to sip and sample the best in craft beer and spirits. Here’s how it works. Just pick up your passport and map at any of the participating breweries and distilleries listed below. Self guide yourself through the tour, learning all about what you are tasting as you go, and collect a stamp at each stop. And, it’s no coincidence that some of the hippest eateries are also located in this ‘hood, meaning stopping mid-way for a bite just makes for a fantastic way to spend some time here. Have all your seven stamps in the passport now? Well done. You’ll be rewarded…

Sweets March 1, 2017

Burnaby’s New French Flavour: Mon Paris Pâtisserie

by Catherine Dunwoody Burnaby’s constantly evolving Metrotown just got a little French and we couldn’t be more excited. Paris-trained Chef Elena Krasnova opened her first standalone shop, “Mon Paris Pâtisserie” and that means delicious pastries, café au lait, and much more. The 1000 square foot space has a pretty modern, bright Parisian vibe with an open-concept kitchen, and intimate bistro-style seating (plus a patio space will open this spring). Republica Coffee Roasters is the café of choice, plus specialty teas, traditional French pastries, and Cacao Barry chocolate confections are served. Chef Krasnova trained at the famed Ferrandie Ecole de Gastronomie in Paris, and uses only the best local and international ingredients to create classic French desserts like the ‘Opera’ (intense coffee flavours melded with moist dark chocolate mousse), macarons, plus wedding and special occasion cakes. Feeling like trying your own hand at French deliciousness? We say oui! And with pastry…

Richmond February 23, 2017

Romantic Date Night Restaurants in Richmond

By Tara Lee and Tourism Richmond From elegant décor, gorgeous views and impeccable service, there’s definitely a restaurant or two that fits any budget for a romantic date night meal in Richmond. Here are four date-night-worthy restaurants that you may not have tried yet. Pier 73 Restaurant Located in the Pacific Gateway Hotel (3500 Cessna Drive), Pier 73 Restaurant is waterfront dining at its very best. The Fraser River, Mount Baker, the Cascade Mountain Range and the North Shore Mountains are within easy view of the restaurant, day or night. Executive chef Morgan Lechner and executive sous chef Edison Antejos are known to feature fresh, local ingredients in all of their menu items. In fact, Pier 73’s made the whole month of February known as the ‘month of luuuuv,’ during which they’ll be serving dishes for sharing, inspired by the romance of Valentine’s Day. For them, ‘luv’ entails ordering a…

Where to Eat in Metro Vancouver February 17, 2017

Video: Canada’s West Coast Destination for Foodies

With a backyard of clean rivers and lakes, the Pacific Ocean, and rich fertile land, the farmers, chefs, brewers, distillers, fishers, and producers are able to bring their diverse traditions, cultures, and creativity to the plates, cups, and glasses of Canada’s west coast. The taste is hyper local, from Vancouver to the Fraser Valley. Featured in this video: The Vancouver Aquarium, The Liberty Distillery, Fraser Valley Cider Company, Cherry Lane Farms, Burnaby Village Museum, Bella Gelateria, Crazy Cows, Steveston Seafood House, Campbells Gold, Central City Brewers and Distillers, Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks, Trading Post Brewing, Steel & Oak Brewing, Vij’s

Recipes February 16, 2017

Recipe: Jalapeño Jack Cornbread

By Dan Olson, Chef/Owner, Railtown Cafe Yields 15 servings INGREDIENTS Eggs (6) Sugar (¾ cup) Creamed corn (3 kg) Buttermilk (3 cups) Butter, melted and cooled (2 ¾ cups) Minced jalapeño (1 ½ cups) Flour (3 cups) Cornmeal (3 cups) Jalepeño jack cheese, grated (3 cups) Baking powder (3 tbsp) Baking soda (½ tbsp.) Salt (4 ½ tbsp.) DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Melt and cool butter to room temperature. 3. Wisk the eggs and sugar together. 4. Add in the buttermilk, melted butter and creamed corn and whisk just until combined. 5. Fold the dry ingredients, cheese and jalapeños, and mix until just combined (lumps are okay)! 6. Pour batter into a parchment-lined baking dish. 7. Bake for 30 minutes, rotate pan and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until golden brown. 8. Let cool completely in pan, wrap and refrigerate. Portion and reheat as needed. 9. Wrap in…

Craft Beer in Metro Vancouver February 14, 2017

Kick Back with a Cold Beer at Big Ridge Brewing in Surrey

By Anna Black When you’re looking to enjoy the finest lagers and ales and superior seasonal and specialty beers down at your friendly neighbourhood pub, Big Ridge Brewing Co. in Surrey is the place to go. Not only do they have an impressive array of beverages to choose from, their menu offers up a fine selection of comfort food and wok-prepared dishes using only the freshest ingredients. And the best part? You don’t have to be a beer snob to enjoy any of it. Located at 5580 152nd Street, Big Ridge Brewing Co. is Surrey’s original brewpub, serving patrons their time honored, handcrafted lagers, ales, and beers since 1999. Part of the Mark James Group, British Columbia’s premiere collection of craft brewery restaurants, Big Ridge Brewing Co. keeps good company with six other West Coast area breweries and distilleries including Vancouver’s Yaletown Brewing Co. and the Brewhouse Brewing Co. in…

Festivals & Events February 8, 2017

Foodie Faves at Vancouver’s Winterruption Festival 2017

by Catherine Dunwoody Vancouver’s Granville Island is gearing up for their 12th annual event that celebrates all things winter, taking place February 17-19 this year. The Winterruption Festival is a fun mix of culture and arts with live music, theatre, dance and street performance, plus art exhibits, film, crafts, family activities and, of course, fabulous food. The festival has a new hub this year, called The Forge. Historically the former home of Canada Chain and Forge (a supply company from the location’s more industrial beginnings), we now know it as the big covered parking lot under the bridge. Food-centric events we are super stoked about? The Winterruption Donut Spectacular at Lee’s Donuts, plus maple syrup made into treats on snow, and the best soul-warming soups ever at Rebel Kitchen. Or sign up for a Granville Island Market Tour, or The Liberty Distillery Tour to get an insiders edge and peek…

Canadian/American food in Metro Vancouver February 6, 2017

Lift YVR Takes Airport Cuisine to New Heights

By Catherine Dunwoody Vancouver International Airport just opened a new restaurant much to the delight of travelers – Lift Bar & Grill. Yep, the same company as the original luxurious Coal Harbour location in downtown Vancouver. If you’re in the international terminal, you can’t miss this gorgeous new eatery, wrapped around YVR’s iconic aquarium. As we all know restaurant design is crucial, the blend of warm oak, steely blues and charcoal pairs well with the Oceanwise-certified seafood-dominated menu. Executive Chef Soojin Park has moved over from the downtown location, and brings her talents as a chef at Toronto’s famed Pan-Asian restaurant, Rain, and in-the-trenches experience on the Food Network series, Made to Order. Plenty of sushi and sashimi appears on the menu, plus trendy tuna poke, and lobster mac and cheese. Carnivores will love the wild boar pork belly and vegetarian pad Thai will please the herbivores in the crowd.…

Vancouver's North Shore February 2, 2017

Warm Up with these Inspired Soups on Vancouver’s North Shore

By Jaclyn Jularbal Vancouver’s North Shore boasts some of the most incredible views of the city. Surrounded by lush trees and snow-covered mountains, it’s a great place to enjoy many of winter’s finest things – snowboards, sweaters, and soup. Warm up with some of the tastiest soups in town and try some comforting flavours from around the world. Tamarind Hill 1440 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver If you’re a laksa fan, look no further. With delicious noodles, savory vegetables, and the perfect amount of spice – the milky essence of laksa is sure to warm you up from the inside out. Choose from your choice of Assam Seafood, Malaysian, and Singapore laksa. Be sure to pair it with an order of Roti Canai, the sweet fried bread makes a great add-on. The Neighbourhood Noodle House 1352 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver Don’t be fooled by the name – The Neighbourhood Noodle House…