Megan Halkett, Author at West Coast Food

Where to Eat in Metro Vancouver March 31, 2016

48 Foodie Hours in Richmond

By Visit Richmond BC Looking for a quick getaway? 48 hours gives you time to explore some amazing cuisine in Richmond, the only problem is figuring out where to eat. Read on for a list of some of Tourism Richmond’s favourite places to help you make the most out of your culinary adventures. Keep in mind, many Asian restaurants are accommodating to patrons who aren’t experienced in non-Western cuisine and do offer English menus or have photos of food items to help you with your selections. But remember to bring cash – some don’t accept credit or debit cards. Day 1: 10:00am – Dim sum at Shanghai River Shanghai River is the perfect place to start your day off right with delicious dim sum. Through glass windows, diners can watch the chefs hard at work, hand rolling their famous dumplings. The xiao long bao are clear standouts of the menu.…

Farms March 28, 2016

Sharing Field-to-Fork Freshness at Lepp Farm Market in the Fraser Valley

By Kathy Mak At the entrance of Lepp Farm Market, you’re greeted with heaps of fresh produce. Initially, you may get the impression that this is a convenient food shop, located at the crossroads of Clayburn Road and the Abbotsford Mission Highway. However, Lepp Farm Market is unexpectedly much more than just a grocery store. The family-owned and operated market is the natural union of Rob Lepp’s farming expertise and Charlotte Lepp’s foodie flare. Together, their focus is on sharing fresh farm direct products and local food experiences. One would be hard-pressed to find a couple that is more passionate about farm-to-table goodness than Rob and Charlotte Lepp. The duo brings together a variety of elements to achieve a quality, locally grown, field-to-fork environment all on its own. Their love for farmed products is rooted in their families, both sides farming in the Fraser Valley since 1948 raising cattle, hogs,…

Cafés in Metro Vancouver March 23, 2016

Fresh Coffee Along the Brick Roads of Vancouver’s Gastown

By Joyce Chua Vancouver Foodie Tours A stroll around Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood will tell you just how much locals love their coffee. Artisan cafes mark every street corner ready to re-fuel shoppers, wanderers and to tide over diners before their reservations are ready. You won’t find coffee like this in every city, let alone the passionate purveyors in Gastown who live and breathe quality beans. Here’s some places to start: Consider Purebread. The Whistler-born bakery entices patrons with piles (literally) of fresh pastries, cakes, brownies, breads and oversized meringues. Heaven would be envious of how the little bakeshop smells. It’s one of the only places in Vancouver that you’ll find Stumptown coffee – the sweetheart success from Oregon. In Gastown’s iconic Woodward’s Building, JJ Bean Coffee Roasters is simultaneously perfecting French-pressed single-origin coffee and freshly baked goods. With 18 locations in Vancouver, this family business knows the city inside and…

Shops & Markets March 21, 2016

Freshly Crushed All of Oils in Surrey and Langley

by Catherine Dunwoody Any serious food lover knows that not all olive oils are created equal, not by a long shot. As wide in variety and as subtle in nuances for the palette as wine, the Fraser Valley is home to All of Oils, with 2 locations; one in Langley and the other in Surrey. Wife and husband proprietors Kimm Brickman-Pineau and Glenn Pineau carry only certified, ultra-premium extra virgin olive oils (EVOO), plus a number of flavoured oils and balsamic vinegars. “Many of our products are also certified organic and our supplier, Veronica Foods Company of Oakland, California is registered on the Non-GMO Project,” says Glenn. The products are sourced from select, high-quality growers all over the world, some of the Italian balsamic vinegars are aged up to 18 years, and every item sold in the stores, or online, has a complete backstory, referencing when it was made, the country…

Coquitlam March 15, 2016

Rock Your Taste Buds in Coquitlam

By Sheliza Mitha Six tempting restaurants. Countless culinary experiences. One dynamic venue. Welcome to the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam. A quick tour of the Hard Rock reveals a world of excitement and opportunity – including casino games, fun memorabilia, live entertainment and some remarkable cuisine. Along with slots, about a dozen table games and live shows (think comedy and concerts), you’ll also find innovative and eclectic restaurants with names that include: Asylum, Chip’s Sandwich Shop, Fú Express, Fuel Café, Roadies’ Burger Bar and (because this is a casino after all) The Buffet at Unlisted. With a reputation for world-class dining and experiences, it should come as no surprise that Coquitlam’s Hard Rock Casino – the only one in Canada, by the way – delivers at every turn. Here, each of the seven restaurants is focused on sourcing fresh and local as much as possible. The idea is to satisfy…

Craft Beer in Metro Vancouver March 11, 2016

Steel & Oak Beer Pairings with Local New Westminster Food

By Alexis Baran Meandering up and down the hilly riverside streets of New Westminster is a great way to work up an appetite and a thirst. If you are down to hunt for the perfect local food to pair with locally brewed beer, the walk from restaurants to the neighbourhood brewery with your take-out feast in-hand is a great way to explore the streets on a nice day. Here are pairing suggestions from the crew at Steel & Oak Brewing: Restauraunt: Rivers Reach Food: New West Deli Pizza Beer: Smoked Hefeweizen Daniel Johnston, front of house manager, recommends that the “rich, meaty and savoury pizza is balanced perfectly by our smoky and subtle Hefeweizen. Great pizza and great beer, how could you go wrong?” With all of the meat piled on this pizza – salami, pepperoni, ham, ground beef, and Italian sausage, a smoked Hef is both complementary and refreshing.…

Recipes March 9, 2016

Recipe: Chicken Adobo

By Kulinarya in Coquitlam Ingredients: Chicken (800 grams) Garlic (6-8 cloves) Oil (1/4 cup) Peppercorn (1/2 tbsp) White vinegar (1 cup) Soy sauce (1/4 cup) Bay leaves (2) Rice water Preparation: Slice chicken in pieces Crush and peel garlic Crack the black peppercorns Directions: In a pot, combine the crushed garlic and cracked peppercorn with vinegar, soy sauce, peppercorn and bay leaves. This creates the adobo mixture. Add chicken pieces and enough water to cover the meat. Simmer until chicken is cooked. Remove chicken from adobo mixture and set aside mixture for later. In another heated pan, add oil, garlic. Add chicken and fry until brown. Just when ready to serve, gently pour the adobo mixture. Serve with rice.

Canadian/American food in Metro Vancouver March 8, 2016

There’s No Gambling with the Grub at Starlight Casino

By Tim Pawsey Only a few minutes from Richmond, YVR or downtown New Westminster, smart and sparkling Starlight Casino blends a range of dining options with everything from Blackjack to Roulette. If you’re having a tough time leaving your favourite slot spot or roulette table, barely a few paces away, the Buffet at Starlight offers a set price brunch, lunch or dinner, with themed buffets that vary by the day, from Italian to Mediterranean and Mexican. Feeling a need to celebrate those winnings? Cozy in to a booth at the red velvet festooned Redbar Lounge, where you can also cut loose on the dance floor with live entertainment. Adjoining the main casino, expansive Match Eatery & Public House offers a friendly welcome, along with an army of taps, featuring a full spectrum of local and imported brews, as well as good pub fare. Pasta, fish ‘n chips, gruyere stuffed meatballs,…

Shops & Markets March 2, 2016

Le Meadow’s Pantry – A Passion for Preserves in Burnaby and Vancouver

By Kathy Mak In an ideal world, we’d probably all like to make our own preserves; but most of us don’t have the time or the talent. Preserving food requires patience and practice. Making exquisite artisan preserves is an art form, which Geneviève Blanchet has mastered. A cut above ordinary homemade spreads, her handcrafted preserves uniquely capture the vibrant fruit flavours of the seasons by using traditional techniques blended with a holistic approach, wholesome values, and some French flare. When you understand her passion for preserves, you can fully appreciate why so many of us have upgraded our pantry with her remarkable jams, jellies and marmalades. Designing and creating interesting preserves come naturally to Geneviève. Influenced by nature and neighbours that lived off the land in the Quebec countryside, she learned to forage and use healthy ingredients, as well as make jams, at a young age. An early interest in…

Recipes March 2, 2016

Recipe: Orange Rice Pudding

By Geneviève Blanchet, Le Meadow’s Pantry This unctuous rice pudding will bring warmth and comfort on cold winter days. A tart blackcurrant or blackberry jam would work equally well during the summer months. I would substitute the cinnamon and saffron for fresh mint and fresh lemon balm for a cooling effect. INGREDIENTS Jasmine rice (1/2 cup) Sea salt (a pinch) Fresh almond or nut milk (2 cups) Saffron (1 teaspoon) Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon) Thick-cut orange marmalade (2 tablespoons) Pieces of walnut for garnish Maple syrup or honey for garnish DIRECTIONS Place the rice in a saucepan, cover with cold water and a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and drain. Combine milk and saffron in a saucepan and heat over high heat to a boil. Add the rice, cover, lower the heat to very low, and cook, stirring occasionally so the rice doesn’t…

Cafés in Metro Vancouver February 25, 2016

Break for Afternoon Tea in Richmond

By Visit Richmond BC Afternoon tea is a long-standing British tradition that has become an international food craze. Tea shops and eateries are now offering tea service all over the world and Richmond is no exception. With a diverse range of restaurants and cafés serving afternoon tea, here are three of our favourites in Richmond. Sugarholic Café Sugarholic Café at Aberdeen Centre is one of the newest additions to the afternoon tea scene in Richmond. Although the café is decorated in a luxurious European style, Sugarholic is considered a fusion-style tea house. Drawing on flavours from both East and West, the Taiwanese owners offer a variety of teas, including Chinese Rose and Red Date Longan Tea, as well as more traditional teas such as Earl Grey. Almost all of the desserts offered are made in-house. Highlights include the Ferrero Rocher chocolate cake, a triple chocolate cream and Japanese cheesecake. Afternoon…

Festivals & Events February 23, 2016

Traditional French Canadian Food at the Festival du Bois

By Catherine Dunwoody Say oui! Western Canada’s largest francophone festival for 27 years is back for another fun weekend of all things French Canadian – right in Coquitlam, BC. From March 4 to 6, 2016, the Festival du Bois showcases our fabulous and proudly French traditions and culture in Canada by way of the real deal when it comes to food, traditional music, entertainment and fun activities. Taking place in Coquitlam’s Mackin Park the fest is definitely family-friendly and very affordable. Kick off the festival at Dîner en Plaid, with its traditional French Canadian cuisine, and rollicking music from a New Brunswick band. Plaid dress code in effect? Absolument! Be sure and sip a pint of the signature craft beer, French Lumberjack Ale, from Port Moody’s Yellow Dog Brewing – especially while you cheer on participants in the arm wrestling competition and saw contests. Salut! Festival du Bois is known for…

Farms February 19, 2016

Meet the Pigs at Urban Digs

By Joanne Sasvari At Urban Digs Farm, the pigs are brown and black and copper coloured, with jauntily spotted wiry coats, twirly tails and alert ears. You’d swear they’re smiling at you. And why not? These are some of the happiest pigs around. “We carry pigs that make good bacon and have good personalities,” says Julia Smith, co-founder and operations manager of Urban Digs. “Adorableness is one of the important characteristics we look for.” Smith and her partner Ludo Ferrari started the farm in 2012 on two weed-choked acres in Burnaby. Right from the beginning, they wanted to raise free-range, pasture-fed heritage pigs, not the big, pink commercial pigs we all know so well. Those commercial pigs have been bred for size, weight, uniformity and a lean, mild meat. They grow quickly and produce many litters of piglets, often without ever leaving the inside of a barn, making them ideal…

Craft Beer in Metro Vancouver February 16, 2016

Follow the Tracks to New Westminster’s Steel & Oak Brewing

By Tim Pawsey The craft beer revolution has made itself at home along the Fraser River, down from the hills in New Westminster. Steel and Oak Brewing Co. is a delightful discovery, tucked away in a still fairly industrial part of town, cheek by jowl beside automotive repair shops and train tracks – yet a short walk away from the bustling River Market and the rest of Downtown New West. Steel & Oak arrived with a bit of a bang upon their arrival into the scene in the summer of 2014 by quickly scooping first place in the 2015 BC Beer Awards Amber / Dark Ale category with its gently bitter and quite floral Flagship Royal City Ale. Step inside and chances are you won’t be alone, as the word is out on S&O, which has already built a strong following. Open for just over a year, this compact, wood-trimmed…

Sweets February 12, 2016

International Dessert Inspiration at Mosquito

By Joyce Chua, Vancouver Foodie Tours This Valentine’s Day, the only dessert-focused fine dining spot in Gastown is having their one-year anniversary. The stylish dining room of Mosquito is chic, dark, and a delightfully dramatic way to share some bubbly and sweets (or cheese and charcuterie). It was a beautiful day in Gastown when I met with Mosquito owners, Alice Wu and Johan Friedrich. As I hustled down the lively cobbled streets, I noted the many signs and sandwich boards straining to catch the attention of those passing by. There was nothing to be seen for Mosquito, but I bustled along, knowing their non-descript door would appear somewhere soon and welcome me to a quiet oasis. As Johan described the inspiration for Mosquito as an “out-of-world experience that heightened all senses,” I could not help but smile, as the idea has completely come to life. The high-ceilings, dark furnishings, sparkling…

Shops & Markets February 11, 2016

In Praise of Winter Markets and Comforting Community Flavours

by Kathy Mak Winter may seem an unlikely time to visit an outdoor farmers market in Canada, but the milder climate in the Lower Mainland allows the markets and abundance of seasonal products to thrive. Deserving of more recognition, a winter market’s appeal lies not only in the quality and range of offerings, but also in knowing that it’s served by a passionate community of both food artisans/farmers and shopping foodies, all prepared to brave the elements in support of fresh local products. The charm of a winter market is in the smaller and manageable crowds. With shorter line ups, there’s time to sample and chit-chat with merchants. Live entertainment, food trucks and heating stations are also on hand to add some extra warmth. To visit a winter market is to crave comfy and warming flavours. It’s easy to take inspiration for cozy dishes from the bounty of seasonal products…

Coquitlam February 9, 2016

The Heights of Culinary Adventure

By Sheliza Mitha Across a few short, bustling and walkable blocks of Coquitlam is where you’ll find Austin Heights – an unassuming culinary gem that’s home to some of the most delicious and densely concentrated restaurants anywhere in the Lower Mainland. Overflowing with restaurants representing nearly every corner of the globe, the area is relatively small in size (making it easy to explore by foot) but big on taste serving up the height(s) of culinary adventure with almost every step. Here, you’ll find a veritable foodie destination that requires some serious and dedicated exploration – which is just what I set out to do one bright, sunshine-filled day. The goal was to spend a good part of my day in a self-guided food tour of the area. This meant nearly five-hours of restaurant hopping to experience just a few of the area’s tastiest and most unique experiences – only because…

Canadian/American food in Metro Vancouver February 4, 2016

Tap Into Modern Cuisine in Surrey

By Tourism Surrey You can’t help but feel as if you’ve stumbled across a well-kept secret on a first visit to Tap Restaurant in South Surrey. A few blocks away from busy 152nd Avenue, Tap is nestled in between designer homes in a commercial complex in the Rosemary Heights/Morgan Creek area. The cuisine is distinctly French-inspired with a contemporary West Coast perspective. A refined menu features just a handful of appetizers, soups, salads, and plates principaux from which to select. Chef Alistair Veen partners with farmers to provide customers with the best in local meats and vegetables. Dining at Tap Restaurant is an intimate experience, with the kitchen fully open and looking out on the small, romantically lit dining room. Veen steps out from behind the counter often to deliver plates and check in on tables, with many patrons addressing him by name. Based on the freshness of ingredients, caliber…

Chinese February 3, 2016

Celebrate Chinese New Year in Richmond

By Catherine Dunwoody Gung hay fat choy! The Year of the Monkey begins on Monday, February 8, and why not celebrate in Richmond? Considering there are over 400 Asian restaurants in the area, finding the feast that suits you best should be easy. Traditionally, families gather on Lunar New Year’s Eve (this year on Sunday, February 7) for a reunion dinner to kick things off. Numerous dishes are served, most of them having a symbolic meaning to inspire good luck and prosperity. Fish is served whole with the head and tail attached, marking the end and beginning of a new year. Noodles represent long life. Dumplings and spring rolls resemble ancient Chinese currency and gold bars. To really eat like a local, you simply can’t miss these important delicacies to bring in the New Year: Chinese New Year Cake or Nian Gao The literal translation means sticky cake in Chinese.…

Street Food January 16, 2016

6 Serious Eats at Street Food City 2016

By Joyce Chua Vancouver Foodie Tours Street Food City is celebrating its fifth anniversary with Dine Out Vancouver, returning to the Vancouver Art Gallery from January 16-24, 2016. Vancouver has become one of North America’s top street food cities, tempting locals with a full spectrum of multicultural flavours. Over 25 local food trucks will park in the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza and, if it’s anything like past years, thousands of foodies will meet them there. This year, food trucks will be donating $1 of sales from special menu items to A Loving Spoonful – a volunteer-driven organization that provides meals to those living with HIV/AIDS in Metro Vancouver. So what’s on the menu? Here are 6 Serious Eats to beeline for at Street Food City: 1. The “Hot Mama” at Mom’s Grilled Cheese Truck This spicy, savoury, sexy sandwich has got its eye on the prize in this year’s…

Recipes January 15, 2016

Recipe: Garlic Mushroom Beet Soup

By Alexis Baran Marketing Specialist at Tourism Vancouver Make this if you feel like eating a lot of something that is strong in taste and beautiful in colour. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot – this makes a giant pot of soup, so either be sure that you own a very large pot, or adjust the measurements. For the stock, I recommend using a concentrated kind and then adjusting the water-to-stock ratio according to taste, and how salty you like your soup. Personally, I think salt is delicious. INGREDIENTS Beets (5-6 medium-sized) Garlic (1.5 bulbs, adjust as desired) Leek (about ¾ a forearm length, adjust as desired) Shitake mushrooms (about half a paper bag) Mushroom soup stock (Approx. 4-5 cups depending on how thick you like your soup) Oregano and/or rosemary (a light sprinkling) Bay leaf DIRECTIONS Cook the beets: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Give…

European January 11, 2016

Buon Appetito! (Via Austin Heights)

By Sheliza Mitha For those who love coffee, there is nothing quite as satisfying and soul replenishing as an authentically-Italian cup of joe (whether it’s an Americano, cappuccino, latte, etc.). In Coquitlam’s Austin Heights, a veritable foodie hub, you’ll find the GianCarlo Deli – the perfect place to get your Italian caffeine fix, and then some. A few short blocks away are more tempting Italian old-world traditions and flavours at the acclaimed Golden Boot Caffe and Jimoco Café and Pasta. I ventured to Austin Heights in search of traditional Italian fare – and that’s just what I got, in many different forms. My self-guided tour of Italy kicked off with a smooth latte at GianCarlo’s, where I perused the neatly stacked shelves of pasta, sauces, imported biscuits, crackers, juices and more. The morning I was there, the owner was busily making homemade lasagne noodles in the kitchen at the back…

European January 7, 2016

Taking Pizza to New Heights

By Sheliza Mitha It is precisely because Coquitlam’s Austin Heights neighbourhood is abundant with deliciously satisfying pizza joints – from locally-owned places to well-known chains – that makes it difficult to choose where to get your next slice. At one end of Austin Street sits Me-N-Ed’s, a true Coquitlam institution. Over the past four decades, Me-N-Ed’s has garnered its fair share of fans, including home-grown celebrities such as Michael J. Fox. In fact, the five Me-N-Ed’s locations throughout the Lower Mainland regularly host charity golf tournaments to raise funds for both the Parkinson’s Society of BC and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s. During a recent visit to Coquitlam, I stopped by Me-N-Ed’s to sample some of their best-known specialty pizzas: Greek (vegetarian), Smoked Salmon & Roasted Garlic and Thai Chicken. What Me-N-Ed’s might be best known for, however, is their uniquely thin, crunchy, wafer-like crust. Topped with an…

Craft Beer in Metro Vancouver January 4, 2016

Dine Out Vancouver’s 2016 Signature Beer

Vancouver's North Shore December 27, 2015

Introduction to Lonsdale Quay

By Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism North Vancouver’s iconic Lonsdale Quay Market opened during Expo ’86 as a carnival style marketplace. Almost thirty years later it has evolved into a culinary destination for those seeking fresh, local and unique foods. Recently a crop of new eateries has opened at the Quay, further cementing it as a great place to grab lunch or dinner. Check out The Bowen Island Pizza Company with their amazing thin crust pizzas made with local, organic flour and super delicious toppings. Try The Bite @ the Quay, is a new fusion restaurant with a view, featuring Cantonese and Chinese Dishes on an a la carte and tapas menu. The casually delicious Sandwich Shop has a menu of mouthwatering sandwiches loaded with juicy, fresh ingredients. At the Quay, you can pick up a bottle of wine or a growler of craft beer, bring home fresh seafood for dinner…

Shops & Markets December 23, 2015

Olive Oil on Tap

By Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism Hidden away on a busy through street, just off of Marine Drive in North Vancouver, you’ll find a bright little shop where the walls are lined with stainless steel keg-style vessels and rows upon rows of bottles just waiting to be filled. What’s special about this shop is that you’re not filling the bottles with wine or beer, you’re filling them with olive oil. And not just any olive oil, oil with names like Harissa infused, Mild Manzanillo, Robust Picholine, Persian Lime and Butter (it really tastes like butter). This is Olives on Tap and these are not your run-of-the-mill supermarket olive oils. Opened by owner Andrew Cameron in 2012, Olives on Tap educates visitors about the complexities of olive oils and the balsamic vinegars that pair so well with them. All of the oils and vinegars are available for sampling, and tasting is encouraged.…

Craft Beer in Metro Vancouver December 10, 2015

Coquitlam’s (Crafty) Watering Holes

By Sheliza Mitha for the City of Coquitlam Craft beers and tasty twists on traditional pub grub seem to be a specialty in Coquitlam, where you’ll find plenty of spots to quench your thirst and satisfy your appetite – from cozy pubs to bustling bars. What’s the meaning of craft beer anyways? It’s best defined as being produced by independent brewers that are considerably smaller than major corporate breweries and are generally known for their emphasis on quality, flavour and brewing techniques. You’ll find some ardent fans of this brew in some of Coquitlam’s most popular local hangouts. Boasting more than 50 types of craft beer, the John B. Pub in the city’s south-western section is where you’ll want to kick start your self-styled tour of Coquitlam’s craft beer scene. The drink menu here changes quickly and often, with a fast-rotating list of unique craft beers at any given time.…

Craft Beer in Metro Vancouver December 7, 2015

Warm Up to Winter Beers

By Kathy Mak Baby, it’s cold outside! The best thing you can do is hoist a few wintry beers and cheers to chase the chill away. Winter beers, affectionately called “winter warmers”, are typically stouts and porters that are more robust – richer, bolder, creamier, and hoppier in style with a deeper hue appearance. They also tend to be higher in alcohol by volume (ABV) to keep you warm! Comforting flavours can range from hints of toffee, caramel, chocolate and molasses to smokiness. Some winter beers have spicy or sweet notes, while the more serious brews are barrel-aged. Unlike their summery counterparts, winter beers are sipped, not guzzled, and taste better around 7-10o C instead of icy-cold. In Vancouver and the valley, microbrewers have been busy crafting some of the most innovative seasonal specialities. Touted as the craft beer mecca of Canada, with over 50 artisanal breweries, there is an…

Recipes December 3, 2015

Recipe: Jan’s Excellent Lotus Salad

From Jan Hancock Visitor Centre volunteer at Tourism Vancouver The season for fresh lotus root is March and September. Keep it cool – and it bruises easily! Remove the skin and discard bridges, head, and tail. Salad Ingredients Lotus root 1 tsp. vinegar Salt 1 green onion Green beans Orange peel Bell peppers Carrots Cranberries Sesame seeds Sesame oil Marinade Ingredients 2 tbsp. vinegar 2 tbsp. pineapple juice Directions Day 1 The lotus root needs to be marinated overnight: Remove lotus root skin with a peeler, slice into 1/8 – 1/4 inch slices. Soak immediately in cold water with vinegar. Add drained lotus to boiling slated water. Remove once water has reached its second boiling. Blanche lotus in ice cold water, then marinate overnight. Day 2 Chop the green onion, green beans, orange peel, peppers and carrots very small. Remove the lotus from marinade. Mix together with sesame oil and…

Sweets November 23, 2015

A Sweet Outing by Public Transit

By Kathy Mak There’s no denying it, eating counts as sightseeing, and when you have a sweet tooth, bakeries, pastry shops and other sweet stops are the attractions! You don’t have to go far in Vancouver to find every possible sugary delight, from award-winning ice cream, to-die-for pastries, and gourmet macarons to handcrafted chocolates. But, finding some of the unsung sweet treats further afield can be the real taste-adventure. Take this sweet-packed outing to discover a selection of local, laid-back gems in Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond and Vancouver, all easily linked by convenient public transit and short walks. Your self-guided, sweet tasting spree begins in downtown Vancouver with an early morning stop at Cartems Donuterie (534 West Pender). It’s hard enough to resist regular donuts, but resistance is futile when it comes to Cartems’ donuts as they are dreamy! (And, literally, Cartems was born out of a dream by the…