The sun is shining (or at least the rain is warm) and everything is fresh and in season. If you love local, sustainable baked delicacies and goods and the incredible abundance of vegetables and farm fresh ingredients in summer, then Metro Vancouver’s farmers markets are a special treat that are definitely worth making time for. From food trucks and coffee to music and locally-made jams and dips among the vegetables and fruits, there are wonderful farmers markets on weekly in summer in Surrey and Langley. Grab your basket and let’s go! Surrey Urban Farmers Market – Surrey Taking place on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm in the parking lot, the vibrant, multi-cultural non-profit Surrey Urban Farmers Market is located next to a huge park, so you can bring the family to hang out, play and picnic while you peruse stalls with local farmers big and small, food producers,…
Support Food Sovereignty for National Indigenous History Month By Avneet Takhar Reconciliation for Indigenous peoples is something of a fairly new concept in Canada, for the suffering the communities have endured and racism that still affects those who rightfully own the lands we live on. There’s a long way to go until trust and unity can go hand in hand after the arduous history, but honouring the food they make is one of the ways we can support their heritage and cultural traditions. Here’s a list of places we recommend: Salmon n’ Bannock – Vancouver A firm favourite with the locals, this cozy South Granville spot is First Nations-owned and operated. Co-founder, Inez Cook of the Nuxalk Nation (who also happens to be a children’s author!) provides a family-style gathering nook that welcomes all. And there’s no question about who’s got game with the meaty menu she offers! I tried…
Summertime is synonymous with weekend visits to the local farmer’s market. Picture this: it’s a weekend morning, the sun is shining, and the farmer’s market is abuzz with shoppers and vendors selling artisanal honey, boisterous gleaming vegetables, and crusty loaves of pungent sourdough. You’ve got a wagon full of goodies in one hand, and an iced lavender latte in the other. Maybe your dog is leashed around your wrist, wiggling their nose as they pass by the cheese table. Not to get too Nancy Meyers about it since farmer’s market weekends don’t have to be a fairy tale – but there are many scattered across Metro Vancouver just waiting for you to visit and have your best weekend ever. By: Brittany Tiplady North Shore Markets Lonsdale Quay Farmers Market “In addition to the talented bakers, jam makers, and honey gatherers, the Lonsdale Farmers’ Market welcomes some of the province’s most…
June 4 celebrates #NationalCheeseDay: so go get your fill! From European classics to artisan goat cheeses, a dairy good time is to be had visiting these five cheese-tastic business in Metro Vancouver. No need to *curd* your enthusiasm here, just get your appetite ready! By Avneet Takhar Mercato Di Luigi – Vancouver Mercato di Luigi is Kitchen Table’s (Ask For Luigi, Di Beppe) newest location. It’s a quaint Italian grocer and cafe that carries a range of Italian products, pantry staples, dried and fresh pasta, and homemade sauces. If you are a fan of Ask For Luigi, then you’ll love their daily pasta lunches served from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, and their selection of house-made grocery items to take home. There’s sliced caprino (perfect for muffulettas!), as well as mozzarella balls, grated parmigiano and pecorino that would make for a great pasta night in. Eat in or take out,…
When it comes to refreshing and timeless warm weather cocktails, maragaritas and mojitos are obvious crowd-favourites—but what if you’d like to *shake it up*? The Cilantro & Hoja cocktail from Noah’s Cafe Owner and Chef Cliff Chi is an inventive and refreshing spin on a classic summer cocktail. The Cilantro & Hoja is margarita and mojito-inspired cocktail, featuring the flavours of mint, shiso, and cilantro (of course.) If you are a cilantro lover, this drink will satisfy you all summer long! Recipe by Cliff Chi INGREDIENTS LOS SIETE MISTERIOS Mezcal ( .5 oz) Cazadorez Tequila (1 oz) Cointreau ( .5 oz) Mint (8-10 pieces, +1 sprig for garnish) Cilantro (2-3 sprigs, + 1 sprig for garnish) Shiso (1-2 pieces) Simple syrup ( .5 oz) Ms. Better’s black pepper cardamom bitters (1 dash) Walter’s Caesar spice (for rim) INSTRUCTIONS Rim the glass with Walter’s Caesar spice. Combine the rest of the ingredients…
A non-profit based in Richmond, The Sharing Farm mean what they say in their name—it’s all about sharing, especially with those who face food shortages. The Sharing Farm’s mission is to reduce food insecurity. With the added strain of the cost of living crisis, the farm has become a haven for those in need. They have initiatives spanning from food banks to community meal programs, raking up an impressive 19,339 pounds of produce so far. And they also offer harvest baskets and your “five-a-day” at their farm location, and farmers markets across Metro Vancouver. We sat down with Executive Director; Leslie Williams and chair member Doris Bruce to learn more! By Avneet Takhar Tell us how Sharing Farms all started, Leslie! The Sharing Farm Society (TSF) started when a group of Richmond folks realized that food banks rarely had fresh produce available. In order to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to…
The sun is out and summer food and drink events are happening all across Metro Vancouver. Check ‘em out here. Halal Ribfest, June 2-4 Holland Park Get ready to indulge in the best Halal food Vancouver has to offer, from traditional southern barbecue to innovative street food. The first Halal Ribfest in Metro Vancouver promises to be a weekend of family-friendly entertainment, shopping, and a celebration of the the vibrant culture and traditions that make halal food so special. Featuring food vendors, local market vendors, and live performers. Bring the whole family to enjoy bouncy castles, buskers, a Nasheed concert, and even a fire show! 13428 Old Yale Road, Surrey BC Cider Festival, June 3 The Pipe Shop Sip on ciders at the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver at the 4th annual BC Cider Festival is. This fun and refreshing tasting event will feature over 30 cideries from across BC, the…
Being conscious about food systems and sustainability is about more than just shopping with reusable bags, and eating what’s in your fridge (although, those things are important!) Leaders in the movement have dedicated their lives to ethical practices, waste reduction, disrupting poverty cycles, education, reducing greenhouse gas emission, and community care. And, with climate change and inflation rearing their ugly heads, joining these champions in adopting sustainable practices has never been more important. We’re proud to live in a region that is home to many food sustainability organizations that are paving the way for positive change in our food systems. From reducing fruit tree waste, to feeding the community with dignity, we’ve compiled a list of leaders in the industry that you can follow and support. By Brittany Tiplady Online Luv The Grub Luv the Grub’s founder Alia Sunderji was teaching a sustainable innovation class at Simon Fraser when she…
Rebekah Crowley, owner/distiller, walks us through the steps to create their signature spirits. By Catherine Dunwoody As one of the numerous Metro-Vancouver-based craft distilleries participating in the BC Distilled Festival, Roots and Wings Distillery is the first of its kind in the Fraser Valley. I chatted with Rebekah Crowley about the process of making their small batch artisan spirits. Proud of their farm-to-table approach and ingredients grown right on their farm, Crowley and partner Head Distiller Rob Rindt have created over forty unique and flavorful spirits in their six years in business. “Every Saturday we start a new batch, be it vodka or whiskey base, they all begin the same way,” says Crowley. “We take the potatoes (for vodka) and corn or rye and corn (for whiskey) and add it into our 500-gallon mash still. Then we heat it with a mix of water and enzymes until it reaches 90…
Come in from the rain and sit down to a steaming pot of tea and an afternoon of bite-sized delights with friends or loved ones. Originally a British tradition, afternoon tea (and high tea) has crossed oceans and now spans cultures, bringing more variety to the tea pot and your platter. While there’s a range of delectable variations on afternoon tea, a traditional ‘high tea’ usually features a towered platter with both savoury and sweet nibbles–so you can spend an afternoon sipping and snacking. From cute and quaint to delicious and decadent, here are six afternoon and high tea spots in Metro Vancouver that will have you thinking: this is just my cup of tea. By Marisa Chandler H Tasting Lounge – Vancouver Inspired by the Victorian and Belle Époque eras of England and France, H Tasting Lounge’s Afternoon Tea is playfully named “Let Them Eat Cake!” Available only on…
Spring is in the air, and the warmer weather, blossoms and new greenery call for a cocktail that’s light and refreshing. Easy-to-make and perfectly balanced, the light floral and citrus notes of Long Table Distillery’s Hotel Georgia gin-based cocktail will make your springtime cinq à sept a smash. Cheers! Recipe by Tarquin Melnyk, bartender at Vancouver’s Long Table Distillery INGREDIENTS Long Table London Dry Gin (1.75 oz) Fresh lemon (1 oz) Yuzu Orgeat (.75 oz) Ms. Better’s Mt. Fuji Bitters (1 dash) Ms. Better’s Miraculous Foamer (1 dash) INSTRUCTIONS Combine ingredients in shaker. Dry shake. Hard shake with ice. Fine strain into coupe. Grate a little bit of nutmeg on top. Long Table Distillery You can sample Long Table Distillery award-winning local gins at their Downtown Vancouver Retail and Cocktail Lounge location at 1451 Hornby Street, where they also host cocktail making classes. Patio open June -…
Major international airports aren’t usually well known for their healthy grab-and-go snacks or eco-friendly dining, but Burnaby-based company Trendi, who specialize in upcycling fruit for smoothies, are changing that. Trendi recently partnered with Vancouver International Airport to install five of their smoothie vending machines at YVR, making sustainable smoothies accessible to hungry eco-conscious travellers 24/7. By Marisa Chandler Reducing food waste The Smoothie Machine by Trendi serves 100% plant-based smoothies made from rescued fruit, furthering YVR’s commitment to promote sustainability at the airport and for travellers. Upcycled ingredients for Trendi’s Smoothie Machine converts upcycled shelf-stable fruits rescued from the farm to delicious smoothies with minimal waste GHG emissions using agricultural automation and collection systems called BioTrim units that take the unused fruit from the farm and process them for the next stage. The majority of Trendi’s ingredients are currently sourced via farm partners in Ecuador, and they estimate they’ve rescued…
‘May’ new exciting flavours find their way to your plate this season! It’s spring, and with the warmer weather comes longer days and more food and drink events in Metro Vancouver. Check ‘em out here. Lonsdale Farmers Market, May 6 Stroll the boardwalk on North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay while you check out fresh locally grown produce, delicious baked goods and nifty crafts created by local growers, bakers and crafters every Saturday from 9am to 2pm, running from May 6th until October. North Vancouver: Lonsdale Quay Market, 123 Carrie Cates Court Tian Jin Taiwanese Street Food Festival, May 6-7 Taste Taiwanese treats at the Taiwanese Food Fair at Tian Jin Festival, a free community cultural event showcasing the multiculturalism and diverse backgrounds of Metro Vancouver through food, outdoor performances and free carnival style games for family and children to enjoy. Burnaby: Tian Jin Temple, 3426 Smith Avenue New West Farmers Market,…
By Brittany Tiplady In Cooked, journalist and author Michael Pollan explores the continual and timeless necessity of fire, water, air, and earth, as critical creators and sustainers of food, and how we make it. In his book and documentary of the same name, Pollan profoundly shares that “all cooking is alchemy– it’s transformation. But bread is the greatest alchemy of all. Take a small amount of food and turn it into a large amount of food that can feed a lot of people, literally out of thin air.” Throughout history, flour, water, salt, yeast has been kneaded into many iterations – feeding religions, cultures, and diasporas across the globe, weaving together our singular need for nourishment. Bread is the great connector. And to celebrate that, The Coquitlam Heritage Society invites you to break bread with them. On until June 30, 2023, the Breaking Bread exhibit at the Mackin House is…
The Vancouver International Wine Festival (VIWF) is back again this year with wines from all over the world. This year’s festival has 17 participating countries taking part in entertaining and educational events all over the city. Running from April 22-30th, the 44th VIWF is celebrating its legacy as one of the biggest and oldest wine events in the world. While the festival will have a wide range of participating local wineries, South America is the featured wine region for 2023, with wines from Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay to sample in the Tasting Room. Taste and Discover The heart of the festival is the Tasting Room, where the public can choose from 800 wines at four International Festival Tastings, and industry professionals can sample those at two Trade Tastings. Past festival attendees may remember that the featured region has its own section in the Tasting Room and offers thematic seminars…
The second annual National Filipino Restaurant Month takes place during the month of April, and we want to celebrate. Our favourite way? With food of course! By Catherine Dunwoody First launched in April of 2022, the intention of this culinary spotlight is to promote Filipino cuisine in Canada, especially the restaurants, the chefs, and highlighting traditional dishes using ingredients from the Philippines. One restaurant, Grandt Kitchen located in Surrey, offers a wide range of food that tastes like home to Filipinos in Canada, and an introduction to an ethnic cuisine many have never tried. In 2015 the small restaurant first opened in an industrial area in Surrey, followed by a move in 2018 to open Grandt Kitchen Filipino Cuisine with a capacity of 100 people. In 2019, a second location opened on Joyce Street, and the owners proudly serve the community with the cuisine they love to share. Dive into traditional…
Appreciating the natural abundance of the region through healthy lifestyle choices and ecologically sustainable day-to-day practices are a part of West Coast culture, resulting in an impressive range of restaurants that offer mindful meals and tasty treats that celebrate a plant-based diet, from grab-and-go cafes to upscale dining. In Metro Vancouver, eating your greens isn’t a punishment, it’s a delicious (and nutritious) reward. Serving up more than just salad, Dine the Line’s Plant-Based Path Itinerary features Vegetarian, Vegan and health-conscious plant-forward menus across North Vancouver and Vancouver, all located within a 15 minute walk from a SkyTrain, SeaBus Station, or RapidBus stop. By Marisa Chandler The Workshop Vegetarian Café – North Vancouver Hop on the 2 RapidBus and make the Workshop Vegetarian Café your first stop, just a six minute dash from Pemberton Ave and Marine Drive in North Vancouver. This Japanese-inspired vegetarian café and store is also a plant-based…
Passover starts this week (April 5-13, 2023), so we’re sharing a few of our favourite Jewish delis, and kosher-friendly kitchens in Metro Vancouver to get your celebrations started. Fire up Shiva Baby (a dramedy about a young Jewish woman attending a family’s funeral service-which aptly features a buffet of kosher comfort food) on Netflix and chill, enjoying great food with fam and friends! By Avneet Takhar Garden City Bakery – Richmond This kosher-certified bakery has been around for 20 years! And its popularity continues, with rave reviews claiming it’s got “the best challah in town.” It’s a great spot to pick up both the savoury and sweet stuff – like the challah or chocolate and cinnamon raisin babkas. 9100 Blundell Rd #360, Richmond. Get off at Richmond-Brighouse and either walk 30 minutes or hop on the 408 bus. Boemma Euro Foods & Deli – Burnaby This Euro deli is great find for…
Spring has sprung! And with all the new shoots and blossoms comes a fresh crop of exciting food and drink events in Metro Vancouver. Check ‘em out here. Soup & Bread: Tour, Passover Cooking Demo & Lunch, April 8 Enjoy a tour of Coquitlam Heritage’s current Breaking Bread exhibit (running until June 30) focusing on the historical and cultural importance of bread followed by learning about the process of making Matzo ball soup and Matzo Kugel during the Jewish festival of Passover in this mini-workshop and lunch with Chef Victoria Paikin. Details and tickets on the event page. Coquitlam: Coquitlam Heritage at Mackin House, 1116 Brunette Avenue Easter Egg Hunt at Township 7, April 9 Sip on award-winning local wines while the kids enjoy the Easter Egg Hunt, scavenging the vineyard, and enjoy activities such as Glitter Tattoos, a petting zoo by the 4H club, and more. Adults can join…
Burnaby’s one-of-a-kind urban gathering place, The Amazing Brentwood, is not only a destination for fabulous shopping and entertainment but for a wide range of dining options too. In the last few months, five new restaurants have opened, and you’ll want to check them all out. Here’s what’s what. By Catherine Dunwoody Earls Kitchen + Bar Just opened on Brentwood Plaza, the newest Earls location has a beautifully designed space including a lounge, dining room, and an island bar featuring artwork from local BC talent. Expect Earls classic, signature dishes like the Santa Fe chicken salad, famous clam chowder and Bigger Better burgers, plus weekend brunch dishes, and happy hour deals. Exclusive to this Brentwood location is a take-out window, the very first of its kind from Earls, and ideal for grab and go – literally. 1308 – 4525 Lougheed Hwy Neptune Seafood Palace Restaurant This Michelin-recommended restaurant offers sophisticated gourmet…
In a little pocket of Burnaby, at the bottom of the mountain, in the corner of a white-washed industrial park, a fast-travel portal exists ready to whisk you away to the beer halls of Belgium. Named after a city square in Antwerp popular with locals as a non-pretentious, laid-back place to gather with friends, Dageraad Brewing brings the same ideals to their cozy and welcoming indoor/outdoor tasting room. The beers are Belgian-inspired (very broadly defined by complex flavours: fruity, spicy, herbal, floral), brewed in Burnaby with local ingredients. “Burnabarian” as they’ve been dubbed. Here are a choice few to sample on your next visit, which really should be soon. New Slang 4 The latest in a series of biotransformed IPAs that are experimenting with new yeast combinations and unconventional ingredients to create some verifiable “fruit bombs,” this iteration is a double IPA that marries Amarillo and Sultan hops for a…
For people nostalgic for the arcade, those who love busting out board games at the cabin, or even if you simply don’t know how to sit still when there’s a lull in the conversation, barcades and board game bars are here to make sure you and your whole table are entertained. If you and your friends are tired of playing against each other online, make your next game night a social one. Whether you like to roll dice, or you’d rather show off how you earned your pinball champion crown, there’s a games bar for you and your game-loving friends. Come for the drinks and snacks, and stay to play! Here are a few of our favourite game bars that are great for your whole crew (or even just a match of one on one) across Metro Vancouver. By Marisa Chandler Burnaby The Rec Room Serving up burgers and fries…
Local history meets luscious farmland in picturesque Langley! Visitors can easily while away the hours exploring the culinary gems of Langley Township and Fort Langley, taking their palates for some site seeing. Start with a leisurely brunch and wander, sampling beer flights at the local pubs, or catch up with friends at one of Langley’s many cozy cafes and restaurants- just a few ways to spend a sunny day! From omelets to ales, you’ll have a day full of adventure and new experiences when you explore with Dine the Line’s Brunch to Brews in Langley itinerary. Hop on the #562 Langley Centre Bus and learn about why so many people love Langley! By Marisa Chandler Langley Egg Bomb Egg Bomb is a beloved all-day breakfast and lunch spot serving up fresh twists on traditional brunch classics. Indulge in a plate of fruity croffles (croissant-waffles covered in fresh berries and whip)…
At just 16 years old, Aevin Kumar knew he wanted to work in some capacity with coffee using ethical practices. Amidst the pandemic he put his dreams into reality and did just that. Sharing his unique story, the young and dynamic entrepreneur spills the beans on how it all started! By Avneet Takhar First off, tell us how at age 16 you got started in the coffee biz, Aevin?! Yes, I began Coffee Craze Company officially in March 2021- when I was 16 years old. My interest in coffee really started when my brother began introducing me to different types of coffee. I also studied various business courses back then, and I quickly became obsessed when I came across a local roaster in Maple Ridge, B.C, and tried some (coffee) selections. I started spending time planning, researching and deciding if this was something that I could do. With the support…
Creating social change via her community and culinary enterprise Flavours of Hope, Trixie Ling is removing barriers for newcomer immigrant and refugee women in fulfilling their dreams – to own food businesses that represent their cultures, with a feeling of belonging. Based in Vancouver, Flavours of Hope currently has women food business owners from Burnaby, Vancouver and New Westminster enlisted in the Dream Cuisine program, and partners with Coho in their commissaries in East Vancouver to make their products availble across Metro Vancouver and beyond. We sat down with Founder Trixie Ling to find out more. By Avneet Takhar Flavours of Hope focuses on helping women refugees and training them to succeed. Can you tell us more about how it began and what your set-up involves? Flavours of Hope is a non-profit that envisions a society where newcomer refugee and immigrant women thrive through cooking, community-building, storytelling, and entrepreneurship. Our mission is to…
Bartenders across Vancouver are shaking, stirring and mixing it up all week for Vancouver Cocktail Week (VCW). Presented by The Alchemist, VCW is back for its second year, the festival is shining a spotlight on multi-award-winning bartenders ambassadors that contribute to Vancouver’s globally- celebrated culinary community. Running from March 6 – 11th, 2023 Vancouver Cocktail Week celebrates the vibrant, creative culture of craft cocktails and food pairings at bars and restaurants across the city. While there are plenty of fantastic ticketed events (many of which have sold out already), one of the easiest ways to join in is to stop in for a VCW Cinq á Sept Happy Hour after work at one of the many participating bars and restaurants this week. Cinq á Sept in the city Based on the French concept of the “cinq à sept”—5 to 7 pm, the hours between work and home life. Swing by…
You made it! March is here and spring is just around the corner. And so is a whole slate of exciting food and drink events in Metro Vancouver. Check ‘em out here. Bite of Burnaby, March 1 to 31 If you missed Dine out Vancouver, or you just miss it, get yourself to Burnaby for the Bite of Burnaby Festival. This annual foodies dream takes place all month and features local restaurant favourites offering prix-fixe menus from $10 to $60. Burnaby bills itself as BC’s most diverse dining city so there’s sure to be something for every taste. Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival, March 4 Fans of this semi-annual event have waited patiently for its return to the Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club. After three (especially long) years, the wait is over! You’re invited to visit old friends and meet new favourites as craft breweries from around the lower mainland…
If you’re within earshot of someone in the local foodie scene, you’ve likely heard about how diverse (and delicious) Burnaby is. Knowing where to start can always be daunting, so thankfully, there’s a fantastic excuse to hop in and start trying the countless culinary gems! Running from March 1 – 31, Bite of Burnaby is a food festival that showcases the depth and breadth of the restaurants in the area. Grab a box of Portuguese egg tarts to bring to the office, get take out Korean BBQ for a movie night at home, or enjoy in a wood-fired pizza and romantic stroll around Burnaby Heights, it all fits under the umbrella of the festival. Restaurants will be offering pre-set tasting menus from $10 – $60 so you can get the best value no matter how hungry you are. As if that wasn’t incentive enough to partake in one of BC’s hottest…
The one thing that’s guaranteed to make your meal taste better (other than salt), is sharing it with the people you enjoy spending time with. Whether you’re hitting the bar for appies and drinks after a long day with your work crew or you’re rounding up your buds for a banquet-style dinner and catch-up session, it’s always better with friends. The only catch? You’ll need to find a location everyone likes that’s not only easy to get to, but has a table big enough for 6 people (or more). Make sure no one gets left behind, and plan your next group dining event using the Dine the Line It’s Better With Friends Itinerary. Ride through Surrey, Burnaby and New Westminster and find your new favourite meet-up spot. Each location is easily accessible on foot from a SkyTrain station or Bus stop and welcomes large parties for all kinds of occasions.…
If you’re looking to plan out a route of Metro Vancouver’s best restaurants/breweries, you can expect to encounter mental gridlock pretty quickly! There are just too many options to pick from. However, there is hope for fledgling foodies looking to cross names off their local “to-try” list. Curated eating/drinking paths are available through handy programs like Dine the Line and The BC Ale Trail. Each one provides notable restaurant and brewery stops easily accessible along local transit routes. It’s definitely a delicious way to get from A to B. From New West to White Rock via a pulled pork sandwich and an IPA. From Coquitlam through Burnaby by way of a cobb salad with dressing on the side. Not sure where to start? Try these maps on, and see what your appetite is. Tasting Passport – Try a Local Brewery, Collect Stamps and Win this February Once you’ve had dinner,…