By Brittany Tiplady Mount Seymour Scratch Kitchen Did you transit to Seymour Mountain, taking the shuttle from Parkgate Community Centre in North Vancouver? Scratch Kitchen is accessible from Parkgate Community Centre, with a trip on the 211 Seymour bus. Fancy a post-mountain date night? Scratch Kitchen is your place. Quaint, cozy, and just a short 20 minute drive from Seymour Mountain, Scratch Kitchen is the loveliest candle lit après spot, ready to serve you artisan pizzas, craft beer, local wines (and so much more!). All of the share plates on Scratch Kitchen’s menu sound delicious (we were torn between the Cauliflower Wings and the Chill Beets), but the Chill Beets hit the spot – fresh, vibrant, and punctuated by the perfect amount of crunch, courtesy of the candied walnuts. The pizza menu is also a doozy, but if you’re a pineapple-on-pizza-person I cannot recommend The Perfect Storm enough. Red sauce,…
By Wade Kinley One can’t cover the opening of a restaurant without discussing the food that is imagined, tried, tested, tweaked and finally served with ever-loving care. Fiorino started as a dream to bring authentic Italian sandwiches to Vancouver but has since blossomed into a pretty happening spot for dinner as well. We spoke with Chef Mario Ruiz about some of the inspiration and endeavour that has gone into some of his favourite menu items. Coccoli and Prosciutto “You’ll find this particular dish on the menu at every trattoria or osteria in Florence. So it was a no-brainer when we were putting together a menu for Fiorino. In fact, it was probably the first thing to go on it. But, it wasn’t actually there for the first few weeks we were open because we import the stracchino cheese direct from Italy and it proved to be more difficult than…
Science has shown that the surest way to brighten one’s outlook is through the palate. This is why we like to have a few go-to options in our back pocket, seeing as Metro Vancouver is full of them. For particularly dreary days, taking a culinary journey to Greece never fails. So have a scroll down, and let’s take a tour through our favourite local spots that have us salivating for souvlaki and pita. Sfinaki Greek Taverna – Burnaby Often voted as one of Burnaby’s best places for Greek, Sfinaki has been delighting Metro Vancouver diners for over 25 years with their homestyle recipes. A family business, each member of the flock helps out whether in the kitchen or front of the house, and that sense of tradition and ownership shows. With a menu that could be described as street food meets comfort food, this is a delicious gem to try. 4061 Hastings…
By Avneet Takhar Vegetarians rejoice, we’ve got some hearty dishes for you to try during these chilly months! Stock your stomachs with homestyle foods that are warm and satisfying; there are plenty to choose from. Zarak by Afghan Kitchen Recently opened restaurant with “mum’s recipes” on the menu, Zarak takes Afghan cuisine to an elevated level in intimate surroundings with servers clad in charming traditional waistcoats. There are many veggie plates to try, but I’ll let you in on the ones I tasted and still savour as I write! Having never been to an Afghan restaurant before, this place is making me want to discover more of the food. I went for the leek, scallion and spinach dumplings, topped with chive sprigs and a tomato bean sauce, a great starter to get going. Then for the main: bandejan (Farsi for eggplant), Qabuli palow (rice) and grilled bread. A myriad of…
By Avneet Takhar While WFH (working from home) is still the norm in 2022, having a break from working remotely in the makeshift office in your apartment is a great way to get both a change of scenery and some good eats if you pick a local cafe with wifi. These 4 fit the bill: Wild Trails Coffee – North Vancouver Mother-daughter-owned, Wild Trails is a 100% plant-based cafe that Hungarian native Katalin Zambo opened with the mission to encourage healthy living through wholesome nutrition. Serving up delectable hot drinks such as hazelnut and cinnamon lattes, with the option of coconut whipped cream and yummy bites like banana walnut muffins and vegan “ham”, “turkey” garlic and pesto, you’ll feel awake and ready for the day of work ahead! 134 14th St E, North Vancouver Transit: 230 or 229 bus, get off at Lonsdale Ave @ E 13th St Shipyard’s Coffee…
By Mark Shelling The new year has arrived, and while it’s sad to look into the rearview mirror, say goodbye to the year that was and reminisce about all the fantastic food we had, it’s important to face forward… towards NEW food. Thankfully we have DineOut Vancouver on the horizon this month to help maintain a high standard of foodie memories. Now in its 20th year, DineOut has been present through more food trends than you can shake a cakepop at. From gourmet sliders, to acai bowls, and who could forget those hors d’oeuvres with the little plastic squeeze bottle thing, where you have to fire a garnish into your mouth… Actually, that’s one memory we’re glad we’ve moved on from. Throughout all these stepping stones though, one thing has remained constant across 20 years: DineOut is the pinnacle opportunity for date nights. Why? Because for two solid weeks a…
By Avneet Takhar As the snowy weather continues and temperatures drop; winter’s in full flow and it’s time to revel in “hygge”. The Nordic term for coziness and contentment, whereby hot cups of soup are a must! Here are our top 5 snug spots to cop a cup: Boiling Point 4148 Main St, Vancouver Transit: 3 bus, get off at E 26th Ave on Main With locations in Canada, USA and Japan, Boiling Point is a Tawainese-inspired concept known as the original #wokinabox, and goes against the grain in providing an atypical mix of ingredients in their hot soups. Having personally taste-tested the “House Special”, at a medium spice level containing tofu, pork blood, pork intestine, mushrooms and a sophisticated quail egg my tastebuds were overwhelmed- in the best possible way! The best thing is, it also comes as a trio with a green/black tea and either vermicelli or rice…
By VisitRichmondBC.com Most restaurants tend to shut their doors on Christmas and we can’t really blame them. It is, after all, a time to celebrate with friends and family! Even so, Christmas remains a busy day for the few restaurants that are open during the holidays. Here are our top five restaurant picks in Richmond that’ll keep their lights on for Santa. HK BBQ Master If you’re looking to get a fill of Cantonese-style barbecue, HK BBQ Master (4651 No. 3 Road) is hands down one of the best places to get your fill of char siu, crispy skin roast pork, BBQ duck or BBQ chicken. It’s a tiny hole-in-the-wall type eatery with just 14 seats and they accept cash only for payment. So be warned: come early to snag seats, or buy the meats by the pound with a side of rice and take it to go for an…
By Flourist Bakery This recipe involves a simple homemade caramel which makes enough for two batches of blondies. Alternatively, you can freeze the leftover caramel pieces and add them to your favorite cookie, brownie or bar recipe. Ingredients Caramel Sugar (3/4 cup 162g) Water (2 tbsp) Blondie Batter Unsalted butter (1 cup plus 1 tablespoon 250g) Eggs (2 large) Brown sugar (1 3/4 cups 300g) Vanilla extract (1 1/2 tsp) Sifted Red Fife flour (1 3/4 cups 240g) baking powder (1 1/4 tsp) Salt (1 tsp) Semisweet or milk chocolate, chopped (4 1/2 ounces 125g) To make the caramel, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Put the water in a light-colored saucepan (so that you can see the color of the caramel as it changes). Add sugar and place over medium-low heat. Watch as the sugar starts to dissolve and resist the urge to stir the pan,…
By Avneet Takhar If you’re looking to spread some Christmas cheer, look no further than these foodie holiday baskets which will be a sure hit with folks! Whether one has been naughty or nice, tis’ the season of giving so we strongly urge you to invest in these gifts, just to see the delighted looks on the faces of those who receive. And here are our top 5 recommendations: Coho Market – Vancouver Coho Market supports local businesses, with a mission to nurture the entrepreneurial pipeline and foster connections through food. Choose from their 3 different bundles: Women-Led Local Foodie Box: containing Moorish hot sauces by Kula Kitchen and Sriracha Revolver, Luv The Grub’s cozy chai apple spread and some sweet snacks from Mindfoods, The Friendly Keto and Heritage Baking. BIPoC-Led Local Foodie Box: an eclectic mix of Van Koji’s seasoning sauce, dark chocolate by Kaaj, True Nosh’s…
This recipe came to us by way of one of Flourist’s best customers, who shared the source of this tasty lentil loaf with us. The original recipe is a vegan version, which can be accessed here. We think it’s the perfect choice for vegetarian holiday menus. ~ adapted from The Silk Road Diary Ingredients French lentils (1 cup dry) Water or vegetable broth (2 1/2 cups) Egg (1) Olive oil (2 tablespoons) Yellow or red onion, finely diced (1 medium ) Carrot, grated (1 large) Red bell pepper, finely diced (1 small) Salt (1 tsp) Chili powder (1 tablespoon) Paprika (1 teaspoon) Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon) Oats (3/4 cup) Sifted Red Spring Wheat Flour or any fresh flour on hand (1/2 cup) Ketchup (1/3 cup) Balsamic vinegar (2 tablespoons) Maple syrup (2 tablespoons) Instructions In a large pot, combine your choice of Flourist French Lentils and vegetable broth and bring to…
From tasting tours and cookery classes, to dining dates and culinary celebrations, here’s our collection of Christmas gift ideas for the foodie in your life this year.
The holidays are just around the corner, and if the wait is just too unbearable for you, Metro Vancouver has more than a few options for wassailing away the days until the 25th. So bundle up, and let’s take a tour of our favourite community Christmas markets! Burnaby Heritage Christmas Take a step into Christmases gone by with a visit to Burnaby Village’s annual glow-up event. With bright family photo opportunities around every lamppost, a wander through the village is sure to get every member of your crew feeling festive. If you’re still met with Grinch-like glares, a ride on the restored 1912 Carousel will do the trick. For extreme cases, consult the scoop artists at the old-fashioned ice cream parlour. https://bit.ly/3mb7Bg3 @BurnabyVillage Langley Christmas In the Village Fort Langley is always a good bet for feeling the warmth of the season. This annual festival returns to…
By Brittany Tiplady If you love BC craft beer and culture, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard the name Tim LaHay once or twice. LaHay is the BC and beer enthusiast behind the moniker @crafttourist, a digital ode to all things BC craft beer, spirits, cider, and scenery. LaHay’s love of craft brews has amassed an engaged following of nearly 22,000, not including the readership on his blog. His account is dedicated to travel, hiking, and of course, BC craft beer. “I’ve been a craft beer enthusiast for over 10 years now. The BC craft beer scene has really evolved as many people are aware, and it all started [for me] with a visit to a Winter Cask Festival at the Central City Brewpub in 2012. It opened my eyes to the amazing flavours that exist in the craft beer world,” shares LaHay in a phone interview. “Working at…
By Avneet Takhar It’s no secret that veganism has been on the rise in the last few years, and most notably within the health-conscious West Coast. When plant-based comes to mind, media coverage tends to be dominated by food outlets and “food-fluencers” who happen to be white. But the communities of colour who have primarily always provided veggie options (Indian and Vietnamese in particular) are leading the way in showing how it’s done. Here’s the lowdown on 5 PoC (people of colour) vegan spots that are causing a stir. Cham Cham Vegan Vietnamese Chefpreneur Kim Vo decided to leave her well-established catering and food truck business in Toronto for Vancouver- amidst the pandemic! Some would say a bold choice when the world was at the brink of disaster? But she didn’t even blink before setting up in Kits with Cham Cham (meaning ‘slow-down’ in Vietnamese). The crunchy Saigon chick’n…
By Flourist Bakery This delicious chickpea dish is super easy and impressive to make for guests or a cozy weeknight meal on a winter night. Serve with cooked grains like quinoa or with flatbreads. It gets better as it sits, but we doubt leftovers will linger for long with this recipe! INGREDIENTS Dry chickpeas 1 cup (200g) Olive oil (1/3 cup) Red onion, chopped into 1-inch pieces (1 large) Garlic cloves, crushed (2-3) Chili paste (1-2 tbsp) Ground cumin (1.5 tsp) Smoked paprika (1 tsp) Coriander (1 tsp) Salt (1 tbsp) Red bell pepper, seeded, and cut into 1-inch pieces (1) Green zucchini, cut into 1-inch pieces (2 medium) Strained tomatoes or passata (1 700g jar) Baby spinach (3 oz) Honey (2 tbsp) Feta, sliced into rectangular slabs (200g) Fresh basil or parsley for garnish DIRECTIONS Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof dutch oven over medium heat.…
By Avneet Takhar Hanukkah celebrations are taking place right now and with Christmas and Solstice right around the corner, we thought it only fair to provide you places with delicious treats to stock up on. Leave the baking to the elves, oops we mean, experts this year! Even the bah humbugs of the clan won’t be able to resist these scrumptious snacks, we guarantee it. Without further ado, here are just some of the spots you can indulge in of baked goods for a season of joy and good tidings. Elbo Patties 1370 East Georgia, Vancouver Transit: 22 bus, hop off at Venables St @ Clark Dr Chris Boreland doesn’t only make patties! The holiday specialty, Jamaican rum cake, bursting with a sweet yet deliciously bitter twang and a dusting of icing sugar on top, is a no-brainer for entertaining both your stomach and guests. Yum for your…
By Brittany Tiplady From Vancouver to Langley there’s one food trend that’s sweeping the Metro Vancouver area: Korean. Fried. Chicken. Of course, Korean fried chicken is nothing new. It just took a while to enter the mainstream on this side of the globe. According to an article written in Smithsonian Magazine, “scholars claim that the U.S. military presence after the Korean War introduced deep-fried chicken to the Korean palate. In the 1960s and ’70s, Western-style rotisserie chicken restaurants became popular in urban areas. Starting in the 1980s, Korean-style fried chicken dipped in a sweet and spicy sauce made with gochujang (fermented chili paste) was delivered to virtually every household in modern apartment complexes.” It has been reported that the first Korean fried chicken franchise, Lims Chicken, was established in 1977 by Yu Seok-ho in the basement of Shinsegae Department Store, Chungmu-ro, Seoul. Fast food restaurants like KFC and Popeyes setting…
By Jaclyn Hayward Thinking of your favourite place can be a very sensory experience. Memories of sights, sounds, tastes; memories of how the people there make you feel. Lise from Chew on This Tasty Tours has assembled opportunities around invoking these senses, with a chance to discover and rediscover places through curated tasting boxes and tours. Specially put together with the right food and the right folks, Lise creates an unforgettable experience for guests to truly get to know “local” through the people, the businesses, and the flavours. Lise spent many years working in the tourism industry as a tour planner and “professional traveller” of sorts. Known amongst friends to be the one to consult for ideas and suggestions around travel, Lise planned many fantastic itineraries both personally and professionally around food, shopping, and accommodations. As a longtime patron of buying and supporting local, Lise felt the impact of the…
By Jaclyn Hayward Rain or shine, work goes on. Get up from your desk and find a new space to split your day up and head to one of these great coffee shop spots in Coquitlam. Cafe Delitzi 108-2957 Glen Dr, Coquitlam, BC Transit: Lincoln Centre and Coquitlam Centre SkyTrain stations Cafe Delitzi is a great cozy space, conveniently located on Glen Drive – near the SkyTrain and Coquitlam Centre. Order from their vast espresso bar menu or grab a Green Gorilla smoothie to refuel as you work. They also serve all-day breakfast, which includes their delicious belgian waffles with decadent toppings to choose from. Creekside Coffee Factory (Westwood) 3000 Lougheed Hwy. #103, Coquitlam, BC Transit: Coquitlam Centre SkyTrain station Creekside Coffee Factory has an exciting new space (Westwood) with an impressive layout that makes for great conversation and coworking. Famous already for their delicious coffee freshly roasted on-site, this…
By Brittany Tiplady If you do a Google search for the best cuisine in Latin America, you’ll notice that Peru comes up on the top of almost every list. And that’s for good reason: Peruvian Gastronomy is second to none. Peru has swept the World Travel Awards as the leading culinary destination since 2012, and the accolades keep on coming. If you’re unfamiliar, let’s learn a little bit about what makes Peruvian food so fantastic. Location, Location, Location. Peru shares borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile. According to 1111 Peruvian Bistro based in Miami, “the country is divided into 3 topographical areas: coastal region, the Amazon rainforest to the east, and the Andean highlands. The different climates and local ingredients within them create unique flavors in the dishes that are created around them.” You’ll see this topography directly reflected in the classic Peruvian dishes: the pacific ocean provides…
By Wade Kinley All across the province, BC’s Ale Trails crisscross through our communities introducing each intrepid traveller to the wonder and discovery of a craft beer scene unrivalled in the rest of the world. The latest addition to the map is dubbed North of the Fraser Ale Trail, and comprises breweries in New Westminster, Burnaby, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam in a self-guided itinerary for beer lovers: from the storied history of brewing in BC’s once-capital city of New Westminster, where John Labbatt himself set up shop in 1860, to the burgeoning scene in Port Coquitlam where the craft beer scene is tied into the geography of the city itself, where cyclists and pedestrians can tour its five breweries along the Traboulay PoCo Trail that encircles the community. North of the Fraser Ale Trail also includes a thorough exploration of the sights, sounds and tastes of each community that fill…
By Avneet Takhar Mithalee Rawat can most often be spotted at Farmers Markets or on her bike out and about in Vancouver and the surrounding areas, hand-delivering her Ayurvedic Shorba Bone Broth. An entrepreneur with a cause, she’s also the co-founder of BIPoC Foods Van.* We caught up with her ahead of prepping for a busy holiday season! You were born and raised in India but moved to Canada as a teen. How did this impact your approach as a chef? “I was spoiled as a child with great food. Both my mother and father are excellent cooks, and my four uncles on my mother’s side are professional cooks. I had the unique privilege of being familiar with various cuisines and hence developing a very fine-tuned palette. “Indian cuisine is also rich with vegetarian dishes, and although I have never been vegetarian myself, cooking meatless meals came easily to me. This…
You’ve Got to Look Twice at Punk Rock Pastries Creations in Burnaby By Alexis Baran A butcher, a baker, a spooky cake maker, Punk Rock Pastries’ Hollie Fraser is all of the above. While she may be butchering exclusively cakes and buttercream these days, you wouldn’t know it looking at her creations. Hollie is the owner of Punk Rock Pastries and together with her small team, they’ve baked and sculpted their way not only into the mouths and stomachs of locals – but also into shows such as the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, The Mighty Ducks and Turner and Hooch. Located just on the outskirts of the fabulous-for-foodies Burnaby Heights neighbourhood, the shop shelves are full of pastries and cookies that go from adorably colourful and bubbly, to convincingly horrific, to R-rated. Walk-by traffic often has mixed reviews. “[Punk Rock Pastries] is an adult-themed bakery,” says Hollie. “So when most people…
Gather ‘round all you ale aficionados, there’s an important announcement regarding your favourite hopped beverage! Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week is right around the corner, so it’s time you start planning your brewery route. From November 4-14, North Shore brewing houses will be hosting special events with exclusive beer collabs, kitchen takeovers, games and prizes. And it’s all happening just because we love beer! If you’ve read this far, chances are that you do too, so here’s an idea of the things you can expect to be tapping into. Events The North Shore calendar will be lit up with craft beer events throughout the week! La Cerveceria Astilleros will be featuring live music (including a Mariachi band) to ring in the launch of their new Horchata Porter, while Wildeye Brewing is hosting a dim sum night featuring a special Asian-styled cask beer. Over in Deep Cove, Deep…
By Notch 8 at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Since opening in 1939, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has hosted the who’s who of dignitaries, celebrities, state leaders and even a ghost. Over the years, there have been numerous sightings of a Lady in Red. Rumoured sightings are often on fourteenth floor as she exits the dummy elevator shafts on her way to The Roof event venue. Available October 29 through October 31, this cocktail is crafted for those who prefer to sip spirits rather than sight them. INGREDIENTS Grand Marnier (.75oz) Southern Comfort (.75oz) Cranberry juice (2oz) Sparkling wine Cranberry or orange peel for garnish DIRECTIONS Combine Grand Marnier, Southern Comfort, cranberry juice and ice into shaker. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Top with sparkling wine. Garnish with choice of cranberry or orange peel.
By Brittany Tiplady It’s been a long year and a half staring at the same four walls. If you work from home like me, you might be missing the days of perching up at a cafe with your laptop and a good coffee. Well, I’m here to tell you it might be time to get back to it. Here are a few of our favourite Langley eateries and cafes to help you get a little work done. Blacksmith Bakery Fort Langley Location: 9190 Church Street Langley Regional Airport Location: #115 – 5385 216 Street (opened Summer 2020) We love both of the beautiful Blacksmith Bakery locations but we do recommend giving their new Langley airport location a try! Come for the Agro Coffee, stay for the wifi and the fresh baked goods. Blacksmith Bakery has a delicious bakery menu (we’re partial to the Kouign Amann, and the Fruit & Nut…
By Jaclyn Hayward Dry rubbed, smoked, slow cooked, and sweet and saucy aren’t seasonal flavours – so if that carnivorous craving hits this autumn, scope out one of these places to eat in or DIY at home. Sharky’s Chophouse & Eatery North Vancouver | Lonsdale Quay Seabus Terminal If you’re in or around the Lonsdale Quay area, pop in to pick up a hot meal from Sharky’s Chophouse & Eatery. They’ve got fresh meats and a hot deli with all kinds of sides and menu options to choose from. Grab a fresh slice of smoked ham with fried perogies and steamed veggies on the side and enjoy a tasty comfort meal on a cold day. You can eat in at the Quay and enjoy a seaside view, or take it to go and enjoy it in front of your favourite show. Butcher’s Block BBQ Burnaby | Hastings St. @ Gilmore…
By Flourist Bakery This is a comforting and easy new fall recipe featuring our Organic Whole Grain Rye Flour! We like using a mixture of different apple varieties such as Cortland, Macintosh, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Pink Lady for flavor and texture. INGREDIENTS Unsalted butter, melted (12 tbsp) Flourist Organic Whole Grain Rye Flour (1 1/2 cups) Brown sugar (1 1/2 cup) Old-fashioned rolled oats (1 cup) Hazelnuts, toasted and chopped (1 cup) Salt (1 tsp) Mixed apples, sliced into 1/2 inch wedges (4 lb – about 8-10 medium apples) Ground cinnamon (1 tbsp) 1 lemon, zested and juiced DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a rectangle 9×13-inch pan In a medium bowl, combine flour, 1 cup brown sugar, rolled oats, chopped hazelnuts, and salt. Add melted butter and stir together until combined. Squeeze the mixture together to form clumps of varying sizes. Toss sliced apples together with…
Fiorino, Vancouver Chinatown’s newest Italian eatery opens next week, so it’s time to set the table. We joined the three co-owners, Giovanni Mascagni, Mario Ruiz, and Mitchell Clark for stories of how their menu of Florence-inspired street food came together, and how the pandemic fast-tracked the ambitions of the three roommates. For a bit of context, see our previous chapter about how owner-operator Giovanni Mascagni studied under a bread master in Italy to get his schiacciata sandwiches just right. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sU8WnXJ1Fo