coffee Archives - West Coast Food

Chef Stories April 5, 2024

Salt Spring Coffee Launches Canada’s First-Ever Roc Coffee

Salt Spring Coffee is well respected in the world of premium, ethically sourced coffee and has just launched the country’s first ever Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) coffee. The Village Trade Dark Roast is in stores now, and for purchase online. Regular West Coast Food contributor Catherine Dunwoody chatted with Mickey McLeod, Co-Founder & CEO of Salt Spring Coffee. What does the term Regenerative Organic Certified coffee mean to the consumer? McLeod: Regenerative organic certification sets the highest standard in the world for soil health, ecosystem preservation, and farmworker fairness. For a farm or product to be Regenerative Organic Certified™, it must first meet USDA organic requirements. From there, additional rigorous standards must be met including sustainable agricultural practices, animal welfare protections, and social responsibilities including supporting the wellbeing and livelihoods of farmers and workers. Regenerative organic certification provides a holistic framework that ensures communities and ecosystems flourish throughout the coffee supply…

Cafés November 24, 2023

Convenience Store Cafes in Metro Vancouver

Neighbourhood corner store cafes are cropping up all over Metro Vancouver. The concept, according to Dished Vancouver, hails from Australia, where corner stores include not only everyday essentials and grocery items but also a full-service cafe with sandwiches, soups, coffee, and more. New York has a similar thing going on, if you’ve visited it’s likely you tried at least one bodega-made bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich after popping in to grab a pack of gum, a bottle of water, and a coffee to go. Metro Vancouver is now getting the one-stop-shop experience, too. Some convenience store cafes offer regional fare and imported goods, while others have adopted the Australian-inspired ambiance with locally roasted coffee, organic produce, and free zines to read and take home. By Brittany Tiplady Find a convenience store cafe close to you below. Vancouver Mah Milkbar 1502 Victoria Drive This brand new, queer-owned and operated convenience store…

Chef Stories October 30, 2023

The Pie Hole Comes to Langley

The Pie Hole, Jenell Parsons’ beloved Vancouver and Burnaby-based cafe, has expanded to Langley. Parsons founded the Pie Hole in 2011, starting with farmer’s markets and pop-ups before expanding to a brick and mortar location in 2017. In 2020, she published You Wanna Piece In Me?, a best-selling cookbook with over 100 recipes, tips and tricks. Setting up shop in what was previously The Pinkavo Cafe on the Fraser Highway one-way, The Pie Hole opened three days before Thanksgiving to enthusiastic, sweet-toothed customers. Serving up their famous classics like Raspberry Cream Crumble, seasonal favourites, half-pound cookies, and the Pie Hole’s own coffee, Parsons’ family business has already earned the trust of the Langley community, with regulars piling in on the daily. I sat down with Parsons to learn more about the Pie Hole’s brand new location. Tell me about what inspired you to start baking pies? JP: For me, pie…

Cafés September 15, 2023

New Autumn Pastries At Burnaby’s Mon Paris Pâtisserie

Paris-trained pastry Chef Elena Krasnova’s French pastry shop in Burnaby has been our go-to for delectable treats for years now. As with any true artist, inspiration comes from many sources, and the recent new offerings at Mon Paris Pâtisserie are inspired by Chef Krasnova’s recent travels. By Catherine Dunwoody Impressed by the abundant, fragrant, fresh lemons on Elena’s annual trip to Menton in the South of France, Elena could not resist creating a Lemon Meringue Croissant that is available only on weekends. Lemon trees dot the landscape in the South of France and are sold in markets and stands on every street corner. Celebrating the citrus fruit that Elena, and her eager customers love seemed like an obvious choice. “The aroma of sun-drenched fruit filled the air in this charming seaside town. As I wandered through the narrow stone streets, I encountered citron de Menton in various forms, from whole…

Chef Stories March 12, 2023

Teen Coffee Connoisseur Aevin Shares his Brew Secrets

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…

White Rock February 28, 2022

The Best cafes to Get Work Done in White Rock

By Winnie Tam White Rock isn’t just known for its beaches and picturesque scenery, it also has its fair share of charming cafes. Each one offers delicious treats and a cozy environment where you can get some work done. Next time you’re in town, check these out. Laura’s Coffee Corner In business since 2010, Laura’s Coffee Corner offers breakfast and lunch with made-to-order, homemade soups, salads, paninis, and freshly-baked treats. The café also offers a few gluten-free and vegan options. It’s a busy cafe with plenty of seating, including a heated, covered patio – great for these cooler months. With their free wifi, you can easily spend the morning there and work to your heart’s content! Enjoy their popular English Muffin Breakfast Sandwich for only $4.95, which comes with a free 12oz coffee between 8 and 9am. 2-15259 Pacific Ave, White Rock Get there on transit: From Bridgeport Station take…

Surrey February 24, 2022

The Best Cafes to Get Work Done in Surrey

by Winnie Tam Whether you’re wanting a midday break while working from home, or you’re looking for a spot to work and reward yourself with a delicious treat at the same time, these gems in Surrey have got you covered. West Village Café West Village Café is a family-owned, community-based cafe, led by Jas Bhangoo. The café’s vision is to bring people together through nourishing, made-from-scratch food in a warm and inviting environment where everyone belongs, “like a village.” #160-5620 152nd Street, Surrey Get there on transit: Take the Expo Line Skytrain to King George Station, Board the 345 Bus heading East, get off at the Highway 10 stop, and it’s about a five-minute walk from there! *Photos care of West Village Cafe Kaffina Coffee Kaffina Coffee is a quality espresso and pour-over bar tucked away in South Surrey. It combines high-quality coffee and food that one would find…

Cafés October 13, 2021

New Westminster’s Cafes where Work Gets Done

By Kristi Alexandra The pandemic has many online workers a little Zoom fatigued, and co-working spaces aren’t as bustling as they once were pre-COVID. Luckily, for those who are used to the digital nomad life or who just miss seeing other folks “around the office,” there are a few spots in New Westminster where one can flip open a laptop and treat themselves to better-than-homebrewed beverages. Check out our favourites here. Old Crow Coffee Co. Art and industrial aesthetics meet at this Front Street café, where you’ll find rotating art from new artists hanging on the walls on a regular basis amid tables made from pipes. This spot caters to vegetarians and vegans alike, offering up fresh-made sandwiches, pastries, and occasionally, a delivery from Plates By Payts which serves plant-based sourdough doughnuts. Find a spot to get to work at one of the many tables available, including couch space to…

Self-guided Tours September 8, 2021

Bike (and Eat!) the Central Valley Greenway: New Westminster

By Jackie Dives The Central Valley Greenway is a great way to explore on a bicycle. It’s a relatively flat bike path that runs all the way from Vancouver to New Westminster, and one of our favourite ways to work up an appetite for a day of exploring the amazing food and drink in New Westminster. Our first stop in New Westminster along the Central Valley Greenway on our bike ride from Vancouver was Old Crow Café for a much-needed caffeine dose, where I ordered a flat white and Dan got an americano. You can enjoy coffee and breakfast here, watching the trains go by, or grab a croissant to-go and head to the water. The River Market is a great place to visit, especially every Saturday, where Rain City Games hosts an open board game day where you can crack open a game and try it out. A welcome…

Craft Beer January 15, 2020

Funky Beer, Funky Coffee and a Beer-Wine Hybrid at this Brewery on Vancouver’s North Shore

By Gail Johnson House of Funk Brewing is funky indeed: the small-batch Vancouver’s North Shore brewery specializes in beer that has been fermented, exposed to wild yeast, or spent time in wood. Located at 350 East Esplanade in Lower Lonsdale’s burgeoning Shipyards Brewery District—with a view of Vancouver Harbour—the brewery is a family affair. Darren and Jody Hollett, a husband-and-wife team with a newborn and a toddler, run it with his brother, mom, dad, uncle, and a few dear friends. Darren, formerly of Mission Springs Craft Brewery and Hearthstone Brewery, among others, fills us in on what House of Funk is all about. What exactly do you mean by “funky” beer? The name House of Funk comes from the style of beer we’re after, using a lot of wild yeasts, a lot of bacteria and bugs. They make beer taste funky, so it has a barnyard funk and rustic character…

Cafés March 26, 2019

Home and Away at Vancouver’s Hidden Gem: Le Marché St. George

By Wade Kinley On a late weekend visit to Le Marché St. George, we shared the long table with two women who gazed about the cozy interior as they cupped their lattes in both hands. “Imagine if you lived in this neighbourhood,” one of the women said. “And this was your spot.” Indeed, it is the way this café-cum-general store makes you feel. Like that bistro you stumbled into on your first morning in Paris, or that bodega on your last night in New York. Like you are out in the world and at home all at once. Tucked into the bottom of a two-story mismatched-shingled building at 4393 St. George St, the café has captured the hearts of its Kensington neighbourhood, in part by fostering a feeling it’s been here as long as its hundred-year-old building, not just a near decade. Dark green paint that’s chipping on corners and weathered…

Cafés February 1, 2019

An Expert Guide to Choosing Your Perfect Coffee Roast

By Jenni Sheppard Whether you yearn for a single strong cup of coffee to start your day or you’re a caffeine addict who loves touring espresso cafes, we have one question for you–which coffee roast do you prefer? The answer might not be as simple as you think. Around Metro Vancouver, it’s fair to say we’re spoiled for choice with so many specialist coffee shops and roasters around town. One of these is Spent Grounds Coffee Roasters, a coffee bean roastery and tasting bar in Surrey, BC. Spent Grounds focuses solely on hand-crafted, hand-poured coffee that is freshly roasted weekly at their facility. To learn more about how to choose the perfect coffee roast, we spoke to Spent Grounds owner, Karen Lopez. What kind of coffee roasts do you produce? “We have light, medium and dark roasts available by the cup or by the bag. The Ethiopian is roasted light…

Sweets June 7, 2018

Black Tiger Coffee is the Cloverdale Hub for Caffeine and Fresh Donuts

By Brittany Tiplady In search of the perfect cuppa, coffee connoisseurs generally flock to the many Vancouver cafes pouring quality espresso. Outside the city though, you can find some hidden gems. Black Tiger Coffee Co. a new Cloverdale haunt, is offering the city cafe vibe in Surrey’s burgeoning subdivision. You may have heard of the place: Black Tiger has garnered some significant attention on Instagram, posting frequent photos of their mouth-watering-Voodoo-like donuts, frothy lattes, and decadent sandwiches. “Black Tiger is a fun, relaxing, open atmosphere. This is a place for friends and young families in the neighbourhood to come, chat, and catch up,” says Black Tiger owner and operator Natasha Multani. “We have a lot of regulars coming in. We’ve been open only eight months and we’ve grown quite a bit since we [opened our doors] and I think we can still grow even more.” Multani, a chiropractor by trade,…

Cafés November 22, 2017

Quality European Simplicity Done Local at Café Orso on Vancouver’s North Shore

By Brittany Tiplady What comes to mind when you think of the North Shore’s Deep Cove? Hikes up Quarry Rock amongst a bustling crowd, paddleboarders gliding across the Burrard Inlet, kayaking, lush terrain, stunning mountainous views and a sweet small town-esque vibe. Heading west from the quay to the picturesque Indian Arm is Deep Cove, and at the centre of this cozy waterfront community is the beloved and highly acclaimed Cafe Orso, a local staple with big Italian influence that serves European-inspired food sourced locally. This brainchild of owner Jonathan Hayward and his wife Lori Steeves was conceived when they were on a European vacation enjoying an apres-hike coffee and cheese board. “We were [over] mediocracy in this affluent, high-end neighborhood of Deep Cove. And a lot of people in this area were expressing the need for a good coffee shop. So, we came up with the concept, and here…

Cafés 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…

Cafés November 7, 2016

Coffee Mastery, a Stock Broker, and a Giant Teddy in Coquitlam

By Ashley Lockyer How fresh do you like your coffee? Each morning the scent of roasting beans spills out from Creekside Coffee Factory in Coquitlam. Here, you can sip a handcrafted beverage beside the bright red roaster where your drink started its journey, from beans to a piece of latte art. Owner and roaster Jay Lee had his own unique journey. It all began while he was a stockbroker in South Korea. He found himself daydreaming of owning a business while the numbers poured down the screens. When he moved with his family to Canada, Jay set off to master another market, something that interested him: coffee. Jay was mentored by a master roaster in South Korea. He then worked in a cafe to learn the hands-on craft of drink making. Finally, he heard famous coffee roasters spill the beans on their techniques while working at a coffee company and…

Cafés 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…

Where to Eat November 12, 2015

11 Vancouver Specialties and Where to Eat Them

By Alexis Baran Coastal and multicultural are the flavours of Vancouver’s most recognized specialties. To get to know the unique bites (and sips) Vancouverites love to munch, start with these eleven favorites: JapaDog Vancouver’s original most-talked-about food cart serves Japanese-inspired hotdogs. Bask in the salty, sweet, and spicy tastes of seaweed flakes, teriyaki sauce, miso, wasabi and kimchi. There are multiple locations in downtown Vancouver, including an indoor location at 530 Robson. B.C. Rolls British Columbia’s signature sushi roll is done in many ways, but the one consistent ingredient is grilled savoury and chewy salmon skin. Get them at just about any sushi joint in Vancouver. Coffee Busy Vancouverites are often particular about their favorite liquid pick-me-up, and love their pour-overs and flavoured espresso drinks. Some local chains to try are Milano Coffee, 49th Parallel, and JJ Bean. But don’t forget the many cozy independent shops to be found who…

Cafés November 6, 2015

All Roads Lead to Great Coffee in Metro Vancouver and Beyond

By Kathy Mak Coffee, served hot or cold, is arguably the world’s most popular beverage. In the ranking of best coffee cities in the world, Vancouver has become one of the undisputed top ten leaders. The obsession with coffee, particularly independent coffee shops/roasters, is a big part of what defines the city’s foodie culture, as much as craft breweries, food trucks, farmers markets, boutique eateries, etc. And, the love affair with java extends throughout the Fraser Valley. To truly appreciate the local coffee scene, grab your travel mug and follow this itinerary to sip on some of the best coffee, and special accompaniments, at a batch of unique micro-roasters in Greater Vancouver. As the saying goes, “life is too short to drink bad coffee.” If you crave unique coffee flavours that are ethically sourced, then you may be part of a growing trend of coffee connoisseurs that support indie-owned coffee…