Coquitlam Archives - Page 3 of 3

European October 19, 2016

You’re One of the Family in Rocco’s Italian Deli in Coquitlam

By Nikki Hillman You’ll know Rocco’s is passionate about supporting local as soon as you enter the store. The seating area is dominated by two, long wooden tables, built by a company directly across the street, who salvaged fallen trees from within the area. These tables foster traditional Italian family dining and, if you’ve visited Italy, you will be familiar with this concept – and Rocco’s is definitely about family. The store is managed by Andy and Jana Mollica (a retired Air Canada employee) and their trusted employee, general manager and chef, Pat Toynbee. Stop by on a weekday afternoon and you could be entertained by their adorable children as they munch on pepperoni sticks from behind the deli glass. Rocco’s opened in August of 2015 and has quickly become the go-to place for coffee, meats, cheeses and treats. Most of the pastries are made in store; try a café…

Coquitlam August 9, 2016

Catch Some Rays at Coquitlam’s Outdoor Patios

By Sheliza Mitha & The City of Coquitlam Whether you’re interested in people watching or simply soaking up some sun, dining al fresco has never been easier or more enjoyable with Coquitlam’s outdoor restaurant patios. All you have to do is settle in, order a cool drink and figure out what to order. Where to go? Here’s a list of some of the city’s best patios for dining and relaxing outdoors: Browns Socialhouse Town Centre Nestled behind Coquitlam Centre, this Brown’s restaurant sits along Glen Drive and presents a perfect opportunity to people watch while enjoying the bustling ambiance and friendly service. #120 – 2950 Glen Drive 604.474.3255 Cactus Club Coquitlam Featuring a generous patio, Cactus Club Coquitlam makes it easy to enjoy the outdoors while still being close to the city’s entertainment district (the Hard Rock Casino and SilverCity Coquitlam are just a few minutes away). #110 – 101…

Middle Eastern July 4, 2016

Glen Drive’s Hidden Persian & Iranian Eats in Coquitlam

By Nikki Hillman In Coquitlam’s city centre, Glen Drive is evolving into a great place to stop for lunch or dinner. There are several Pho, sushi, and waffle stores – and there is a wealth of hidden Persian and Iranian gems. I found myself drawn to The High Street and stopped in at the Urban Gate Bar and Grill for some dinner, and was surprised to find a traditional Iranian/Persian Market attached to the restaurant. The scents of the sweets were enticing as I sat down to order. I asked my server to recommend a traditional Iranian meal and she instantly pointed out her favorite on the menu; Jujeh. This is a classic kebab of chicken, marinated in lemon, yogurt and saffron. The meal also comes with a small salad, barbecue Roma tomato, lemon, onion and saffron rice. The combination of the flavors was delicious but I was won over…

Street Food June 15, 2016

Coquitlam’s Cheese Street Grill Food Truck

By Catherine Dunwoody Scott Harper watched the movie Chef one night, and the next morning looked in the mirror and said “I don’t want to spend another minute of my life doing anything I don’t love to do.” And added, “one day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.” According to his wife Debbie, she laughs and says, “Scott’s a dreamer, he built me a beautiful food truck… I’m the real Chef.” The couple are a secondgeneration family born and raised in Coquitlam, with a strong pull to give back to the local community that supports them. Cheese Street Grill food truck is their baby, and they travel the food truck festival circuit, plus other events and markets throughout the Lower Mainland. What do they serve? Handcrafted grilled cheese sandwiches, seasonal soups, all made with locally sourced, highest quality ingredients. And love. Their “mac…

Shops & Markets June 9, 2016

Try Tasty Plants at Coquitlam Farmers Market

By Catherine Dunwoody Vegans and vegetarians will want to add Sunday visits to the Coquitlam Farmers Market to their calendars, from now until end of October. Jessica Kralj, owner of Tasty Plants, has a love for plant-based foods, and a knack for preparing a variety of delicious dishes, that she sells at the market. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Kralj offers fresh and frozen prepared meals plus brownies, cookies, bars, and snacks. Customers line up for her three bean and quinoa chili, enchiladas, curried chickpeas and cauliflower soup. Sweet tooth? Try the energy bites (2 flavors: dark cocoa-coconut and key-lime coconut), and vegan brownies. Tasty Plants does not use any animal products/by-products, supports BC farmers and suppliers, and is an environmentally friendly business. “There are so many health issues associated with the consumption of meats and dairy, as well as so many people with allergies to these products and not many…

European May 26, 2016

Deli-ciously Diverse European Delights in Coquitlam

By Sheliza Mitha & The City of Coquitlam The temperate climate of BC’s Lower Mainland makes it especially easy to enjoy impromptu (and planned) barbecues and picnics – particularly in the warmer months of spring, summer and early fall. So, why not take it easy on yourself and enjoy the weather… and let someone else (preferably an expert!) do all the prep work? Enter Coquitlam’s array of specialty and multicultural delis, where you’ll find everything from authentic Italian salami and street food to Eastern European delights and even some flavourful Persian treats and meat. Here are just a few Coquitlam delis (in alphabetical order) where you can pop in and grab what you need for a quick and delicious meal: Euro Food Tri-City Deli & Catering 1-555 North Road Tucked away in Coquitlam’s North Road, this eclectic deli features most anything one could imagine from Central, Eastern and Northern Europe.…

Latin American April 14, 2016

Rio Brazilian Steak House in Coquitlam

By Sheliza Mitha & The City of Coquitlam When Maurio Ramos and his family emigrated from Brazil to Canada in 2001, it was with the hope of achieving a better quality of life. While the family immersed and settled themselves entirely in their new chosen home of Metro Vancouver, there was one thing they couldn’t and wouldn’t leave behind: the food and flavours of their native country. With extensive restaurant experience in their hometown of Aracaju, which sits in the north-eastern part of Brazil, the decision to venture into the food service industry here was an easy one. “About one year after we arrived in Canada, we were approached by an investor to open a Brazilian Steakhouse, which became Samba,” explains Felipe Ramos, Maurio’s son and a trained chef. “Maurio and I were the only two people involved in the restaurant, and I was one of the first chefs at…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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 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.…

Korean October 19, 2015

North Road’s Very Own Koreatown in Coquitlam

By Sheliza Mitha When you consider that Korean-Canadians are one of Coquitlam’s largest visible minorities, it should come as little surprise that a section of this city has unofficially become known as “Koreatown” – specifically the corner of North Road and Lougheed Highway. Chances are, you’ll know you’ve arrived in the right place when you hit the colourful English- and Korean-language shop and restaurant signs. Once here, kick off your culinary adventure with a visit to the Hanahreum Mart (known as H-Mart by locals), home to a dazzling array of Korean delicacies (think marinated meats, salty snacks, sweet treats, luscious breads, pastries and more.) The kimchi corner is particularly worth a visit. Korea’s national dish is well represented here with a seemingly-endless variety of this spicy pickled vegetable: cabbage, green bean, radish, daikon, scallion, eggplant, cucumber. If you’re feeling peckish, pick up lunch or a snack from the store’s hot…

Asian October 16, 2015

An Exotic Culinary Tour in Coquitlam’s City Centre

By Sheliza Mitha Anchored by Coquitlam Centre (one of BC’s largest shopping centres) and the 100-acre Town Centre Park, Coquitlam’s City Centre is an evolving, ever-changing neighbourhood overflowing with delicious culinary opportunities around every corner. Take a quick tour, and you’re sure to discover all the ways that the dining scene here so aptly represents the best of the city’s diversity – and could very well act as a sort of multicultural microcosm of Vancouver’s Lower Mainland. Here, you’ll find Chinese, Japanese and Thai restaurants sharing the same city blocks with hip eateries and Middle Eastern specialties. Lounge over drinks and appetizers at Browns Socialhouse, a perfect urban hangout with an eclectic menu to please nearly ever palate (think tacos, burgers, pizza, pasta and the list goes on). Just a few steps away is Legend House, boasting more handmade savoury, seasoned noodle dishes that you can possibly imagine – hot,…

Farms September 9, 2015

Vancouver’s Finest Cheeses, Straight from The Farm House

By Joanne Sasvari Head east of Chilliwack and just before you hit the misty Coastal Mountains you’ll run into a little slice of pastoral paradise, where happy cows graze in the meadows and one of North America’s best cheese makers, Debra Amrein-Boyes, is making magic from milk. Of course, you don’t have to travel all the way to Agassiz to sample her nutty cheddars, savoury blues and creamy bries. That’s because The Farm House Natural Cheeses can be found on just about every fine cheese plate in town. You’ll find it at restaurants that range from Salt Tasting Room to Farmer’s Apprentice to Hawksworth, and in cheese shops including small independents (Benton Brothers, Les Amis du Fromage), farm markets like Lepp Farm Market in Abbotsford and Pomme Natural Market in Coquitlam, and big chains (Whole Foods, Save On Foods, Choices). Amrein-Boyes herself is a bit of a legend in cheese…

Cocktails, Wines & Spirits around Metro Vancouver August 21, 2015

The Backyard Ingredients of Buckstop Cocktails and Bitters

By Nikki Bayley Vancouver is known as Canada’s cocktail capital, a hotbed of innovative alcoholic creations, shaken and stirred by award-winning bartenders who are making a name for themselves on the international circuit. Tucked away in the city’s West End by Stanley Park on Denman Street, you’ll find Buckstop, owned by Fiona Grieve whose local-first approach to cocktails is making her late night barbecue joint a must-visit for locavore drinkers. “I’m local,” grins Fiona, “I was raised in the Tri-Cities area and have friends there who still who grow things and are always eager to get them into the restaurant. I love to use produce from Coquitlam to make my cocktail bitters. Bitters help to add layers of complexity to a drink, say you have just a plain tomato, if I add salt and pepper to that it changes it and makes it better. Then say I add balsamic vinegar…