By BC Association of Farmers Markets The BC growing season is in full swing, and you can experience the palette of summer with a trip to some of the 145+ BC farmers’ markets. Whether you’re headed here on a weekend with family or friends, or taking the summer to explore Canada’s West Coast, here’s everything you need to build a farmers’ market visit into your summer travels across the province. Step 1: Know your BC farmers’ markets With over 145 BC farmers’ markets across the province, you’re sure to discover more than a few that you’ll love to return to year after year. This helpful BC Farmers’ Market Finder tool will help you make the tough choices (popsicles in White Rock, or honey in Richmond?) and you might be surprised to see how easy it is to access more than one farmers’ market closer to home. Here’s a tip: BC…
By Catherine Dunwoody Bingsoo Korean shaved ice dessert may make you forget about traditional ice cream forever. Also known as patbingsu or bingsu, this treat traditionally uses water as its icy main ingredient, however Snowy Village Canada uses 100% Canadian milk which is frozen and shaved to create a snowy consistency. Red bean paste is the traditional topping, however fresh fruit like strawberries, jelly, Oreo cookies, roasted grain powder and other toppings give it a modern texture that is suited to Canadian tastes. Snowy Village opened its first location in Richmond back in 2015, then a second in downtown Vancouver, and a third in Coquitlam. Surrey and Langley locations are planned for this summer. As well as bingsoo, the shops serve croissant taiyaki (which is like a filled, press-grilled sandwich), healthy smoothies, great coffee and a variety of savoury and cheesy snacks. snowyvillages.ca
By Catherine Dunwoody How cool is it (literally) that this most delicious and special day happens to fall on our very own Canada Day, July 1st? Vancouver and its diverse surrounding communities certainly know how to celebrate two things at once, and the proof is in the cone. Celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday by toasting with one of these super special flavours, and some for a very limited time only. Here’s what they are and where to find them. Flavour: Canadian Maple Bacon Where to get it: Welcome Parlour Ice Cream, Vancouver’s North Shore The scoop: This shop just opened this past spring in a 1909 heritage building, and this special flavour is only available for 1 day. Made with caramelized bacon and real maple syrup. Patriotic and proud! Flavour: Roasted Strawberry Where to get it: Rain or Shine, Vancouver The scoop: Brought back for another summer, this fave 4th Avenue…
By Catherine Dunwoody A few months ago we shared the news that one of Metro Vancouver’s most sought after catering companies had opened a restaurant in Richmond. At that time, Boy With A Knife Catering was only open for lunch – but due to popular demand for their fabulous fare – they are now open for dinner. The 55-person restaurant also has a licensed patio open until 10 pm Monday-Friday, so we know where you’ll find us this spring and summer. Chef Brandon Dac and owner, Sean Fay are the talented team behind the recently overhauled menu, and here are some favourites. The hoke poke bowl and ham hock ragu are brand new and ridiculously delish. Plus, their burger options go deep, like the Stinky Pete (beef patty, garlic + thyme sautéed mushrooms, crumbled blue cheese, beer braised onions, butter lettuce, garlic mayo), or the tuna bacon club (rare seared…
By VisitRichmondBC.com When it comes to Asian food, you’ll find a broad spectrum of spicy dishes depending on the region and climate. Some spicy dishes are consumed in warmer climates to cool you down through perspiration, and some use chilis to prevent food spoilage. Various areas of Asia will use a different type of spice – for instance, you’ll find a different type of heat from a dish from India versus a dish from Thailand or Korea. Some cultures are steeped in heat, and today we’ll take a closer look at Szechuan – or Sichuan – cuisine. Best known for their bold flavours from the liberal use of garlic and chili peppers as well as the unique flavour of the infamous Szechuan peppers, these four restaurants in Richmond get Szechuan cuisine right. Golden Sichuan – heat scale: 7 3631 No. 3 Road, Richmond Golden Sichuan is a great place to…
by Catherine Dunwoody No excuses – our west coast palette is refined, so waxy chocolate bunnies, rock-hard jellybeans and Peeps (what are those even made of anyway?) are just plain unacceptable. We can do better. And we do! Here, three of BC’s best chocolate makers show us what’s new for Easter 2017. Wild Sweets By Dominique and Cindy Duby in Richmond have new chocolate art collections with made in-house designs and from origin cocoa bean-to-bar chocolate. Sophisticated flavours include cassis caramels, pistachio praline and cherry caramel ganache, and a liquid strawberry caramel with dulce de leche. Almost too pretty to eat. Almost. Shop at their online boutique or at Wild Sweets’ own retail store The Atelier Chocolate Lab Gallery in Richmond, BC. Purdys Chocolatier is about as old-school and iconic as you get. Founded in 1907 in Vancouver, they have a long history of providing the West Coast with melt-in-your-mouth…
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…
By Jennifer Foden Have you ever passed by the honey stand at the farmers’ market and wondered why there are so many different colours of the sweet stuff? “Bees make honey by collecting nectar from flowers,” says Karin Giesbrecht of Lulu Island Honey, a family-owned beekeeping company from Richmond. “Different nectar sources mean different flavours, colours and aromas.” Crystallization also affects the colour (crystals cause honey to appear lighter), as well as the temperature outside (understandably, as there are different flowers in bloom in each climate and season.) The USDA classifies honey into seven colour categories: water white, extra white, white, extra light amber, light amber, amber and dark amber. Typically, honey that’s lighter in colour is milder in smell and taste; darker honey is stronger. Because there are so many different types of flowers all over the world that bees can collect nectar from, there are hundreds of varieties…
By VisitRichmondBC Traveling to the Greater Vancouver area? Be sure to stop at these five places in Richmond to grab a bite to eat, or a refreshing drink before taking off to your final destination. Prata-Man Singaporean Cuisine 9060 Capstan Way For absolutely traditional Hainanese Chicken, Prata-Man is the place to go. The definition of ‘hole-in-the-wall,’ Prata-Man is hidden at the end of a small plaza on Garden City Way. The specialty here is Hainanese chicken, which is essentially a deboned, poached chicken served cold, with a bowl of clear, gingery broth and a bowl of chicken-oil rice. Enjoy this with a side of their skewered meats (chicken, pork or beef) and some house-made roti and curry to round out the meal. Flying Beaver Bar & Grill 4760 Inglis Drive The Flying Beaver Bar & Grill is a bustling bar located in the Harbour Air seaplane terminal. What makes this…
By Tara Lee and Tourism Richmond From elegant décor, gorgeous views and impeccable service, there’s definitely a restaurant or two that fits any budget for a romantic date night meal in Richmond. Here are four date-night-worthy restaurants that you may not have tried yet. Pier 73 Restaurant Located in the Pacific Gateway Hotel (3500 Cessna Drive), Pier 73 Restaurant is waterfront dining at its very best. The Fraser River, Mount Baker, the Cascade Mountain Range and the North Shore Mountains are within easy view of the restaurant, day or night. Executive chef Morgan Lechner and executive sous chef Edison Antejos are known to feature fresh, local ingredients in all of their menu items. In fact, Pier 73’s made the whole month of February known as the ‘month of luuuuv,’ during which they’ll be serving dishes for sharing, inspired by the romance of Valentine’s Day. For them, ‘luv’ entails ordering a…
With a backyard of clean rivers and lakes, the Pacific Ocean, and rich fertile land, the farmers, chefs, brewers, distillers, fishers, and producers are able to bring their diverse traditions, cultures, and creativity to the plates, cups, and glasses of Canada’s west coast. The taste is hyper local, from Vancouver to the Fraser Valley. Featured in this video: The Vancouver Aquarium, The Liberty Distillery, Fraser Valley Cider Company, Cherry Lane Farms, Burnaby Village Museum, Bella Gelateria, Crazy Cows, Steveston Seafood House, Campbells Gold, Central City Brewers and Distillers, Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks, Trading Post Brewing, Steel & Oak Brewing, Vij’s
By Catherine Dunwoody Vancouver International Airport just opened a new restaurant much to the delight of travelers – Lift Bar & Grill. Yep, the same company as the original luxurious Coal Harbour location in downtown Vancouver. If you’re in the international terminal, you can’t miss this gorgeous new eatery, wrapped around YVR’s iconic aquarium. As we all know restaurant design is crucial, the blend of warm oak, steely blues and charcoal pairs well with the Oceanwise-certified seafood-dominated menu. Executive Chef Soojin Park has moved over from the downtown location, and brings her talents as a chef at Toronto’s famed Pan-Asian restaurant, Rain, and in-the-trenches experience on the Food Network series, Made to Order. Plenty of sushi and sashimi appears on the menu, plus trendy tuna poke, and lobster mac and cheese. Carnivores will love the wild boar pork belly and vegetarian pad Thai will please the herbivores in the crowd.…
By VisitRichmondBC.com It’s baaaack! Dine Out Vancouver returns next week on January 20 for 17 days full of culinary delights. This year, fourteen Richmond restaurants are participating in this yearly event, offering both lunch and dinner menus ranging anywhere from $15 to $40 for three-course meals. For simplicity’s sake, we’ve sorted the restaurants by neighbourhood. Steveston Catch Kitchen and Bar Catch Kitchen and Bar offers the best view of Steveston’s historic harbour as well as a fun, fresh and upscale menu. Choose from in-house prepared crab cakes to a Peppercorn New York steak to satiate your west coast fare craving. Dinner menu pricing: $30 for three courses. Gluten-free and vegetarian options available. Shady Island Seafood Bar & Grill Reach out and touch the Fraser River from Shady Island Seafood Bar & Grill right in front of Fisherman’s Wharf. The must-eat items here are their seafood chowder, the ultra-filling Fisherman’s Pot…
By VisitRichmondBC.com Most restaurants are on lock-down during Christmas and we can’t really blame them. It is, after all, a time to celebrate with friends and family! Even so, Christmas remains the busiest day for the few restaurants that are open during this holiday. If you’re visiting Richmond during the holidays, be sure to try our top five restaurant picks in Richmond open during Christmas: 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…
Strawberry wit, boysenberry sour, and of course, a variety of pumpkin beers made with local farm-fresh gourds are just the beginning of the seasonal, inventive, quirky craft beers brewing on Canada’s West Coast. Featured in this video: Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks, Chaos & Solace, Central City Brewers and Distillers, Trading Post Brewing, Steel & Oak Brewing
Pure water, home-grown hops, and a region of over 50 craft breweries make Canada’s West Coast the best place in Canada to drink beer by far. Featured in this video: Central City Brewers and Distillers, Deep Cove Brewing, Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks, Trading Post Brewing, Steel & Oak Brewing
by Catherine Dunwoody Health enthusiasts know the benefits of drinking green tea, especially matcha, due to the fact that the bright green stuff is rich in antioxidants, boosts memory and energy levels, plus detoxifies the body. New Whisk Premium Matcha is the brainchild of Richmond, BC entrepreneur Kimmy Xiao, and this mother of two is pretty stoked about finding, and sharing, the highest quality out matcha out there. Sourced in Kyoto, Japan, this organic tea is brought in for Xiao’s Whisk brand, then packaged right in Richmond before selling to us online or at select stores throughout the GVRD, including Pure Barre Studios. Three different grades of matcha are available (including the esteemed Pinnacle Gold), plus a selection of accessories and beautifully packaged gift sets just in time for the holidays. Xiao states that “we want to bring this authentic artisanal matcha experience to people’s everyday life while promoting a…
By VisitRichmondBC.com As the colder months approach, most of us start to seek out more comfort foods to warm our bellies. We had the chance to talk to several Vancouver foodies to ask them what their favourite dishes were in Richmond, BC – check out what they had to say and get your fill today. Nora Hamade, NomnomYVR Nora Hamade, better known as NomnomYVR on Instagram, is known for her beautiful food photography. With a love for travel and a passion for her hobby – food photography – this Richmondite knows her Chinese comfort foods well. Here’s what her favourite food is: “The beef noodle soup from Pearl Castle is one of my favourite spots to hit in Richmond! Tender bits of beef and chewy noodles… who doesn’t love that?!” Get your fill at one of two Pearl Castle locations in Richmond: Pearl Castle Café Richmond Centre CF Richmond Centre…
By VisitRichmondBC.com The thirst for locally made, small-batch brews has just been getting thirstier and Richmond is meeting the demand by serving up unique beers in various communities across the island city. Take a look at our top five places to get your craft beer drink on in Richmond, BC. Fuggles and Warlock Fuggles and Warlock is known for keeping beer weird and is the only craft brewery in Richmond’s with an onsite tasting lounge. Pushing the traditional styles of beer to the limit by adding West Coast flair to their ales, Fuggles and Warlock has some adventurous brews aimed toward adventurous palettes. This full production brewery is tucked away in an industrial office park just off Highway 99, making it the perfect place to stop for a pint on your way to Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Be sure to check out their full tasting room and hot-food menu.…
By Jaclyn Jularbal Go for a drive into Richmond’s countryside and you’ll find this marvel located just a short distance from the highway. The Fowl Farmer is a family-owned and operated establishment that is the storefront for Mayview and Maybog Farms. Put a face to the people who make your food and drop in for something delicious; the May family are longtime cranberry and antibiotic-free poultry farmers who produce for big names like Ocean Spray and A&W. Meet the Mays The best part about The Fowl Farmer is being able to ask questions. Get curious, chat and ask about poultry or cranberries or any of the other products you see. The May family’s been farming for over 30 years and they can tell you exactly what goes into the food you’re eating. Fresh, Local Products The Fowl Farmer is open year-round, with a wide variety of garden-fresh produce and an…
by Catherine Dunwoody Here’s some insider’s intel you’ll want to get in on. One of Vancouver’s most sought after catering companies has opened a restaurant in Richmond. Yep, located just on the other side of Knight Street near IKEA, in the business area, Boy With A Knife Catering is serving up lunch – and locals couldn’t be happier. The 55-person full service restaurant has a licensed patio and a grab ‘n go deli serving soups and grilled sandwiches, espresso and pastries. If you’ve ever attended a wedding, corporate event, or party catered by these ‘boys’ – you know how skilled owners Chef Brandon Dac and Sean Fay are. I chatted with Sean recently about their new venture. CD: Tell me about your background, for starters. SF: The business came about pretty organically. Brandon was working for a catering company in the city and I was working a corporate job in…
by Winnie Tam We were all asked this once: what do you want to be when you grow up? In addition to the usual answers of astronaut, doctor and marine biologist, young people in the Lower Mainland are increasingly considering an alternative profession – farmer. The trend can be attributed to a variety of factors. Some are tired of the nine-to-five grind and want to look for a job that puts them more in touch with nature. Others are motivated by their heightened food literacy and concerns about the global food system. Then there are those who want to shed themselves of technological clutter and return to simpler vocations. Whatever the reason, the demand for knowledge is definitely there, as Kwantlen Polytechnic University runs a popular 10-month program – the Richmond Farm School – that teaches students the skills to engage in small-scale agriculture. Some of the students have gone…
By VisitRichmondBC.com Feeling the heat this summer? Cool down with one of these five delectable treats found in Richmond, BC. Screamers The Screamer is a half drink, half dessert hybrid that combines flavoured slush with vanilla soft-serve ice cream on the bottom and top. Screamers are a local favourite available throughout the year at Danny’s Market (9040 Francis Rd.). You can also pick this treat up at Screamers Soft Serve in Steveston during the spring and summer months. Mango Desserts This juicy tropical fruit’s natural tartness and sweetness is a natural pick for Asian desserts. A great mango dessert should be juicy, fragrant, sweet and most importantly, it should send you on a tropical escape. Mango Yummy (6564 No. 3 Road) features a menu of mango-based desserts including drinks, shaved ice bowls, ice cream bowls and much more. Our top pick is the mango sago with pomelo, made with mango,…
By Kathy Mak The historic fishing village of Steveston is one of Richmond’s well-known attractions, drawing a significant number of day-trippers to explore its charming shops, cafes, restaurants, bakeries, Fisherman’s Wharf, and two National Historic Sites. And on certain Sundays between May to October, visitors who are enamored with outdoor markets can also enjoy the quaint Steveston Farmers & Artisan Market. Now in its ninth year, the Steveston Farmers & Artisans Market is a thriving local marketplace with a diverse sampling of artisans, growers and producers from all over the Lower Mainland. Relative to other farmers markets in Metro Vancouver, it’s not the farm fresh produce that is the biggest draw here; but instead, visitors will step into an array of kiosks to find a good balance of handmade edible treats, handcrafted beverages, homespun pottery, and everything in between. Perhaps of interest to intrepid market goers, there are several vegetable…
By VisitRichmondBC.com If you feel like eating some of the best Asian food available but don’t have a car, don’t worry! You can hop on the Canada Line Skytrain, Metro Vancouver’s fully-automated rapid transit line that connects travelers to Richmond’s diverse culinary scene. Bring your appetites because this easy-to-navigate self-guided tour is bound to fill you up! Richmond Brighouse Station Located in the heart of Richmond city centre, Brighouse is the first stop on the Canada Line, and it’s also where our tour begins. Your self-guided food tour begins at Pepper Lunch (150-5951 No. 3 Road). With over 200 branches in Asia, this particular Pepper Lunch was the first one to open in Canada. To get there, head for a leisurely stroll north along No. 3 Road for about 1.5 blocks towards Westminster Highway. Located on the west side of the street, you’ll find Pepper Lunch tucked away beside a…
By Jaclyn Jularbal The Steveston Fisherman’s Wharf in Richmond boasts an amazing view of the Fraser River and it’s also home to some of the best fish and chips around. Whether you’re a cod, halibut, or even a prawn fan – the deliciously deep-fried choice is up to you. In rain or shine, for here or to go, the wharf is open year-round to serve you up some world-famous eats. Pajo’s 12351 3 Ave, Richmond, BC One of the most recognizable, long-standing places along the wharf is Pajo’s. Having been around for over 30 years, its yellow banner and unique dock-style entranceway has been a staple in Steveston for decades. Don’t let the lineup of people fool you, the cooks and counter clerks are speedy and the food is worth the wait. Ask anyone in line and they’ll be able to attest that what they’re waiting for is fish-and-chip perfection. Pajo’s…
By Tara Lee for VisitRichmondBC.com Richmond, BC, is a food lover’s paradise with more than 800 restaurants in the city, and you can see for yourself why Richmond’s been visited by many food critics and has made a real name for itself as a foodie destination. Over 400 of the city’s restaurants serve Asian cuisine and Frommer’s notes that Richmond is “arguably the Asian food capital of North America.” Whether you choose to dine at restaurants, cafes, food courts or at one of the night markets, you won’t be disappointed. To help you on your dining adventure here are my top 10 dishes in Richmond: 1. Steamed Crab Dumplings at Golden Paramount Whenever a friend asks me for a dim sum recommendation, I end up raving about Golden Paramount and the incredible talent of dim sum chef May Chau. The steamed crab dumplings ($4.98) look deceptively simple, but showcase a paper-thin, translucent…
By Joanne Sasvari Photos by Joanne Sasvari As long as Steve Easterbrook can remember, he’s been fascinated by birds and, in particular, chickens. “It’s been a lifelong passion for me,” he says, remembering that when he was a young boy, he and a friend would visit a neighbor who raised chickens and game birds. “My friend and I became enchanted with poultry.” It’s not surprising, then, that Easterbrook became an egg farmer. Perhaps the only surprising thing is it took him until he was in his 30s to do so. That’s when he founded Rabbit River Farms, an organic egg producer in Richmond BC. (The company name is a play on his surname: Easter = rabbit; brook = river.) When Easterbrook started the farm in 1993, Rabbit River was the first certified organic egg producer in Canada – in fact, he had to write the country’s original guidelines for organic…
By Visit Richmond BC Chowing down at a food court in Richmond is somewhat different compared to the typical North American mall food court; you’ll find incredibly unique mom ‘n pop stalls serving tasty curries, warming noodle soups, creating mouth-watering dumplings, barbecuing meats – you name it, you’ll probably find it in Richmond. Each and every food court in Richmond has a hidden treasure waiting for you to discover it. It can be slightly overwhelming on your first visit; there are so many options to choose from that you may not be able to decide. To help you out, here are some insider tips about two popular Asian malls and their food courts, including where to go for the best eats and how they compare to each other in the ultimate face-off! The Contenders Parker Place Established in 1993, Parker Place Mall has become a shopping landmark in downtown 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.…