Valentine's Day Archives - West Coast Food

Where to Eat February 6, 2023

A Valentine’s Night Out in Metro Vancouver

If there is one thing I am good at, it is picking the perfect restaurant. Skip the planning anxiety this year and let us plan your Valentine’s Day date night for you. Pro tip: Valentine’s is a busy time, so be sure to book a reservation where possible to guarantee your table. By Brittany Tiplady Pepino’s Spaghetti and meatballs, mozzarella sticks, lasagna, cheesecake…. oh my. Pepino’s—a Commercial Drive Italian joint that is part of the Osteria Savio Volpe family—pays homage to the legacy of Nick’s Spaghetti House. Here you’ll find a selection of generous plates, lovely wines and classic cocktails. Be warned however, you may leave with your waistband feeling a little…tight. Pro tip: Come to your reservation a little early, and grab a glass of beautiful Italian wine next door at Pepino’s spot, La Tana. 635 Commercial Dr, Vancouver Sopra Sotto Sopra Sotto’s Burnaby Heights location (the flagship Sopra Sotto is…

Guides February 4, 2022

Your Failsafe Plan for the Most Romantic Valentine’s Day Imaginable—No Reservations Needed

By Destination Vancouver There are three stages to a blissful Valentine’s Day at home. Here they are. You’ve got to celebrate love. We like what Mark Twain said: “To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.” Are you dividing your joy with someone you love this Valentine’s Day? If you feel all that joy, but you’re uncertain about how to express it on this special day, we have a plan for you. And best of all: you don’t have to leave home to execute it! Did you know that 39% of people prefer celebrating Valentine’s Day with an experience? And did you also know that Valentine’s Day is the second-busiest day of the year for restaurants? The “restaurant experience” is probably the first one that comes to mind when you think about how to celebrate, but as the day approaches reservations can be…

Recipes February 13, 2020

Recipe: Heartbreak Hotel Cocktail

By Tuc Craft Kitchen Fruity, floral and a vibrant shade of pink, Tuc’s “Heartbreak Hotel” cocktail is a sweet sipper for lovers and lonely hearts alike. The amorous Valentine’s Day feature cocktail mingles rose, raspberry gin and white crème de cacao and is served in a ‘Nick and Nora’ glass (named after a husband and wife who created the style of glassware). INGREDIENTS Odd Society Wallflower gin (1-½ oz) Raspberry liqueur (¾ oz) Lemon juice (¾ oz) White crème de cacao (¼ oz) Rose water (3 drops) Raspberry rose syrup* (¾ oz) For the Raspberry rose syrup: Raspberries (1 pint) Sugar (1 cup) Water (1 cup) Dried rose hip (1 cup) Over medium heat, combine water and sugar and bring to a boil. Add raspberries and rosehip and infuse until syrup is cool. Strain into a mason jar and refrigerate for up to one month. INSTRUCTIONS Combine all ingredients into…

Recipes February 10, 2020

Recipe: In Between Cupid Cocktail

By Sabrine Dhaliwal, Bar Manager, UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar Sweetly spiced and with a dreamy pink hue, UVA’s “In Between Cupid” cocktail will have you falling for bar manager Sabrine Dhaliwal this Valentine’s Day. The bright, citrusy cocktail features gin, Campari, lemon juice, homemade spiced pineapple syrup and Bittered Sling Denman bitters which add complexity and an aromatic kick to this swoon-worthy sipper. INGREDIENTS Tanqueray (1.5 oz) Campari (0.5 oz) Spiced Pineapple Syrup (0.5 oz) (The syrup is a blend of vanilla, cinnamon, green cardamom, star anise, peppercorns, pineapple juice and sugar) Lemon Juice (0.5 oz) Bittered Sling Denman Bitters (two dashes) INSTRUCTIONS Combine all ingredients into a cocktail tin, add ice and shake vigorously for 7 to 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist with a heart cutout.

Recipes February 12, 2019

Recipe: Cupid’s Love Spell Cocktail

By Sabrine Dhaliwal, Bartender at Pourhouse “Cupid’s Love Spell” is a strong sipper that’s sure to enchant classic cocktail fans. Bartender Sabrine Dhaliwal blends full-bodied cognac, Cocchi Rosa (an aromatized wine aperitivo), and bittersweet Amaro Averna liqueur for a spirit-forward love potion that makes the perfect after a romantic meal. INGREDIENTS Hennesy VS (30ml) Cocchi Rosa (30ml) Amaro Averna (5ml) Orange Bitters (2 dashes) INSTRUCTIONS Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice, stir for 10-15 seconds. Pour over large ice cube in a rocks glass. Express orange oils over cocktail and drop twist. Garnish with a cherry.

Recipes February 14, 2018

Recipe: The Final Rose Cocktail

By Josh Pape, co-owner, Wildebeest In honour of Valentine’s Day, Wildebeest co-owner and bar manager Josh Pape has created a signature cocktail for all the lovers out there. A bubbly bevvy with a red hue perfect for the occasion, The Final Rose offers a sweet-and-citrusy mix of sparkling wine, raspberry, aperol, rose water and lemon. INGREDIENTS: Sparkling Wine (90 mL) 6 Raspberries (muddled) Aperol (15 mL) Rose Water (2 Drops) Lemon Juice (15 mL) INSTRUCTIONS: Add all ingredients except sparkling wine to a cocktail shaker and shake for 7-10 seconds. Fine strain into a chilled flute glass. Top with sparkling wine.

Sweets February 9, 2018

Valentines Treats for Your Sweet (or Yourself) in Vancouver and Beyond

By Catherine Dunwoody Spoil your sweetheart and yourself with one of these sumptuous treats just in time for Cupid’s big day. Remember nothing says “I Love You” more than chocolate. Or cake. Or pastries. You get the idea. Every Community in Metro Vancouver is whipping up something special this year; have a look at our picks from each: Fieldstone Bakery Surrey Their Heart Shaped Cake for 2, ($16) is a chocolate cake filled with hazelnut mousseline and topped with a chocolate mirror glaze. Available from February 9th –18th at the store, but pre-orders are always recommended. Chez Christophe Burnaby A new Velour dessert has red velvet sponge, lemon yogurt mousse, pistachio ganache, pistachio beet chocolate crunch, and raspberry jam. Available February 9th – 14th. Cakes N Sweets Coquitlam Valentines High Tea features buttermilk scones with Devonshire cream and jam, cucumber and lemon aioli finger sandwiches, red pepper and cream cheese croissant, three cheese quiche, chocolate…