Vegetarian Dining Goes Upscale in Vancity

Image from www.dinehere.ca 

I have been vegetarian a long time, more than 15 years. Yikes...I'm old. But that's not what this post is about... As I was saying, there are a lot of us vegetarians on the Wet Coast and yet, it is not until this year that restauranteurs have cottoned on to the idea that we might like to eat really good food. Raised on farmer's markets filled with quince, chioggia beets and fennel, at most dining establishments vegetarians are faced with nothing but pasta primavera.

In Vancouver, a vegetarian can get by a lot easier than in other cities but seriously, if I have to see one more uninspired pizza or veggie burger I am gonna lose it. I like The Naam as much as any other Vancouverite but I am not looking for gooey, homestyle food all the time. So imagine my excitement when I notice that the old Italian red sauce joint on Main St has been replaced with a stylish acorn.

The Acorn is unusual in that it treats us crazy vegetarian folk like actual foodies. When I visited a while back with my two foodie pals, we dined on unbelievable house made gnocchi, luscious haloumi and the most delicious kale caesar. The space is lovely and while not cheap, it won't break the bank either. Chef Brian Skinner comes by his new Nordic-looking plates honesty, he did a stint at Best-Restaurant-in-the-World, Noma. I loved it and will be sure to go back. 

However, one restaurant does not a movement make. How about three? Enter Heirloom on South Granville and The Parker in Gastown. Chef Georgia Morley at Heirloom was a personal chef to Mr Lululemon himself and at The Parker, Corner Suite Bistro alums Chef Jason Leizert and cocktail maestro Steve de la Cruz are getting together to make some hip, veggie music to my ears. I am heading to The Parker this weekend and will update this post with my thoughts.

What a concept, making unbelievable food that just so happens to be vegetarian? Here is one trend I hope becomes permanent.

A Few Favourite Summer Things

Wow! It seems like so many posts the last few months have been so serious. Time for a bit of summer fun!


The sun is shining (finally!) and there is plenty to explore. Here are a few favourite things...


Ice cream is one treat I am always in the mood for; this local delicacy is out of this world! You can find it at this little shop and eatery; proof positive that the strathcona neighbourhood is transforming before our very eyes.


When I hit the beach, I like to bring along some picnic worthy grub. When I am craving spice, I get takeout from this Victoria-based noodle shop. I just wish they would open up on Main St! I am probably the last person to discover this amazing new addition to the food truck scene. I am looking forward to trying this new tapas bar and this new (vegetarian!) addition to the neighbourhood. 


This is my new favourite summer sipper and if I actually have a moment to pick up a book, I am in the middle of this leadership guide and will dig into this novel next.


Enjoy the sun, summer is fleeting...

Kerrisdale Farmer's Market

Tacos...off the  Wagon

The Kerrisdale Farmers Market opened on Saturday so my friend Heather and I decided to check it out. Bread Affair was there so Heather grabbed a 100 mile loaf and I bought a gorgeous basket of organic heirloom tomatoes. But as tummies were grumbling, we were stopped in our tracks by a beacon of tacodom....

Of course we HAD to get tacos...

I had some delicious roasted yam and black bean tacos and a lime cilantro spritzer (not too sweet!). 

This could be YOU! Shop at the farmers markets.

I had some delicious roasted yam and black bean tacos and a lime cilantro spritzer (not too sweet!). Be sure to check out the market this weekend...and if you aren't shy, go hug a farmer.

Get Local, Folks!

Desiree

Eat...in Vancouver

Dangerous Goods Inside...

I attended the Dietitians of Canada National Conference in Edmonton, where Liane Faulder, writer for the Edmonton Journal, helpfully shared her favourite foodie spots for all us hungry dietitians. Inspired, a friend and I were chatting about where to eat in Vancouver and she half jokingly suggested that I write my own list. Careful what you wish for....here it is...my current 10 favourite places to grab a bite or a drink (in no particular order, most definitely subject to change) in Vancouver!


1. Cafeteria Cafeteria is that perfect combination of intimate, friendly, delectable, seasonal and (gasp!) a good value. I have literally NEVER had a bad meal here and given that it is within stumbling distance of home, I go here a reasonable amount. http://cafeteriavancouver.ca/ 


2. La Taqueria Mmmm....tacos. Real, authentic tacos. 'Nuff said. http://www.lataqueria.ca/ 

3. Finch's Tea House The baguette sandwiches are transcendent. The cookies are the size of your face. http://www.finchteahouse.com/

4. Ganache Patisserie Owner Peter Fong does ridiculous things with pastry. I don't care much for sweets, unless they come from Ganache. Never met a treat I didn't like here. http://www.ganacheyaletown.com/

5. Judas Goat At last! A real tapas bar. Not a "funky decor, $22 for a boring plate with 1 oz of food on it" bar. Love the tiny, intimate space. Bold flavours, awesome wine list. http://www.judasgoat.ca/ 

6. L'Abattoir Gastown is rocking the food world right now. L'Abattoir has a great room, great service, inventive food and they actually take reservations. http://www.labattoir.ca/


7. Gene This is where I go for coffee...some of the best in town. And they definitely make the best mocha in town for my taste. I hate sweet stuff (see #4) and their mocha tastes like cocoa, not sickly sweet chocolate sauce. 


8. Nuba Healthy, tasty and affordable. The good eats trifecta. Now open in the hipper-than-you Waldorf Hotel. http://www.nuba.ca/


9. Campagnolo Still my favourite pizza in Vancouver. You MUST try the crispy ceci. http://www.campagnolorestaurant.ca/


10. Bao Bei Want to impress your guests with how stylish and cosmopolitan Vancouver is? This is the spot. Think vintage modern Chinese with kicka@@ cocktails. Yum. http://www.bao-bei.ca/ 

Time to eat!
Desiree

Eat...somewhere special

We are pretty lucky to live in such a foodie city, filled with gorgeous dining experiences. However, sometimes you might crave something truly unique. I wanted to share a few special experiences in the Vancouver area you may have not known about! Have a "secret" spot you want to share? Let us know!


1. Granville Island Market Dinners by Edible BC


Want the market all to yourself? Edible BC hosts regular multi-course, wine paired dinners at about $100. This is for the locavore gourmand!
http://www.edible-britishcolumbia.com/events/public-events/


2. Social Bites
Think your coq au vin is divine? Make a scrumptious cassoulet? Just want to make some new foodie friends? Then give social bites a try. Apply to be a hobby chef host or buy a pass to gain access to hobby chefs' homes for a truly unique dining experience. Check them out!


3. Salt Tasting Room Cellar Events 
I adore Salt but this little jewel box reveals another gem in its tasting room events. Enjoy an intimate experience with BC's best winemakers. http://salttastingroom.com/cellar.html 

Go eat something,
Desiree

Eat Drink...Be Local!

We talk a lot about local food here in Vancouver...but when it comes to eating, it is far more fun to use your mouth to actually eat! I am a proud East Van girl and 5 East Vancouver restaurants have collaborated to celebrate all that is great about eating and drinking in our hood...it's called Eat Drink Local Week! 

Between January 9 & 12 and again between January 16 & 19, for just $20 you can get a entree and a drink at Boneta, The Diamond, Cork & Fin, Two Chefs and a Table or Au Petit Chavignol. A thank you to Au Petit Chavignol and Boneta for vegetarian options (Wild Mushroom Mac & Cheese at Au Petit Chavignol? YES!!!)

Go have fun...go local!

Learn more at http://www.eatdrinklocalweek.com/ 

Eat...at Refuel

Two weekends ago, my husband and I hosted friends from Edmonton and were pretty excited to show Vancouver off. Of course, the weather had other ideas and we fought rain and frigid temperatures most of the weekend...but eating here stands out no matter what. 


I am super proud of the food culture here. Vancouverites have adventurous palates and we refuse to pay an exorbitant amount for it. When I was living in Edmonton, I was usually pretty disappointed by food. It was expensive...and pretty tasteless. $14 jalapeno poppers comes to mind....With a few standout exceptions like Culina (and the long lost Bacon), most people want to pay big bucks for nachos, steaks and pasta - not unique and creative food.


So among the choices I put on display was Refuel. I had not been to this new incarnation of the lovely Fuel but I am a huge fan of Campagnolo so I figured the restaurant would make the transition to a less formal setting pretty effortlessly. 



Here is a sampling of the wonderful lunch we had.....my girlfriends sampled the oysters, served raw or baked with a garlic confit and the housemade piggy puffs. 

You heard me: for all you carnivores out there, they make their own pork rinds! They also shared the pan roasted halibut, which came with sauteed greens that they flipped for (one of them is a dietitian like me: yes, we get excited when a restaurant serves us greens :)

My husband had the special which was an open-faced meatloaf sandwich served with Kennebec fries. 

I had the deviled eggs to start because hello! deviled eggs on the menu? And they were amazing - the yolk was blended with a horseradish that was flavourful and had bite without setting your sinuses on fire. 

For my meal, I had the lemon risotto which was rich, savoury with a beautifully deep lemon flavour. At ten bucks it was a fantastic deal and I had a side of sauteed greens to get my daily greens in. 


Bonus points too because they could make really nice virgin cocktails (water can get a little boring), great service....if you haven't made it to Refuel yet, run...don't walk!


Cheers,
Desiree