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Havana Restaurant Partners With The Cultch

15 Jan

Havana2Havana Restaurant is an amazing delicious spot located at 1212 Commercial Drive. There is a bit of Old Havana in Cuba at this eclectic spot.  Havana is also a great supporter of local arts whether it’s their own theatre in the back or the area next to the theatre showcasing local art. Whether you come for lunch, brunch or dinner, the place is always hopping and we might add has amazing food and drinks. Added bonus is the outdoor patio which is packed a good portion of the year.  Now there is one more reason to stop at Havana for a bite. They have just announced a great partnership with The Cultch.  Havana is offering 15% off your food purchases on any evening you attend a performance at The Cultch. If you didn’t already know, Havana is located just a short walk from The Cultch. So really it’s a perfect spot to stop before or after the show.   As we regularly attend events at The Cultch, you can bet you will be finding us here before a show. Just remember, you will need to show your ticket.

HavanaAppie HavanaDrink

Photo Credit: Havana Restaurant

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6th Annual Hot Chocolate Festival January 16 – February 14

12 Jan

HotCocoaThe 6th Annual Hot Chocolate Festival presented by CityFood Magazine is back again. The event runs from January 16 to February 14 in various locations around Vancouver. There are over 24 chocolateries and cafes participating in this year’s event. Each venue will make one or more special hot chocolates which will only be available during the festival. We expect some delicious concoctions to tantalize your taste buds.  In East Vancouver, lots of personal favourite spots are participating in this year’s festival including East Van Roasters, French Made Baking in Mount Pleasant. As well as Schokolade Artisan Chocolate in the Hastings Sunrise area. They are offering a hot chocolate that will have us running over. It’s called I Need You! and has 100% dark chocolate, double foam and caramel expresso and is garnished with dark chocolate meringue. Hello!  Last Crumb Cafe on Main Street also has us drooling with both of their selections. One titled His Lordship HC is a vanilla Early Grey hot chocolate served with a vanilla bean butter cookie plus their Bananarama which we hear tastes like a chocolate banana cream pie sounds pretty amazing. New to the festival this year is 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters + Lucky’s  Doughnuts, Earnest Ice Cream (Quebec Street location only) and Railtown Café whose offering is a Pandance With Me which is a lime leaf and chili infused coconut milk hot chocolate served with a housemade pandan whippet cookie. Wowzers! To see the full list of venues participating, check out City Food Magazine’s Calendar of Events.

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Dine Out Vancouver 2016 Happens January 15 – 31

6 Jan

DOVF_Logo_StampDine Out Vancouver, Canada’s largest restaurant festival gets under way January 15th with a record breaking 288 restaurants participating this year. This year, restaurants will be offering 3 prix-fixe menus, $20, $30 or $40. There are also a number of special events as part of Dine Out and the caliber of them improves every year.  This year, we see The Acorn Restaurant and Odd Society Spirits have partnered to offer A Distiller’s Dinner on January 24th for $99.  The gang at Off the Eaten Track is offering ‘How It’s Made: A Brewery, Distillery & Winery Tour’.  They will take you on a tour of  Odd Society Spirits, Vancouver Urban Winery and the Big Rock Urban Eatery. You will, of course, have the opportunity to sip on award-winning craft vodka, gin, three BC wines, and two local ales. This tour also includes a bite to eat at the Big Rock Urban Eatery all for $70. Tours run January 17, 21, 24, 28 and 31.  Lastly, our friends at Vancouver Brewery Tours have a Craft Beer & Food Pairing Tour on January 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 for $79 as well as a Craft Beer & Sweets Pairing Tour on January 21 and 28th for $75.   If you wish to participate in any of the events during Dine Out, we recommend purchasing tickets promptly, many sell out quickly some already have.  If you have a particular restaurant or event you really want to try, make your reservation.  Many fill up quickly and reservations start today. We’ve set out some of the East Van restaurants participating below.  For a full rundown of all the participating restaurants and events, visit Dine Out Vancouver.

Arriva Restaurant
Cafe Kathmandu
Campagnolo Restaurant
Campagnolo Roma
Cannibal Café, The – Commercial Drive
Carthage Café
Chicha Restaurant
Cuchillo
East is East Chai Lounge – Main Street
Falconetti’s Eastside Grill
Federico’s Supper Club
The Libra Room
Lombardo’s
Merchants Oyster Bar
Nonna’s Table
Poor Italian Ristorante
Romer’s Burger Bar
Torafuku
The Reef – Commercial Drive

VBTDineOutTour2016

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East Van Business – RC Pet Products Giving Locally

23 Dec

12Days-Logo-SquareFor those of you that follow us regularly, you may know we are proud supporters of the BC SPCA. We support our local Vancouver shelter in many ways and are proud to be listed as one of their community supporters. We appreciate all the work the staff and volunteers do each and every day for all those that cannot speak for themselves.

Today, we would like to re- introduce to you a local business situated in SE Vancouver called RC Pet Products.  For those unfamiliar with this company, you may have seen their rather styling pet rain coats (fleece lined) around and about town. The 4 legged member of our family has been wearing one for years.  RC Pet Products also carries leashes, collars, seatbelt harnesses for both cats and dogs as well as many pet accessories. You will find their products at many local retailers including Sophie’s Pet Palace, Aqua Paws, Discover Dogs, Mark’s Pet Shop, Tisol Pet Products on Main Street and Grandview Highway and Pet Parlour on Fraser Street.

We wanted to highlight RC Pet Products as they are one of many East Van businesses that have made a point of giving locally. RC Pet Products is again providing needed items such as coats, leashes and collars to local animal rescue organizations including the ones near and dear to us being the Vancouver SPCA and Charlie’s Food Bank. For those unfamiliar with Charlie’s Food Bank, it is a weekly pet food bank operated by the BC SPCA that assists over 5,000 low income pet guardians on the Downtown Eastside each year.   As part of RC Pet Products 12 Days Of Giving, they have donated items to the following animal rescue organizations this year:

SAINTS Rescue
Best Friends For Life
Action for Animals In Distress Society
Richmond Animal Protection Society
Greyhound Pets Inc.
Cross Our Paws
Dogwood Rescue
Dhana Metta
Cera Dogs Society
BC SPCA Richmond
BC SPCA Vancouver
Charlie’s Food Bank

We wish to thank RC Pet Products for giving locally and for supporting the work of so many great organizations that help keep animals safe, happy and healthy. We wish all our four legged, two legged and our feathered friends a very Merry Christmas.

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Gourmet Warehouse Cooking Classes In The New Year

21 Dec

GourmetWarehouseLogoThe Gourmet Warehouse has a great line up of cooking classes in the New Year. Attending one of these classes, is a fun way to spend an afternoon. Of course, there is always shopping after the cooking class as participants are offered a 10% discount for purchases made the day of your class. For a full line up of all the classes Gourmet Warehouse is offering visit Cooking Classes. We have set out a sampling of some of the delicious classes they have lined up:

Flavours of Morocco – Saturday, January 23rd 11:00 am ($65) SOLD OUT

Chef Cindy Low invites you on a culinary adventure to Morocco. This is home to one of the world’s most intriguing cuisines. You will learn about the countless spices used in their dishes and the combination of sweet and savory that produces some unforgettable dishes. You will learn to make some classic dishes like briouats (filo pies), tajines (stews) and couscous. The menu for this class includes:

  • Briouats – Moroccan spiced beef wrapped in filo pastry
  • Kale salad with carrots, dates, pomegranate-orange vinegrette
  • Chicken Tajine (stew) with preserved lemons and olives
  • Butternut Squash tajine with chickpeas
  • Saffron Cous Cous
  • Chocolate-Mint tea sorbet

David Robertson of “The Dirty Apron” – January 28th 6:00 pm ($75)

Chef David Robertson, Chef and Owner of the Dirty Apron Cooking School, is their celebrity guest chef this season. Chef Robertson is known for making meals effortless. His class focuses on flavour and having attended a cooking class at Dirty Apron, we expect it will be rather fun as well.  The menu he has lined up for this upcoming class includes:

  • Grilled Corn, Double Smoked Bacon & Clam Chowder
  • Carmelized Fennel, Seared Haloumie Cheese with a Pomegranate Reduction
  • Miso Sake Roasted Sablefish
  • Green Thai Curry
  • Frangelico & Red Wine Poached Pear Tart

Game Day – Feeding A Crowd – Saturday,  January 30th ($65)

Are you planning to host a SuperBowl Party this New Year?  Chef Cindy Low will show you how to feed a crowd for game day or for any other occasion where you might be feeding a hungry crowd. Chef Cindy will focus on  delicious and (mostly) make-ahead favourites so you won’t miss all the fun during your party.  The dishes she has lined up for this class include:

  • Pulled chicken sandwiches with homemade barbeque sauce
  • Grilled marinated flank steak (Argentinian style) with chimichurri sauce
  • Turkey chili mole – chili with minced turkey, six varieties of beans and a hint of chocolate
  • Cajun roasted potatoes
  • Tangy coleslaw
  • Chocolate chip ice cream

If you are interested in any of the cooking classes, be sure to register early to avoid disappointment, classes do sell out. Bon Appetit!

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Bakeries in East Vancouver – We Run Down Our Favourites

18 Dec

IMG_3459We are often asked where is a good place to go for brunch, coffee, dinner, live music or drinks in East Van. So we are beginning to feature some of our personal favourites as well as those we’ve been hearing great things about. Our first feature was Let’s Do Brunch in the Hastings Sunrise area, next up we are tackling our favourite bakeries. With Christmas coming, many of us our looking for that dessert to serve, or sweet treats to have on hand we just might not have time to bake So whether it’s an Italian pannetone, a German stollen or Christmas cookies or those croissants for brunch, we’ve listed a few of our favourites spots.

THE DRIVE

Bakery Sate: 2879 Commercial Drive

This spot is run by Eric Ho, Pastry Chef & Owner, and he makes a mean croissant. Eric also has an amazing and delicious selection of gluten free cakes and desserts such as Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel, Black Forest and Cheesecake.

Fratelli Bakery:  1795 Commercial Drive

This Italian bakery makes one of our favourite things, St. Honore cakes. Others may try and imitate, but personally we think theirs is hands down the best. Why accept imitation, as they say.  They also carry an amazing selection of dessert items.

Uprising Breads Bakery: 1697 Venables Street

This spot is just one block West of Commercial Drive and is most certainly a favourite go to spot for two things. One is Ginger Snaps and the second is pie.  They generally have small and large pies on hand and on Fridays pie is 25% off which means, get their early or they will be all gone. They do have a wide range of sweet and savoury items including delish scones. Be sure to stop by and try this East Van staple that’s been a part of the community for over 40 years.

Andy’s German Bakehaus, 935 Commercial Drive

If you love German style cheesecake (think quark), flaky apple strudel and piled high Black Forest cake, this is your spot.  This is a smaller bakery and café and thus not high volume, but quality authentic German sweets and breads. So if there’s something specific you want, we recommend ordering in advance.  Definitely worth a stop.

THE FRASERHOOD

Batard Bakery: 3958 Fraser Street

This is a favourite spot not only for their amazing bread, but something I’ve come to love financiers made from mostly almond flour. They have some amazing individual decadent desserts for taking away or having in, but their seasonal treat that has us excited is a German stolen passed down from Oma’s recipe (translation grandmother for those not up on their German) and yes for the diehard fans, with marzipan.

Brekka Bakery:  6533 Fraser Street

I grew up on just about everything from this bakery when it was called Fraser Bakery. It has many German favourites including a variety of strudels, Black Forest Cake, Christmas cookies and a Bee Sting cake or Bienenstich in German which is a white sponge cake with pastry cream in the middle and topped with honey glazed shaved almonds.  A personal favourite.  The added bonus is if you are in a time crunch trying to get yourself organized for Christmas and need to pick up some items in a hurry, Brekka is open 24/7 seven days a week.

MOUNT PLEASANT

Gluten Free Epicurean: 633 East 15th Avenue

Located in Mount Pleasant at the intersection of Kingsway & Fraser with great neighbours Like Matchstick Coffee and Les Faux Bourgeois. Everything here is made in house and is a 100% gluten free for celiacs and those that are gluten sensitive.  They have an amazing selection of sweet and savoury ready made and frozen. Be sure to check out this quaint little spot.

HASTINGS SUNRISE

Delish (Formerly East Village Bakery): 2166 East Hastings Street

Lots of delish options for sweet and savoury items including scones, cupcakes, cookies and more.  Quinoa is used a number of their baked goods, which is certainly a heathy choice.  They also have some vegan options.

Italia Bakery: 2828 E Hastings Street (#104)

This amazing bakery has a great selection of cakes always at the ready. Lots of Italian sweet treats and a great selection of biscotti.

Black Rook Bakehouse: 2474 E Hastings Street

This spot is famous for it’s Black & Tan Cake which has been featured as the one of the things you must eat before you die. Really, we aren’t making it up.  They have an amazing selection of desserts, cake and pies.  Did we mention their cakes have names, Harold seems to be a running favourite, but when these cakes are featured on social media, best be quick. These cakes don’t tend to last very long.

Le Gateau Bakeshop: 3458 East Hastings Street

Tanya Muller is the owner and pastry chef of Le Gateau Bakeshop and we think the creator of some of the most beautiful wedding cakes we’ve ever seen.  She of course also has an array of seasonal sweets cupcakes, tarts and cookies. All decadent and beautiful as you can see pictured above and below.

MAIN STREET

Trafiq Café & Bakery:  4216 Main Street

Trafiq is a chic little café which we’ve only popped into briefly, but we keep hearing great things about this spot and the cakes look to die for. They have a Lemon Lavendar cake that’s caught our eye and sounds amazing.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:  Half Baked Cookie Company and PBC Bakery. We’ve received some feedback that these two bakeries should be our list. Of course, there are many great bakeries in East Van not included, we write about what we know, so we will be doing a bit of research to learn more.

NEW IN TOWN: Oh Sweet Day Bakery, 1706 East 1st Avenue by the lovely Fanny Bay, cookbook author and self taught baker has just opened shop (or is about to open her shop) on The Drive as of June 2019. Just waiting on confirmation on official opening.

So much sweet stuff so little time. We hope you get a chance to get out and indulge your sweet tooth.

Photo Credit: Le Gateau Bakeshop

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Gifting An East Van Experience This Holiday Season

17 Dec

GiftBoxXmasWe here at ILiveInEastVan.com are big fans of gifting experiences. There is so much to see and do close to home and sometimes we just get busy and don’t get organized to put it together. So why not gift someone a fun East Van experience this holiday season?   We have set out below a few of our favourites which include brewery and foodie tours, cooking classes, theatre as well as dinner and dancing.  We have included links which take you directly to each site to make that gift giving easier.

Vancouver Brewery Tour – East Van Brewery Tour

Vancouver Brewery Tours does great brewery tours in and around East Vancouver. A $75 gift certificate gets you onto one of their regularly scheduled brewery tours which run approximately 3 hours. Another option is purchasing tickets for their Beer and Food Pairing Tours which happen in January 2016 for Dine Out.

Off The Eaten Track – Culinary Tours

Off The Eaten Track offers a number of culinary tours including Vancouver’s Best Brunch Tour which takes you through the Hastings Sunrise area for $65. There is also the Railtown Urban Eats Tour runs you $55 and starts in the historic ‘Japantown’ and takes you to a number of stops including Railtown Café and the Settlement Building.  Also on offer are the Main Street Hidden Gems Culinary Tour for $65. Then a personal favourite, the Vancouver Distillery Tour which stops at a number of local distilleries and provides tours, tastings and bites for $75.  Tours all begin at the Waterfront Station and times vary but approximately 2 ½ hours for each.

Federico’s Supper Club – Dinner & Dancing

What about a gift certificate for an evening of dinner and dancing. Federico’s Supper Club offers amazing Italian food, wine and impeccable service. You will regularly find owner, Federico Fuoco, belting out tunes but they regularly bring in lots of local talent to mix things up.

Les Amis Du Fromage – Wine & Cheese Tasting

If you know someone that loves cheese, you may wish to consider purchasing a ticket(s) to one of Les Amis Du Fromage’s upcoming wine & cheese tasting classes. They have some delicious classes lined up for the New Year including  Viva Le France on January 27th and March 9th for $65 and a Wine & Cheese Tasting Class on February 23 for $60.

The Gourmet Warehouse – Cooking Classes

Have a foodie in your life that loves cooking? Or someone that wishes to kick up their cooking skills a notch to impress that special someone? The Gourmet Warehouse offers some delicious and fun cooking classes. In the New Year they are offering Flavours of Morocco on January 23rd for $65,  David Robertson of ‘The Dirty Apron’ will be on hand the evening of January 28th showing you how to make some delish dishes for $75, or if you are feeding a crowd for SuperBowl this year, there is Game Day – Feeding A Crowd for $65. Most classes are instructional vs. hands on, but certainly informative.  To purchase tickets, call the store at T: 604.253.3022.

The Cultch – Live Theatre

This is a favourite spot of ours. The Cultch has an amazing array of talent that graces their stages whether drama, comedy, musical, historical, they cover all the bases. In the New Year, they have an interesting show we have our eye on called Leftovers. It features Charlie Demers, one of the stars of CBC Radio’s the Debators and best-selling author. This is a political comedy which we hear will cut through decades of BS.   Tickets are available online from $10. Note the show itself takes place at the York Theatre between  January 26 – 30, 2016.

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Prado Café Is Hosting A Holiday Pop Up Shop In The Fraserhood December 16

9 Dec

PradoCafeHolidayPopUpPrado Café is hosting a Pop Up Shop at their new location at 4208 Fraser Street on Wednesday, December 16th. They are featuring a great line up of local makers and artisans.  Some of those that we hear will be on hand include Black Candle Society which makes natural soy wax candles, Rish Jewellery with some beautiful jewellery such as those pictured below,  Cheile Skincare with natural skincare products, KM Tremills author or Great Lands & Fated series, plus White Pineapple Co. with some delish Christmas baking as well as Mixers & Elixirs with tart and sweet natural drinking vinegars.  The Pop Up Shop happens from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm on Wednesday, December 16th.   What a great way to shop, no crazy malls or parking. Stop by grab a coffee and leisurely wander between the various artisans on hand. All the while, you are supporting local makers and your local economy. We think it’s pretty win win.

Photo Credit: Rish Jewellery

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Shop Local: Check Out These East Van Businesses With A Great Online Store

27 Nov

WinterChristmasBlueChristmas is officially less than one month away.  We here at IliveInEastVan.com are big fans of supporting local. With that in mind, we would like to highlight some of the many East Van businesses and artisans that have an online shop which of course allows you to shop from your laptop, home computer or your smart phone.  Some will even offer a pick up service so you can save money on shipping costs.   We’ve tried to include a variety of businesses, but if you think there’s one that should be listed that isn’t, we invite you to drop us a line. Note, we have included a link to each business, just click on their name.

ANTIPOD Workshop

ANTIPOD Workshop is a creative design studio with a focus on bold textiles in particular, handmade pillows. They are made by transplanted local Stephanie Symns who hails from New Zealand. Thus, the name of her business. Antipod which is an affectionate term for a Kiwi or Aussie.  Did we mention, Stephanie also holds workshops on how to make the pillows yourself should you be so inclined. Or you can check out her bold collection online anytime.

Bird On A Wire Creations

This is a great shop located in Mount Pleasant at 2535 Main Street. Bird on a Wire Creations supports artists, artisans and the buy local movement. They curate Vancouver’s best art and artisanal objects and all one-of-a-kind and handmade.   They have a large selection instore and online and free shipping in Canada for all orders over $100.

BB Gun Leather

Locally made here in Strathcona by Spencer Baker and Dustin Bentall. BB Gun Leather makes a range of leather products including bags, wallets, belts, guitar straps, purses and small luggage. Did we mention the beautiful designs?  Their working studio is located 1133 Keefer Street and their online store available 24/7.

Beta 5 Chocolates 

Award winning chocolates, need we say more?  Purchases can be made online or you can visit them in person at 413 Industrial Avenue (off Main Street).

Dilly Dally Kids

Dilly Dally is an independent toy store that likes to inspire play and creativity.   They carry toys made from around the world including a great selection of wooden toys which also make great heirlooms to be passed on to future generations.  They are located on The Drive at 1161 Commercial Street and have a great online store.  Note, they are also offering free shipping for orders over $100.

Fable Naturals

Fable Naturals is based in Mount Pleasant and makes a line of fair trade certified bath and body products. They are inspired by locally sourced ingredients as well as ethically sourced ingredients from afar. All of their products are made by hand in small batches in their Mount Pleasant studio. Their line includes organic lip balms, skin exfoliators, moisturizers, soaps, lotions, body wash, sugar scrubs and more. You will find Gwen and Chris at craft and artisan fairs this holiday season including TOQUE on December 5 & 6.  They also have a great online store. Right now, if you sign up for their newsletter, receive $5 off your first order.

June Hunter

Truth be told, we love June Hunter, have for many years.  Many of her pieces whether art or jewellery are inspired by the nature that surrounds us and well that speaks to us.  You will also find June Hunter in many of the craft and artisan fairs this holiday season as well as her Festive Studio Sale on December 11th and 12th at her East Van studio.  Her online shop is currently offering 20% off until Monday, November 30th.

Good Sips Cocktail Emporium

Know someone that loves entertaining and enjoys making great cocktails, then you should check out Good Sips Cocktail Emporium.  They have everything to make the perfect cocktail minus the alcohol, think bitters, syrups, cocktail shakers, martini glasses, flasks, recipe books and so much more. If you can’t decide online, you can check out their store at 339 E. Broadway.  For those wishing to make an online purchase, note they are offering FREE shipping till the end of November for all orders over $20.

Gourmet Warehouse

If you have a foodie in your life, this is the place to go whether in store or online. They have everything for the cook, baker and entertainer. The store is an array of choices which include olive oils, balsamic vinegars, salts, sauces, cookbooks, jams and of course all the utensils needed to cook and bake everything.  You can find their physical location at 1340 East Hastings (at Clark Drive).

Grubwear

Mike Jackson’s Grubwear Brand of clothing was born out of the back of a Honda Civic hatchback way back in the day. Today he is located in Mount Pleasant at 617 Kingsway in a very happening area just around the corner from Robson Park.  He has a great selection of t-shirts, bags, hoodies and hats many that will showcase your East Van pride.   His online store features the full line up clothing.

Marsh&Mallow

Decadent gourmet handmade marshmallows made by Carly Bloch in some truly amazing flavours such as Salted Caramel, Holiday Mint Chocolate and Classic Baileys and Cream. You can order her marshmallows 24/7 online and what a great stocking stuffer or house warming gift these would make.  You can also find her marshmallow at Much & Little at 2541 Main Street or visit Carly at the Baker’s Market on December 6th & 13th at the Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre.

Neighbourhood Threads

Love where you live?  Then you may wish to check out their East Van toque for $35 available online only from Neighbourhood Threads.

The Makerstore

The MakerLabs at 780 East Cordova Street has recently launched a retail space on the first floor of this working studio which is open from Noon to 9:00 pm daily.  If you are unfamiliar with the MakerLabs, it is a 26,000 square foot that provides people with the tools, space and skills to make just about anything.  There are many great artisans working out of this space and their products are also available online 24/7.

If  you wish to give a gift basket this holiday season, whether large or small, practical or not, we invite you to check to check out any one of the following:

By Broken Arrow – An East Van Gifter
Wantful Gift Boxes
SPUD Vancouver
Saul Good Gift Company

We are passionate about supporting local. We hope you are too. Happy shopping.Manu MohanChristmasTree

 

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Eastside Culture Crawl November 19-22: 457 Artists + 83 Buildings

12 Nov

EastsideCultureCrawlThe Eastside Culture Crawl is back again for 4 days starting Thursday, November 20th.  This 4 day arts extravaganza really is a must see. During “the Crawl” over 400 artists in and around the heart of East Vancouver open their studios to the public. The event which grows each year now comprises some 83 buildings from Main Street to Victoria Drive and First Avenue to Powell Street. The mediums vary and include painters, jewelers, sculptors, textile artists, furniture makers, weavers, potters, printmakers, wood carvers and photographers. There is no set schedule for this event, you go where your mood and interests take you and the array of talent is amazing. To help guide you, the Eastside Culture Crawl has a great rundown of all the artists on their website including a printable .PDF map to help you find your way. The Crawl runs November 19th and 20th from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 21st and Sunday, November 22nd from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. To figure out what you wish to see and when, check out the Issuu magazine online.

If you wish to mix things up and do some side trips in and around East Vancouver while on the Crawl, there are so many great stops en route. For instance, in Railtown there is Vancouver Urban Winery & Lounge which is a perfect start for brunch in the Belgard Kitchen before the Crawl or for a bit of wine or beer tasting after. There are more beer options if you head West a little ways including Parallel 49 Brewing Company, Bomber Brewing,  Powell Street Craft Brewery and a newcomer Doan’s Craft Brewing. If Belgian beer is more up your alley Biercraft on Commercial Drive which is also a good spot for brunch before the Crawl. If you are looking for the perfect cocktail, we recommend Odd Society Spirits.  Personally, we will be making a stop for brunch first before the Crawl.  There are so many options in the Hastings Sunrise area and on The Drive including amazing coffee shops. If you are looking for suggestions to eat before the Crawl, in Hastings Sunrise there is the Roundel Café, Yolk’s Breakfast and Red Wagon Café for starters. On the Drive, there is Havana Restaurant, Scandillious or for the perfect sandwhich to go (big enough to share) we recommend La Grotta del Fromaggio. While there, we suggest making the walk next door to Fratelli Bakery for something sweet. You won’t be disappointed.

During the Crawl, les amis du fromage, 843 East Hastings, is another great spot to stop in and do a bit of cheese sampling. They will also have some local vendors in store doing Pop Up Shoppes.  On Saturday, November 21st from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm they will have Mixers & Elixers. They produce small batch shrubs also known as drinking vinegar used in soda water and cocktails. Also on hand Saturday will be Grain which sources exclusively Canadian dry good products from farmers and processors they know.   On Sunday, November 21st  Noon – 4:00 pm, you will find SaltSpring Kitchen Co. in store.  Melanie Mulherin makes delicious small batch preserves in some unique flavours such as Meyer Lemon & Lavender Marmalade, Sour Cherry, Rhubarb & Rosemary Jam, Blueberry & Basil Jam and the one that caught our eye Winter Wonderjam (Strawberry, Cranberry, Orange & Bourbon).   Les amis du fromage is perfectly situated in Strathcona within walking distance of many artist studios.

For some more sweet stuff, the Licorice Parlour is a great stop with over 65 flavours on hand. If you are looking for coffee, there are many great options including the Wilder Snail in the heart of Strathcona, Pallet Roasters, 323 Semlin Drive and Platform 7, 2331 East Hastings St. Of course, there are an array of excellent choices along Commercial Drive including Continental Café, Moja’s Coffee and Prado Café to name but a few. If you find yourself in the Stratchona area, might we suggest a stop at Crackle Crème at 245 Union Street. This sweet little dessert cafe serves up artisan crème brûlée and authentic Belgian liège waffles as well as coffee. There will be many local restaurants, breweries and coffee shops at the ready to help you recharge your batteries before, during or after the Crawl.

See you on the Crawl.

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