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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The Motherf**ker with the Hat At The Firehall Arts Centre January 16 – 30, 2016

16 Dec

HatAn interesting show is premiering in Vancouver in the New Year at the Firehall Arts Centre. The Motherf**ker with the Hat is the inaugural production of Haberdashery Theatre Co., a company whose mandate is to contribute to the local theatre scene by doing edgier, issue driven plays.  This story features 12 Steps, 3 Heart, 1 Hat as well as love and addiction.  The story begins in New York City and moves to the Downtown Eastside.  It features Jackie an ex-con and addict who is determined to stay clean and get his life back track with the help of his sponsor.  Jackie’s efforts are challenged by Veronica, the love of his life, who is an alcoholic/addict and he suspects is cheating on him with a  ‘mofo’ with a hat. The play is being billed as “blisteringly funny and poignant”.    The Motherf**ker with the Hat previews January 16th at 8:00 pm and continues until January 30th at the Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova Street. Tickets are available online from $16 – $33 and Wednesday matinee shows are Pay What You Can.

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Eastside Flea – Last Dash Holiday Bash At The Wise Hall December 19 & 20

15 Dec

GreenOrnamentThe Eastside Flea is back at the Wise Hall, 1882 Adanac Street, December 19th & 20th with their Last Dash Holiday Bash. There will be over 60+ local vendors on hand selling an array of items new and used. You can expect to find collectibles, gift cards, handcrafted and vintage jewellery, vinyl records, succulents and plants and a whole host of gift items for the last minute holiday shopper. The Salt Dispensary will be on hand with Gourmet Blended Salts under the $10 mark. Also Noble & Co will be on hand with handmade natural beeswax candles and our personal favourite East Van Jam.  To keep you warm, Kahve & Chai will be on hand with an indoor concession serving up chai, coffee and tea. Tacofino will be stationed outside all day serving what they do best, tacos. Admission is $3.00 and $2.00 with a non-perishable food donation. Eastside Flea runs from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm both Saturday and Sunday.

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JFL NorthWest Brings Comedy To East Van February 2016

14 Dec

JFLNorthwestNorthWest Comedy Fest and Just For Laughs have teamed up to bring you JFL Northwest in February 2016. The Festival takes place between February 18 to 27, 2016 and will bring some of the best in comedy with stand up, sketch and improv. They have a great line of shows coming and many, we are pleased to see, have landed in East Vancouver.  We have set out below the who, when & where in East Van.  We do recommend though that you grab your tickets in advance as we expect many of these shows to sell out.  For more details on the comedians performing visit JFL Northwest. Tickets are available at Ticket Fly.

Feb. 19: Instagraham – Hot Art Wet City

Feb. 19: The Lady Show – Little Mountain Gallery

The Lady Show is a hilarious night of sketch comedy, monologues, stand-up comedy and awkward dance numbers. Featuring comedian and actress Robyn Edwards (FOX’s Second Chance), Fatima Dhowre (SiriusXM Radio), Morgan Brayton (OUTtv’s Morgan Brayton and Other People), Katie-Ellen Humphries (Winnipeg Comedy Festival), and Erica Sigurdson (CBC Radio’s The Debaters). Joining these five Lady Show ladies is the very funny Sophie Buddle (Just For Laughs).

Feb. 20: Hasan Minhaj – Rio Theatre

Feb. 20:  Nick Thune – Biltmore Cabaret
Feb. 20:  Just For Laughs Showcase – Biltmore Cabaret

A newly added show – The Just For Laughs ‘big wigs’ will be in town and they’re looking for the next big thing. So come out and watch the local comedians try to impress the ones with the wigs.

Feb. 21: Bert Kreischer – Rio Theatre

Feb. 21: The Sunday Service – The Fox Cabaret

With a Canadian Comedy Award for “Best Improv Troupe” and international recognition, The Sunday Service presents a fast-paced and unique take on traditional improv. The Sunday Service is Ryan Beil, Caitlin Howden, Kevin Lee, Aaron Read, and Taz VanRassel, along with Mark Chavez (The Pajama Men) and musical director, Emmett Hall.

Feb. 23-27: The Nasty Show – Rio Theatre

Feb. 23&24: Janeane Garofalo – Rio Theatre

Feb. 24: Ron Funches – Biltmore Cabaret

Feb. 24: Ring A Ding Dong Dandy – Little Mountain Gallery

Ryan Beil and Graham Clark riff over top of classic wrestling clips along with special announcer Kevin Banner.

Feb. 25: Hari Kondabolu – Biltmore Cabaret

Feb. 26: Kyle Kinane – Biltmore Cabaret
Feb. 27: Kyle Kinane – Biltmore Cabaret (2nd Show Added)

Feb. 27: Michael Che – Biltmore Cabaret

Michael Che is currently the co-anchor of “Weekend Update” on Saturday Night Live, where he is also a writer and a previous correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

Feb. 27: Everything Is Terrible! – Rio Theatre

This is a Legends show which is a culmination of the first eight (of 888) years of work from the video alchemists at EIT! These mindfreaks have taken thousands of forgotten VHS tapes, chewed them up, and spit them back to their young via daily website postings, six movies, and world tours. In that time, they’ve exposed their fans to wonders such as massaging cat ladies, apocalyptic facial exercises, pizza parties in hell, and the immortal party-god, Duane. Time pack up your copies of Jerry Maguire and accept the fact that your life up until this moment has been pointless.

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Giving Locally: Vancouver BC SPCA Wish List 2015

11 Dec

SPCAAdoptedIsMyFavouriteBreedWe at ILiveInEastVan.com are big supporters of all the great work the staff and volunteers do at the Vancouver SPCA.  The SPCA is a non-profit organization that helps nearly 37,000 injured, abused and homeless animals each year and relies on generous donations from supporters.  We provide our support wherever we can. If you follow us, you know we regularly feature many of the pets waiting for adoption.  Today, we would like to tell you about a different way you can support the Vancouver SPCA. That is by contributing some much needed items from their Wish List.  Maybe you have some extra items at home that they could use, or maybe you would like to purchase a few items from their Wish List for them this Christmas. Which ever way you choose to support them, these items go a long way to helping them do the great work they do.  If you do purchase new items to be donated, keep your receipt and drop it off with some identification and you are eligible for a tax receipt for income tax purposes.  We have set out below a short list of some of the most wanted items that would help them immensely, we invite you to take a peek:

Animal Care

  • Gently Used Bedding, Towels & Blankets
  • Clumping litter for cats
  • Fancy Feast or Tiki cat tuna for adult cats & senior cats
  • Treats for cats: They love Temptations
  • Smart toys and kongs of any kind
  • Leashes/collars
  • Bully sticks and hard chew toys for dogs
  • Training treats for dogs
  • Small animal toys for -chinchillas, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats & gerbils
  • Craisins, Cheerios, Shreddies
  • Romaine lettuce, bok choy, carrots, cilantro & parsley for the rabbits

Cleaning – Office

  • Eco friendly cleaning products
  • Paper Towels
  • Dishwashing soap
  • Photocopy paper

Donations can be dropped off at the Vancouver Shelter at 1205 East 7th Avenue (at the corner of East 6th Avenue & Keith Drive). For those taking transit, the Vancouver SPCA Shelter is located across the street from the VCC-Clark Skytrain Station.  The shelter is open Monday to Friday 10:30 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday & Sunday from Noon – 4:00 pm and items can be dropped anytime during those times.  If you have any questions, you can phone or email the Vancouver shelter directly at T: 604-879-7721 or vancouver@spca.bc.ca. We thank you in advance for helping support the great work these folks do speaking for all those that cannot speak for themselves.

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Vancouver Farmers Market Holiday Market Croatian Cultural Centre December 12

10 Dec

HolidayMarketThe Vancouver Farmers Market is hosting their annual Holiday Market this Saturday, December 12th at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive.  Now in its 19th year, this event is a seasonal celebration of food and art and runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This Saturday, you will find over 60 vendors offering everything from delicious food items such as cheese, fresh bread, olive oil, chocolates jams, coffee and honey as well as handmade jewellery, delectable desserts including homemade pies plus home accessories such as handmade cutting boards.  There will be lots on hand perfect for gift giving or holiday entertaining this holiday seasons such as BC Wine Studio’s Siren’s Call Pinot Noir.   Admission to the market is $3.00, but free if you are a Market Member. Hint: If you check the most recent edition of the Georgia Straight, you will find a 2 for 1 coupon for entrance to the Holiday Market.

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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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RESCUE ME: Karma Is Looking For Her Forever Home

8 Dec

KarmaVanSPCAWelcome to the next installment of Rescue Me in which we feature pets waiting for adoption at the Vancouver SPCA. Today we would like to introduce you to Karma.  Karma is a 2 year old female Pit Bull Terrier Mastiff Cross.  So yes, she’s a large breed dog.  We hear this girl will definitely bring some good karma into your life. She is full of wags, kisses and generally just a big love.  As she is young, this girl has some exuberant energy to burn, thus will need an active companion.  We understand she has some enthusiastic behavior, but with some exercise and obedience work, her friends at the Vancouver SPCA think she will learn some proper manners quickly.  Karma is a silly playful girl and happily amuses herself with squeaky toys, but ultimately she is happiest by your side.   If you think you could give this girl a forever home, the Vancouver SPCA Shelter would love to hear from you. You can find them at 1205 East 7th Avenue or by telephone at 604-879-7721 or by email at vancouver@spca.bc.ca. As always, we welcome any shares to help find Karma her forever home.

UPDATED December 15, 2015: Karma has found her forever home. Thanks for all the shares.

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