For all those participating in this year’s Eastside Culture Crawl which is taking place November 17- 20, 2016, we have a few thoughts on where to stop to refuel. We know from first hand experience all that walking on the Crawl makes you hungry and thirsty and the opportunity to put your feet up for a bit, is a welcome one. With that in mind, we thought we would set out some delish spots to check out for a bite, refreshment or more. As the Crawl covers a great deal of ground, we have set it out by geographic area. Since our experience has been to pick a general area to concentrate on and stop in at a number of artists within walking distance.
Hastings Sunrise
In Hastings Sunrise, there is no lack of choices along the stretch of East Hastings. Some great options include Roundel Café, Jackalope’s Dive and Red Wagon Café for brunch for starters. For coffee, we’d hit Platform 7 Coffee. Of course, for lunch or brunch, Tacofino Commissary is a no brainer anytime. If you have a hankering for something sweet, well a couple of great options include Black Rook Bakehouse and East Village Bakery.
Grandview Woodlands
If you are wandering in the Grandview Woodlands area, you could start with breakfast or lunch at Scandillious at 25 Victoria Drive. Looking for coffee? We’d hit Pallet Roasters. If it’s a stop for beer or a cocktail, check out Parallel 49 Brewing, Doan’s Craft Brewing, Storm Brewing or Odd Society Spirits. Looking for something sweet, well the Pie Shoppe on Powell Street at Victoria has that covered off with a selection of handmade chocolate from Melt Confections on hand along with their amazing pie. If you are looking for dinner after the Crawl, Bistro Wagon Rogue that has casual French fare and it’s located right next to the Pie Shoppe on Powell Street.
Commercial Drive
On Commercial Drive you have a plethora of options whether it’s coffee, cocktails or a bite. We couldn’t even begin to name them all, but a few that come to mind include Moja’s Coffee, Continental Coffee, The Drive Coffee Bar and Turks. For the perfect sandwhich to go (and big enough for two in most cases), we recommend La Grotta del Fromaggio. While there, we highly suggest a stop into Fratelli Bakery next door. If it’s brunch you are looking for, Havana Restaurant and is one of many great spots on the Drive. Just up the street you have Biercraft which also serves brunch and a great selection of beer. Of course just a quick walk from The Drive down Venables is Uprising Breads for a great coffee and snack spot. Oh and we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention a favourite spot for licorice lovers, the Licorice Parlour. If you are looking for pizza on The Drive, there are a few options Famoso, Lombardo’s, Marcello’s and just off The Drive on Victoria Drive is a personal favourite Via Tevere Pizzeria.
Strathcona/Railtown
Well there are some delish stops in this general area including the Settlement Building in Railtown which is a great spot for brunch before you start or a glass of beer or wine during or after. Les Amis du Fromage is hosting a Pop Up Shop with the Salty Cookie Company this Saturday, November 19th. So if you have a sweet craving, we do encourage you stop by. If you are looking for dinner after Ask for Luigi is in the area as is the MacKenzie Room directly across from Oppenheimer Park and The Heatley not far down the street. If you wish to make a stop for coffee, the Wilder Snail in the heart of Strathcona is a quaint option.
Clark Drive
This is a developing area which we expect will be changing more in the coming years. Right now it’s home to Strange Fellows Brewing which is featuring Moving Art as part of the Crawl, so beer and art under one roof. For coffee, check out Agro Roasters at Frances Avenue on Clark Drive. For sushi and something quick and reasonable, Fujiya at the corner of Clark and Venables. Of course, Yolks Breakfast at East Hastings has breakfast all day to fuel you and if it’s beer you are after Callister Brewing just off Clark on Franklin Street is a collaborative brewery which always has some great art on hand all year long.
Which every way you slice it and where you decide to Crawl, get out and see some great art!
In case you hadn’t heard the news, The Italian Cultural Centre now has it’s very own outdoor brick pizza oven which had its inaugural run on June 17th. The pizza oven is located at the Italian Cultural Centre’s outdoor space which is adjacent to Beaconsfield Park. Within easy view is their still fairly new community garden and a playground for the wee ones. So we were pleased to hear about this collaborative event coming on August 17th called Good Grains which incorporates many things we love. The event is being billed as a celebration of pizza and beer and is a collaboration between FarmFolk, City Folk, the Bauta Initiative, the Italian Cultural Centre and East Van’s newest brewery, Luppolo. The evening event will give you an opportunity to meet local grain growers, hand-mill flour, take a peak at a demo size brewer and best of all eat and drink local. This is a family friendly event that gets under way at 6:00 pm. Early bird tickets are available for $20 (until July 21st) after which they will be $25 person, save for children which are $5. Tickets are available directly the Italian Cultural Centre at 604.430.3337, or you can purchase them 
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