Tag Archives: Strathcona

The Uncommon Café Hosts Delish Workshops This June

31 May

UncommonCafeCanningJune2017Our friends at The Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street, have another great line up of classes this Spring. Whether you wish to brush up on your baking skills, canning skills or need a little help with that summer party, they’ve got you covered. Classes are led by Valentine Kitamura owner of Tartine Maple. Valentine was born and raised in France and is a chef that has worked in hotels in Paris, Singapore, New Orleans and Toronto.  She now works with The Uncommon Café, a commissary and café and regularly hosts classes.  We’ve set out below their next series of classes which we expect will be delicious and fun.

Cooking Class: Brioche Making – June 7th 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Valentine will teach you how to make Brioche. Once you have the basic dough mastered, she will teach you how to make a Basic Brioche Loaf, Braided Brioche, Brioche Cinnamon Rolls and Brioche BBQ Pork Buns. What I love best about their classes, you get to enjoy a class of wine while brushing up on your kitchen skills.   You can book your spot online through Eventbrite.

Preserve The Summer Bounty – June 11th 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Valentine will demonstrate the basics of canning and will teach you how to make Strawberry Jam, Pickled Beets & Carrots, Preserved Lemons and Rhubarb Sauce. While the demonstration happens, you get to sip on a glass of wine and you get to go home with items made in class.  Again, registration is through Eventbrite.

Plan A Summer Party – Wednesday, June 21st 6:00 pm– 9:00 pm

This class will get you ready to host your next summer party. Recipes chosen are easy and perfect for a crowd.  Some of the items you will be learning to make include:

o    Gazpacho: Spanish cold tomato soup served with all the trimming; timeless and refreshing

o    Focaccia: Italian flatbread; top it with anything and add to the side of all your party tables

o    Beef Kofta Kebabs: Lebanese inspired dish pack with flavor! Served with Pitta bread and Tzatziki.

o    Season’s Fruits Pana Cotta:

Once the food has been prepared,  you will get to sit back and enjoy what’s been prepared with a glass of wine.  To register, visit Eventbrite.

It just happens that they are currently offering 20% off all classes. Not sure how long that will last, but if you wish to take advantage of it while it’s offered, use the code SAVE20 when registering.

 

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rEvolver Festival Presents All The Way At The Russian Hall May 31- June 3, 2017

22 May

AllTheWayUpInTheAirTheatreThere is a new game show in town as part of the rEolver Festival happening May 24 to June 4, 2017 presented by Up In The Air Theatre. This show is being billed as a “hypnagogic game show straddling the worlds of a haunted house and The Price is Right. This partially-immersive, pop-cult, horror-flick-obsessed puzzle invites audience members to dive into a hero’s journey… to emerge thrilled and victorious. All The Way rewards the competitor, soothes the dreamer, and delights in the deliciously unconventional.”  Personally we love unconventional, so our bet is this will be an interesting show. We hear there are prizes to be won and if you are a fan of Sudoku and have watched a lot of television, especially Buffy, you will do quite well. All The Way runs May 31st to June 3rd at The Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Street in the heart of Strathcona. Tickets are $20 each and available online from The Cultch.  If you are not familiar with the rEvolver Festival, it brings new works by emerging theatre companies and artists to the stage each May. We invite you to check out some of the shows they will be presenting this May during the rEvolver Festival.

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Hop Circuit 2017 – East Van Craft Breweries Open House

26 Apr

HopCurcuitApril30thIf you like beer and want to drink beer, talk about beer or learn more about how it’s made, Hop Circuit is the place to be this Sunday, April 30th. East Van breweries and distilleries open their doors for the afternoon and allow you behind the scences access to their breweries. After last year’s smashing success, the event is back for its second year.  You can partake in this event by doing your own self-guided walking or cycling tour, or you can sign up with Vancouver Brewery Tours who will drive you to the various breweries. There are some 14 breweries participating which are located in the Strathcona, Hastings Sunrise and Grandview Woodland areas.  The day would not be complete without food trucks which will be scattered around the area in full force for the day, so fear not food will always be close at hand.  We’ve learnt that The Reef’s Food Truck will be located at Strange Fellows Brewing on Clark Drive, Aussie Pie Guy at Callister Brewing and the Community Pizzeria at Storm Brewing, but you will find many more around this area which is now affectionately known as “Yeast Van”.  The event runs from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. We’ve included the Hop Circuit map which sets out the breweries and distilleries participating and their location. Stop by and see what’s happening in Yeast Van. Cheers!

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The Uncommon Café Offers Sweet Classes This February

23 Jan

 

eclairscreampuffsfebruary52017With Valentine’s Day approaching, our friends at The Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street, are hosting a few delicious classes this February and if location is an issue, we see one of their upcoming classes, Eclairs and Cream Puffs, will be held at the Trout Lake Community Centre on a Sunday afternoon.  Valentine Kitamura owner of Tartine Maple will be leading the various classes they have lined up which include learning how to make eclairs and cream puffs, the secrets of working with chocolate or making that perfect Valentine’s Dinner. We invite you to check out their upcoming classes.

Eclairs and Cream Puff: Choux Pastry Basics –  Sunday, February 5, 2017

Valentine will teach you the basics of the new pastry craze from France, Choux pastry  pronounced “shoo.” If unfamiliar with the term, they are a family of dessert, big and small puffs, all made with the same dough base. In this class, you will learn to make:

  • Profiteroles filled with vanilla whipped cream and covered with warm chocolate sauce
  • Chouquettes with are a simple little puff simply covered with crunchy sugar bits
  • Eclairs – the long version of the choux, filled with cream

Bring a container(s) so you can take some of your creations home.  If you don’t have  baking experience, no worries, it is not required. They assure us no fancy equipment is required either and you can easily make the items yourself at home.  This class runs Sunday afternoon at Trout Lake Community Centre from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Chocolate Lovers Class – Wednesday, February 8, 2017 

If you love chocolate and want to learn how to make easy decadent desserts, than this class is for you. Whether you wish to impress guests, or that special someone this Valentine’s Day. What you will learn to make in this class is:chocolateloversclass

  • Chocolate Mousse
  • Lava Cake
  • Chocolate Truffles
  • Chocolate Sauce to Drizzle

This is a demonstration cooking class after which you will get to enjoy your Lava Cake along with a glass of sparking wine. The rest of the goodies you get to take home with you.


Valentine’s Couple Cooking Demo & Dinner – February 10, 2017 SOLD OUT

This class is designed for pairs, so whether that be a romantic couple, or maybe you want to bring someone on a first date, or you bring your mom or best friend, the field is wide open. During this demonstration class, Valentine will show you how to make some delish French dishes which we’ve set out below. After the demonstration, you get to sit down and enjoy the prepared meal in their restaurant with a glass of wine with candlelight if you wish.  What you will learn to make includes:

Tarte flambée: Thin flatbread made right before your eyes, covered in onions, bacon and cream and cooked really high for extra crispiness. Served with green salad.

Aumoniere de Saumon: Salmon wrapped in purse shape phyllo dough served with a  traditional white wine sauce

Lava cake: The ultimate dark chocolate indulgence served with vanilla ice cream.

Now if you like the idea of this class, but your prefer a different date, they are offering another class on February 14th, with a bit different menu. Price for the demonstration cooking classes are $75 per person.  Keep an eye out for early registration offers which reduce the price by $10. To register, click on link above which takes you to the Eventbrite page for each class. Bon appetit.

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Eastside Culture Crawl – Bits, Bites, Beer & More On The Crawl

18 Nov

foodimageFor 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!

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Upgrade Your Thanksgiving: Learn To Make Brioche & Galette With The Uncommon Café September 28th

14 Sep

tartinemaplebriocheOur friends at The Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street, have lined up another delish class this month. This one we guarantee will help you impress your guests this Thanksgiving. You are invited to learn how to make brioche and a beautiful galette to serve your guests. The class will be led by Valentine Kitamura owner of Tartine Maple.   Valentine was born and raised in France and is a chef that has worked in hotels in Paris, Singapore, New Orleans and Toronto.  She works with The Uncommon Café, a commissary and café located in the heart of Strathcona and we can personally attest to Valentine’s baking skills. You won’t be disappointed.  On the evening of September 28th,  Valentine will teach you the basics of brioche so you can make the best ever dinner rolls and a beautiful apple galette. It’s easier than pie honestly and tastes amazing.  The class runs from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and costs $50 per person (save $5 if you register one week early). If you decide to come with a small group, you can receive a discount of 20% off for groups of 3 or more.  To register, visit Eventbrite.

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Sunday School Returns To Vancouver Urban Winery September 18th

13 Sep

ILiveInEastVanMarch2013 284Starting this Sunday, September 18th, Vancouver Urban Winery’s Sunday School is back with some fun wine education classes. You are invited to join the hosts David Stansfield and Lisa Cook, both sommeliers, for an engaging  wine seminar.  It doesn’t matter how much or how little you know about wines, there will be something to learn for everyone.  This weekend’s class is “BC Wines v. The World VIII” and will feature an interactive, brown bag, blind tasting.  Each round squares off a local wine against a global challenger in the Rocky III of wine tastings. Sunday School classes take place from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at Vancouver Urban Winery, 55 Dunlevy, in the heart of Strathcona. The cost is $40 per person and tickets are available via Eventbrite. If you miss this week’s Sunday School, they have two more sessions lined up in October and December. We’ve set out their upcoming classes below.

Oct. 16:   Sommelier Smackdown VIII – 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Equal parts ‘Bloodsport’ and ‘Sideways,’ this seminar sees the sommeliers, Dave and Lisa, pit their favourite wines against each other in a vicious street fight for wine geek supremacy. You get to act as the judge and jury over five rounds of tasting.

Dec. 11: True Lies – 3:00 – 5:00 pm

Everything you know about wine is wrong. Or is it? Join them for this myth busting seminar that puts wine’s biggest (mis)conceptions to the test as you drink your way to the truth.

If you haven’t already checked out this great spot in Strathcona, we recommend you do. Belgard Kitchen is on site should you wish to stay for a bite to eat after class.

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New In Town: Gift-A-Green – The Greeting Card That Grows

4 Aug

Postcard-mini_2048x2048It’s been a little while since we’ve featured a new business in East Van and we recently came across something we loved.  It’s called Gift-A-Green and it’s another great thing to come out of the creative space that is the MakerLabs. Cam Auge and Bryan Kinney have based their business in Strathcona and are single handedly bringing “LIFE” back to the greeting card industry.  What is “Gift-A-Green”?  It’s much like a postcard, but it’s actually a pouch with seeds for micro-greens which grow in the pouch itself. And yes, it’s edible, that is the point. Once you’ve purchased the pouch, you just write your personal message to the recipient, their name and address, affix a stamp and pop in the mail.  For the receiver of the Gift-A-Green, you just tear along the dotted line, remove the small bag filled with seeds and add water to it, place the pouch in a sunny location and watch the microgreens grow.  They should be ready to eat in about 14 days time.  The greetings currently come in 5 themes including Thank You, Congratulations, I Love You, Thinking Of You and Happy Birthday. All the seeds are locally sourced and non GMO.  You can purchase their greeting cards online for $9.95 for a single Gift-A-Green or all 5 messages for $45.95. You can also find these unique greeting cards locally at KimPrints in Gastown, Benny’s Market at 598 Union Street, MakerLabs Store, also Vancouver Special at 3612 Main Street, Walrus, Vancouver Art Gallery, Indigo and Garden Works.  You can bet we will be watching this young company grow and we hear via the grapevine they will be featured on the upcoming season of Dragons’ Den that starts this September.  In the meantime, we invite you to check out their very cool informative website.

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Wine & Cheese Tasting At les amis du Fromage

25 Jul

BlueCheeseIf you haven’t stopped in at les amis du FROMAGE on 843 East Hastings, you are missing out. If you love cheese or want to learn more about cheese, this is the place to go. This fall they will be again be sharing some of their vast knowledge of cheese and offering some great classes in store including:

Wine and Cheese 101 – September 14th 6:30 – 8:30 pm $60

One of the owners Allison Spurrell will provide you with a roadmap for matching various cheese types and the wines that best suit them. Allison will introduce cheese basics, including milk types, textures, flavours, how to care for and serve fine cheeses. You will learn how best to pair wine with cheese. And yes, of course, there will be samples so you can discover what is perfect for you.

Vive la France – October 26th 6:30 – 8:30 pm $65

Allison will take you on a tour of taste with a selection of French cheeses and the many regions they come from. This tasting we hear will will feature some of the best France has to offer and will include wines from the Alsace, Loire valley and Bordeaux.

If you hadn’t heard les amis du FROMAGE has been voted “Best Cheese Shop” by readers of The Georgia Straight, The Westender and The Courier. They have another location in Kitsilano, but the tasting events are being held at the East Van location. Tickets for these are available online. Although these classes seems a little ways off into the future, note these classes do sell out quickly. So if interested, we suggest you reserve your spot(s).

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Friends With Benefits Pop Up Shop June 17-23, 2016 In Strathcona

7 Jun

WoodLotPackage

Friends With Benefits and Bronze Age are teaming up for a Pop Up Shop in Strathcona from June 17-23, 2016.  They will be located in a studio space at 478 Union Street (at Jackson) with a host of local artisans and makers. We’ve learnt that the line up includes:

Woodlot Candles
Strathcona Stockings
Maggie Boyd Ceramics
AW by Andrea Wong
Foe and Dear
Bronze Age
Folk Fortune
Lissu Linens
Editorial Mag
Explorer’s Press
The Good Spirit
Karen La
Lacar
Lucy Poskitt
Greg Papove

They will also be hosting workshops and events during the week including:

June 17 – Launch Event. Drinks, shopping and good times 5-10 pm
June 20 – Beginner’s Weaving Class, 6 pm $60 (Includes Kit)
June 22 – Pom Pom Party, 7 pm $25 (Make a pom pom garland)
June 23 – Tunes by Daniel T. and Tarot Readings by The Good Spirit from 5-9 pm

So pop in and check it out the cool space and support your local makers!  They are just down the street from a few of our favs Crackle Crème, The Pie Shoppe and The Union. So many great reasons to pop down.

Photo Credit: Woodlot Candles 

 

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