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Archive for the ‘Holiday Fare’ Category

Christmas Baking in the Neighborhood

December 11th, 2012 admin

For all those who celebrate Christmas and for all those who don’t, this is the time of year to indulge in the sweets that comfort the soul. You may find some of the baking with rum and raisins or others with ginger and of course most made with butter. You’ll find bakeries and such in your neighborhood or nearby. Here are just a couple of places in the False Creek neighborhood that you can find these holiday treats:

Chocolate Cherry Panettone & Stollen

Gingerbread People and Holiday Cookies

I loved the new Chocolate Stout Crackle Cookie that is made with local R & B Brewing Stout as well as the Citrus Fig Sable cookie. I also loved their Chocolate Cherry Panettone which I made into French Toast as well as their Stollen loaf.

Terra Breads

53 West 5th Avenue (@ Ontario)

Vancouver

Tel. 604-873-8111

Twitter: @TerraBreads

http://www.terrabreads.com

* Three more locations of Terra Breads are located around the city.

Stollen Loaf

Yule Log

Gingerbread Box

I loved their Stollen Bread Pudding, Stollen Muffin as well as their Stollen (a day process to make this traditional Stollen) and each Stollen Loaf comes with the official butter letter. You will also find Yule Logs, Gingerbread Boxes, Gingerbread Men and Gingerbread Houses.

Swiss Bakery

143 East 3rd Avenue,

Vancouver

Tel: 604-736-8785

Twitter: @SwissBakery

http://www.swissbakery.ca/

I was inspired by the tasty treats gift that I received from Terra Breads as well as the invitation from Swiss Bakery to come by to try some of their holiday treats. Visit these wonderful local bakeries in False Creek or explore your own neighborhood and visit the bakeries for some holiday treats.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Holiday Fare, Latest Tags: , , , , , , , , No Comments »

Gingerbread Houses and More

December 1st, 2012 admin

Tis the season and with it comes the traditional and not so traditional Gingerbread Houses. Gingerbread Houses can be found at many bakeries and shops around the city. Here are just a few places that you can find these houses:

Gingerbread Houses at Stuarts Bakery

Stuarts Bakery

Granville Island Public Market

1689 Johnston Street, Vancouver

Phone: (604) 685-8816

Gingerbread Houses $69.99

 

Gingerbread Houses at Goldilocks

Goldilocks

1606 West Broadway

Vancouver, BC

(604) 736-7744

and

2833 Main Street

Vancouver, BC

(604) 876-2464

http://www.goldilocks.ca/visitus.htm

Small houses $38 and $50 big houses

 

Gingerbread Houses at Swiss Bakery

Swiss Bakery

143 East 3rd Avenue  Vancouver, BC V5T 1C7

(604) 736-8785

http://www.swissbakery.ca/

Gingerbread houses $45

 

Gingerbread Houses at Whole Foods Vancouver

 Whole foods Cambie

510 West 8th Avenue. Vancouver

P: 778.370.4210

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/cambie

Large selection with prices that range from $14.99 – $123.99

Gingerbread House Kits and Kreation and Whole Foods

Kreation Bakery

260 East 5th Avenue, Vancouver

t 604.871.9119

http://www.kreationartisancake.com

Has Gingerbread House kits for $14.99 and houses for $123.99 available here and at Whole Foods Cambie.

Beta 5

413 Industrial Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604.669.3336

http://beta5chocolates.com/

Gingerbread Houses – Call for prices

Launch a friend into local real estate by giving them a house! The most original gift of the season, the Vancouver Special gingerbread kit is inspired by our city’s iconic architecture. Perfect for the design aficionado, it includes everything but the keys: royal icing, marzipan snowmen, aerated chocolate bushes, chocolate-covered-pretzel railings, fruit jellies and a host of other treats. Fun to build, and tasty to tear down!

For something fun to do, why not treat yourself to one of these Gingerbread House Workshops.

Workshop at Whole Foods

Whole Foods Cambie

510 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver

P: 778.370.4210

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/cambie

Gingerbread House Decorating daily from December 1-23, 2012

 

Belle’s Bakeshop

12211 1 Avenue  Richmond

Telephone: (604) 284-5152

Gingerbread House making workshop on December 7th at 7:30pm

Tweet them @bellsbakeshop or call in advance to register.

 

If you are a bakery featuring any Gingerbread Houses or workshops, feel free to email your details to [email protected] and we will add you so our readers know what you have in store for this holiday.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Holiday Fare, Latest Tags: , , , No Comments »

Tasting at the Vancouver Christmas Market

November 30th, 2012 admin

Last night I visited the Vancouver Christmas Market for the very first time, centrally located on the Plaza at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, all that was needed was snow and Christmas music to get you in the festive mood!

This indeed was an outdoor Christmas village with row upon row of illuminated wooden huts offering handmade gifts and tempting treats. There were thousands of Christmas lights sparkling along with a popular Carousel.

I began my adventure with a mug of hot Apple Cider ($4) as I then roamed around the village.

Next was a visit to Farmhouse Cheeses where I saw Debra Amrein-Boyes and talked about her wonderful cheeses, which lead me to indulge in their Raclette ($8) served with melted Alpine Gold Cheese and Helmers potatoes.

Lastly I enjoyed a delicious cup of Potato Soup with bun for dipping at the Soupmeister.

The market is open daily until December 24, 2012. Make sure you check out the information and how to get tickets here and enjoy the holiday festivities.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Farmers Markets, Holiday Fare, Latest Tags: , , , 2 Comments »

Making Gingerbread Houses at Stuarts

November 28th, 2012 admin

Pastry Chef – Christian Cocardon

I went on a bit of a holiday adventure the other day without leaving the city, it felt as if I went to the north pole except there was no Santa, there were however a team of bakers. I was fortunate to watch the bakers at work building and decorating the Gingerbread Houses inside Stuarts Bakery.

Christian Cocardon assembling the walls

Christian Cocardon and the house is coming together

Gingerbread House in progess

Christian Cocardon – icing the roof

Christian Cocardon the master chef is at work

That is a big bowl of Royal icing

Christian Cocardon has mastered the construction process as he has been making gingerbread houses for 30 years. Each year at Stuarts Bakery they start making the houses around the beginning of November. They start off baking the gingerbread, then they cut the gingerbread into the pieces to assemble the houses, royal icing is then used to build the houses, starting with the walls and then the roof.

Decorating the Gingerbread houses, one by one

Decorating the Gingerbread Houses

They then pipe in the royal icing decorating the yard, all that white snow and then the decorating begins and it’s quite a lot of fun, well to watch is fun!

Gingerbread Houses festive and ready for the holidays

I was told the shelf-life from when they are made to when they should be eaten is under 2 months, so if you get one of these as a present, you had better start eating before or shortly after the holidays.

Can be ordered from Stuarts Granville island ($69.99 at this location), Max’s Deli on Oak street, Foodwares Market in Granville skytrain station, and Artisan Bakery in Park Royal.

Go to Part 2 to see where you can purchase one of these beautiful Gingerbread Houses.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Great Ideas, Holiday Fare, Latest Tags: , , , No Comments »

Thanksgiving and the Harvest

October 4th, 2012 admin

One of my favourite times of the year is now, as the leaves change colours marks the harvest and of course Canadian Thanksgiving. Of course pumpkins always come to mind, as does squash, yams, walnuts and so much more! While I do love a good pumpkin pie, the traditional pumpkin pie can be found almost everywhere, so to go a bit untraditional this year, here are some new favourites that you can find in the city now, all of which will be available throughout October.

Harvest Pizza

Starting off on the savoury side, here is the Harvest Pizza at Pazza Rella Food Truck which I created with them, you may want to ask for the Vancouver Foodster Harvest Pizza when you order one. This Napoletana pizza is topped with butternut & buttercup squash, walnuts, feta cheese, bechamel, and caramelized onions. Since they are mobile they tend to move from their Coal Harbour spot to other places around the city, best to follow them on twitter @PazzaRellaPizza for their location.

Harvest Bourbon Crumble Pecan Pumpkin Pie

Now on to the sweet side, here is the Harvest Bourbon Crumble Pecan Pumpkin Pie from Vancouver Pie Hole which is just that holy frick’n goodness in a pie. You can order direct from them online http://www.vancouverpiehole.com/ and pickup or have it delivered to you, or pick one up at Pete’s Meats.

Pumpkin Pie in a Jar

Now for something very different, desserts in a jar are always fun treats, this is a Pumpkin Pie in a Jar created by Beta 5 with spiced pumpkin custard w/ maple-bourbon cream, pumpkin seed granola and sage-brown butter marshmallows. You can pick one or more up at their factory store for only $6 each. They are located at 413 Industrial Avenue or tweet them @Beta5chocolates

Pumpkin with Pumpkin Seed Brittle Ice Cream

Since I love ice cream and many others do as well, here is an ice cold treat, Pumpkin with Pumpkin Seed Brittle Ice Cream at Chocolate Arts, it is a 16oz tub for $6.95 and you can pick one up in there store. They are located at 1620 West 3rd Avenue or tweet them @ChocArts

I am sure there are many more bakeries, cafes, chocolatiers, restaurants, food trucks, gelateria’s, sweet shops around the city have created dishes to celebrate the harvest. Feel free to tweet me your finds @vanfoodster

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Holiday Fare, Latest Tags: , , , , , No Comments »

Easter Treats

March 30th, 2012 admin

Here are some of the bakeries, and chocolatiers where you can purchase Easter treats in and around Vancouver.

Easter Macarons at Soirette Macarons & Tea

Soirette Macarons & Tea

1433 West Pender Street, Vancouver

@SoiretteMacaron

6 Easter Macarons $19.50

Or $3.50 each

Order ahead by calling  604-558-3308

 

Chocolaterie de la Nouvelle

198 East 21st Avenue (at main st.), Vancouver

@MainStChocolate

Small bites:

- Mini eggs

- Bunny Lollipops

- Mini ducks

Medium & Large items (hollow designs):

- 2.25″ Bunny

- 4″ Rooster

- 3″ & 3.5″ Hens

- 7.5″ Bunny

- 5.5″ Duck

Other:

- Egg Box (contains 18 mini eggs – mix of our three most popular chocolates)

All the designs are old style – like the Easter chocolates I use to see in chocolate shops when I was a child – no bunnies on skateboards with cartoons eyes here ;)

Available in either milk (40.5%) or dark chocolate (64% or 72%)

Prices vary between $0.25 to $20.00

Edible Flours     

2280 West Broadway, Vancouver

@EdibleFlours

Vegan baked treats

 

Swiss Bakery

143 East 3rd Avenue, Vancouver

@swissbakery

Hot Cross Buns, Brioche Bunnies and Easter themed Danishes

 

East Village Bakery

2166 East Hastings, Vancouver

@EastVillageBake

Sourdough Hot Cross Buns

 

French Made Baking

81 Kingsway

@FrMadeBaking

Easter chocolate and macarons tarts

 

Cocoa West Chocolatier

581C Artisan Lane, Bowen Island

@CocoaWestBC

Gaudi Chocolate Easter eggs

 

Uprising Breads

1697 Venables & 3066 W Broadway

@uprisingbreads

Easter cookies, cupcakes and hot cross buns

 

Mink Chocolates

863 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

@minkchocolates

Bunnies, mini eggs, chocolate chicks, big flled deco eggs, and the seasonal specialty, the Flat Pack Easter Egg chocolate bar

 

Thomas Haas Chocolates

Unit 128, 998 Harbourside Drive, North Vancouver & 2539 West Broadway Avenue, Vancouver

@thaaschocolates

Kalamansi Easter eggs, Easter chocolates and other Easter treats

 

Tracy Cakes

101 2636 Montrose Avenue, Abbotsford

15015 Marine Drive, White Rock

23170 96th Avenue, Fort Langley

@TracycakesCafe

Easter cupcakes

 

Cocoa Nymph

3739 West 10th Ave, Vancouver

@cocoanymph

Peanut butter or salted caramel eggs

 

Chocolate Arts

1620 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver BC,

http://www.chocolatearts.com/products/seasonal

 

If you are a bakery or chocolatier featuring any Easter treats, feel free to email your details to [email protected] and we will add you so our readers know what you have in store for this holiday.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Holiday Fare, Latest Tags: , , , , , , , No Comments »

Holiday Lunch Buffets

December 9th, 2011 admin

Yuletide Luncheon Buffet at Fleuri Restaurant

Last week I was invited in to dine at Fleuri Restaurant for their annual Yuletide Luncheon Buffet. This is one of my favourite lunch buffets during the holiday season, my friend Shar Levine joined me to indulge!

 

Carving Station at Fleuri Restaurant

They have an extensive selection of Salads and I enjoyed the Thai Noodle Salad with Prawns, Bean Curd, Shiitake Mushrooms and Cinnamon Basil as well as the Tomato and Boccioni, Pasta salad and greens.

Of all the Hot items I ate, I loved all the vegetables which were perfectly cooked, Christmas Spiced Caramelized Yams, as well as the Salmon and Halibut and the Vegetarian Cannelloni.

 

Yule Log at Fleuri Restaurant

The Dessert buffet is the spectacle, and their Chocolate Yule Log is one of my favourites.

 

Desserts at Fleuri Restaurant

Yuletide Luncheon Buffet

November 28th – December 23rd

$39.00* per adult • $19.00* per child (12 years & Under)

Fleuri Restaurant  11:30am – 2:30pm

Monday – Friday Only

» Reservations: 604.642.2900

Sutton Place Hotel

845 Burrard Street, Vancouver

Web: http://www.vancouver.suttonplace.com/holiday_festivities.htm

 

Other restaurants offering Buffet Lunches this month include:

EBO Restaurant

4331 Dominion Street, Burnaby

Tel: 604-453-0788

Web: http://www.eborestaurant.com

Festive Lunch Buffet:

Adults: $26.00 per person – does not include any beverages

Dates: December 5th – 23rd (not including weekends)

Time: 11:30am – 2:30pm

 

Fairmont Pacific Rim

1038 Canada Place, Vancouver

Tel: 604 695 5300.

Web: http://www.fairmont.com/EN_FA/Property/VPR/GuestServices/Restaurants/

Festive Lunch Buffet is available in ORU weekdays from December 5 through 23rd, and at $34.95 per person.

Monday – Friday, 11:30am – 2pm

 

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-647-0517

Web: http://www.fairmont.com/hvc/celebratetheholidays

Griffins’ Festive Luncheon Buffet

December 1st – December 31st, Excluding December 25th. Monday to Saturday – 11:30am to 2:30pm

$42.00* per adult • $21.50* per child (12 years & Under)

 

Fairmont Waterfront

900 Canada Place Way, Vancouver

Tel: 604-691-1818

Web: http://www.fairmont.com/waterfront/GuestServices/Restaurants/HeronsRestaurant.htm

Festive Lunch Buffet

December 2-3rd, 9th, 12-16th, 19-24th, 26th

Seatings: 11:30am – 1:00pm and 1:30pm – 3:00pm

Adults $45 | Seniors $35 | Children ages 6 to 12 $22

 

Visit one or visit them all during the coming weeks, make sure to make an advance reservation and enjoy!

Happy Holidays!

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Holiday Fare, Latest Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment »

Holiday Baking at Whole Foods

December 7th, 2011 admin

Head Baker - Hugette

Get ready for all your holiday gatherings with delicious baking from Whole Foods Market.

The bakery is in full swing this holiday season running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most of the items in the bakery are baked in house including their Gingerbread Cookie Dough ($6.99) that bakes about a dozen cookies. She is also holding one of the Gingerbread House Kits ($13.99) made by local bakery Kreation.

The bakery dept is featuring Thomas Haas Stollen, as well as holiday cookies from Butter Bakery, as well as their own house made Gingerbread Trifle, and much more.

Whole Foods is located at 510 West 8th Avenue in Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Holiday Fare, Latest Tags: , , , , No Comments »
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