The Belgard Kitchen Happy Afternoon

/in , /by Belinda Phung

I had the pleasure of experiencing one of Vancouver’s most unique restaurants last week, The Belgard Kitchen. As a long time industry worker and supporter of Vancouver’s hospitality scene, I’ve seen a lot of restaurants, bars and bottoms of empty glasses! The Belgard Kitchen, located in the historic Settlement Building, emits a radiant Vancouver vibe as you push open the 100-year-old doors imported from an Argentinian Church. Myself and my social media muse, Elle, took advantage of The Belgard Kitchen Happy Afternoon menu – which runs 3-6pm Mon-Thurs, featuring $6 Wine and $5 Beer brewed by brother-band Postmark Brewing.

belgard kitchen happy afternoon 1

Sharing Is Caring

Sharing a space with a brewery adds a unique element that makes Belgard a rarity, as well as a destination that you need to experience. The Happy Afternoon Menu gives you a chance to dabble in the absolutely delicious cuisine that Belgard offers. The Mushroom + Bacon Pate is truly mouth-watering and is only rivaled by its counterpart the Green Chickpea + Avocado Hummus.

belgard kitchen happy afternoon 2

Paving the way for my highlight of the afternoon, the Heirloom Caprese Pizzette. This decadent dish boasts being gluten free and vegan! Drizzled with sunflower seed pesto and white balsamic I was literally in food heaven. The herbed cashew mozzarella was surprisingly delicious. Cashew cheese? I’m now a believer!

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Next time you want to impress a date or just spend some quality time with friends, The Belgard Kitchen will leave all your guests impressed. If you’re like me and love a good deal on quality wine and food, then enjoy their Happy Afternoon Menu Monday to Thursday from 3-6pm. Stay tuned as my search for the best places to drink and dine in Vancouver continues.

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For more information:

THE BELGARD KITCHEN
55 DUNLEVY AVE
VANCOUVER, BC CANADA
V6A 3A3

(604) 699-1989

belgardkitchen.com

Day Trips From Vancouver – Craft Beer Edition

/in , /by Kevin Wiens

There are so many craft breweries in Vancouver that it’s easy to forget what’s offered in our surrounding cities. The neighbouring craft scene in Metro Vancouver continues to grow and that just means more craft options for us! Vancouver, with its Skytrain and SeaBus connections, is a great starting point for a short day trip away from our busy city. Your friends at VanCity Drinks have created a list of 3 awesome trips for you to get out of Vancouver, with a craft beer focus, of course.

Brewers Row – Murray St., Port Moody

A craft beer lover’s dream, Yellow Dog Brewing Co., Parkside Brewery, Twin Sails Brewing and Moody Ales are located within 400 meters of each other. Just one kilometer from the Port Moody Station, all four breweries offer a unique story of their history, culture, and craft brewing process. If you tour all four breweries, you’ll likely be overwhelmed by how many craft beers you’ve seen. Don’t forget to explore Port Moody’s beautiful Rocky Point Park and waterfront area! Hungry? We suggest Pajo’s Famous Fish & Chips.

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photo by Parkside Brewery

Green Leaf Brewing Co. – Lonsdale Quay Market, North Vancouver

There’s nothing better than riding the Seabus over Vancouver’s harbour as you take in the views of the North Shore. Lonsdale Quay has long been a tourist hotspot. The marketplace has over 80 specialty shops to visit with artisan goods, art, and clothes all on display. Since 2013, Greenleaf Brewing Co. has offered craft beer right inside the market, making it the perfect mid shopping break. We recommend enjoying their beer while sitting on the patio looking out at the harbour. Finally, top of your Lonsdale trip with a visit to the Polygon Art Gallery, which opened their new waterfront location on November 18.

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photo by Green Leaf Brewing

Steel & Oak Brewery – Downtown, New Westminster

New Westminster’s historic downtown core is another excellent option for a quick trip out of the city. After strolling down Columbia Street, cross over the bridge to visit New West’s burgeoning riverfront area. Once you’ve enjoyed the Fraser views, go inside the River Market for some more casual window shopping. If you’re hungry grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants and then make your way to the important stuff, craft beer. Just a 15 minute walk from the market is Steel & Oak Brewery, your go-to destination for New West craft  (see the map here). With over ten rotating taps to choose from, Steel & Oak’s tasting room has a variety of flavour combinations with something for everyone. And yes, kids too. Adults can sip on some craft beer while the kids enjoy their “craft” lemonade.

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photo by Steel & Oak

For more information:

Happy Hour in Kitsilano

/in , /by Bob Pember

This week, to continue our series on our favourite places for happy hour around Vancouver, we’re bringing you our picks for unwinding or gearing up after work in Kitsilano. There’s always lots to check out in the area, but we want to help you find the best way to not go broke doing it. Here are five spots in Kits that do happy hour right and what they have to offer the neighbourhood.

Burgoo Bistro

2272 West 4th Ave.

Happy hour daily 3 PM – 5 PM with $5 Burgoo Brew, $5 wine, and daily specials.

Originally opened in Point Grey, Burgoo came to life because they believe everyone needs a little comfort and a place to enjoy some great comfort food. They now have locations throughout Vancouver and North Van and have become a “go-to” restaurant for each of their neighbourhoods. Serving up comfort food and comfort drinks, Burgoo has made a name for itself by being reliable for consistent quality and unique offerings that leave guests satisfied and wanting more. Their international food offerings are a great addition to your happy hour and will help you forget that the workday ever happened.

 

Bimini Public House

2010 West 4th Ave.

Happy hour daily until 6 PM with $5 food, $4 beer, and $4 wine.

Named for a Bahamian island haven and supply point of prohibition-era rum runners, the Bimini is no stranger to a dark and stormy. There’s a real neighbourhood history between those wood-panelled walls, where local hippies and Greenpeacers used to hold court, and today it remains the locals’ local. A Vancouver icon, the Kitsilano neighbourhood pub augments its 24 draught taps with craft beer clubs and dinners, Tottenham supporters and this nation’s future from nearby UBC. Its strong cocktails, earnest wine list, and locally sourced menu make The Bimini a resurrection to celebrate, and not just for a rum run.

 

Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company

1876 West 1st Ave.

Happy hour Monday – Friday 3 PM – 5 PM featuring $4 craft lager and $6 house wine.

The team at Rocky Mountain Flatbread is passionate about using lots of local and organic produce, free-range organic meats and Ocean Wise seafood. Watch the show as they create handcrafted flatbread pizzas, daily pastas, seasonal soups, salads, and desserts “to live for” from an open kitchen and artisan oven. They are also always looking out for new and unique local craft breweries and wineries to feature with their health-conscious pizzas. They also have a frozen pizza selection for you to take on your way home from happy hour.

 

Corduroy Restaurant

1943 Cornwall Ave.

Happy hour daily 4 PM – 6 PM with $4 lager and $4.50 highballs.

Corduroy is one of Kitsilano’s best-kept secrets featuring fantastic food and a great atmosphere tucked away by the beach on Cornwall Avenue. They take great pride to ensure everyone always has a great time, good food, and exceptional service. Chef Figg creates an organic menu for you to appreciate, and always provide innovative weekend specials using local ingredients. They have events and specials throughout the week, and even feature a rock, paper, scissors tournament every Monday.

 

The Manchester Public Eatery

1941 West Broadway

Happy hour daily 3 PM – 6 PM with $3.50 lager and ale, $4.50 house wines, and $4.50 highballs.

Serving everybody from the office staff of Kitsilano to the sports fans of Vancouver, the Manchester offers comfort, good food, and 360-degree screen views for sports and other televised events. The venue has a historical connection with its local community and remains a reliable spot to see all European sports including Rugby, Irish Sports, and English Premier League Football. It’s a great after-work stop and once the weekend comes round, the bar produces fantastic shooter and shot specials, pint specials, and some of the best Weekend DJs on the Broadway strip.

 

 

Can’t Stop Thinking About Calabash Bistro

/in , /by Bella Tang-Graham

Located at Carrall and East Hastings, Calabash Bistro offers haven from the ever-gentrifying Gastown, pulling you into the warm embrace of laid-back Caribbean vibes. With a cozy dining room upstairs and a groovy lounge-to-dance floor downstairs, Calabash offers brunch, dinner, live music and dancing. Our host and Calabash’s bar manager Chris, curated a delicious and intoxicating Sunday evening tour of Calabash’s authentic Caribbean food and drink.

calabash bistro

One-Two (Rum) Punch

Calabash hosts the largest selection of rum in Vancouver (try a tasting flight) and makes phenomenal cocktails bursting with Caribbean flair. The Calabash Dark and Stormy is the best in the city, featuring house-infused rum and house-made ginger syrup and ginger beer, topped with freshly shaved coconut. Follow the Dark and Stormy up with the Calabash Rum Punch, tropical and citrusy, complete with over proof rum and an orange wheel. After this one-two (rum) punch, replenish your electrolytes with a Coconut Jumby, light and refreshing with coconut water, agave syrup, lemongrass, mint, lime zest, and (of course) rum. As my date Kess and I discovered, Calabash’s rummy cocktails also offer a buzz to be reckoned with. Three drinks deep, you will be in-tune with your inner Jack Sparrow.

calabash bistro

Caribbean Cuisine

The marriage between Calabash’s boozy cocktails and their exotic, satisfying Caribbean food is a work of sublimity. Start with local Salt Spring Island Jerk Steamed Mussels, basking in a rich coconut cream and jerk spice broth. If you love a good, juicy chunk of pork belly as much as I do, try Calabash’s Jerk Pork Belly with Coconut Dumplings, a luscious offering with chunks of roast pork belly nestled alongside zesty pineapple and house-made coconut dumplings. If your stomach is as bottomless as ours, keep ordering: we were equally awed by the Ripe Ginger Plantains, topped with creamy chunks of goat cheese, and by the succulent Jerk Chicken Skewers, marinated in a resplendent Jerk Spice and roasted to glorious caramelisation. Still game for something sweet? Finish your meal with a generous helping of Calabash’s comforting, sumptuous bread pudding paired with jackfruit ice cream. If you still need help reaching food-coma nirvana, take yourself over the edge with one of Calabash’s house-infused rum shots (we had pineapple coconut).

calabash bistro

Vibrant Vancouver

As if the indulgent Caribbean food and cocktails are not enough, Calabash is in tune with the city’s vibrant arts and music scene. Take a moment to check out the local art displayed on the walls and see some live music in the intimate, low-key downstairs lounge. If you’ve been to Caprice one too many times and you need a break from twerking to Despacito, head to Calabash on Fridays (R&B and hip-hop) or Saturdays (reggae) to boogie the night away. Check out their online calendar for more details.

Three hours later, five courses in and four rounds deep, our verdict is that whether you’re hungry, thirsty, or looking for a night out, Calabash is an unassuming Pandora’s’ box: funky, cheerful and full of good vibes.

calabash bistro

For more information:

Calabash Bistro
428 Carrall St.
Vancouver, BC
V6A 0A7

(604) 568-5882

[email protected]

calabashbistro.com

Amalgamation Double IPA / Beer of the Month – October 2017

/in , /by Daniel Lee

Amalgamation Double IPA

FIELD TRIPPIN‘:

@parallel49beer X 9 Vancouver Craft Beer Industry Peers

(Boombox, Dageraad, Doan’s Craft, Four Winds, Hearthstone, Powell, Bomber, Parkside & Direct Tap)

Amalgamation Double IPA

? & ?s : Notes of ?, ?, & faint minty hard candy flavor & aroma. If you long for a beer that resembles a stiff #LongIslandIceTea, then this brew’s for you!

Amalgamation Double IPA

Check back again for our Beer of the Month feature, and follow @dangerdan_yvr for more great craft beer photos and updates!

For more information:

Parallel 49 Brewing
1950 Triumph St.
Vancouver, BC Canada V5L 1K5

parallel49brewing.com