Fall is here, and it's time for all things apple and pumpkin, Thanksgiving, and tacos. Always tacos.
Of course, large gatherings are still not on the menu, so when we say "food events" right now, they aren't all in the traditional sense. These are not big get-togethers that will find you in crowds and bumping elbows with strangers, or mingling with a few dozen folks. We're talking organized, physically-distanced, COVID-conscious revamped events, as well as food specials and promos going down across the city this month.
BOGO Special for International Coffee Day at Honolulu Coffee
Photo courtesy Honolulu Coffee Vancouver
Both of Honolulu Coffee Vancouver's cafes in Downtown and Kerrisdale will be featuring a Buy-One-Get-One Special on all espresso-based beverages and coffee drinks in honour of International Coffee Day on Thursday, Oct. 1. From the ever-popular Hawaiian Lattes to Honey Coconut Cold Brews, coffee lovers jonesing for a java fix can celebrate their favourite day by taking advantage of the all-day BOGO feature available for in-store or take-away service at both locations.
When: Thursday, Oct. 1
Where: Honolulu Coffee - 888 Nelson St and 2098 W. 41st Ave., Vancouver
Dr. Peter Centre's DIY Passions Fundraiser
On Oct. 1, 2020, the Dr. Peter Centre is encouraging donors and past event attendees to take an active role in supporting the local culinary community by dining in, dining out, or purchasing gift cards at one or more of their restaurant partners in honour of Passions - their annual fundraising gala which is sidelined this year due to COVID-19. A number of standout Vancouver restaurants are taking part, like Botanist, Forage, Hawksworth, Maenam, Cibo Trattoria, Notch 8, Tojo's and many more.
When: Thursday, Oct. 1
Where: Participating restaurants; find the full list here
Gelato 101 at UNO Gelato
These intimate classes are capped at six participants, and take place at Uno's Kitsilano shop. The super-fun sessions include a hands-on learning experience (yes, you will help make gelato and sorbetto on the spot!), a pint from the batches you helped make, a guided gelato tasting, and a cone or cup while you're there.
When: Thursdays at 7 p.m. from Oct. 1, 2020-Feb. 25, 2021
Where: Uno Gelato - 2579 W Broadway, Vancouver
Cost: $59 per person. Reserve online
Savour: A Culinary Festival
A brand-new partnership between the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada and top Canadian chefs and restaurants aims to offer an exciting culinary experience and fundraising opportunity to support Canadians living with MS. From October 2 to 4, participants can connect in a variety of ways: From the comfort of your own kitchen, the Chef at Home Experience includes a hands-on demonstration from Canadian chefs over video. Each chef - like Vancouver's own Vikram Vij - will share the recipe and ingredients list ahead of time and then walk you through the cooking experience followed by a Q&A; or host a virtual dinner party and turn your Friday night dinner plans into a group hangout online where you can enjoy coming together over good food and good friends and ask for a small donation to go towards supporting people affected by MS.
When: Oct. 2-4
Where: Your own home
Cost: Prices vary
Harvest Afternoon Tea at H Tasting Lounge
Weekend Afternoon Tea service resumes this month at H Tasting Lounge, with a seasonal twist. Chef Shaun Maclean has crafted a menu of sweet and savoury harvest-themed indulgences to be enjoyed with your choice of Tealeaves blends, or a signature cocktail from the bar. Each set is served atop a golden carousel and complemented by their signature cotton candy bonsai tree. The menu includes spiced duck breast & apple on brioche; pumpkin pie; roasted squash bisque; wild mushroom tart; goat cheese and spiced pecan on rye; apple cinnamon scones with Devonshire cream, and more.
When: Saturdays and Sundays from noon-3 p.m. starting Oct. 3
Where: H Tasting Lounge - 1601 Bayshore Dr, Vancouver (at the Westin Bayshore)
Cost: $55 per person; deposit with booking required. Reserve online.
Oktoberfest at Bells and Whistles (Fraser)
Bells and Whistles will start off October with 11 days of celebrations and transform into a Bavarian-inspired beer hall to host ‘Wünderbar: An Oktobeerfest Pop-Up.’ Executive Chef Lewis McIntosh has added a number of specials to the menu, including warm pretzels with tangy honey mustard, currywurst, an Oktoberfest platter (crispy pork schnitzel, Two Rivers bratwurst, rosemary bacon, braised housemade sauerkraut, German potato salad, mustard and pickles), pulled pork sandwich, eggplant schnitzel, pork schnitzel, and apple strudel soft serve (caramel apple compote, pie crust). At the bar, Bells and Whistles will delight fans of classic German-styled beers by featuring local and import brews like Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold, Paulaner Oktoberfest Lager, Strange Fellows 'Beldame' Pilsner & 'Ludwig' German-Style Festbier, Persephone 'Oktoberfest' Lager, Bridge Brewing Kellerbier, Four Winds 'Holz' Pilsner, and Twin Sails 'Low Life' Lager. PROST!
When: Oct. 1-11
Where: Bells and Whistles - 3296 Fraser St, Vancouver
National Taco Day at Chancho Tortilleria
Celebrate National Taco Day! Photo courtesy Chancho Tortilleria
What better way to mark National Taco Day than with some of the city's best? On Sunday, Oct. 4, Chancho Tortilleria is offering a special edition of its popular Taco-to-Go Kit for pickup one-day-only from the Yaletown tortilleria. Featuring enough food to feed four hungry adults, each Chancho Taco-to-Go Kit offers a choice of either carnitas - Maciza (shoulder/leg), Panza (belly), Campechano (shoulder and belly), — for a special price of $69 each, or Papas Dia (potato) or Verduras Dia (veggie) varieties for $59 each, in addition to the following: Fresh-made native corn tortillas Chips and guacamole; Salsas and black beans; Choice of either Margarita (375 mL bottle of Hornitos tequila and mix) or Michelada (4 bottles of Pacifico lager and mix) kit; and Mexican Bingo game (first 30 orders). Only 60 total kits are available so don't put off putting in an order! Orders for Chancho’s Taco-To-Go Kits can be placed in advance online until Saturday, October 3 for pickup at the restaurant (560 Davie Street) between noon and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 4.
When: Sunday, Oct. 4
Where: Chancho - 560 Davie St, Vancouver
Cost: $59-69
Fall features at Beaucoup Bakery
Apple Pie Croissant. Photo courtesy Beaucoup Bakery
The team at Beaucoup Bakery has been busy recipe testing new pastries and cakes all summer long. The result, an exciting new line-up of original, large format tarts and cakes, a selection of macarons, and the return of a Beaucoup Bakery fall favourite with a new twist - the Grand Apple Pie Croissant. Beaucoup Bakery’s new large-format cake offerings will rotate seasonally and serve four to six, with half sizes available. The menu currently includes a PB & J Mille Feuille and a Strawberry Pistachio Cake. The fall special, just-in-time for Thanksgiving, is a Kabocha Tart ($38) made with brown butter almond cake, spiced kabocha and Dulcey cream, and kabocha crème Chantilly. The beloved Apple Pie Croissant, which has been a seasonal double-baked croissant feature at the bakery since 2014, marks a return this year, but with a twist. The Apple Pie Croissant is available by special order for Thanksgiving weekend only in a large shareable Grand version ($29, 4 to 5 servings). Guests can pre-order all Beaucoup Bakery large format items, macarons, and pastries for pick-up by emailing hello@beaucoupbakery. 48 hours advance notice is required. A limited amount will also be available at the bakery daily.
When: Fall; take note the Apple Pie Croissant is a special order for Thanksgiving weekend only
Where: 2150 Fir St, Vancouver
Kinton Ramen & Chatime Cross Promo
For the first two weeks of the month, hit up the new Kinton Ramen on the UBC campus after grabbing some bubble tea at Chatime across the street, and show your receipt to get 20% off their new special feature Burnt Kogashi Shoyu-men. You can also take your Kinton Ramen receipt over to Chatime and score 20% off your drink order there. Please note that the discount only applies to SAME DAY RECEIPTS which means both purchases must happen on the same day.
When: Oct. 1-14
Where: Kinton Ramen - 102 - 6111 University Blvd and Chatime - 5998 University Blvd, Vancouver (UBC)
Thanksgiving Fried Chick-Un Sandwich at Beetbox
Photo courtesy Beetbox
When you want to gobble, gobble, but keep it plant-based, Beetbox's Thanksgiving long weekend special is a Turkey Day version of their famous Fried Chick-Un Sandwich, dressed up with cranberry sauce, celery stuffing, Brussels slaw, and gravy vegan mayo. Available for both dine-in and pick-up.
When: Oct. 9-12
Where: Beetbox - 1074 Davie St, Vancouver
Cost: $9.50
Grounds For Coffee - Seasonal Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Buns
Photo courtesy Grounds For Coffee
Every fall, Grounds for Coffee is all about pumpkin spice. From Friday, Oct. 9 to Monday, Oct. 12, Grounds for Coffee will be featuring their best-selling seasonal Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Buns. Skip the pie and pick up a 6-pack of these mouth-watering seasonal treats.
When: Oct. 9-12
Where: Grounds For Coffee - 2565 Alma St and 2088 Commercial Dr, Vancouver
Home for Dinner 2020
Support a great cause and enjoy a lovely meal with your "social bubble." Home for Dinner has extra special meaning during these unusual times, but it was actually launched a couple of years ago as a way for people to support Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon (RMH BC). The ask: Eat in and prepare a casual (or fancy!) meal for your social bubble; simply ask guests to donate to RMH BC in lieu of bringing wine or host gifts. Or...support a local restaurant and order takeout from a participating restaurant partner; your guests can thank you for picking up the tab by donating to RMH BC and passing on the kindness to a family in need. Sign up to host a fundraising dinner, or register to attend RMH BC’s virtual celebration on Oct. 15. On Thursday, Oct. 15, Home for Dinner fundraisers and their guests are invited to join the extended RMH BC family for an online celebration. Attendees can toast to their fundraising success, bid in a coveted online auction, enjoy fabulous entertainment and connect with fellow supporters across BC and the Yukon.
When: Oct. 15
Where: Your home, or at a partner restaurant (listed HERE)
Fall flavours at Ladurée + Afternoon Tea is back
Ladurée is bringing Parisian fall flavours to Vancouver with the launch of several new, golden-hued treats and sips: a delicate Pumpkin Tart with pumpkin-spiced Chantilly cream, Honey and Almond Religieuse, classic Chaussons aux Pommes, and warm, spiced drinks. Available for a limited time, seasonal pastries include the Pumpkin Tart (four to six people $65; individual-sized $10.50), which features a delicately sweet and buttery tartlet filled pumpkin compote, topped with pumpkin crémeux and pecan nuts, and skillfully “ribboned” by a pumpkin spiced Chantilly cream.
Ladurée’s autumn Honey & Almond Religieuse ($11) is a traditional French pastry comprised of two different sized choux filled with a light honey diplomat cream and almond crémeux. It is decorated with marzipan, bee pollen, and almond pieces. The Chaussons aux Pommes ($4) is a classic French apple “turnover”, featuring Ladurée’s buttery pastry layers, local apples, and shaped like a leaf. Available for dine-in or to-go, Ladurée has also created two new beverages for the colder season - a Caramel Apple Spice (non-caffeinated), featuring fresh apple juice, cinnamon dolce syrup, and topped with decadent Chantilly cream and caramel sauce; and a Pumpkin Spice Latte with extra pumpkin spices and Chantilly cream. Fall also sees the full return of Ladurée’s tea salon menu and Afternoon Tea service, seven days a week, starting Oct. 3.
When: Fall; tea service resumes Oct. 3
Where: Ladurée (boutique and tea salaon) 1141 Robson St., Vancouver
Martin’s Lane: Featured Wine Menu at Provence Marinaside
In honour of fall and B.C.’s wine producers, Provence Marinaside Wine Director Joshua Carlson is launching a series of special menus designed to highlight rare B.C. wines. Each Monthly Wine Menu will feature wines from B.C. that are typically difficult to find by the glass, which will be paired with dishes created by Owner/Chef Jean Francis Quaglia and Chef de Cuisine Sheldon Maloff and inspired by the wine, not the other way round as is usually the case. The dishes will be unique to the Monthly Wine Menu and will not appear on Provence Marinaside’s regular menu. For October, it's Martin's Lane winery. dishes include a Mediterranean Sea Bream Carpaccio paired with Martin’s Lane Naramata Ranch Vineyard Riesling 2016 and Rabbit en Daube with Martin’s Lane Naramata Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014. The October Martin’s Lane Menu is priced at $57 for the two-course food menu with the selected wine pairing available for an additional $58 for both wines, or if you prefer, a single course pairing at $38 for one 5oz pour.
When: October 2020
Where: Provence Marinaside - 1177 Marinaside Cres, Vancouver
Cost: $38-$113
A Taste of McArthurGlen Food Festival
Bibo Pizzeria. Photo courtesy McArthurGlen Designer Outlet
This October, Hugo’s Churros, Bibo Pizzeria, Caffè Artigiano, Japadog, The Praguery and the newly opened Food Folk Eatery invite guests to a month-long Food Festival full of delicious deals, pumpkin-flavoured treats and the opportunity to give back to those who need it most. From 4 to 8 p.m. daily, guests can enjoy a variety of discounts on select menu items (including pumpkin spiced chimney cakes!) by donating an unopened canned or dry good and mentioning “A Taste of McArthurGlen” to restaurant staff. The donated items will then be collected in the blue bins set-up at the entrance of each restaurant for The Richmond Food Bank.
When: October 2020
Where: McArthurGlen Designer Outlet - 1000-7899 Templeton Station Rd, Richmond
Knifewear Fundraiser for the Vancouver Food Bank
Knifewear is Canada’s source for Japanese kitchen knives, with five shops across Canada. Every year they sharpen thousands of kitchen knives for customers in Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa and Vancouver, giving half of the proceeds to local charities. The yearly total is typically between $100,000-$150,000 company-wide. This year, with so many Canadians in need, they’re taking it to the next level. 100% of the proceeds from knives sharpened between Oct. 26 and Nov. 1 will be donated to local food banks.
When: Oct. 26-Nov.1
Where: Knifewear - 4215 Main St, Vancouver
A Taste of the PNE Drive-Thru: Tricks-and-Treats Edition
For hungry Halloween fans, there's going to be another "drive-thru experience" available. A Taste of the PNE Drive-Thru: Tricks-and-Treats Edition is a family-oriented event that will feature live spooky characters, Halloween décor, and safe trick-or-treating. Admission includes the drive-thru experience as well as a trick-or-treat bag with a selection of mini PNE goodies that includes a Halloween-themed candy apple, treat-sized popcorn, mini cotton candy, mini donuts and packaged candy.
When: Oct. 30 from 4-8 p.m. and Oct. 31 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: PNE grounds - 2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver
Cost: $25 per carload, includes one trick-or-treat bag of goodies. Additional treat-filled bags can be purchased for $15 each (prices include all fees and taxes). Purchase advance tickets for chosen timeslot online.
Braid StrEAT Experience - Drive-thru food trucks
Featuring a rotating selection of regional food truck favourites, the event is a complete drive-thru experience in order to maintain physical distancing and other COVID-19 safety measures. That means there will be no walk-ups or bicycles permitted, and payments are credit and debit only - no cash accepted. The event is produced by West Coast Pop Ups, a collective of small businesses that have operated through the pandemic by either sharing their revenue with other struggling businesses or with charities like the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.
When: Weekends through Nov. 1, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: 97 Braid Street, New Westminster
Marukatsu Pop-Up at Gyoza Bar
Dishes at Marukatsu. Photo by Mark Yuen/courtesy Aburi Restaurants
Vancouver is now home to an exciting new fusion venture that aligns the foods and flavours of Japan and Mexico. Called Marukatsu, the endeavour is from Aburi Restaurants (Miku, Minami, Gyoza Bar), and focuses on katsu-based dished made with Mexican ingredients. The limited-time pop-up takes place at Gyoza Bar restaurant and was created by Aburi's founder and CEO along with the talents of head chef Woojin Kim. Marukatsu's menu is centred on the teishoku, or set menu, experience. The central component is the katsu, which here is made with high-quality proteins like pork tenderloin or fresh seafood, in a special nano-panko breading, deep-fried to a glorious golden crisp on the inside, with a juicy interior. You can also get a burrito and bowl that pairs katsu with pops of flavour from things like pico de gallo and sour cream, along with some other globally-influenced dressings, sauces, and components. To check out Marukatsu at Gyoza Bar you can dine-in with reservations (recommended) or by walk-in. Take-out and delivery via UberEats are available.
When: Limited time only
Where: Gyoza Bar - 622 W Pender St, Vancouver
FURTHER AFIELD IN B.C.
Oliver Osoyoos The Pig Out Trail
Road trip! The Pig Out Trail reflects a new format: small, safe gatherings that adhere to current COVID-19 health and safety protocols, allowing guests to enjoy a progressive food and wine tasting event, guided by some of the region’s most loved winemakers. There will be various Pig Out Trail routes, each with four winery stops where guests will enjoy a guided tasting experience along with a progressive pork-themed menu.
Wineries featuring on the specific routes will be unveiled on the day, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this popular and engaging event, which traditionally adopts new themes and quirky elements every year. Small groups of 28 guests will meet their guide at a central location in Osoyoos, Oliver or Penticton before taking a short ride in a spacious 56-seat coach to the first of four winery stops. At each winery, guests will be welcomed for a specially curated tasting experience, paired with a progressive menu of local flavours prepared by Oliver Eats Ltd.
At the third winery, a special guest chef will offer a plated main course before guests head to the last winery for dessert treats and a final tasting. Experiences at the wineries will closely follow individual COVID-19 safety plans, ensuring spacing and social distancing is maintained throughout the event. All food preparation will be monitored by the Interior Health Authority and masks are required to be worn by staff and recommended for guests too. Guests will also receive a branded 6-bottle carrier for purchases along the route, along with a Pig Out VIP card, which will provide access to extended promotions and offers at other Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country wineries.
When: Oct. 10 from 1-4 p.m.
Where: Oliver Osoyoos, B.C.
Cost: $69; purchase online
