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New Granola Bars at Terra Breads + Recipe to Make Your Own

Posted on May 17, 2013 by janelle — No Comments ↓

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I have found myself at Terra Breads three times this week to pick up one of their new granola bars. At $2 and 200 calories, they are the perfect size for a little afternoon snack. Terra recently included the granola bars in their product line up – they are a natural addition given their wildly successful granola. The bars really are delicious. The have a great consistency and are not too sweet. Nonetheless, given my recent kick on them, I decided to make my own.

Easy Homemade Granola Bars
(recipe from Carpeseason.com; originally from Smitten Kitchen )

This easy granola bar recipe makes perfect salty-sweet chewy granola bars that are not too sweet. You can use any combination of dried fruit or nuts that you like. They come together quickly and can even be frozen.  Makes an 8X8 pan.

Read more ›

A Busy Kitsilano Summer is Almost Here

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Rob — No Comments ↓

Crowds flocked to the Kitsilano Farmers Market on opening day yesterday. The Kits pool opens this Saturday, May 18.

Two telltale signs that summer is around the corner in Vancouver.

With the warmer weather and an increase in outdoor activity across the city, comes a spike in this site’s traffic as everyone searches for more information on their favorite local summer past-time.  Whether it is Bard on the Beach, Honda’s Celebration of Light, the Kitsilano Showboat, or the Khatsahlano! Music Festival, Kitsilano.ca is a favorite destination to learn more about these events. Read more ›

Best Brunch in Kitsilano? We Begin at the Oakwood

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Youna Choi — 3 Comments ↓

Fluffy pancakes hot off the griddle, smeared with freshly churned butter, drizzled with a decadent strawberry sauce and topped with a dollop of whip cream?

Or how about some skillet sizzling bacon, seasoned crispy hash, an egg cooked to perfection (which, in my opinion means that the yoke is just ever so sightly runny yet maintains the integrity of its convex existence–surface tension folks, surface tension!), all enhanced by your favourite hot sauce?

Whether you’re after sweet or the savoury, you gotta admit, we all have a wee weakness for weekend brunch.

Kitsilano is one of the hottest brunch destinations in Vancouver, and now that we’re getting into patio season and people are on the scout for a sunny Sunday morning dine-out, we need to debrief on the locals’ favourite places to go for brunch.

What are the best brunch spots in Kitsilano?

The Kitsilano.ca team headed to The Oakwood last Sunday for a chance to try the brunch menu. With mouth-watering items like maple confit pork belly, dungeness crab benedict, and lemon mascarpone french toast on the menu, it was not an easy call to decide what kind of culinary goodness we wanted to fill our bellies with. Read more ›

Trader Joe’s Files Lawsuit Against Pirate Joe’s in Kitsilano

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Taraneh — 7 Comments ↓

IMG_20121201_104617Pirate Joe’s (2348 West 4th) is sailing into dangerous waters. The Kitsilano depot where shoppers delight in finding their favourite Trader Joe’s products has just been sued by the American grocery chain. Trader Joe’s filed suit in Seattle on May 1.

Pirate Joe’s responded by taking the “P” down from their sign. You may have noticed that Pirate Joe’s became Irate Joe’s this week. It made me chuckle. I don’t know about you…

Owner Mike Hallatt told the Province that he will fight the lawsuit saying: “Everyone gets what we’re doing. We’re earnestly supplying a good product at fair prices. Pirate Joe’s, as cheeky as it is, isn’t misrepresenting Trader Joe’s. Their name is right on the product. My right to resell their product is stronger than their right to protect their brand.” Read more about how Hallatt imports goods here.

Trader Joe’s lawyer claims that Hallatt’s resale at “significantly higher prices” creates a risk that customers will believe Trader Joe’s charges higher prices.

The action sues for “deceptive” use of its trademarks and seeks a “permanent court injunction” against Hallatt, damages and an accounting of his profits.

Photo: Mike Hallatt and Barry Hogan.
Photo credit: T. Jerven

Have you shopped at Pirate Joe’s? What’s your ideal outcome?

Top 5 Edible Mother’s Day Gifts from Kitsilano

Posted on May 6, 2013 by janelle — No Comments ↓

Help mom indulge on Mother’s Day May 12 with edible gifts from Kitsilano. Some are healthy, some are decadent. Everything is under $25.

Top 5 Edible Mother’s Day Gifts from Kitsilano

1. Gift tray from Ayoub’s Dried Fruit and Nuts
Ayoub’s offers gift trays that can be filled with any items in the store – even their killer lime cashews – for $10, $20 or $30. If your “mom” is health conscious, skip the chocolates and create a delicious tray of dried fruits and hand roasted nuts. I love, love, love this place! Ayoub’s Dried Fruit and Nuts, 2040 West 4th, 604-558-2933, Ayoubs.ca

2. Delicious flavoured oil and vinegars from Vancouver Olive Oil Company
Think coconut, lemon, mango and espresso vinegars, and mushroom and sage, butter, and blood orange olive oils! Go when you have time to indulge in their tasting room and pick just the right flavours for mom. At $12/bottle, pick up an oil and vinegar for mom. The store will label and wrap it up so pretty there will be no need for wrapping paper or a gift bag! Vancouver Olive Oil Company, 2571 Broadway, 604-737-7171, Vooc.ca Read more ›

Eat a Carrot Cake Scone for Charity at Cobs May 4-5

Posted on May 4, 2013 by janelle — No Comments ↓

The new carrot cake scone with cream cheese icing from Cobs Bread makes me weak at the knees. I can’t walk by without the free samples luring me in! It is the perfect consistency and full of raisins, carrots, cinnamon and frosted with a perfectly sweetened cream cheese icing!

This year, Cob’s will host a Scone Campaign to support big brothers and sisters. The fundraising weekend, May 4th and 5th, will help create Little Moments, Big Memories for big and little matches. Over these two days, Cobs will be donating 50 cents from every scone sold to Big Brothers and Sisters, who this year is celebrating 100 years of mentoring.

The weekend is the perfect chance to indulge in my new favorite treat – the carrot cake scone – available at Cobs until May 12.
Cobs Bread, 2340 West 4th, (604) 714-4070; 2837 West Broadway, (604) 714-0917, Cobsbread.com

Image Credit: myfavoriteflavors.com

Spot Prawn Season Kicks Off with BC Spot Prawn Festival at False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf on Saturday, May 11

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Taraneh — No Comments ↓

prawnSucculent, sweet and generously-sized, spot prawns are considered a delicacy throughout the world. In fact, 90 percent of the prawns caught in BC are exported to Japan to be served as sushi. But the 10 percent that sticks around makes for good eating in Vancouver in May.

If you want to get your hands on some tasty morsels during spot prawn season, head on over to the BC Spot Prawn Festival Saturday, May 11 from 11am to 3pm at False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf near Granville Island. It’s a nice short walk past Kits Beach and Vanier Park to the feeding frenzy. The annual event marks the start of BC spot prawn season with a big waterfront spot prawn boil.

A $12 ticket (you need to purchase this in advance) will get you a plate of fresh-off-the-boat prawns caught by Vancouver fisherman and cooked up by local celebrity chefs, including Chris Whittaker of Forage and Julian Bond  of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts.

The event also includes Vancouver chef demos, a food and drink tent with tastings by BC wineries and breweries, and the chance to buy spot prawns off the boat ($12 per lb.) to take home and cook for supper. Read more ›

Beaucoup Bakery Launches Decadent Spring 2013 Dessert Collection

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Youna Choi — No Comments ↓

If only pastries had feet, I am certain that they would be striking their delicate pieds* down a haute couture catwalk, perhaps at some of the top French fashion houses, say Coconut Chanel or maybe Croissant Dior.

On the other hand, since pastries are inanimate and subject to a third party (like me) controlling their mobility, which is 90% of the time en route from plate to mouth, I get to enjoy the beautiful journey of consumption.

This is exactly what I had the pleasure of doing on Monday, sampling the many delectable treats of Beaucoup Bakery and Cafe’s Spring 2013 Dessert Collection Launch. The creator and lady behind it all, Jackie Ellis, showcased her brilliant concept of combining two of her most favourite things: pastries and fashion.

Each featured pastry was paired with one of this season’s most coveted fashion trends. Whether it was the Chocolate Passion Fruit Bar clad like a tuxedo, or the Raspberry Pistachio Macaron Frais exhibiting some fun and modern floral prints – each bite into confectionery heaven had me wanting to hit the boutiques and beautify my wardrobe for Spring. I may or may not have stopped by at a couple shops on the way back home from the event. And I may or may not have walked out with a couple pairs of shoes and dresses. Let’s just say Monday redefined for me what sweet indulgence really means.

Pastry runway shots after the jump. Read more ›

Summer Preview: Searching For The Perfect Warm-Weather Cocktail In Kits

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Chelsea — 2 Comments ↓
Spiced Kits Beach at Elwoods

Spiced Kits Beach at Elwoods

On a recent afternoon in Kitsilano, with the beach in sight and the sun shining bright, I decided to hunt for a quintessential Kitsilano summer drink. Summer isn’t really that far away; it’s best to be prepared. My idea was simple: grab a bar stool and ask for a refreshing drink. Kitsilano makes responsible enjoyment easy, all I needed was a comfy pair of kicks and I was off on a walking tour of watering holes. Here’s a taste of what I found!

Best Ode to the Beach:  Spiced Kits Beach at Elwoods

Kudos to Elwoods for making my order easy – this concoction of Spicebox Canadian Whiskey, pineapple & cranberry juice is a fitting homage to our beach. This tasty mix leaves a tangy zip on your lips after each sip. Spicebox received a 93 point tasting (out of a possible 100) which means you’re not wasting your sunny day with anything but the best. Delish.

 Elwoods Restaurant Kitsilano: 3145 W Broadway 604-736-4301 www.elwoods.ca Read more ›

La Ghianda Deli Closes; In Need Of A New Favourite Kitsilano Lunch Spot

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Julie — 8 Comments ↓

la-ghianda3

My office is just at the corner of West 4th Ave and Alma. One of my favourite things to do during my lunch break was to skip across the road to La Ghianda at 2083 Alma: a warm deli with Italian-inspired, reasonably priced dishes  by Syme and Pegg, the award-winning duo behind La Quercia. I was a particular fan of their paninis and salads. Read more ›

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