This Saturday and Sunday started with tasty Brunch Crawls of Downtown Vancouver and North Vancouver presented by Dine Out Vancouver Festival and Vancouver Foodster.
Saturday found a line up of hungry brunchers descending on Marquis Wine Cellars. After checking in for their Brunch Crawl cards, participants were served a bright and sunny Mimosa to start the day. Tartine Bread and Pies, whose recently opened location is across the street, were also on hand to showcase some of their savoury morning pastries; flatbreads and quiches.
Down the street, Chef Malek, at Saj & Co, was busy preparing his delicious Lebanese cuisine. Zaatar on unleavened whole wheat flatbread with labneh, served alongside a bowl of green protebeans. The sweet finish of a cookie with a tahini spread made it a full meal.
On the next block, Truffles Fine Foods Cafe brought out a plate of bites from their catering and cafe menus. Mini Quiches, Stuffed Mini Brioche, to go with the savouries, a sweet and sticky Cinnamon Roll added to the plate.
Downtown at Trees Organic Coffee another savoury plate; a Prosciutto & Brie Baguette and Spinach & Feta Scone. A warming, tart cup of Hot Apple Cider went nicely with the cheeses in the sandwich and scone.
Finally Krokodile Pear Juice Shop, cleansed our palates with samples of their fresh, cold-pressed juices and a bottle of Kicking Horse Juice;Apple, Lemon, Ginger, Cayenne Pepper, Water, to take home with us.
Sunday’s Brunch Crawl found us in North Vancouver, checking in early at Lonsdale Quay Market to collect our Brunch Crawl card, we headed up Lonsdale Avenue to start our crawl .
At the recently opened Cook Culture Lonsdale store and cooking school we found Chef Jonathan Chovancek preparing delicately crunchy and soft Sour Red Lentil Pancakes topped with macerated Haskap Berry Maple Syrup but first, he whetted our appetites with a fresh, thick, mango, banana, roiboos tea smoothie.
Off Lonsdale on 14th, we found a hidden gem in Echo Cafe, the friendly staff welcomed us with a trio of their baked brunch bites; a surprising combination of a Bacon Lettuce and Tomato Belgian Waffle, a flaky crusted Country Style Quiche and a Savoury Cheese Scone.
A Lonsdale favourite, Rosemary Rocksalt served a trio of topped bagel segments, classic Montreal Smoked Meat on a Sesame bagel with zesty Mustard and Dill Pickle, a Poppyseed Bagel layered with Lox, Capers and Red Onions topped with Lemon and Dill Pickle as well they debuted a new vegan Cashew Spread on a Bagel.
Back down at Lonsdale Quay, Bowen Island Pizza Company collaborated with Cobs Bread with savoury Crostini of Olive and Artichoke Tapenade or Chorizo and Roasted Garlic, and Apricot French Toast with Strawberry reduction served as a sweet component to the plate.
What would a Brunch Crawl be without a coffee, luckily Bean Around The World at The Quay was there to provide a selection of brews from their menu; Espresso, Americano, Flat White, Latte or Cappuccino.
Lastly, Two Daughters Bakery provided a sweet, gluten-free duo; the heat of a real Ginger Lemon Cream Sandwich Cookie, along with a tangy Apple Tart.
There’s still a week of Dine Out Vancouver Festival to keep satisfying your appetite and next week we’ll have more Brunch Crawls in Yaletown and Main Street. Get your tickets now!