Last night, Vancouver Foodster and Dine Out Vancouver Festival collaborated on an evening of discovery – Art Eat Sip Mount Pleasant. A dreary, wet evening didn’t dampen the spirits of the many participants who scouted out the flavoursome eateries and the creative makers and artists around the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood.
Our Art, Eat, Sip experience allowed us to discover:
Maizal RMF: 2815 Main Street
The busy Mexican street food cafe got our evening off with a tasty trio of Flautas: crispy, fried meat-filled tacos nicely presented in a zesty mole sauce.
Tamaly Shop: 2525 Main Street
Canada’s first tamaleria is a shop wearing many hats, a quaint cafe, colourful gallery and surprising Mexican grocery market. From the Tamaly Shop’s Hallway Gallery, artist-in-residence Clarissa Banos gave participants a history-lesson on chocolate and corn, historically important crops for Mexican and Central American cultures before the restaurant served a pair of their housemade tamales; pork from the savoury meat menu and black bean from the plant-based menu.
Pizza Rubato Napoletana: 561 W. Broadway
This Broadway pizza gem is a perfect fit for the evening with its creative flavours equaling an artists work. With many to choose from, settling on Limone – Fior di Latte, DOP Parmigiano, Fig Jam, Lemon Slices, Fresh Thyme, Ricotta Cheese, Balsamic Glaze – and classic Pepperoni – Tomato Sauce, Fior di Latte, DOP Parmigiano, Double Pepperoni were solid choices.
Trees Cheesecake + Organic Coffee: 255 E. Broadway
Celebrating the grand opening of the Trees Mount Pleasant outlet perfectly worked with Art, Eat, Sip as the new cafe welcomed visitors with signature brewed coffee and a sampling of their award-winning cheesecake flavours. With local performers Adam Ambrose and Earl Mayuga providing live music through the evening.
City Centre Artists Lodge: 2111 Main Street
The former motor hotel, has become a home for dozens of Vancouver artists, who have customized their spaces to fit their creative styles. The results finds a variety of materials, mediums, and aesthetics throughout the many studios including;
Lukas Lundberg: Studio 208
portrait painter on canvas and large scale muralist
sharing space with Chai Ghai – Authentic Indian Chai Cafe serving family chai recipes passed down through generations.
Mallory Donen: Studio 211
traditional embroidery and cross-stich and digital artist
sharing space with Kizzy’s Macarons – Maple Ridge farm-based baker of delicious and creatively flavoured macarons.
Niki Brown – Pik Nik Designs: Studio 103
Multidisciplinary, mixed-media and floral artist
sharing space with Amoka Coffee & Bites – the Davie Street coffee, sandwich shop and Mexican-influenced bakery
Paulo OConnor – mnemonic design labs : Studio 225
digital graphics & illustrations on metal, bamboo, kauai, canvas
Hayley Crichton – Happy Nomad Candles: Studio 203
creative and whimsical designed beeswax and soy-based candle maker
Tracy Anne Northey: Studio 34
visual artist painting in acrylics
Elana Sigal – Elana Sigal Design : Studio 110
textiles, felt, photography, jewelry design
Enigma Arcana: Studio 106
designer-artist, prints on wood, tile, fashion