Edible News + Notes: October 21, 2019
Shopping
Out of Hand Modern Market in Victoria brings together beautiful food, wine, spirits, fashion, jewelry items and more from local makers. Enjoy the live music and get a bite to eat at the onsite bistro while you’re there. Open November 22–24, make sure you put this on your to-visit list.
Nanaimo will host Best Coast Pop Up from November 20th to December 23rd. The shop offers exclusive West Coast products for a limited time that includes food, zero-waste products, pet goods, jewelry and more. In other words, there’s something for everyone.
Now Open
We eagerly anticipated their opening in a previous Field Notes, but they’re now open and excited for you to come check out their food: Q Burger in Qualicum has an awesome menu featuring delicious burgers with cool names (like the Q-Boom and the Legendary Royal Q Burgeritto!).
Coming Soon
Gluten-free bakery Origin Bakery is expanding to the new Belmont Market shopping district in Langford come early January. Their current Goldstream location will be closed at the end of October; however, you can still check out their location at Pandora or order online for delivery.
Tractor Foods, known for its cafeteria-style serving of delicious modern dishes, is opening a location on Wharf Street in Victoria. The Vancouver-based restaurant offers an extensive menu and is sure to become a popular gathering place for Islanders.
Victoria, you should definitely get excited about this one: Vancouver’s Toptable Group is expanding to the Island with its first fine-dining establishment. The location is currently under construction and expected to finish in Spring 2020, but we do know that Executive Chef Kristian Eligh is at the helm of the raw and seafood-themed menu.
Happy Hour
The Comox Valley has a number of local breweries, and here’s the perfect opportunity to check some of them out: pick up a Comox Valley Ale-Ventures Passport at Gladstone Brewing, Land and Sea Brewing, New Traditions Brewing and Ace Brewing. Visit 3 or more of the breweries and get your passport stamped, then drop it off before November 8th for a chance to win the grand prize—a basket filled with craft-beer goodies.
Year-Round Farmers' Markets
Autumn signals the end of many Vancouver Island Farmer’s Markets, with many of them winding down for the season by the end of October. But there are still a few that stick around during the winter who would love if you would continue to support local year-round.
The Comox Valley Farmer’s Market
Qualicum Beach Farmer’s Market
Island Roots Market
Duncan Farmer’s Market
Spirit Square Farmer's Market
Moss Street Market
Of particular note, the Moss Street Market is expanding their winter market into the Sir James Douglas School gym (in addition to their regular space in the Garry Oak Room) and they will be open one hour longer (10am to 1pm). The expansion and longer hours will make the Moss Street Winter Market even more vibrant, with more farmers, food, and liquor vendors as well as artisans and crafters and hot food for lunch.
