Edible News + Notes: March 1, 2020
New Coffee Shops
Needing a change of scenery to catch up with old friends in or somewhere to finish reading that book? Courtenay’s new coffee shop, Bean Around the World, brings their coffee experience from Vancouver to the Valley. Enjoy a steaming cup of coffee made from beans from their Vancouver roastery while you relax in their inviting new location and watch the world zoom by on Cliffe Ave.
And you may have to wait till summer for this one, but keep this info in your pocket for when it opens: a pop-up shipping container coffee shop is in the works for Colwood. The unique location will offer outdoor seating and walk-up and drive-through access, where they will be serving coffee and light food. Sequoia Coastal Coffee will be open for three years until the area’s Royal Bay Commons village build is complete.
Congratulations
The Vancouver International Wine Festival recently announced their 2020 competition trade winners. Vancouver Island was proudly represented in the Wine Program Excellence Awards section, and we’d like to congratulate the restaurants that were recognized for their exceptional complementary wine and menu pairings.
Silver: Agrius Restaurant in Victoria and The Pacific Restaurant at the Hotel Grand Pacific, also in Victoria.
Bronze: Alpina Restaurant at the Villa Eyrie Resort (Malahat) and Vis-à-Vis (Victoria).
Honourable Mention: 10 Acres The Commons in Victoria, as well as the city’s
Bard & Banker.
Old and New
We are sorry to have said goodbye to Riso Foods in Lantzville. Their final day of operation was February 15th, but if you have a gift voucher, you still have time to use it—a new restaurant is taking their place and will be accepting Riso gift vouchers until the end of March. The new restaurant, Katerina’s West Coast Taverna, will be opening soon, and owners Cathy and Niko are excited to present their Greek and Mediterranean menu.
Looking for a catering company to serve delicious and beautiful dishes at your next event? Bramble Catering by Bilston Creek Farm is a new catering company that highlights the products from local Metchosin farmers, fishers and foragers on their menu. Experienced Executive Chef Sandi Irving heads up the kitchen, creating lovely dishes that reflect her uncompromising dedication to delicious food.
Farming
Spring heralds farming and gardening, and with the days getting longer, we know the season is right around the corner. If you’re ready to arm yourself with some great information and usable knowledge on West Coast gardening, see if you can arrange your schedule to be in Tofino next weekend (March 6–8). West Coast Farm and Garden offers workshops and sessions for gardeners, families, general food lovers and even the seasoned agriculturalist.
Maybe you’re interested in ramping up your garden production and turning those unused acres into an actual small-scale farm. It doesn’t have to be through trial-and-error: North Island College is now offering a new "Small-Scale Sustainable Farming" program at their Comox Valley Campus. The program covers all you need to know about concepts and practices of small-scale mixed farming, including “greenhouse propagation, livestock, farm equipment operation, [and] sustainability.” It will also give you the knowledge you need to successfully manage and market your new business.
Soup
Any time of year is a good time of year for soup, and in cool weather it’s practically a “must.” Have you checked out The Soup Pot in Courtenay yet? With ~45 varieties they cycle through (about 4 or 5 each day), there is always a hot option for everyone. Their freshly baked cheese scones are worth the visit alone!
If you’re in Comox, you don’t have to go far for your soup, either: the newly opened Comox Soup Shack is drawing guests in with their gourmet healthy soups, stews, chowders and fresh made-to-order sandwiches.
