Tractor Foods is a small, cafeteria-style joint at the corner of West 4 and Cypress. Specializing in everyday, healthy foods, the menu focuses on soups, salads, sandwiches and stews, all priced under $10, and available to take away or eat-in. Even better, its licensed, meaning six ounces of Blasted Churchs Cabernet Merlot is just $8. (Hey, a little red wine a day keeps the heart surgeon away.) Try the roasted red and yellow beet salad with green beans, goats milk feta and herb vinaigrette ($3.25) or the arugula with grilled pears, candied walnuts, blue cheese, and lemon-champagne vinaigrette ($3.25). Stews are $8 each. We tried the braised beef short rib with porcini mushrooms, which was rich, flavourful, and hearty. Also good was the Moroccan chicken with chickpeas, which had just a lick of heat and moist meat. Fine dining its not, but if youre looking for a quick and healthy meal on the go, or a respite from rich, holiday fare, this might be the answer.
Craft Beer Market has opened in the iconic Salt Building in Olympic Village. The 400-seat gastropub features Canadas largest selection of draft beer, with 140 taps over 50 of which will feature B.C. brews.
The Hopscotch Festival is running now through November 17. With world-renowned guest speakers, over 350 scotches, whiskeys, spirits and craft brews to sample with and without food and more than 25 events to enjoy, its only a hop, skip and jump to enjoy.
Buy to give Several new programs have launched at local Vancouver restaurants with the aim of letting restaurant goers give back at every meal.
StreetSmart Canada is an innovative system that works with restaurants to support local food banks. Diners at participating restaurants are offered the option of adding one dollar to their bill at the end of the evening. For a party of four people, thats only 25 cents per person. The restaurant then remits 100 per cent of all money raised to StreetSmart, which then passes it on to the local food bank. Participating restaurants include Chambar, Cuchillo, España, Fable, Hamilton Street Grill, Lupo, Maenam, Milestones, Provence Restaurants, Sol Sun Belt Cookery, and The Fish House in Stanley Park. The program runs now through December 31.
Mealshare works on a buy one, give one structure, where diners at participating restaurants can order menu items with the Mealshare logo next to them, and in turn a meal will be donated to someone in need. Participating restaurants include C Restaurant, Whet, Ethical Kitchen, Living Café, Aphrodites Organic Café, Darbys Pub, and Gurkha Himalayan Kitchen.
Anya Levykh has been writing about all things ingestible for over a decade. Hear her every Monday on CBC Radio Ones On the Coast, follow her on Twitter @foodgirlfriday and catch up at FoodGirlFriday.com.
