6 Food and Drink Events Around Vancouver That You’ve Gotta Try This August

Happy August folks! Coming at you fresh off of Pride (how much did you love our PM attending?) and life is looking literally peachy right now as I scoff down Similkameen peaches with pretty much everything: in a smoothie, with burrata and heirloom tomatoes, chopped into a punchy chili-spiked salsa—you name it, I’m putting a peach on it.  There are some super fun food events this month, farmers’ markets are in full swing, and we just got a lovely rain pour to cool us all down a little. Celebrate the small stuff right now, the big things are not so good. Grab some napkins—those peaches are hella delicious and awfully messy.  

Oyster Happy Hour PSA

Oh, I do love a good happy hour, and Coast has busted out a wallet-pleasing “Oyster Day all month” this August. You can dive into fresh oysters for just $1.50 each during happy hour (2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday). That’s right: brunch could just be all about oysters. Hurrah! 

Eat All the Yellow Watermelon

Keep an eye out at farmers’ markets—or zoom up to the Similkameen to the Peach King stand in Keremeos to get ’em at their source. Yellow watermelons are simply the best, most juicy, crisp and delicious version of watermelon around. I am obsessed. If you see any in Vancouver, buy two for yourself and gift a couple to friends. They are simply that good.  

Tacofino Deals in Tasty Rhymes

I’m a sucker for an easy rhyme, and an even more willing participant in a good time with Tacofino. So, obviously am 100 percent on board with Tacofino’s new Burritos-Jarritos deal, which comes in a handy beach-ready carry case. Bag a duo of burritos (never skip crispy chicken or super veg) plus dos Jarritos for just $36 while stock lasts.  

Filipino Feast Alert

Want to enjoy a tasty Filipino food feast? Score a ticket for the Boodle Fight (or Kamayan) at H2 Kitchen & Bar on August 15. A Boodle Fight is a traditional Filipino way of eating with your bare hands (no chopsticks, forks or spoons allowed), with food served on top of banana leaves and eaten family-style. I love the sound of this one-night-only affair that’s hosted with Tanduay Rum for $100 per person, including tax and tip. Expect canapés to start, and then, “…smoked lechon liempo, crispy smoked pata, tocino pork ribs, beef rib pares, adobo fried chicken wings, Bicol Express, kare-kareng gulay, and pancit palabok Malabon—all backed up with the fixings: collard green laing, papaya slaw, atchara, garlic fried rice, cornbread bibingka, pandesal and fresh tropical fruit… Plus, calamansi leche flan, ube Basque cheesecake, turon and Taylor’s spiked halo-halo cocktail station.” Each ticket includes all the food, plus two rum cocktails and rum tasters, yard games and live music. 

Cheers to St. Lawrence

If dog years aren’t equal to human years, I’m not sure how Vancouver restaurant years get calculated. Making this business work is an incredible accomplishment, and to make it past one year is a feat many never achieve. So, hugest congrats to all at St. Lawrence, who’ve been keeping things tastily doused in butter and foie gras for eight years now. Celebrate with them for their four-course Table Champêtre menu, which spotlights chef J.C. Poirier’s Québécois roots and highlights local farmers’ seasonal summer produce. There are still reservations available online, so treat yourself to dishes such as buttery lobster terrine or decadent swan cream puffs. Here’s to many more anniversaries.

Always Buy Wild B.C. Salmon

Devouring as much fresh, wild B.C. salmon as I possibly can is my summer go-to. We are so blessed with five different salmon species here in B.C., and the runs this year have been terrific. BC Salmon is having a province-wide celebration until August 15, with salmon dishes highlighted on some great menus. These dishes include a sage pesto poached wild B.C. salmon at Salmon n’ Bannock, and a torched wild B.C. salmon aburi, with yuzu mayo, steamed chawanmushi at Wildlight Kitchen + Bar. Go into Pokémon-mode and catch em all.