Hungry to help the Downtown Eastside? Sometimes the heart of a restaurant goes beyond its food.
Ambiance? Good. Service? Attentive. Value? Affordable. Food? Great. Now where is the line about corporate social responsibility? The restaurant world used to be about bringing good food to the table, but tables are turning and social change is important. It is becoming part of the dining experience and sometimes its even the priority.
Social responsibility in the context of a restaurant is usually about offering ocean-friendly seafood, sustainable meats, and locally grown produce, but what about helping Vancouvers DTES? Its a bit of a stretch away from the kitchen and the traditional concerns of a diner, but important nonetheless.
With gentrification a prominent issue on the DTES, many new restaurants and retailers are feeling the heat outside the kitchen. However, not every new restaurant is aiming to be restaurant of the year sometimes they simply want to give back to the area they opened in.
When I go out, food takes priority and I want it to be good, but at restaurants like these it is not always just about the food. It might make more sense to donate your time and money directly to the cause, but we all need to eat, and sometimes helping can be as easy as dining out. The following restaurants all have positive hidden agendas that go beyond their food, and theyre worthy of exposing.
A non-profit social enterprise and registered charity providing healthy food and jobs for those living in the Eastside. The community staff face barriers to traditional employment and Potluck Café provides them with the necessary skills to work in and out of the kitchen. It is a public café, professional caterer and part of the Greentable Network which promotes culinary sustainability.
PotluckCatering.com | 30 W. Hastings
A culinary training school and public café and caterer employing those in need on the Eastside. Led by the guidance of professional chefs, they provide employment opportunities, mentorship and foodservice training. The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch during weekdays and offers Guest Chef Night dinner on one special Thursday every month. Proceeds from the café and all revenues from catering go back towards HAVEs Culinary Training programs.
Have-Cafe.ca | 374 Powell
It is an all-day restaurant with a professionally designed bar program and menu offering Mediterranean tapas. One hundred per cent of the profits from East of Main go towards Project Limelight Society, a free performing arts program for youth living in Vancouvers Downtown Eastside. Students are also provided healthy meals and snacks. Try their Lamb Tagine and Eggplant Moussaka.
EastOfMainCafe.com | 223 E. Georgia
It serves simple, quick and affordable comfort food to all the diverse residents of the Downtown Eastside. They give back to the community through various educational, employment, donation, and token programs. Try a milkshake and ask about their $2.25 Save On Meats Meal Tokens.
SaveOnMeats.ca | 43 W. Hastings
Find Mijune judging BC Chefs culinary competitions at Eat! Vancouver May 24, at Feast Tofino a month long culinary celebration in Tofino May 25-27, and judging cocktails at BCHFs Dish n Dazzle charity event at Pan Pacific Hotel on May 30 ($75/ticket).
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