This weekend brings with it the Eastside Culture Crawl, Vancouvers annual celebration of its artists, designers and craftspeople. Now in its 16th year, the Crawl is no less strenuous that its ever been for those 15,000+ who participate, and I know from personal experience that hiking all around the community visiting hundreds of creative studios can inspire one hell of an appetite.
With that in mind, here are 16 means to meet the pangs, all within the Crawls geographic perimeter...
Merchants Oyster Bar | 1590 Commercial Dr. | 604-258-0005 | MerchantsOysterBar.ca
From the folks who brought us Gastowns popular Cork & Fin came this charming altar to the bivalve (replacing Divino). Tidy by the glass wine list and a first-rate oyster selection. Quick shuckers, too. A perfect jumping off spot on The Drive.
Via Tevere | 1190 Victoria Dr. | 604-336-1803 | ViaTeverePizzeria.com
Cozy neighbourhood joint with plenty of character and cooking smells that intoxicate. Menu is limited. Avoid the afterthought antipasti and stick close to the point of the place: the first-rate Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana-certified pizzas.
Union Cafe | 810 Hawks St. | 604.255.5025 | UnionMarket.ca
A victualling corner store that anchors the Strathcona community (not to be confused with the nearby Union Bar). During your daytime explorations, pop in here for hot cups of coffee and little snacks. Im partial to the baked curry pocket pastries.
Vancouver Urban Winery | 55 Dunlevy St. | 604-566-9463 | VancouverUrbanWinery.com
The cavernous, shockingly good-looking VAW offers wine tasting flights until 11pm this (and every) Friday night, making it an ideal spot from which Crawlers can launch their nighttime art safari. $22 gets you five wines and five bites paired by the in-house sommelier.
BierCraft | 1191 Commercial Dr. | 604-254-2437 | BierCraft.com
With 20 beers on tap and more than 100 in the bottle, BierCraft is ideal for thirst slaking, but dig into the restorative chow, too. Warm your gut with the French onion soup and some Norman-style moules prepped with apples, shallots, and bacon in a heady Calvados cream.
The Parker | 237 Union St. | 604-779-3804 | TheParkerVancouver.com
Located at the Chinatown/Strathcona gates to the eastside and with dozens of studios within immediate reach, this sleek new vegetarian joint is a must for the meatless during the Crawl. Bar is well-schooled in the art of the cocktail.
The Wilder Snail | 799 Keefer St. | 604-216-0640 | TheWilderSnail.com
This café is located in the heart of Crawl land and is surrounded by studios. Its where many of the communitys artists take their breaks, and they make a mean latte. If youre too on the move to consider eating, pick up a sandwich to go or a piece of organic fruit.
Campagnolo | 1020 Main St. | 604-484-6018 | CampagnoloRestaurant.ca
Home of the addictive crispy ceci (salad of arugula and fried chickpeas) and a very dreamy vitello tonnato (veal carpaccio spread with tuna mayonnaise). It fills fast, so if youre making this attractive wine bar part of your Crawl plans, be sure to reserve now.
Union Bar | 219 Union St. | 604-568-3230 | TheUnionBar.ca
Irreverent, cocktail-forward pan-Asian looker with lots of personality. Fill up on Nahm Jim chicken wings and a Banh Mi baguette sandwich loaded with crispy pork belly. Every one of the banga drinks (served in Mason jars) is a winner.
Bennys | 598 Union St. | 604-254-2746
This Rockwellian, yesteryear icon not only supplies the Strathcona neighbourhood with much of its groceries but also pulls double duty as a delicatessen. Score a Jamaican patty, a bag of chocolate-covered nuts, or build a monster sandwich.
Fat Dragon Bar-B-Q | 566 Powell St. | 604-558-0880 | FatDragonBBQ.com
This unorthodox Deep South-influenced Chinese BBQ house sits on the DTES edge of Crawl territory and is home to some of the best fried chicken in BC (spiked with Korean BBQ sauce).
Ukrainian Hall | 805 E. Pender | auucvancouver.ca
Home to a cafeteria offering piping hot perogies and borscht to the weary on the Crawls Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Once youre finished, check out the massive used book sale upstairs (bring a bag, some cash, and your hunting spirit).
Au Petit Chavignol | 843 East Hastings | 604-255-4218 | AuPetitChavignol.com
Home of the best cheeseburgers in Vancouver (to be expected since its owned by the celebrated cheesemongers, Les Amis du Fromage). Wine list short but well chosen.
Bao Bei | 163 Keefer St. | 604-688-0876 | Bao-Bei.ca
This sexy, Chinese-themed brasserie is widely considered to be one of the most unique dining experiences in the country. No argument here. Must have: the new Lions Head pork meatball in broth under a pastry cap. Mmm.
Two Chefs & A Table | 305 Alexander St | 778- 233-1303 | TwoChefsAndATable.com
Chefs Allan Bosomworth and Karl Gregg have a knack for meeting classic French cravings head on and without fuss. Try the applewood-smoked cheddar and emmenthal fondue or the steak frites with tarragon aioli.
Harvest Community Foods | 243 Union St. | 604-682-8851 | HarvestUnion.ca
As I wrote in a recent column, former Bishops chef Andrea Carlson recently took over this locavore micro-grocery in Strathcona and has introduced a menu of hot noodle soups. These include a pork ramen of the highest standard.
An archive of Andrew Morrisons On The Plate columns is available at WEVancouver.com
