More and more Vancouver restaurants are re-opening their kitchens to serve up dishes available for pick-up or delivery as a means to carry on during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
Restaurant owners have approached operations from a number of new models - some are focusing on take-and-make kits, while others are rounding out their offerings with pantry and grocery items to help keep your fridge and cupboards stocked. There are restaurants in Vancouver that have set up donation models, which allows customers the option to purchase meals for others or add-on some bucks to their order that will be sent on to the Food Bank. While many restaurants are on board with existing food carrier companies, others are keeping it in-house, which means they're limited to pick-up, or they're trying out doing their own deliveries. There are exciting collaborations, special promos, and creative twists to keep an eye out for.
Any way you slice it, the restaurant scene in Vancouver is possibly more dynamic and inventive now than before, thanks to COVID-19.
If you're looking for a few places that have just launched or are about to launch new food takeout or delivery programs, here are a handful of note.
And remember: Wednesday, April 15 marks the first Canada #TakeoutDay. Order food from your favourite spot this and every Wednesday to support these businesses!
Fresh Sheet for Tuesday, April 14, 2020
The Basic
This Vancouver all-day breakfast and lunch diner-style spot will now be offering a limited menu starting Thursday April 16. You can hit up The Baisc from Thursday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for take out orders (pickup only) at their location at 3048 Main St. They'll be starting out small, with a menu featuring dishes like omelettes and Bennies, pancakes, French Toast, and a veggie hash, as well as soup and a daily sandwich and burger option.
Bufala
Bufala in Kerrisdale is back! As of Tuesday, April 14 s of Tuesday, the pizza spot will be offering daily takeout and delivery between 4 and 8 p.m. Takeout orders may be placed through Bufala's website, by phone, in person, or by using Tock! Delivery is available via DoorDash.
Giovane Cafe at Fairmont Pacific Rim
Last week, Giovane at the Fairmont Pacific Rim debuted their fresh new take-out menu via Ritual, featuring daily chefs’ pizzas and salads. The menu also features their ‘Feed It Forward’ program: for every dish ordered, one dish will be donated to workers on the front line during these challenging times. You can also opt to purchase a meal donation for a healthcare worker through Ritual for $5 each. Each week, Giovane will deliver the collective donations by way of a healthy and nutritious meal to healthcare workers working to fight the spread of COVID-19.
Trattoria
Both the Kitsilano and Burnaby locations of Glowbal's Trattoria have now transitioned to online ordering for delivery and takeout service seven days a week. On the menu is a range of homestyle Italian dishes made for sharing – with signature staples, including Trattoria’s famous spaghetti and signature meatballs and more, as well as wines (at reduced prices). Access delivery options on the Glowbal Group website or by ordering takeout at the Trattoria Kitsilano and Burnaby locations every day starting from noon.
What's Up? Hot Dog!
East Van's irreverent and fun What's Up? Hot Dog! is back in business this week and introducing a fresh (and cheeky) menu for pick up and delivery. Get a whole "party" for two, nom on their popular vegan "wings," feast on hot dogs, or "ice" your friends. They're starting up on Thursday, April 16 but will then move to offer the menu Wednesday through Sunday from 4 to 9 p.m.
I've been working to keep you updated on what different restaurants and food businesses are doing at this time. You can read more about some options here:
- Fresh sheet: March 21
- Fresh sheet: March 23
- Fresh sheet: March 27
- Fresh sheet: March 31
- Fresh sheet: April 2
- Fresh sheet: April 3
- Fresh sheet: April 7
Additionally, please use the excellent website Breaking Bread to connect directly to restaurants and order food, as well as purchase gift certificates and merchandise.
V.I.A. also has a special new listings section: Take Home Vancouver. This index is FREE for local businesses to use to add their listing. If you operate a food business and would like to be included, get in touch with me via e-mail ([email protected]) and I'll connect you to our easy online submission form. Restaurants, please also feel free to reach out to me directly to be included in these Fresh Sheet roundups.
As emails and DMs come in from restaurants and food businesses, or as I am able to track them via social media, I am rounding them up here regularly to keep you informed.
Bear in mind that due to the COVID-19 crisis, things may change rapidly. Please connect directly with the restaurant via phone, email, website, or social media, before making plans that depend upon their offerings being available.
