HARVEST COMMUNITY FOODS

243 Union St, Vancouver, BC

The 200 block of Union street in Chinatown has changed a lot in the last couple years. The whole block is now filled with boutique shops and restaurants with the exception of one remaining Chinese clothing store and an autoplan brokers. Harvest has been around since last summer, but it took me until now to set foot in the place.

Wares

Harvest Community Foods is a combination of a market and a cafe, which seems to be the trend lately in this neighborhood. I don’t know why anyone would come here for the “market” portion of the business, as they sell a totally random selection of products, some of which border on ridiculous. (Two cups of rolled oats in a mason jar…. why?).

But I heard that they added a mean Ramen to the cafe menu, and on a cold rainy day it was just what we were craving.

Ramen w/ pork belly, corn, egg, candied bacon.

Hazelnut Rice Noodles

The Hazelnut Rice Noodles I had were delicious and really filling! And it was vegan! The sauce was made of ground Hazelnuts and it came with smoked chili oil. Considering that there are quite a few Vietnamese places close by to get a cheap bowl of noodles, the price was kind of steep. But I’m a sucker for Asian food with fancy ingredients, so I quite enjoyed it.

I give Harvest a NOM NOM.

GRUB

4328 Main St. Vancouver, BC

Cute lil’ Space

I’ve been to Grub many times now, and it’s never failed to impress. Definitely one of my top ten favorites in Vancouver.

At Grub they have a small menu of tapas, appetizers and salads, as well as a daily specials menu. They usually have eight specials, four meat varieties, two seafood, a vegetarian and a vegan option. Each time I’ve eaten at Grub I’ve ordered off the board and each time it’s been amazing. There’s also a three course prix-fixe menu option which is an amazing deal; appy, entree and dessert for $32. Can’t beat that!

Pescatarian Antipasto Plate

I ordered the Ling Cod special this evening. It consisted of a seared ling cod fillet with shellfish filled ravioli in a lobster bisque with mango and pineapple salsa. It was perfect.

Ling Cod/Seafood Ravioli/Lobster Bisque

Vegan Summer Berry Cake with Strawberry Creme

Chocolate Bourbon Torte

Seriously, I feel like this place can do no wrong. Some of the tastiest, most well thought-out meals I’ve had. And a good wine list and cocktails too! There’s something for everyone at Grub, I highly recommend! NOM NOM!