Sunday, December 04, 2011

Granville Island in Vancouver, British Columbia


One of my favorite pre-baby trips last year, was my "couples only" trip to Vancouver, British Columbia. My husband and I loved Canada. We loved the crisp Canadian air, which was punctuated with the perfumed fragrance of tulips and hyacinth. We loved the sweeping and majestic views of the ocean from the Stanley Park. We loved learning about the history and the art (including the intricate and towering totem poles) of the native peoples. Another one of our favorites? Granville Island. If you are visiting Vancouver, one thing you "must do" is head off to the Granville Island Public Market, which is chockful of boisterous vendors who sell a vivid array of seasonal produce.


The "goods" available at Granville Island Public Market, however, are not limited to fresh fruits and vegetables, but you can purchase things such as antique baubles from a public market jeweler, or mountainous pot pies with craggy and buttery pie crusts from a local baker.


And since it's Vancouver, you know they are going to sell seafood at the market! On the recommendation of our Canadian-phile friend, my beau and I purchased a few sticks of maple syrup salmon (an amusing combo of two quintessential Canadian ingredients). The salmon was a little tough and cloying for my taste, but the freshness of salmon itself was stellar--the quality of salmon in Canada is unparalleled.


Another place you must visit on a stop at Granville Island, is Sandbar, a restaurant on the island where my husband and I enjoyed a early pre-dinner meal after a small lunch. Since we were planning on attending a wedding that evening, we only ordered a few beers and a 1/2 order of their mussels in a coconut curry sauce (a great option for someone who wants the "taste" and not the cost of a full meal). (If you are budget-conscious, I would also check out their happy hour specials.)


The uncutous, fleshy, and rotund mussels burst in our mouths like delicate seafood balloons, releasing creamy and mouthwatering innards. The milky curry sauce was perfectly sweetened and seasoned, not too ethereal, not too heavy, and had the perfect balance of subtle coconut aroma.


I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, but Vancouver and Granville Island are definitely worth a visit!

13 comments:

  1. I have heard such wonderful things about Vancouver and would love to get over there someday. I love checking out new markets and this one looks absolutely beautiful. Also, I would love to eat one of those pot pies. yum!

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  2. What an amazing market. Those pies look amazing. I wish we had a local market, I would be there all the time. I've heard Vancouver is one of the best places to live and I can now see why!

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  3. Thanks for recommending the Granville island. I've been to Vancouver many years ago but had not heard of this island or the quint marketplace there. This looks like a wonderful stop for a foodie like me!

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  4. I really hope you all will visit Vancouver someday, Maggie, Bananamondaes, and Sharon, and that you will share about your trip on your blogs!

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  5. I love Granville Island. Did you hit the Oyama Sausage Company?

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  6. I loooove Vancouver as well! And especially the Granville Market. It's been some years since I've visited, and this post reminds me that I need to make a trek back. Maybe to try that maple-syrup salmon stick (if only to say I tried one!)

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  7. Thanks for introducing a bit of Vancouver to me! I have never been to Canada before but this market looks top nosh! ;)

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  8. I shoulda hit you two up for advice before my visit, Chubbypanda and Ben! I forgot that your lady was from Canada, CP! And man, I wish I would have tried Oyama Sausage Co.

    Sophie, you would love it!

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  9. Did you guys get to try the japadog? We went kayaking on the far end of Vancouver Island for our honeymoon years ago and loved it, didn't get to spend enough time in civilization though. Really want to go back, those mussels look fabuloso and I love the super fresh seafood!

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  10. Yes, Foodhoe, and we also tried the fish place that Ken recommended us to visit. Both places were AWESOME! I have recreated one of the Japadog recipes, and it is pretty darn easy and just as good in a pinch. I will have to make it for you sometime!

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  11. "I really like some of your posts…will bookmark your blog."

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  12. This certainly is creating a mussels craving in me right now.

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  13. Glad to see you're blogging more again! I love going to Vancouver because of all the FOOD! :)

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