Hello October!
Can you believe how the time has flown, Foodies? Here we are in October, preparing for one of our favourite feasts – Thanksgiving! We love these occasions as we get to gather with friends and family who we may not always get to see. Though many of us are likely to have one “official” Thanksgiving dinner this weekend, there are so many more delicious opportunities to get together…
In a special mid-week edition of our Vancouver food blog, we present to you The Thanksgiving Pregame – 9 Ways to “Warm Up” for the Big Feast:
1) Pumpkin Spice Donuts – Lee’s Donuts
We often include this infamous donut shop from The Granville Island Public Market on our blog, but seriously…we can’t help ourselves! Locals count down the days until “pumpkin spice month” and it’s finally here! The cake donut is fluffy, sweet and just a tad spicy. If there’s one thing you’ve got to try at Granville Island this October, this is it!
Tip: Join us this weekend on our Granville Island Market Tour to see (and taste) the freshly-made donuts!
2) Thanksgiving Pies – The Pie Shoppe
Photo Credit: The Pie Shoppe // Instagram
Vancouver’s tiniest gourmet pie shop is cooking up a Thanksgiving storm! This year, flavours include: Apple & Cinnamon, Pumpkin & Spice, Chocolate Pecan, Pear w.ginger Caramel Crumble, Wild Berry w. Orange & cinnamon, Salted Honey w. Similkameen Aipary Honey (this one’s to die for!), Lemon Chess w. Orange Bitters, Tourtiere w. Happy Pork, Roasted Turkey Pie w. Caramelized Leeks & Fennel Potato Apple & Fresh herbs.
Tip: They’re a busy bunch, so order your pie in advance!
3) Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream – Earnest Ice Cream
A ice cream date on Thanksgiving weekend goes without saying! Earnest Ice Cream’s Pumpkin Pie is available by the scoop or by the pint!
4) Chai Latte – Granville Island Tea Company
When we close our eyes and think of Fall, the Chai Latte from Granville Island Tea Company is the first thing that comes to mind. The homemade blend is made fresh every evening and made-to-order the following day.
Tip: Join on our Granville Island Market Tour to skip the line and discover the secret ingredient that makes this Chai Latte so unique!
5) Pumpkin Spice Cake – Cadeaux Bakery
Spoiler Alert: We haven’t tasted this cake. But judging by this photo we caught on Cadeaux’s Facebook page, we’re confident that it’s worthwhile!
6) Swedish Ham – Oyama Sausage Company
Most of us have one Thanksgiving dinner planned, but we know some of you Foodies out there have a jam-packed agenda. If you’re scheduled for turkey one evening, may we suggest a Swedish Ham from Oyama Sausage Company on Granville Island? (We’re tempted just to order one for Thanksgiving “leftovers!”)
7) Fresh Fig and Almond Tart – Faubourg Bakery
Faubourg released a new menu this week and we love that their Fall treats included more than just pumpkin. For an afternoon treat (and an Instagram picture), we recommend their Fresh Fig and Almond Tart – honey vanilla cream, fig jam, almond frangipane and fresh figs in a delicate, buttery tart!
8) Thanksgiving Sandwich – Hubbub Sandwich Bliss
Photo Credit: @yvrbcbro // Instagram
Welcome to a sandwich-sized preview of the Thanksgiving classics – pulled turkey (braised with 33 Acres Beer), sage stuffing and cranberry sauce. For those “keeping in light” this weekend, this festive combination can also be enjoyed at Hubbub as a salad.
9) Spiced Pumpkin Cream Puff – Beta 5 Chocolates
Photo Credit: Beta 5 Chocolates // Facebook
Move over, Turkey. Pumpkin mousse, milk chocolate and pumpkin seed chantilly, spiced pumpkin butter, caramelized pumpkin seeds…this is officially the new crown jewel of Thanksgiving. Beta 5 will have these on their shelves this Friday!
What’s on your menu this Thanksgiving, Foodies? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Happy Feasting!
