Living Lotus Chocolate is the maker of bean-to-bar chocolate using ethically sourced ingredients. All of their products are made from organic ingredients and are refined sugar and gluten-free.
Can you tell us a little bit about the bean to bar chocolate method and your products?
Bean to bar chocolate is chocolate that is made straight from the cacao bean. We take the cacao beans that have been through the post harvest processes in their native country and crack, winnow, grind and mold them into chocolate. We use beans that have been ethically sourced, procure organic and local ingredients and use coconut sugar as a sweetener. We have three standard bars in 70% Arriba Nacional Dark, 57% Oat Milk, and Blonde (Vegan White) Chocolate. We do limited releases and over the holidays we will have a Raspberry Dark chocolate bar and Mocha chocolate bar composed of Oat milk chocolate and coffee.
How did you begin your journey with chocolate and how did you decide to turn your craft into a business?
Where in Strathcona are you based and what makes this neighbourhood special to you?
We are located on Cordova street between Hawks and Heatley but we don’t have a storefront. If you go South on Hawks to Keefer four blocks you’ll bump into McLean Park. My father’s family had a house on Keefer before that park was built and my grandfather had a shoe repair shop on Main Street back in the day.
How does the bean to bar chocolate method make an impact?
We’ve always been a vegan company, and by adding bean to bar chocolate we get to source from the farmers who take so much care and attention to the cacao trees, harvesting, and fermenting the beans. This ensures we are truly a cruelty-free company.
Where can we find your products?
Our products can be found online at www.livinglotus.net
Visit our blog for more on our Maker of the Month series.
The Strathcona BIA is bringing back Dine Strathcona from November 17 to November 30. The neighbourhood’s beloved independent restaurants, cafés, and breweries are once again coming together to offer a lineup of specialty and favourite menu items to raise money in support of vulnerable community members within Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
First launched in 2019, the two-week community festival invites locals and visitors to savour special promotional dishes at several food and drink hotspots in the vibrant neighbourhood, including The Mackenzie Room, Superflux, Strathcona Beer Company, Dosanko and The Garden Strathcona. 19 businesses will be participating in this year’s event and $5 from the sale of each Dine Strathcona menu feature will be donated directly to the festival’s 2021 community partner, HAVE Culinary Training Society, with the goal to raise $5000.
Guided by a philosophy of Hope, Action, Values, and Ethics, HAVE Culinary Training Society is a not-for-profit organization that provides accessible food service training and employment opportunities to members of the community who face barriers to employment such as poverty, homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges. Over the past 14 years they have successfully trained 1,200 students with over 75% of them gaining steady employment in the tourism and hospitality industry. Since March 2020, the kitchen at HAVE’s on-site café has been utilized to prepare over 1,000 meals per day for at-risk individuals who have experienced food insecurity due to the pandemic.
“For the third year in a row, the Dine Strathcona festival gives diners the chance to support a worthy cause while discovering the incredible culinary talents and community spirit that make Strathcona such a unique and special neighbourhood,” says Johanna Lauyanto, Manager, Communications & Sustainability at the SBIA. “The money raised during this year’s event will provide funding to enroll new students in HAVE’s culinary training program and help secure job placements for new graduates in Metro Vancouver restaurants.”
In a short video produced by the Strathcona BIA, HAVE’s Executive Director, Amber Anderson, shares about the life-changing impacts of their the programming and the positive ripple effects that are made throughout the community as a result.
305 Alexander St │ Mon-Sun 5pm-10pm │ Sat-Sun brunch 10am-2pm
Fried Cauliflower & Chickpeas $17
Fried cauliflower and chickpeas with spicy aioli, fresh herbs, lemon, grana padano
Reservations to dine in can be made through their website.
1279 E Hastings St │ Mon-Sun 12pm-10pm
Vegetarian Combo $15
Combination of yellow split peas, red lentils, cabbage & carrot and spinach simmered in a mild and spicy sauce
Dine in or order for pickup online through their website.
55 Dunlevy Ave │ Mon-Fri 11:30am-late │ Sat-Sun 10am-late
Wagyu Bolognese $23
Pappardelle, shaved parmesan, olive oil
Reservations to dine in can be made through Open Table.
643 E Hastings St │ Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm │Sat 8am-2pm
Mortadella Sandwhich $8.95
Thinly sliced mortadella, pickled egg plant, fresh basil and arugula, mustard, & spicy mayo on focaccia bread drizzled with virgin olive oil
Dine in or order for pickup or delivery through Uber Eats.
1216 Franklin St │ Food Hours Tue-Thu 3pm-8pm │ Fri 3pm-9pm │Sat 1pm-9pm
Chicken Parm Sandwich $12.50
Tomato sauce, house-made basil (or spicy) mayo, parmesan and mozzarella cheese on a toasted potato bun
Dine in during Burdy Food Truck hours. Brewery hours are Sun-Thur 2pm-10pm, Fri 2pm-late, Sat & Sun 12pm-late.
566 Powell St │ Tues-Sat 11:30-2:30, 5pm-9pm
Wild Mushroom Doria $23 (or $35 3-course-meal)
Foraged wild mushrooms (chanterelle, lobster mushroom), roasted garlic white sauce, onion, rice
Dine in or order for pickup through their website.
338 Powell St │ Wed-Fri 10am-4pm │ Sat & Sun 10am-5pm
Pour Over plus 40g of wholebean coffee $7.50
Feature coffee comes from a Colombian farm owned by farmer Luz Dary, part of Harken’s Wish Foundation series to support women farm owners
Dine in or order to go. Coffee beans available to order online.
362 Powell St │ Thu-Sat 8pm – 1am
Empanadas $10
Corn empanadas filled with pulled pork & cheddar, served with a side of fresh salsa
Dine in or order for pickup or delivery through Door Dash.
901 E Hastings St │ Mon-Sat 8:30am-6pm
Heavenly Pesto Chicken Sandwich $10.95
Roasted chicken topped with aged cheddar, spinach, tomato, & pesto aioli, grilled on sourdough bread
Dine in or order for pick-up through their website.
1123 Venables St │ Tue-Thu 2pm-9pm │ Fri & Sat 12pm-11pm │ Sun 12pm-9pm
Campo D’Inverno Pizza $21
Fior di latte, brussel sprouts, guanciale, and parmigiano reggiano DOP
Dine in or order for pickup online through their website.
395 Alexander St │ Mon-Fri 8am-3pm
Pour Over plus a 100g of wholebean coffee $7.50
A pour over coffee made using one of Pallet’s specialty coffees (choose from a list of their current offerings), plus a sample of roasted coffee beans
Dine in or order to go. Coffee beans available to order online for pickup or delivery.
883 E Hastings St │ Mon-Fri 8am-4pm │ Sat & Sun 9am-5pm
Honduras Buena Vista (whole bean coffee) $18
Fresh and vibrant, showcasing notes of toffee, orange, and almond. Sourced in partnership with Honduran farmer Arlex Casco and the Honduran Coffee Alliance
Purchase at their cafe or order online through their website.
397 Railway St │ Mon-Fri 8am-6pm │ Sat & Sun 10am-4pm
The Winter Kale $14
Baby Kale, Black Rice, Shaved Apple, Roasted Yams, Red Onion, Feta, Dried Cranberries, Egyptian Dukkah, Aged Sherry Vinaigrette
Dine in or order for pickup online through their website.
895 E Hastings St │ Sun-Thu 12pm-9pm │ Fri & Sat 12pm-11pm (10pm last call)
Hawaiian Pizza $23.10
Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, Fior de Latte, Capicola, Pineapple, Jalapeno cream, Padano, and Pistacios
Dine in or order for pickup at 778-379-9050.
505 Clark Dr │ Sun-Tue 12 – 9pm │ Wed-Thur 12pm-10pm │ Fri-Sat 12pm-11pm
Napa Salad $13
Napa cabbage, gala apple, roasted carrots, radish, toasted pumpkin seeds, fresh herbs, with a ginger, organge & miso dressing
Dine Strathcona feature dish available for dine in only.
696 E Hastings St │ Sun-Thu 4pm- 11pm │ Fri-Sat 4pm-12am
Beef Burger $17
63 Acres organic house-made beef patty, house BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onion, dill pickles & spicy sriracha mayo, served with fries or house salad
Dine Strathcona feature dish available for dine in only.
415 Powell St │ Wed-Sun 5:30pm-1opm
Chicken of the Sea $20
Sea urchin parfait, burnt onion nectar, poached pears, hazelnut butter, squid ink brioche
Reservations to dine in can be made through their website.
868 E Hastings │ Mon-Sun 9am-4pm
Mushroom Bowl $12.50
Mushrooms, peas, wild rice, brown rice, black kale, pickled beets, pickled carrots, pickled mushrooms, pumpkin seeds, black sesame. Vegan & gluten free
Dine in or order takeout. Delivery available through DoorDash.
957 E Hastings │ Tue-Sat 4pm-10pm
Flat Iron Steak $27
Green mango chimichurri slaw, burnt honeyed almonds
Reservations to dine in can be made on their website.
This event is free to attend and all are welcome. The Strathcona Halloween Hop walking route starts at RayCam Co-operative Centre at Campbell and East Hastings. Enjoy hot apple cider and trick-or-treat at local businesses along the way. The activity zone halfway along the route will have safe and fun entertainment for the whole family. It’s the perfect event to kick off your Halloween festivities!
Corinne Leroux is the owner of Awesome Sauce Designs operating out of MakerLabs in Strathcona. She offers quirky, handmade art pieces (available to order on her Etsy shop) and teaches regular classes on how to make your own stained glass art.
Tell us a little bit about your art and what you make.
I make stained glass art with a modern twist. I try and veer away from what people think of when they traditionally think of stained glass. My pieces focus on a more modern geometric style and the weird and whimsical.
How did you begin your journey with stained glass and how did you decide to turn your art into a business?
I’ve always been crafty and had many hobbies including learning to knit at the age of 6. Stained glass was one of many hobbies I tried, and I took a class at the Surrey Arts Centre in 2005, and then really loved it. I made more and more pieces and was giving them away to friends and family. I also had other things I was making – you can only have so much stained glass in your house – so I decided to combine all my hobbies into one business and start selling my work. This included things I had sewn, knit, greeting cards I designed, and stained glass, but eventually, the glass just took over all of it.
In 2015 after having lots of practice in the medium, and seeing that there were very limited places to learn this art, I started teaching stained glass classes in my studio.
Where in Strathcona are you based and what makes this neighbourhood special to you?
My studio is based out of MakerLabs. It’s a really creative space, filled with other makers, that I find inspiring just to be in. There’s always an energy here that makes me excited to work on my art. I also love all the history in this neighbourhood seeing all the colourful historic buildings as well as the newer murals that have been painted in the last few years. I think it adds to that creative energy that we have in MakerLabs.
Where can we find your products?
I sell my work mostly on my Etsy shop, but I also accept commissions for custom work as well. My products and information about classes can be found on my website and inquiries about commissions can be emailed to hello@awesomesauceart.com.
Visit our blog for more on our Maker of the Month series.
Can you believe we’ve already made it to October? The holidays are right around the corner and before you know it it will be time to start planning your family dinner.
We understand that some years you would rather spend time with loved ones than be cooking in the kitchen all day long. Or maybe that one aunt who decided to host this year isn’t always on point with the turkey. We’ve got you covered. A few Strathcona businesses are offering classic Thanksgiving meals fully loaded with all of the holiday favourites.
You’ll find everything from turkey, to the yummiest of sides and of course, sweet treats like pumpkin pie and bread pudding. Choose to have your meal delivered and enjoy the comfort of your own home or opt to dine in and leave the dishes to someone else.
Find a few places below that we would absolutely trust to kick our holiday dinner experience up a notch.
If turkey isn’t your thing here’s a full list of Strathcona’s incredible restaurants.
Thanksgiving dinner from the comfort of your own home, all you need to do is heat, serve and enjoy. Railtown Catering is taking orders for pick up from October 9th – 11th and offers packages that will feed anywhere from 5 – 10+ guests. Don’t worry about dessert, that’s included too. Visit their website to place your order.
If you’re not trying to host this year let Belgard Kitchen take care of everything. Offering family-style turkey dinner with all of the fixins for $35 per person you can dine-in at Belgard Kitchen on October 11th but space is limited so reserve your table now.
For parties small and large Savoury Chef has a beautifully curated meal with all of the Thanksgiving favs. Keeping it chill for the long weekend but still want to enjoy a holiday meal at home? They are offering a traditional turkey feast for as little as 2 people. No need to get dressed up but you should bring your appetite – this feast is stacked with delicious sides, dessert and of course, turkey. Order yours here.
Beginning on September 13, 2021, British Columbians will be required to show proof of vaccination province-wide to enter specific establishments and events including:
The BC Vaccine Card comes with a unique QR code that can be accessed though your computer or smart phone. You can save the digital version to your phone or tablet or print a paper copy to carry in your wallet. Both options will be accepted.
Note: Proof of vaccination is not required to vote in-person in the September 20 federal election or at advance polling places.
September 13 – partial vaccination required (at least 1 dose)
October 24 – fully vaccinated (2 doses required)
Those who still need their vaccination can register here.
Starting September 13, businesses requiring to verify proof of vaccination can download the free BC Vaccine Card Verifier app which will be available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
The app will allow you to scan a QR code from a digital vaccination card or paper vaccination card. Businesses can also confirm proof of vaccination visually.
Read the BC Vaccine Card Guide for Businesses for a step-by-step breakdown of verifying vaccination cards.
Proof of Vaccination Required Poster
We’re thrilled to see some of our neighbourhood businesses opening up for live music and events again and we want to give you an extensive list of Strathcona’s upcoming special events and live shows.
In our diverse little community, you can find a plethora of in-person events ranging from DJs, live music, comedy and even a full-on festival this September.
While we recognize that proof of vaccination requirements will begin to take effect on September 13th, we urge readers to consult the Government of BC website for the most up-to-date information before purchasing tickets or heading out to restaurants, pubs and other live events. Make sure to follow COVID-19 health and safety precautions in place at events and establishments.
Skip ahead to the next section to find a breakdown of some of Strathcona’s weekly live music and larger-scale events happening this month!
There’s a reason they call this iconic space the Rock N Roll Eatery. Lana Lou’s is no stranger to the live music scene and has hosted her fair share of local and touring artists. You can always count on Lana cooking up delicious comfort food in the kitchen and a full schedule of artists, comedians and more taking the stage on any given night.
For an up-to-date schedule of upcoming events visit Lana Lou’s on Facebook.
Luppolo Brewing is a staple for pizza and craft beer in Strathcona and they’ve recently announced that they have added live music back to their roster. Every Wednesday you can catch a rotation of artists from 7 – 9pm while enjoying delicious eats and drinks on their patio! It is recommended to arrive early as seats fill up quickly.
Visit @Luppolo_brewing on Instagram for performance info and updates.
If you’re looking to experience the best of local live bands and DJs look no further than The Heatley. You’ll find a variety of music several times per week with a uniquely curated roster of musicians and Djs setting the vibe. Make sure to order one of their famous burgers while you’re there enjoying the atmosphere, you won’t be disappointed.
Visit @Theheatley969 on Instagram for updates on their live music and DJ schedule.
Compound is a FREE one-day outdoor block party, taking place outside Monstercat HQ in Railtown on Saturday, September 18th from 2pm to 9pm. Compound is a celebration of the local Vancouver community, providing a platform for local companies and performers alike.
Featuring two stages of music, art installations, apparel, food and drinks, beer gardens, music education, live art, gaming and more! This is an all ages event, with something for everyone to enjoy.
The dual stage lineup includes Vancouver-based headliners The Funk Hunters, Tony Romera and more.
It’s one of our favourite events of the year and we’re thrilled to see the Vancouver Mural Festival back for their 2021 event. Celebrating creativity, diversity and bringing our communities together through art, VMF has over 60 new murals in the works throughout Vancouver plus live shows, tours, public talks and more.
Adventure through 11 Vancouver neighbourhoods, including Strathcona, to see the beautiful murals come to life through personal, cultural and historical storytelling. Find daily Mural Tours, Talks and Workshops, and 40+ Live Shows at outdoor, licensed venues!
We’re excited to welcome several new murals to the Strathcona neighbourhood, including four projects sponsored by the Strathcona BIA. These include Benjamin Stone’s new work at Container Brewing, a mural by Sitji Chou at Noble, the addition of the Black Strathcona Resurgence Project led mural by Sasha Mbabazi near Powell St. and Princess St. plus over a dozen tree-planter murals designed and ready to be painted by Zac George. Public art has the power to help strengthen the connections between all who share space here, and we are so proud to be a part of supporting more public murals for all to enjoy.
To learn more about Vancouver Mural Festival’s community projects this year, check out: Blanketing The City IV, Black Strathcona Resurgence Project, and Punjabi Market or for an overview of the entire 2021 festival you can visit vanmuralfest.ca. Be sure to download their app for an up-to-date map of murals throughout the city.
Les Amis Du Fromage (843 E Hastings alley)
Artists: Jerry Whitehead and Take5
The work is titled Remember Us. Both artists hope their work will “start community conversations about the path of reconciliation, and develop meaningful relationships in [their] communities” (as shared on this VMF blog).
Container Brewing
Artist: Benjamin Stone
The piece is titled No Arrival.
Noble (1001 Venables St.)
Artist: Sitji Chou
This piece is called Ripple. The mural faces a senior’s home and was created in the hopes to bring joy to the residents who will see it most. The artist hopes the waves, lilies, and koi mingling inbetween will instill a sense of tranquility and whimsy (as shared in this VMF blog).
Black Strathcona Resurgence Project (603 Powell St.)
Photo of mural in progress.
Artist: Sasha Mbabazi
Hub Cycling’s Bike To Shop event is back this summer kicking off on August 7th – 22nd. Local businesses in 20 neighbourhoods across Metro Vancouver are offering free coffee, snacks, sweet discounts, and more to people who visit their shop by bike.
Get on your bike and come join the Bike to Shop movement with us! As always, registration is 100% free.
Register before July 30 for a chance to win a $50 Compass Card from TransLink so you can explore even more Bike to Shop neighborhoods this summer.
Register here and find the full schedule including all participating businesses here..
VV TAPAS LOUNGE
Free glass of wine or nonalcoholic cocktail with the purchase of food.
HARKEN COFFEE
One free coffee to those who participate and ride to the shop.
CONTAINER BREWING
Free pork crisps, happy hour beer pricing ($2 off full pours), 10% off any take-home orders. Enter a draw to win a $100 gift card.
ENTERPRISING WOMEN MAKING ART (EWMA)
Free coffee/iced tea and/or button. Plus enter to win an original art item from the EWMA Store with each purchase.
LUPPOLO BREWING
15% off pizza with purchase of a beer (DINE IN ONLY), $10 Margherita with purchase of a 4Pack (TO-GO ONLY).
LIQUIDS AND SOLIDS
Free 10 oz Soup with purchase of a sandwich or an entrée salad.
COASTAL EDEN CAFE
One free baked good with a purchase of any drink. Until sold out.
STRATHCONA BEER
Buy a pint of beer and get an order of our garlic bites for free. While quantities last daily.
LANDYACHTZ
Free air & oil, plus high fives and bike advice all week.
Register at bikehub.ca/biketoshop
