PICNICS TO GO
Now that we’re slowly starting to expand our bubbles, we want to spend our time socializing with each other, not stuck in the kitchen. Luckily, there are many, many places offering takeout and delivery of everything from groceries to cocktail kits to fully cooked meals. Why not let them do the work so you don’t have to?
Besides, if there was ever a time to support local restaurants, caterers, producers and farmers, this is it. Here are a few options for setting your backyard picnic table; you can find hundreds more at Breakingbreadnow.com.
Charcuterie and cheese: Not gonna lie, the news that Oyama Sausage would deliver its Belgian truffle pâté to my front door may have been the best news of the whole pandemic period. There are limits, though — they only deliver to Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby and New Westminster, with a minimum order of $60 in the City of Vancouver and $100 outside it — so if that doesn’t work for you, you can order online and pick up at the store on Granville Island. oyamasausage.ca
Yes, Granville Island Market is open, which means you can still shop at your favourite stalls. Or you can let Vancouver Foodie Tours do it for you. They have launched Granville Island Foodie Delivery, which will bring Island favourites — such as Benton Brothers Cheese, Bread Affair loaves and The Lemon Square — to your home. granvilleislandfoodiedelivery.com
Barbecue besties: For the first time ever, Two Rivers Specialty Meats is selling boxes of frozen meat directly to consumers — you just need to order online and pick up curbside at their North Vancouver location. The grill box, for instance, contains four flat iron steaks, four chicken legs, four pork chops and two packages each of house-made hotdogs and Italian sausages, all from ethically and locally raised animals, for $115. tworivers.online/meats
Seafood: Organic Ocean Seafood is as well known for its sustainable harvesting practices as it is for its high-quality local salmon, halibut, tuna and shellfish, most of which typically is sold straight to restaurants. Now you can get frozen packs such as “Dr. Prawnie Henry” spot prawn tails delivered throughout the Lower Mainland and Squamish. organicocean.com
Fried chicken: Making fried chicken at home is hot and messy, and then you have to deal with all that leftover oil. Instead, why not pick up some crispy-tender, gorgeously seasoned Juke Fried Chicken? Make sure to get the dirty fries and one of bar star Sabrine Dhaliwal’s terrific cocktail mixers as well. jukefriedchicken.com
Cocktail Kits: With many bars still closed and liquor laws loosened to allow delivery of alcohol, our top bartenders are creating cocktail kits so easy to use, all you need to do is mix and pour. Among them are The Keefer Bar (keeferathome.com) and Juju’s Drink Shack, a new elevated tiki bar soon to open on Main Street.