Vancouver Food Shops

[Sue Bowman]

I am coming to Vancouver for a food shop pilgrimage & would welcome suggestions for must-see high end food shops. (Am already booked to see the Granville Market, Meinhardt, Urban Fare & Rangoli.)

[JEheartbreak]

The Ravioli Store on Commercial is worth a stop too. Terrific selection fresh italian pastas and some fairly obscure packaged goods.

[Cancuk]

Good call. Their pasta is awesome.

[hamcclure]

I like that store too. I used to live a few blocks away and i shopped there all the time.

[tdeane]

No one mentioned La Grotta Del Formaggio on Commercial Drive?

[fmed]

Oops..yes. That's worthy of a visit...it's also on the same block to JN&Z so you can hit both on one trip.

NB - JN&Z is closed for their annual vacation until mib-Feb.

[Prok]

What's JN&Z?

[vandan]

a family owned shop tjhat makes their own charcuterie

[fmed]

Here's an old thread http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/491923

[JEheartbreak]

I think they only sell fresh meat on the weekends.

[peter.v]

There's a South China Seas location in the market, but they have a standalone store out on Victoria Drive too. Always an interesting shop.

[Sue Bowman]

Thanks for all the ideas! Am coming Feb 9-12. Am designing a store reno for my business in Toronto - 25 year anniversary this Sept. What are the best artisan cheese locations? Haven't been to Vancouver for years and am really excited to be coming out.

[peter.v]

Les Amis du Fromage is the best. I'm also fond of my local neighborhood shop, Benton Brothers, on W 41 in Kerrisdale. They are much smaller than Les Amis, but I think their selection is great. It was opened up by a couple of brothers from Alberta who used to work with Janice Beaton Cheese in Calgary. Not sure if it would be worth a trip out to Kerrisdale, but it is a cute neighborhood shop.

[peter.v]

Oh! Good stuff! Kerrisdale is a short drive southwest of downtown, centred on West 41 Avenue and West Boulevard (which is just an extension of Arbutus Street). Benton Brothers is right at that intersection. Driving from downtown, just head south on Granville until you hit 41 Ave and then turn right and follow for a kilometer or so.

[Sue Bowman]

Thanks so much! I just emailed Andrew to warn him that I might be showing up. His website is great. He's a really nice guy & knows a ton about cheese.

[gourmet wife]

If you're heading along East Hastings. Pop into Donald's Market by Nanaimo. They have a pretty good selection of organic and imported products. I find their pricing pretty reasonable.

[fmed]

Here's my list (not necessarily high-end):

-Bosa Foods (Kootenay St, near Boundary and First - a bit hard to find)
-Gourmet Warehouse (East Hastings)
-Les Amis du Fromage (West 2nd)
-Moccia (East Hastings St)
-Cioffi's (East Hastings, Bby)
-Tinland (Chinatown)
-JN&Z (Commercial Drive)

[grayelf]

Depending when you are coming, Le Petit Chauvignol may be open (near Gourmet Warehouse, connected to Les Amis) and I think will definitely be worth a visit.

[Cancuk]

Everything Fmed said.

[fmed]

Just thought of a couple more:

Thomas Haas - North Van
DC Duby - no retail presence, but you can probably have a book a visit - http://www.dcduby.com/main/wholesale.php
Avenue 18 - a tea shop in Richmond

Just a note of the list above..Tinland does not sell food - only kitchen tools

[Sue Bowman]

These ideas are great - thanks very much! I know Dominique & am really looking forward to seeing their operation. I sell some of their products & they are truly spectacular.

[Sue Bowman]

Sorry - I should have said I am going to be selling their products when my construction is finished. I am not currently selling them due to space issues.

[fmed]

I just noticed that Tinland in Chinatown has closed. (The store front has a For Lease sign).