A Tasteful Layover

     What does one do when at the end of a cruise disembarkation is in a foreign country at 7am and the flight back home isn't until 10:30 that evening?  If you're a inquisitive foodie like myself, of course you head out on a tasting tour of the town!  And that's exactly what I did in Vancouver, BC.



     I had only a vague knowledge of this modern city in western Canada and knew nothing about our neighbor to the north's second most visited attraction, Granville Island.  Once called Industrial Island, it claims 10 million visitors a year, second only in popularity to Niagara Falls.  Originally inhabited by corrugated tin factories under the Granville Street Bridge on 35 acres of land, today it is home to a wide variety of shops and businesses.  Along the streets there you can find woodworkers, boat builders, glassblowers, fine arts galleries, a marina, a hotel, restaurants, a university of art & design, a luthier, fishmongers, the Granville Brewing Company, a community center, and a wonderful public market.



     I was fortunate to find a space on "a food tasting and educational walking excursion" sponsored by Vancouver Foodie Tours and spent an enjoyable 3 hours discovering the sights and flavors of the market and its environs.  We met just across the street from the market in a specialty restaurant called appropriately enough, Edible Canada.  They are all about promoting local food and on their menu highlight Canadian cuisine, with items like duck confit poutine and something called eggs benny on a biscuit.  As we learned about the island's history we enjoyed an appetizer sized crab and salmon cake with salad greens.  It was delicious!



     And then we were off to explore the market.  More on that tomorrow!