Top 5 food and drink openings on the North Shore in 2022

North Shoreers are still going crazy for local restaurants and liquor stores this year. Especially since coronavirus concerns have dwindled like steam bursting out of hot dishes.

Readers eager to get back into the world of social consumption are eager to read about new products like never before, and articles in this category consistently receive high page views.

Below is a list of the most read food and drink articles in 2022. This is followed by an honorable mention and a nod to the notable loss in the community.

1. Raven

This year was an emotional rollercoaster for fans of one of the North Shore’s most iconic watering holes.

In June, rumors circulated that The Raven at Deep Cove had fallen into disrepair and could be shut down for good. Where, then, do neighborhood debauchers end their pub crawls?

But as luck would have it for Ireland, the Hibernian pub chain took over the facility, promising to restore the cherished pub to its glory days. At the end of November, the IRL group delivered on their promise and Raven reopened after his $500,000 renovation.

A sign above the door reads “Legends Live On”.

2. Does After Dark

Speaking of iconic, North Vancouver’s Dous Diner has been featured in multiple films and commercials and is owned by the granddaughter of Earl’s founder Leroy Earl “Bass” Fuller.

Douce is known to be one of the best spots for breakfast and lunch. Now the owner, her girlfriend Dawn Doucette, is opening the diner for evening parties. She calls her new campaign Douce After Dark.

The diner closes at 3pm daily, but can now be booked nightly for private parties, cooking classes, or any other dining event your guests are looking for.

3. Lucky’s Exotic Bodega

Snack Attack!

Founded by three West Van alumni and friends from Vancouver, The Bodega Boys opened a location in May of this year in Central Lonsdale for their growing imported confectionery business.

You won’t find a plain bag of Lay’s, but you can get Strawberry Yogurt Sun Chips flown in from Thailand and a bottle of Flaming Hot Mountain Dew.

4. Nomad Coffee

And Nomad Coffee, which opened in May, is the first cafe in North Vancouver to go disposable cups.

Instead of single-use containers, customers are encouraged to purchase either BYOC (bring your own cup) or reusable options ranging from $3 to $22. He can also rent a Mason jar for $2. The fee will be refunded upon return.

Owner Annette Kim said she got the idea after transitioning to a zero-waste policy at her Bean Around the World location in Lower Lonsdale.

5. Windfall Cider

With new breweries popping up all the time in North Van, we’ve had some innovative beverage makers join us this year.

One of them is Windfall Cider, one of the only places in the state that can produce hard cider on site in urban areas. Employing yeasts familiar to beer lovers, his Windfall Dry His cider selection is a drink closer to what you’d expect from a craft IPA than Strongbow.

Cider made another surprise this year when it launched an amazing food menu prepared by rising star chef Douglas Lee.

honorable mention and farewell

For our end-of-year roundup of notable openings, we forget to mention Shaketown Brewing Co. and Copperpenny Distillery.Both are unique and welcome additions to the small batch alcohol community.

Sadly, North Shore diners have said goodbye to many cherished favorites in 2022.

Cheshire Cheese, one of Lonsdale Quay’s original tenants, closed in September. “After 36 years, we are happy with where we are,” said the restaurant manager. Downstairs, Green Her Leaf Her Brewing has closed its doors, claiming the landlord unjustly denied the option to renew the lease. Lonsdale Key has refuted his allegations.

The North Vancouver market also said a final goodbye to Ralf Dauns, owner of The Soup Meister. For nearly 27 years, the beloved chef has contributed heartfelt recipes, hired troubled youth, and helped his community by reaching out to those in need.

With the death of Michel Segur in December, West Van lost its own culinary legend. The restaurant he founded, Chez He Michel, is renowned for its fresh French cuisine and outstanding hospitality. Segur himself was a respected cook and a mentor to aspiring chefs.

The High Boat Cafe on Mosquito Creek has been serving classic no-frills fare for 20 years, but closed in April due to a lack of funds to keep it running.

nlaba@nsnews.com

twitter.com/nick_laba