The Towne Butcher

Located just east of downtown Chilliwack,
The Town Butcher is not your ordinary butcher shop.

Beautiful is not how you would normally describe a butcher shop but it is the word that must be used to describe this business.With it’s lovely details like chandeliers and creamy painted woodwork, it has the feel of walking into an upscale Parisian shop but with much warmer and friendlier service!The shop specializes in fresh, local hormone free meats of the highest quality, deli items all prepared in-house, and a lovely gift area for perfect hostess gifts.High school sweethearts, owners Bill and Liv Turnbull, have married their talents to create something new for Chilliwack. Having both been raised near downtown, they are excited to be a part of its rejuvenation. “I kind of feel that we’re doing something different,” says Liv. “The atmosphere of the store sets us apart. We are constantly trying new things to remain creative and appealing.” At The Town Butcher you’ll discover a mix of the everyday necessity for quality food with the allure of uptown glamour and small town customer service.

Monday thru Saturday 10am to 6pm
Sundays 12pm to 5pm
46298C Yale Road, Chilliwack
604-701-6328

Whispers Wine Bar

Something Different to Do This Weekend

Located at 9282 Main Street in Chilliwack, across from the old Safeway site is a real hidden gem. To the best of my knowledge this is Chilliwack’s first wine bar and it opened it’s doors in January 2009.  Husband Steve and I thought we would finally get over to sample their wares last week and were pleased that we did.

The exterior of the building is quite unassuming, with a mere coro-plast sign with red vinyl letters. Hopefully they will be doing something more permanent and appropriate for signage soon because we all know that books and business establishments are often judged by their covers. It was very quiet at 6pm when we entered but it was a hockey night in Canada so…The atmosphere is very nice although a little spare and wide open. A few more tables, rugs or art would make a world of difference.

The wine menu is extensive featuring many interesting selections with a strong concentration of BC wines. Almost all the wines are available by the glass. The beauty of a wine bar is that ordering wine by the glass, beyond a few crummy ‘house wines’,  gives one a chance to sample something new and broaden your wine experience. Steve ordered a glass of Enigma, a red blend, from Lotusland Winery in Abbotsford (can you say ‘100 mile diet?) and I had a lovely white from Hester Creek . We also ordered a delicious baked garlic brie with crackers and grapes to nibble on with the beverages. The food menu is just wine-friendly appys to enhance the tasting experience.

Service was professional and attentive but not bubbly and annoying. Low lights, cool jazz playing softly, a little candlelight, good food and drink… how can you go wrong? Perfect place to talk tete-a-tete or with a group of friends, even as start of say a movie night.

The hours for Whispers  are 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Evangelines

Evangeline’s Barbeque and Contemporary Soul Food” located at the corner of Mill St and Victoria (formerlythe home of the Mill St Café) is one of my top 3 restaurants in Chilliwack.

As you walk in the door you get a warm welcome from restaurant manager Jamaal and his staff . It is a very hip atmosphere, only 50 seats inside and a heated covered patio that seats 25. (Nothing like a mojito on the patio…on a summer eve…)

They have a fresh take on soul food from crab cakes to jambalaya to great pastas, salads,and sandwiches, Evangeline’s prides themselves on using onlythe freshest and most locally produced ingredients.

Some of our favourite must try dishes are: The Cajun Corndogs, disks of sweet & slightly spicy andouille sausage lightly corn battered and served with a sauce that should be patented; the pulled pork either in a sandwich at lunch or as an entrée at dinner served on pecan mashed potatoes to die for…really!  They slow roast the pork on a BBQ forever, and it just melts in your mouth; and whatever seasonal fish that Chef Michelle has chosen served on lovely fresh sautéed greens.

Added fun deal about Evangeline’s is the entertainment that they have on a pretty regular basis. Thursdays they have a jazz trio, and at special events they bring in some terrific talent.  There are very few other chances in Chilliwack to have dinner and live music, especially in such a fun & funky atmosphere.

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 am. They do occasionally close for private parties so best call ahead for reservations just in case (but we usually just show up when it’s the two of us). You can check out their web site for menu and upcoming special music event information at www.evangelinesbarbeque.ca.