TASTE OF THE GLOBE
Masala Bistro. Photo: Nora Hamade @simplynora
One of the joys of travel is food: discovering a culture through its native ingredients, cooking tools and techniques plus customs around the table. With the pandemic pressing pause on our plans to explore other places, we can still get a taste of the world by tasting culturally diverse restaurants. Here are eateries serving global flavours in some right-sized B.C. places. By Gail Johnson
Loka Middle Eastern Mediterranean, Nelson Four years ago, siblings David McGlone and Lola Elgert launched Loka (meaning “world” in Sanskrit), taking over an existing Middle Eastern eatery and working closely with its Palestinian owner for years prior. While honouring the restaurant’s history, they fuse Mediterranean elements into their street-food-inspired menu. Mint, dill, cilantro and other fresh herbs are abundant; garlic, lemon, olive oil, sumac and zaatar are flavour staples. Spices like cinnamon, allspice, cardamom and paprika imbue dishes like shawarma chicken and kofta beef-lamb skewer with delicious complexity. Diners have the option of building their own turmericjasmine rice bowl, while wah kobiz (spreads) and wraps are highlights. A point of pride is Loka’s distinction as Nelson’s first artisan gin bar, with a selection of spirits that spans the globe. If a Caesar is more your style, its exotic Mundo Caesar is made with house-made harissa hot sauce. facebook.com/lokafoodnelson Photo: Loka Middle Eastern Mediterranean
18
Right Sizing
Spring 2021
