Mates on Crates Feat. Asacia Biln

G’day,

Those in the know, know where to go.

We’re excited to have just launched our latest episode of Mates on Crates, featuring Asacia Biln, founder at Innocent Ice Cream in Vancouver’s Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood. What began 11 years ago with a tricycle selling ice cream sandwiches at Kits Beach has grown through a food truck and its first brick-and-mortar shop into a colourful East Vancouver destination known for fresh-baked gluten-free cookies, handmade dairy and plant-based ice creams, and a menu designed so almost everyone can join in. Asacia grew up making ice cream sandwiches with her mom, studied business and turned an unexpected stream of orders into a family-run company by combining thoughtful recipes, sharp brand instincts and an insistence on warm, welcoming service. It was a pleasure to sit down with Asacia to chat about Innocent’s evolution, the story behind its cow-suited Boston terrier mascot, its inclusive menu, the new Cookie Monster sandwich and all of Asacia’s favourite spots.

Each time we do a Mates on Crates interview, our guests share up to twenty of their favourites with us. For each episode, only a handful of those favourites make it into the final two minute cut. In order to highlight all of our guest’s favourites, we are happy to share the full list of favourites right here.

What to get at Innocent Ice Cream:

• Ice Cream Sandwich: Mini Double Dark, made with double chocolate cookies and chocolate fudge ice cream

• Pairing: Salted Caramel Affogato

The FULL LIST of Asacia’s Local Favourites:

• Breakfast: The Red Wagon

• Cocktail Bar: Bar Corso

• Coffee: Pallet Coffee Roasters - Americano

• Dying to Try: Selene Aegean Bistro

• Food Neighbourhood: Hastings-Sunrise, Commercial Drive

• Hastings Sunrise: Red Wagon, Dachi, Pantitlan Speakeasy

• Commercial Drive: Bar Corso

• Fried Chicken: Mogu Fried Chicken

• Hangover Brunch: The Princeton Pub & Grill

• Hidden Gem: Midnight Joe’s

• Last Meal That Blew Them Away: Pax Romana

• Pizza: Via Tevere Pizzeria Napoletana

• Sushi: Kishimoto Japanese Restaurant

• Take an Out of Town Guest: Salmon n’ Bannock

• Outside of Vancouver: Pluvio

Thanks for joining us, Asacia!

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Watch Asacia’s full Mates on Crates Episode below.

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