Archive for the ‘Restaurant Reviews’ Category

MCLEAN’S

July 27th, 2010 admin
200 – 332 Water Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-669-1112


Twitter: @Mcleansgastown

Advice: Reserve for the upstairs dining room.

Fior de Latte

Grilled Humbolt Squid

Had dinner recently with some media friends and shared several of the different dishes. We sat in the downstairs lounge, though next time I would prefer to dine in the beautiful dining room upstairs. To begin the meal, I tasted a couple of Appetizers that included the tasty Fior de Latte ($10) over roasted cherry tomatoes drizzled with a balsamic reduction & Spansih extra virgin olive oil with fresh basil; unfortunatley the Grilled Humbolt Squid ($12) with chorizo lime and sansho pepper aiolli was not too my liking.

Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli

Free Range Chicken Breast

Queen Charlotte Halibut

AAA 10oz Ribe Eye

For the main dishes I enjoyed my Queen Charlotte Halibut ($28) pan seared filet with pommes puree, green asparagus, & sauteed wild mushrooms finished with a lemon beurre blanc. I also tasted and liked the Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli ($21) in a white wine cream sauce, with sundried tomatoes & Italian parsley, finished pecorino pepato; the Free Range Chicken Breast ($21) was in a tasty pommes puree with seasonal vegetables. My favourite of all the main entrees was the AAA 10oz Ribe Eye ($29) the meat was delicious and perfectly prepared with pomme frites, balsamic glazed green asparagus, finished with a truffle demiglace.

Bread Pudding

Creme Brulee

Beet Sorbet

Chocolate Mouse

As full as I was I had to try some of the desserts, all of the ones that I sampled were quite good including the Bread Pudding ($8), Creme Brulee ($8), Beet Sorbet ($8) and the Chocolate Mouse ($8).

Review By: Richard Wolak

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Posted in Gastown, Restaurant Reviews Tags: , , , , , , View Comments

DOLCE AMORE

July 24th, 2010 admin

1590 Commercial Drive, Vancouver

Tel: 604-258-0006


Advice: Sample, sample, sample the flavours before you choose.

Coffee & Almond Cream Gelato Cone

I am proud to say this has been my favourite gelato spot in the city for the past few years and my favourite flavour is their Reeses Peanut Butter Cup! If I lived on the drive I am sure that I would be their daily it is good thing I don’t live on the drive. Recently I was in for a cone, they didn’t have my favourite flavour so I had a 1 Scoop Cone $3.95 made up of 2 flavours the Almond & Cream and the Coffee. The gelato is made in small batches on the premisses with many different flavours to choose from and you can order on the cone or in a dish. One scoop, Two scoops, Three scoops or more along with take home packs are available. They have Gelato Cakes and can make them in every shape, size and flavour for your special occasion. I’ll be back in line soon for my Reeses Peanut Butter Cup fixation!

Review by: Richard Wolak
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Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Commercial Drive Tags: , , , , , , , View Comments

CALLI

July 19th, 2010 admin

1102 Davie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-633-9950


Advice: Ask for mild or hot salsa. Tortilla chips are not complimentary you will need to order them if you want them.

Chicken with Mole

Red Chicken Enchiladas

I had heard about this new Mexican spot in the West End and got in for lunch recently with my friend Noam. I was happy to found this neighborhood gem, inside it was bright and colourful and the service was very friendly. The focus is on traditional Mexican fare and you will find many of the specialties you have known about in this part of the world, from Tortilla Soup to Enchilladas, Fajitas, Tacos and Burritos. I had the delicious Chicken with Mole ($8.95) the tender shredded chicken was seasoned with their traditional Mole Poblano a sauce made with different types of chillis, chocolate and spices. Noam had the Red Chicken Enchiladas ($8.90) three soft tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken and covered with fresh tomato sauce, melted jack cheese and sour cream. Both of our dishes came with red rice, refried beans and salsa. I had a bottle of the non alchohol Sangria ($2) beverage to drink. The food is fresh, tasty and the prices are terrific.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Photo credit: Noam Dehan

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Posted in Restaurant Reviews, Westend Tags: , , , , , , , , View Comments

DONA CATA

July 16th, 2010 admin

5076 Victoria Drive, Vancouver

Tel: 604-436-2232


Advice: great selection of salsas at the salsa bar.

Mole Chicken

Vegetarian Burrito

I was in for dinner recently with friend Ariane as we were craving some good Mexican food. I love this authentic east side spot with their colourful interior, the night we were there they had a duo in musical performance. I have often done take-out, this time stayed to enjoy the music and the atmosphere. I had the Mole Chicken ($10.50) with pulled chicken, mexican rice, house stewed beans and 3 corn tortillas. Their mole boasts over 25 ingredients and 5 chiles to create a flavourful sauce. Ariane had the Vegetarian Burrito ($7) beans and cheese wrapped around a flour tortilla with a side of pico de gallo. The menu features a large selection of tacos, and taco variations along with breakfast specialties and Enchiladas too.

Review by: Richard Wolak
Photo credit: Ariane Colenbrander
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Posted in Eastside, Restaurant Reviews Tags: , , , , , , , , , , View Comments

ADESSO BISTRO

July 12th, 2010 admin

Outside Garden

1906 Haro Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-9975


Twitter: @AdessoBistro

Advice: Make an advance reservation and request to be seated on the patio.

Crispy Mozzerella, Mediteranean Salad

Watercress and Goats Cheese Salad

Focacia

I had dinner on my favourite patio in the city last week with a friend, it was a warm summer night and ideal for the Italian meal that was too follow. The location is one of my favourites for a restaurant in thie city, it is a wonderful hideway well situated in the West End in close proximity to Stanley Park. I was very much looking forward to Chef Sean Sylvestre dishes as he is a well known master behind the scenes. Our dinner began with a couple of Antipasti, I had the outstanding Crispy Mozzerella, Mediteranean Salad ($9) Crostini and my friend Alexei had the Watercress and Goats Cheese Salad ($12) black olive vinagrette and candied pecans. The complimentary Focacia was warm and topped with a little course salt with a very good olive oil for dipping.

Linguine Genovese

Risotto al Radichioe

Next up was a couple of small appetizer size Pasta dishes, I had the Linguine Genovese ($12 Small) pesto, green beans, new potatoes and my friend had the Risotto al Radichioe ($14 small) gorgonzola, walnuts. We paced our selves well and enjoyed the flavours of each dish, their menu is from the Ligurian region in Italy.

Rack of Lamb

Pacific Halibut

Crushed Potatoes and Olives

Chickpeas braised in tomatoes

For our Secondi, I had the tender and full of flavour Rack of Lamb ($25) with white beans and ragout; and my friend had the perfectly cooked Pacific Halibut ($22) all Acqua Pazza, olives and cherry tomatoes we then shared a couple of Contorini and both thought this very simple side dish was one of the best we have had in a very long time, Crushed Potatoes and Olives ($5) and our other dish was the Chickpeas braised in tomatoes ($6).

Affogatto

Mirtillo

One thing that I always do before dining at any restaurant is that I check their dessert menu, Adesso was no exception as I reviewed their dessert menu a couple of times before making my reservation and well I was right, the Pastry chef is also a wizzard in the kitchen and is creative in his dessert creations. I had the outstanding delicious Affogatto ($8) made with espresso semifreddo, hazelnut praline, chibouste; my friend had the light Mirtillo ($8) fresh and poached blueberry, yogurt panna cotta, almond nougatine. The restaurant has a nice wine list as well as a well thought out after dinner drinks list, my friend enjoyed a Blueberry Tea for his nightcap to end the meal. Adesso is lucky to have a talented culinary team of passionate chefs in the kitchen, looking forward to my return visit.

Review by: Richard Wolak
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Posted in Restaurant Reviews, Westend Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , View Comments

SWEENEY’S

July 10th, 2010 admin
1091 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-689-4505


Twitter: @SweeneysYT

Advice: Try a different sandwich each time you visit.

Tuna Tataki Sandwich

Vegetarian Meatball Grinder

It is as close to a gourmet sandwich emporium as you are going to find in this area, their menu of sandwiches has been well thought out. I have been in for lunch a couple of times since they opened and I have enjoyed both of the sandwiches that I had which were the Tuna Tataki ($8.50) togarashi spice, watercress-lemon dressing, avocado on a baguette as well as the Vegetarian Meatball Grinder ($7.75) vegetarian meatballs cooked in Sweeney’s tomato sauce, baked on a torpedo bun with provolone cheese. The sandwiches are not your traditional sandwiches, love and creativity in a bun would be one way of describing them. In addition to the inventive sandwiches they have salads, soups and baked goods. Good and beer wine selection too!

Review by: Richard Wolak
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Posted in Restaurant Reviews, Yaletown Tags: , , , , , , , View Comments

BELLA GELATERIA

July 8th, 2010 admin
1001 West Cordova Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-569-1010


Twitter: @bellagelateria

Advice: sample the flavours, prices are at a premium here.

85% Chocolate Sorbetto

I was impressed by the quality of the ingredients in their gelato which is made fresh daily on premise, if you want to see how they make the gelato, take a look inside from the front window. I sampled my way through some of the more intriguing flavours including their range of chocolate gelato and sorbet that was made with Michel Cluizel chocolate of France. I also enjoyed tasting their refreshing Gewurztraminer sorbet from Sumac Ridge. In the end I decided on a scoop on a cone of the 85% Chocolate Sorbetto ($4.95) which was heavenly. Their 24 flavours are handcrafted daily, fresh and amazing flavours, using local when in season berries and fruits. I will be back next time for some of their classic Stracitella and also for their Thai Coconut Milk!

Review by: Richard Wolak
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Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Downtown Tags: , , , , , , , View Comments

DELILAHS CONVICTION

July 7th, 2010 admin

1789 Comox Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-687-3424

Web: http://www.delilahsconviction.com

Twitter: @delilahsmartini

Advice: Try to get one of their cozy booths.

I dined here again recently while they were filming “Conviction Kitchen” a reality tv show set in a restaurant, in Delilahs Conviction in fact. Luckily one of the top chefs in North America, Chef Marc Thuet had been guest chef here during the filming of the tv show, so we were able to savour the flavours of each dish the chef created. I have been eating at Delilah’s ever since they opened their original location on Haro, the years have passed but the food and drink has been stellar to this day. It’s my hideaway that serves delicious westcoast cuisine in comfy chairs with a bit of romanticsm ambience.

Chilliwack pea froth with Qualicum beach scallop, coconut foam

Pflutta braised Fraser Canyon Rabbits

Bass River Sockeye Salmon

Brooks Peninsula Ling Cod

My friend Alejandro joined me, to begin we both had a glass of wine (you can get a glass of almost any of their bottled wines as with a minimum of 2 glasses purchased or a glass from the selection of featured wines). We both had the outstanding Chilliwack pea froth ($13) with Qualicum beach scallop, coconut foam, we then shared the rich tasting Pflutta braised Fraser Canyon Rabbits ($21) and morels topped with 4oz of Seared Fois Gras ($12 extra charge). For our mains, I had the Bass River Sockeye Salmon ($28) with ragout of chorizu, clam and mussels with gnochi and he had the Brooks Peninsula ling cod ($22) poached in olive oil, crushed fingerling potatoes, Nicoise olives, we also shared a couple of sides, the Grilled seasonal vegetables ($6) and Creamed Potatoes ($6).

Chocolate coulant served with a tarragon anglaise

Beignets mini sugared donuts in chocolate sauce

The desserts sounded so good, so we shared a couple of them to finish off our meal and went with the light Chocolate coulant ($8) served with a tarragon anglaise and the dessert special of the night a more rich Beignets ($8) mini sugared donuts in chocolate sauce.

I was happy to see that Delilahs still has their extensive martini collection as people have made this their martini destination of choice for so many years. The tables are candlelit and it is quite romantic and enchanting place to dine.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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