Archive for the ‘Restaurant Reviews’ Category

THE SMOKING DOG

May 4th, 2012 admin

1889 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-732-8811

Web: www.thesmokingdog.com

Twitter: @TheSmokingDog

Advice: Reservations suggested.

Crispy skin Sockeye Salmon

With Executive Chef Felipe Ramos at the helm this bistro has reinvented itself as a go to spot for French bistro fare in the area. I had dinner there this week, starting off with the delicious Crispy skin Sockeye Salmon atop truffle risotto cake (amuse bouche).

Salt Spring Mussels

Lemon Sorbet

The first dish was the Salt Spring Mussels ($17) with confit roma tomatoes, in a delicious La Chouffe beer broth. This was followed by a home-made Lemon Sorbet atop sour cherry compote as a palate cleanser.

Steak au Poivre

Braised Halibut Filet

My Steak au Poivre ($28) with caramelized baby carrots, fried brussel sprouts, frites and 3 peppercorn sauce, the steak was perfectly cooked and the vegetables were oh so delicious. My guest had the Braised Halibut Filet ($26) with manilla clams, sautéed red chard, smashed baby red potatoes, oyster mushroom broth.

Gran Marnier Chocolate Mousse Martini

Trio of Creme Brulee

For dessert I had the Gran Marnier Chocolate Mousse Martini ($7) with orange-cranberry biscotti and then I shared the Trio of Creme Brulee ($6) -vanilla, white chocolate and hazelnut.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Kitsilano Tags: , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

SAL Y LIMON

May 3rd, 2012 admin

Unit #5 – 701 Kingsway, Vancouver

Tel: 604-677-4247

Web: n/a

Twitter:  @Salylimonvan

Advice: order the home-made potato chips over the tortilla chips, visit the complementary salsa bar. No reservations.

Finding an authentic restaurant serving delicious Mexican food has often been a challenge to find in our city, that is until now. Last night, my friend Ajay Masala Puri joined me for dinner to discover this hidden gem. Some would say it’s off the beaten track, and I’d say it’s in the heart of EastVan’s new restaurant row. The décor is simple and you aren’t here for that anyway, you are here for the authentic Mexican dishes. A couple of families run the place together, having been in the restaurant business back in their home country of Mexico.

Super Vegetariana Huaraches

Cordero al Cilantro (lamb) Huaraches

Home-made Potato Chips

Salsa Bar

Brownie con Lechara

I had the Super Vegetariana Huaraches ($8.75) a home-made corn tortilla topped with delicious black beans, vegetables, panella cheese and more goodness. I made my dish a combo for an extra $2 (you have a choice of soup, coleslaw, potato chips or tortilla chips) which included home-made potato chips and salsas from the salsa bar along with a Horchata sweet cinnamon-flavored milk which was also very good. Ajay had the Cordero al Cilantro (lamb) Huaraches ($8.50) and his was a combo as well. We both then shared the one and only dessert, Brownie con Lechara ($3.75) which was Yum.

You will find an extensive menu featuring many Mexican favourites including Sopes, Tacos, Burritos, Huaraches, Quesadillas and Tortas along with very friendly service and reasonable prices. I am already looking forward to my next visit to try the Smoked Chicken Huaraches!

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Eastside, Kensington-Cedar Cottage Tags: , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

LE PARISIEN

May 2nd, 2012 admin

751 Denman Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-687-1418

Web: www.leparisien.ca

Twitter: @leparisienyvr

Advice: Mon -Fri mornings croissants and coffee; brunch on weekends. Lunch & Dinner daily.

Everyone has a love for Paris in one way or another, whether it be Paris in Vegas or Paris in France, now we have Paris in the Westend and I am in love with it.

Croissants

Espresso Macchiatto

From the moment you walk in the room it is as if you woke up in Paris, I visited during the week to start the day with my friend Alejandro and we shared a basket of fresh baked Croissants ($8.50) with 2 plain croissants and 1 chocolate croissant, I had an Espresso Macchiatto ($3.00).

French Onion Fondue

Albacore Tuna Tartar

Cassoulet de Casteinaudary

Braised Lamb Gnocchi

On another day, I had dinner with friends sharing several of the dishes. I loved the outstanding French Onion Fondue ($9) with gruyere, onions, sherry and fresh baguette, it is a french onion soup without the broth; had the Albacore Tuna Tartar ($12) tapenade, pine nuts, oven dried tomato, espelette, croutons. Next was the delicious Cassoulet de Casteinaudary ($20) duck confit, bacon, toulouse sausage, cannellini beans; as well as the delicious Braised Lamb Gnocchi ($20) petit pois, mint and fromage blanc.

Citrus Parfait

Dark Chocolate Mousse

For dessert I shared the delicious and refreshing Citrus Parfait ($7) calamansi curd, blueberry preserve, burnt meringue followed by the Dark Chocolate Mousse ($7) with salted caramel and cocoa nib tuile. Looking forward to my next visit to try Brunch!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Westend Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

ALWAYS SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

April 26th, 2012 admin

4298 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-876-6110

Web: n/a

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Alaskan King Crab season happens once a year, generally in March, contact the restaurant in advance for reservations. Go with a group of friends to share dishes.

I joined up with a group of friends for what turned out to be a 12 course dinner celebrating Alaskan King Crab. My friend and fellow writer Stephanie Yuen chose the restaurant as it’s known to be one of the best for Alaskan King Crab and other dishes. Our dinner was made up of 4 Alaskan King Crab dishes along with some of their other speciality dishes. At the big round table along with Stephanie and me, there was Henry, Cassandra, Rosana, Maria, Natalie, Matt, Nikki and Jason.

Crab & Fish Maw Soup

Garlic & Ginger King Crab

Deep Fried Crab

To begin we had the Crab & Fish Maw Soup followed by the outstanding and flavourful Garlic & Ginger King Crab and then the delicious Deep Fried Crab.

Royal Tofu

Tossed Noodles in crab jus

Baked Portugese Fried rice in the shell

The next round of dishes included their house specialty Royal Tofu which I loved, along with the Tossed Noodles in crab jus and the tasty Baked Portugese Fried rice in the shell which was the last crab dish.

Steamed Scallop and Eggplant in black bean sauce

Pork Chop with walnuts in mayo sauce

Goose in greens

Taiwanese Lettuce

The next round of dishes featured some of their off the menu dishes, I loved the Steamed Scallop and Eggplant in black bean sauce and didn’t care for the Pork Chop with walnuts in mayo sauce or the Goose in greens, and I liked the last savoury dish the Taiwanese Lettuce.

Mung Bean Soup

Honey Pumpkin with walnuts.

For dessert we were served their warm Mung Bean Soup along with my favourite dessert of the two the Honey Pumpkin with walnuts.

The menu is filled with Cantonese and some Taiwanese dishes and they are open late into the wee hours of the next morning should you be on the search for a late night of eating.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Main Street Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

SOIRETTE MACARONS & TEA

April 21st, 2012 admin

1433 West Pender Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-558-3308

Web: http://soirette.com

Twitter: @SoiretteMacaron

Advice: Ask for help to pair the macarons to the tea. Macarons can be purchased individually or in a box of 6 or 12.

You will find a showcase of macarons in this Coal Harbour locale and there are rows and rows of them all lined up by colour and flavour with all sorts of different fillings. You’ll also find quite an extensive selection of teas which have been custom selected and blended.

Creamy Earl Grey Tea & Macaron

I had a Creamy Earl Grey Tea along with Caramel Fleur de Sel Macaron for an afternoon snack as I sat back looking at the colorful macarons in the showcase. They also offer mousse cakes and cheesecakes that come in 7″ and 9″ sizes (you just need to order them in advance). Watch for exciting new macaron flavours!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Coal Harbour Tags: , , , , , , , , No Comments »

NU GREEK GASTOWN

April 21st, 2012 admin

332 Water Street, Vancouver

Tel: n/a

Web: http://nu-products.com/

Twitter: @NuInfo

Advice: Enter off Water St. or Cordova St. No reservations.

This hideaway is one you are going to want to find for quick lunches and snacks throughout the day in Gastown. Specializing in Modern Greek with a twist, you will find a selection of souvlaki, wraps, salads, dips and desserts. If you are dining on your own or with a friend, the 16 seat communal table is where it is at for inside eating.

Chicken Souvlaki, Semolina FILO & Baklava Muffin

I was in for lunch lately to have one of their delicious Chicken Souvlaki ($7) with housemade pita, local onions and tomatoes. I also tried their Greek specialty pastries, both were delicious, from the Semolina FILO ($2) to the Baklava Muffin ($2).

You will also discover that they bake all of their own pita (white, wheat and oregano) here along with all of their Greek pastries.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Gastown Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

HAI PHONG RESTAURANT

April 20th, 2012 admin

1242 Kingsway, Vancouver

Tel: 604-872-3828

Web: http://haiphongrestaurant.com/

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Take friends and share some traditional dishes.

Located in the heart of Little Saigon, is a hidden gem that has been serving neighborhood regulars for over 7 years. I have tried several dishes over the past couple of visits which has taken my tastebuds on a journey through Vietnam.

Garlic Butter Chicken Wings

Pho #5

On one of the visits I had the popular Garlic Butter Chicken Wings ($9.95) and one the next visit I had several dishes including their outstanding Pho #5 ($6.75 for small) Rare Beef and Beef Brisket with rice noodle soup.

Lotus Salad

Pan-Fried Shrimp Cake

Vietnamese Crepe

I shared the a small Lotus salad ($8.95) mixed with herbs and house dressing, topped with shrimp and pork, served with fish sauce; along with the delicious Pan-Fried Shrimp Cake ($9.95 reg size); as well as the Vietnamese Crepe ($9.95) a crispy pancake which is infused with coconut milk and traditional spices fried with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts.

Tamarind Crab

The highlight of both visits was their house specialty Tamarind Crab with a delicious sauce that covered the shelled crab, this is one dish that you must try.

Avocado Shake

I then had the deliciously filling Avocado Shake ($4) to finish my meal which is fitting for dessert but could also be a beverage to go with a meal. The menu has a vast selection of Vietnamese specialty beverages including their French style coffee and juices. You will also find many different versions of their Pho, salad rools, congee, hot pot and more.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Eastside Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

GURKHA HIMALYAN KITCHEN

April 16th, 2012 admin

Chef/Owner Shiva Marahatta

1141 Davie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-565-7965

Web: http://gurkha.ca/

Twitter: @GURKHAca

Advice: Take a friend or two to share and try more dishes. Patio in the rear.

I have always had a curiousity about Nepalese cuisine, I was happy to discover Gurkha recently opening upstairs in the house that sits above Davie street. The interior is decorated with carvings from Nepal and the bar looks like a bamboo hut. As you enter you are greeted by gracious servers or Chef Shiva himself welcoming you to their house. Gorkha is a district of Nepal and where the term Gurkha came from, here you will have an authentic Nepali meal.

Potato Salad

Gurkha Platter

Taas

My friend Alvin joined me to share some of the Nepali dishes, he is vegetarian so I then shared some of his experiencing the best of both worlds, meat and vegetarian. We each started with the Potato Salad with crispy puffed rice and then I had the Gurkha Platter – Soybean salad, Kathmandu Sekuwa, (chicken & lamb) followed by the delicious Taas: Special Nepali snack prepared with grilled lean chicken/lamb meat and served with puffed rice, cucumber, pickle and spicy sauce.

Momos

Paalungo

I then enjoyed the Momos a Tibetan dish of steamed dumplings filled with diced chicken while Alvin had the delicious Nepali Paalungo – fresh spinach leaves sautéed in seeds (cumin, mustard and fenugreek), dry red chilli and fresh garlic cloves.

Gorkhali Khasi

Jhaaneko Daal

On to the entrees that were all priced between $10-$12 each, I had the delicious Gorkhali Khasi – goat in a Nepali curry while Alvin had the Jhaaneko Daal lentils soaked and cooked with Nepali spices and tempered with onion, cumin seeds and garlic.

Mango Lassi

Dudhbari

Chai Creme Brûlée

We both then had a refreshing Mango Lassi followed by a couple of traditional desserts to finish a wonderful meal. My favourite of the two was the Dudhbari followed by the Chai Creme Brûlée.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Photo Credit: Alvin Grado

Posted in Westend Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »
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