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Archive for the ‘Chinatown’ Category

THE PARKER

November 21st, 2012 admin

237 Union Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-779-3804

Web: http://theparkervancouver.com

Twitter: @ParkerVancouver

Advice: Advance reservations suggested. Add the flashlight app to your iphone, it will come in handy when reading the menu.

Kasu, Yuzo, Apple Cocktail

As one who can appreciate passion and effort that goes into a project, along comes a restaurant which operates in a small space of a mere 20 seats. This dimly-lit room is filled with an abundant of goodness that comes from the efforts of 3 very dedicated restaurateurs Chef Jason Leizert, Steve Da Cruz and Martin Warren. Located on a block that already has a group of wonderful eateries, this restaurant is focussed on serving the very best Vegetarian fare with a menu that is built upon what is fresh and local today is what we are going to serve tonight, the menu changes daily and you are in for a real treat.  At the bar, cocktail master Steve Da Cruz is back doing what he does best, creating beautiful cocktails with the finest ingredients and flare. You will find a wine list that is focused on sustainable producers from the Columbia Watershed Basin. I had one of his creations,  a delicious non-alcoholic Kasu, Yuzo, Apple Cocktail to start my solo dining experience.

Hazelnut Dukka

Crispy Polenta Fries

Gluten-free Spaetzle

Mini Corn Tacos

Carrot Cake

The menu highlights local vegetables crafted into delicate dishes with many an ingredient grown and cultivated in the restaurant’s own community garden. I had the flavourful Hazelnut Dukka ($4) with taro crisps which was followed by the delish Crispy Polenta Fries ($5) with home-made ketchup. The next dish was a Gluten-free Spaetzle ($4) with lemon and thyme, very different dish, flavourful and light; followed by the Mini Corn Tacos ($7) with white bean, radish and some heat, my favourite dish of the night. For dessert, I had the outstanding Carrot Cake ($8) with salty butterscotch and candied baby carrots beauty on the plate!

The seasonally inspired menu is driven by playfulness and a Chef who cares about what he puts on the plate. I am looking forward to discovering more wonderful meals as the season changes!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Chinatown, Strathcona Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

OYSTER EXPRESS

October 18th, 2012 admin

296 Keefer Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-684-3300

Twitter: @oysterexpress

Web: http://www.oysterexpress.ca/

Advice: Happy Hour Tues – Thurs from 4-6pm Buck a shuck oysters.

Jamaican Vegi Curry

Located on the Eastern edge of Chinatown, this very cool nautical themed room has rounded windows and is walled of pine wood and dark wood chairs for seating. The oyster bar is the star spot in the room, where you will find them shucking and plating, this is the place for Oysters on this side of town, though it is not only about the Oysters. I visited for lunch and had their Jamaican Vegi Curry ($9) a delicious curry filled with vegetables that was served with a bowl of rice. You will find a selection of house-made curries, steamed mussels, shrimp cocktail, salads, desserts, smoothies, juices, coffees and teas, and of course you will find a large selection of oysters.

If you are on a hunt for oysters, make sure you meet Shawn Chesney, one of the owners who is a master shucker and knows his craft!

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

DUNLEVY SNACK BAR

October 14th, 2012 admin

433 Dunlevy, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 569-0454

Web: http://www.dunlevysnackbar.com/

Twitter: @DunlevySnackbar

Advice: Not open in the evenings yet.

As you peak in the window you get a sense of a place that has character, there is a look and feel of a nouveau cafeteria. Last Sunday some of my close friends joined me for one of our Breakfast Club adventures in to Chinatown, for Alejandro Escobell, Alexei Schwartzman, Jason Sanders and I this was our first time in for Brunch.

Italian STRATA

It’s the coolest place with a very simple menu, the special of the day that Jason and I had, was the delicious Italian STRATA, layers of egg, cheese, peppers, leeks, sour dough, cream, baked and topped with strips of bacon, served with potatoes and salad. Alexei had a version of the special without the bacon which was topped with smoked tofu; and Alejandro had the baked eggs which he loved as well.

Espresso

I have visited a couple of times previously for an espresso, and each time gazing at the dishes that everyone was enjoying. Brunch was in order last weekend and we are all looking forward to brunching there again as soon as we are all able to get together. We hear that dinner and late night eats will be on offer in a few months and that there may be a Latin American twist with a little bit of French thrown into the mix. My friends and I can’t wait to have dinner here in this very cool spot on the North Eastern edge of Chinatown!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Chinatown Tags: , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment »

EAST OF MAIN CAFÉ

August 29th, 2012 admin

223 East Georgia Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-899-2777

Web: http://eastofmaincafe.com/

Twitter: @eastofmaincafe

Advice: Call to reserve ahead if you have a larger party.

Every once in awhile when travelling you come across a restaurant that would be your favourite had you lived in that city. Last week I discovered one of those special places right here in Chinatown. This newly opened restaurant is East of Main, literally that is and the profits go toward sustaining their other venture, Project Limelight Society, a not-for-profit children’s theatre program. This is where social enterprise meets passionate restaurateurs and a chef that loves to create and cook, where the menu features Moroccan, Spain and the Mediterranean influences and flavours. Owned by sisters Maureen Webb and Donalda Weaver; Maureen has been a prolific casting director and agent for over 20 years and has worked with some of the world’s finest writers, directors, producers and actors.

Almond Duqqa

Fattoush with Za’atar

Roasted Cauliflower

I joined my friend and fellow food writer Cassandra Anderton for dinner last week and we happily shared a selection of dishes starting off with the heavenly Almond Duqqa ($6) you dip the soft flatbread into the Spanish olive oil, then dip it into the almond crumbly mixture which then coats the flatbread and I loved this dish. Next was the tasty Fattoush with Za’atar ($9) salad followed by the delicious Roasted Cauliflower ($7).

Morrocan Kefta

Lemon Coca

The next sharing plate was the Morrocan Kefta ($9) these lamb meatballs had a spicy tomato sauce with a tasty zing, which was followed by the light Lemon Coca ($9) which was a Spanish dish similar to flatbread.

Roasted Vegetable Strudel

Lamb Shank

For our mains we shared just two as they were each a good size, I adored the Roasted Vegetable Strudel ($14) that was filled with vegetables served on a bed of quinoa salad; the Lamb Shank ($18) was tender and flavourful as well.

Chocolate Layer Cake with salted caramel

To finish of this outstanding meal we shared the Chocolate Layer Cake with salted caramel ($7) which was quite rich, loved the salted caramel, there desserts are ever changing.

The Bar Manager Andrew Flynn is equally talented on the beverage side as Chef Jenny Patsula, his cocktail list is well thought and creative offering unique and bold flavours in his drinks. The star is shining bright on this block in dark-lit Chinatown, make sure you visit and visit again!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

HARVEST COMMUNITY FOODS

April 16th, 2012 admin

243 Union Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-682-8851

Web: http://www.harvestunion.ca

Twitter: @harvestunion

Advice: 11am-8pm Tue-Fri, 10am-6pm Weekends.

It’s a market and eatery that aspires to serving the community with all that is local on the edge of Chinatown and Strathcona. Beginning as ‘this space’ which has evolved through feedback from the local community resulting in the establishment of this grocery/eatery. On the market side they sell dairy and packaged goods such as Beta 5 chocolates, Golden Ears Cheesecrafters cheese, and other gourmand items. On the eatery side they have an ever changing line-up of sandwiches along with chicken steam buns, in the evening they offer a daily ‘braise’.

Chicken & Avocado Sandwich

I had the Chicken & Avocado Sandwich ($8) filled with hot chicken breast and avocado. You will also find a daily soup, and salad offering along with cookies, chocolates and more! They also offer a brunch menu on weekends, you’ll see much more as this space constantly evolves.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Chinatown, Strathcona Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

PHNOM PENH

August 21st, 2011 admin

244 E Georgia Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 682-5777

Web: n/a

Twitter: n/a

Advice: The line-up is worth the long wait, take along a book to read while you wait.

I am probably the last person in the city to dine at this long standing eatery in Chinatown, at least I can say that I have had the pleasure to eat their popular and delicious Garlic Fried Squid on a few occasions at catered events. Last Sunday while walking around Gastown and Chinatown I happened upon the restaurant and with a minimal wait was seated at the sharing table. I knew what I should order based on what almost every chef in town had told me, so I decided not to order those two dishes which were the Garlic Fried Squid and their Chicken Wings. The restaurant was packed even at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon, after looking at the menu in detail which was almost fully segregated into Cambodian Favourites and Vietnamese Favourites, I decided to choose one selection from each.

Spicy Garlic Prawns

Trieu Chau Special Vegetable Bun

I had a half order of the outstanding Spicy Garlic Prawns ($8.50) and the Trieu Chau Special Vegetable Buns  ($7.95) along with a complementary glass of hot tea. There is a reason as to why this restaurant has been serving customers for so many years and to where there is a constant line-up. Looking forward to my next visit to try more dishes.

Review By: Richard Wolak

 

Posted in Chinatown, Strathcona Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

CAFE BRIXTON

August 21st, 2011 admin

212 East Georgia Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 568-8200

Web: n/a

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Sit at the communal table or at the window.

Slightly secluded as it is off the beaten track of bustling Main Street in Chinatown/Strathcona, the café is well worth your discovery. First of all it is spacious and has that sort of NY feeling to it with its exposed brick walls, open 15 ft beam ceiling, distressed looking wooden tables and chairs. Secondly, there is a large communal table for sharing  while studying or working.

Carrot Cake

Espresso

I had the moist and tasty Carrot Cake ($2.95) with vanilla bean cream cheese icing and an Espresso ($2.75) made with 49th parallel coffee. The menu also includes baguette sandwiches, baked goods and beverages. They also offer an extensive brunch menu which I will get to trying one day soon.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Chinatown, Strathcona Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

EVERYTHING CAFÉ

May 28th, 2010 admin

75 East Pender Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-681-3115

Web: http://www.everythingcafe.ca

Twitter: @EverythingCafe

Advice: Free wifi, table service.

The name says it all and it’s all about Everything at this café. This is the latest eating spot from Sean Heather and he has gotten it spot on with his foray into Chinatown. Everything Café serves up great sandwiches at great prices, you’ll find your favourite meatballs that you may have eaten at his other restaurant Judas Goat; and you’ll find so much more. Chef Lee Humphries is running the show in the kitchen turning out homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, charcuterie plates and pastries.

Meatball Sandwich

Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding

I have been in a couple of times and loved the Meatball Sandwich ($8.00) a wholewheat bun with tasty meatballs, sauce and topped with shavings of their cheese. I loved the newest dessert creation, Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding ($2.75) a vanilla brioche with chocolate bits and a chocolate drizzle overtop this is rich and delicious. Intelligensia brand coffee was welcomed and my Espresso Macchiato ($3) was perfect. This is a stylish café and I loved the red leather-backed banquette wall and the seats along the counter.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Chinatown, Restaurant Reviews Tags: , , , , , , , , , No Comments »
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