ssssss5

Archive for the ‘Downtown’ Category

FRESH LOCAL WILD

June 22nd, 2011 admin

SE corner of Hastings and Burrard, Vancouver

Tel: n/a

Web: http://freshlocalwild.com/

Twitter: @freshlocalwild

Advice: Monday to Friday lunch. Dinner by reservation. Follow them on twitter for updated opening times.

The name says it all, here it is all about using Fresh, Local and Wild. This is a one and only mobile restaurant type of food truck that has a patio at the rear that seats 4.

Chicken Fried Oyster Sandwich

Albacore Tuna Melt

Wild Northern Coho Fish & Chips

I have visited a few times already and have eaten my way through the whole menu, my favourites are the Chicken Fried Oyster Sandwich ($10) served on a soft bun with a spicy aioli; the very unique and tasty Albacore Tuna Melt ($10) and the Wild Northern Coho Fish & Chips ($12) Tempura style battered salmon with slightly salted hand cut fries.

They have put together a simple menu that features delicious, local and sustainable food to the people on the street at great prices! Their products are sourced from local Fishermen, ethical farms and sustainable wild harvest of seasonal bounty. With another first Fresh Local Wild has launched the only mobile dining patio where Chef Josh Wolfe is cooking for a private table of four. Finished in beautifully stained western red cedar and complete with music this is the smallest restaurant in Vancouver and four of the hottest seats. For an extra serving of goodness, make sure you allow some time to chat it up with Chef Josh Wolfe!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Downtown, Food Trucks Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

WILD SALMON

June 20th, 2011 admin

250 West Pender Street, Vancouver

Tel:  604-443-8352

Web: www.vcc.ca

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Located on the 3rd floor of Vancouver Community College, open Mon –Fri for lunch thru August 15, 2011.

Bannock Bread Basket

My family friend Sylvie joined me for lunch the other day, to begin we were served a complimentary basked of two types of Bannock bread – one fried, soft and tasty and the other baked and sliced.

It was like sitting in an art gallery with Aboriginal art adoring the walls, this setting was the beginning of a wonderful experience. The restaurant is located within the Vancouver Community College campus and is run by the Aboriginal Cultural Arts program lead by Chef Ben Genaille. The culinary students have studied all year and for their final 3 months of the program they operate this wonderful restaurant that further trains them in front of the house, serving, bartending and cooking. The restaurant is a gem and one of a kind in Vancouver, specializing in gourmet Aboriginal cuisine at prices that are at least half of what they would be if dining outside of the school.

Seafood Cake

Duck Salad

To start, Seafood Cake ($4) corn purée, milkweed pod fritters which was then followed by the refreshing Duck Salad ($4), pickled beet roots, apple leather, candied hazelnuts.

Pan Seared Ling Cod

Slow Smoked Bison Brisket

For our mains, we each had the Pan Seared Ling Cod ($11), squash noodles, duck jus, Rosemary pine nut oil as well as the outstanding Slow Smoked Bison Brisket ($11), squash salad, savory bannock bread pudding with a jus made from the bison that delectable.

Bannock Bread Pudding

For dessert we had the delicious Bannock Bread Pudding ($3) with Rosemary ice cream with a raspberry pave, a perfect ending to our meal! You will find well known BC Nk’Mip Cellars wines on the menu!

Review By: Richard Wolak

 

 

 

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

NU GREEK STREET

June 9th, 2011 admin

Granville & Georgia Streets

Tel: n/a

Web: http://www.nurestaurant.com

Twitter: @NuGreekStreet

Advice: Follow them on twitter for daily open hours and location. At this time there are 2 locations located in the same proximity, the 2nd location is at Dunsmiur & Howe.

Chicken Souvlaki

I love Georgia Kambolis’s fresh baked pita that was once only available in the restaurant on the waterfront, now you can get this delicious pita on the street. I was by for lunch the other day and had the delicious meal in itself Chicken Souvlaki ($6.50) with housemade pita, local onions and tomatoes. In addition to the souvlaki and greek salad you can also get the same pita on its own naked, or with dips or just plain ‘ol grilled!

I was curious as to why successful restaurateur Harry Kambolis would open carts on the street, so I asked him, Harry said because it takes him back to where it all began, by English Bay, at a Souvlaki Place, a take-out stand where he worked when he was a teenager.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Downtown, Food Trucks Tags: , , , , , , No Comments »

TABLEAU

June 8th, 2011 admin

1181 Melville Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-639-8692

Web: http://tableaubarbistro.com/

Twitter: @tableaubistro

Advice: Try to get a banquette seat in front of the bar for best people watching or sit outside on the patio. Located inside the Loden Hotel.

The Moonlight Cocktail

Polynesian

Starting out the meal with some cocktails to refresh the palate, my friend Ajay had The Moonlight Cocktail ($11) while I had the refreshing Polynesian ($11) with rum, house made falernum, tropical juices, dash of pernod.

Braised Veal Ravioli

Mushrooms on Toast

Spot Prawn Cocktail

Taking our top notch server Ryan’s suggestions we began our dinner with the delicious Braised Veal Ravioli ($12) tomato sauce, padano cheese; and then the phenomenal Mushrooms on Toast ($10) creamy mushrooms & herbs. Ajay was craving Spot Prawns so he indulged in the Spot Prawn Cocktail ($16).

Beef Short Ribs

Frittes

Braised Veal Shank

For our mains I had the delicious and large Beef Short Ribs ($20) bbq sauce & creamy coleslaw and yummy frites; and Ajay had the Braised Veal Shank ($25) with creamy polenta, rapini, citrus herb gremolat.

Ice Cream Sundae

Chocolate Mousse

The beautiful room by local interior designer Franco Avignoni has already become a people watchers paradise, he has blended old world classic bistro elements such as custom brasses, solid wood panelling, marble and leather banquettes with original “pop art” elements including an upside down pool in the ceiling, its modern and dynamic.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

PINK ELEPHANT THAI

June 1st, 2011 admin

1152 Alberni Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604.646.8899

Web: http://www.pinkelephantthai.com/

Twitter: @pinkethai

Advice: Go with friends and share the dishes.

Loved the pink theme of the bright and spacious room with high ceilings and decorative light fixtures. Specializing in Thai street food with inventive dishes that will wow your senses.

Spicy Butterfly Butter Jumbo Tiger Prawn

Floating Market

I was in for lunch this week and ate my way through a variety of dishes, to start the Spicy Butterfly Butter Jumbo Tiger Prawn ($6) with butter, swirled egg, curry leaves and peppercorn. Next the Floating Market ($7) was flavorful, spicy and wowed my palate, deep fried spinach tempura and tiger prawns served with a spicy Thai applesauce which has much more than apples in the sauce.

Keang Panang Pia

Pad Thai

Coconut Curry

Pia – Salmon

For the main dishes I shared several and these were my favourites the delicious Keang Panang Pia ($12) Panang curry with salmon; the Pad Thai ($11) with tamarind and soft shell crab; the Coconut Curry ($12) with braised ox-tail and pumpkin; and the delicious and refreshing Pia – Salmon ($12) seared salmon with fresh lemongrass, lime juice topped with cashew nuts and sliced apples.

Pineapple Surprise

Of course dessert is a must for any of my meals as I always enjoy a sweet ending, I had the outstanding and simple Pineapple Surprise ($5) grilled Pineapple topped with vanilla ice cream. My beverage of choice was the cool Thai Iced Tea!

You’ll find the menu to be adventurous and full of flavours from tapas to soups, curries to garden greens, veggies to wok and more!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

HIDDEN TASTING BAR

May 26th, 2011 admin

433 Robson Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-647-2521

Web:  http://starwood.webcanada.com/restaurant/?rid=5190

Twitter: @hiddenvancouver

Advice: Go with a friend and share the dishes. Located inside the Westin Grand Hotel on the 2nd floor.

Hidden off of Robson, off the hotel lobby is a somewhat secluded room awaiting your discovery. My friend Nikki joined me for dinner the other night, to enjoy some of their Libations, Hops and Cravings. First of all the menu is very well thought out, it is about having fun and amusing your palate.

Fancy Nancy

The Hef

Inukshuk Onion Rings

Cantaloupe Salad

It was the Libations aka cocktails first and she had the Fancy Nancy ($11) chambord, raspberry vodka, orange, cranberry, pineapple, lime; I had The Hef ($10) vanilla vodka, ginger liqueur, triple sec, pineapple, fizzy stuff. Then it was on to sharing a couple of their starters, we had the Inukshuk Onion Rings ($6) with a delicious smoked ketchup and a refreshing Cantaloupe Salad ($11) with goats cheese, tarragon & crispy prosciutto.

Lobster Poutine

Grilled Brie Cheese Sandwich

Baked Sautéed Bay Scallop Mac ‘n Cheese

Seared Black Cod

We then changed our liquids direction and went into the Hops, Nikki had the Fruili ($7) strawberry, belgian fruit, (Belgium) beer and I had the Kronenbourg 1664 ($7) white beer (France). Then it was on to sharing a few more dishes, we had the Lobster Poutine ($10) made with thick potato wedges, cheese and chunks of lobster; then the most delicious Grilled Brie Cheese Sandwich ($12), with short rib and cranberry purée; followed by the Baked Sautéed Bay Scallop Mac ‘n Cheese ($15) this dish although tasty had me a bit confused, the scallops served on the side should have been inside the Mac & Cheese; and the Seared Black Cod ($13) with an outstanding brown butter cauliflower puree, asparagus and fennel salad, lemon caper vinaigrette.

Oreo Cookie Cheesecake

Orange Infused Chocolate Tart

To finish our meal and further tempt our tastebuds we shared a couple of house-made desserts the Oreo Cookie Cheesecake ($8) and a stellar dessert that ranks high up on my favourite desserts list, Orange Infused Chocolate Tart ($8) topped with a maple gelato which was divine.

There is an ever evolving craft brew list that is global inspiring, a large wine list and inventive cocktail list and great music beats in the background. Go exploring and check out this hideway!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

CARTEL TACO

May 17th, 2011 admin

 

Dunsmuir & Hamilton Streets

Tel: n/a

Web: http://carteltaco.ca

Twitter: @carteltaco

Advice: Follow them on twitter for daily open hours and location. Squeeze the lime on the beef and the orange on the pork.

Tacos

I have always loved tacos, although it took me awhile, I finally scouted out Cartel Taco to have their Korean fusion style tacos. Most of the time you will find this street cart parked on the street in their downtown location, on the day that I chose to visit they were mobile outside of the downtown core in Railtown. These aren’t any ordinary tacos by any means they are soft corn tacos in a Bulgogi style using high quality free range meats that are marinated and braised before being barbecued. I had the Tacos ($10 for 4) on a plate that included 2 beef rib-eye & 2 pork topped with their delicious salsas. All the ingredients are sourced locally, made fresh, you can get 1 taco or more, I’d say go for more!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Downtown, Food Trucks Tags: , , , , , , , No Comments »

LA BRASSERIE STREET

May 10th, 2011 admin

West Georgia St. and Granville St.

Tel: 778-989-4883

Web: http://www.labrasserievancouver.com/

Twitter: @LaBrasserieSt

Advice: You couldn’t get too much closer to the entrance/exit of the Canada Line Station at Vancouver Centre.  Follow them on twitter for daily open hours.

Chicken Sandwich

You can’t miss this bright red street cart on the corner of Georgia and Granville, I stopped by recently for one of their tasty  Chicken Sandwiches ($6.25) rotisserie chicken in gravy topped with crispy deep fried onion strings in a soft buttermilk bun. The menu is limited which saves on having to choose when you don’t know what to have, you will want to order the Chicken Sandwich that is why you are here; you will also find butter tarts and beverages.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Downtown, Food Trucks Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment »
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

  • Our Events

    eventbrite 1

    Purchase tickets here!

  • Sponsors

  • General Info

echo get_option('motion_footer') . "\n";