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Archive for the ‘Gastown’ Category

Tuc Craft Kitchen

May 6th, 2013 admin

60 West Cordova St, Vancouver

Tel: 604-599-8999

Web: www.tucrestaurant.com

Twitter: @TucRestaurant

Advice: Open for lunch and dinner. Also offers an upstairs seating area perfect for large gatherings.

With the spacious room, high ceilings and a stellar wood crafted bar is a new eatery with dishes that are rustic, and mixing unique flavours. It’s comfort food and you’ll find all sorts of interesting dishes along with a cocktail list to match. The three partners all met over the years while working in the hospitality industry, they had a dream to create a restaurant together and from dream they did recently opening in Gastown.

Orange Glazed Lamb Ribs

Parsnip & Smashed Potato Fries

Red Bandit Meuniére

Caramel Popcorn Ice Cream

I dined solo last week, ordering a couple of appetizers which included the outstanding Orange Glazed Lamb Ribs ($8) Australian lamb, jalapeno pepper, candied ginger served in a black cast iron pan, the meat was tender and full of flavour and this is a dish I would repeatedly order. I also had the Parsnip & Smashed Potato Fries ($5) with house made coriander ketchup, this was another great dish, especially for the unique and tasty parsnip fries a vegetable often not in the limelight and this one is ideal for sharing. The Storm Brewing Scottish Ale ($6) was the perfect beverage to go with the fries combo.  For my main, I had the Red Bandit Meuniére ($17) Port Hardy rock fish pan seared with thyme, warm savoy cabbage wedge, crisp shiitake chips, and semolina gnocchi cake. This is was one of those places where dessert was a must and the one I chose was a winner, the house-made Caramel Popcorn Ice Cream ($3.50) served with a warm rum sauce and it was heavenly.

The dinner menu offers a great mix of appetizers, nibbles and bites, along with a vast selection of mains, had I had a dining partner join me, I would have had the Vegetable Gumbo Ragout and the Chicken Confit, now I have more dishes to try on the next visit. The cocktail list offers up some great ingredients as well, you’ll also find a good selection of wines and craft brew!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Gastown Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments »

EAST VAN ROASTERS

April 15th, 2013 admin

319 Carrall Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-629-7562

Web: http://eastvanroasters.com/

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Limited seating, small space.

I have always searched out chocolatiers as I’ve travelled around the world, in Seattle there is Theo and they roast the Cacao from bean to bar. Here at East Van Roasters they are the first of its kind to not only be roasting their Cacao beans locally, they also make the finished chocolate bars, it’s also a business that strives for social to be a leader in social enterprise, and it’s owned and operated by the Portland Hotel Community Services Society. Designed to provide training and employment to the women residents of the Rainier Hotel, run by Pastry Chef & Founder of Growing Chefs, Merri Schwartz and Shelley Bolton.

Single Origin Drinking Chocolate

Chocolate Croissant (top) and Cheese Scone (bottom)

I shared some of the baked goods with my friend Benn Brtran, a Cheese Scone ($2.40) along with a Chocolate Croissant ($3.40) to go along with my Single Origin Drinking Chocolate ($4.75) and his Spicy Maya Drinking Chocolate ($4.75).  You will find delicious organic drinking chocolate and coffees, hand rolled truffles, single-origin chocolate bars and select pastries.

It’s a beautiful room of exposed bricked walls, a see through window to watch the roasting action as well as a see through room to watch the chocolatiers making the chocolates and chocolate bars. There is much to look forward here including regular cuppings and tastings.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

PIDGIN

February 13th, 2013 admin

350 Carrall Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-620-9400

Web: www.pidginyvr.com

Twitter: @pidginvancouver

Advice: Call for reservations, bring a magnifier glass and flashlight to read the menu.

Beef Tataki

Shishito Peppers

Humpback Shrimp

Chocolate Truffle Fritters

With a pedigree of star studded crew, the shining light here is spearheaded by Co-owner, Chef Makato Ono who heads the kitchen. The menu offers dishes that are a mix of Japanese, Korean, and French with unique flavours to brighten up our culinary scene. Almost each dish I had the ingredients were spellbound. I had the Beef Tataki ($14) with black garlic, Comte, wasabi, mayo, chips which was full of flavours & textures. The Shishito Peppers ($6) with Parmessan and pine nuts was a bit too bold in flavour as I hit the jackpot on the first bite with a severe hot pepper that had my mouth on fire for minutes. The Humpback Shrimp ($12) with citrus, celery and whipped roe was outstanding, where the citrus shines in this dish! To finish off I had the delicious Chocolate Truffle Fritters ($8) where the chocolate melted in the centre in a delicate form, accompanied by a matcha sauce.

You will find Sake on Tap along with Wine on Tap, a stunning room for dining and a menu that is unique, bold and quite different than you have seen in our city. This is a chef and kitchen team you are going to want to keep your eyes on!

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

VICINO PASTARIA

October 29th, 2012 admin

68 East Cordova, Vancouver

Tel: 604-336-0042

Web: http://vicino.ca/

Twitter: @VicinoPastaria

Advice:  Closed on Mondays.

Gnocchi

Reginette

Agnolotti

Passion and craft are two words that best describe this wonderful gem which I discovered recently in Gastown. The food is beautiful and delicious, take a passionate owner as well as Chef Chris Picek who is both passionate in his cooking and a perfectionist at his craft. Then throw in a large open kitchen, a brick walled room, a deli case filled with home-made pasta, olives, beverages and desserts, a simple well thought out menu and friendly service. Now taste the food, I have dined here on a couple occasions with a couple of friends, on the first visit, my friend Kenji Maeda joined me. As we were seated we were served a bowl with a couple warmed rolls drizzled with olive oil for dipping, the rolls are also perfect to use to soak up any left over sauce in the pasta dishes. We shared the Gnocchi ($15) with plum tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil; as well as the outstanding Reginette ($14) with Saskatchewan chanterelles, olives and double cream. On the second visit I had the outstanding and ever so beautiful Agnolotti ($14) stuffed with pork shoulder, topped with fava beans, English peas and carrot butter.

Fruit & Almond Crostata

You must save room for dessert, I had the delicious Fruit & Almond Crostata ($7) with vanilla gelato on both visits and will have it again on the next visit! When you find dishes that you have fallen in love with you are going to have them time and time again!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

CATCH 122

July 17th, 2012 admin

122 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC

Tel: 604-731-3474

Web: http://www.catch122.ca/

Twitter: @catch122

Advice: Reservations suggested at lunch time.

Pulled Pork Sandwich

Love the spacious room with its exposed bricks walls and open kitchen, it is a fairly large room with a take away home meal section up front, and lots of seats for dining. I have visited on a couple occasions, having been in for an Espresso Macchiato on the first visit and then lunching with a friend on the 2nd visit, where I had the delicious Pulled Pork Sandwich ($12) with salad.

There is a vast selection of French inspired as well as Comfort food dishes on each of the menus. The pricing on the dinner menu seemed a bit high for the neighborhood, though the room is very cool and it’s a place you are going to want to visit. I am intrigued to visit for weekend brunch as the menu selection looks divine!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

W2 MEDIA CAFÉ

July 4th, 2012 admin

111 West Hastings, Vancouver

Tel: 604-689-9896

Web: http://www.creativetechnology.org/

Twitter: @W2MediaCafe

Advice: the café is located on the main level off of the Hastings Street entrance to the right.

Royal Chicken Wrap with coconut vegi korma

This is where creativity begins, the café is a hideaway worth your discovery, here you will find a creative team of chefs lead by Chef Karen McAthy who create delicious healthy food. I have eaten here on several occasions as well as have held a couple of my events here this past year including Tasting Plates and Food Talks Vol. 1. On this visit I was in for lunch and had the special of the day, Royal Chicken Wrap with coconut vegi korma which was delicious and healthy too. On a previous visits I had their Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie, and other baked goods.

W2 Media Cafe is an artist-run, globally networked media arts lab, Incubator, community meeting space and social enterprise cafe serving artists and residents of the Downtown Eastside and Vancouver. Serving healthy, high quality food and drink and employing DTES residents, you will find a full espresso bar featuring Salt Spring Coffee, home-made baked goods, sandwiches, wraps and soups along with other daily creations.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

THE SARDINE CAN

June 25th, 2012 admin

26 Powell St., Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-1350

Web: www.thesardinecan.ca

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Go early or expect to wait.

Albondigas

Patatas Bravas

Pan

Pollo Moruna

Finally a restaurant that reminds me of my visits to Barcelona, the end game here is to find a seat and be swept away by the delicious flavours of each dish. I shared a few dishes with my friend Cassandra, we had the outstanding Albondigas ($10) Meatballs cooked in tomato and Rioja; and the delicious Patatas Bravas ($5) Roasted fingerling potatoes, garlic aioli and tomato. An order of the Pan ($2.5) Terra breads sourdough was a must to use to soak up the wonderful sauce in the Pollo Moruna ($10) Chicken cooked with Moorish spices.

The two desserts on offer looked divine and that is another reason for me to visit again. You will also find a beverage menu filled with Spanish beer, sherry, wine and brandy on the list.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Gastown 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: , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment »
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