ssssss5

Archive for the ‘Kitsilano’ Category

CORDUROY RESTAURANT

March 31st, 2013 admin

1943 Cornwall Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-733-0162

Web: http://www.corduroyrestaurant.com/

Twitter: @Corduroylounge

Advice: Live events a few nights each week, call for details. Play area for kids.

Every once in awhile comes a restaurant that you may have missed which happened to be in your neighborhood for years. Although I don’t live in this neighborhood, I am guilty for not having visited until now. This is one of the places you are going to want to get too for cozy atmosphere, delish comfort food, great music and friendly service.

Prawn Cake

Chorizo and Guinness Jus Poutine

Spicy Lamb Sausage Pizza

Chocolate Raspberry Cake

I tried a few of their creations, starting off with the delish Prawn Cake ($12) in a coconut curry with mango chutney, rather than the usual crab cake offering, they stepped their dish up and make it with prawns. The Chorizo and Guinness Jus Poutine ($13) was next, made with Kennebec potatoes, Guinness Demi jus, Aged white cheddar, Mozzarella, Spicy chorizo, Truffle oil, Herbs and so very good. I then had the outstanding Spicy Lamb Sausage Pizza  ($14) topped with caramelized onion, goat cheese and mint pesto on a wholewheat rosemary and honey crust. Lastly I had a slice of their Chocolate Raspberry Cake to finish off this fine meal.

You’ll find a menu with a selection of pizzas which they are known for along with salads, paninis and more. On the drinks side of things, the cool bar is the perfect backdrop for that one of a kind cocktail you have been yearning for or that beer that goes so well with one of their pizzas.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

BEAUCOUP BAKERY & CAFÉ

January 20th, 2013 admin

2150 Fir Street, Vancouver

Tel:  (604) 732-4222

Web: http://www.beaucoupbakery.com

Twitter: @beaucoupbakery

Advice: Go early as some of the pastries sell out within minutes.

From the get go, even before the bakery café had opened, I was a fan of Jackie Ellis and her divine creations. She started offering her delicious baked goods at the farmers markets around the city to tempt us all. Temptation is the beginning, passion is the game, and being unique is what drives a bakery/café.

On the plate: Cheese Croissant (back), Pine Nut Praline Croissant (front) & Bostok (right)

On the plate: Tropical Scone (back) and Kouign Amann (front)

I have been to the café a couple of times already with my friend Chris Fellbaum and on my own.  Chris and I savoured our way through a selection of baked goods and sweets that included the delicious Bostok a square piece of brioche dipped in orange flower syrup and topped with almond frangipane; a perfectly flakey Cheese Croissant that was filled with cheese and the Pine Nut Praline Croissant which is probably the best nutty croissant that I have ever had and I have had many in my travels. We also tried the outstanding Tropical Scone made with coconut, pineapple, and mango and the buttery rich Kouign Amann with vanilla maldon salt.

On the Plate: Le bi bi (top left), Pain Au Chocolate (top right) and Cheese & Green Onion Scone (bottom)

Caramel Éclair

The Cheese & Green Onion Scone was moist and loaded with cheesy goodness and the very rich Le bi bi is a round brioche soaked in rose water syrup with orange scented frangipane was an addiction inspiring pastry that’s going to have you in heaven after just one bite. The Pain Au Chocolate is as good as the best one you have ever had and if you love this simple pleasure you are going to be living in this café. I have also tried the outstanding Caramel Éclair.

Latte

Espresso Macchiato

The café also features an espresso bar on my visit with Chris he had a Latte and I had my usual Espresso Macchiato.

You will find a diy ‘do it yourself’ chalkboard on the side well where you can add your inspiring answer to it, each week they ask a question, then photo all the answers which are to be added to their website gallery. The café is very small, go early to attempt to find a seat, get ready to stand in the fairly fast moving lineup which will tempt you to never end!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

CAFÉ REGALADE

October 28th, 2012 admin

2836 West 4th Avenue,  Vancouver

Tel: 604-733-2213

Web: http://www.caferegalade.com

Twitter: @CafeRegalade

Advice: Order the bread on its own or a dish with the bread it is a must.

Omelette of the day with potatoes, salad and bread

From French pastries to bistro, this wonderful French café changed course and developed more of a following for their fine French fare. After months of friends telling me to visit for breakfast, I did just that recently having the Omelette of the day ($9.95) with potatoes, salad and their French bread. My friends who are regular diners there had the Lyon Breakfast with 2 poached eggs, mushrooms, bacon, pearl onions, spinach, potatoes, and red wine sauce, salad; and the Basque Breakfast 2 sunny side up eggs, piperade, chorizo, aioli sauce, potatoes, salad of which they both love.

You will also find French classic dishes on the dinner menu such as the braised beef short ribs along with the duck breast a’la orange, make sure you save room for one of Chef Steeve’s desserts! Now to find a free night for a return visit to indulge!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

CHOCOLATE ARTS CAFÉ

September 4th, 2012 admin

1620 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-739-0475

Web: www.chocolatearts.com

Twitter: @ChocArts

Advice: Located just East of Burrard, close to Granville Island. Call them to enquire about their chocolate making classes.

One of life’s simple pleasures is chocolate and I always love to taste chocolate whether it is a new chocolate bar or liquid chocolate. I had been a fan of Greg Hook’s Chocolate Arts store ever since they had been located on 4th Avenue, their Pumpkin Truffle was a favourite every October. They recently relocated to a larger space a few blocks away and expanded, now you can have even more tasty fun visiting Chocolate Arts.

The spacious room is filled with white tables and red chairs to enjoy hot or cold liquid chocolate from the coffee bar, fine chocolate desserts or their house-made ice cream. In addition you will find a showcase counter filled with there speciality chocolates available to eat in or take home. They craft chocolates daily in small batches using the finest ingredients and their creations begin with the very best raw chocolate from producers in Belgium & France, many of which are single origin chocolates.

Liquid Chocolate (front) & Espresso (back)

Parmesan Crisp Chocolate

I had an Espresso along with a cold shot of their 70% Chocolate, I also had one of their Parmesan Crisps a mini chocolate bar with crispy parmesan made with fresh Les Amis Du Fromage Parmigiano Reggiano-Scelto & 61% dark chocolate.

This is a must visit spot for all chocolate lovers!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

ESTABLISHMENT LOUNGE

July 3rd, 2012 admin

3162 West Broadway, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 736-7576

Web: http://www.estlounge.com/

Twitter: @EstLounge

Advice: Go with friends and share some dishes.

Establishment Palm Salad

Located in the heart of Kitsilano, Executive Chef Bongo is creating flavourful dishes in a lounging locale. Sit at the long bar solo or sit with friends at one of the tables on the restaurant side. I joined my friend Cassandra for dinner where we shared several dishes, starting off with the delicious Establishment Palm Salad ($12.50) a blend of fresh mango, cabbage slaw, bell peppers, avocado, basil, mint, chick peas and a roasted spiced-peanut vinaigrette.

Smoked Duck and Mango Rice Paper Spring Rolls

Okanagan Goat Cheese & Fig Souffle

Shrimp & Lobster Cakes

Latin pan-seared Scallops

Bison Lollypops

We then shared the Smoked Duck and Mango Rice Paper Spring Rolls ($15.95) along with the outstanding Okanagan Goat Cheese & Fig Souffle ($13.25) which happened to be my favourite dish of the night. The next round of dishes were the tasty Shrimp & Lobster Cakes ($16.95) that were almond crusted accompanied with a miso sauce, chipotle sauce and a jerk aioli; Latin pan-seared Scallops was ($20.50) and lastly the Bison Lollypops ($16.25).

Cheesecake

We shared Chef Bongo’s specialty Cheesecake ($10.50) of the night to finish of the meal.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

FABLE KITCHEN

May 25th, 2012 admin

1944 West 4th Ave, Vancouver

Tel 604-732-1322

Web: www.fablekitchen.ca

Twitter: @fablekitchen

Advice: Reserve in advance for the Chefs Table. Tasting menu offered most nights.

Chef Trevor Bird

After spending the afternoon at Vista d’ Oro Farms, I thought it would be apropos to visit Fable Kitchen to experience their Farm to Table cuisine. Dining at their Chefs Table last week with my friend Nikki, we both had the Tasting Menu ($45) that featured multi courses selected by Chef Trevor Bird (co-owner and competitor on Top Chef Canada). I am not one for surprises usually, however knowing Trevor’s accolades this is one chef that I would trust whole heartedly. Fable is the beginning of a story that starts on the farm, sourcing their ingredients from local purveyors that are accessible and sustainable.

Oyster (amuse)

Chick Pea Fritters

Spaghetti & Meatball

Canned Tuna

We began our tasting menu with an amuse of Oyster with hints of grapefruit, this was followed by the delicious Chick Pea Fritters, topped with pickled shallots with a light curry mayonnaise. Next was their version of Spaghetti & Meatball, an outstanding dish that was showcased on Top Chef Canada, which is actually a duck meatball filled with sauce on a bed of fettuccini topped with artichoke foam. Next was the Canned Tuna, another dish showcased on Top Chef Canada which is actually tuna in a glass mason jar served with a teaspoon of salt for the diner to mix in along with crispy toast, a clever and unique presentation.

Chorizo Crusted Halibut

Flat Iron Steak

Spring Pea Gnocchi

The next dish was a tender and flavourful Chorizo Crusted Halibut with mussels broth which was followed by an outstanding Flat Iron Steak with broccoli & potato confit & black pepper jam which made for the perfect taste sensation. I then added a dish which was a must try and was a wonderful addition to this amazing meal, the Spring Pea Gnocchi with pesto and pea shoots.

Lemon pot de Creme

Rhubarb Cake & Fennel Sorbet

Bread Pudding with Vanilla Nitro Ice Cream

Again the desserts followed a similar theme, refreshing and unique mixing of flavours, we shared the outstanding Lemon pot de Creme with lemon foam & granita followed by the Rhubarb Cake & Fennel Sorbet & streusel. I then ordered an extra dessert so that I could taste a dessert customers were raving about the Bread Pudding with Vanilla Nitro Ice Cream and Basil & Blueberry.

I watched each of the chefs cooking and plating throughout dinner, each was precise and passionate in their craft, it’s a team effort here and its one that is executed to perfection by Chefs Trevor Bird and Curtis Luk (also a competitor on Top Chef Canada Season Two). Expect great things from this culinary team and divine meals at Fable!

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

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 »

THE ZA HOUSE

February 19th, 2012 admin

2857 West Broadway, Vancouver

Tel: 604-733-6611

Web: http://www.thezahouse.com/

Twitter: @TheZaHouse

Advice: If they don’t have a slice of the pizza you want, ask and they will make a whole pizza pie so you can have that slice.

The latest rage around the city has been for pizza by the pie, the whole pie to be exact, ZA is about the slice of that whole pie. Of course they do sell whole pizza pies as well, however the focus here is on gourmet slices. Sit at the inside counter where there is a cool chalk board set-up for customers to doodle and play in colours.

The Kits

I had a two slices of The Kits Pizza ($3 each) topped with roasted chicken, roma tomatoes, spinach and balsamic reduction and served on a wooden board.

You are probably as curious as I was to know what ZA meant, it is slang for pizza, yep they got me on that one too!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Kitsilano Tags: , , , , , , , , No Comments »
« Older Entries

  • Our Events

    eventbrite 1

    Purchase tickets here!

  • Sponsors

  • General Info

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