Archive for the ‘Kitsilano’ Category

STEEVE RAYE PASTRY

November 27th, 2010 admin

UPDATED 3/4/12 BUSINESS HAS CLOSED

2836 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 778.789.4455

Web: www.steeveraye-pastry.com

Advice: Go early for the breakfast pastries as they come out of the oven.

I love French pastry, since visiting the pastry shops in Paris and around France, I have always loved the aromas, and delicious array of sweets! As soon as I heard that this delightfully authentic French pastry shop in Kitsilano had opened, I was there.

Working in the fine tradition of French pâtisserie, Steeve offers customers an exquisite selection of fresh pastries, beverages and specialty lunch items. From delicate, buttery almond croissants, to sweet macarons and pain au chocolat, he showcases his unique flair and dedication to quality and authenticity.

Espresso & Orange Marmalade Vol-Au-Vent

On this visit, I had the Orange Marmalade Vol-Au-Vent ($2.55) a delicious pastry that was quite light with orange marmalade along with an Espresso ($2.25). Next time I will visit for lunch to try one of their sandwiches!

The room is warm and inviting with a large seating area, the service was wonderful as well. Steeve gained invaluable experience working in Michelin starred restaurants across Europe. His work along side such greats as Joël Robuchon in London and Olivier Bajard in Perpignan has provided Vancouver’s newest pastry chef with savoir-faire and an unwavering commitment to excellence, look for more sweet treats in the coming days.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

ROCKY MOUNTAIN FLATBREAD CO

September 1st, 2010 admin

1876 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-730-0321

Web: http://www.rockymountainflatbread.ca

Twitter: @flatbreadco

Advice: Sundays & Mondays go with your kids.

Selection of beer

This has been a favourite of mine for organic pizza in the city since they opened. A couple weeks ago my friend Jason joined me for dinner to try some of their new dishes, we both enjoyed some of the beers to accompany our dinner, of course our favourite beers were different and I’m sure your favourites would differ as well.

Fig & Goatscheese Salad

Fresh basil & blackberry Salad

Starting off our meal we shared the refreshing Fig & Goatscheese Salad ($9.25 regular) and the tasty Fresh basil & blackberry Salad ($8.25 regular).

Next up were the pizzas and we shared several, the pizzas here are handcrafted flatbread made in an Artisan Oven with lots of local and organic ingredients. The crust is thin and crisp, the toppings have so much flavour and you taste those vegetables.

Mexicali Pizza

Farmers Market Pizza

Ocean Wise Pizza

Flank Steak pizza

To start, was the tasty Farmers Market Pizza ($15.95) topped with three seasonal vegetables, three herb nut free pesto & caprigny goat’s cheese; then the Mexicali Pizza ($16.75) topped with Chocolate tomato chilli sauce, red onions, roasted peppers, marinated cherry tomatoes, jicama, corn, free range organic chicken, caprigny goat’s cheese, herbs and creme fraiche. Then the delicious Ocean Wise Pizza ($15.95) topped with in-house orange maple cured wild salmon, fresh shrimp, artichokes, red onion, nut free three herb pesto and asiago cheese; and finally the Flank Steak Pizza ($15.45) topped with organic tomato sauce, sprinkled with premium mozzarella.

Dessert Platter

We were both quite full, that didn’t stop us from trying some dessert so we shared their dessert platter which was made of up Chocolate Brownies, cheesecake and biscotti.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Kitsilano, Restaurant Reviews Tags: , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments »

ROMER’S BURGERS

August 6th, 2010 admin

1873 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-732-9545

Web: http://romersburgerbar.com/

Twitter: @romersburger

Advice: Share the fries with a friend as the portion is large.

These aren’t just any burgers, this is burger heaven. I had heard that Romer’s had some amazing burgers and since I had recently judged the Yaletown Burger Competition, I had to check out the new burger joint in Kitsilano. The star attraction here is the burgers, from the All-Natural Heritage Farms range fed Angus Beef to the Turkey, Free-run Chicken, or Wild Salmon.

Man's Man Burger

Fresh-Cut Fries with truffle oil and regianno

I had the Man’s Man Burger ($11) All-natural beef, local creamery amber ale cheddar, onion strings, smoked alder salts and slice tomatoes. My friend Carlos had the Standard Burger with cheddar cheese ($10.50) all-natural beef, vine-ripened tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, and R sauce. We both shared a basket of the Fresh-Cut Fries ($7) with truffle oil and regianno. Asides from the tasty burger it is the bun that really won us over, each burger is served on a lightly griddled brioche bun. You can ‘Pimp Your Burger’ by adding savouries, marvelous mustards, different types of cheeses and more. There is a variety of starters including Poutine, a variety of French Fry offerings, fresh Salads and a couple of great looking desserts. The beer menu is about as impressive as the burger line-up and paired well if you choose to go that route. I’m looking forward to my return visit to try the So Cal Turkey Burger.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

NIMBY BURGER

August 5th, 2010 admin

2210 Cornwall Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-734-3589


Twitter: @NimbyBurger

Advice: no seats, take-out only.

Hamburger (left) & Cheeseburger (right)

Fries

The space is small and the line is often long. You know the food is always good when there is a line-up, when I first heard of Nimby I didn’t understand the concept, after tasting my first Nimby burger I was in burger heaven. For the price these burgers hit the spot, they aren’t gourmet pile it on burgers like some places, these are basic flavorful burgers at a great price. This burger stand sells burgers, fries and milkshakes and that is it! I have had the Cheeseburgers ($3.99), Hamburger ($2.99), French Fries ($2.99) and Milkshakes ($3.25) the chocolate shake is my favourite. Each burger is topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle.
Review By: Richard Wolak

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

YUJI’S JAPANESE TAPAS

June 1st, 2010 admin

 

UPDATED 3/4/12 BUSINESS HAS CLOSED

2059 W 4th Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-734-4990

Web: http://yujis.ca/

Advice: Bring a friend so you can share the dishes. Brown rice can be requested for the sushi.

Maguro Avocado Crepe

Sweet Potato Tempura Sticks

Tuna & Salmon Wasabi Tempura

Gomaae

Agedashi Tofu

Found a gem, I had a heard about Yuji’s from friends and finally got in for a visit with a friend. All the dishes looked interesting on the menu and more so as they arrived to nearby tables. We began with the Maguro Avocado Crepe ($8), the next dish was the tasty Sweet Potato Tempura Sticks ($7.50) which was followed by the Tuna & Salmon Wasabi Tempura ($7.50), then some Gomaae ($5.00) and then the Agedashi Tofu ($6.50). Most of the items we had ordered were off the Tapas menu, the Sushi menu was vast and very appealing, they also have Sashimi, Nigiri.

Green Tea Cream Brule with Green Tea Ice cream

We ended off the delicious sharing meal with a dessert to share as well and went with the Green Tea Cream Brule with Green Tea Ice cream ($7.50). The service was friendly and efficient and the room was beautiful and cozy.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

BISTROT BISTRO

April 25th, 2010 admin

1961 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-732-0004

Web: www.bistrotbistro.com

Twitter: @bistrotbistro

Advice: If you would like some bread, then order a half or full baguette from the top of the menu. 3 Course Price Fixe dinner Sunday -Thursday for only $27. Karma Tuesdays, 5% of sales go to support a local charity.

Shrimps Scallops Provencal

Lamb Shank

Pomme Alumettes

I finally visited this popular Kitsilano eatery, took my friend for some French cooking and we both loved the food, the service and ambience, the only drawback was that it was very noisy in this full restaurant. Our one mistake was wondering why no bread arrived to our table, finally realized the obvious as we left. To begin our meal we went right into the entrees, my friend had the very tasty Shrimps Scallops Provencal ($19) flambe pastis and I had the Lamb Shank ($19) with spiced apricots, tomato and white wine. To accompany our meals we shared the big bucket of Pomme Alumettes ($5) (French fries) with the mayo dip.

Profiteroles Ice Cream

Poire Belle Helene

Who could resist the tempting French desserts, after eyeing the Crepe Suzette being served to the table to next to us, it looked so delicious but too large, since we both like chocolate, we went a different route. My friend had the outstanding Profiteroles Ice Cream ($7) with chocolate and I had the delicious Poire Belle Helene ($6) the French version of a sundae with poached pear, vanilla ice cream, chocolate and whipped cream topped with cocoa. The flavours in everything we had were superb and I am looking forward to a return visit soon. There is a great looking wine list and you can enjoy by the bottle or by the glass!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Kitsilano, Restaurant Reviews Tags: , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments »

BANANA LEAF

March 15th, 2010 admin

3005 West Broadway, Vancouver
Tel: 604-734-3005

Web: www.bananaleaf-vancouver.com

Advice: Bring friends along and share the dishes.

Virgin Mango Paradise

Nonya Fried Spicy Calamari

Nonya's Lettuce Wrap

Love this tropical hideaway that is a little bit of paradise in the city, I dined here not long ago with a group of friends for an amazing meal. Started off with a tropical Virgin Mango Paradise ($5), followed by Nonya Fried Spicy Calamari ($8) crispy fried marinated squid in curry spice. Followed by the Nonya’s Lettuce Wrap ($14) chicken in Nonya spices, jicama, shiitake mushroom, bean sprouts, chives, soy bean sauce, basil and chilli served in a golden shell with fresh lettuce wrap.

Dungeness Crab in Black Peppercorn Garlic Sauce

Rendang Beef

Alaskan Black Cod in Caramelized Ginger Sauce

Abundance of Seafood in Assam Curry Sauce

Sambal Chili Fried Okra, Eggplant & Green Bean

Coconut Rice in Banana Leaf

After the appetizers we went straight into the mains, Dungeness Crab in Black Peppercorn Garlic Sauce ($14/lb) a dish that reflects the diversity of Malaysian cuisine: whole crab, shell-on, with Chinese seasonings & cooked with Indian black peppercorn, enriched with butter. (2½ lbs min) Rendang Beef ($12) boneless lean beef stewed to melting tenderness in coconut gravy and spices. Alaskan Black Cod ($20) in Caramelized Ginger Sauce with “Kicap Manis” Alaskan black cod steak topped with “Malaysian black sweet sauce” with caramelized ginger, garlic & shallot, enriched by Chinese wine. Abundance of Seafood in Assam Curry Sauce ($20) a taste of the ocean: scallop, prawn, fish, mussel, clam, and squid simmered in tamarind juice and curry spice with coconut cream; Sambal Chili Fried Okra, Eggplant & Green Bean ($13) stir-fried vegetable with small shrimps & tomato in dried shrimp paste “Belacan”; Coconut Rice in Banana Leaf ($2) rice wrapped in fresh banana leaf cooked with coconut milk.

Pisang Goreng

To end off this wonderful meal we shared the Pisang Goreng ($6) crispy fried banana with vanilla ice cream topped with crushed peanut & gula melaka. The staff are always colourfully dressed in their tropical uniforms that fits well with the indoor palm trees and great tasting and sometimes spicey cuisine. Jazz up your meal with one of their cocktails, make sure that you save room for some of the fine desserts!

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

MAPLE GRILL

February 23rd, 2010 admin

1967 West Broadway, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-4885

Web: http://www.maplegrill.com

Advice: closed Friday night and Saturday (they open after sundown on Saturday). Serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Reservations are a good idea.

Ima's Hummus

Turkei Schnitzel

Pesto Chicken Breast

My friend Alejandro and I had dinner here recently, he often joins me when there is a new Mexican restaurant in the city, this time it was his first time to eat in a Kosher restaurant. I have eaten in many Kosher restaurants around the world and too often they aren’t focused on gourmet cuisine, at the Maple Grill I was pleasantly surprised. To begin our meal and our Kosher gourmet journey, we shared Ima’s Hummus ($6.50) – topped with chickpeas, toasted sesame seeds, olive oil and served with brown pita bread. For our main plate entrees, I had the deliciously large Turkei Schnitzel ($22) -breaded and pan seared, topped with pea shoots dressed in an herb vinaigrette with toasted pine nuts, accompanied by two sides, of the eight sides to choose I had the Roasted Rosemary Potatoes and the Grilled white asparagus and red pepper; Alejandro had the Pesto Chicken Breast ($23) – tender chicken stuffed with house-made basil pesto and for his two sides he had the Saffron Risotto and Roasted Rosemary Potatoes. The menu offers a good selection of Appetizers, Soups and Salads from some traditional favourites including Matzo Ball Soup to inventive salads such as The Black Hat Salad. Their are Casual Plates which are mostly burgers such as the Moroccan Burger and Ocean Burger where you can substitute the accompanying fries with onion rings, soup or side salad upon request. Then their are the Main Plates which offers a varied selection of entrees such as a 10 oz Rib-eye Steak for $32 which is the most expensive item on the menu. All the Main Plates come with your choice of two sides and you can ask for seconds or thirds of the tasty sides too.

Apple Strudel topped with Soy Ice Cream

We were both quite full after our dinner, however that wasn’t going to stop us in trying at least one of the desserts. We shared the Apple Strudel ($6.50) – round pastry filled with apples and cinnamon topped with a scoop of their home-made soy ice cream ($1 extra). The dessert was unbelievably good and after I found out who the pastry chef was, I was tempted to order another, next time I will have my own dessert!

This west coast Kosher kitchen is inventive and the dishes are flavourful. The decor is elegant with black walls and hard wood flooring, the seating is very comfortable. Our server was welcoming and offered guidance with the menu selection. The bar menu offers Kosher wines along with an extensive selection of beers on tap.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

  • Sponsors

  • General Info

Switch to our mobile site

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