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Archive for the ‘Main Street’ Category

BURDOCK AND CO.

May 16th, 2013 admin

2702 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 879-0077

Web: http://www.burdockandco.com

Twitter: @BurdockAndCo

Advice: Try to snag a spot at the bar overlooking the open kitchen.

As a fan of talented Chef Andrea Carlson, I had long awaited the opening of Burdock & Co to experience Andrea’s new abode, this is her own restaurant and she nailed it from the get go. I was on a solo visit recently, sitting at the bar which gave me the best view in the house of the open kitchen. I watched all the cooks as they created stunning plates one after another, this is heaven for any food writer.

Fresh oysters finger line caviar

Halibut

The Fire Roasted Green Farro

I began my journey with refreshing Fresh oysters finger line caviar ($15), French breakfast radish, chickweed , apple & verbene sorbet, Kasu emulsion. Next was the outstanding Halibut($17) braised spring radish and hop shoots, pine mushroom and burdock tea, fried burdock, hop salt such unique local ingredients melding together in this beautiful dish. The Fire Roasted Green Farro ($10) came with spruce tips, black garlic, sorrel another dish with unique ingredients, one of which was the Korean black garlic, wow!

Salted Caramel Apple Pot Pie

Cookies

For dessert, I had delicious Salted Caramel Apple Pot Pie ($8) which was topped with lavender ice cream with gluten free crust. This was followed by a box of their Cookies, a great idea in both presentation and perfect to end a meal.

This is one of those special restaurants where what’s in season will evolve in the dishes and I am looking forward to many visits to come.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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THE GENERAL PUBLIC

April 7th, 2013 admin

3289 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 558-4676

Web: coming

Twitter: @GPSushi

Advice: Reservations suggested. Bring a friend to share some sushi rolls.

There are sushi joints and then there are sushi joints, while the city is filled with sushi eateries on almost every block, there are few that standout in décor, vibe and food. This eatery is related to the Eatery located in Kitsilano and this one is quite different when it comes to the décor and the type of people who is patronizing them, here it is hipster and family central. Funky decor with a wilderness lodge theme adding to the bizarre decorated room, loved the 74 white masks that adorn the room. With a vast selection of items, the star attraction here are the named sushi rolls and other Japanese favourites which are ideal for sharing. My friend Jonathan Yee joined me to do just that, share a variety of items so that I could try as much as possible.

Tuna Tempura

Tuna Sushi Bites

Salmon Tartare

Tunacado

Tempura Prawns

To start the meal we enjoy enjoyed a sampler of their house specialty Tuna Tempura which we both thought had good flavour and crunch. We then shared the yummy Tuna Sushi Bites that were topped on a rice cake followed by the Salmon Tartare served with large won ton type crisps for dipping. I loved the Tunacado so fresh and filled with avocado which also came with won ton type crisps. We also shared Tempura Prawns with tangy sweet sauce, battered for a good crunch .

Viva Las Vegas

San Francisco Roll

Dragon Roll

The Cucu’s Nest Cucumber Wrap

Next up we savoured some of their popular Sushi Rolls, starting off with Viva Las Vegas with cream cheese, followed by the San Francisco Roll topped with a bland salmon which was my least favourite of all & the outstanding Dragon Roll filled with crab and avocado as well as The Cucu’s Nest Cucumber Wrap filled with crab wrapped in a cucumber shell with mango.

It’s a good thing they don’t specialize in dessert, since their dessert offerings were minimal and since we were both utterly full, we ended our meal on a high note.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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EAST IS EAST CHAI GALLERY

March 8th, 2013 admin

4433 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-879-2020

Web: http://www.eastiseast.ca/

Twitter: hopefully one day.

Advice: Reservations suggested. Request to be seated at one of the tables with benches rather than the tree stump chairs.

As a fan of their former location a few doors down the street, I had always enjoyed their nutty shakes, wraps and such. Recently they expanded into a much larger space on the same block, with an expanded menu a larger stage to showcase the nightly entertainment. From the moment you walk through the doors it is as if you walked right into the Middle East, landing in Morocco. My friend Kenneth Cho joined me for dinner a few weeks ago and we both decided the Silk Route Feast ($25 per person) is what we were going to indulge in for our meal as that had the best value where we could try a multitude of dishes. It is almost like an all you can eat buffet, without the buffet, it is a smarter way to go, the kitchen cooks the food to order for customers to enjoy.

Squash Soup and Green Salad

Mystic Soup

Beet Salad

With the feast you can choose a soup and salad from a few different choices on the menu, I had the Squash Soup which I loved and the Green Salad and Kenneth had the Mystic Soup with the Beet Salad.

Afghan Eggplant, Butternut Squash, Wild Salmon & Beef Kabob

We then each ordered two of the dishes off the extensive selection in the feast, we both decided to share them all so that we could taste many of the dishes on offer. In the first round, we had the Afghan Eggplant, Mango Butternut Squash, Wild Salmon and the Minced Beef Kabob. My favourites from this selection was the delicious Afghan Eggplant and Mango Butternut Squash which was heavenly.

Sea Bass Fish Curry, Okra, Spinach Paneer, and the Peas and Cauliflower

For the second round of dishes we had the Sea Bass Fish Curry, Okra, Spinach Paneer, and the Peas and Cauliflower, I loved all of these dishes, the flavours and aromas of each of these were divine.

Boulani and Roti

With the feast they also serve an assortment of Boulani and Roti along with Afghan and Basmati Rice throughout the meal, I loved the Boulani as well as the Afghan rice.

Eastern Ecstasy

Vegan Chocolate Pudding

Desserts are not included with the feast, we ordered two of them to share, my favourite of the two was the Eastern Ecstasy, a delish concoction of rice pudding, ice cream, a warm galub jamun sprinkled with rosewater, pistachios and cardamom over the Vegan Chocolate Pudding which was dense in texture topped with too many sweetened cherries.

In addition to the feast option, they also serve a variety of a la carte dishes, wraps, soups and more. Each evening they feature entertainment that ranges from Flamenco which we enjoyed the night of our visit to Sitar and other instruments and dancers.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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THE MIGHTY OAK

February 26th, 2013 admin

198 West 18th Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-558-0722

Web: www.TheMightyOak.ca

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Closed Monday.

Off the beaten track, hidden away in the heart of a neighborhood is this small café on the corner. Inside you will find an espresso bar along with a selection of baked goods, for now they only bake their own scones, they also carry a selection of pies from Vancouver Pie Hole. You will also find a selection of food products on the grocery side which features many local producers including Earnest Ice Cream and others.

Espresso Macchiato and Cheese Onion Scone

I enjoyed my Cheese and Onion Scone along with an Espresso Macchiato, I had wanted a slice of pie which was my main reason for visiting however they were sold out. The room is small and cozy, so feel free to stand by the espresso bar and sip away while you indulge in one of their savoury or sweet treats!

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Cambie Street, Main Street Tags: , , , , , , , , No Comments »

THE ACORN RESTAURANT

August 10th, 2012 admin

3995 Main Street

Tel: 604-566-9001

Web: http://www.theacornrestaurant.ca/

Twitter: @AcornVancouver

Advice: No reservations. Expect to wait in line for a little while or a longer while depending on the size of your party and the time of day.

In many restaurants around the city the vegetables have been hiding or forgotten. As the old saying goes, you must never forget to eat your vegetables. Well it’s not only about eating your vegetables, these days it is also about eating healthy and most of all eating delicious food. The other night my friend Alejandro (who is vegetarian) and I had dinner at Acorn, we sat at the bar while waiting for a table and ended up ordering and eating our meal long before a table was available. We munched our way through the Kafir Cashews, complimentary bar snacks while perusing the menu.

Halloumi

Kale Salad

I had the delicious Halloumi ($19) Beer Battered Halloumi, Zucchini Pancakes, Smashed Peas, Yogurt, Lemon Balm and my friend had the Kale Salad ($9 – appetizer size) SOLEfood Farms Kale, Tempeh, Smoked Paprika Croutons, Crispy Capers, Olives Caesar Dressing, Asiago Cheese.

The menu offers Vegan, Raw, Gluten Free options with creative dishes that exude all around goodness, wonderful flavours and presentation. From glancing at the cocktails on the bar, creativity is in order here from the front of house to the kitchen and this is evident with the line-ups since opening. Looking forward to my next visit to indulge in the Zucchini!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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MOBIUS COFFEE & TEA

June 14th, 2012 admin

4125 Main Street  Vancouver

Tel: 604-874-4125

Web: http://mobiuscoffeeandtea.com/

Twitter: @MobiusCoffeeTea

Advice: Open daily, live music some evenings, GMO free zone.

Espresso Macchiato

Caramel Apple Cake

All the baked goods and desserts are baked in house, if you love cheesecake then you are going to want to indulge in a piece or two to go along with your coffee which happens to come from the Ft Langley Republica Roasters. I have been in a few times, on my most recent visit I had my usual Espresso Macchiato ($3) along with the delicious Caramel Apple Cake ($3.25).

The café is large and spacious with seating and it’s one of those places where the customers know the names of the Baristas and the Baristas now the customers drinks of choice.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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ALWAYS SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

April 26th, 2012 admin

4298 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-876-6110

Web: n/a

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Alaskan King Crab season happens once a year, generally in March, contact the restaurant in advance for reservations. Go with a group of friends to share dishes.

I joined up with a group of friends for what turned out to be a 12 course dinner celebrating Alaskan King Crab. My friend and fellow writer Stephanie Yuen chose the restaurant as it’s known to be one of the best for Alaskan King Crab and other dishes. Our dinner was made up of 4 Alaskan King Crab dishes along with some of their other speciality dishes. At the big round table along with Stephanie and me, there was Henry, Cassandra, Rosana, Maria, Natalie, Matt, Nikki and Jason.

Crab & Fish Maw Soup

Garlic & Ginger King Crab

Deep Fried Crab

To begin we had the Crab & Fish Maw Soup followed by the outstanding and flavourful Garlic & Ginger King Crab and then the delicious Deep Fried Crab.

Royal Tofu

Tossed Noodles in crab jus

Baked Portugese Fried rice in the shell

The next round of dishes included their house specialty Royal Tofu which I loved, along with the Tossed Noodles in crab jus and the tasty Baked Portugese Fried rice in the shell which was the last crab dish.

Steamed Scallop and Eggplant in black bean sauce

Pork Chop with walnuts in mayo sauce

Goose in greens

Taiwanese Lettuce

The next round of dishes featured some of their off the menu dishes, I loved the Steamed Scallop and Eggplant in black bean sauce and didn’t care for the Pork Chop with walnuts in mayo sauce or the Goose in greens, and I liked the last savoury dish the Taiwanese Lettuce.

Mung Bean Soup

Honey Pumpkin with walnuts.

For dessert we were served their warm Mung Bean Soup along with my favourite dessert of the two the Honey Pumpkin with walnuts.

The menu is filled with Cantonese and some Taiwanese dishes and they are open late into the wee hours of the next morning should you be on the search for a late night of eating.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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TRAFIQ CAFÉ & BAKERY

April 5th, 2012 admin

4216 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-648-2244

Web: http://www.trafiq.ca/

Twitter: @TrafiqCafe

Advice: Custom cakes available (call ahead)

This café is a magnet for drawing in neighborhood regulars and others that commute across town for a taste of Paris. I adore the communal tables where people can enjoy sandwiches or baked goods along with coffees. I have visited a couple of times recently and love the ambiance as well as the delicious eats and sweets.

Lemon Chicken Ciabatta & Roasted Yam Soup

I have had the Lemon Chicken Ciabatta ($7.95) with lemon aioli, tomato, lettuce, chicken breast along with a soup of the day which was the delicious Roasted Yam Soup ($5.95).

Chunky Monkey

Killer Brownie

I have also had their outstanding and heavenly Chunky Monkey ($3.25) think bananas, chocolate and brioche as well as the Killer Brownie ($2.50) that is full of chocolatey goodness.

Walnut Coffee Cake

Dulce Croissant

Vanilla Éclair

On another visit I had the moist and delicious Walnut Coffee Cake ($3.25) as well as Dulce Croissant ($2.50) filled with dulce cream along with the Vanilla Éclair ($2.75) topped with chocolate and filled with vanilla cream.

Espresso Macchiato

Baked goods always go well with an Espresso Macchiato ($2.70) and their coffee beans are from Los Beans Trading Co a local roaster.

The French-inspired patisserie also bakes their own rustic, naturally leavened breads by the ‘dough boys’ as they are known, the breads are offered fresh from the oven each morning at 9. The ʻcake ladiesʼ as they are known are baking beautiful and sumptuous cakes including a Confetti cake for the kids and adults alike.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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