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Archive for the ‘North Vancouver’ Category

FISHWORKS

March 9th, 2013 admin

91 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver

Tel: 778-340-3449

Web: http://www.fishworks.ca/

Twitter: @FishworksLOLO

Advice: Located 3 blocks away from the Lonsdale Quay seabus terminal. Reservations suggested.

Pan Seared Scallops

B.C Honey Mussels

Halibut Poutine

Poached Pear

Escaping the city, I often enjoy the quick jaunt on the Seabus over to Lonsdale Quay to explore the market, then moments away to enjoy a wonderful meal. Specializing in fish and seafood, you can begin with flavourful dishes ranging from the appetizers to the larger entrees. On my most recent visit, I had the Pan Seared Scallops ($14) with Japanese eggplant, toasted cashews, garlic and ginger that was full of flavour and textures, and so good! The next dish was the B.C Honey Mussels ($13) in a delicious lemongrass coconut broth with a hint of Jalapeño and since I was dining solo I had them half the order. For my entrée, I had the outstanding and fairly healthy Halibut Poutine ($19) with Salt Spring Goat Cheese gravy, garlic confit, tomatoes and Pemberton frites. A sweet finish to email is often rewarding especially when you have a meal of wonderful and flavourful dishes. I had the Poached Pear ($8) in red wine reduction with house made vanilla Ice cream.

With creative Chef Shallaw Kadir in the kitchen you are always in for unique and flavourful experience. I am looking forward to my next visit to try the Sockeye Salmon Wellington cranberry-almond crust in crispy phyllo, pistachio pesto which sounds divine.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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EL MATADOR

October 6th, 2012 admin

131 West Esplanade, North Vancouver

Tel: 604-770-1717

Web: http://www.elmatadorsocial.com/Menu.html

Twitter: @elMatadorsocial

Advice: Call ahead if you have a large party, share dishes with friends. Open nightly and open late. Located under the Starbucks with the entrance at the rear.

Fried Chickpeas

Salted Almonds with honey

Potted Roquefort and ricotta

Smoked Salmon Devilled Eggs

Specializing in Andalusian Tapas, this little known region of Spain shines bright with flavours of the region. The room is fairly small, dark wood, hand crafted décor and a well thought out menu of tapas and drinks. My friend Ajay Masala Puri joined me to taste our way through the menu, all the dishes are $5 each which makes it easy to order a few or order more and share with friends. To start we shared the Fried Chickpeas, Salted Almonds with honey, Potted Roquefort and ricotta and the Smoked Salmon Devilled Eggs from the Cold Tapas selections.

Chorizo Tapa

Patas Bravas

Spicy Shrimp in sherry

Grilled Goats Cheese with salsa fresco

Spicy and Baked Chicken Wings

Tiny Meatballs in sauce

Next round was from the Hot Tapas, starting off with the Chorizo Tapa, Patas Bravas, Spicy Shrimp in sherry, Grilled Goats Cheese with salsa fresco, Spicy and Baked Chicken Wings, and the Tiny Meatballs in sauce.

Rice Pudding with Fig

Bread Pudding with Fig

For dessert, we had both selections, the Rice Pudding with Fig was my favourite of the two, where the Bread Pudding with Fig was Ajay’s favourite of the two.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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PIER 7 RESTAURANT

July 17th, 2012 admin

25 Wallace Mews Rd, North Vancouver

Tel: 604-929-7437

Web: http://pierseven.ca/

Twitter: @pier7restaurant

Advice: Make reservations, try to snag a spot on the upstairs patio.

I love a room with a view, at Pier 7 the restaurant offers two rooms with a view. On the main level you will find a happening bar/lounge that flows into the dining room where you will find gridded windows providing a very nice view of the city skyline. Upstairs on the 2nd level you will find another dining area that opens on to a beautiful patio that is expected to be seating people very soon.

Mixed Greens

I have always been a fan of Executive Chef Dino Renaerts and his cooking, here it is all about finding the very best fish and seafood, though there are many other outstanding dishes as well. I had dinner with my friend Cassandra recently and we decided to share so that we can taste a few of the dishes. To start we had the Mixed Greens ($8 small) with toasted pecans, apple, celery, and cider dressing.

Grilled West Coast Spring Salmon

Goat Cheese Gnocchi

Next was the outstanding Grilled West Coast Spring Salmon ($25) with a delicious roasted polenta cake and broccolini; the other outstanding dish was the Goat Cheese Gnocchi ($20) garden vegetables, pesto, shaved parmesan that was flavourful and so, so good!

Maple Miso Glazed Sable Fish

Grilled Asparagus

Yet another outstanding dish, the fish was so tender in the Maple Miso Glazed Sable Fish ($28) with edamame, shiimeji mushrooms, new potatoes, in the flavourful dashi broth; we also had a side order of the simple and flavourful Grilled Asparagus ($8) parmesan, balsamic vinegar.

Raspberry Macaroon

For dessert, we only shared one having the Raspberry Macaroon ($8) whipped mascarpone, fresh raspberries, warm anglaise sauce. I am looking forward to return visit to check out the upstairs patio as well as to indulge in brunch!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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THE PORTLY CHEF

June 18th, 2012 admin

1211 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver

Tel: 604-971-4377

Web: http://theportlychef.com/

Twitter: @ThePortlyChef

Advice: Open for dinner nightly.

Located about a mile North of Lonsdale Quay, is an elegant eatery mixing French and Asian flavours. The Chef/Co-Owner is well versed in fine cooking technique having worked his way in kitchens in Europe and Canada and this is a spot worthy of your discovery.

Crispy Pineapple cut Chili Squid

Aromatic Brandy Fired Mushrooms and Chèvre

I had the tender Crispy Pineapple cut Chili Squid ($12) wok fired with lemongrass, ginger, garlic, lime, chili, beurre Blanc followed by the delicious Aromatic Brandy Fired Mushrooms and Chèvre ($10) wild mushrooms, black pepper and thyme crusted goat cheese, puff pastry for my appetizers.

Drunken Sable

Beef Cut Onion Rings

For my entrée, I had the delicious Drunken Sable ($28) roasted sake miso marinated sable fish, crispy prawn & scallop purse, pickled ginger, ponzu aioli that was artfully presented. I just had to try the Beef Cut Onion Rings ($5) Panko crusted, creamy fresh candied onion dip as a side.

Dessert Sampler

For dessert, I had a specially created dessert sampler which featured a delicious selection of pastries made for them by Pastry Chef Eleanor Chow at Cadeaux Bakery.

You will find hospitable service, and a unique menu with creative descriptions of the dishes!

Review by: Richard Wolak

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ANATOLI SOUVLAKI

February 8th, 2012 admin

5 Lonsdale, North Vancouver

Tel: 604-985-9853

Web: http://www.anatolisouvlaki.com

Twitter: @AnatoliSouvlaki

Advice: Take a long a friend or two and share a variety of dishes.

I decided to create a couple of Greek Nights for my own personal indulgence recently and to visit a couple of long time restaurants who have been around for years. This was my first visit to Anatoli, a wonderful family run restaurant that has been serving fine Greek cuisine for over 30 years.

Dip Tasters

Greek Salad

I began the meal with the delicious Dip Tasters ($9) home-made pita, and a selection of dips the homous, eggplant and tzatziki; followed by a wonderful Greek Salad ($8) fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, feta & olives.

Spanakopita

Garithes

Saganaki

Paidakia

Kleftiko

Next was the outstanding Spanakopita ($9) Spinach, feta, herbs wrapped in filo & baked with mint – yum! This was followed by another outstanding dish, Garithes ($14) prawns and vegetables in white wine with tomato, feta and ouzo sauce.  The next dish was a known favourite that I had to try, a specialty in Greece, the rich and delicious Saganaki ($11) Pan fried mountain sheep cheese done with a touch of brandy. Next was to try the first of two lamb dishes, the Paidakia ($31) juicy flame grilled lamb chops followed by the Kleftiko ($23) another lamb dish, Shoulder of lamb braised until it melts off the bone and it was delicious.

Dessert Platter

Who could resist finishing the meal with some Greek sweets, I enjoyed all three as I savoured my way through the Veriko, Baklava and Ekmek.

The restaurant is quite large with seating throughout and very hospitable staff. Don’t take as long to visit for your first time as I did, I am looking forward to a return visit soon!

Review by: Richard Wolak

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CAFÉ FOR THE CONTEMPORARY ART

May 23rd, 2011 admin

140 East Esplanade Avenue, North Vancouver

Tel: (778) 340-3379

Web: http://www.cafeforcontemporaryart.com/

Twitter: @cafca140

Advice: Check out their website for their events calendar.

Anytime I am on the North Shore I stop in for a visit to this wonderful café that has an art gallery inside the café. The idea for the art gallery is to showcase local artisans and to provide customers with an escape of sorts, to walk through the exhibits while sipping espressos and other café beverages. The café is beautiful, spacious and well-layed out and has baristas who are passionate about making great coffee.

Espresso

My beverage of choice here is an Espresso ($3) that is always served with a bite size cookie. You will find a complete beverage menu of coffees, tea, and juice along with sandwiches, scones, cookies, muffins and more.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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LOBBY RESTAURANT

April 4th, 2011 admin

138 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver

Tel: 604-986-7437

Web: http://pinnaclepierhotel.com/the_lobby.html

Twitter: @PinnaclePier

Advice: Located inside the Pinnacle Pier Hotel.

Bread Basket

Warm Fig and Shallot Goat’s Cheese Tart

Phyllo Crusted Baked Brie

Overlooking Burrard inlet and the downtown Vancouver skyline, my friend Meena joined me for dinner and we were delighted with the many Ocean Wise seafood selections as well as their vegetarian choices. To start a bread basket arrived to the table with a delicious spread, then to begin our meal, I had the outstanding Warm Fig and Shallot Goat’s Cheese Tart ($10) mission figs, roasted shallot, and Okanagan Chevre and Meena had the Phyllo Crusted Baked Brie ($9) with mission fig and cherry compote, organic greens and passionfruit vinaigrette, served with fresh baguette.

Lobster Bisque with cinnamon crème

Cauliflower Soup

I then had the delicious Lobster Bisque with cinnamon crème ($8) and Meena had the delicious special soup of the day the Cauliflower Soup ($6).

Roasted Vancouver Island Sablefish

Roasted Tomato Penne

For our entrée I had the Roasted Vancouver Island Sablefish ($24) soy and brown sugar glaze with sautéed baby bok choy & ginger rice and my friend had the Roasted Tomato Penne ($15) with tomatoes, roasted garlic, olive oil, baby spinach and feta cheese.

Hazelnut Tart

Espresso pot du creme, chocolate mousse

Apple Tart

For dessert I had the Hazelnut Tart ($8) which I didn’t care for and the Espresso pot du creme, chocolate mousse ($8) and Meena had the best dessert of the night, the Apple Tart ($8) topped with vanilla ice cream. The service was terrific, and our server was helpful in assisting Meena with Vegetarian options.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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GUSTO DI QUATTRO

December 20th, 2010 admin

1 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver

Tel: 604-924-4444

Web: http://www.quattrorestaurants.com/gindex.html

Twitter: @GustoDiQuattro

Advice: Reservations suggested.

Romantic hideaway by night, a place to escape by day, this fine dining contemporary Italian gem is located minutes away from the northshore seabus terminal. I had dinner on my own recently, which gave me an opportunity to visit Executive Chef Nik Lim who is so passionate about cooking and wonderful guy to chat with about food and most of all Italian cuisine.

Caprese

Taking a look at their menu you will see that they have it divided into Classics and Seasonal, most of the classics are Roman and ones that are constant for remaining on their menu, then there are the Seasonal and most of those have an added a west-coast influence to the original modern Italian. I reviewed their wine list which had a good selection of wines by the glass.  I had some of their tasty home-made focaccia bread dipping it into the extra virgin olive oil while deciding on which dishes to order.

Steelhead Salmon

Gelato

To begin I had the Caprese ($14) –vine ripened tomatoes, fior de latte mozzarella, EVOO and fresh basil from their Classics menu, I also had a glass of the Tantalus Riesling ’07 ($10.95) the next dish was the outstanding Steelhead Salmon ($30 market price) with sweet potatoes, spinach, bacon, broth topped with a tarragon aioli of their Seasonal menu. To end this delicious meal I had their Homemade Gelato ($9) vanilla bean & hazelnut praline with an amaretto cookie.

The restaurant is cozy and intimate with fine service, I was happy that I ventured on the Seabus from downtown to the northshore for this wonderful dinner.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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