Archive for the ‘Restaurant Reviews’ Category

HARVEST COMMUNITY FOODS

April 16th, 2012 admin

243 Union Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-682-8851

Web: http://www.harvestunion.ca

Twitter: @harvestunion

Advice: 11am-8pm Tue-Fri, 10am-6pm Weekends.

It’s a market and eatery that aspires to serving the community with all that is local on the edge of Chinatown and Strathcona. Beginning as ‘this space’ which has evolved through feedback from the local community resulting in the establishment of this grocery/eatery. On the market side they sell dairy and packaged goods such as Beta 5 chocolates, Golden Ears Cheesecrafters cheese, and other gourmand items. On the eatery side they have an ever changing line-up of sandwiches along with chicken steam buns, in the evening they offer a daily ‘braise’.

Chicken & Avocado Sandwich

I had the Chicken & Avocado Sandwich ($8) filled with hot chicken breast and avocado. You will also find a daily soup, and salad offering along with cookies, chocolates and more! They also offer a brunch menu on weekends, you’ll see much more as this space constantly evolves.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Chinatown, Strathcona Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

BETWEEN TWO BUNS

April 10th, 2012 admin

1271 Homer Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-336-4103

Web: http://www.betweentwobuns.ca/

Twitter: @BetweenTwoBuns

Advice: Have a creative twist of a sandwich that you would like to see on their menu, then tweet it to them and tag it #sandwichlab

Jerk-it

It’s all about the sandwiches, and the fillings are one notch above the last great sandwich you have had. The menu is pretty simple though the names of the sandwiches are far from ordinary, take names such as “The Maniac” which is all about the bacon, or “The Cheeky” which is all about the pork cheeks, or “The Hot Chick” and I know what you are thinking but that one is about a chick pea patty. I have been in a couple times in the past week, the first time I had the “Jerk-it” ($9) with jerk chicken, crispy yam and cream coleslaw. and the second time I had the “Jerk-it” see the trend, this sandwich is so good, and as the saying goes once you find something you like stick with it!

You will also find a selection of sides to choose from such as Spicy Fries, Coleslaw, Poutine and 5 pounds of Poutine, and more! I’d say you are going to get hooked and want to try all the unique sandwich concoctions these guys are coming up with!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

PETE’S MEAT BUTCHER SHOP & DELI

April 9th, 2012 admin

2817 Arbutus St, Vancouver

Tel: 604-730-1661

Web: http://petesmeat.ca/

Twitter: @Petesmeats

Advice: No reservations, small seating area.

The butcher shop specializes in meat and not just any meat, there is beef, chicken and pork as well as other meats and you will find meats that are hormone-free, and they make a lot of the sausages in-house. On the deli side they specialize in really good sandwiches made with their meats on great thick bread then grilled.

the Sandwiches hiding

Beef Brisket Sandwich

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

I had lunch with my friend Cassandra recently and we shared a couple of their huge sandwiches, both were delicious, I started off with the Beef Brisket followed by the Grilled Chicken served on their thick crusted bread, lightly grilled and under $10 each.

This is where you are going to want to go for lunch when in the neighborhood or nearby. The shop also carries spices, pickles, organic eggs, milk in glass bottles, and sodas.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in West Side Tags: , , , , , , No Comments »

THE UNION BAR

April 8th, 2012 admin

219 Union Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-3230

Web:  http://theunionbar.ca/

Twitter: @TheUnionBar

Advice: No reservations.

In this stylish room, this is a South East Asian eatery with a very hip look and feel. Located at the entrance of Chinatown, you will find communal tables and a bar that is filled with tropical ingredients to shake and stir those refreshing cocktails that go so well with some spicy eats.

Peanut Noodles

Bubur Cha Cha

I have always been a fan of peanut sauce or peanut anything for that matter, I had the outstanding and flavourful Peanut Noodles ($13) spinach, shiitakes, charred eggplant, sambal ginger peanut sauce followed by a very different type of dessert which is common in Asia and less common here, the Bubur Cha Cha ($7) caramelized sweet potatoes, yams and tapioca in coconut milk.

The menu is filled with an array of snacks and bowls, covering all of the regions in South East Asia, from Malaysia to Indonesia to Thailand as well as Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches; along with salads, greens and desserts. The bar menu is filled with all sorts of unique cocktails along with beer and wine.

I can’t wait to return to try the Cha Ca Fish as well as their Green Papaya Salad.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

COFFEEBAR

April 8th, 2012 admin

10 Water Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-566-9693

Web: http://www.thecoffeebar.ca

Twitter: @mycoffeebar

Advice: Open daily.

Each time that I am in Gastown on a Sunday, this has been the café to go to with friends. Of course this is a great café to frequent on a daily basis which is located in the heart of Gastown. I like the place for its brightness from the front as well as the courtyard out back, also love the exposed bricked walls and the seating layout. They serve up a line-up of espresso beverages, tea as well as cold drinks, additionally there is a good selection of baked goods to munch.

Espresso Macchiatto

I have been coming here ever since they opened, it seems that I always have the same beverage which is the Espresso Macchiatto $2.85, my go to beverage of choice.  Yes they do have sandwiches as well, however when I am in the area, my go to is for the espresso beverages.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

VIA TEVERE PIZZERIA

April 5th, 2012 admin

1190 Victoria Drive, Vancouver

Tel: 604-336-1803

Web: http://viateverepizzeria.com/

Twitter: @ViaTeverePizza

Advice: No reservations, closed on Mondays.

From the moment I walked in to Via Tevere I was captivated by the warmth of the room, it’s as if the restaurant has been in the neighborhood for years. From the cool ambience to the top notch service to the outstanding authentic Neapolitan pizzeria I can assure you I was impressed.

Salsiccia e Rapini Pizza

I had the outstanding Salsiccia e Rapini Pizza ($15) with fior de latte, Italian sausage and broccoli rabe. The crust is key here, it was perfect from the texture to the appearance, both on the bottom and top, along with the cheese and other ingredients this was one tasty pie. The menu is quite simple, they offer pizza as well as some antipasti selections as well as a few desserts, keeping it simple is the way to go and it’s working here.

Already looking forward to my next visit.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

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

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

CADEAUX BAKERY

March 17th, 2012 admin

172 Powell St. Vancouver

Tel: 604-608-8889

Web: http://cadeauxbakery.com

Twitter: @cadeauxbakery

Advice: Custom cakes to order in advance.

Mixing the best of both worlds Cadeaux features Chef Eleanor Chow’s dessert creations with espresso based beverages in her own bakeshop café. Joining me for a delightful afternoon chat were friends Avelino Santos @Food_Wine_Lover and Ali Hui @FoodWineFinder talking all things food and wine.

Sticky Bun

Espresso Macchiato

I had the outstanding Sticky Bun with yummy toffee throughout the bun as well as an Espresso Macchiato, Avelino had an Apple Danish and Ali had a Croissant.

I love there open kitchen concept where you can see all the cakes being made from the batter to the decorating you get a nice peak into their ever evolving scene. In the midst of our conversation, I stared into the pastry case looking at all the wonderful brownies, croissants, scones, chocolate truffles and most of all the London Fog Layer Cake which is my must try treat on my next visit.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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