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Archive for the ‘Westend’ Category

LE GAVROCHE

May 14th, 2013 admin

1616 Alberni Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-685-3924

Web: http://www.legavroche.ca/

Twitter: @legavroche_

Advice: Advance reservations a must.

With a change to modern French cooking this long standing restaurant is now owned by Chef Robert Guest and David Auer who have both completely transformed the dining room and dining experience. The dining room now features Canadian artist Vince Dumoulin paintings on the white walls which provide a stunning artistic presence which equally match the beauty created on the plates.

North Arm Farms Carrot Juice

Bacon & Eggs

My friend Joe Tong joined me for dinner and both had the Degustation Menu a 7 course tasting menu with French wine pairings.  To Start we were served a beautifully presented North Arm Farms Carrot Juice followed by their version of Bacon & Eggs.

Ocean in the Pot

Ocean in the Pot

Sturgeon

The next course was very cool, Ocean in the Pot cooked in the ocean at the table. The Sturgeon was cooked in the glass jar, from the ocean to the table.

Thiesen Farms Pheasant

Rhubarb sorbet w/ herbs

Venison Tenderloin in a chocolate sauce

The next course featured Thiesen Farms Pheasant with carrot purée and edible flowers another beautiful dish which was followed an interactive palate cleanser where they poured Liquid Nitrogen on herbs table-side before adding Rhubarb Sorbet. Interactive and very refreshing taking local to another level – Nitrogen prepared Rhubarb sorbet w/ herbs!  The next course was the perfectly cooked and outstanding Venison Tenderloin in a chocolate sauce with local vegetables.

Garden Creme Brûlées

Our last course was the beautiful Garden Creme Brûlées – Lavender rhubarb and carrot to finish off the meal.

The chef has his own fruits, herbs and vegetable garden on the roof where he is growing as much as he can seasonally, these creative folk are taking French cooking and mixing with molecular gastronomy creating one of a kind dining experiences. I am looking forward to a return visit to try more dishes as the seasons change.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Coal Harbour, Westend Tags: , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

TAVOLA

May 13th, 2013 admin

1829 Robson St,  Vancouver

Tel: (604) 606-4680

Web: http://tavolavancouver.com

Twitter: @TavolaVancouver

Advice: If eating solo or not, snag a spot at the communal table.

Hidden off the beaten track in the West End is spot that fills up fast nightly with fab service and divine modern Italian fare. The large communal table is the star in the center of the room and it’s the table that guests all want to be seated.

Lamb Ragout Pasta

Sticky Toffee Pudding

I had the house special outstanding Lamb Ragout Pasta ($18) that the server highly recommended followed by the Sticky Toffee Pudding topped with vanilla ice cream in a pool of toffee caramel sauce that was delicious.

The menu features a selection of Mozza Bar favourites along with Croistini’s, share plates, pastas, big plates and desserts. The wine menu is equally impressive featuring a selection of white and red wines from Italy along with a few Pacific Northwest reds and whites. I’ve got my eye on the Brick chicken, and the Brown Sage Butter Gnocchi, I will be back soon.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

ESPANA RESTAURANT

December 28th, 2012 admin

1118 Denman Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-558-4040

Web: www.espanarestaurant.ca/

Twitter: @espanayvr

Advice: Don’t go solo, best place to go with at least one or two friends and share some dishes. Open late nightly.

Crispy Chickpeas

Fennel & Orange Salad

I love everything Spanish and Espana took me and my friend Peter on a culinary adventure of flavours. Sharing is the way to go here and we ordered a selection of dishes from bar snacks to a salad, along with a couple vegetarian dishes and a couple of desserts. We began with the tasty Crispy Chickpeas ($4) hot and sweet paprika and mint; followed by the Fennel & Orange Salad ($7) with pomegranates, walnuts, watercress and manchego.

Crispy Goat’s Cheese

Patatas Bravas

The Crispy Squid

Next was the outstanding Crispy Goat’s Cheese ($8) with a hint of orange blossom honey, frisee and walnuts; followed by the Patatas Bravas ($6) fried potatoes, spicy tomato sauce, aioli. The Crispy Squid ($10) with chili jam, yogurt and mint was superb and was the perfect ending as we moved from savoury to dessert.

Churros

Crema Catalana

I fell in love with the Churros ($8) having both of the sauces (you have to ask them to serve both sauces as it is usually served with your choice of one) and loving both dark hot chocolate sauce as well as the housemade yogurt and dulce de leche (mix this sauce at the table). Their version of Crema Catalana ($8) custard was similar to a crème brulee with a smooth flavour.

With Chef Neil Taylor who is one of the owners at the helm in the kitchen, you are in good hands so to speak. You’ll find a selection of fine Sherry’s as well as Port to go along with the Spanish tapas, toasts, cheese and cured meats and you can dine late into the night.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

RIO BRAZILIAN STEAK HOUSE

August 24th, 2012 admin

689 Denman Street, Vancouver

Tel:604-568-7722

Web: http://riobraziliansteakhouse.ca

Twitter: @riovancouver

Advice:  Green card up for servers to serve you Rodizio meat, Red card up for no service. Take a long a couple or more friends rather than going solo.

Rodizio -meats in the rotisserie

Rodizio is a style of restaurant service in Brazilian restaurants and at Rio, they offer a similar authentic experience. You pay a fixed price and the servers come to the table with knives and a skewer, with various kinds of meat, at several times throughout the meal, until the customers signify that they have had enough. Rotisserie meats carved table side by friendly servers creating an unforgettable dining experience.

Salad Bar

Cheese Bread, Fried Bananas and Potato Chips

Included in the price is an all you can eat Salad Bar that is full of healthy salads as well as smoked salmon, seafood, asparagus and much more. There is also a hot bar station that features 5 hot entrees on weekends (about 3 weekdays). While I was enjoying the salads as well as the delicious meat loaf in a spicy stew-like tomato sauce from the hot bar, I was served 3 baskets to the table of complimentary Brazillian cheese bread, fried bananas and potato chips.

Lamb

Striploin Beef

Chicken wrapped in Bacon

Filet Mignon wrapped in Bacon

I then placed the card green side up and tried the chicken, Strip Loin Beef, Beef Ribs, Skirt Steak, Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon, and Lamb which were very good.

Carving Beef Ribs on the cart tableside

I then heard a unique sounding bell, which signified the cart service where a server wheels a cart to your table featuring a special meat selection, this time it was the Beef Ribs so tasty and tender.

Pineapple

One of the servers brought over another unique dish, it was a roasted Pineapple which was dressed in cinnamon and then roasted, having a few slices was refreshing palate cleanser after all the meat. The price is quite reasonable for such a variety of dishes that includes the salad bar, hot bar, as well as the high quality meats, it is ($29.95 weekdays) and ($31.95 weekends) per person.

Brazilian Pudding

Cream of Papaya

Dessert is extra and each of the desserts are $6 each, I tried two of them, my favourite of the two was the Brazilian Pudding followed by the Cream of Papaya. They have beer, wine and cocktails, I suggest that you ask them for one of their Brazilian cocktails to round out the amazing dining experience. I am looking forward to a return visit for some more of Chef Felipe’s mothers meatloaf along with the beef ribs and skirt steak!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Westend Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments »

NERO BELGIAN WAFFLE BAR

June 4th, 2012 admin

1703 Robson Street, Vancouver

Tel: (778) 706-0694

Web: n/a

Twitter: @NeroWaffleBar

Advice: Limited seating, take out is a good idea here when busy.

Though it looks like a wooden cabin on the outside, once you step inside you have arrived at the house of Belgian Waffles. The batter for the waffles is home-made daily using the best ingredients. The waffle menu is simple, there is the Brussels waffle which is light, crispy and not sweet and there is the Liege which is dense and sweet. You can order the waffles on their own or order them with a variety of toppings from fruit to nutella or with other savoury creations.

“Fruity” Brussels Waffle

Liege Waffle

I visited on the weekend and shared both with my friend Avelino, we had the “Fruity” Brussels Waffle ($8) topped with strawberries, banana and kiwi and we also had the outstanding and Liege Waffle ($4) the very best that I have had in the city.

On the drinks side they have an espresso bar for the liquids to enjoy with the waffles.  Next time, I am going to try The “Parisienne waffle” it is a Brussels waffle topped with Brie cheese, walnuts and honey.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Westend Tags: , , , , , , , , 1 Comment »

LE PARISIEN

May 2nd, 2012 admin

751 Denman Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-687-1418

Web: www.leparisien.ca

Twitter: @leparisienyvr

Advice: Mon -Fri mornings croissants and coffee; brunch on weekends. Lunch & Dinner daily.

Everyone has a love for Paris in one way or another, whether it be Paris in Vegas or Paris in France, now we have Paris in the Westend and I am in love with it.

Croissants

Espresso Macchiatto

From the moment you walk in the room it is as if you woke up in Paris, I visited during the week to start the day with my friend Alejandro and we shared a basket of fresh baked Croissants ($8.50) with 2 plain croissants and 1 chocolate croissant, I had an Espresso Macchiatto ($3.00).

French Onion Fondue

Albacore Tuna Tartar

Cassoulet de Casteinaudary

Braised Lamb Gnocchi

On another day, I had dinner with friends sharing several of the dishes. I loved the outstanding French Onion Fondue ($9) with gruyere, onions, sherry and fresh baguette, it is a french onion soup without the broth; had the Albacore Tuna Tartar ($12) tapenade, pine nuts, oven dried tomato, espelette, croutons. Next was the delicious Cassoulet de Casteinaudary ($20) duck confit, bacon, toulouse sausage, cannellini beans; as well as the delicious Braised Lamb Gnocchi ($20) petit pois, mint and fromage blanc.

Citrus Parfait

Dark Chocolate Mousse

For dessert I shared the delicious and refreshing Citrus Parfait ($7) calamansi curd, blueberry preserve, burnt meringue followed by the Dark Chocolate Mousse ($7) with salted caramel and cocoa nib tuile. Looking forward to my next visit to try Brunch!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

GURKHA HIMALYAN KITCHEN

April 16th, 2012 admin

Chef/Owner Shiva Marahatta

1141 Davie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-565-7965

Web: http://gurkha.ca/

Twitter: @GURKHAca

Advice: Take a friend or two to share and try more dishes. Patio in the rear.

I have always had a curiousity about Nepalese cuisine, I was happy to discover Gurkha recently opening upstairs in the house that sits above Davie street. The interior is decorated with carvings from Nepal and the bar looks like a bamboo hut. As you enter you are greeted by gracious servers or Chef Shiva himself welcoming you to their house. Gorkha is a district of Nepal and where the term Gurkha came from, here you will have an authentic Nepali meal.

Potato Salad

Gurkha Platter

Taas

My friend Alvin joined me to share some of the Nepali dishes, he is vegetarian so I then shared some of his experiencing the best of both worlds, meat and vegetarian. We each started with the Potato Salad with crispy puffed rice and then I had the Gurkha Platter – Soybean salad, Kathmandu Sekuwa, (chicken & lamb) followed by the delicious Taas: Special Nepali snack prepared with grilled lean chicken/lamb meat and served with puffed rice, cucumber, pickle and spicy sauce.

Momos

Paalungo

I then enjoyed the Momos a Tibetan dish of steamed dumplings filled with diced chicken while Alvin had the delicious Nepali Paalungo – fresh spinach leaves sautéed in seeds (cumin, mustard and fenugreek), dry red chilli and fresh garlic cloves.

Gorkhali Khasi

Jhaaneko Daal

On to the entrees that were all priced between $10-$12 each, I had the delicious Gorkhali Khasi – goat in a Nepali curry while Alvin had the Jhaaneko Daal lentils soaked and cooked with Nepali spices and tempered with onion, cumin seeds and garlic.

Mango Lassi

Dudhbari

Chai Creme Brûlée

We both then had a refreshing Mango Lassi followed by a couple of traditional desserts to finish a wonderful meal. My favourite of the two was the Dudhbari followed by the Chai Creme Brûlée.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Photo Credit: Alvin Grado

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

THE AMERICAN CHEESESTEAK Co

November 7th, 2011 admin

781 Davie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-681-0130

Web: http://americancheesesteak.com/

Twitter: @thecheesesteak

Advice: Order a small as its big enough for one, order a large to share with a friend.

The Cowboy

Onion Rings

In Philadelphia it is a tradition to eat cheese steak sandwiches, it’s what the city is known for when talking food. Last week I visited this stylish meat paradise that claims to be purveyors of authentic cheese steak sandwiches. In for lunch, I ordered a small (6”) which was actually pretty large, The Cowboy ($10) shaved prime rib, crispy fried onions, homemade spicy bbq sauce, bacon mayo and aged white cheddar which was tasty and filling with high quality ingredients. The server suggested I add an order of fries, I opted instead for a small order of Onion Rings ($4) thinking how could I go wrong with the Onion Rings. I have had lots of tasty onion rings in the past, and most were better than these which were far to ordinary for a stylish place like this that’s striving to be a notch above great.

You can choose from the Traditional Cheesesteaks line-up or from the Decadent Specialty Steaks which I opted to do. Then you choose the size small or large, if you go with the Traditional then you can choose the type of cheese from the four on offer. They are licensed and you may want to have a beer to round out your meat eating experience. Be forewarned this is heavy food!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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