Archive for the ‘Yaletown’ Category

SWEENEY’S

July 10th, 2010 admin
1091 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-689-4505


Twitter: @SweeneysYT

Advice: Try a different sandwich each time you visit.

Tuna Tataki Sandwich

Vegetarian Meatball Grinder

It is as close to a gourmet sandwich emporium as you are going to find in this area, their menu of sandwiches has been well thought out. I have been in for lunch a couple of times since they opened and I have enjoyed both of the sandwiches that I had which were the Tuna Tataki ($8.50) togarashi spice, watercress-lemon dressing, avocado on a baguette as well as the Vegetarian Meatball Grinder ($7.75) vegetarian meatballs cooked in Sweeney’s tomato sauce, baked on a torpedo bun with provolone cheese. The sandwiches are not your traditional sandwiches, love and creativity in a bun would be one way of describing them. In addition to the inventive sandwiches they have salads, soups and baked goods. Good and beer wine selection too!

Review by: Richard Wolak
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CHARM MODERN THAI

May 14th, 2010 admin

1269 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-688-9339

Web: http://www.charmmodernthai.com/

Twitter: @charmmodernthai

Advice: Brown rice is available for an extra charge, let them know what level of spice you would like.

Prawn Wonton & Tom Yum Soup

Chicken Panang Curry

Vanilla Tapioca, Mango Panacotta, Chocolate Chili Torte

In for lunch the other day for one of their Lunch plate specials, for ($10), my first course included the Tom Yum Soup and Crispy Won Ton, this followed with the flavourful Chicken Panang Curry with steamed rice and vegetables. I ended off the meal with a dessert sampler of the Vanilla Bean Tapioca, Mango Panecotta and the Chocolate Chili Torte ($4.50). For lunch the $10 special is vast and options abound including your choice of curry or stirfry or noodles/rice. The menu also features an extensive selection of appetizers, soups and seafood entrees such as the Thai Styled 3 Flavoured Fish that I must try on my next visit. The service was wonderful and the decor is rich in red and modern on the inside with a great patio on the outside.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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HAMILTON STREET GRILL

April 3rd, 2010 admin

1009 Hamilton Street,Vancouver

Tel: 604-331-1511

Web: http://www.hamiltonstreetgrill.com/

Twitter:  @nwyles

Advice: Check in advance for their Sunday Night Service family style dinners at the long table.

Beef Prime Rib, Mashed Potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Potatoes, Carrots, Brussel Sprouts

I dined here last Sunday night with some friends for the inaugural “Sunday Night Services” meal, family style at the long communal table in the dining room. This dinner at the long table seated 24 people (must reserve in advance), 5 of my friends joined me and we all joined the table for a wonderful night of eating ‘family’ style and mingling with other folk. This is a great way to spend a Sunday night and it gives you a chance to meet some new people. As we were seated a basket of bread and butter arrived to the table followed by plates of generous portions of pre-carved, slow-roasted Certified Angus Beef Prime Rib. Plates of Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Potatoes, Carrots & Brussel Sprouts, mini Yorkshire Pudding, Creamed Horseradish, and a big pot of gravy followed and were passed around at the table, you could take as much or as little as you pleased. Pints of R&B’s Bohemian Lager were served after the food was served on the table.

Mashed Potatoes

Yorkshire Pudding

Carrots & Brussel Sprouts

Chef Neil Wyles greeted our table and welcomed us to his family table. Growing up his family used to have big family style dinners and this was on of the reasons he had decided to begin this new Sunday Night Services special in his restaurant. Call ahead to find out about the next Sunday Night Services dinner, and look for the meal to include different types of meat from Lamb, to Roast to Turkey.

Gingerbread Pudding, with Pumpkin & Ginger Ice Cream

The meal including one beer costs ($18) plus taxes and gratuity. While dessert is not included in the actual meal, I had to have their house specialty warm Gingerbread Pudding, with Pumpkin & Ginger Ice Cream ($8) served warm and drenched in a rich caramel sauce.

The restaurant also offers an extensive menu featuring steaks, seafood and more inside this cozy restaurant or outside on the heated patio.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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LUPO

March 17th, 2010 admin

869 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-569-2535

Web: www.luporestaurant.ca/

Twitter: @luporestaurant

Advice: They can accommodate large parties of 12 people in the Nook located in the main floor dining room or larger parties upstairs. Advance reservations are suggested. If you wish to pair wines with your meal ask Michael to either select for you or ask him for advice.

Lupo Focacia

Winter Caprese Salad

Tortelli

I loved the ambience of both the upstairs and downstairs dining rooms, my friend Thu and I had dinner at Lupo last week and were lucky to be seated downstairs close to the brick fireplace. This delightful turn of the century Heritage House, has a contemporary kitchen with Chef Julio Gonzalez Perini it the helm serving fresh reinventions of Italian classics in a cozy, neighborhood environment. We began our dinner with the wonderful Lupo Focacia ($5) which was an ideal size for sharing, From there we had the Winter Caprese Salad ($15) over dried tomato, pesto and saba; then for the appetizer we had the outstanding Tortelli ($15) (is a Ravioli but half moon shape), stuffed with lobster, Mascarpone and onion confit, served with a tomato coulis, and fennel butter. This dish was a daily special that should be on their daily menu (we hope they will add it).

Braised Beef Short Ribs

Pizzetta -Margheretta

The main course was next and again we were shared a couple entrees, the first was the tantalizing Braised Beef Short Ribs ($26) on bed of soft marscarpone and polenta; and since we both had to try the pizza we went with a simiple, Pizzetta -Margheretta ($10) crispy crust, tomato and basil, fior di latte.

Meyer Lemon Tart

Chocolate and Raspberry Tear Drop Mousse

. I always have to save room for dessert when I am in an Italian restaurant, so to end our meal we had the refreshing Meyer Lemon Tart ($8) with a hint of passion fruit,and lemon – yoghurt gelato along with the Chocolate and Raspberry Tear Drop Mousse ($9), a tear drop shaped chocolate shell, stuffed with raspberry flavoured chocolate mousse

The restaurant has an impressive wine list, delicious food, outstanding service and made me feel like being at home.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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CHARLIE’S

March 9th, 2010 admin

1265 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-6685

Web: www.charlielovespizza.com

Twitter: @pizzabycharlie

Advice: Sit at the family communal table when dining solo or with friends, it is a great way of getting to know other diners.

Grappa Cured Salmon

Beef Crudo

Prosciutto di Parma

Finally a pizza place in Yaletown where you can dine with friends and enjoy cocktails too! I loved the photos of Charlie that adorn the walls as well as the comfy couches for lounging. I sat the family table with friends and we shared a few appetizers, pizzas and desserts. To start we began with the Grappa Cured Salmon ($15) with cucumber and mint yoghurt, salmon roe, lemon zest; followed by the Beef Crudo ($15) with horseradish cream, caper salt, eschalotte and sage oil; followed by the Prosciutto di Parma ($15) with pea mousse, snow pea tendril, egg, crostini and extra virgin olive oil.

Smoked Duck Pizza

Pork Meatball

Short Rib Beef

From there we moved on to the pizzas, since Charlie’s is the home of pizza it was a must try, starting off with the Smoked Duck Pizza ($25) with porcini sauce, roast portabello, tallegio cheese, radicio and truffle oil. The next pizza was the Pork Meatball ($23) with tomato sugo, fontina, smoked speck and fresh oregano. The last pizza was the Short Rib Beef ($25) with tomato sugo, carmelized onions, mozzarella, horseradish cream and green onions. The two pizzas that I enjoyed most were the Smoked Duck and Short Rib.

73% Chocolate Ganache

Banofie Pie

For dessert, again we shared them both, my favourite by far was the 73% Chocolate Ganache ($10) with pistachio soil, chocolate wafer and mint sorbet. The other dessert was the Banofie Pie ($10) with dry caramel, bananas and coconut ice cream. The restaurant is funky with a modern décor with live DJs spinning upbeat tunes. All I could think after dinner, where was Charlie?

Review by: Richard Wolak

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GLOWBAL GRILL

February 25th, 2010 admin

1079 Mainland Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-602-0835

Web: www.glowbalgrill.com

Twitter: @glowbal_group

Advice:  Dine early on Sunday nights if you are planning to have the Prime Rib as they serve it until they run out. If you are looking to only have drinks then sit at the bar or walk through the back to the adjoining Afterglow lounge.

Tuscan Pumpkin loaf

Finding a great steakhouse, that isn’t priced sky high, and in a trendy part of the city hasn’t always been so easy here that is until now. My friend Lisa joined me here recently for dinner and we were both impressed by the delicious food and great service. The room has been redone with wood paneling, comfy seats along with a showcase signature round table towards the front, the table any large party will want to be seated at. Before we began our meal we were served a Tuscan Pumpkin loaf with rosemary and Hawaiian salted butter, this wasn’t any ordinary bread, this was heavenly.

Hamachi Crudi Satay & Lobster Satay (middle)

Beet Salad

Steak Tartare

We shared some appetizers that included the Hamachi Crudi Satay ($3.90) with pineapple ponzu and the Lobster Satay ($7.95) with curry butter and the Beet Salad ($12) arugala, pecorino, sherry & shallot vinaigrette. Lisa had the Steak Tartare ($18) 5oz prime beef tenderloin and focaccia crisps on her own as I’m not a fan of Tartare.

Ribeye 16oz Canadian Prime

Glowbal Onion Rings

Asparagus

It was then time to enjoy our entree, we shared the bone in Ribeye 16oz Canadian Prime ($39) with 3 salts a Peruvian rock salt, black smoked salt and Hawaiian salt along with a couple of sides to at least get some vegetables to go along with our meat dishes. After eating the Glowbal Onion Rings ($6) panko breaded and so delicious, I declared these the best onion rings that I ever had. The other side was the Asparagus ($7) with béarnaise sauce.

Chocolate Bailey's Bread Pudding

Frosted Beignets & Apple Fritters

We were both quite full after the meal but desserts at Glowbal are a must and we went full on into sharing two of their spectacular desserts. The Chocolate Bailey’s Bread Pudding ($8) bailey’s creme anglais with toffee crumble was my favourite and the Frosted Beignets & Apple Fritters ($8) Vanilla custard, salted butterscotch were a close second. My next visit will be for weekend Brunch as I hear they have one of the best brunches in Yaletown.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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HAPA IZAKAYA

January 25th, 2010 admin

1193 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-681-4272

Web:  http://www.hapaizakaya.com/

Twitter: @hapaizakaya

Advice: Be adventurous and take your servers recommendations. When you enter the staff will all yell “Irasshaimase” don’t be worried it means “come in”!


Izakaya is popular in Vancouver and Hapa Izakaya are the ones to credit for bringing authentic Izakaya (Japanese tapas) to the city. This is the third and most recent location and by far one of the stylish yet. The interior is dark black with a good selection of seats for a couple or for larger groups of diners and a great open kitchen to watch the chefs at play. My friend and I shared a bunch of different dishes all were unique in flavour and all were superb.

Summer Love Martini

Beginning a meal here may include ordering a cocktail from their inventive list such as the Summer Love Martini ($9) – soho Lychee liquer, vodka, strawberry puree, pineapple juice; or one of the Japanese beers.

Edamame

Ebi Avocado Salad

Yaki Kamo

Saba Yakisakana

Ebi Mayo

Yaki Udon

Chan Chan Yaki

To start we had the Edamame ($4.35) marinated chilled soybeans; then the refreshing Ebi Avocado Salad ($8.95) prawns and avocado with organic greens in a citrus dressing; followed by the Yaki Kamo ($11.95) roasted duck breast, grainy mustard, miso pickled beets and cauliflower a great suggestion by our server; the Saba Yakisakana ($6.25) with ponzu and salt was something very different, I have never had Saba before and again the server strikes gold in convincing me to try it; next was my favourite Ebi Mayo ($7.75) tempura prawns tossed in a spicy mayonnaise sauce and here it was done to perfection lightly tossed in the sauce (without all the extra mayo that many of the other Izakaya places do); this then followed with the Yaki Udon ($8.50) thick udon noodles, stir fried with chicken and vegetables; Chan Chan Yaki ($9.50) local spring salmon, rice, miso mushroom sauce (daily Ishiyaki), I loved this dish, oh how I loved this dish.

Black Sesame Ice Cream

Matcha Brulee

For dessert, we had 2 selections that included the delicious Black Sesame ice cream ($4.50) and the Matcha Brulee ($6.25) topped with a goose berry.

Each day there is a fresh sheet with daily specials to go along with the regular menu, order a few dishes with your friends, share and enjoy!

Review by: Richard Wolak

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BUZZ CAFE

January 4th, 2010 admin

901 Homer Street, Vancouver

604-732-9029

Web: n/a

Advice: great prices for their espresso.

Looking for some inspiration? This is a great place to visit not only for their 49th Parallel coffee, if you are in need of a creative spark like I have been on a few occasions this is an ideal spot to go. The café is located inside the Harrison Art Gallery, and features wireless internet, comfy conches and seating throughout the café and into the gallery. In addition to the great coffee there is a good selection of teas along with baked goods and sandwiches. The service is friendly and the pace is relaxed, bring a book or bring your laptop and get creative.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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