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Posts Tagged ‘beer’

GRAIN TASTING BAR

June 7th, 2013 admin

655 Burrard Street, Vancouver.

Tel: 604-639-4768

Web: www.grainvbc.com/

Twitter: @Grain_Bar

Advice: Snag a spot by the open window on sunny day. Located inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Many of the dishes are ideal for sharing.

Cheese and Charcuterie Board

Seared Tuna Salad (front) & Crab Louie (back)

Pamplona Chorizo Pizza

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Buffalo Mozzarella

With one of the coolest patio’s in the city, this lounge is hidden off the beaten track awaiting your discovery. On a dry day you will often see the windows drawn and diners sitting at the tables that line the street with an open view looking outward. I visited for lunch the other day with my blogger friend Sean Neild to share some of their rather large dishes, we started off with the Cheese and Charcuterie Board – ($18 for 3 meats and 3 cheeses) that came with a selection of cheeses and meats served with house-made mustard, jam, chutney, and breads. Next we shared a couple of the lunch size salads, the delicious Seared Tuna Salad ($14) with b.c. albacore tuna, arugula, heirloom tomato and cucumber dressing; along with the Crab Louie ($14) dungeness crab, romaine lettuce, hard-boiled cage free egg, hot-house tomato, asparagus and louie dressing. We then shared 3 pizzas, my favourite was the Pamplona Chorizo Pizza ($16) with pistachios, pickled onions and ricotta; followed by my 2nd favourite BBQ Chicken Pizza ($16) all natural chicken, double smoked bacon, avocado and bbq sauce; lastly the Buffalo Mozzarella ($16) oven roasted tomatoes, confit garlic and basil this is their classic margarita pizza.

You will find a great selection from mid day thru late night of artisanal sandwiches, salads, pizza and shared plates along with an extensive selection of artisan cocktails, regional wines and craft beer. Their cocktails are creatively designed to highlight regional distilleries and fresh ingredients. Five draught handles feature the best in local breweries, and their wine program is VQA focused with selections ranging from established wineries to up-and-coming winemakers.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

BACK FORTY SALOON

June 1st, 2013 admin

118 Robson St, Vancouver

Tel: 604-688-5840

Web: http://www.backfortysaloon.com/

Twitter: @BackFortySaloon

Advice: Ask for side of their house made barbq sauce with anything you order.

I have always loved good Barbq, hunted down the best of the best when travelling across the South West. I’ve found that good ol’ barbq heaven this past week when dining at Back Forty, holy toledo Chef Matthew Phillip’s barbq sauce is the best that I have had around the city.  With a bit of sweet and tangy this sauce was it and I would now order it on or with anything I have on that menu. It’s a good thing that I always ask lots of questions of my server and such, as wonderful as my server was she knew nothing about the wonderful dishes that kitchen is cooking up. By the end of my meal as I raved about everything, I think I had the server convinced to give it a go.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Po-boy

Bourbon Apple Crumble Sundae

I had the outstanding Buttermilk Fried Chicken Po-boy ($12.40) with grainy mustard and slaw on awesome bun served with coleslaw. Of course I had to try their barbq sauce and asked for a side of sauce (complimentary). I had heard that the chef also makes his own bourbon caramel sauce so it was a must that I ordered the Bourbon Apple Crumble Sundae ($7.40), as expected it was delightful with the bourbon caramel sauce with apples, a delicious oats and nuts crumble and vanilla gelato, absolutely heavenly.

The menu has a vast selection of appetizers, flatbreads, sandwiches, salads and entrées as well as a few desserts. I am already eyeing the Bucket of Buttermilk Chicken as well as the Buttermilk Fried Chicken N’ Waffle with maple butter sauce off their brunch menu.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

EIGHT 1/2

May 30th, 2013 admin

151 E 8th Ave, Vancouver

Tel:  (604) 568-2703

Web: http://www.eightandahalf.ca

Twitter: @eightandahalf

Advice: Sit at the bar if dining solo.

Bailey’s French Toast

Bella Coola

In the heart of Mt Pleasant, you’ll find a great spot for eating and lounging with friends as I did recently. My friend Kenji Maeda joined me for weekend brunch on Sunday morning, I had the Bailey’s French Toast ($10.50) served with side fruit and alder smoked bacon and Kenji had the Bella Coola Eggs Benny ($8.50) Wild smoked BC salmon, dill cream cheese, and capers.

The dinner menu is filled with Plates such as the Local Charcuterie Plate and the Artisan Cheese Plate which is ideal for sharing, there are also Small Plates and Large Plates with their popular Okanagan Stuffed Chicken filled with feta cheese, sundried tomatoes, and chorizo topped with fresh corn salsa. You will also find salads, thin crust pizzas and desserts rounding off the menu, there is the selection of lunch and brunch favourites to make your visit to Mt Pleasant shine!

Review by: Richard Wolak

 

Posted in Mount Pleasant Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

CHICHA RESTAURANT

May 22nd, 2013 admin

136 East Broadway, Vancouver

Tel: 604-620-3963

Web:  http://www.chicharestaurant.ca/

Twitter: @ChichaVancouver

Advice: Take a friend or two and share dishes.

I absolutely adore seeing passionate chefs open an eatery who are adventurous with a sole purpose of throwing us all in to a new direction. The two chefs behind Chicha are not only experienced having worked for years in other kitchens around the city, they also both share a love for unique flavours, stunning presentation and deliciousness. Peruvian is not a cuisine known to many around this part of the world, it is however a food culture that I am curious about and hope that food lovers in this city will embrace and follow the culinary journey that Chef Shelome Bouvette and her partners Chef Allison Flook and friend Kumiko Umeno have begun. Peruvian is best described as Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, and indigenous flavours, methods and traditions.

Causa

As I began my dinner experience, the first dish was a selection of Causa a classic Peruvian dish that is whipped potatoes in an array of colours which is made with various vegetables and are crowned with a variety of toppings. The ones I had were the delicious Atun (Spicy Albacore Tuna), Cangrejo (Crab Salad) & Verduras (Lima bean).

Locro de Zapallo Empanadas

Las Papas Fritas

Novoadean las Verduras Fritters

Anticucho de Pollo

Next was the very good Locro de Zapallo Empanadas filled with kale, corn, roasted butternut squash, and salsa topped with the traditional pieces of red onions. The Las Papas Fritas were lightly seasoned and served with a Peruvian tartar, truly addicting fries. The Novoadean las Verduras fritters which happen to be gluten-free and vegan, were made with cauliflower, spinach, zucchini, corn, quinoa and served with an outstanding passion fruit sauce.  Finally the Anticucho de Pollo (chicken skewers) Amarillo chili, brown butter potato, trio of ajis (sauces) was another very good dish.

Peruvian Lucuma Pisco Cheesecake

For dessert I had the delicious Peruvian Lucuma Pisco Cheesecake in a raspberry sauce which is made with a tropical fruit with a delicate flavor, native to Peru.

The menu appears vast, though the chefs say it is a small representation of many dishes to come. This is a culinary journey that I can-not wait to continue and I know these chefs will not disappoint, visit, eat, enjoy and embrace their creativity.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Mount Pleasant Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

MOSAIC BAR & GRILLE

May 16th, 2013 admin

655 Burrard Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 639-4770

Web: http://vancouver.hyatt.com

Twitter: @HyattVancouver

Advice: multi-course tasting menus, you can ask to have the chef create you a customer tasting menu.

 

Windset Farms Fresco Cucumber Gazpacho

Chilled Dungeness Crab Cannelloni

With a star chef at its helm, my friend Nikki Caine joined me to explore and enjoy the chef’s tasting menu as I knew we were in for a culinary journey. Chef Thomas Heinrich is the visionary culinary master who is creating artful masterpieces on the plate. Our 1st course was the Windset Farms Fresco Cucumber Gazpacho in refreshing ginger coconut gelee. The next course was the outstanding Chilled Dungeness Crab Cannelloni with English pea, meyer lemon and mint where the presentation was perfection.

Spring, Green Garlic Grits with Scallop

Pan seared Branzino

Galbi marinated Pork Jowl

Slow Roasted Lamb

The journey continued with the next course, a taste of Spring, Green Garlic Grits with Scallop which was delicious, this followed by the Pan seared Branzino with celery noodles and carrot reduction with an oregano citrus emulsion served to us on a mirrored slab. From there the flavours exploded with the Galbi marinated Pork Jowl with Asian pear, fiddle heads, lotus root and edible flowers, the sauce was heavenly. On to the 6th course it was another stunning plate with the the delicious Slow Roasted Lamb with mustard and fennel streusel and a pomegranate gastrique along with edible flowers.

Braised Rhubarb

We finished off our impressive meal with the Braised Rhubarb with white chocolate meringue, ginger and pink peppercorns and green strawberries, this dessert was the perfect ending with more stunning flavours. I am looking forward to many return visits and to follow the seasons with Chef Thomas Heinrich leading the way.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

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 »

LE CROCODILE

May 13th, 2013 admin

909 Burrard St #100,  Vancouver

Tel: (604) 669-4298

Web: http://lecrocodilerestaurant.com/

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Reservations are a must.

Onion Tart

This is one of those classic restaurants that has been on the scene for many years, I first dined here well over 15 years ago and it hasn’t changed much. The menu is classic French and many of the dishes have been on the menu for years, some would say why change a good thing if it works. You’ll always see beautiful fresh flowers in the dining room which adds a fine touch to your dining experience. For my latest visit, Chef Lina Cashetto joined me for lunch and we were served a complimentary mini onion tart to warm our taste buds.

‘le Crocodile Classic’ Tomato & Gin Soup

Mixed Grill of Halibut, Prawns, Salmon

Pasta Special

I had the ‘le Crocodile Classic’ Tomato & Gin Soup ($5.50) that was rich and delicious, followed by the Mixed Grill of Halibut, Prawns ($18) Wild Salmon with squid ink linguine. Lina had the house pasta creation of the day.

At the end of the meal we were served their classic Crocodile Chocolates that are made for them by local chocolatier Daniel Chocolates. Chef/Owner Michel Jacob runs a tight ship so to speak, offering traditional French cooking and a classic dining experience that hasn’t changed much over the years!

Review by: Richard Wolak

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