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Posts Tagged ‘Cocktails’

GRAZE

May 25th, 2013 admin

3980 Fraser Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 620-8822

Web: n/a

Twitter: @GrazeFoodVan

Advice: Reservations suggested.

With its focus on plant based cuisine this east side jaunt is striving to be sustainable using locally and organically produced ingredients in their innovative cooking. They grow their own herbs & vegetables, collect rainwater for their garden, compost their kitchen waste, reduce their power consumption, and solar heat their hot water.

Antipasti Platter

Perogies

Rhubarb Crumble

The kitchen team lead by talented Executive Chef Karen McKathy is creating unique vegan dishes, I had the Antipasti Platter ($15) to start with a delish beet & cheese tartar, smoked tofu, candied nuts, pickled watermelon and more. I then had the Perogies ($16) which were made with buckwheat flour along with flax and chia seeds in the dough, and filled with Yam & Eggplant, topped with oyster mushrooms, crisp shallots, beet shred with an amazing spicy tomato jam. For dessert I had the Rhubarb Crumble ($7) with white chocolate ganache and caramel sauce, this dessert as well as most of their desserts are a collaboration with In the Oven baking.

The menu is made of a selection of Grazing boards, small and large plates along a few desserts and creative cocktails from the very cool bar. This is place to be if you vegan as well if you aren’t and want to experience this type of cuisine.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Eastside 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 »

LOMBARDO’S

May 20th, 2013 admin

1641 Commercial Drive, Vancouver

Tel: 604-251-2240

Web: http://lombardos.ca/

Twitter: @LombardosPizza

Advice: Make reservations for eating in, call or visit for take-out.

Chicken Pesto Pizza special

Alla Panna

Sometimes it can take awhile to visit a long standing, popular eatery, in this case it’s taken me an eternity to visit this pizzeria which has been serving pizzas and pastas in the neighborhood for over 25 years. I’m happy that they are still going strong on the drive and that I was able to indulge in some of their pizza pie. The restaurant is hidden off the beaten track of the drive, situated in the back of the indoor shopping plaza where the chef’s making the pizzas in their open kitchen. I opted for take-out having their Chicken Pesto Pizza special along with their classic Alla Panna Pizza topped with mozzarella, quark and parmesan cheese. The pizzas come in 2 sizes, medium & large and you can chose from over 20 pizzas, there is also a good selection of pastas and sauces on offer along with popular favourite pasta specialities. You’ll also find appetizers, salads, soups and more rounding up the menu and I’m pretty sure you have either beat me to the punch or I hope you will be visiting soon.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Commercial Drive Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

BURDOCK AND CO.

May 16th, 2013 admin

2702 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 879-0077

Web: http://www.burdockandco.com

Twitter: @BurdockAndCo

Advice: Try to snag a spot at the bar overlooking the open kitchen.

As a fan of talented Chef Andrea Carlson, I had long awaited the opening of Burdock & Co to experience Andrea’s new abode, this is her own restaurant and she nailed it from the get go. I was on a solo visit recently, sitting at the bar which gave me the best view in the house of the open kitchen. I watched all the cooks as they created stunning plates one after another, this is heaven for any food writer.

Fresh oysters finger line caviar

Halibut

The Fire Roasted Green Farro

I began my journey with refreshing Fresh oysters finger line caviar ($15), French breakfast radish, chickweed , apple & verbene sorbet, Kasu emulsion. Next was the outstanding Halibut($17) braised spring radish and hop shoots, pine mushroom and burdock tea, fried burdock, hop salt such unique local ingredients melding together in this beautiful dish. The Fire Roasted Green Farro ($10) came with spruce tips, black garlic, sorrel another dish with unique ingredients, one of which was the Korean black garlic, wow!

Salted Caramel Apple Pot Pie

Cookies

For dessert, I had delicious Salted Caramel Apple Pot Pie ($8) which was topped with lavender ice cream with gluten free crust. This was followed by a box of their Cookies, a great idea in both presentation and perfect to end a meal.

This is one of those special restaurants where what’s in season will evolve in the dishes and I am looking forward to many visits to come.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Main Street 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 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 »

Tuc Craft Kitchen

May 6th, 2013 admin

60 West Cordova St, Vancouver

Tel: 604-599-8999

Web: www.tucrestaurant.com

Twitter: @TucRestaurant

Advice: Open for lunch and dinner. Also offers an upstairs seating area perfect for large gatherings.

With the spacious room, high ceilings and a stellar wood crafted bar is a new eatery with dishes that are rustic, and mixing unique flavours. It’s comfort food and you’ll find all sorts of interesting dishes along with a cocktail list to match. The three partners all met over the years while working in the hospitality industry, they had a dream to create a restaurant together and from dream they did recently opening in Gastown.

Orange Glazed Lamb Ribs

Parsnip & Smashed Potato Fries

Red Bandit Meuniére

Caramel Popcorn Ice Cream

I dined solo last week, ordering a couple of appetizers which included the outstanding Orange Glazed Lamb Ribs ($8) Australian lamb, jalapeno pepper, candied ginger served in a black cast iron pan, the meat was tender and full of flavour and this is a dish I would repeatedly order. I also had the Parsnip & Smashed Potato Fries ($5) with house made coriander ketchup, this was another great dish, especially for the unique and tasty parsnip fries a vegetable often not in the limelight and this one is ideal for sharing. The Storm Brewing Scottish Ale ($6) was the perfect beverage to go with the fries combo.  For my main, I had the Red Bandit Meuniére ($17) Port Hardy rock fish pan seared with thyme, warm savoy cabbage wedge, crisp shiitake chips, and semolina gnocchi cake. This is was one of those places where dessert was a must and the one I chose was a winner, the house-made Caramel Popcorn Ice Cream ($3.50) served with a warm rum sauce and it was heavenly.

The dinner menu offers a great mix of appetizers, nibbles and bites, along with a vast selection of mains, had I had a dining partner join me, I would have had the Vegetable Gumbo Ragout and the Chicken Confit, now I have more dishes to try on the next visit. The cocktail list offers up some great ingredients as well, you’ll also find a good selection of wines and craft brew!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Gastown Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments »

Grain Tasting Bar Opening

April 24th, 2013 admin

Bar Stars at Grain Tasting Bar

Yesterday I attended the opening party of Grain Tasting Bar inside the Hyatt Vancouver Hotel.

Ginger Pear Martini

Bruschetta

Chorizo Bites

Charcuterie Bar

Guests were treated to a selection of cocktails such as the Ginger Pear Martini along with wine in the beverage line-up. Canapes included Tuna Tartar, Bruschetta, Chorizo Bites along with a beautiful Charcuterie bar featuring selected meats and a selection of fine cheeses from BC and Ontario as well as a wonderful truffle honey.

Executive Chef Thomas Heinrich

Dedicated to local growers, brewers, wineries and distilleries, their menu offers a wide variety of flavours and spirits representing British Columbia. Rustic yet contemporary, Grain Tasting Bar combines broad windows with chic ambiance, perfectly blending the region’s natural elements with urban design. Their innovative window system features retractable panes, crafting Vancouver’s  seasonal open-air lounge.

Grain Tasting Bar is located inside the Hyatt Regency Vancouver Hotel at 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver. You can call them at 604-639-4768 or follow them on twitter @Grain_Bar

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Latest, Openings Tags: , , , , , No Comments »
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