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Posts Tagged ‘Comfort Food’

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 »

ROUNDEL CAFÉ

March 30th, 2013 admin

2465 E Hastings Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-253-2522

Web: www.roundelcafe.com

Twitter: n/a

Advice: No reservations. Breakfast is served until 4 pm weekdays and 5 pm on weekends.

Sometimes it can take years to visit a restaurant which has been around for years, the Roundel has been serving the East Village neighborhood for over 49 years. I visited for the first time with a group of friends for Breakfast, it’s a fun place especially on a Sunday morning. They make everything from scratch using wholesome ingredients in this fresh food diner.

Tofu Veggie Scramble

I had the Tofu Veggie Scramble ($8.50) which was delish filled with vegetables, potatoes and salad, my friends Alexei, Alejandro, Jason and Yaniv had a variety of egg dishes including the Benny, Omelets and such as well a couple ordered raspberry milkshakes which are made with 4 scoops of ice cream.

They have got burgers for lunch as well as rolled tortillas, salads and sandwiches and at dinner you will find a selection of Mexican dishes such as the Mango Brie Quesadilla which I can’t wait to try on my next visit.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

THE PARLOUR RESTAURANT

January 16th, 2013 admin

1011 Hamilton St, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-3322    |

Web: www.theparlourrestaurants.com

Twitter: @ParlourYaletown

Advice: They offer take out and delivery for all of their pizzas.

As a pizza lover I am always yearning to visit the new pizza joint on the block or in this case in the Yaletown neighborhood. With only weeks under their belt so to speak, there is now that spot, a good  pizza oriented restaurant with an open concept kitchen serving comfort food dishes. The lounge area features chocolate-hued leather booth seating, high-tops and a striking 20 foot-long reclaimed wood bar that emulates a giant cask.  The Parlour’s decor features plenty of heirloom pieces, old-fashioned curiosities, unique custom artwork and salvaged CN rail-ties transformed into a statement making wine rack.

Salmon Tartare

Caesar Salad

Brocco

Paulina Taylor was my dining companion for the night and we shared many dishes together. To start we had the beautifully presented Salmon Tartare ($14) Steelhead, Seaweed, Bonito, Sesame Seeds, Macadamia Nuts, Ponzu Aioli, and Micro Cilantro; followed by the Caesar Salad ($9) Maple Bacon, Roasted Garlic, Butter Croutons, Parmesan; and the Brocco ($9) Garlic, Shallots, Jalapeño, Pine Nuts, Sweet Soy Sauce.

Goldmember

#Swag (front) & Roasted (back)

The Dirty

Following our appetizers we conquered our pizza selection which was vast, we ordered 3 whole pizzas which are rectangle shape and fairly large (usually meant for 1 person). My favourite of them all was the Goldmember ($17) Caramelize Onion, Mushroom Duxelle, Yukon Gold Potato, Truffle Oil, Gruyere; followed by my second favourite the #Swag ($17) Ricotta, Roasted Pepper, Kalamata Olive, Caramelized Onion, Roasted Garlic, Golden Honey (we happened to get one pizza as a halfer, so the Swag went halfer with the Roasted); and the Roasted with Roasted Chicken, Roasted Garlic, Sundried Tomato, Basil, Chili Flake, Mozza. Lastly The Dirty ($17) Meatball, Xtra Pepperoni, Banana Pepper, Mozza gave us our fill of meat from all of the different pizzas.

You’ll find even more pizzas to try from the long list on the menu, you’ll also find an extensive selection of craft beer available on tap and by the bottle, inventive cocktails and both wine by bottle, as well as seven varietals on tap.

I’m heading back soon for a repeat and this time it’s going to be a whole #Swag pizza just for me!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

Tap & Barrel Opening

October 15th, 2012 admin

Serving Pretzels

On October 9th, I attended the opening party celebration In The Village on False Creek.

Upstairs Bar

The location has one of the best views of the city along with two large outdoor patios, one on the main floor and the other upstairs. Inside the bar on the main floor is a stunning centrepiece that features an extensive selection of beer and wine on tap. They even have a lending library full of books which works on an honour system, come by and find a book you like and read while you are eating or drinking or take the book home.

There are over 23 beers on tap along with an extensive selection of beer by the bottle, there is also well over 15 selections of wine on tap as well as an extensive wine list. You can even bring in your own wine bottle and pay the corkage for the privilege.

Daniel Frankel – Proprietor of Tap & Barrel

Proprietor Daniel Frankel was on hand to greet guests to his wonderful restaurant & bar.

Fish & Chips

Mini-Burgers

Guests mingled over their home-baked Pretzels, Burgers, Fish & Chips and other dishes off their menu while drinking Craft Brews and Wine from their Wine on Tap system.

Tap & Barrel is located at 1 Athletes Way in Vancouver and are open daily for lunch and dinner as well as brunch on weekends. You can find them on twitter @tapandbarrel

By: Richard Wolak

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

THE DIME ROADHOUSE

September 27th, 2012 admin

1565 Commercial Drive, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 558-3463

Web: http://the-dime.ca/

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Best with a group of friends, don’t expect to be able to hear your friends if you are there to talk.

Vegi Burger with Fries

Mama T’s Mac N’ Cheese Bites

Korean chili fried chicken & cucumber

Quinoa & Green Apple Salad

The room is dark, it’s often filled with people, it’s fairly loud and most people are drinking. Some would say the draw is drinks with friends on the drive and others would say it is for the $4.95 dishes as each dish on the varied menu is $4.95. My friends Thor Diakow, Nicola Thompson and I had dinner together, this is where we discovered we couldn’t hear a word!

We shared these dishes, the Vegi Burger and fries which was fairly bland, Mama T’s Mac N’ Cheese Bites curried mac ‘n cheese dumplings, cornflake and thyme crust and spicy red pepper dip, Korean chili fried chicken & cucumber crispy fried chicken bites, spicy Korean chili sauce, cool cucumber & toasted sesame and my personal favourite the Quinoa & Green Apple Salad crisp apple, sweet corn, cucumber, toasted almonds, avocado, mint and cilantro, soy, honey and lime dressing.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

TAP & BARREL

August 20th, 2012 admin

1 Athletes Way, Vancouver

Tel: 604-685-2223

Web: http://www.tapandbarrel.com/

Twitter: @tapandbarrel

Advice: Sit on the upstairs patio on a sunny day or sit in the upstairs library or at the long bar downstairs.

The Library

From the minute I walked up to the door I knew this was going to be a very cool and unique restaurant. First of all the location has one of the best views of the city along with two large outdoor patios, one on the main floor and the other upstairs. Inside the bar on the main floor is a stunning centrepiece that features an extensive selection of beer and wine on tap. They even have a lending library full of books which works on an honour system, come by and find a book you like and read while you are eating or drinking or take the book home.

Upstairs Bar

There are over 23 beers on tap along with an extensive selection of beer by the bottle, there is also well over 15 selections of wine on tap as well as an extensive wine list. You can even bring in your own wine bottle and pay the corkage for the privilege.

Coffee Glazed Dry Ribs

Sticky Yam Fries

Local Wild Mushrooms Hand Tossed Pie

Beer Bratwurst

I enjoyed some of the food offerings on my visit starting with the Coffee Glazed Dry Ribs ($8) along with the outstanding Sticky Yam Fries ($8) with burnt marshmallow fluff, this is one dish that is best shareable even though its one you are going to want to devour on your own. Next was the Local Wild Mushrooms Hand Tossed Pie ($15) which is basically a really good flatbread topped with wilted arugula, mushrooms and truffle cheese; and the last dish being the Beer Bratwurst ($18) Two Rivers brats, scallion mash, sauerkraut, and grainy mustard sauce.

There are so many dishes on the menu that I want to try such as the Spiced Rubbed Roasted Chicken scallion mash, market vegetables, ale reduction; PB & J Burger as well as the Stout Milkshake, must get back there soon!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Olympic Village Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

W2 MEDIA CAFÉ

July 4th, 2012 admin

111 West Hastings, Vancouver

Tel: 604-689-9896

Web: http://www.creativetechnology.org/

Twitter: @W2MediaCafe

Advice: the café is located on the main level off of the Hastings Street entrance to the right.

Royal Chicken Wrap with coconut vegi korma

This is where creativity begins, the café is a hideaway worth your discovery, here you will find a creative team of chefs lead by Chef Karen McAthy who create delicious healthy food. I have eaten here on several occasions as well as have held a couple of my events here this past year including Tasting Plates and Food Talks Vol. 1. On this visit I was in for lunch and had the special of the day, Royal Chicken Wrap with coconut vegi korma which was delicious and healthy too. On a previous visits I had their Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie, and other baked goods.

W2 Media Cafe is an artist-run, globally networked media arts lab, Incubator, community meeting space and social enterprise cafe serving artists and residents of the Downtown Eastside and Vancouver. Serving healthy, high quality food and drink and employing DTES residents, you will find a full espresso bar featuring Salt Spring Coffee, home-made baked goods, sandwiches, wraps and soups along with other daily creations.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

New Dishes at House Guest

February 18th, 2012 admin

I revisited House Guest last week for an early dinner along with my friend Ajay to try some of their new dishes.

Lobster & Waffles

Lobster & Waffles ($16) bacon wrapped lobster sausage, pretzel crust, lemon mascarpone waffle topped with tarragon sauce

Kobe Beef Sliders

Kobe Beef Sliders ($15) with wedge potatoes & bone marrow gravy

 

Duck Confit Flatbread

Duck Confit Flatbread ($16) with Fior De Latte, Pear & Arugula Salad

Chocolate Pasta, Sponge Toffee & Toffee Ice cream

Chocolate Pasta, Sponge Toffee & Toffee Ice cream

I was hesitant at first to try the Lobster & Waffles, however after the server told me that I would be quite surprised I ordered them and I was very happy that I did. It’s a savoury dish that’s constructed well and the tarragon sauce on top brings all the elements together. The best part of the Kobe Beef Sliders dish was the wedge potatoes & bone marrow gravy that was absolutely delicious. For our order of the Duck Confit Flatbread I specifically ordered it without the egg that is usually on top (it is included if you so desire to have it) and this was also quite delicious. On to dessert, the chocolate pasta was very unique and tasty, but the kiwi gel was not, loved the rockstar sponge toffee & toffee ice cream combination.

I also ordered a couple of other dishes which I had previously enjoyed, the Beef Shortrib Poutine which is presently not on the menu as well as the churros with dolce de leche and red velvet sauce which is currently on the menu.

House Guest

332 Water Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-699-0249

Web: http://housexguest.com

Twitter: @HouseXGuest

By: Richard Wolak

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