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Posts Tagged ‘Communal Table’

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 are 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 »

IK 2GO

May 20th, 2013 admin

1328 Hornby Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-685-4569

Web: www.ik2go.com

Twitter: @Glowbal_Group

Advice: Counter service.

This is second location of the Italian Kitchen spin-off featuring a casual self-serve counter and seating for 40, offering take-out or leisurely dine-in meal. There is a large communal table for solo diners or others who want to eat with friends. They offer freshly baked scones, pastries and breakfast sandwiches to start off the morning along with a coffee beverage line-up. Lunch and dinner menu options include a variety of antipasti, charcuterie, salads, soups, specialty paninis, and strombolis.

Meatballs

Pine Nut Tarts & Fruit Croistata

Apricot Croistata and other pastries

I have dined in and had take-out on a few occasions and have tried several of their dishes including their notable Meatballs, Couscous, Farro, Tuna Sandwich, as well as several of the baked goodies.

They also offer hearty pastas and an array of traditional meat, seafood and poultry dishes, such as Veal Milanese, roasted chicken and salmon.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Downtown 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 »

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 »

FINEST AT SEA

April 28th, 2013 admin

4675 Arbutus Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-266-1904

Web: www.finestatsea.com

Twitter: @FinestAtSeaVan

Advice: Located in a strip mall, no reservations.

With my love for fish, I had missed eating at one of the city’s notable seafood boutiques. I can’t believe it took me so long to visit for the 1st time and I returned within a week for more of their delicious fish. The seafood boutique as they call themselves is part fresh fish store and part fish & chips stand within the store. You get a bit of the best of both worlds when visiting, they also have a large deli case of home made prepared foods of which were calling my name as I was waiting for my fish & chips to go.

1 Piece Halibut & Yam Fries

2 Piece Halibut & Yam Fries

On the first visit I had the Halibut & Chips and substituted the chips for Yam Fries which were absolutely delish! On the 2nd visit, which was purely to have more of the delicious halibut, I ended up getting a 2 Piece Halibut & Chips with more yam fries and while waiting I also took a selection of dishes home including a delish polenta, gnocchi, some of their house smoked salmon candy as well as their black cod candy which were both outstanding.

If you love fish and seafood, this is a boutique you are going to want to visit repeatedly. It’s like going to the beach without actually going to the beach.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in West Side Tags: , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

HEIRLOOM RESTAURANT

December 5th, 2012 admin

1509 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-733-2231

Web: http://heirloomrestaurant.ca/

Twitter: @HeirloomVeg

Advice: This is a restaurant to dine with a friend or more friends, not ideal for eating solo unless you are seated at the bar. Sharing is key here.

Dips

One can always tell when a kitchen has passionate chefs by the care and imagination they have put into creating a menu full of goodness and flavours. Imagination is not only key, being creative with the ingredients, flavours and such makes the dish and is part of the over-all experience. This hit home with me and my friend Peter who visited for dinner recently, the room has a great vibe, it’s bright, has unique art adorning the walls and is well layed out from the large bar to the communal table in the dining room. The menu is filled with vegan and vegetarian options which is indicated in the description of each dish this is quite helpful if you lean towards a particular way of eating. We started with the delish Dips ($14) – beetroot, sunflower seed tapenade, lentil pecan homous, vegetables with sangak chips with sheeps feta cheese.

Swiss Chard Salad

Kale Salad

Blackbean Molasses and Coco Chili

We then shared the outstanding Swiss Chard Salad ($10) swiss chard, lime satay vinaigrette, hemp heart tahini, pickled peanuts along with the delicious Kale Salad ($10) full of delicious flavours and the smoked salt added good flavour. The next dish was one of their daily specials and it was so good, the Blackbean Molasses and Coco Chili ($17) with brown basmati rice, cashew cilantro cream fresh lime and tortillas.

Chocolate Vegan Cake

To finish of the meal we opted for a taster of their Chocolate Vegan Cake ($12 for regular sized portion) which was the perfect finish to a fab meal. I am looking forward to trying out brunch next time around with a group of my friends.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in South Granville Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

CHAU VEGGIE EXPRESS

October 22nd, 2012 admin

5052 Victoria Drive, Vancouver

Tel: 604.568.9508

Web:  http://www.chowatchau.ca/veggie/mural_menu.pdf

Twitter: @chowatCHAU

Advice: Go light on the tableside satay sauce if you are not a fan of spice.

Coconut Shake

Night Market Stroll

Rickety Rickshaw Ride

Located off the beaten track, yet in the middle of the city is an oasis of veggie delight and dishes full of wonderful flavours. I was so happy to finally visit Chau, it took me 8 months to visit for the first time and then a few days to visit again. There is a large communal table which is perfect when dining solo or with a friend. On the first visit I had the delicious Night Market Stroll ($7) Papaya salad, shredded apple, carrots, herbs, peanuts, tofu, with a lemongrass citrus dressing along with a Coconut Shake($4) Fresh coconut, coconut water and crème and on the next visit I had the outstanding Rickety Rickshaw Ride ($8.25)  Mungbean spring rolls, shredded bean curd, peanuts, crispy shallots, pickled vegetables, greens, herbs and rice vermicelli.which is my friend Alejandro’s favourite dish so we both had the same dish on this visit.

The dishes are creative, inventive and all veggie, served in big bowls with condiments such as their spicy home-made satay sauce which you can add at your discretion. You will also find beer, wine and some desserts to put the finishing touch on your meal.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

COTTO ENOTECA PIZZERIA

August 22nd, 2012 admin

6011 Hastings Street, Burnaby

Tel: 604-299-8002

Web: http://www.cotto.ca

Twitter: @cottoenoteca

Advice: Make reservations for large parties, sit at the communal table or the bar if dining solo.

Pizza Oven

My love for Italian food took me East last week to dine at the newly opened North Burnaby restaurant that has Chef Alex Tung at the helm. Upon visiting I discovered more than just Italian food, there is a beautiful communal table, and a spectacular bar made of Italian white marble, very cool light fixtures and the star wood burning pizza oven. They are also featuring the FreshTap revolutionary system for Wine on Tap as well as Beer on Tap, and Q Water that uses a high tech water filtration system which is eco-friendly and sustainable.

Cotto Fior di Latte

Pizza Polpetti (left) & Pizza Funghi (right)

My friend Jason Sanders joined me to be my sharing partner in crime, we started off with the Cotto Fior di Latte ($8) roasted mushrooms, crema di balsamico followed by a pizza with halfers of the Pizza Polpetti ($15 for regular) crushed Cotto meatballs, ricotta cheese, Grana Padano, spinach, San Marzano tomato sauce, basil; and the Pizza Funghi ($15) for regular)  roasted mushrooms, goat cheese, fonduta, caramelized onions, chives.

Bucatini Pomodoro

Gnocchi Patata

We then had the Bucatini Pomodoro ($11) fresh mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, basil, San Marzano tomato sauce; followed by the delicious speciality of the house, Gnocchi Patata ($12) fried potato gnocchi, Sloping Hill pancetta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, arugula, herb oil.

Salted Caramel Budino

For dessert we each had the Salted Caramel Budino ($8) Butterscotch pudding, Maldon sea salt, rosemary biscotti which was outstanding and worthy of us each indulging in our dish of this yummy goodness! We also had a taste of their house made Limoncello which is a beverage you must indulge in with your dessert. With Executive Chef Alex Tung at the helm you will always know this is where you are going to want to dine!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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