Posts Tagged ‘Communal Table’

ROCANINI

July 19th, 2011 admin

#115- 3900 Moncton Street, Richmond

Tel: 604-284-5126

Web: http://www.rocanini.com/

Twitter: @rocanini

Advice: Have a seat at the large Communal Table.

This is one of those cafes that I would frequent if I lived nearby, it would probably become my office or my living room! Impressive stylish room, large and spacious with lots of seating including the communal table.

Cappuccino

Espresso Macchiato

I was in Steveston for Fish & Chips, first stop was for coffee and not just any coffee. I had an Espresso Macchiato ($2.85) and my friend had a Cappuccino ($3.10) both were very good. They roast their own coffee at their roastery in Vancouver so their coffee is fresh which is important. The baristas behind the bar are passionate on making the perfect cup of coffee. One of the star attractions here is the Syphon Coffee as well as their Drip coffee, there are choices for the type of coffee to savour!

I love the layout of the café, there is also a selection of fresh baked goods, sandwiches and desserts in the case to tempt you to indulge!

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

THE OAKWOOD

July 7th, 2011 admin

2741 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 558-1965

Web: www.theoakwood.ca

Twitter: @theOakwoodKits

Advice: If you are dining solo then dine at the communal table.

In house smoked meat on house made brioche

Rolled Beef Carpaccio

Seared Scallop

Cast Iron Cornish Hen

I loved the long wooden communal table, the use of the reclaimed wood throughout the restaurant along with the unique wooden ceiling lamps. This neighbourhood eatery is all about west-coast goodness that mixes outstanding Canadian cuisine with a great selection of craft beers on tap, and most of all has Chef Mike Robbins leading the kitchen. Everything is house made, I began my dinner with a delicious In house smoked meat on house made brioche (amuse) to tempt my palate, this followed with a dish that I would have never thought of ordering alas I did, the delicious Rolled Beef Carpaccio ($13) enoki and celery salad devilled egg, paprika honey. Next was the full of flavour and hearty, Seared Scallop ($21) pork stuffed potato pasta, corn puree, beet salad. Next dish was the outstanding Cast Iron Cornish Hen ($19) celeriac puree, mushroom saute, fried onion pan jus.

Bistro Pancake

Since dessert is always a must for me when finishing a fine meal, I ended with the Bistro Pancake ($6) vanilla ice cream blueberries; think German style served warm in a black cast iron pan – YUM!

I am already looking forward to the next visit to indulge in their Burger and then their Fish & Chips!

Review By: Richard Wolak

 

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

Commune Cafe Tasting

February 27th, 2011 admin

Recently I attended a media tasting at Commune Café to try some of their new menu creations as they launched their new dinner menu. I had dined at Commune Café previously.

Commune Cafe has expanded its service and is now offering a new list of dinner features that are available daily after 5 pm. The new dinner menu keeps things casual, homey and affordable. I sampled my way thru many dishes during our dinner some were standouts and others were not, the dishes that follow are ones that I enjoyed during the tasting.

Chicken Waldorf Salad

Seared Salmon

Braised Beef Cheeks

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

My favourite dishes were the warm Chicken Waldorf Salad ($8) Heritage farm leg, celery salad, pickled grapes, candied walnut; Seared Salmon with smoked bacon and garden pea risotto ($14) followed by the Braised Beef Cheeks with mashed potatoes, winter vegetables and red wine jus ($15); Sweet Potato Gnocchi ($12) Broccoli florets, confit cherry tomatoes, almonds, sage butter.

Sangak flatbread

Dessert Platter

Their Sangak Flatbread ($10) with bacon and caramelized onion was quite good as was the Carrot Cake ($5) on their Dessert platter.

With everything on the dinner menu priced at $15 or less, and a smart BC wine list that starts at $6/glass, Commune Cafe is giving downtown dwellers a go-to spot for a great dinner at a great price.

By: Richard Wolak

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

SANAFIR

February 25th, 2011 admin

1026 Granville Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-678-1049

Web: www.sanafir.ca

Twitter: @glowbal_group

Advice: Reserve one of the upstairs ‘beds’ for that special occasion.

I love this room with the high ceilings, motifs and Middle-Eastern decor. The kitchen is located towards the back with the long bar running along the side towards the front, sitting anywhere downstairs is ideal for enjoying the atmosphere and the ambiance. The menu boasts selections from along the Silk Route with an array of tastes with influences from Spain, Morocco, Egypt and India.

White Sand Cocktail

I had dinner here recently and had a tasting menu created by Chef Mike Robbins, I left it up to him to put together a tasting menu for me, it was what become a journey for my tastebuds.  I started off with the White Sand Cocktail ($9) created by the bartender to match the dishes that I was about to eat.

Falafel stuffed with beef shortrib,

Mediterranean Ribs

Grilled Octopus

The first dish was the Falafel stuffed with beef shortrib, on a bed of hummus; next was the yummy and tender Mediterranean Ribs ($7.50) olive oil, parmesan, espelette lime, crisp fried herb. A dish that I would not have thought to order was outstanding, Grilled Octopus ($7.50) crushed potato, mussels, chilies chorizo, cauliflower, olive oil.

Vindaloo Prawns

Egyptian Spiced Striploin

Moving on to the entrees, I had one of their Indian specialties the Vindaloo Prawns ($17.50) that came with mango chutney, cucumber raita and pappadum. Next was the delicious Egyptian Spiced Striploin ($20.50) cauliflower puree, roasted tomato & eggplant, madera jus  Chef Mike explained the meat was marinated for 24 hours in Onion water.

Cardamom baked yoghurt (l) & Flourless Chinese 5 Spice Chocolate Cake (r)

For dessert I had the light Cardamom baked yoghurt Okanagan fruit compote and the Flourless Chinese 5 Spice Chocolate Cake with a sweet red bean sauce.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

LA GHIANDA

January 28th, 2011 admin

2083 Alma St, Vancouver

Tel: 604-566-9559

Web: http://www.laghianda.ca/

Twitter: @La_Ghianda

Advice: Each day from 5-6pm they offer one dinner to eat-in or take-out, it sells out daily, line up early or call them for the feature of the day. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m

With its rustic décor, it’s as if I was having lunch in the alpine area of Trentino in Italy near the Austrian border. I have always loved La Quercia which is owned by the same people as this nearby restaurant kitty corner to La Ghianda that also specializes in Italian food from the Trentino region. I have already been in a few times and on each visit I was more intrigued than the last. Each day there are 3 pastas, 3 sandwiches and 3 entrees on the blackboard all are priced the same at $10, then there are sides for $6 and desserts for $4.

Vitelli Tonnato

Penne Ariabiata

Cauliflower side dish

I have had several dishes over the visits including the Vitelli Tonnato ($10) panini delicious crusty bread, ham, tuna sauce;  Penne Ariabiata ($10) penne in tomato sauce ; Spaghetti Alla Botarga ($10) with fish row; Milanese & Crauti ($10) veal sandwich; Quiche ($6) and a delicious Cauliflower side dish ($6) with raisins, capers, lemon. I have yet to have the desserts that I am saving for my next visit. This is Italian cuisine at its finest, the bread is rustic, crunchy and so delicious, the food is simple and you will be wanting to visit over and over again.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Point Grey Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

THE DIRTY APRON DELI

December 16th, 2010 admin

540 Beatty Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604 879 8588

Web: http://www.dirtyapron.com/del

Twitter: @Dirty_Apron

Advice: Open daily 10am – 8pm.

Beginning as a cooking school, and then a market and now a deli, The Dirty Apron has come full circle. I visited the newly opened deli yesterday and fell in love with the market and the dining room, you could take your sandwich to go or you could have the sandwich to stay and enjoy eating in the dining room like I did.

Baguette Chicken Sandwich

The gourmet sandwiches (they can be grilled) in the cold case all looked good and so did the menu of Baguette sandwiches (all are served hot and made to order), I had the Baguette Chicken Sandwich ($7.99) baguette filled with hot rotisserie style chicken breast that is stewing in a thyme broth, with a tasty sauce making the whole sandwich so Yum! Asides from the sandwiches they also offer up salads, desserts and drinks!

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

BUMP ‘N GRIND

December 15th, 2010 admin

916 Commercial Drive, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-3362

Web:  http://bumpngrindcafe.com/bump_n_grind/Bump_N_Grind_Cafe.html

Twitter: @bumpngrindcafe

Advice: have a seat at one of the large communal tables and mingle if you like or listen in on those great conversations.

Espresso

Espresso Macchiato

This is one of those cafes that I frequent for great coffee, passionate baristas behind the bar, great food and an amazing ambiance. On one recent visit  I had a French Press Coffee ($2.50), on another visit an Espresso ($2.25) and on the most recent visit an Espresso Macchiato ($2.75) along with a delicious vegan Mukie. The owner formerly in construction exuberates his passion and love for the coffee that he serves in his café and does it with bang on precision. Doesn’t hurt to have a Synesso, one of the finest espresso machines in the world, coffee from 49th Parallel as well as Social Coffee Co.

I love this place, from the layout of the café and its tables and seating to the black and white shows on the north wall, to the vast selection of fresh baked goods and desserts in the case to the vibe in the café.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

BAOQI

December 1st, 2010 admin

620 Davie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-7980

Web:  n/a

Advice: I just wished they had containers of hoisin sauce on the table for customers to add to their sandwiches or other dishes as they wished, that would have been welcomed. No reservations as the place quite small.

Chicken Banh mi

Love the communal table that takes up most of the dining area of this beautiful wood paneled room. Here it is all about Vietnamese comfort food that is very, very reasonable in price. On the most recent visit I specifically came in for the Chicken Banh mi ($4.50) –grilled chicken, lemongrass, garlic and vegetables on a baguette which was all I needed for my late lunch, I was served a complimentary cup of hot tea which perfect with the sandwich. They also have a good selection of salad rolls, pho, sandwiches, and salads, and next time I must try the Jack Fruit Salad.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Yaletown Tags: , , , , , , , No Comments »
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

  • Sponsors

  • General Info

Switch to our mobile site

echo get_option('motion_footer') . "\n";