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Posts Tagged ‘Foodies’

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 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 »

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 »

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 »
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