Posts Tagged ‘Kitsilano’

Summer Time at Q4

Q4 recently launched their summer menu with a brand new pizza oven firing off traditional thin-crust pizzas every night. They also have great summer specials including an Antipasto sharing platter and prosecco on the new patio. A friend joined me for a wonderful dinner tasting some of their new dishes as well as some old time favourites.

Dungeness Crab and Arborio rice Croquetta

Baby Arugula Salad

Spaghetti Quattro & Garganelli

Pistacchio crusted wild Alaskan black cod & Pan seared Pacific halibut

Cherry Tart, Fudgey Brownie & Tiramisu

To begin we shared the Dungeness Crab and Arborio rice Croquetta ($14.95) which is a bit too dense for me with a caper and lemon aioli served with a shaved fennel salad. We then shared the very tasty and refreshing Baby Arugula Salad ($8.95) with julienne of pear, shaved parmigiano reggiano, pink peppercorn and honey vinaigrette. We then shared a couple of half portion pastas, we both loved the Spaghetti Quattro ($17.95 for full portion) and the Garganelli ($19.95 for full portion) with tiger prawns, fresh avocado in a light lemon cream. For our main entrees, we shared the outstanding Pistachio Crusted Wild Alaskan Black Cod ($32.95) with a fire roasted red pepper sauce and the Pan Seared Pacific Halibut ($32.95) found this a bit too dry, with a plum tomato, shaved garlic and olive, caper ragout. We were both quite full but had to try some of their desserts so we had 3 of them and loved the outstanding Cherry Tarte ($8), the gooey Chocolate Brownie ($8) and the Tiramisu ($8).

Q4 Restaurant is located at 2611 West 4th Avenue in Vancouver. You can reserve by phone at 604-734-4444 or at www.q4restaurant.com

By: Richard Wolak

Bretagne/Normandie Menu at Bistro Pastis

The other night, I dined with friends at Bistro Pastis, Vancouver’s own authentic French bistro where you can enjoy French regional summer dinners – a traditional three-course table d’hôte for only $35. Located on France’s northwest coast, this areas specialties include shellfish, apples, apple cider, thick cream and of course crêpes.

On this menu, look for Bistro Pastis famed Sole Normande (with shrimp, clams, mussels in white wine sauce) or Poulet au Cidre (sautéed chicken, roasted apple, cider and cream sauce). Enjoy decadent desserts such asBeignet de Pomme Normande (with Calvados ice cream) or Crêpes au Citron (filled with lemon mousse napped with blueberry compote).

Artichaut Vinaigrette

Poulet au Cidre

Beignet de Pomme Normande

I had selected the Artichaut Vinaigrette as my 1st course which had a salty and rich taste. For my 2nd course I had the deliciously creamy Poule Au Cidre and for my 3rd course the classic Beignet de Pomme Normande.

Known for its extensive wine cellar, Bistro Pastis will also offer special wine pairings to complement each menu.

From June 22 to July 13, join John Blakeley as he leads you on a culinary ramble through France in the summer. At only $35 per person, it’s a très bon marché and more economical than a plane ticket to France.

Reservations are always a good idea and can be made by calling 604-731-5020 or on-line at www.bistropastis.com Full menus for each region will also be available on-line.

2153 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC

By: Richard Wolak

Nimby Burger Opening

Milkshakes

Last night was the opening party for Nimby Burger in Kitsilano, a late night party outside on the deck across from Kits beach. This new burger joint is a take out spot that has burgers, fries and milkshakes.

Fries

My favourites were the Cheeseburgers, Chocolate and Vanilla Milkshakes.

Nimby Burger is now open at 2210 Cornwall Avenue in Kitsilano.

By: Richard Wolak

An Indian Tasting Dinner at Jolly’s

Jolly Kumar - Chef - Jolly's Indian Bistro

I dined with a group of media friends recently at Jolly’s, a wonderful restaurant in Kitsilano that is a purveyor of fine Indian cuisine. Although we had a select menu, we were often surprised to see more and more dishes making there way from the kitchen where Chef/Owner Jolly Kumar worked his craft. This dinner turned out to be quite the flavourful feast.

APPETIZERS

Samosa – Potato and peas wrapped in light pastry served with peas and chutney

Lamb Boti Kabab (Spicy) – Marinated lamb cutlets in chilies and rare

spices tandoori  oven roasts served with a small salad.

Pakoras – Bite size pieces of mixed vegetable, crisp fried in chickpea flour batter

Dosa with Paneer – South Indian Crepe stuffed with paneer served with daal and chutneys

Mango, Mint and Yoghurt sauces

Naan stuffed with chicken

Samosa

Dosa with Paneer

Lamb Boti Kabab

Naan stuffed with chicken

ENTRÉES

Goa Fish Fry – cod fillet marinated with spices and lemon juice brought to perfection with onion sauce

Delhi 6 Daal – Black lentils simmered slowly with kidney beans, and brought to

perfection with desi ghee ginger and garlic taka

Kashmiri Lamb Rogenjosh – Leg of lamb pressure booked with rare mixed spices and mint

Butter Chicken ala Jolly – Boneless chicken breast marinated with yoghurt and

tandoori masala, roasted and infused with light cream sauce.

Mumbai Chicken Masala – Stuffed chicken breast with spinach and paneer

with tomato and mushroom chutney

Butter Chicken ala Jolly

Goa Fish Fry

Kashmiri Lamb Rogenjosh

Mumbai Chicken Masala

DESSERTS

Ras Mala – Indian cottage cheese flat dumplings in pistachio, rosewater and saffron infused milk

Carrot Cake – Exotically spiced carrot cake with real cream cheese icing

Chocolate Cake – chocolate cake served with whipped cream

Chocolate Cake, Ras Mala, Carrot Cake

BEVERAGES

Pina Colada – Light rum, pineapple juice and coconut cream

Indian Temple – Grenadine, orange syrup, seven up and whiskey

Indian Temple

This was a wonderful night which gave me a chance to taste a variety of Indian dishes for the first time at this restaurant. Jolly’s has been in the neighborhood for several years, recently moving a couple of blocks west to a larger more elegant space. I very much enjoyed the hospitality during the evening, of course I had some standout dishes and these included the Samosa, Dosa with Paneer, Kashmiri Lamb Rogenjosh and the Butter Chicken.

I hope you have enjoyed the journey and I encourage you to visit Jolly’s Indian Bistro at 2928 West 4th Avenue in Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Kitsilano: Eat and Drink during 2010 Olympics

For locals and visitors alike eating in Vancouver during the Olympics and Para-Olympics will have it’s challenges. Obviously being downtown or close to any of the Olympic venues will see lots of people and most of the restaurants, bars, lounges are going to be busy. Vancouver has wonderful neighborhoods and if you’re a local this is an ideal time to explore your neighborhood or other neighborhoods outside of the downtown core.

Here is a compilation of the best places to eat and drink in some of the neighborhoods outside of downtown.

Kitsilano Neighborhood

** All locations on the #9 Broadway bus line & the #4 Fourth Avenue bus line

Atithi

2445 Burrard Street

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-731-0221

– Superb Indian cuisine for lunch and dinner.

Maple Grill

1967 West Broadway

Eat-in | Takes Reservations

Tel: 604-568-4885

– Excellent fine dining Kosher restaurant.

Autumn Brook Gallery

1545 West 4th Avenue,

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-737-2363

– Art gallery and weekend brunch spot

Trattoria

1850 West 4thAvenue

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-732-1441

– Italian dishes for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

Piato

1835 West 4th Avenue

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-568-2929

– Greek specialties for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

49th Parallel Coffee Roasters Café

2152 West 4th Avenue

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-420-4901

– Coffee, tea and baked goods all day long

Momento

2766 West 4th Avenue

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-736-9900

– Coffee, Tea and baked goods all day long.

Q4

2611 West 4th Ave

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel:  604-734-4444

– Italian dishes for dinner nightly.

Naam

2724 West 4th Avenue

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel:  604-738-7151

– Vegetarian for breakfast, lunch, dinner and the rest of the 24 hours a day they are open.

Noodle Box

1867 W 4th Ave

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel:  604-734-1310

– Noodles dishes for lunch and dinner.

Maenam

1938 West 4th Avenue

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-730-5579

– Best fusion Thai dishes for lunch and dinner.

Refuel

1944 West 4th Avenue

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-288-7905

– Comfort food for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

Bistro Bistro

1961 West 4th Avenue

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-732-0004

– French dishes for dinner nightly.

Bishop’s

2183 West 4th Avenue

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-738-2025

– Best Pacific Northwest cuisine for dinner nightly.

Terra Breads

2380 West 4th Avenue

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-736-1838

– Sandwiches, Salads and Breads for breakfast and lunch daily.

Thomas Haas

2539 W. Broadway

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-736-1848

– Coffee, Hot Chocolate, French pastries and desserts daytime only Tues – Sat.

Moderne Burger

2507 W Broadway

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-739-0005

–50’s style dinner serving burgers and shakes for lunch and dinner.

The Flying Tiger

2958 W 4th Ave

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-737-7529

– Asian fusion dishes for dinner nightly.

Abigails Party

1685 Yew Street

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-739-4677

– Comfort food for dinner and weekend brunch.

Compiled by: Richard Wolak

Piato 1st Anniversary Party

I spent the night of December 3rd at Piato Estiatorio, enjoying their wonderful greek cuisine, indulged with grilled pita and hummous and tzataki for dipping, loved the mini lamb burger and other appies.

Piato 005

Tzadziki

Tzadziki

Complimentary wine was served along with appies, and a live acoustic performance by Tae Mcrae. This good looking crowd of friends and customers mingled and networked about.

Piato 009

Piato 003

Tay MacRae of Bridges and Breakdowns

Meat Mousaka

Meat Mousaka

I ordered up one of my favourite dishes here which is their Meat Mousaka made with short rib ragu, potatoes, eggplant and cheese bechamel served with a fennel and apple salad. Both of the head chefs Alex Graffos and Jerry Moschopolous take great care in creating the delicious greek food that Piato is known.

You can visit Piato at 1835 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver or online at www.piato.ca

By: Richard Wolak

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