Posts Tagged ‘Lunch’

BETWEEN TWO BUNS

1271 Homer Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-336-4103

Web: http://www.betweentwobuns.ca/

Twitter: @BetweenTwoBuns

Advice: Have a creative twist of a sandwich that you would like to see on their menu, then tweet it to them and tag it #sandwichlab

Jerk-it

It’s all about the sandwiches, and the fillings are one notch above the last great sandwich you have had. The menu is pretty simple though the names of the sandwiches are far from ordinary, take names such as “The Maniac” which is all about the bacon, or “The Cheeky” which is all about the pork cheeks, or “The Hot Chick” and I know what you are thinking but that one is about a chick pea patty. I have been in a couple times in the past week, the first time I had the “Jerk-it” ($9) with jerk chicken, crispy yam and cream coleslaw. and the second time I had the “Jerk-it” see the trend, this sandwich is so good, and as the saying goes once you find something you like stick with it!

You will also find a selection of sides to choose from such as Spicy Fries, Coleslaw, Poutine and 5 pounds of Poutine, and more! I’d say you are going to get hooked and want to try all the unique sandwich concoctions these guys are coming up with!

Review By: Richard Wolak

PETE’S MEAT BUTCHER SHOP & DELI

2817 Arbutus St, Vancouver

Tel: 604-730-1661

Web: http://petesmeat.ca/

Twitter: @Petesmeats

Advice: No reservations, small seating area.

The butcher shop specializes in meat and not just any meat, there is beef, chicken and pork as well as other meats and you will find meats that are hormone-free, and they make a lot of the sausages in-house. On the deli side they specialize in really good sandwiches made with their meats on great thick bread then grilled.

the Sandwiches hiding

Beef Brisket Sandwich

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

I had lunch with my friend Cassandra recently and we shared a couple of their huge sandwiches, both were delicious, I started off with the Beef Brisket followed by the Grilled Chicken served on their thick crusted bread, lightly grilled and under $10 each.

This is where you are going to want to go for lunch when in the neighborhood or nearby. The shop also carries spices, pickles, organic eggs, milk in glass bottles, and sodas.

Review By: Richard Wolak

TRAFIQ CAFÉ & BAKERY

4216 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-648-2244

Web: http://www.trafiq.ca/

Twitter: @TrafiqCafe

Advice: Custom cakes available (call ahead)

This café is a magnet for drawing in neighborhood regulars and others that commute across town for a taste of Paris. I adore the communal tables where people can enjoy sandwiches or baked goods along with coffees. I have visited a couple of times recently and love the ambiance as well as the delicious eats and sweets.

Lemon Chicken Ciabatta & Roasted Yam Soup

I have had the Lemon Chicken Ciabatta ($7.95) with lemon aioli, tomato, lettuce, chicken breast along with a soup of the day which was the delicious Roasted Yam Soup ($5.95).

Chunky Monkey

Killer Brownie

I have also had their outstanding and heavenly Chunky Monkey ($3.25) think bananas, chocolate and brioche as well as the Killer Brownie ($2.50) that is full of chocolatey goodness.

Walnut Coffee Cake

Dulce Croissant

Vanilla Éclair

On another visit I had the moist and delicious Walnut Coffee Cake ($3.25) as well as Dulce Croissant ($2.50) filled with dulce cream along with the Vanilla Éclair ($2.75) topped with chocolate and filled with vanilla cream.

Espresso Macchiato

Baked goods always go well with an Espresso Macchiato ($2.70) and their coffee beans are from Los Beans Trading Co a local roaster.

The French-inspired patisserie also bakes their own rustic, naturally leavened breads by the ‘dough boys’ as they are known, the breads are offered fresh from the oven each morning at 9. The ʻcake ladiesʼ as they are known are baking beautiful and sumptuous cakes including a Confetti cake for the kids and adults alike.

Review By: Richard Wolak

TRUFFLES CAFE

5151 Oak Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-505- 4961

Web: www.trufflesfinefoods.com/café

Twitter: @trufflesfoods

Advice: Located inside the Visitor Centre at VanDusen Botanical Garden.

With its floor to ceiling windows over-looking Livingstone Lake and the Woodland Garden, this casual café is located inside the VanDusen Botanical Garden’s new ‘Living Building’ Visitor Centre. Small tables and chairs scattered about the room as well as comfy lounge chairs and a couch add to the café’s casual ambiance.

Half Sandwich, Pasta Salad and Coleslaw

Everything in Truffles is made from scratch with fresh, local ingredients. In addition to muffins and scones; breakfast fare includes croissants, breakfast parfaits and breakfast burritos. I was in for lunch sharing with a friend and had a half of a Baguette Sandwich ($7 regular size) along with a Pasta salad ($5) and their delicious Coleslaw ($5) that is made with a touch of coconut.

For lunch, they also offer a hot daily special and two fresh-made soups along with an array of assorted fresh salads, paninis, sandwiches, filled croissants, fruit salads and desserts. In addition to drip coffee, there are espresso beverages, juices and organic teas.

Review By: Richard Wolak

SALMON & BANNOCK

1128 West Broadway, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 568-8971

Web: http://www.salmonandbannock.net/

Twitter: @SnBVancouver

Advice: Be adventurous and try some of their native dishes.

Bannock

Salmon Sampler Platter

I recently embarked on an aboriginal culinary adventure at a truly one of a kind restaurant that excels in serving home-made Aboriginal cuisine. My friend Sepy Bazzazi joined me and we began our meal with BC Nk’Mip Cellars wines along with their outstanding house-baked Bannock ($2.50) with Saskatoon berry jam, to follow we had the tasty Salmon Sampler Platter ($12.50) with indian candy, lox roll, barbeque salmon mousse, pickled wild sockeye and bannock crisps.

Wild Pacific Salmon

Bison Tacos

Our culinary adventure continued, I had the delicious Wild Pacific Salmon ($24) with creamy dill sauce with Ojibway wild rice and Sepy had the very unique Bison Tacos ($14) topped with organic greens, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and red onions.

Berry Bannock Bread Pudding

Mixed Berry Apple Pie

Since dessert is always a must after any of my culinary adventures, we both then shared the outstanding Berry Bannock Bread Pudding with ice cream as well as the delicious Mixed Berry Apple Pie with vanilla ice cream.

Review By: Richard Wolak

MAHONY & SONS

1055 Canada Place, Vancouver

Tel: 604-647-7513

Web: www.mahonyandsons.com

Twitter: @MahonyAndSons

Advice: Many different areas of seating for larger and small groups alike. Reservations needed for large parties.

Sitting at the foot of the harbour overlooking Canada Place, this Irish public house not only offers great views of the North Shore and Burrard Inlet, they also offer a bustling dining area.

Irish Beer Sampler

Cheddar Jack Nachos

I have dined here on a few occasions, most recently I had their Irish Beer Sampler ($8.75) featuring 4 6oz glasses of each of the Guinness, Kilkenny, Smithwicks and Harp to have with their huge platter of Cheddar Jack Nachos ($21.90) tomatoes, jalapenos, pico de gallo salsa, sour cream and guacamole.

Irish Stew

Braised Short Rib Sliders

Gnocchi

I love the outstanding Irish Stew ($19.95) slow simmered lamb shank and vegetables in a Guinness demi-glaze with mashed potatoes. I also have enjoyed the tender Braised Short Rib Sliders ($13.95) with garlic aioli and crispy onions; as well as the delicious Gnocchi ($14.95) handmade gnocchi, basil mushroom cream sauce, truffle oil and parmesan cheese.

Butterscotch Sticky Date Pudding

I have only had one dessert as I am often quite full after dining here, I loved the hearty Butterscotch Sticky Date Pudding($7.95) with vanilla bean ice cream. You’ll find an authentic Irish experience along with Irish food, drink and music!

Review By: Richard Wolak

ROMANA PIZZA

4660 Hastings Street, Burnaby

Tel: 604-298-7252

Web: http://www.romanarestaurant.com

Twitter: @romanapizza

Advice: Take a long a friend or two and share a variety of dishes.

For over 38 years the family has been cooking fine Greek cuisine at this locale, known for their pizza which I have enjoyed previously, this visit was to eat Greek. I brought along a couple of friends Jonathan and Emmy and we embarked on a tasting and sharing adventure.

Dip Platter

Greek Salad

Kalamari

We started off the meal with the large Dip Platter ($13.50) pita, and a selection of dips the homous, spicy feta, garlic eggplant and tzatziki; followed by a wonderful Greek Salad ($10) fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, onions, and feta; followed by the delicious Kalamari ($10) deep fried and served with tzatziki.

Spanakopita

Saganaki

Roasted Potatoes

Mousaka

Lamb Kleftiko

Chicken Thessaloniki

Next was the outstanding Spanakopita ($8) Spinach, feta, egg and dill wrapped in filo & baked; this was followed by another outstanding dish, the Saganaki ($10) Pan fried mountain sheep cheese done with a touch of ouzo. This was followed the delicious Mousaka ($16) layered ground beef, meliziano, and béchamel sauce, along with a plate of roasted potatoes. The next dish was the tender Lamb Kleftiko ($19) casserole along with the Chicken Thessaloniki ($19) tender chicken breast topped with steamed spinach, roasted vegetable sauce, feta and mozzarella.

Dessert Platter

We finished off our meal sharing a dessert platter with my favourite Eckmek and Bougatsa, both were delicious and were the perfect ending to our Greek night.

By: Richard Wolak

THE ZA HOUSE

2857 West Broadway, Vancouver

Tel: 604-733-6611

Web: http://www.thezahouse.com/

Twitter: @TheZaHouse

Advice: If they don’t have a slice of the pizza you want, ask and they will make a whole pizza pie so you can have that slice.

The latest rage around the city has been for pizza by the pie, the whole pie to be exact, ZA is about the slice of that whole pie. Of course they do sell whole pizza pies as well, however the focus here is on gourmet slices. Sit at the inside counter where there is a cool chalk board set-up for customers to doodle and play in colours.

The Kits

I had a two slices of The Kits Pizza ($3 each) topped with roasted chicken, roma tomatoes, spinach and balsamic reduction and served on a wooden board.

You are probably as curious as I was to know what ZA meant, it is slang for pizza, yep they got me on that one too!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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