Posts Tagged ‘Neighborhood eating’

THE UNION BAR

April 8th, 2012 admin

219 Union Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-3230

Web:  http://theunionbar.ca/

Twitter: @TheUnionBar

Advice: No reservations.

In this stylish room, this is a South East Asian eatery with a very hip look and feel. Located at the entrance of Chinatown, you will find communal tables and a bar that is filled with tropical ingredients to shake and stir those refreshing cocktails that go so well with some spicy eats.

Peanut Noodles

Bubur Cha Cha

I have always been a fan of peanut sauce or peanut anything for that matter, I had the outstanding and flavourful Peanut Noodles ($13) spinach, shiitakes, charred eggplant, sambal ginger peanut sauce followed by a very different type of dessert which is common in Asia and less common here, the Bubur Cha Cha ($7) caramelized sweet potatoes, yams and tapioca in coconut milk.

The menu is filled with an array of snacks and bowls, covering all of the regions in South East Asia, from Malaysia to Indonesia to Thailand as well as Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches; along with salads, greens and desserts. The bar menu is filled with all sorts of unique cocktails along with beer and wine.

I can’t wait to return to try the Cha Ca Fish as well as their Green Papaya Salad.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

COFFEEBAR

April 8th, 2012 admin

10 Water Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-566-9693

Web: http://www.thecoffeebar.ca

Twitter: @mycoffeebar

Advice: Open daily.

Each time that I am in Gastown on a Sunday, this has been the café to go to with friends. Of course this is a great café to frequent on a daily basis which is located in the heart of Gastown. I like the place for its brightness from the front as well as the courtyard out back, also love the exposed bricked walls and the seating layout. They serve up a line-up of espresso beverages, tea as well as cold drinks, additionally there is a good selection of baked goods to munch.

Espresso Macchiatto

I have been coming here ever since they opened, it seems that I always have the same beverage which is the Espresso Macchiatto $2.85, my go to beverage of choice.  Yes they do have sandwiches as well, however when I am in the area, my go to is for the espresso beverages.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

VIA TEVERE PIZZERIA

April 5th, 2012 admin

1190 Victoria Drive, Vancouver

Tel: 604-336-1803

Web: http://viateverepizzeria.com/

Twitter: @ViaTeverePizza

Advice: No reservations, closed on Mondays.

From the moment I walked in to Via Tevere I was captivated by the warmth of the room, it’s as if the restaurant has been in the neighborhood for years. From the cool ambience to the top notch service to the outstanding authentic Neapolitan pizzeria I can assure you I was impressed.

Salsiccia e Rapini Pizza

I had the outstanding Salsiccia e Rapini Pizza ($15) with fior de latte, Italian sausage and broccoli rabe. The crust is key here, it was perfect from the texture to the appearance, both on the bottom and top, along with the cheese and other ingredients this was one tasty pie. The menu is quite simple, they offer pizza as well as some antipasti selections as well as a few desserts, keeping it simple is the way to go and it’s working here.

Already looking forward to my next visit.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

TRAFIQ CAFÉ & BAKERY

April 5th, 2012 admin

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

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

TRUFFLES CAFE

March 16th, 2012 admin

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

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

SALMON & BANNOCK

March 14th, 2012 admin

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

Posted in West Side Tags: , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment »

MATCHSTICK

March 9th, 2012 admin

639 East 15th Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-558-0639

Web:  http://www.matchstickcoffee.com/

Twitter: @MatchstickYVR

Advice: Sit at the communal table and meet others.

As many of my friends know, one of my favourite past times is visiting cafes both near and far. My friend and fellow coffee aficionado Alejandro and I visited Matchstick recently to not only people watch as much as catchup over some fine coffee and sweets.

Espresso Macchiato

Apple Walnut Cookie

I had my usual Espresso Macchiato with a delicious out of the oven Apple Walnut Cookie, Alejandro had an Americano along with a muffin. You’ll find a simple menu of fine espresso based beverages, tea as well a selection of house-baked goods. You’ll also find minimal design in the décor with ambiance that will have your mind wandering and this is a café you are going to want to frequent!

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Kensington-Cedar Cottage Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

PIZZA BARBARELLA

March 9th, 2012 admin

654 East Broadway, Vancouver

Tel: 604-210-6111

Web: http://www.pizzeriabarbarella.com/

Twitter: @PizzaBarbarella

Advice: Bring a flashlight to read the menu. Sit at the communal table if dining solo.

Since I have been a long time pizza lover, I am quite particular about my favourite pizza pie. I had heard a lot of hubbub about this spot in East Van and as much as I love East Van, I am hopeful another pizzeria will open that hits that mark! The room was dark, spacious and it was very difficult to read the menu, the candlelight didn’t cut it.

Funghi Pizza

Bianco Rosa

I was dining solo and my mission was to try more than one pizza, so I ordered two of them, the Funghi Pizza ($17) bechamella, fontina, oven roasted cremini mushrooms, parmigiano reggiano and white truffle oil, where the cheese and toppings had a good taste, my taste buds were jarred with the charcoal burnt taste from the bottom crust. The second pizza was the Bianco Rosa ($14) red onions, rosemary, pistachios, parmigiano reggiano and extra virgin olive oil; which was the best by far with its Pistachios that created a wonderful crunch and flavour.

Oh and skip the fork and knife and eat this pizza with your hands!

Review by: Richard Wolak

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