Posts Tagged ‘Romantic’

GUSTO DI QUATTRO

December 20th, 2010 admin

1 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver

Tel: 604-924-4444

Web: http://www.quattrorestaurants.com/gindex.html

Twitter: @GustoDiQuattro

Advice: Reservations suggested.

Romantic hideaway by night, a place to escape by day, this fine dining contemporary Italian gem is located minutes away from the northshore seabus terminal. I had dinner on my own recently, which gave me an opportunity to visit Executive Chef Nik Lim who is so passionate about cooking and wonderful guy to chat with about food and most of all Italian cuisine.

Caprese

Taking a look at their menu you will see that they have it divided into Classics and Seasonal, most of the classics are Roman and ones that are constant for remaining on their menu, then there are the Seasonal and most of those have an added a west-coast influence to the original modern Italian. I reviewed their wine list which had a good selection of wines by the glass.  I had some of their tasty home-made focaccia bread dipping it into the extra virgin olive oil while deciding on which dishes to order.

Steelhead Salmon

Gelato

To begin I had the Caprese ($14) –vine ripened tomatoes, fior de latte mozzarella, EVOO and fresh basil from their Classics menu, I also had a glass of the Tantalus Riesling ’07 ($10.95) the next dish was the outstanding Steelhead Salmon ($30 market price) with sweet potatoes, spinach, bacon, broth topped with a tarragon aioli of their Seasonal menu. To end this delicious meal I had their Homemade Gelato ($9) vanilla bean & hazelnut praline with an amaretto cookie.

The restaurant is cozy and intimate with fine service, I was happy that I ventured on the Seabus from downtown to the northshore for this wonderful dinner.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in North Vancouver Tags: , , , , , , , , No Comments »

VIA VENETO

December 4th, 2010 admin

656 West Broadway, Vancouver

Tel: 604-708-3300

Web: http://www.viavenetovancouver.com

Advice:  Delicious basket of Focaccia bread served complimentary to begin the meal.

My friend joined me for lunch recently at this Northern Italian restaurant, a great fine dining addition to this neighbourhood.

Minestrone alla Contadina

Carpaccio all’ Emiliana

Insalata alla Caprese

Caesar Salad

We began our lunch with the delicious and full of flavours, Minestrone alla Contadina ($5.95) made from the finest vegetables and fresh herbs; where we both had this dish.  We then shared the Carpaccio all’ Emiliana ($8.95) prime Alberta beef tenderloin with Parmigiano reggiano, Arugula, Capers and Extra virgin olive oil. I then had the next dish on my own, Insalata alla Caprese ($8.95) fresh Bocconcini, Roma tomatoes, caperberry, fresh basil and Extra virgin olive oil and my friend had the traditional Caesar Salad ($6.95).

Veal Paillard

Astice alla Veneziana

We then shared the light and tasty Veal Paillard ($13.95) grilled milk-fed Veal scallopine with salsa verde and then we both shared the outstanding house specialty Astice alla Veneziana ($39.95) fresh whole Atlantic lobster prepare with a traditional Venetian recipe, served on a bed of savory spaghetti.

Zuppa Inglese

Since I love desserts, especially Italian desserts I had the delicious Zuppa Inglese ($7.95) Chocolate and almond frozen crusted mousse with pistachio and vanilla sponge cake. They have a very nice wine list although we both opted for sparkling water during our lunch. The service was gracious and inviting, you can see how all the staff work so well together it is as if they are one big family. I am looking forward to a return visit one night for dinner and for another slice of the Zuppa Inglese!

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in West Side Tags: , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments »

LE GAVROCHE

October 6th, 2010 admin

1616 Alberni Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-685-3924

Web: http://www.legavroche.ca/default.asp

Advice: Advance reservations a must.

Finally made it in for dinner to this ever so charming 2 story restaurant in a Victoria style house which has been cooking classic French for the past 30 years. The owner is a wine connoisseur with exquisite taste and you will find one of the most comprehensive wine lists in the city. On the food side, their menu is devoted to the classics and the other side is to creations and you can most certainly mix it up if you wish. Although I didn’t have it this time around the Caesar Salad is served table side and is one of their longstanding French classics.

Coquille St-Jacques

Duck Confit

Rack of Lamb

To begin after the Amuse Buche, I was served a delicious Coquille St-Jacques ($15) dry Vermouth this was then followed by Duck Confit ($15) pecan flour crusted, creole spices, spinach salad, Cassis sauce, and then Rack of Lamb ($39) Mustard Crusted, Mint Gnocchi, Rosemary Garlic Jus.

Okanagan Peach

The dessert selection has many classics as well such as their popular Crepes Suzette, I chose one of their creations instead and had the fresh Okanagan Peach ($8.50) vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce, pineapple, and whipped cream.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

L’ABATTOIR

September 16th, 2010 admin

217 Carrall Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-1701

Web:  http://www.labattoir.ca/

Twitter: @ LABATTOIR_VAN

Advice: No reservations, try to sit by the bar if you are having drinks or in the atrium if you are having dinner.

Bread Basket

After attending the opening party a couple months back, I knew this restaurant and bar was going to win me over, I finally had an opportunity to pop in for dinner the other night. I was seated in the atrium at the back of the restaurant which is one most unique rooms in the city, there is also a front of house bar and lounge, and an elevated dining room.

Poached Halibut with Mussels and Spinach Dumplings

As I was eating solo, I was only able to enjoy one main dish and dessert far from the usual dinner out. I was served a complimentary bread basket to start and immediately fell in love with the Anchovies twists. I skipped the starters and went straight into the entrée which is the main event here, the kitchen team is creative and Chef Lee Cooper is a master running that kitchen. For my entrée I had the beautifully presented and flavourful Poached Halibut with Mussels and Spinach Dumplings ($24) Ragout of late summer vegetables and basil, garlic sabayon and this was delicious. The menu has a great selection of starters and entrees and this is foodie heaven, you are going to want to try each and every dish.

Upside Down Cake

Of course I had to finish the meal with some dessert and I had the Upside Down Cake ($9) with Plums, mascarpone cream. The desserts are varied and again presentation is the key here. For cocktails, with Shaun Layton at helm, he is one of the city’s top bartenders and he has created quite the memorable cocktail list. There is a nice wine list which has been well thought out in pairing up to the entrees if you choose to wine and dine. I am looking forward to my next visit to try the next dish!

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Gastown, Restaurant Reviews Tags: , , , , , , , 1 Comment »

ADESSO BISTRO

July 12th, 2010 admin

Outside Garden

1906 Haro Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-9975


Twitter: @AdessoBistro

Advice: Make an advance reservation and request to be seated on the patio.

Crispy Mozzerella, Mediteranean Salad

Watercress and Goats Cheese Salad

Focacia

I had dinner on my favourite patio in the city last week with a friend, it was a warm summer night and ideal for the Italian meal that was too follow. The location is one of my favourites for a restaurant in thie city, it is a wonderful hideway well situated in the West End in close proximity to Stanley Park. I was very much looking forward to Chef Sean Sylvestre dishes as he is a well known master behind the scenes. Our dinner began with a couple of Antipasti, I had the outstanding Crispy Mozzerella, Mediteranean Salad ($9) Crostini and my friend Alexei had the Watercress and Goats Cheese Salad ($12) black olive vinagrette and candied pecans. The complimentary Focacia was warm and topped with a little course salt with a very good olive oil for dipping.

Linguine Genovese

Risotto al Radichioe

Next up was a couple of small appetizer size Pasta dishes, I had the Linguine Genovese ($12 Small) pesto, green beans, new potatoes and my friend had the Risotto al Radichioe ($14 small) gorgonzola, walnuts. We paced our selves well and enjoyed the flavours of each dish, their menu is from the Ligurian region in Italy.

Rack of Lamb

Pacific Halibut

Crushed Potatoes and Olives

Chickpeas braised in tomatoes

For our Secondi, I had the tender and full of flavour Rack of Lamb ($25) with white beans and ragout; and my friend had the perfectly cooked Pacific Halibut ($22) all Acqua Pazza, olives and cherry tomatoes we then shared a couple of Contorini and both thought this very simple side dish was one of the best we have had in a very long time, Crushed Potatoes and Olives ($5) and our other dish was the Chickpeas braised in tomatoes ($6).

Affogatto

Mirtillo

One thing that I always do before dining at any restaurant is that I check their dessert menu, Adesso was no exception as I reviewed their dessert menu a couple of times before making my reservation and well I was right, the Pastry chef is also a wizzard in the kitchen and is creative in his dessert creations. I had the outstanding delicious Affogatto ($8) made with espresso semifreddo, hazelnut praline, chibouste; my friend had the light Mirtillo ($8) fresh and poached blueberry, yogurt panna cotta, almond nougatine. The restaurant has a nice wine list as well as a well thought out after dinner drinks list, my friend enjoyed a Blueberry Tea for his nightcap to end the meal. Adesso is lucky to have a talented culinary team of passionate chefs in the kitchen, looking forward to my return visit.

Review by: Richard Wolak
Posted in Restaurant Reviews, Westend Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments »

LUPO

March 17th, 2010 admin

869 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-569-2535

Web: www.luporestaurant.ca/

Twitter: @luporestaurant

Advice: They can accommodate large parties of 12 people in the Nook located in the main floor dining room or larger parties upstairs. Advance reservations are suggested. If you wish to pair wines with your meal ask Michael to either select for you or ask him for advice.

Lupo Focacia

Winter Caprese Salad

Tortelli

I loved the ambience of both the upstairs and downstairs dining rooms, my friend Thu and I had dinner at Lupo last week and were lucky to be seated downstairs close to the brick fireplace. This delightful turn of the century Heritage House, has a contemporary kitchen with Chef Julio Gonzalez Perini it the helm serving fresh reinventions of Italian classics in a cozy, neighborhood environment. We began our dinner with the wonderful Lupo Focacia ($5) which was an ideal size for sharing, From there we had the Winter Caprese Salad ($15) over dried tomato, pesto and saba; then for the appetizer we had the outstanding Tortelli ($15) (is a Ravioli but half moon shape), stuffed with lobster, Mascarpone and onion confit, served with a tomato coulis, and fennel butter. This dish was a daily special that should be on their daily menu (we hope they will add it).

Braised Beef Short Ribs

Pizzetta -Margheretta

The main course was next and again we were shared a couple entrees, the first was the tantalizing Braised Beef Short Ribs ($26) on bed of soft marscarpone and polenta; and since we both had to try the pizza we went with a simiple, Pizzetta -Margheretta ($10) crispy crust, tomato and basil, fior di latte.

Meyer Lemon Tart

Chocolate and Raspberry Tear Drop Mousse

. I always have to save room for dessert when I am in an Italian restaurant, so to end our meal we had the refreshing Meyer Lemon Tart ($8) with a hint of passion fruit,and lemon – yoghurt gelato along with the Chocolate and Raspberry Tear Drop Mousse ($9), a tear drop shaped chocolate shell, stuffed with raspberry flavoured chocolate mousse

The restaurant has an impressive wine list, delicious food, outstanding service and made me feel like being at home.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Restaurant Reviews, Yaletown Tags: , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment »

SEASONS IN THE PARK

December 1st, 2009 admin

Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver

Tel: 604-874-8008

Web: http://www.vancouverdine.com/seasons/home.html

Advice: If you wish to have your salmon cooked well done just ask, they are very accommodating regarding substitutions, we had the linguine substituted for the fettuccine and omitted the bacon in that dish and it was happily taken care of.

Pan Seared Qualicum Beach Scallops

Pan Seared Qualicum Beach Scallops

Situated in one of the most beautiful city parks on the planet with a view that outdoes most cities, Seasons has always been a special place to dine. Of course this time around we happened to dine on a rainy dark night where the view was more spectacular than outside. My family including our cousins had dinner together, started off with sharing the Seasons Famous Stuffed Mushrooms ($11) filled with crab, shrimp, scallions, swiss & cream cheeses; the Mixed Seasonal Greens ($8) candied almonds, fresh berries, goat cheese, maple vinaigrette; and the Pan Seared Qualicum Beach Scallops ($26) sweet corn & bourbon butter sauce, roasted pepper vinaigrette, mascarpone polenta cake.

Miso Soy Marinated Black Cod

Miso Soy Marinated Black Cod

Seared Wild BC Salmon

Seared Wild BC Salmon

Seafood Linguine Carbonara

Seafood Linguine Carbonara

For our entrees we had the Miso Soy Marinated Black Cod ($26) with pineapple chive vinaigrette, jasmine rice; Pan Seared Wild BC Salmon ($26) with a maple butter sauce, cucumber balsamic salad, garlic mashed potatoes; Seafood Linguine Carbonara ($25) hand made linguine, salmon, cod, prawns, scallop.

Little Brownie Mountain

Little Brownie Mountain

Trio of Sorbet

Trio of Sorbet

To end our delicious meal we shared the Trio of Sorbet ($8) macerated fruit compote; and the Little Brownie Mountain ($8) vanilla ice cream, caramel, chocolate sauce, candied almonds, chantilly cream. This spacious restaurant is well layed out, of course a table by the window provides for a great view, you could always sit atop near or under one of the large indoor trees or be in their large private dining room if you were there for one large special occasion, we dined by the window seated at their large round table that had one of those spectacular views if only we could have seen thru the fog and rain.

If the weather is dry, you should request a table outside on the patio and enjoy one of the best views our city has to offer whether in the day or night time, keep warm by heat lamps and fireplaces and stare off into the mountains and city lights from downtown to the north shore.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Cambie Street, Restaurant Reviews Tags: , , , , , , , No Comments »

THE TEAHOUSE

November 25th, 2009 admin

The Teahouse 017

Ferguson Point, Stanley Park Drive, Vancouver

Tel: 604.669.3281

Web: http://www.vancouverdine.com/teahouse

Advice: If you are having a starter and an entrée you may want to skip ordering an extra side, save room for the Molten Chocolate dessert.

Beet & Goat Cheese Salad

Beet & Goat Cheese Salad

Stuffed Portabellini Mushroom

Stuffed Portabellini Mushroom

The Teahouse had always been one of my families favourite restaurants, I heard that Executive Chef Francois Gagnon had taken over at The Teahouse and we thought we must visit and taste his new menu. We sat in one of their elegant rooms close to the window that overlooked the water and the nightlights, my dining companion and I shared the Beet & Goat Cheese Salad ($12.50) a colorful and tasty salad with a paprika, herb and plain goat cheese with wild arugula and crunchy walnuts; the delightful Stuffed Portabellini Mushroom ($10) stuffed with crab, shrimp & mascarpone.

Qualicum Beach Scallops

Qualicum Beach Scallops

AAA Rib Eye

AAA Rib Eye

For our entrees I had the AAA Rib Eye ($38) perfectly well done steak and in a red wine and black pepper demi glaze topped with fingerling potatoes & wild mushrooms; my dining companion had the Qualicum Beach Scallops ($28) served on a bed of leek & chanterelle risotto. To end our delicious meal we shared the Molten Chocolate Cake ($8) which was filled with warm Grand Marnier ganache with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side; and the Brown Butter & Almond Torte ($8) with crème fraiche on the side on a bed of strawberry jam.

Molten Chocolate Cake

Molten Chocolate Cake

Brown Butter & Almond Torte

Brown Butter & Almond Torte

We were truly impressed by the service as well as our server John Ferrie who has been in the business of serving customers for many years. Chef Francois has quite an extensive background in French Canadian cooking and his new menu is one that should be tasted, bring your friends and enjoy this great escape, just outside of the busy downtown area in Stanley Park.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Restaurant Reviews, Stanley Park Tags: , , , , , , , No Comments »
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