Posts Tagged ‘Wine’

THE AMERICAN CHEESESTEAK Co

November 7th, 2011 admin

781 Davie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-681-0130

Web: http://americancheesesteak.com/

Twitter: @thecheesesteak

Advice: Order a small as its big enough for one, order a large to share with a friend.

The Cowboy

Onion Rings

In Philadelphia it is a tradition to eat cheese steak sandwiches, it’s what the city is known for when talking food. Last week I visited this stylish meat paradise that claims to be purveyors of authentic cheese steak sandwiches. In for lunch, I ordered a small (6”) which was actually pretty large, The Cowboy ($10) shaved prime rib, crispy fried onions, homemade spicy bbq sauce, bacon mayo and aged white cheddar which was tasty and filling with high quality ingredients. The server suggested I add an order of fries, I opted instead for a small order of Onion Rings ($4) thinking how could I go wrong with the Onion Rings. I have had lots of tasty onion rings in the past, and most were better than these which were far to ordinary for a stylish place like this that’s striving to be a notch above great.

You can choose from the Traditional Cheesesteaks line-up or from the Decadent Specialty Steaks which I opted to do. Then you choose the size small or large, if you go with the Traditional then you can choose the type of cheese from the four on offer. They are licensed and you may want to have a beer to round out your meat eating experience. Be forewarned this is heavy food!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

GERARD LOUNGE

October 11th, 2011 admin

845 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC

Tel: 604-682-5511

Web: http://www.vancouver.suttonplace.com/restaurant/Lounge_Menu.htm

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Drop by for lunch, dinner or a late night drink.

Known as an old classic, Gerard is one of the most notable lounges in the city for the business crowd and visiting celebrities. I had lunch a couple of weeks ago joined by my Actor friend Kenji Maeda, it was the first time we had both visited for a meal. The room is well appointed dark wooden bar, matching tables and comfortable leather chairs.

Albacore Tuna Tataki

Spicy Fried Salmon Tacos

To start we shared the delicious Albacore Tuna Tataki ($14) wakame & shitake salad, green horseradish mayonnaise & lemongrass sambal dipping sauce; along with the outstanding Spicy Fried Salmon Tacos ($15) served with tomatoes, guacamole, chipotle crème fraiche & spicy coleslaw.

Beef Sirloin Burger

Sutton Clubhouse

For our mains I had the Beef Sirloin Burger ($17) white cheddar, bacon, mushrooms, Portuguese bun, horseradish aioli & red pepper relish and Kenji had the Sutton Clubhouse ($16)  house -smoked & roasted turkey breast, potato artisian bread,  traditional condiments & caciocavallo cheese as well as fries on the side.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

GO FISH BROADWAY

August 7th, 2011 admin

1521 West Broadway, Vancouver

Tel: n/a

Web: http://www.gofishvancouver.com/

Twitter: @gofishvancouver

Advice: Ask for a side of the dark ponzu sauce and drizzle it on your fries, and coleslaw. They offer takeout all day just not during the dinner hour unless you order it in person. Closed Sundays.

I used to frequent their seafood shack at Fisherman’s Wharf where I enjoyed the fresh fish and seafood creations. This second location steps it up a bit, first of all it is a sit down restaurant that is inside with comfortable booths and blue tables around the room, along with art on the walls that was created by Gord. Just as Chef/Proprietor Gord Martin always does, his latest Go Fish still serves their notable Fish & Chips and other favourites by day, and by night their dishes get a bit more snazzy with inventive dishes and wonderful flavours.

Salmon Meatball

Halibut Fish & Chips

I had dinner recently as I was on a Fish & Chips mission, started off with a delicious Salmon Meatball creation that Chef Martin had cooked up! Then I ate through their Halibut Fish & Chips ($13) 1 piece of halibut, fries, pacific rim coleslaw, tarragon tartar sauce and lemon wedge; the outstanding Salmon Fish & Chips ($10) and the Cod Fish & Chips ($9) all with same condiments. They use the Red Truck Lager in the beer batter cause it is a local brew and just gives the fish a clean and delicious flavour. I’ve been hooked on their dark ponzu sauce ever since eating at Go Fish in the early days, hint you may want to drizzle some on your fries and coleslaw!

Okanagan Black Cherry Ice Cream

For dessert I had their home-made Okanagan Black Cherry Ice Cream that was topped with fresh mint, wonderful and refreshing. This location is licensed with many craft brews on tap!

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in South Granville Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

WILD SALMON

June 20th, 2011 admin

250 West Pender Street, Vancouver

Tel:  604-443-8352

Web: www.vcc.ca

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Located on the 3rd floor of Vancouver Community College, open Mon –Fri for lunch thru August 15, 2011.

Bannock Bread Basket

My family friend Sylvie joined me for lunch the other day, to begin we were served a complimentary basked of two types of Bannock bread – one fried, soft and tasty and the other baked and sliced.

It was like sitting in an art gallery with Aboriginal art adoring the walls, this setting was the beginning of a wonderful experience. The restaurant is located within the Vancouver Community College campus and is run by the Aboriginal Cultural Arts program lead by Chef Ben Genaille. The culinary students have studied all year and for their final 3 months of the program they operate this wonderful restaurant that further trains them in front of the house, serving, bartending and cooking. The restaurant is a gem and one of a kind in Vancouver, specializing in gourmet Aboriginal cuisine at prices that are at least half of what they would be if dining outside of the school.

Seafood Cake

Duck Salad

To start, Seafood Cake ($4) corn purée, milkweed pod fritters which was then followed by the refreshing Duck Salad ($4), pickled beet roots, apple leather, candied hazelnuts.

Pan Seared Ling Cod

Slow Smoked Bison Brisket

For our mains, we each had the Pan Seared Ling Cod ($11), squash noodles, duck jus, Rosemary pine nut oil as well as the outstanding Slow Smoked Bison Brisket ($11), squash salad, savory bannock bread pudding with a jus made from the bison that delectable.

Bannock Bread Pudding

For dessert we had the delicious Bannock Bread Pudding ($3) with Rosemary ice cream with a raspberry pave, a perfect ending to our meal! You will find well known BC Nk’Mip Cellars wines on the menu!

Review By: Richard Wolak

 

 

 

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

THE PERCH

June 5th, 2011 admin

1701 Powell Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-3877

Web: http://www.eatdrinkperch.com/index.html

Twitter: @eatatperch

Advice: Play Bengo on Thursday nights, it’s like Bingo but named after Ben so it’s Bengo.

Pesto Flatbread

Thin Crust Pizza

I had high hopes for this vegan focussed restaurant when having lunch with friends recently. The room is quite funky on two levels with lots of light escaping from the large windows. My friends and I sat upstairs and ordered the Pesto Flatbread ($5) for us all to share that was too hard to eat. Since pizzas appeared to be quite popular with 2 tables surrounding us having ordered them, I decided to join them and had the Thin Crust Pizza ($11) with vegan cheese, yam, arugula, cashew on a gluten-free crust that looked good was a fairly good size for the price, though was quite bland in taste. Both of my friends had Omelettes ($7) with various fillings that again were of a good size and lacking in flavour. The music was blaring too loud for our liking, this was a restaurant not a nightclub, and it shouldn’t have taken us three requests to have the server turn down the music alas it did.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

HIDDEN TASTING BAR

May 26th, 2011 admin

433 Robson Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-647-2521

Web:  http://starwood.webcanada.com/restaurant/?rid=5190

Twitter: @hiddenvancouver

Advice: Go with a friend and share the dishes. Located inside the Westin Grand Hotel on the 2nd floor.

Hidden off of Robson, off the hotel lobby is a somewhat secluded room awaiting your discovery. My friend Nikki joined me for dinner the other night, to enjoy some of their Libations, Hops and Cravings. First of all the menu is very well thought out, it is about having fun and amusing your palate.

Fancy Nancy

The Hef

Inukshuk Onion Rings

Cantaloupe Salad

It was the Libations aka cocktails first and she had the Fancy Nancy ($11) chambord, raspberry vodka, orange, cranberry, pineapple, lime; I had The Hef ($10) vanilla vodka, ginger liqueur, triple sec, pineapple, fizzy stuff. Then it was on to sharing a couple of their starters, we had the Inukshuk Onion Rings ($6) with a delicious smoked ketchup and a refreshing Cantaloupe Salad ($11) with goats cheese, tarragon & crispy prosciutto.

Lobster Poutine

Grilled Brie Cheese Sandwich

Baked Sautéed Bay Scallop Mac ‘n Cheese

Seared Black Cod

We then changed our liquids direction and went into the Hops, Nikki had the Fruili ($7) strawberry, belgian fruit, (Belgium) beer and I had the Kronenbourg 1664 ($7) white beer (France). Then it was on to sharing a few more dishes, we had the Lobster Poutine ($10) made with thick potato wedges, cheese and chunks of lobster; then the most delicious Grilled Brie Cheese Sandwich ($12), with short rib and cranberry purée; followed by the Baked Sautéed Bay Scallop Mac ‘n Cheese ($15) this dish although tasty had me a bit confused, the scallops served on the side should have been inside the Mac & Cheese; and the Seared Black Cod ($13) with an outstanding brown butter cauliflower puree, asparagus and fennel salad, lemon caper vinaigrette.

Oreo Cookie Cheesecake

Orange Infused Chocolate Tart

To finish our meal and further tempt our tastebuds we shared a couple of house-made desserts the Oreo Cookie Cheesecake ($8) and a stellar dessert that ranks high up on my favourite desserts list, Orange Infused Chocolate Tart ($8) topped with a maple gelato which was divine.

There is an ever evolving craft brew list that is global inspiring, a large wine list and inventive cocktail list and great music beats in the background. Go exploring and check out this hideway!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

Taste: Victoria’s Festival of Food and Wine July 21-24

May 12th, 2011 admin

Local culinary aficionado Kathy McAree is cooking up a whole lot of good things these days as she prepares to launch the third-annual Taste: Victoria’s Festival of Food and Wine, a gastronomical event set to take place July 21 – 24, 2011 in Victoria, BC.

Focusing on Vancouver Island cuisine and British Columbia wines, the festival is supported by a number of local winemakers, chefs, artisan producers, farmers and  fishers – all key players in helping to make Vancouver Island a vibrant culinary destination.

“When choosing partners for Taste, I look at a number of factors to ensure they’re really walking the talk, so to speak,” said McAree, founder of Taste and Vancouver Island’s premier culinary tourism operator. “I look at how local and seasonal ingredients are showcased in their products, their contribution to our community which contributes to our local economy. Taste is also unique in that, rather than just being one day, it offers four great days of serious food and wine indulgence!”

The Taste weekend kicks off on Thursday, July 21 at Victoria’s Crystal Garden with The Main Event: an evening brimming with more than 100 BC wines and great Vancouver Island eats. Guests will be joined by local chefs, wine producers and the live music of Greenlaw, a local band with a unique blend of dub, soul, jazz, drum and bass-infused rhythms.

Other special events taking place July 22 to 24 include the wine and seafood extravaganza Sips and Seafood hosted by the Inn at Laurel Point and chef Takashi Ito, a Silk Road tea tasting with Tea Master Daniela Cubelic, a Swine and The Vine pig roast on the Hotel Grand Pacific patio, a three-course brunch at Vista 18 and a unique wine seminar of Vancouver Island vs. the World.

And new to this year’s multi-day line-up is Land and Sea Harvest on the Family Farm: a dining adventure to take place in the middle of the field at the Vantreight Family Farm, overlooking the Saanich Peninsula and ocean. Join Ryan Vantreight and chef Matt Rissling from The Marina Restaurant for a “zero mile diet” dinner, paired with wines from BC’s Mission Hill Family Estate Winery.

Tickets to Taste are set to go on sale May 13, 2011. For more information on the events and purchase information, visit www.victoriataste.com.

Posted in Food & Wine Events, Latest Tags: , , , , , , , , 1 Comment »

East Van Wine Academy

March 7th, 2011 admin

The Waldorf and resident sommelier Kurtis Kolt are proud to launch the East Van Wine Academy. The series of courses and parties begins Tuesday, March 22, 2011 and will return the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The East Van Wine Academy is creating a casual and dynamic arena to learn about and enjoy wine, something that can be considered elitist or intimidating.

“Wine is for everyone”, says Kolt, who will host every event, “Most people want to learn about wine but traditional classes can be intimidating, costly or require a large time-commitment. The East Van Wine Academy is an affordable, inclusive and comfortable environment for people to expand their knowledge about wine while enjoying high quality food, music and art.”

Each East Van Wine Academy evening has two components:

The Wine Course

Hosted by Kurtis Kolt, the East Van Wine Academy is a series of courses with a different region or country featured each event including Italy, France, Germany, California, Portugal and British Columbia. Each one-hour course covers the history of the selected region, styles of grapes, tasting techniques, food pairing tips and more, all in a relaxed and intimate setting. Guests will receive course material in a uniquely crafted collectible wine zine and tastings during After-School, a party and wine tasting social immediately following the course. East Van Wine Academy courses can be attended as an ongoing series or as stand-alone events.

After School Parties

Extending the regional theme of the evening each After-School party will feature ten different wines offered in 3oz pours, encouraging guests to sample a wide variety of wines at accessible price-points. The night will immerse guests in the regional culture of that week with canapés, visuals and vinyl selected by resident DJs. After-School parties are the perfect environment for guests who attend the course to put their new knowledge to use are also a casual, fun atmosphere for those who want to skip school but are still interested in learning more about wine.

Check this out for info and tickets

Posted in All About Wine, Great Ideas, Latest Tags: , , , No Comments »
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