2836 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver (this location has closed, relocated to 1428 Granville Street)

Tel: 604-559-4668

Web: http://linhcafe.com/

Twitter: @LinhCafeVan

Advice: Reservations suggested.

The bright room with red banquette seating and red table tops is a showcase for modern French Vietnamese bistro fare with a hint of flavours of the French colonies. Proprietor/Executive Chef Tai Luong Nguyen is creating wonderful dishes from his home country using French techniques. I’ve dined on a few occasions, first for an afternoon snack having the Banh Mi Cay Hai Phong ($6.95) spicy baguette Sticks with Chicken & pork liver pate, hot sauce, fried shallot, some Sable Breton ($1 each) cookies and a warm Vietnamese Coffee.

My last visit was for dinner with my friend Ivan joining, we shared the delicious Nem – Cha Gio – Spring Rolls ($12); filled with shrimp, pork, wood-ear mushroom, glass noodles. We also shared the Goi Cuon – Salad Rolls ($12) filled with preserved pork, vermicelli, lettuce, fresh herbs and a delicious house-made peanut sauce for dipping. I then had the outstanding Duck Roti ($23.95) Roasted duck, glazed grapes & apples, duck sauce in a cast iron pan that was served with whipped potato topped with bacon bits. Ivan enjoyed the Chicken Fricassee ($22.95) a Moroccan dish with chicken legs, tomato confit, and preserved lemon that was served with house baked French bread slices and Couscous. Lastly we shared the heavenly Triple Chocolate Mousse ($6.95) made with dark, milk and white chocolate for dessert.

Attentive service and a passionate creative chef rounds out the dining experiences at this gem in the heart of Kitsilano.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Vancouver, BC V6K 1R2, Canada