VANCOUVER EATS

VANCOUVER EATS ON HIATUS

2009-04-27T11:44:00.001-07:00

ATTENTION FOODIES! DUE TO PERSONAL FORCES OUT OF MY CONTROL, VANCOUVER EATS WILL NOT BE UPDATED FOR THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE. WE HOPE TO BE BACK UP & RUNNING SOONER RATHER THAN LATER BUT FOR NOW... THE EATERY IS CLOSED.

DEACON'S CORNER

2009-04-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

“FILLED WITH GOOD FOOD”
101 Main St., Vancouver
604.684.1555
website

I love me some Diner grub, I love the somewhat simple look and décor and the greasy spoon food that you can find at a local diner. One of my favorite Food TV shows is “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” not only because it showcases these types of joints all over America but also because it showcases that the food at these joints can also be top notch. Take FOG CITY DINER in San Francisco, it’s a train car Diner but the food is outstanding and the staff all wear white coats and ties. That doesn’t sound like a “greasy spoon” to me. Well Vancouverites, now we have a higher end Diner in “Railtown” (that area next to Gastown, across from Jerktown I think) from the makers of COBRE, called DEACON’S CORNER.

Located on the corner of Main & Alexander, across from the ALIBI ROOM, there once stood a dilapidated café that no one would ever go to because of the substandard food and cleanliness issues. Well, thankfully that has all changed and now there stands a cool 65-seat eatery that's a cross between a Diner and a Café and is bright, clean, friendly and ofcourse, filled with good food.

I met my friend Sarah there, who has been frequenting DEACON’S for a while since she works in the area and we had some late breakfast. Sarah had the Corned Beef Hash & Eggs (with Toast) while I tried the Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs (with Country Gravy, Hashbrowns & Toast). Both meals were gigantic, tasty and not at all greasy, in fact they were light and fresh despite the heaviness of the actual meal. I was stuffed and satisfied afterwards and unlike most Diners, I didn’t have a stomach ache a few hours later.

I would heartily recommend DEACON’S CORNER for breakfast or lunch, they have an ample menu, big portions and great flavors to choose from. The room is bright, the staff is friendly and the coffee is good… what more could you ask for from your local “Diner”?

RATING: 8/10 FULL BELLIES

DB BISTRO MODERNE

2009-04-06T08:58:00.001-07:00

“$28 be damned!!!”
2551 W. Broadway St, Vancouver
604.739.7115
website

Ever hear of Daniel Bouland? He’s a world renowned chef who has come to Vancouver, taken over LUMIERE and turned it into DB BISTRO MODERNE. Think traditional French cooking, New York haute cuisine and Pacific Northwest bright flavors which define a critically-acclaimed seasonal menu and uptown casual setting… at least according to their menu. I went to this new hot spot in Kitsilano for lunch and was greeted by a cool yet quiet room.

The menu is smart and lives up to its reputation, modern French with a twist, things looked good, but still pricey… then at the bottom, I saw something… something wonderful. The clouds parted, the sun shined bright, my jaw dropped and my mouth watered. It dropped because I saw a $28 Hamburger, it watered because of what was in said burger.

The Original DB Burger (a classic found in many of Bouland’s restaurants) is a thick, juicy Sirloin Burger filled with Foie Gras and Braised Short Ribs, the patty is then drizzled with Black Truffle Oil and it’s served on a homemade Parmesan Bun… are you kidding me.

$28 be damned, I had to try this burger.

I am happy to report that this burger is as good as it sounds but I never have to order it again, it is so rich I slipped into a food coma right at the table. My lunch companions tried the Coq Au Vin with Wild Mushrooms, Bacon, Pearl Onions and Spaetzle, the Country Duck Pate with Onion Compote and Whole Grain Mustard and The Caesar DB Las Vegas Salad with Parmesan Crisp, Avocado, Anchovy Dressing & Garlic Crouton. All the food was good but seriously, you gotta try this burger. Sirloin? Short ribs? Foie Gras? Truffle Oil? I must be dreaming!!!

DB BISTRO MODERNE has successfully shaken off the past of LUMIERE with it’s new colorful look, tempting menu and a $28 burger that is worth a shot just to say you had it. It is pricey, it is rich and it may cause a heart attack but as you die you will definitely be smiling!

RATING: 8/10 FULL BELLIES

PLAN B LOUNGE/EATERY

2009-03-31T12:04:00.001-07:00

“FUNKY & TASTY, A GOOD COMBINATION”

1144 Homer St, Vancouver

604.609.0901

website

What a surprise, another Vancouver restaurant that is exactly the same as all the other Vancouver restaurants and by that I mean:

It’s funky and cool
The menu is unnecessarily wordy & complicated
It’s pricey
All the food tastes the same as it does in all the other restaurants.

The difference with PLAN B LOUNGE is that the food is actually good!

This lounge eatery is cool, dark walls, modern art and an extremely funky vibe, the food is pretty good too. We tried 4 dishes this evening, the Moroccan Glazed Chicken Popsicles with Parsley Coulis that was definitely the favorite of the evening, a modern twist on the chicken wing rich in flavor and perfectly crisp. The Crisp Pancetta & Nicoise Olive Risotto with Veal Demi Glace was tasty but I actually found it a bit too soupy for my liking. The Steamed Local Mussels with Pomme Frites and Grilled French Bread is always a crowd pleaser and this one was done with a nice classic saffron & white wine sauce that complimented the fresh shells perfectly. Finally, we shared the Charcuterie Plate with Olives, Pickles & Preserves, House-made Pork Pate, Crostini and assorted Fine Cured Meats, a great sharing plate filled with tasty nibbles.

Good food all around. So if you are looking for something good, then I can recommend PLAN B LOUNGE, it’s a funky & tasty joint which is always a good combination.

RATING: 7/10 FULL BELLIES

ZAWA

2009-03-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

“ALWAYS GOOD”
920 Commercial Dr, Vancouver
604-255-0470
website

I mentioned in an earlier review that SLICKITY JIM’S was our favorite breakfast joint, but I should say it’s our favorite “fancy” breakfast joint. Sometimes you feel like a bit of “greasy spoon” bacon & eggs, or a quick burger or something else with bacon. When we wake up with a hangover and walk to Commercial Drive, there’s only one place to go and for the 7 times we’ve been there, it’s never let us down… I’m talking about ZAWA.

ZAWA is always good, always fast and always friendly. The place itself is an ugly, giant waste of space that is in serious need of a restaurant makeover but you don’t go there for the ambience, you go there for the food. For this lunch excursion, the three of us had the All Day Breakfast (2 Eggs, hashbrowns & toast with bacon or sausage. $6.99), The Falafel Burger (A delicious homemade falafel pattie with house hummous & fries $7.99) and The Veggie Deluxe Burger (Loaded with sautéed onion, green pepper, mushrooms, cheddar & swiss, served on a whole wheat Kaiser with lettuce, tomato, pickles & mayo $7.99). All three meals were extremely tasty and very reasonably priced. May I also recommend my personal breakfast favorite, the Chorizo Breakfast (2 Eggs cooked any way you like 'em served with spicy chorizo sausage, hashbrowns & toast. $7.99), this is a beauty. Simple and tasty.

There’s really not much more to say about ZAWA on Commercial Drive, for Breakfast and Lunch, it’s a great “greasy spoon” choice for a quick, uncomplicated meal. The room is ugly but the food is worthy of a visit, especially to nurse that weekend hangover.

RATING: 6.5/10 FULL BELLIES

MODERNE BURGER

2009-03-09T06:15:00.001-07:00

“GREAT BUT NOT THE BEST”

2507 W. Broadway, Kitsilano

604-739-0005

website

Burgers are big business in Vancouver, everyone claims to have “the best burger” in town but consistently it comes down to two main competitors: VERA’S BURGER SHACK and MODERNE BURGER. I have said before that VERA’S is my #1 choice but I consistently hear great things about MODERNE so today I tried it and truth be told I still prefer VERA’S but that’s not to say that this wasn’t a good burger, it was, it just wasn’t the best.

If you’ve never been to MODERNE BURGER, the place is awesome. It’s designed like a 50’s Diner, it’s bright, it’s fun and the menu is small. Burgers, Floats, Shakes and that’s about it. It’s won numerous awards for it’s hamburgers like “Best Burger House 2007” and “Best Burger in Town 2008” and I can see why, they take their burgers seriously as they do the environment they serve it in.

I had the Moderne Steak Burger with Chedder, Fried Onions & BBQ Sauce and it was great but not the best and hears why. The BBQ sauce was too sweet with very little spice, I ordered the burger with fried onions and I got very little on my actual patty, just a few strands and finally, I found the quality and size of the meat not up to the standards set by VERA’S. The patty was small and somewhat dry. The Hand Cut Fries were great and the dipping sauce (chipotle?) is fantastic!

Now this is not to say that it was a bad burger, it wasn’t, it was great but not the best. I will definitely go back to MODERNE BURGER and give it another go because the food and the location are too cool to ignore and seriously, it's a good burger.

RATING: 7.5/10 FULL BELLIES

CIPRIANO'S RISTORANTE & PIZZARIA

2009-03-02T09:06:00.000-08:00

“TOO EXPENSIVE FOR WHAT YOU GET”

3995 Main Street, Vancouver

604.879.0020

No Website

Being Italian, I rarely go to Italian restaurants cause quite frankly, I get kick ass and make kick ass Italian food at home. But as we were dining with friends tonight, Jonathan suggested we go to CIPRIANO'S as he said “it has the best lasagna he’s ever had”. I went there once about 9 years ago and couldn’t really remember it so who am I to argue with Jonathan’s request? Well, I should have argued a bit.

You walk in and are greeted with red & green walls, pics of Italy and Frank Sinatra, a Goodfellas poster in the bathroom, yes this place is a time warp back to the Italian Restaurants of the 80’s… small, cheesy yet quaint. Right off the bat I sensed trouble as none of the staff were smiling and made little conversation with us or any of the other tables. We ordered some Garlic Bread for the table, Jonathan got the lasagna, my wife got the Pasta ala Casa and I went for the Veal Parmigiana.

Note, for the cheap look of the place, the menu is limited and everything costs around $20, pricey. A basket of garlic bread costs around $7 and the meals were all between $18-$22. Hmm… better be good.

The Garlic Bread was outstanding, I know it’s just garlic bread but I think they bake it in butter dishes or something cause it’s the richest, tastiest, best Garlic Bread I’ve ever had… ever. The rest of the meal didn’t hold up to the bar set by the bread however. My Veal Parmigiana was tough, dry and quite thick (I was expecting a thinner piece of meat). The pasta on the side was good but the sauce was very sweet (did they add sugar or are they using canned tomatoes…). My wife’s Pasta ala Casa was huge and based off of the same tomato sauce as mine but it had huge pieces of sliced spicy sausage as well. Nothing extraordinary. As for Jonathan’s Lasagna, it was huge as well and dripping with cheese, he was extremely pleased with it but for the price, I was honestly expecting more.

After the meal, we sat around and talked for a bit but he kept getting hounded by the staff “do you want anything else?” “Can I get you anything?” in other words, they were asking us to get the hell out of there and it was only 9:30pm. As we paid the giant bill (yes this place is too expensive for what you get in my opinion) and walked out the door, I heard the lock engage behind us. Good, cause it will probably be another nine years before I go back to CIPRIANO'S… unless its for the garlic bread.

RATING: 5/10 FULL BELLIES

LUX AT CAPRICE

2009-02-25T16:48:00.001-08:00

“LUX SUX”

965 Granville St, Vancouver

604.685.3189

website

Amongst the pseudo-bright lights of Granville Street’s Entertainment District lies the Caprice nightclub and it’s lounge-restaurant called LUX. We went there for a friends birthday dinner and trust me when I say, I will never be going back.

LUX is one of the most poorly run, overpriced, undertasting eateries I have ever been too, quite simply, LUX sux. Our party of 25 was under a two hour time limit (cause they had another party coming in at 9:15), fine, they said they would set us up in the lounge afterwards. The didn’t, the lounge was packed so after slow drinks, even slower food and everyone being pissed off, we had to leave LUX and look for another location at 9pm on a Saturday night. Luckily DUECE BUNGALOW had room for us and although I was unkind to them in a previous review, they’ve updated their menu and those who ate, loved it.

If there’s one thing I liked, it’s the room itself. This intimate 80-seat dining area features chic banquettes, candle-lit tables, and socially alluring sofas, all wrapped in the warm glow of a beautiful fireplace. Lots of white, silver and maroon highlights, it’s a good looking room. Too bad the service didn’t match the restaurant. Drinks were slow and the waitress constantly had to be reminded that we actually ordered drinks, food was even slower, so slow in fact, we had to cancel some meals because we were getting kicked out. We tried talking to the manager about the slow service and the lack of room in the lounge since we were getting kicked out of the dining room but he actually had the balls to say it was our fault. Our fault, the kitchen, bar and waitress was slow, our fault they booked another party after us, our fault they didn’t want us to spend our money there either I guess. Wow.

Now onto the food, only so-so, as it tastes like all the other food available at the other restaurants in the Granville Area. Like they all share one giant kitchen under the street with little conveyor belts up to the individual dining rooms. I had the Pulled Chicken Tacos with Mole (Maple Hills Chicken, spiced mole, pickled red cabbage & carrot, crème fraiche & gold flakes) and the BC Dungeness Crab Lollipops (Fresh crab, peppers & cilantro, lemon tarragon cream, crispy leeks, paprika garlic oil). They were both only okay, no stand out flavors, nothing memorable which is too bad as they both sound so good. Add to that that these small “share” plates were over $11 each is like an extra knife in the gut. I don’t mind paying high prices for great tapas but these weren’t great, $7 tapas at best.

As you can tell, I thought LUX was awful. I cannot believe that this place is still around when other far better places are closing their doors. The management and service were horrid, the prices outrageous and the food only decent. Small portions, big prices. Skip LUX altogether, trust me, you won't be missing a thing.

RATING: 2/10 FULL BELLIES

ANDUCCI'S

2009-02-16T10:19:00.000-08:00

“THAT’S A LOT OF PASTA”
9604 Cameron St, Burnaby
604.444.4788
website

We used to joke about the portions of Pasta at Anton’s when we were growing up. Cause it never was that tasty but it was cheap and you could stretch out the leftovers over a couple of meals. I went there once or twice but the quality of the pasta never sold me so I stopped going. Years later, my wife introduced me to ANDUCCI’S as she said it had “good big portions of pasta” so who am I to argue. We tried it out and she was right, for $15, I was given a truckload of pasta and while it wasn’t of the highest quality, it was still damn good.

There are a few ANDUCCI’S in town but this night we went to the Burnaby location and it was packed, there was a Canucks game on and all of their TV’s were showing the game. The place is dark with lots of stonework, it’s got kind of an Italian-American Milestones vibe to it and all the servers are young and busy talking to each other rather than checking in on the tables. We sat down to peruse their giant menu but really we were here for pasta so that’s the page we stuck to. ANDUCCI’S lets you choose they type of pasta you want, then the sauce combination that goes with it. Cool.

My wife ordered THE HULK WITH WHOLE WHEAT PASTA (Fresh avocado, fresh baby spinach leaves, lemon, seared mushrooms, roasted almonds, and melted goat cheese in a garlic olive oil sauce) while I had THE CARNIVORE KING WITH SPAGHETTINI (Mamma’s meatballs, capicolla, and Italian sausage in a creamy meat sauce). Both plates were gigantic, tasty and could not be finished. In my opinion, HULK was tastier than KING but KING was more filling. At lunch, they offer smaller portions for $10 but really, for $15 and this portion size, it’s two meals worth of food on one plate. Wow, that’s a lot of pasta.

I can’t comment on the other food offerings at ANDUCCI’S as I’ve only been there for the pasta but really, why else go. The price point for the portion size is right up my alley and I can forgive the blasé wait staff for being young. It’s a great place for well-priced truckloads of pasta!

As a side note, I looked up Anton’s online and realized they bumped up their prices, a plate of pasta there costs the same as a plate of pasta at ANDUCCI’S. Hmm, me thinks a Burnaby Spaghetti Smackdown is in order. Stay tuned.

RATING: 7/10 FULL BELLIES

SLICKITY JIM’S CHAT N’ CHEW

2009-02-09T23:28:00.000-08:00

“OUR FAVORITE BREAKFAST JOINT”
2513 Main Street, Vancouver
604.873.6760
no website

One of our favorite breakfast haunts in the core of Vancouver is the eclectic yet laid back SLICKITY JIM'S CHAT N' CHEW. This is our fifth time at the popular main street eatery and it was as good as always. A couple things you gotta know though:

This place is small and very popular so be prepared to wait, especially on the weekend, sometimes it 45 minutes or more but trust me, it's worth it.
This place is eclectic; the walls look like someone took a retro yard sale full of junk and stapled it all over the walls. There is a kind of "diner" feel to this place and the booths for four are a tight squeeze but while you are waiting for your food, there's lots to look at.
The food and the coffee are fantastic. This isn't a typical breakfast joint as JIM'S has taken the art of food-naming to a whole new level. Everything has a funky name that has nothing to do with the meal you’re eating but who cares, it’s fun.

This time around the wife and I ordered Je Suis Un Petite Canard (Scrambled Eggs with Avocado, Feta & Salsa Verde on English Muffins, served with Mixed Greens & Potatoes) while I had Figment of My Imagination (a Benny with baby shrimp, Bocconcini cheese and fig chutney, served with roasted potatoes). Both meals were out of this world. And that goes for every meal I've had at this place, SLICKITY JIM'S is tasty, it's cheap, it's got character and it's got good coffee. What more can you ask for.

So if you are sick of brunch at Milestones and are looking for more than just Bacon & Eggs, than I heartily recommend SLICKITY JIM'S CHAT N' CHEW. Despite the long wait and the cramped seating, the food speaks for itself and we will definitely come back for more!!!

RATING: 8/10 FULL BELLIES

THOMAS HAAS PATISSERIE-CHOCOLATE & CAFE

2009-02-02T11:14:00.000-08:00

“SO MUCH MORE THAN GREAT CHOCOLATE”
128-998 Harbourside Dr, North Van
604.924.1847
website

If you are looking for one of those “hidden gems” on the North Shore, then do I have the place for you… THOMAS HAAS PATISSERIE-CHOCOLATE & CAFÉ. Yes, Thomas Hass is known for his kick ass Chocolates, Cookies and Cakes but what you might not know is that he cooks up some mean food as well! This tiny café is, well, tiny… it fits about 15 people and that’s pushing it, also, it’s always busy and I mean always for both the savory and the sweet.

We went to pick up some birthday chocolates for a friend and we ended up staying for luch because the food looked so damn good. We had the Leek & Portobello Mushroom Quiche (with Marscapone Cheese, Shallots & Garlic) and the Tomato & Bocconcini Panini (with Pesto, Avocado, Arugula & Roasted Red Peppers). Both meals were small yet filling and exploding with fresh, vibrant flavors. For dessert (you gotta have dessert if you’re eating at Thomas Haas, right?), we shared the Summer Brioche Pudding and the Pistachio Sour Cherry Tart. Needless to say, both were out of this world. We finished it all off with two of the tastiest Americano this side of JJ Bean. All in all, it’s a bit pricey but no one said that guilty pleasures were cheap ☺

Do yourself a favor and let yourself indulge by trying THOMAS HAAS PATISSERIE-CHOCOLATE & CAFÉ, not only are the sweets kick ass and the coffee good but the food is surprisingly good and obviously fresh. This is definitely going to become one of our North Shore “hidden gem” favorites.

RATING: 8/10 FULL BELLIES

SECTION (3)

2009-01-26T08:53:00.000-08:00

“SPOT HOT, FOOD NOT”
1039 Mainland St, Yaletown
604.684.2777
website

Wow, this place is pumping! We were there on a Friday night and SECTION (3) was packed with more and more people always coming in. I wish I could say it was for the food, alas, it wasn’t. Mediocrity reigns at SECTION (3) as my Wild Mushroom Pizza was “warm” at best, the Cheese Quesadilla was “dull” and the Butternut Squash Gnocchi was “missing” that’s right, even though we ordered it, it never came, we had to ask for it “twice” before it arrived and needless to say, it wasn’t worth the wait. Add to that, the servers all looked like they slept in their clothes and were frankly pissed off that it was so busy and they had to actually work. I swear I never saw one person, from the hostess, to the waiter, to the busser, to the bartender “smile” the entire evening. The final nail in the coffin was when they didn’t remove the gnocchi from the bill, we still had to pay for it, even though we had to wait so long to eat it.

I’m sorry, for these kind of prices and that kind of service, SECTION (3) is not worth a return visit. It may be a weekend hot spot for drinks and ambience but the lackluster food and awful service will make me think twice before returning for another visit.

RATING: 3/10 FULL BELLIES

LA REGALADE

2009-01-19T09:06:00.000-08:00

“BEST FRENCH FOOD IN THE CITY”
103-2232 Marine Dr., West Vancouver
604.921.2228
website

Two years ago, we went to LA REGALADE for a friends birthday and have always wanted to go back as at the time, my wife and I both thought that it was the best French food we’d had in the city. With foody-loving friends in from Toronto, we decided to take them to LA REGALADE just on the basis of our experience two years earlier. I am happy to say that I still feel it’s the best French food in the city.

What I like about this place is that it isn’t snooty, it’s casual. You re greeted by a bustling room and an open concept kitchen filled with loud chefs, but all that is lost in the wondrous smells that are filling the place. Wow, it’s like you died and went to heaven. It appears that most of the staff speak French and while they talk to you, they yell to each other, it’s a great atmosphere and really adds to the feel of this casual bistro.

And then there’s the food… dear god, it’s good. Instead of getting a large plate with one or two rich morsels of meat for $40.00 at LA REGALADE you are greeted with a big Dutch Oven or fry pan filled with meat and veggies in a rich sauce for about $28, it truly is delectable French country cooking.

Between the four of us, we went for La Gratinée à l'Oignon (French onion soup), Les Escargots en Crouton (Snails in garlic butter and herbs) and the Prawn Ravioli in rich Lobster Sauce. Let’s stop right there and talk about these appies, these three alone were enough to fill us up. The soup was subtle in flavor striking the perfect balance between beef and onions and covered with a bubbling mountain of cheese. The Escargots (ofcourse you have to try the snails at a French Bistro) were little bombs of garlicky goodness covered with fresh diced herbs. They were sensational. Finally, four big Raviolis filled with fresh shrimp and drizzled with a rich Lobster Sauce were to die for. These appetizers were fantastic.

For our mains we really dove deep into the land of full bellies. I had the Short Ribs in a creamy Peppercorn Sauce that was out of this world, the Dutch Oven was filled with an ample portion of fall-off-the-bone tender beef, sliced carrots & onions in the richest and tastiest peppercorn sauce I have ever had… ever! Michelle had the smaller yet no less tantalizing Sable Parmesan & Tomato Tart that was a great combination of sharp cheese and fresh veggie on a golden flaky tart. Our friends shared the classic Beef Bourguignon, a Dutch Oven filled with a red-wine based beef stew and the Seafood Vol Au Vent, puff pastry stuffed with a cornucopia of fresh seafood. They were both amazed with the quality, taste and portion size and as I tried both, I can say that they were fabulous.

If there was one downside to the evening, it was the temperature. Our table was surrounded by three floor-to-ceiling windows and by half way through the evening, the ladies had to put their coats back on as it was so cold. Luckily the food warmed us up but there really is no reason for us to be wearing our coats during dinner if they turned up the heat a bit more. This didn’t detract from the overall experience but it is worth noting.

LA REGALADE is a great place. It’s a small room but it’s alive and bustling with passionate people and sounds. The food however is the reason to come back again for more, really, it is sensational. I’ve been here twice and both times I was astounded at how good the food was, so much so, I am truly looking forward to going there again. This really is the best French Food in the City.

RATING: 9.5/10 FULL BELLIES

LA CASITA

2009-01-12T09:12:00.001-08:00

“GOOD OL' FASHIONED DOWN HOME MEXICAN COOKING”
101 W. Cordova St, Gastown
604.646.2444
website

There are a lot of Mexican choices in this city and I’ve reviewed a few of them but one thing that Mexican places have in common is that they all try to put a new spin on the classics. Not at LA CASITA, here they try and make the best classic Mexican dishes they can and they do quite well.

Located in the heart of sketchyville Gastown, this little eatery on the corner of Abbott & Cordova is an oasis of food in a neighborhood that is slowly cleaning itself up. You are greeted with homemade chips and spicy salsa and a large menu that gives you a lot of choice in food and size. That’s right, at LA CASITA you can choose the size of most meals like the small enchilada (one), medium (two) or large (three enchiladas), pretty cool. Here you really can control the amount of meat & cheese you are ingesting!!!

I’ve been to LA CASITA a number of times but for this outing we went with our neighbors. After some Margaritas and Cervezas, the four of us enjoyed some Mushroom & Onion Quesadillas, the tasty Shrimp & Scallop Soft Tacos, the classic Beef Chimichangas and the daily special of Al Pastor & Chorizo Burrito.

The food as always was fantastic, rich, cheesy, flavorful and simple. Each of the dishes came with frijoles (refried beans) and salad but since I had the daily special (the Burrito), it came with a traditional Mexican Apple Salad which was great! Needless to say, all four of us were stuffed and satisfied with the meal.

If you are looking for some good down home Mexican cooking, then I highly recommend LA CASITA, it’s great for those “classic dishes”, they have some good specials and you will always leave with a smile on your face.

RATING: 8/10 FULL BELLIES

WINGS!!! WINGS!!! WINGS!!!

2009-01-05T12:42:00.000-08:00

Is there such a thing as “the best Chicken Wing in the City”? Who know’s but it is definitely worth investigating!!! I tried to stay in the Downtown Core of Vancouver as I wanted to keep my search contained and there are too many places to choose from. This is by no means a definitive list but it’s a good damn start…

BROWN’S SOCIAL HOUSE
website
CHICKEN HOT WINGS
FLAVOUR: Classic Hot
CHICKEN: Awesome, crispy, juicy and a healthy size
# OF WINGS: 12
PRESENTATION: 3/5 - Classic
SIDES: Celery Sticks and REAL Blue Cheese Sauce… booya!
COMMENTS: Great tasting wings, spicy, crispy, meaty & juicy but nothing too original.
SCORE: 7/10

CACTUS CLUB CAFÉ
website
CHICKEN WINGS
FLAVOUR: Hot
CHICKEN: Small but flavorful & juicy, never dry, always fresh
# OF WINGS: 12
PRESENTATION: 4/5 - Solid, good pile of wings, no hot sauce spray
SIDES: Celery and Blue Cheese dip… the classic
COMMENTS: The gold standard, if you want basic hot wings, a great mix of spicy & crispy, it’s hard to beat these ones.
SCORE: 7.5/10

DEUCE BUNGALOW
website
DOUBLE BREADED CHICKEN WINGS
FLAVOUR: Natural, like fried chicken
CHICKEN: solid, good sized, fresh tasting
# OF WINGS: 10
PRESENTATION: 4/5 - cool, long thin plate, wings piled on one side, sauces on the other
SIDES: Avocado Sour Cream and House Hot Sauce
COMMENTS: The wings on their own were good but bland but with the sauces awesome.
SCORE: 7/10

DIX BBQ & BREWERY
website
FULL POUND OF BEER WINGS
FLAVOUR: Hot
CHICKEN: Good sized Wings, juicy inside, crispy (exactly like I asked for) outside
# OF WINGS: 13
PRESENTATION: 3/5 – Standard issue, plastic Basket
SIDES: None – none offered, none given
COMMENTS: Tasty but not “hot”, needed more spice. Crispy like I asked for but the odd wing didn’t taste “fresh”
SCORE: 6/10

EARLS
website
ONE POUND OF WINGS
FLAVOUR: Franks Red Hot,
CHICKEN: Medium size, crispy outside, juicy inside
# OF WINGS: 14
PRESENTATION: 5/5 – no mess
SIDES: Parmesan Cheese Dip & 5 celery sticks
COMMENTS: Good, average, middle of the road Hot Wings. Mild spice, no afterburn.
SCORE: 6/10

HURRICANE GRILL
website
GOTTA DO THE “WING THING” HOT WINGS
FLAVOUR: Classic Hot Wings
CHICKEN: Juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Could have been “saucier” though.
# OF WINGS: 10
PRESENTATION: 5/5 - Side of fries! FRIES! Awesome and Carrot & Celery sticks
SIDES: Ranch Dip
COMMENTS: Pretty good, definitely in t he top 10
SCORE: 7/10

JIMMY’S TAP HOUSE
website
HOT WINGS
FLAVOUR: Supposed to be hot but they weren’t spicy at all.
CHICKEN: Cold and soggy even though I asked for the wings to be extra crispy
# OF WINGS: 12
PRESENTATION: 2/5 - Side of Carrot sticks
SIDES: Blue Cheese Dip
COMMENTS: Cold wings… seriously.
SCORE: 1/10

JOEY’S
website
HIBACHI WINGS
FLAVOUR: Smoked/Spice Rubbed
CHICKEN: Small but juicy, flavorful and fall-off-the-bone good
# OF WINGS: 13
PRESENTATION: 5/5 - Top Notch, lots of wings, dip & BBQ to grill your smoked wings.
SIDES: Parmesan Dip
COMMENTS: Really, really tasty and a great overall presentation.
SCORE: 9/10

LIBRARY SQUARE
website
CHICKEN WINGS BY THE POUND
FLAVOUR: Honey BBQ
CHICKEN: Medium with a few larger drumsticks
# OF WINGS: 11
PRESENTATION: 2/5 – old discolored plate, sloppy sauce marks everywhere
SIDES: none
COMMENTS: Sticky & crispy. The honey added a nice sweet touch but the bbq sauce tasted like it was out of a bottle.
SCORE: 5/10

MILESTONES
website
SPICY THAI CHICKEN DRUMMETTES
FLAVOUR: Thai goodness drizzled with a great peanut sauce
CHICKEN: big wings, crispy with a flavorful coating.
# OF WINGS: 8
PRESENTATION: 4/5 - Nice plate, arranged wings on top of a drizzle of peanut sauce
SIDES: Toasted sesame-cucumber mayonnaise… awesome
COMMENTS: So tasty, so good, if you like thai flavours, these are the wings for you!
SCORE: 9/10

MOXIES
website
CHICKEN WINGS
FLAVOUR: Hot
CHICKEN: medium sized wings but the chicken didn’t taste fresh
# OF WINGS: 9
PRESENTATION: 3/5 - Nice rectangle plate, dip on the end
SIDES: Buttermilk Ranch Dip, Celery & Carrots
COMMENTS: Disappointing, a nice spice but batter wasn't crispy and wings felt soft & gummy
SCORE: 4/10

THE REEF
website
JERKED WINGS
FLAVOUR: Tasty, mellow burn comes after a few wings
CHICKEN: Baked not fried and fall off the bone good!
# OF WINGS: 8
PRESENTATION: 3/5 - Small plate with a portion of eight
SIDES: none
COMMENTS: Small portion but the baked Jerk spice and tender meat make these a winner
SCORE: 8/10

ROXY BURGER
website
MONSTER CHICKEN WINGS
FLAVOUR: Chili Lime & Honey Garlic
CHICKEN: Gigantic, basically a drumstick. Crispy yet tender but some were a bit dry & gamey.
# OF WINGS: 6 per order
PRESENTATION: 4/5 - Wow! These things are huge!
SIDES: Asked if I wanted Blue Cheese, Ranch or Sour Cream. Nice!
COMMENTS: A plate of six fills you up! Some dark meat here which was a surprise, almost too big. Meat sweats!
SCORE: 5/10

STELLA’S TAP & TAPAS BAR
website
CHILI & POMEGRANATE WINGS
One pound of Piquin chili & pomegranate molasses glazed chicken wings
FLAVOUR: Cool with a hint of heat. You get sweetness, then heat, then the cool – it all works!
CHICKEN: Nice, crispy, meaty, yet juicy
# OF WINGS: 12
PRESENTATION: 5/5 - Fantastic, stacked on a rectangular plate
SIDES: None but the wings are drizzled with a mild tstaziki and covered with green onions
COMMENTS: A nice departure from the usual Wing & the mellow flavors make these a treat!
SCORE: 8/10

YAGGERS
website
FREE RANGE CHICKEN WINGS
FLAVOUR: Baja Spice
CHICKEN: good size, some small, some large
# OF WINGS: 11
PRESENTATION: 5/5 - Great, small plate w/ garnish of chives
SIDES: none
COMMENTS: Notes of Cilantro, Citrus & Pepper, crispy outside & juicy inside. Mellow burn.
SCORE: 8/10

So here's how it all shakes out:

FAVORITE WING: Milestones Thai Drumettes
MOST UNIQUE WING: Joey's Hibachi Wings
BEST "HOT" WING: Yagger's Baja Spice Wing
WEIRDEST WING: Roxy's drumstick-like Monster Chicken Wings
WORST WING: Jimmy's Hot Wings

More wing reviews to come...

YALETOWN BREWING COMPANY

2008-12-23T09:02:00.000-08:00

"NOT BAD AT ALL..."
1111 Mainland St, Vancouver
604.681.2739
website

Founded in 1994, the YALETOWN BREWING COMPANY was built with the vision of being a true neighborhood pub in the up-and-coming warehouse district known as Yaletown. This 160-seat Restaurant and a lively Pub has been voted Best Brewpub in Canada on several occasions and still works diligently to wow customers with seasonal beers, evolving menus and entertaining event nights. YBC has become a one-stop destination for everything from large corporate events to quick after-work beers with the regulars. But let’s get serious, if this place is going to continue to thrive, it has to serve good food. So how good is the food?

Not bad at all. Here's what we had: MANCHURIAN CHICKEN (Bite-sized chicken pieces drizzled in a Spicy Sweet Ginger & Garlic-Cilantro Sauce), GUACAMOLE BURGER (A monster beef burger saddles with Swiss Cheese, Bacon & Fresh Guacamole on a fresh toasted bun. Served with Beer-battered Fries), PULLED PORK SANDWICH & BEER $10 LUNCH SPECIAL (Slow-smoked Pork in-house brewed beer braised onion, coleslaw & chopped fresh cilantro on a hoagie bun. Served with house-made potato chips and a glass of Iain’s Downtown Brown Beer) and the ROASTED CHICKEN SALAD (Tender Roasted Chicken, Sundried Cranberries, Goats Cheese, fried Garlic Chips, Avocado & straw Veggies in a lemon/lime vinaigrette and a fig-balsamic reduction).

Sounds all right doesn't it? Well it was, the burger was fresh and juicy, the pulled pork delicious and the beer-battered fries were out of this world. Unfortunately the Manchurian Chicken was drowning in sauce and the pieces were quite chewy, other than this disappointing dish, the others were great. The service at YBC was decent and the vibe is always lively so all in all, it's a great place to eat. Are there better choices? Sure...are there worse options... absolutely but if you want some good grub in a decent place then the YALETOWN BREWING COMPANY might be the spot for you.

RATING: 6/10 FULL BELLIES

DEUCE BUNGALOW: SPANISH CANTINA

2008-12-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

“THEY HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO”
980 Granville St, Vancouver
website

DEUCE BUNGALOW is Granville Street's newest Lounge/Bar/Restaurant and there is the problem, it doesn't know what it wants to be and does all three styles half-heartedly. A jack of all trades and a master of none. Sporting the décor of a club & sports bar and featuring a menu filled with latin-inspired dishes, DEUCE BUNGALOW is in danger of disappearing quickly if it can’t forge its own unique identity soon and work on its food quality sooner.

My biggest issue with the place, is the overuse of pickled onions and Avocado Sour Cream, these two condiments are on virtually every dish that is served whether you like it or not. I do like both of those flavors... but not on everything! This is what we feasted on: Pablo's Mortar & Pestle Guacamole (Home-made Refried Beans, Pink Pickled Onions & warm Tortilla Chips), Deuce's Double Breaded Chicken Wings (Avocado Sour Cream, Deuce's Special Hot Sauce), Yucatan Avocado Fries (Smoked Ancho Aioli, Heirloom Tomatoes, Pink Pickled Onions) and the Salsa Verde Braised Beef Taco Skewer (Rajas, Tender Flank Steak, Chilled Gazpacho Shooter).

Their guacamole is actually quite tasty but the Black Bean Dip underneath the Guac was so hard, no chip could pierce the dip and we had to use a spoon to get any Black Bean out. The Wings were bland on their own (the breading was quite standard) but the house made hotsauce was a definite winner and brought these otherwise average wings to life. The biggest disappointment were the Avocado Fries, this is supposedly the “signature dish” at DEUCE and if you look at the online reviews, this is one of the best received dishes at the eatery. I did not like this dish at all. First off, Avocado is a subtle yet rich flavor that explodes when accompanied by another flavor, these were just slices of avocado, breaded and deep fried. So it tasted like avocado-flavored breading and to make matters worse, the Avocado was not ripe. Yikes! If this is the signature dish, it needs a lot of help. Our final dish, the Beef Tacos were probably the tastiest dish of the lot but the gazpacho shooter was a waste, it didn’t add anything to the meal.

I don’t know if I would return to DEUCE BUNGALOW, the food was only so-so and the ambiance was awkward. Is it a club? Is it a lounge? Who knows, but I will say this, if it’s a restaurant, they have a lot more work to do.

RATING: 4/10 FULL BELLIES

COBRE

2008-12-16T08:08:00.000-08:00

“GREAT, GREAT FOOD”
52 Powell St, Gastown
604.669.2396
website

I’ve had numerous people recommend COBRE to me as the “best Latin Food in the city” which I always smiled and thanked them for but never acted upon. Then both my Dad and my cousin who are both restaurateurs recommended it so I knew I had to go there eventually. So this week we hooked up with out fabulous “foody” friends Vicky & Dan and decided to pull the trigger on COBRE … boy am I glad we did.

Located in historic Gastown, COBRE offers us a mix of Argentinean, Cuban, Brazilian & Mexican flavours in an elegant setting. It’s a beautiful scene, a multiple leveled room showcasing a mix of slate floors, exposed brick, warm ochre and the spotlight copper ceiling piece (Cobre means “copper” in Spanish). COBRE is gorgeous, this isn't your typical “taco joint” so we asked our waitress for her opinion and she gave us a description of the type of food they offer, she was extremely friendly and willing to help us make our decision. She offered a few suggestions and we were off and running! This is a Tapas joint so the portions are small and meant to be shared, no dish is over $15 which means you can order as much or as little as you want without going into overkill. I should note that overall, The service was spectacular! We were so caught up in our conversation that the server had to come up multiple times to ask for our orders, but she never once looked frustrated and was very gracious about it. Anyways on with the food…

We started with a classic Ceviche, Local albacore tuna y pipian rojo azteca, warm Peruvian causa. This was a small but tasty app that blended the tuna and potato it was sitting on perfectly. Michelle wasn’t sold on the warm potato mixing with the cold Ceviche but I found the mix tasty. Next we tackled the Taqueria, Pork saddle al pastor con pina, traditionale which was a nice blend of multiple flavors and textures in a classic taco, each bite was an explosion of goodness.

Then onto the main Tapas. First off, White corn free range chicken taquitos w/ fresh house guac. Not too adventurous as it is one of the more “mainstream Mexican” choices but its’ delicious regardless and the homemade guacamole was light and refreshing. Next up, Wild Mexican sea prawns y pipian verde w/ butter browned corn arepas. These were my personal favorites of the night as I loved the combination of the spicy prawns on the corn cake, this was a tasty dish. Finally, Michelle’s favorite, the Maple chipotle glazed beef short ribs w/ sweet potato chips. The chips were excellent, deep fried to perfection very crispy. The short ribs had a bit of an Asian influence, but the chipotle kept it grounded in Latino flavors but it was like eating spicy Maui Short Ribs. Not that that is a bad thing cause these ribs were delicious.

We finished the night with some White Sangria and two great desserts. The classic Dulce de Leche, a rich caramel pudding served with caramelized banana and espresso churro. the other is a Pecan Pie with sliced pear and horchata cream. Both are worth a taste!

It was a fantastic night and COBRE offers up some great, great Latin-influenced food. I cannot recommend this place enough. The décor, the service, the ambiance, the flavours, it all makes for a great night out and primed for a return visit. COBRE, we will be back!

RATING: 8/10 FULL BELLIES

LOCUS

2008-12-14T10:43:00.000-08:00

"DISAPPOINTING MEAL"

Location: 4121 Main St, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-708-4121
Website: LOCUS

While LOCUS remains one of the staples of the Main Street Food District and usually serves up some delectable eats, this time they did not, this time, it was a disappointing meal. That being said, the service and ambiance were top notch but the food was not. Michelle opted for the Spicy Chicken Quesidilla while I went for the Duck Sausage Eggs Benny... here's the dillio.

The Quesidilla is a mix of spicy roast chicken, crisp bacon, fresh tomato white cheddar cheese in an organic whole wheat tortilla fresh cut salsa, spiked guacamole & sour cream organic green salad, sounds good right? Well it would be but the chicken chunks were gigantic making the Quesidilla awkward to cut and the cheese was so very strong, it completely overtook every other flavor in the mix, including the bacon and you don't want to mess with Bacon. As for the Duck Benny, the sausage was very gamy and greasy and I know that those are traits of duck meat but I've had duck sausage before and this wasn't a high quality one, the meat replaced the other flavors in the dish which was a shame. At least there is one constant at LOCUS and that's their thick-cut, chunky style,fried Brunch Potatoes, they still are and will always be awesome. Also the Baily's Latte is a great way to spend a few indulgent moments out from the holiday cold.

All in all, I would still recommend the LOCUS as a great place to have a bite on Main Street but this time, the meal was a disappointment. It would be fair to say that I will return but next time I will be ordering something else.

RATING: 4/10 FULL BELLIES

GLOWBAL GRILL & SATAY BAR

2008-12-09T13:53:00.001-08:00

"TASTY GOODNESS ALL AROUND"

Location: 1079 Mainland St, Vancouver
Telephone: 604 602 0835
Website: GLOWBAL

Opened since 2002, this 100-seat eatery has become somewhat of a staple in the hood called Yaletown, from it's open concept Kitchen to its award-winning Executive Chef John Crook, GLOWBAL has maintained a consistent vibe and clientele that sees the establishment busy every day of the week. Add to that, the 50-seat lounge AFTERGLOW located at the back of the restaurant and GLOWBAL definitely becomes one of the hot spots to visit in Vancouver.

This time around, a few of us at work decided to make GLOWBAL our holiday luncheon destination and am I glad I did, not only was the service fast & friendly but my meal and all the others were delicious!

Here's a look at what we had:

THE SATAY PLATTER: A giant platter filled with one of each of Glowbal's signature satays including: Garlic Jumbo Prawn, 7 Spice Ahi Tuna, Braised Beef Short Rib, Grilled BC Salmon, Mushroom Tempura, Kobe Beef Meatball, Diver Scallops, Rosemary Lamb Chops, Louisiana Fried Oyster & Ginger Brushed Chicken. They are served with Asian slaw, spiced pappadam and a trio of dipping sauces: ginger soya sauce, smoked chipotle mustard with fresh thyme & sun-dried tomato aioli.

KOBE MEATBALLS & SPAGHETTI: The Glowbal Signature dish and according to the hostess, the most asked for dish on the menu. 4 giant, rich meatballs served in a spicy tomato basil sauce with garlic confit and fresh parmesan cheese.

BRAISED SHORT RIBS WITH LINGUINE: The staff favorite according to two waiters and one of the cooks. This explosion of flavour is served with woodland mushrooms, toasted pine nuts and a light café au lait sauce.

CHICKEN PARMIGIANINO: The Daily Special but no less impressive. A massive breaded Chicken Breast friend golden and served with a fresh Tomato Basil Linguine.

PAELLA RISOTTO: A twist on the Spanish Classic, this seafood staple comes with mussels, clams, chorizo, calamari, prawns and it's all mixed together with a saffron cream.

This was a fantastic meal, all of the dishes were extremely tasty and worth a repeat order, I should know, I tried a bite of all of them. Personally I ordered the Meatballs & Spaghetti and I wasn't disappointed, it was truly delectable, light yet filling and spiced perfectly. Paige, a co-worker had the short ribs and said "I was sad when it was over, I didn't want it to end" while Alia commented on the Chicken Parm, "wow, that was good". You can't get much better than that.

GLOWBAL will definitely be a place for me to revisit in the future. It's a small room, with a great vibe and the food that I tried this time around was great all around. I look forward to trying something different next time.

RATING: 8/10 FULL BELLIES

CHAMBAR

2008-12-05T08:44:00.001-08:00

"GREAT VIBE, GREAT MUSSELS BUT FATTY STEAK"

Location: 562 Beatty Street, Vancouver
Telephone: 604 879 7119
Website: CHAMBAR

CHAMBAR is the small Belgian hideaway that is well known for it's funky atmosphere, its diverse Beer selection and its legendary Mussels. Seriously, if you are a Mussel fan, then do yourself a favor and dig into a giant pot of these beauties, you won't be disappointed. I had been to CHAMBAR once before for a Birthday Party and this time, 9 of us went for a Holiday Work Dinner.

Here's a look at some of our selections for dinner:

Foie de canard ‘Villa Lorraine’ (Spiced Foie gras terrine with Port reduction, Kriek Granita & truffled brioche french toast)
Moule Frites: Coquette (Mussels cooked in a white wine cream. Smoked bacon lardons, spring onions)
Moule Frites: Congolaise (Mussels cooked with a tomato coconut cream. Smoked chili and lime. Fresh cilantro)
La morue charbonniere (Pan seared sablefish, marinated artichoke, fingerling potatoes, lemon yogurt remoulade & saffron rouille)
Steak Bourguignon (Grilled AAA ribeye steak, pommes frites, roasted king oyster mushrooms, fried shallots, Bourguignon sauce)
Chevreil aux Chataignes (Roasted venison short loin. Parsnip puree, elk salchichon, caramalized chestnut & baby winter vegetables)
La cafe belge (Espresso cheesecake with Belgian chocolate mousse, creme de cacao gelee & crisp chocolate wafers)
La bombe d'Alaska (Italian meringue, matcha ice cream & vanilla sponge cake with lemon curd & fresh pomegranate)

Overall, the food was spectacular. Again, the mussels proved to be the table favorite as people fought tooth & nail to sop up as much of those tasty sauces as possible with all the fries & bread available, seriously, there's that good. The Foie Gras was divine, the Sablefish fresh and the Venison to die for... but then there was the Steak.

Now as you know from previous reviews I am a steak lover, I loves me some steak and so did a lot of people at dinner last night as 5 of the 9 people there ordered it. 4 out of those 5 were awesome, mine was not. It was probably the fattiest steak I had ever had in a restaurant and while the spices and sauce made it tasty fat, it was still fat nonetheless. I know some people like a lot of fat in their steak, I don't like THAT much in mine, an epic disappointment for a meat-fan like myself.

This did not ruin the night for me however as the rest of the food was top notch, the service professional and the company was fantastic. We topped it off with probably the richest cheesecake I have ever tried (La Cafe Belge) and a scotch, what better way to end an evening out with friends.

While I may hold off on the Steak, you can bet that I will return to CHAMBAR for another evening out. As I said, the great atmosphere and those "to die for" mussels are worth a return visit.

RATING: 7/10 FULL BELLIES

THE CASCADE ROOM

2008-11-23T12:40:00.000-08:00

"GOOD FOOD AND A GREAT LOUNGE"

Location: 2616 Main St, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-709-8650
Website: CASCADE

It's Saturday night, you and 14 friends want to go out to celebrate someones birthday, have some eats and some funky cocktails... where do you go? Well, actually, in this city, there are alot of places to choose from but this time, our friend Sarah chose to celebrate her birthday at THE CASCADE ROOM. It's a funky joint from the owners of HABIT that, as they describe it, "takes you back to the golden age of the cocktail" which sounds good to me but what didn't was the food. I'd never eaten at CASCADE but from what I had heard, the food was the weak link to this place, so much so, some friends chose not to go back because of it. We were informed that a new menu would be in effect, so we decided to give it a shot and I'm glad we did, the food was great, the cocktails were fantastic and our night at THE CASCADE ROOM was a hit.

First off, let's talk cocktails - this places has an extensive list of kick ass and crazy sounding cocktails. While I stuck with my ususals (Caesars & Cuba Libres), people tried: the cascade room cocktail (bourbon shaken hard with fresh pressed apple & lime juices, vanilla bean, bitters and egg white, served straight up with a shaving of roasted hazelnut), dark 'n' stormy (dark bermuda rum built with fresh lime, bitter and topped with ginger beer), moscow mule (vodka, fresh lime juice and a dash of bitters, topped with ginger beer, served tall), pimm's cocktail (pimm's topped with ginger ale, with mint, cucumber, orange, lemon and an apple thrown in), bellini (peach brandy and white peach puree topped with champagne), mint julep (fresh mint muddled with sugar, filled with crushed ice and a generous measure of kentucky bourbon) and the absinthe cocktail (prepared traditionally, absinthe on the rocks, gently stirred with spring water and flame dripped sugar). All were big, tasty and sensational, this place definitely knows cocktails.

Now, how about the food?!? As I said, previous reports said that the food at THE CASCADE ROOM was quite disappointing but while Sarah was making the reservation, the hostess informed her that a "new menu" was being launched this very weekend, so we gave it a shot. Here's a sampling of what we tried:

Rocket Salad (toasted pumpkin seeds, dried apple, herb crusted goat’s cheese, black currant vinaigrette)
Crisp Calamari (lemon & oregano breading, roasted red pepper & smoked paprika aioli)
Malaspina Mussels Lafayette (white wine, garlic, Cajun spices, light cream & flatbread)
Tagliatelle Amatriciana (smoked, then braised pork cheeks, tomato sauce, fresh chili, tagliatelle pasta)
Organic Mushroom Risotto (carnaroli rice, organic mushrooms, rosemary & tempura oyster mushroom garnish)
Northern BC Buffalo Top Sirloin (aged white cheddar & potato gratin, maple glazed beets, Tawny Port jus)
Pemberton Meadows Natural Beef Burger (white Ivanhoe cheddar, house made bacon, crispy shallots, three mustard aioli, hand cut fries & mini green salad)
crisp polenta fries (with curried mayo dip)

I am happy to report that the food is a hit! Honestly out of all of the dishes here, people enjoyed them all except for the Buffalo Sirloin which was surprisingly tough but otherwise, thumbs up all around. I had the Burger and this was one hell of a burger, thick cut bacon, ivanhoe cheddar and crisp onions on top, this thing was a taste sensation. The Polenta Fries were massive and for only $6, a hell of a deal. The Risotto was fresh, light and falvorful and the Tagliatelle, rich, scrumptious and finger-licking good. Another point of concern was that the Mussels were served with crisp flatbread which made it really hard to soak up the yummy mussel sauce, they need some soft bread to help lap up the goodness, crisp bread just doesn't cut it. All in all though, the food was dynamite.

For a group of 15, the service was fantastic, our waitress was friendly, attentive and prompt, the food came quickly despite the business of the restaurant, and as I mentioned earlier, the cocktails were massive. THE CASCADE ROOM is a definite hit with me, not only for their eats but for a place to hang out and have some drinks. Good food and a great lounge make THE CASCADE ROOM a casual winner!

RATING: 7/10 FULL BELLIES

DIX BBQ & BREWERY

2008-11-19T10:36:00.001-08:00

"A FLAVORFUL EXPERIENCE"

Location: 871 Beatty Street, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-682-BREW
Website: DIX

Everyone loves a good BBQ and I mean c’mon, how can you not! Slow cooked meat, spices, bean & taters on the side, mmm, just thinking about it gets my mouth watering! Now, Vancouver is not the south, the fine art of BBQ is not as predominant as it is say in Tennessee or Louisiana but we do have MEMPHIS BLUES if you need a BBQ-fix and every second restaurant in town seems to offer a Pulled Pork Sandwich of Slow Cooked Beef Short Ribs, so there are options. But DIX calls itself a BBQ & Brewery, not only do they make their own beer, but everything on the menu comes outta the BBQ, smoker or slow-cooker. With that in mind and a belly ready for a “meat-hangover”, my buddy Steve and I decided to give DIX BBQ & BREWERY a shot.

DIX has been around for a while, it’s located steps from BC Place and sits around 150 (Pub & Restaurant) peeps so you know it’s a party at game time! As I stated, they brew their own beer right on the premises, "Red Truck Lager" and "Red Truck Ale" and they pride themselves on offering “southern backyard BBQ favorites” in their menu. Speaking of the menu, the offer some BBQ facts on there as well, like:

42 percent of consumers say barbecues or cookout parties are their most popular form of home entertainment. They cite great-tasting food, easy cleanup and a change of pace as top reasons.
57 percent of grills are used year-round.
Aluminum wrap is the most common utensil used in the preparation of side dishes, followed by skewers.

Alas, BBQ facts on a BBQ menu do not make a BBQ Restaurant great, the food does, so let’s dig in. Despite my wish to share the Fully Stacked Nachos For Two (tortilla chips loaded with pulled chicken, beef, BBQ beans, cheese and topped with salsa and sour cream), we opted for the Lager Marinated Beer Wings tossed in Carolina BBQ Sauce. These little beauties were sweet with a hint of spice on the end, the chicken was juicy and fresh but I though they could have been a little crispier for my liking. Despite my personal preference, they were still finger-liking good and at only $0.34 a wing on Wednesdays, a hell of a finger-licking bargain!

Next up, we went for the Mighty Butt Rub Burger, a monster of a beef burger spiced with Dix's own BBQ Rub and topped with cheddar, bacon, guacamole, BBQ'ed onions and jalapeno mayo. Yes, it sounds as good as it tastes, this was one fine and messy BBQ Burger. Despite the numerous toppings, they all worked together and add the side of "fresh" coleslaw (yes, it was fresh: crisp cabbage, tasty and not drowning in dressing) and this burger is a lunchtime winner. I definitely recommend this as it is a flavorful experience and will keep you full for the afternoon.

All in all, I enjoyed my experience at DIX, the wings and the burgers were tasty options but safe ones. Next time, I will dive deep into their BBQ-fare and report back on my findings. Until then, DIX BBQ & BREWERY will remain a lunchtime winner!

RATING: 6/10 FULL BELLIES

BROWNS SOCIAL HOUSE

2008-11-13T16:16:00.000-08:00

"FOR A GENERIC RESTAURANT, IT'S PRETTY GOOD"

Location: 1479 Robson St, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-696-9335
Website: BROWNS SOCIAL HOUSE

A lot of people talk about "Box Stores" stealing business and originality from the little mom & pop shops around town, well the same can be said for "Box Restaurants" especially in Vancouver. In a city filled with generic siblings like EARLS, MILESTONES and CACTUS CLUB comes the latest youngster to join in on the fun, BROWNS SOCIAL HOUSE.

Now what separates this joint from all the others? Not much. Cool design, top-heavy waitresses in tight clothes, burgers, salads, steaks and drink specials. In fact, Browns has a smaller menu and much more of a casual low key atmosphere. For a generic restaurant, it's pretty good.

It was a quiet Thursday when Lesley and I walked in for lunch and we were seated immediately. BROWNS has a few unique appies that are worth trying like the Pulled Pork Nachos and the Lobster Wings but I opted for the Hot Wings because as you may have guessed, that's how I roll. Now for regular Hot Wings, these were pretty damn good, crispy, juicy and spicy but the best part? Real Blue Cheese in the Blue Cheese Dip, trust me, it makes a difference.

For mains, Lesley went with the Blackened Chicken Cowboy Salad while I went with the Blackened Fish Sandwich (as you can see BROWNS likes their food blackened). The Salad is always a crowd pleaser filled with corn, walnuts, dates and feta and it didn't disappoint this time. As for the Fish Sandwich, awesome. A nice-sized sized piece of blackened cod housed in a big bun chock full of coleslaw. It was served with a generous portion of yam fries and chipotle mayo. This is a great sammich and I will definitely order it again.

All in all, BROWNS SOCIAL HOUSE will not break the mold of Vancouver Box Restaurants but the food was good, the service was prompt and the price was right ($43 for 2 drinks, wings and the 2 mains). But if you want a change of locale and a few different options on you menu, then give Browns a try.

As a side note, a few Sundays ago we went to the BROWNS in Kits on Sunday where they had a Pizza/Caesar Deal. Pizzas were $8 and Caesars were $4... you do the math... good times.

RATING: 6/10 FULL BELLIES

HURRICANE GRILL

2008-11-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

Location: 1137 Marinaside Cr, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-488-0555
Website: NO WEBSITE

"I LOVE THIS BURGER"

There are a ton of great burger joints in this city and while I have favorites like VERA'S BURGER SHACK or MODERNE BURGER, sometimes you come across a restaurant that has some tasty "hockey pucks". One such place is HURRICANE GRILL in Yaletown, while they offer a cornucopia of choices, I do love their burgers.

The menu is huge, perhaps too huge, they have a lot to offer and I'm sure if an eatery like this were ever on "Restaurant Makeover" the chef would cut have of the options out! Nevertheless, there is something here for everyone but a co-worker and I decided to stick to the meat so we ordered Wings and Burgers.

According to the menu, you Gotta Do the "Wing Thing" so that's what we did, we ordered classic Hot Wings. 10 wings come complete with fries, carrot & celery sticks and dip. The Wings were crispy on the outside yet juicy on the inside, I couldn't ask for much more other than a spicier Hot Sauce on the wings themselves. They needed some more kick!

As for the burgers... BOOYA! I ordered the Blue Cheese Burger (Danish Blue Cheese melted on a homemade patty with crispy bacon) while my co-worker had the BBQ, Bacon, Mozza Burger (A delicious combination). Both Burgers came with a choice of fries or salad (we both opted for Salad) and both were char-grilled giving them both that "home-cooked" taste. Both burgers came on deliciously toasted Whole Wheat Buns complete with all the fixins and the salads were fresh and tasty. All in all, a perfect tasting lunchtime burger.

With that, the HURRICANE GRILL gave me a great meal and I look forward to my next meal there. Perhaps I will try something else but it's going to be tough because I gotta tell you, I love this burger!

RATING: 6/10 FULL BELLIES

STELLA'S TAP & TAPAS BAR

2008-10-29T08:21:00.000-07:00

Location: 1191 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Telephone: 604.254.2437
Website: STELLA'S

“IT’S NOT ONLY THE FOOD OR THE ATMOSPHERE, IT’S THE BEER”

In the past, Commercial Drive was usually associated with good deli’s, vegetarian donairs and lots of produce and while all that is still there, the restaurants have really kicked it up a notch. Places like WAZUBEE'S and HAVANA and my previously reviewed REEF and ME & JULIO have really put “the Drive” on the “tasty eats map” but one place continues to shine and it’s not only the food or the atmosphere, it’s the beer. I’m talking about STELLA’S TAP & TAPAS BAR, it’s a winner.

Since moving to East Van, the wife and I have eaten many, many at time at STELLA’S and not once have we been disappointed. They have a kick ass brunch menu, featuring many delights like House-made Belgian waffles topped with whipped cream & Bananas Foster (brown sugar & dark rum sauce), Caramelized Onion, goat’s cheese & red pepper Frittata, and the legendary Croque Monsieur with oven roasted ham, mornay sauce & melted emmenthal cheese. This is some serious brunchy goodness and serious brunchy goodness needs to be partnered with a serious bloody Caesar and I am happy to say that STELLA’S make a seriously good Caesar.

However we are not talking about brunch here, we are talking about dinner and at night, STELLA’S stays true to its moniker as a tap and tapas house, they rock at it. First off, this place has the best Belgian Beer selection in town, hands down, in fact, they have a four page menu filled with Belgian Beer, it’s remarkable. My personal favorite is the Piraat 9% (Massive snow white head. Nose has some spice to it, with some orange, citrus and sugary aromas. Very high carbonation, lemon and green apple bitterness. Swings between fruity bitterness and some sweet alcohol tones). Along with the Belgian explosion they have quite a few domestic & imports on tap and In the bottle but seriously, be adventurous and try a Belgian, you won’t be disappointed.

Enough about the beer, let’s get onto the eats, they are fantastic. Out of the 31 dishes on the current tapas menu I have personally tried 19 of the choices and have not been let down yet. This time around, we went with a few friends, ordered a bunch of dishes and all shared. Here’s what we had and some thoughts:

Belgian Poutine - Stella’s frites, fresh cheese curds, Blanche de Chambly & Miso gravy, green onions (rich and delectable, a table favorite)

Calamari - Panko breaded squid, flash fried, chipotle aioli (lightly breaded and not greasy at all)

Chili Pomegranate Wings - One pound of Piquin chili & pomegranate molasses glazed chicken wings (tasty, cool and flavorful. Sweet & spicy)

“Filet”-delphia Cheese Steak - filet mignon medallions, snow goat cheese croute, cranberry salsa (wow, tender meet, potent cheese, awesome!)

Tuna - Sesame-crusted, seared Yellow Fin tuna, wilted spinach, wasabi aioli (some of the best tuna around, the sesame takes it up a notch)

Thai Mussels - 1 pound of Fresh hand graded Gallo (Washington State) mussels Thai style - Sweet bell peppers, kaffir lime leaf, red curry coconut broth (My wife’s favorite, always ordered no matter what – order some bread to soak up the killer sauce)

Green Beans - Soy kissed sambal green beans, black and white sesame (you can’t beat these beans – so tasty)

The food here is fantastic and the prices are reasonable, the most expensive dish was the mussels (1 pound for $14) and the dish was so big it took four people to finish it off. The service is always friendly and like I’ve said time and time again, the food & beer are both deserving of a try. Here’s the kicker, STELLA’S isn’t a secret, a lot of people know about it and enjoy it so it’s always busy especially at night. Prepare to wait but the wait is worth it, STELLA’S TAP & TAPAS BAR is a great place for food and friends, it’s that good.

RATING: 8/10 FULL BELLIES

HAMILTON STREET GRILL

2008-10-27T13:53:00.000-07:00

Location: 1009 Hamilton St, Vancouver
Telephone: 604.331.1511
Website: HAMILTON STREET GRILL

“SEEMS TO BE A WINNER”

One of Yaletown’s regular haunts is the HAMILTON STREET GRILL located on the aptly named Hamilton Street in you guessed it, Yaletown. I’ve been there for dinner, I’ve been there for a staff party and now I’ve been for lunch and all three times, the meals were good. Not great, just good. It would probably be better if there weren’t so many similar restaurants like this one in Vancouver. It seems that a large number of our fair city’s eateries suffer from a similar syndrome: the lack of originality.

Now I don’t want to get on a soapbox here because there are hundreds of unique and original restaurants in Vancouver worthy of enjoying and filled with good eats but it seems like in the core of our downtown, there are a lot of similar themed joints with similar styled menus that offer similar tasting food. Oh, HAMILTON STREET GRILL offers up a pulled-pork sammich? So does Dix and both Earls and Keg have it as a special this week. You see what I mean? I know we can never escape this as it comes with the territory of having so many different places to choose from, you’re bound to get some cross pollination. I just wish that sometimes it wasn’t so blatant. Anyways, on with the meal….

This time around, a few folks from work got together for a quick bite at HSG and this is what we had: 4-cheese Macaroni with Chorizo Sausage, Pulled Pork Sammich and Grilled Chicken Penne. I chose the Macaroni, a deep dish bubbling over with cheese and bits of grilled Chorizo thrown in for good measure. While rich and filling, believe it or not, I found it somewhat dry, like they baked it for just a bit too long as they top and bottom had lost the goo and crisped up. The center was nice and flowing with gooey cheesy goodness. My buddy Nate had the Pulled Pork and in his own words, “I’ve ordered this nine times and I’m ordering it again… it’s good”. When I asked him if he’d every tried anything else on the menu, he said “sure but I like the Pulled Pork Sandwich, it’s the best”. Finally, Ben ordered the Grilled Chicken Penne with an extra breast of chicken, the thing was a monster and he devoured it like it was his last meal (Ben works out… a lot). He was quite please with the chicken itself and the sauce of the perfectly cooked pasta saying “it’s quite tasty”.

So HAMILTON STREET GRILL seems to be a winner. Friendly and quick service, good food and decent prices make it a solid yaletown destination choice for the lunchtime crowd. Next time, I want to grab a quick and tasty meal over the lunch hour, I’m sure I’ll find it at HAMILTON STREET GRILL.

RATING: 6/10 FULL BELLIES

MILESTONES GRILL & BAR

2008-10-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

"SOLID FOOD & SOLID SERVICE"

Location: 1109 Hamilton St, Vancouver
Telephone: 604.684.9111
Website:MILESTONES

There are a number of different MILESTONES locations to choose from in our fair city but the wife and I seem to continuously return to one in particular, the Yaletown one, why? Two simple reasons, solid food and solid service.

MILESTONES as a franchise seems to have gone through a major image retooling as they now call themselves a "Grill & Bar" and they now focus on "Canadian casual fine-dining restaurant giving its guests a vibrant and inviting place to enjoy an exciting twist on the classic Milestone's experience". What does that mean to you and me? It's modern, it's upscale, everything is .50 cents more and there are a lot of new things on the menu.

This Thanksgiving weekend we met a few friends for lunch and all of us started with the classic Caesar cocktail. I always start brunch with a Caesar and the Milestones Caesar doesn't disappoint. Smirnoff vodka, Mott’s Clamato, house-made Worcestershire sauce and a Blaze’s spicy bean adorn this tasty beverage, in fact it's so nice, I had it twice! I'm a big fan of their homemade Worcestershire Sauce and always ask for a Caesar "extra dirty".

With the drinks out of the way, it was time for some "thanksgiving nosh". The gents had the same deal, The Smoked Turkey Club while the girls went the breakfast route and had the Eggs Milestones and the Prime Rib Hash.

15 minutes later the food arrived and thank the maker, we were all starved. I am a huge fan of Milestones sandwiches & burgers and the Smoked Turkey Club does not disappoint, it's a monster meal. Served on toasted cranberry sourdough, the piles of turkey come with double-smoked bacon, sliced Roma tomato, and whole-grain mustard mayonnaise. They also add this kick ass spicy house-made avocado salsa to the mix that takes it to the next level. Add those classic curly fries and ask for a side of the "sesame mayo" (it's the dip that usually comes with the the Thai Drummettes) and trust me, you are in for one hell of a "flavourgasm".

My wife went with the Prime Rib Hash as she described as "sweet and tasty". Slow roasted and thinly sliced prime rib morsels tossed with crispy seasoned potatoes, bell peppers, sweet onion and roasted corn. The whole shebang is topped with two poached eggs, decadent hollandaise sauce and on the side, Roma tomatoes and grilled herb toast. Nice!

The final was also the classic Brunch spectacular with a twist, Eggs Milestones. Two poached eggs and more of that kick ass hollandaise sauce over sliced tomatoes, house-made avocado salsa and cream cheese on two slices of those great english muffins. The meal is served with house-fried potatoes and trust me, it's good. I've tried a lot of different Eggs Benny in my day, some good, some sloppy, some overcooked and some just plain bad and Eggs Milestones always holds up.

All in all, our experience at the newly renovated Yaletown MILESTONES was great. The new decor is eye-pleasing, the staff is on-the-ball and the food is still tasty and enjoyable. I am a little sad that the pizza oven is gone as they made one of the better pies around but the brunch and the rest of the menu makes up for it. Like I said, solid service and solid food.

RATING: 7/10 FULL BELLIES

JIMMY'S TAP HOUSE

2008-10-05T21:37:00.000-07:00

"THE WORST WINGS I'VE HAD IN A WHILE"

Location: 783 Homer St, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-689-2800
Website: No Website

Sometimes you just want a quick bite and there are tons of choices downtown, so I decided to give JIMMY'S a try. A lot of folks at work go there and the place was packed to the gills on this particular day. I went with two co-workers and decided to order a couple of appetizers: Steak Bites and Hot Wings.

First off, the Steak Bites were quite tasty, tender and mildly spiced bits of beef coupled with a tangy sauce for dipping. They were worthy of another bite. Unfortunately, the second appy was nowhere near as good. I asked for some Hot Wings that were extra cripsy and minutes later I was given a plate of cold wings. I kid you not, they were cold, not warm, cold and if extra crispy means soggy? Then yes they were extra crispy... I mean soggy. What a disappointment, you'd think in this day and age, when every other restaurant in town offers decent wings it amazes me that some places still offer crap and think they can get away with it. These were the worst wings I've had in a while.

Despite the popularity of JIMMY'S, I think it will be a long time before I return as a bad plate of wings will deter me for a quite a while. This place may still be popular with my co-workers but it isn't with me.

RATING: 1/10 FULL BELLIES

KINGSTON TAPHOUSE & GRILLE

2008-09-10T15:01:00.000-07:00

"LONG WAIT TIMES FOR SO-SO FOOD"

Location: 755 Richards St, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-681-7011
Website: KINGSTON

Another local haunt for us Downtown work folk is the KINGSTON TAPHOUSE & GRILLE, a multi-layered sportsbar type eatery with a hidden patio and decent-sized drink list. While it is a good place to hang out and watch the game or have an informal team get-together, I've never been blown away with the food and that statement still holds true today.

I went to lunch at the KINGSTON with a co-worker around 12:20pm and were greeted with a fairly busy room. We were sat immediately to paruse the menu and within moments a waitress was there. We ordered the Asian Style Calamari to share, my friend ordered the Grilled Chicken Salad and I took on the Smoked Chicken Alfredo Pizza. The waitress commented that the new Calamari was much better than the old Calamari and then went on to describe what was in it. My friend and I looked at each other awkwardly since I had already ordered the dish, we didn't really need it sold to us after the fact but I appreciated the effort. Alas, we were off to the races.

About 10 minutes later we were greeted with the extremely tasty Calamari which came with Serrano peppers and a pickled Ginger dipping sauce. The waitress was right, the calamari was great, crispy but not oily and the sauce was out of this world, so far, so good. After our plates were cleared however, we waited over 20 minutes for our entrees. My friend's salad came with Blue Cheese even though she asked for Goat Cheese (and on the menu the salad actually comes with Feta), they swapped it immediately. My pizza was big and loaded with toppings (Chicken, onions, 3 types of Mushrooms)although it was somewhat dry, almost like it had been under the heat lamp for too long. Even if it were fresh, it needed some kick to really make the flavour come alive.

To the KINGSTON's credit, they did take off 40% of the salad due to the error but that doesn't make up for the eons it took to recieve the meal. A long wait time for so-so food does not solidify repeat business and I think the KINGSTON will not be at the top of my list the next lunch hour someone at work asks me where I want to go to eat.

RATING: 3/10 FULL BELLIES

BANANA LEAF

2008-08-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

"EVERYTHING TASTED SO GOOD"

Location: 1096 Denmen Street, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-683-3333
Website: BANANA LEAF

This is my second meal at BANANA LEAF and it was every bit as good as the first time. We got there at 6:15pm and the place was packed which I wasn't expecting, by the time the appetizers came around, there was a line-up at the door. The BANANA LEAF is a smaller eatery but it's hopping.

As I said, we sat down and ordered drinks (Mai Tai & San Pelligrino) and some appies: Roti Canai - Flaky layered bread with curry dip and Gado-Gado Salad - Cooked bean sprouts tofu salad with potato & cucumber, topped with egg & satay sauce. The Roti was sublime but the Curry Sauce while tasty could have used more kick. The Salad however was fantastic, the sprouts mixed with the tofu and satay sauce was a magic combination, I would definitely order it again.

For our mains we had Scallops in Caramelized Ginger Sauce with Kicap Manis - Jumbo Scallops in caramelized ginger & garlic enriched with Malaysian black sweet sauce and Nonya’s Style Curry Boneless Chicken - Boneless chicken breast simmered in creamy curry with lemon grass, coconut cream. Both dishes were an absolute knockout! The scallops were big and juicy while that caramelized ginger sauce could be a dish on its own, it's that good. The Chicken curry was also extremely flavourful and much lighter than I was expecting.

We were in and out of the BANANA LEAF in 75 minutes with full bellies and smiles plastered on our faces. Everything tasted so good and the bill was under $65, not bad at all. We will definitely be returning to the BANANA LEAF for a third adventure!

RATING: 8/10 FULL BELLIES

THE SHORE CLUB

2008-08-12T08:36:00.001-07:00

"IT'S A GOOD STEAK, I WAS JUST EXPECTING MORE"

Location: 688 Dunsmuir Ave, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-899-4470
Website: SHORE CLUB

Growing up in Vancouver, I can still remember the days when the historic Hudson building used to be home to Science World (pre-expo), then for a while it sat empty gathering dust until last year when the whole block transformed. Now 688 Dunsmuir is home to one of the swankiest restaurants in town, a place memorable for its décor, and professional service. A place that offers the day's freshest fish and seafood, as well as succulent prime Alberta steaks, in a dynamic, high-energy atmosphere. Welcome to THE SHORE CLUB.

Now normally, I wouldn't venture into a place like this unless it was for a special occasion as it is quite pricey but when a work function took us there, I was excited to try it out. First off, THE SHORE CLUB is beautiful, it is a great looking room, the lighting, the bar, the reception area, the private rooms, the kitchen, the tables, the overall ambiance, it gives you a great feeling and builds up the expectation of enjoying a better-than-good meal. Next you see the serving staff, top notch, well dressed in white button-up dinner jackets, extremely attentive without being obtrusive and always there to fill up your glass without you having to ask.

The menu is a one-pager (a nice change from the usual novel you find in most eateries) filled with delicious looking choices but right off the bat I was reminded again that this was an expensive place and that luckily I wasn't paying for this meal.

Sitting at a table of over 16 people, it was hard to see what everyone was having but I will share what my little corner of the world ate. One co-worker ordered the Herb-Dusted Sea Bass baked, with mixed beans, ancho-chili aioli which he said was quite tasty. Another co-worker ordered the server-recommended classic Bouillabaisse with king and snow crab, prawns and fresh fish in saffron broth which she said was "the freshest she's ever tasted". Finally I ofcouse had the thick cut Filet Mignon and a side of Mashed Potatoes.

SHORE CLUB is the sister restaurant to GOTHAM STEAKHOUSE and calls itself a Chop House so I had to give the meat a try. The Filet was good, obviously fresh and delicately seasoned but it did not blow me away. Like my red wines, I like a steak that packs a punch, an explosion of flavor and I didn't get that with the SHORE CLUB Filet Mignon. At prices hovering around the $50 mark for steak, I expect a party in my mouth with each bite. I guess I wasn't invited to the party. Don't get me wrong, it's a good steak, I was just expecting more.

As for the Mashed Potatoes, these were a bit of a disappointment as they lacked flavor and seemed a tad overcooked. For dessert we shared the Key Lime Pie which also left me unfulfilled, nowhere near as tart as I would have liked.

Overall THE SHORE CLUB is a must see, the room itself and the service is outstanding. The food is also quite good but at these prices, there is equal or better and cheaper elsewhere in the city but that being said, if you are going out to impress, it's hard to beat the overall experience that THE SHORE CLUB offers.

RATING: 6/10 FULL BELLIES

THE REEF

2008-08-06T13:19:00.001-07:00

"WE WILL DEFINITELY BE GOING BACK FOR SECONDS..."

Location: 1018 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-568-JERK
Website: THE REEF

I’ve heard about THE REEF for quite some time but have never eaten there until now. As their latest location is close to our Neighborhood, the wife and I decided to walk down to their Commercial Drive home and sample some Caribbean cookery to see if all the good things we heard were true.

We arrived, were seated promptly and then sat slack-jawed as we investigated their robust and impressive Rum list. Mixing rums, shooting rums, sipping rums plus a cavalcade of rum cocktails… THE REEF is indeed “rum paradise”. With a few cocktails on the way, I ordered some Jerked Wings while we sampled some of their devilishly delicious Johnny Cakes (their version of Bread), a sinful doughnut-type bun served with an excelled coconut butter. The Wings arrived and they lived up to their name, tender fall-off-the-bone meat coupled with the smokey tastes of Jerk spice made this chicken appetizer a winner.

For our entrees, we both dove into the sea as my wife ordered the Swordfish special and I took on the Maracas Bay Mahi Mahi. As we waited for our meal, back to the Rum list we went and two more cocktails were ordered (damn, they are good). The meals arrived! The Curry and Lime pan-seared Mahi Mahi fillet was outstanding, firm yet juicy and bursting with flavour. It was served with a jicama & apple slaw, coconut rice and seasonal veggies, a winner as far as I was concerned. My wife’s Grilled Swordfish was another homerun, topped with a fresh Strawberry Salsa and served with curried rice & seasonal veggies. We shared both meals and were completely stuffed by the end.

What they say is true, THE REEF is a great restaurant. The staff is pleasant, the drinks ample and the food is quite tasty. We will definitely be going back for seconds… and thirds… and fourths.

RATING: 9/10 FULL BELLIES

PINKY'S STEAKHOUSE & COCKTAIL BAR

2008-07-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

"A GREAT ROOM AND I AM HAPPY TO SAY, A GREAT STEAK"

Location: 1265 Hamilton St. Vancouver
Telephone: 604-637-3135
Website: PINKY'S STEAKHOUSE

Steak. It's honestly one of my all-time favorite meals. Ron Burgundy loves Scotch and I loves me a good steak. I love trying steaks at different restaurants but more often than not, I am disappointed with the meal. While some consider it "just a slab of meat", it is actually quite a difficult thing to perfect. It has gotten to the point where I have perfected my own steak at home and now use that as the barometer for restaurant steak and it is rarely if ever beaten.

Sure there are a lot of steakhouse out there but most are far too overpriced for what you get or what you get is overcooked, rubbery and flavorless doused in a sweet or spicy sauce that does little to mask the blandness of the meat. Then along came PINKY'S. I discovered this place while cruising the net looking at the "new joints in Vancouver" so the wife and I decided to give it a go on a Tuesday night (Tuesday is the new Friday, right?).

The place was buzzing, all the tables had people and the lounge was filled with a party. Dark colors, great chandeliers, a "rockstar" light sign above the kitchen, rich leather banquettes, a lively oval-shaped bar... this place is cooler than cool. We were seated right away by a friendly hostess and ordered a glass of House Red and a Horseradish Caeser, both tasty. The menu looked fabulous and we were both Hungry.

As an appy, we ordered the Old School Potato Skins with smoked cheddar, blue cheese, bacon & scallions. They arrived 5 to the plate, hot, and dripping with gooey cheese. These definitely look like the classic potato skins of yesteryear but with the blue cheese kick, BOOYA, these were a definite homerun.

For our mains, we decided to see if this place truly lived up to its name as a Steakhouse. I ordered the 8oz Millionaires Filet Cut Blackened with Creole Butter and served with a "loaded" Baked Potato while my wife went with the 8oz Seasoned Sirloin Steak served with Fettucini Alfredo. The meals arrived and first off, the presentation is fantastic, the steaks looked great, the plate was vibrant with color and each piece of meat also came with 3 onion rings (what's a steak without Onion Rings I ask you!).

The Millionaires Filet was cooked to perfection just as I ordered it (medium rare) with the perfect amount of blackened spice encrusting it and creole butter on top. These flavors helped accentuate the steak's flavour rather than overpower it and add a great baked potato to the mix and I tell ya, it was probably the best restaurant steak I've had in the last 5 years. It doesn't top my ultimate steak (the Tenderloin steak crusted with caramelized shallots and aged balsamic syrup I had for my birthday years back at QUATTRO in Whistler is still #1) but this is definitely a close second. My wife's Seasoned Sirloin was also a winner although we both found her Fettucini Alfredo somewhat bland.

Despite our filled bellies my weakness for one dessert in all the world made us indulge... the Key Lime Pie. Bits of Lime right in the pie atop a great crumbly crust with a hint of coconut in it, this was definitely a nice sweet hit to top off the savoury meal.

All in all, we were both pleased with our experience at PINKY'S STEAKHOUSE, it's a great room and I am happy to say, home to a great steak. It may not mean much to you, but for me, that's a hell of an honor. We will definitely be going back for more!

LIBRARY SQUARE PUBLIC HOUSE

2008-07-22T10:56:00.001-07:00

"DECENT LOOK, DECENT GRUB AND DECENT PRICES"

Location: 300 W. Georgia St. Vancouver
Telephone: 604-633-9644
Website: LIBRARY SQUARE

As it is ridiculously close to work, LIBRARY SQUARE is somewhat of a regular hangout for my co-workers and I. It sports a decent look, decent grub and decent prices that make the overall experience… decent.

Food wise they have a lot to choose from. Their salads (like the Grilled Lime Chicken Salad) are enjoyable, the small order of Yam Fries is huge and the Smoked Bacon & Gorgonzola Burger is a crowd favorite but the Wings can sometimes be disappointing (on occasion undercooked and flavorless). They also have “perennial pub favorites” like Fish & Chips, Perogies, Nachos and Steak Sandwich all of which are a delight. Library Square is a “Public House” and they have a giant bar and multiple flatscreens to prove it as well as pool, foosball and pinball.

So whether you are looking for a quick business lunch or a home for the “game”, LIBRARY SQUARE is a decent option in a downtown crowded with more than enough options.

EARLS

2008-07-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

"THEY MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT"

Location: 905 Hornby St. Vancouver
Telephone: 604-682-6700
Website: EARLS

I remember the days when I had “Earlitude”, yup, that’s what they used to call it when staff had the “right stuff” and were considered instrumental to the success of an EARLS Restaurant. Those days are long gone for me but I still frequent the establishment from time to time and marvel at how much it has changed over the years… not always for the best. EARLS used to be a causal and somewhat inexpensive place to go and have a good meal or some bevies with friends. The “good meal” and “bevies” still hold true but “casual” has given way to “semi-formal, nightclub vibe” and “somewhat inexpensive” has turned into “quite expensive”.

Join me won’t you? For a jaunt down memory lane as I share my latest experience with the Summer 2008 version of “Earlitude”

It was a Thursday evening at 8:20 and I arrived to the DOWNTOWN EARLS (near Scotiabank Theater) alone as my buddy was about 5 minutes behind me. I was greeted by six hostesses, that’s right, six hostesses none of which bothered to look up and say hello until I said “hi” first. Despite being fairly busy with biz folk, clubbers and socialites, I was given the choice of “dining room or lounge” and then taken immediately to a good corner table in the lounge ripe for “people watching”. I love the people who come here: half look like they are waiting to be seen by the paparazzi while the other half look like deer caught in the headlights wondering “where they hell are we?” As I sat I ordered an Arnold Palmer (½ ice tea & ½ lemonade - try it my peeps) and an order of Hot Wings, my buddy arrived and we settled in for a long discussion about The Dark Knight and other summer films. The waitress arrived to take Jon’s drink order and we ordered our meals at the same time, she was friendly but clipped, obviously a tad busy, no bother though, we continued discussing Batman. The Wings arrived a few moments later (14 wings in total with celery & parm dip), they were tasty and crispy while still somewhat juicy on the inside. Earls always has decent wings, they are never spectacular but never disappointing at the same time.

About 25 minutes later, we came up from our cinematic ramblings to realize that our mains had not arrived, hmm, that’s not like EARLS, they are usually more on top of things. I was about to comment about this to the waitress when two other gals arrived with our food. Sweet. Jon had ordered the 9 oz Certified Angus Beef Top Sirloin with sauteed prawns & mashed potatoes while I enjoyed the Chicken & Tomato Ragu with White Truffle Oil (ground chicken and tomatoes in a red wine sauce with garlic, oregano and bacon, tossed with pappardelle noodles, topped with Parmesan cheese and white truffle oil)… Decadent.

How were the meals? Jon described his steak this way “It was tasty, not stellar but tasty and cooked the way I liked it for once. The last two times I ordered steak at EARLS they were undercooked but hey, I wanted steak so I ordered steak. The prawns were good but the mashed potatoes tasted like they came from a box”. I must admit, I tried some of the taters and they indeed did have an odd taste & texture to them however that did not stop him from eating every single bite.

As for me, the pasta was rich and flavorful (how could it not be with that list of ingredients)complete with those giant pappardelle noodles that really hold the sauce but I couldn’t even taste the bacon, it was lost among the other sensations. I can honestly say that this was the first time in my entire EARLS experience that I have ever been full after eating an EARLS pasta dish, the portion size was perfect and the rich flavors made my belly happy.

After wrapping up the meals and one more drink for the road, we paid the bill (an astonishing $86 for two of us) and headed out the door, again the six gabbing hostesses did not say “thanks” or “goodnight” so neither did we.

Okay, let's discuss: $86 for two guys, two entrees, one appy and no booze? That's a bit pricey. Sure that does include tax and tip but still... it's bills like those that always keep me from EARLS for a couple months just from the wallet shock. I remember when a lot of these meals were under $10, now they are all between $13-$16, sure there's inflation but come on, that's a bit much! Also what's with all the hostesses who never seem to be busy and never seem to engage the customer? Why are there so many of them and why are they all not doing anything. Maybe the food is so expensive because the staff costs are through the roof? Finally, since when did EARLS become a high-end lounge complete with busty "ready-for-the-club" waitresses and chiseled bartenders all happy to serve? I felt somewhat underdressed but really, should I put on my new suit just so I can spill a hotwing on it? I think not.

All in all, despite my gripes above, EARLS will remain a staple in my meal choices. The quality of food is fairly consistent and although I may not agree with the price point or discotheque-decor, I can’t help but return every once in a while for another meal. Either they put a touch of crack in their cooking or they must be doing something right.

MARINASIDE GRILL

2008-07-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

"DECENT FOOD / DECADENT PATIO"

Location: 1653 Columbia St. North Vancouver
Telephone: 604-988-0038
Website: MARINASIDE GRILL

One of the greatest well-known secrets of the North Shore is THE MARINASIDE GRILL, a little greasy spoon located virtually underneath the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge by the boat yards. What makes this little eatery so great is not the food, but the patio. It's huge, it's always busy and it's a great way to spend a few hours on a sunny day or beautiful evening.

Three of us went there for brunch this past weekend and were greeted with a 45 minute wait. Inside the restaurant was dead but outside was standing room only, people want the patio and they are willing to wait for it, as were we. I said to my friend "wow, the food must be worth it" and she said "it wasn't but the patio is". Interesting. We sat down and ordered drinks (a nice and spicy Caesar for me) then the meals. The ladies had the Grilled Chicken Salad and the Warm Scallop Salad while I took on a classic Clubhouse Sandwich, all three meals were good, nothing to write home about but still good.

My friend was right however, the patio is great. You are surrounded by boats and get a great view of the bridge from an angle you rarely if ever see. We ended up sitting there for two hours just gabbing away, enjoying the weekend sun and I can now see why this little place remains an extremely busy North Shore hideaway. THE MARINASIDE GRILL won't win any culinary awards but it's decent food made better when served on its decadent patio.

NICK'S SPAGHETTI HOUSE

2008-06-22T12:12:00.000-07:00

"HIGH PRICES DON'T EQUAL HIGH QUALITY"

Location: 631 Commercial Dr, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-254-5633
NO WEBSITE

For over 50 years, the family-run NICK'S SPAGHETTI HOUSE has been serving pasta to East Vancouver and it has become somewhat of a local tradition. If you were looking for a cheap plate of big pasta, you go to NICK'S, you want a quick bite before or after the game, you go to NICK'S. We'll as many times as I've known people to go to NICK'S, I've never been myself, until last week when I thought, hey, let's give this sucker a try. We'll try I did and I was very disappointed.

I went with my wife and our friend and as soon as I opened the menu, my eyes bulged at the prices, steep, steep, steep. I was lead to believe that this was a place for big, cheap pasta. Well, it isn't cheap, none of it, the average plate of pasta will cost you around $17 or $18, not what I was expecting. I ordered the Spaghetti & Meatballs, my wife ordered the Baked Lasagna and Victoria ordered the BBQ Ribs & Beef Ravioli and after waiting for 20 minutes, the food arrived.

I was greeted with a plate of pasta that had two giant meatballs on it and it was surrounded with sauce but as soon as lifted my pasta to mix it, underneath was sloppy with water (bad pasta draining). The sauce itself was weak, lacking taste other than lots of salt. Michelle's Lasagna had gigantic blocks of ricotta tossed throughout it which gave this otherwise bland dish a very uneven texture and flavor. Vic's raviolis were basic and while the rib meat itself was tender, the BBQ sauce tasted like it came from a bottle. All in all, three disappointing meals.

For the price that we are paying, there was very little taste and not alot to eat. If you are expecting the giant portions of Anton's in Burnaby don't bother with NICK'S, you pay more for less. If the portion size was large, I could justify the price and if the flavor was fantastic I could justify the size unfortunately it all falls down. Perhaps it was an off night, I mean this place has been around for over half a century but after talking to a few folks, they too find it overpriced and flavorless. Too bad.

NICK'S SPAGHETTI HOUSE is one local tradition you don't need to partake in. High prices do not equal high quality.

SAVORY COAST

2008-06-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

"THE PERFECT HIDEAWAY FOR A FANTASTIC MEAL"

Location: 2nd Floor - 1133 Robson St, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-642-6278
Website: Savory Coast

As you know, I come from an Italian family of restaurateurs so whenever I eat at another Italian restaurant, I always look at it with an extra-critical eye. Luckily, my wife keeps me somewhat grounded in these situations and asks the simple question, "is it good?" Thankfully, she was in fine form when we tried SAVORY COAST for the first time, while it focuses more on "Mediterranean fare" rather than strict Italian, I came into expecting to be somewhat disappointed. I wasn't.

SAVORY COAST is good. Very Good. So good, we've been back four times.

Located in the heart of the extremely busy Robson Street, SAVORY COAST is on the second floor so blink and you might miss a great little hideaway. One of the best features of this good looking joint, is the giant, brush-surrounded patio that makes you forget you are sitting above one of the craziest streets in the city. What makes it even better is that they serve some of the best Sangria in town (your choice of red or white) which always starts off our meals and goes down way too easily.

As for the food, fantastic. Both my wife and I have yet to taste a disappointing plate. We've had Calamari, Goat Cheese Salad, Tuna Carpaccio, Bocconcini & Tomato Salad, Penne Amatraciana, Crab Risotto, Duck & Mushroom Risotto, Grilled Tuna Steak, NY Striploin, Veal Scallopini and Prosciutto Pizza (not all in one sitting ofcourse). Each of these dishes were great, robust flavours, ample portion sizes and not too big of a hit on the wallet.

That's the beauty of SAVORY COAST, despite the fantastic locale and diverse menu, the prices are fairly reasonable for this fine dining experience. Each time we've come, we've had drinks, appies, mains and a dessert and never paid over $100. That's saying something, especially for a higher end downtown restaurant. That's why we keep coming back, it's the perfect hideaway for a fantastic meal.

It's also worth noting that it won three awards during DINE OUT 2008, Best Appetizers, Best Dessert and Best Menu... that's saying something. Something good!

So if you ever find yourself on Robson Street and want to indulge in some tasty Mediterranean cooking, then head on up to SAVORY COAST. On a sunny afternoon, with a Sangria at you side, you'd swear you were on a foody vacation.

THE LENNOX PUB

2008-05-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

"IT'S GREAT FOR A QUICK MEAL OR JUST A QUICK PINT"

Location: 800 Granville St, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-408-0881
Website: The Lennox

If there is a constant lunchtime stop for me and my work buddies, it's THE LENNOX PUB on Granville. Not only do they have a fine selection of brews (featuring greats like Belgian Kriek, Leffe and Hoegaarden), their food is quite tasty.

A favorite amongst my co-workers is the BBC Burger (Bacon, Blue Cheese, Chicken) which is a flavor sensation, trust me, bacon & blue cheese is a magic combination. The classic Beef Dip (the classic with a tasty au jus) is another popular choice and the Irish Stew (not a stew fan - but this hearty and tender meal always fills me up) is a fan-favorite.

Now remember this is a pub, so it fills up quite fast especially if there is a game on and sometimes it's so busy you might have to wait a while for your meal. However, the servers are always pleasant, the food is always hot and the prices are in line with what you'd expect from a downtown pub. THE LENNOX has been open since 2000 and is filled with wood, wrought iron and high ceilings. It's great for a quick meal or just a quick pint!

VERA'S BURGER SHACK

2008-05-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

"YOU MIGHT RUIN YOUR SHIRT BUT IT'S WORTH IT"

Location: 1030 Davie St, Vancouver (& other locations)
Telephone: 604-893-8372
Website: VERA'S BURGER SHACK

People know that Vancouver is quite the coffee town, we take our coffee seriously but what they may not know is that this is also quite the "Burger Town" as well. There are a ton of choices for people like FATBURGER, HAMBURGER MARY'S, RED ONION and MODERNE BURGER but consistently, the #1 choice seems to be VERA'S BURGERS.

Now I am a meat eater and I have eaten at all the places mentioned above more than 5 times and each of these places have had highs and lows. But out of them all, I am consistently satisfied with my meals from Vera's. Now let's look at some of the favorites: The BBQ Burger (Provolone, bacon, fried onions & BBQ sauce), The Stinger (Jalapenos & Chedder) and ofcourse The Lamb Burger. They also have chicken burgers, hot dogs, wings, salads and all the toppings you could think of but they live by their burgers and they have been alive for a long, long while.

Today I went to the Davie Street location for lunch and only waited 30 seconds to order, the gals behind the counter (the staff today was all female: cashier, bun prep, grill, stock, dishes) were super friendly and always used your first name when talking (you give your name so they know who to call when the burger is ready). You get to choose what you want on it then wham, they go about cooking it up right there. You wait about 10 minutes but you are rewarded with one of the tastiest and filling meals around, today I had the BBQ Burger Deal (it came with Fries & a drink) for $9.99... sweet. The burger itself is huge and messy so be sure to have some napkins around, you might ruin your shirt but it's worth it!

There are a lot of Burger choices in this city and most of them will not let you down but if you are looking for consistent quality and great flavor then be sure to visit VERA'S BURGER SHACK and get yourself a treat. Take it from me, your belly will be smiling!

STIX

2008-05-15T16:34:00.000-07:00

"GREAT FLAVOR & GREAT VALUE"

Location: 903 Commercial Dr, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-568-6768
Website: STIX

So last night, the wife and I were feeling lazy and wanted to grab something quick to eat. We have walked by STIX on the Drive before and always commented that we should give it a shot some time. Last night was the shot and I am pleased that we tried it, we will be going back.

STIX sells itself as a "noodle & grill" joint fusing together chinese, malaysian & vietnamese flavours with a contemporary flare in a casual setting. Like a cafeteria, you order you meal at one end of the kitchen and pick it up at the other. We tried their namesake appy, The Stix (spiced & grilled skewers or chicken and pork), the Malaysian Chicken Curry (mild yellow curry on rice or noodles) and the Beef Ball Soup (Vietnamese Pho), we also had two awesome Vietnamese Coffees and two bottles of water. The total bill came to $25.00... not bad.

The flavors were all good, the portion size was ample and both of us left feeling full and satisfied. It took about 10 minutes altogether to get our food and it was busy in there so they seem to have their cooking times running smooth.

If there was a downside to the STIX experience, it's a small one... their self-promotion. I asked to a Take-out menu, they said they were out and printing them up. I asked for a business card, they said that they were also being printed up. I asked if they had a website, they do but its no more than a title page. STIX has only been around for a few months but come on, let's do some marketing people!

Regardless, if you are looking for cheap & casual Asian eats on the Drive, look no further than STIX. Great flavor and great value are two great reasons to be coming back for more.

LITTLE NEST

2008-04-09T15:26:00.000-07:00

"FANTASTIC FOODY SMELLS"

Location: 1716 Charles St, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-251-9994
Website: LITTLE NEST

I always wondered where parents with kids can go to eat with other friends and not have to worry about their children... is there such a place other than McDonald's? Good news my friends, there is!

There is a place that is open concept, has a play area for kids, tables all around for everyone and great food to boot. The Urban Diner sums it up well by stating "If you don’t have kids, it might be tricky getting the gravity of a place like this, but trust me, it’s like seeing cows jump over the moon." I don't have kids but I like good food and I appreciate what a place like this has to offer. A place like LITTLE NEST.

My wife had been to LITTLE NEST with a friend and loved the food, when she suggested we go their again, I was a bit hesitant (again - no kids) but I am always up for a good meal. The place was a madhouse, a controlled madhouse but a madhouse nonetheless. Kids everywhere, playing & laughing (no crying thankfully), the tables were full and there was a line-up at the cashier. We finally got seated and the girls got up to order some eats while Bill took his kids to the "play area" so I just sat back and soaked in what was happening around me. Everywhere I looked, there were young parents, relaxed and smiling, eating or playing with their kids who were also grinning ear-to-ear and all around... fantastic foody smells.

A waitress came by to wipe down our table and I asked her "what's the deal with this place" and she told me "Mary the owner wanted a place for parents that was kid friendly and dealt in good organic, fair trade foods". Looks like they succeeded.

The gals came back and despite the loudness of children everywhere we were able to have a good conversation. The coffee arrived (yummy extra large Americanos) and then came the food, a fantastic Cauliflower Soup served in the biggest bowl I have ever seen and a delicious Prosciutto, Cambonzola & Fig Sandwich... wow, did that hit the spot.

I was pleasently surprised by my experience at LITTLE NEST, not by the fantastic food, which truly it was but by how little the number of playing children didn't distract from my meal. This is a great little casual cafe with affordable prices just off of Commercial Drive that deserves a look whether you have kids or not. But if you can't take "kiddie chaos" I suggest visiting during non-peak hours.

ME & JULIO

2008-04-07T11:13:00.001-07:00

"LET'S PUT IT THIS WAY, I WILL BE GOING BACK"

Location: 2095 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-696-9997
Website: ME & JULIO

As a man with a Mexican stepmother, I have a great love of Mexican food, classic or modern, texmex or authentic, I love it all. What I truly admire however is when someone or some place takes a well-known Mexican dish and turns it on its head and makes it “loco”. Take ME & JULIO for example, here’s a little joint that calls itself a “modern Mexican cantina” and does a fantastic job of delivering classic dishes with a new twist.

I have now eaten at ME & JULIO’s three times, once for dinner and twice for brunch and all three times I have been incredibly impressed with my meals. Their Guacamole is always spicy & citrusy at the same time and you get the bonus addition of some Star Anise-kissed Black Bean Dip every time you order it, the Ceviche is extremely fresh, the Calamare Salad (with squid & chorizo) is sensational, the Shrimp & Avocado Benedict is richly satisfying and their Sangrias (red & white) are worthy of another round. Lets put it this way, I will be going back.

Open for both Dinner & Brunch (on weekends), ME & JULIO lives up to its name as a "Modern Mexican Cantina". The vibe is alive, the décor is entertaining and the staff is fun. The drinks are large & potent and the meals are always rich & flavorful, ME & JULIO is a welcome addition to the foody adventures of Commercial Drive. I can’t wait for summer to hit so I can enjoy a meal and a drink on the patio.

SUSHIYAMA

2008-04-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

"FRESH, FLAVORFUL AND CHEAP"

Location: 371 E. Broadway, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-872-0053
NO WEBSITE

If there is one thing Vancouver has a lot of, it's Sushi Restaurants. Top quality to poor quality and everything in between, there is a sushi restaurant out there for every palate. But when I want "great sushi for a great price" there's only one place to go... SUSHIYAMA.

On the corner of Broadway & Brunswick across from the Kingsgate Mall, you'll find this little restaurant and the only thing that gives it away is the line-up of excited and hungry people outside. You see, the locals know and love Sushiyama and they support it consistently whether its by eating-in or taking-out and now it's time to spread the word. Yes, I am happy to say that SUSHIYAMA is "that good".

I was introduced to it by my wife one Saturday afternoon and when we arrived at 4:00pm, the place was half full. By the time we left at 5, it was full. We tried a number of different favorites and all were, fresh, flavorful and cheap. Yes, SUSHIYAMA is quite a light hit to the wallet, take this order for instance:

3 SPICY TUNA ROLLS
1 CRUNCH ROLL
1 KAMAKAZE ROLL
1 GOMAE
1 TORO SASHIMI
1 SALMON SASHIMI
TOTAL - $35.00

Yes there are cheaper joints out there, but I dare you to find one that has this quality of fish or this much flavor for that price. Seriously, I judge a Sushi joint by it's Spicy Tuna Rolls and SUSHIYAMA by far and wide has the best STR's I have ever tasted... ever. All the usual suspects are available as well as some uniquely awesome creations (like the Mango Mango Roll or the Snapper Carpaccio in Garlic, Chili Oil for example) and I have never tried something that I didn't like. The sashimi melts in your mouth like butter, the fish is fantastic, the gomae is tasty, the gyoza is crisp, the veggies are fresh and portions are ample.

SUSHIYAMA is a great sushi experience, like I said, always fresh, always flavorful and they have the best Spicy Tuna Rolls I have ever tasted... ever!

HAPA IZAKAYA

2008-04-01T17:43:00.000-07:00

"A UNIQUE ASIAN EXPERIENCE"

Location: 1479 Robson St, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-689-4272
Website: HAPA IZAKAYA

The NY Times has this to say about HAPA IZAKAYA:

"Dinner comes at almost disco decibels in Robson Street's hottest Japanese "eat-drink place" (the literal meaning of Izakaya), where chefs call out orders, servers shout acknowledgements, and the maitre d' and owner keeps up a running volley to staff about the (often sizable) wait at the door. The service is fast and obliging, and the price per dish at this most entertaining of eating spots is very reasonable."

I couldn't agree more!

I've been to HAPA three times, the first was an utter disappointment, the second a vast improvement and the third extremely enjoyable. Let's talk about these visits. The first time I went there was only a few weeks after opening. The place was getting alot of buzz throughout the city and the line-up out the door was intimidating. Once we sat down, we had a few tasty appetizers but then we ordered the fish that was to be charred at the table. The inexperienced waitress came to the table with the fish and a torch, which she couldn't get to work. The fish was doused in gas, the entire table reeked and the fish itself tasted like fuel more than anything. When we talked to the manager, nothing was done, the fish wasn't replaced and the meal wasn't removed from our bill. Like I said: disappointment.

A year later, we went back with another couple and while we didn't try the fish again, we had a fantastic meal. The flavors were exciting, the staff quick & friendly, the prices high but reasonable and overall, the experience like I said, was a vast improvement.

Well, last weekend, we went again but this time with 10 people for a birthday party and again, we had a great experience. 3 appetizers (Beef Tataki, Negitoro & Tuna Carpaccio), 2 Hot Stone Rice Bowls and a shared dessert of Panna Cotte along with some sake & a Ceaser made for a great meal. The price was the same (as in it didn't go up over the year from the last time I was there), the staff was quick & friendly (at times we had three servers watching over us) and all the dishes were fresh & flavourful.

All three of these HAPA meals including drinks, taxes & tip were under $85 for my wife and I.

All three times, the restaurant was packed and all three times the restaurant was loud. Not only were the clients loud, the staff were yelling and the music was blaring. If you are in for a loud night, then you won't have an issue but if a quiet, intimate meal is your desire, than this might not be the place for you.

If you are looking for a unique Asian experience, I would recommend HAPA IZAKAYA. It's energetic and loud and the flavours are all great, just stay away from the charred fish!

WELCOME

2008-04-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

I grew up as a family member of the food industry and I have a love of cooking so why not talk a little bit about the world of restaurants in my favorite city around, Vancouver. Enjoy...