VANCOUVER EATS ON HIATUS

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

“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

“$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