Tel: 604-709-8150

Web:  http://www.baliliciousrestaurant.com/

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Order a few dishes to share with friends.

Corn Fritters

Roti

Coconut Chicken

Located in the heart of Cambie Village, this South Asian neighbourhood eatery serves a delightful array of Indonesian dishes that are full of flavours. To start I had the Corn Fritters ($5.25)  pan-fried corn fritters with a side of their peanut sauce; this followed with some Roti ($2.25) pan-fried flat bread and then their delicious  Coconut Chicken ($12.95)  with tender white chicken with fresh mixed vegetables in coconut sauce. Their menu is filled with a selection of satay skewers, soups, Indonesian small plates, salads, curry & coconut dishes, rice & noodle dishes, seafood, and lots of vegetable dishes.

Review By: Richard Wolak

3004 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-873-0001

Web: http://thefirewoodcafe.ca

Twitter: @thefirewoodcafe

Advice:  For delivery they will deliver your order in our HOTBAG, delivery is free within a 4km radius. Great monthly specials.

#7 California Pizza

#21 Tuscany Pizza

I had fond memories from ordering pizza to go years ago from Firewood, recently I yearned for some pizza delivered to me so that I could eat at home for a change. I ordered the #7 California Pizza (Medium $16) BBQ chicken, red onions, cilantro & smoked gouda which was as good as I remembered it to be. Tonight was another perfect night to dine in at home, this time I ordered the #21 Tuscany Pizza (Small $11.60) Fresh basil, fresh garlic, red peppers & sun-dried tomatoes. I loved both of the pizzas and both were quite different too.

There are all sorts of toppings to choose from on the pizzas if you wish to customize your own pizza, though the best way would be to order one of their pizza creations off the menu by number. You will also find a good selection of pasta dishes, salads and garlic bread.

Review By: Richard Wolak

3473 Cambie St, Vancouver

Tel: 604-722-9331

Web: www.prontocaffe.ca

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Don’t be afraid to ask for a taster of the Porchetta before ordering.

Specializing in Porchetta this Italian style eatery’s space was designed with a retro feel by Scott Cohen (Les Faux Bourgeois, Waldorf Hotel) and Stefan Gagnon (Les Faux Bourgeois). You’ll find a limited menu of Porchetta sandwich and Porchetta plate along with a couple vegetarian sandwiches, cheese plate and a selection of sides such as roasted rosemary potatoes and non-alchoholic beverages.

Porchetta Sandwich

I had the Porchetta Sandwich ($8) on baguette (also offers it on ciabata) which was very simple along with an Espresso ($2). If you are a lover of Porchetta visit and you be the judge if you are not then go with the Provolone Sandwich!

Review By: Richard Wolak

446 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-677-3985

Web: n/a

Advice: Party paks of Falafel available, call ahead.

Crispy Falafel in Pita

Located close to Broadway Station, this west side spot has some delicious, crispy Falafel. I had the Crispy Falafel in Pita ($6.95) filled with all the fixins vegetables, hummus, tahini sauce in a whole wheat pita. The menu also features Falafel plate, salads, spinach pie, potato knish, veggie lasagna and more.

If you are in the area and looking for good value and a quick bite to eat in or to go, give them a try!

Review by: Richard Wolak

Tel: 604-874-8008

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

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

Pan Seared Qualicum Beach Scallops

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

Miso Soy Marinated Black Cod

Seared Wild BC Salmon

Seafood Linguine Carbonara

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

Little Brownie Mountain

Trio of Sorbet

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

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

Review by: Richard Wolak

5556 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-327-6368

Web: http://www.dotdesserts.ca

Advice: You need to order the Big Doe Parfait at least one day in advance.

Strawberry Crepe with Matcha Ice Cream

Japanese style parfaits is the specialty at this neighborhood dessert emporium in the Oakridge area, it is somewhat hidden and it should be discovered. The dessert bar is stylish, yet small with a vibrant vibe and is open late, so if you are looking for a dessert destination in this area of the city they are open until midnight most days.

I had the Strawberry Crepe ($4) a thin crepe filled with fresh strawberries, nutella and whipped cream. Added on a scoop of the Matcha Ice Cream ($3) which was delicious and I had a craving for Matcha so this worked out well. They have many different sweet and savoury crepes with different types of fillings, some that you may not be used to or have not seen much around the city. Their most popular crepes are the Mandarin and Peach crepe and the Caramel Apple crepe. The Japanese style parfaits are made with layers of ice cream and fruits or other fillings, a couple that looked interesting included the Black Sesame Vanilla ($6.88) and the Brownie Banana ($6.88). If you are thirsty, there is quite a selection of drinks that include Shaken Fruity Ice Teas, Milk Tea, Green Tea, Hot Chocolate and Coffee. The menu boasts the “Big Doe Parfait” at 100 oz ($48) this is a parfait that would feed you and your friends or an army.

Review by: Richard Wolak

3353 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-569-1402

Web: www.lastortas.ca

Advice: Taking it to go, do yourself a favour and call ahead

Milanesa Chicken Sandwich and Potato Chips

Milanesa Chicken Sandwich

With a line-up out the door at this gourmet Mexican sandwich shop I knew that I had to try it. I had no idea what a Mexican sandwich was and how it differed from a regular sandwich. After eating one of these delicious sandwiches, I now know the difference. First of all it is the bread, a special type of bread/roll ‘Torta’ originating from Mexico, then it is the type of toppings added to the sandwiches that make them ever so special and tasty. They have an intriguing menu of sandwiches that you haven’t seen in Vancouver yet. I ordered the “Milanesa” ($8.75) breaded chicken breast fillet, tomato, cabbage, pickled onions, jalapenos, guacamole, and refried beans (it also comes with butter and mayo, but I skipped those 2 toppings). I ran into my friend Marcus, who happens to be a restauranter and we dined together, he ordered the same sandwich and some of their homemade potato chips ($2) which I tried and enjoyed. To drink I had a Tamarind Aguas Frescas ($2). Many items on the menu are tempting and next time I will try the Vegetarian. You order these sandwiches by taking a marker and an empty brown bag and mark which sandwich you want to order and what you want or don’t want on the sandwich, add your name etc, then you take it to the cashier (clever way of making sure they make exactly what you ordered). They make their own soups, actually everything is homemade from the bread to the guacamole to the desserts. I only wish that I had room after the sandwich to try both of their desserts as both the Tres Leches cake and the Mexican Brownie looked good.

Review by: Richard Wolak

5866 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Tel: 604-321-1818

Web: www.omnitskykosher.com

Advice: They are closed Saturdays.

This kosher deli located across from Oakridge Centre features a wide range of deli sandwiches, hot dogs, soups and salads. My favorites here are the Turkey Sandwich ($7.50) smoked turkey, deli mustard on plain rye bread with coleslaw and pickle on the side and the Hot Pastrami ($7.50) with deli mustard on plain rye bread with coleslaw and pickle.

The back section of the store is devoted to kosher groceries and fresh meats. Omnitsky’s also carries kosher breads including challah from Garden City Bakery.

Review by: Richard Wolak