244 E Georgia Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 682-5777

Web: n/a

Twitter: n/a

Advice: The line-up is worth the long wait, take along a book to read while you wait.

I am probably the last person in the city to dine at this long standing eatery in Chinatown, at least I can say that I have had the pleasure to eat their popular and delicious Garlic Fried Squid on a few occasions at catered events. Last Sunday while walking around Gastown and Chinatown I happened upon the restaurant and with a minimal wait was seated at the sharing table. I knew what I should order based on what almost every chef in town had told me, so I decided not to order those two dishes which were the Garlic Fried Squid and their Chicken Wings. The restaurant was packed even at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon, after looking at the menu in detail which was almost fully segregated into Cambodian Favourites and Vietnamese Favourites, I decided to choose one selection from each.

Spicy Garlic Prawns

Trieu Chau Special Vegetable Bun

I had a half order of the outstanding Spicy Garlic Prawns ($8.50) and the Trieu Chau Special Vegetable Buns  ($7.95) along with a complementary glass of hot tea. There is a reason as to why this restaurant has been serving customers for so many years and to where there is a constant line-up. Looking forward to my next visit to try more dishes.

Review By: Richard Wolak

212 East Georgia Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 568-8200

Web: n/a

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Sit at the communal table or at the window.

Slightly secluded as it is off the beaten track of bustling Main Street in Chinatown/Strathcona, the café is well worth your discovery. First of all it is spacious and has that sort of NY feeling to it with its exposed brick walls, open 15 ft beam ceiling, distressed looking wooden tables and chairs. Secondly, there is a large communal table for sharing  while studying or working.

Carrot Cake

Espresso

I had the moist and tasty Carrot Cake ($2.95) with vanilla bean cream cheese icing and an Espresso ($2.75) made with 49th parallel coffee. The menu also includes baguette sandwiches, baked goods and beverages. They also offer an extensive brunch menu which I will get to trying one day soon.

Review By: Richard Wolak

75 East Pender Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-681-3115

Web: http://www.everythingcafe.ca

Twitter: @EverythingCafe

Advice: Free wifi, table service.

The name says it all and it’s all about Everything at this café. This is the latest eating spot from Sean Heather and he has gotten it spot on with his foray into Chinatown. Everything Café serves up great sandwiches at great prices, you’ll find your favourite meatballs that you may have eaten at his other restaurant Judas Goat; and you’ll find so much more. Chef Lee Humphries is running the show in the kitchen turning out homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, charcuterie plates and pastries.

Meatball Sandwich

Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding

I have been in a couple of times and loved the Meatball Sandwich ($8.00) a wholewheat bun with tasty meatballs, sauce and topped with shavings of their cheese. I loved the newest dessert creation, Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding ($2.75) a vanilla brioche with chocolate bits and a chocolate drizzle overtop this is rich and delicious. Intelligensia brand coffee was welcomed and my Espresso Macchiato ($3) was perfect. This is a stylish café and I loved the red leather-backed banquette wall and the seats along the counter.

Review by: Richard Wolak

137 East Pender Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-683-8816

Web: n/a

Advice: Dim Sum style is Cantonese

I was in for dim sum recently joined by my friend Stephanie, their menu lists a variety of different Cantonese items for dim sum, since my friend had dined their before she chose the items for me to try.

Scallop Dumplings

Prawn Dumplings

Eggs Tofu

Steamed Rice Crepe

Vegetable Tofu Roll

Daikon Rice Roll

Steamed Chicken Buns

I loved the Daikon Rice Roll which is the Chef’s creation, it was full of flavour and very unique. Every dish was great and the only one that I didn’t care for was the Eggs Tofu. The prices ranged from $2.75 – $5.50 each depending on the dish.

Nutty Taro Roll

To end our meal, we both enjoyed this dessert another of the Chef’s creations that are filled with sweetened mashed taro root, lightly breaded and deep fried, then coated with almond and coconut flakes. This Dim Sum experience was wonderful and I enjoyed trying all these dishes for Cantonese dim sum experience.

Review by: Richard Wolak

163 Keefer Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-688-0876

Web: http://www.bao-bei.ca/

Twitter: @baobei1

Advice: Good place to go with a friend so you can share dishes.  No reservations.

In this vibrant room, diners are treated not only to a very cool room, Bao Bei is inventive, unique and stylish, a modern Chinese Brasserie with a very hip look and feel. Located in the heart of Chinatown, they are one of the first restaurants to open in the area in years.

Sichuan Cucumbers

Mantou

The menu is truly creative and not at all like the Chinese food I have been acustomed too. The menu features “Schmacks” which would be known as appetizers on other menus, “Petit Lats Chinois” are small plates, “Petits Cadeaux” are large plates, and Noodle Soups, Stir Fried Vegetables, sides and a few desserts. Since I was dining solo, I was only able to have two dishes and they were both delicious and flavourful.  I had the Sichuan Cucumbers ($4) braised and marinated to start and then the superb Mantou ($9) steamed buns with braised beef shortrib, hoisin, scallions, pickled cucumber, and roasted peanuts. The room is large and spacious with eclectic wall hangings including are really cool collection of comics adorning the wall behind the high top tables. I sat at the bar and had a great view of the bartender mixing cocktails, this was also a good vantage point into the kitchen and from the high top tables in the front towards the dining area in the back. The service was friendly and the servers were hip, good looking and fun. The drinks list is quite unique as well offering up beers, sake, cocktails and wines. I will be back soon with friends so that we can share more dishes and experience the great flavours.

Review by: Richard Wolak