280 Carrall Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-720-3145

Web: http://www.facebook.com/NotturnoPaninoteca

Twitter: @NotturnoGastown

Advice: The locale could easily be missed, go and find it.

I felt like I was back in Italy having lunch at the home of a friend who was serving up simple grilled Panini with quality ingredients, yet I was in Gastown about to enjoy the same! The narrow room was nicely decorated with pictures on the wall, an open kitchen to see the chef making the Panini in front of me, chandeliers, black top tables and seating to enjoy the sandwiches and small plates with friends.

Blu Fico Panini

I had the Blu Fico ($9.50) which became my own version as I substituted the blue cheese for taleggio cheese and figs that was served with a side salad. There is a good selection of panini, as well as salads if you care to go gluten-free without the bread.

Very soon you will be able to stop in at night for a glass of wine or beer to go along with a Panini or share plates.

Review By: Richard Wolak

221 Carrall Street  Vancouver

Tel: 604-569-2215

Web: http://corkandfin.ca/

Twitter: @corkandfin

Advice: Have the Chef’s Tasting menu.

As we all know it’s often difficult to eat at every new restaurant that opens in our food loving city, often we miss those gems that we should have visited much earlier on. It took me close to a year to visit Cork & Fin, Juliane Siu joined me for dinner, she won the SFU Marketers Night contest awarding her dinner with me. We both had the multi-course Chefs Tasting Menu ($50 per person or $75 per person with the wine pairings) that was prepared by Chef Elliott Hashimoto, I had the wine pairings and Juliane had the non-alcoholic pairings that were prepared for her by Doug Stephen to match each course.

Amuse Bouche Oyster & Crab

Ahi Tuna Carpaccio

To begin our meal, the Amuse Bouche Oyster & Crab paired with Pasqua Prosecco, Italy, NV for me and Yuzu-ade for Juliane. For our second course we had the most unique presented and delicious Ahi Tuna Carpaccio, truffle aioli, micro greens, crouton paired with the Teillery Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile 2010 and Virgin Pamplemousse for Juliane.

Lobster Bisque

Grappa & Lemon Granite

For our third course we were served the delicious and light tasting Lobster Bisque with lobster meat, chive cream paired with the Laughing Stock Chardonnay, Naramata, 2009 for and Iced Earl Grey Latte for Juliane. For our fourth course which was the Intermezzo I was served the Grappa & Lemon Granite and Juliane was served the same without the Grappa.

Sabelfish ‘Toro’

Short-Ribs

For our fifth course, the melt in our mouth Sabelfish ‘Toro’. Maple glazed daikon & carrots paired with the 8^th Generation Pinot Noir Okanagan, 2010 for me and the Chamomile Sour for Juliane.  For our sixth course, the crispy braised Short-Ribs, pommes fondant, caramelized onion jus paired with Plan Pegau, Rhone Valley, France, Lot #2009 for me and Smoked Cassis for Juliane.

Chocolate Truffles

To finish our amazing meal, for our seventh course, house made Chocolate Truffles paired with the La Frenz vintage port Shiraz, 2010 for me and the Hot Dark Chocolate for Juliane.

I loved the exposed bricked room, and wonderful music playing in the background, and the gracious service. Aside from the Chefs Tasting Menu, they also have quite an extensive seafood selection, oysters, fish and meats as well as an impressive wine list.

Review By: Richard Wolak

332 Water Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-699-0249

Web: http://housexguest.com

Twitter: @housexguest

Advice: Open Wed – Sun, downstairs bar opens at 10pm. DJ spins nightly when open.

I felt like I was at my best friends dinner party, and I was the house guest that loved the food, music and the vibe and never wanted to leave. This was my experience dining here last week, when Flip Flop designer Robbie Bernstein joined me for dinner.

Green Eggs and Ham

We were served an Amuse, which was a play on “Green Eggs and Ham” that the chef created. Robbie and I decided to then share all of the dishes except for dessert as we both had a sweet tooth and dessert was our heaven.

Fish Tacos

Burger Royale & Fries

The Poutine with Short Rib & Red Eye Ketchup

Arugula, Feta & Crispy Shallot Side Salad

We began with the Fish Tacos ($14) soft shell crab, chillis rellenos, Radish cucumber slaw, avocado pico de gallo. Next was the very good Burger Royale & Fries ($16) bacon crusted chuck patty, apple wood cheddar, onion marmalade, béarnaise burger sauce, crab tater tots. The Poutine ($8) with Short Rib & Red Eye Ketchup (extra $5) was outstanding; the Arugula, Feta & Crispy Shallot Side Salad ($5) was also really good.

My dessert platter

We both thought the desserts were not only creative in thought but also playful. You get to choose any 3 desserts for $12 (out of 6 choices). I had the Churros – fried churros, spiced sugar, dolce de leche, red velvet sauce; Frost “hot” Chocolate – chocolate ice parfait, vanilla bean marshmallow, ginger crystals and the Donuts – caramelized apple donuts, butterscotch creme, maple citrus glaze, cinnamon crumble.

Robbie's dessert platter

and Robbie had the Smore’s – vanilla bean marshmallow, basil ganache, banana and graham cracker crumbs; Churros – fried churros, spiced sugar, dolce de leche, red velvet sauce and the Donuts – caramelized apple donuts, butterscotch creme, maple citrus glaze, cinnamon crumble.

The walls are filled with paintings and unique objects that owners Justin and Matthew gathered to decorate the room, the tables perfectly arranged, a dj station who spins an awesome music selection is located near the kitchen and upstairs bar.

This is a dinner party you are going to want to be a house guest at!

Review by: Richard Wolak

315 Carrall Street, Vancouver

Tel:  (604) 681-5776

Web: http://www.nelsontheseagull.com/

Twitter: @gastownseagull

Advice: Have a seat at the communal table and meet other folk.

This is the living room we all once lived in, or want to escape to now. I have visited a few times over the summer and love the high ceilings, open kitchen, the large communal table and of course the living room. The café is large, spacious and inviting, it is also a great people watching spot too!

The café has become the new spot for the community, for the creative people who live and work inside and outside of the Gastown area.

Avocado on Toast

Espresso

Lemon Tart

Chocolate Lava Cake

On my last visit I had the Avocado on Toast ($5) and previously an Espresso ($2.50) along with one of their delicious Lemon Tarts ($3.50) that oozed with sweet lemon along with the Chocolate Lava Cake ($3.50). Asides from the coffees on order, they bake bread and not just any bread, it’s a Ciabatta which is moist and chewy on the inside and crunchy on the outer crust, all of their sandwiches and toasts are on this wonderful bread.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Abbott and Water Street (on the corner), Vancouver

Tel: 604-719-8861

Web: http://www.thejuicetruck.ca

Twitter: @juicetruck

Advice: Follow them on twitter for daily open hours and location.

Bright and pink, this food truck is taking healthy to another level with their inventive concoctions from juices to smoothies and beyond. I tasted some of their beverages to help me decide what I was going to order, The Milk is their own recipe of creamy homemade almond milk with a hint of cinnamon & cardamom. Their mission is to bring fresh pressed juice and smoothies to the streets of Vancouver and their philosophy is local first and organic second.

The Almost Chocolate

The Avocado Pineapple

I could not decide which of the creative named smoothies to have so I had two; loved The Almost Chocolate ($7) Banana blended with medjool dates, almond butter, raw cacao, raw maca & soy Milk & refreshed on The Avocado Pineapple ($7) Avocado blended with pineapple, coconut water, lime, vanilla & agave.

Raw Chai Brownies

They also have some healthy snacks such as the Raw Chai Brownies ($2.50) which I loved and I hear more snacks are in the works. I could hang out and talk to owners Zach and Ryan all day long, these guys have not only created a juicy destination, they have also created a community of juice lovers.

Next visit I must try The Profile which is one of their juices made with Apple pressed with pineapple, pear, orange & ginger!

Review by: Richard Wolak

62 East Cordova, Vancouver

Tel: 604-669-6985

Web: http://nicli-antica-pizzeria.ca

Twitter: @NicliPizzeria

Advice: Go with a friend or two and share some of the pizzas. Skip the knife and fork, if you ordered a pizza and just use your hands to tear the pizza into pieces.

I love a good pizza and am very particular about my pizza from the crust to the toppings! I recently dined at Nicli to specifically have one of their Neapolitan pizzas. The room was beautiful with its exposed brick and white walls, and the bar was stunning. The kitchen located towards the rear of the restaurant showcases their pizza oven as well as their pizza making chefs.

Funghi Pizza

I glanced at all of their Pizzas and the different offerings and then decided on the pizza that I was going to eat, I had the Funghi Pizza ($14) pomodoro, parmigiano, fior di latte, funghi, basil, then came the taste test, I loved the tomato sauce, but not the crust, the taste of the crust only improved when I drizzled some of their house made Rosemary Olive Oil over the pizza.

The menu is made up of Antipasti, some salads and pizzas along with a good wine list on offer. They offer two housemade oils, the Chili oil as well as the Rosemary oil which I had preferred over the other.

Review by: Richard Wolak

2 Water Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-681-5411

Web: http://www.peckinpahbbq.com

Twitter: @peckinpahbbq

Advice: Open daily, no reservations, Take out window.

I have always loved barbq, with many visits to Arizona and Texas over the years and enjoying different barbq styles. Peckinpah specializes in Southern Carolina barbq which is about slow cooking the meats in the smoker, its not saucy, its more about the flavours of the meat.

This restaurant couldn’t have been better located, on the corner of Water & Carrall in the heart of historic Gastown. Cool décor on the inside exposed brick walls, wooden bar with comfortable stools, wooden floors, tables and chairs. Look up and you see some very cool light fixtures with fish net wire ceiling.

I sat at the long wooden bar overlooking the open kitchen where I could watch the chefs cookin’ up the creamed corn and other dishes. The menu has a varied selection of salads, bites, sandwiches, smoked meat plates (Full plates and half plates of smoked meat comes with cornbread and 2 fixins), and desserts.  The meats are smoked for various amounts of time from 18 hours for the beef brisket to 5 hours for the pork ribs. The bar features an extensive selection of Bourbon and Beers, try a Bourbon Cocktail.

Beef Brisket Sandwich

I had the Beef Brisket Sandwich ($9.50) with creamed corn and a pickle,  loved the brown paper topped metal serving plate, nice touch in presentation. There are two types of barbq sauces for you to add on your own at your leisure, I tried both and each was a great compliment from the traditional Barbq sauce to the Chili & Vinegar.

Looking forward to my next visit and to try their Mac ‘n Cheese ($9.50) with bread crumbs and green tomato sauce.

Review by: Richard Wolak

370 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-566-9003

Web:  http://meatandbread.ca/

Twitter: @1meatandbread

Advice: Check their website or twitter when you go in as their sandwiches change daily. You can get more of the Sambal and Mustard sauce in the Squeeze containers located on the tables.

I have already been in a couple of times for lunch since they opened and asides from loving the room and the long communal table, I loved the sandwiches. The menu is fairly simple every day they have the house featured Porchetta ($8) along with a changing meat sandwich and a changing grilled cheese sandwich. All the hot meats are cooked on site and served with homemade mustard and sambal which they dollop on the sandwich board (no plates are used here just a wooden board) and they also sell by the jar.

Chicken Sandwich

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

On my first visit I had the Chicken Sandwich ($8) with soy glazed chicken, and sesame slaw. On my second visit I had the Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($7) with Porccini mushrooms and caramelized onions. You can also get a cup of soup or salad (changes daily) for an extra charge to go along with the sandwich. For dessert they have an Ice Cream Sandwich, I haven’t had it yet, will get to it one day. They are licensed and have a small selection of bottled beer along with a couple of wines; other beverages include Fentimans sodas! Back to the room, I like the vintage décor and love the collection of knives that adorn the kitchen wall.

Review By: Richard Wolak

217 Carrall Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-1701

Web:  http://www.labattoir.ca/

Twitter: @ LABATTOIR_VAN

Advice: No reservations, try to sit by the bar if you are having drinks or in the atrium if you are having dinner.

Bread Basket

After attending the opening party a couple months back, I knew this restaurant and bar was going to win me over, I finally had an opportunity to pop in for dinner the other night. I was seated in the atrium at the back of the restaurant which is one most unique rooms in the city, there is also a front of house bar and lounge, and an elevated dining room.

Poached Halibut with Mussels and Spinach Dumplings

As I was eating solo, I was only able to enjoy one main dish and dessert far from the usual dinner out. I was served a complimentary bread basket to start and immediately fell in love with the Anchovies twists. I skipped the starters and went straight into the entrée which is the main event here, the kitchen team is creative and Chef Lee Cooper is a master running that kitchen. For my entrée I had the beautifully presented and flavourful Poached Halibut with Mussels and Spinach Dumplings ($24) Ragout of late summer vegetables and basil, garlic sabayon and this was delicious. The menu has a great selection of starters and entrees and this is foodie heaven, you are going to want to try each and every dish.

Upside Down Cake

Of course I had to finish the meal with some dessert and I had the Upside Down Cake ($9) with Plums, mascarpone cream. The desserts are varied and again presentation is the key here. For cocktails, with Shaun Layton at helm, he is one of the city’s top bartenders and he has created quite the memorable cocktail list. There is a nice wine list which has been well thought out in pairing up to the entrees if you choose to wine and dine. I am looking forward to my next visit to try the next dish!

Review by: Richard Wolak

52 Alexander Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-569-3088

Web: http://www.terracottavancouver.com/

Twitter: @Terracotta_Van

Advice: The Emperors Room (aka the Sunken Dining Room) seats 12-15 people.

Chun-Li

Big Trouble in Little Gastown

Named after the Terracotta warriors, you will want to visit this hip hideaway on the edge of Gastown for it’s version of Modern Chinese Cuisine along with some inventive cocktails such as the one I had. The décor is dark, the vibe is hip and if you aren’t seated upstairs you are going to want to sit downstairs especially if you are with a large group of friends; the ‘Sunken Dining Room” as one of the coolest tables to dine at in the city. My friend and I began with a couple of cocktails, I had the Chun-Li ($9.50) blueberry stoli, hypnotic, blue liquer with fresh DragonFruit; and my friend Carlos had the Big Trouble in Little Gastown ($9.50) Malibu, mango liquer with fresh lemon.

House-made Wontons

Imperial Pepper Prawns

Seafood Saga

The appetizers are more like Dim Sum dishes with a modern twist and they were all very tasty, we shared all starting with the outstanding Imperial Pepper Prawns ($8.00) seasoned with garlic and peppers; then the very good House-made Wontons ($7.50) crispy won tons stuffed with shrimp, served with red vinegar; and the Seafood Saga ($11) wok tossed scallops with prawns and Chinese vegetables.

Terracotta Short Rib and green onion Sliders

Szechuan Green Beans

Beijing fried Rice

Number 69

From here we moved in to another amazing dish, the Terracotta Short Rib and green onion sliders ($9) served in Golden Mantou subs with hoisin sauce; then the Beijing fried rice ($10.75) wok fried rice and barbeque duck and vegetables; and my favourite Szechuan Green Beans ($8) — tossed in a spicy sauce; and to round out the savouries the Number 69 ($7) spicy bok choi with tofu. Halfway through we were served a tiny cup of a very smooth Chivas & Green Tea ($9).

Tapioca Happy Ending

To finish off our meal with enjoyed a very different though delicious dessert, Tapioca Happy Ending ($6.50) baked tapioca with a thin pastry crust with dragon fruit ice cream.

Review By: Richard Wolak