915 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-681-9334

Web: www.pizzeriafarina.com

Twitter: @pizzeriafarina

Advice: Don’t share, you may be tempted to share a pizza with friends but my advice is that it is a perfect size for you. Do share the space at the communal table. Take-out available. Water –tap on the right is still, tap on the left is sparkling. Open Wednesday – Sunday.

It is rare that I visit a new restaurant within two days of opening, I made an exception to the rule tonight cause I love pizza and I am pizza obsessed. The room is small, simple and has all the right elements to become a neighbourhood hot spot for pizza to eat-in at the long communal sharing table or to take-out. One wall is filled with bottles of their Rosemary infused Olive-Oil and their Chili infused Olive-Oil which is for sale along with the jars of sauce that you will find on the opposite wall. The menu is simple they have pizza, specializing in Northern Italian style, with a crust that is light and crispy.

Funghi Pizza

I had the Funghi Pizza ($13) topped with big cloves of garlic, arugula, mozzarella and mushrooms along with a glass of water, simple and ever so good. Some would say it is all in the dough, and I am going to have to agree, their dough takes 3 days to make, obviously there is a secret to this dough to making the perfect pizza, go, visit and you be the judge!

Review By: Richard Wolak

4186 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-566-9779

Web:  www.rockymountainflatbread.ca

Twitter: @flatbreadco

Advice: Snag a spot on the patio on a sunny day, don’t be afraid to bring the kids as the environmentally kids friendly area will be popular.

I have been a fan of Rocky Mtn ever since they opened in Kits, often lunching during the week or taking out pizza after work. So happy I was to see them open on the Eastside a tad closer to home. The room is beautiful, built using reclaimed wood, has the pizza oven up front and an open kitchen, as well as their famous children’s corner to keep the young ones entertained.

Organic Flatbread with dip

Westcoast Smoked Salmon Pizza

Ravioli

I had dinner last week with friends, this time around I had some dishes that I hadn’t eaten in the past. To begin the Organic Flatbread with dip ($6.25)  Three Herb Pesto, Garlic as well as the Sundried Tomato Pesto all baked with asiago cheese. Then I had the thin crust Westcoast Smoked Salmon Pizza ($15.95) brushed with roasted garlic spread, sprinkled with Quebec mozzarella, shaved onions & capers. It is then baked in their artisan oven & topped  with wild smoked salmon, lemon horseradish drizzle & fresh chives. Next was the Ravioli, fillings change often, the special of the night was the delicious in-house made Ravioli with lots of vegetables and other good stuff!

Dessert Platter

For dessert we shared a platter with their three house favourites, though my favourite of the night was the Orange Kahlua Creme Brulee which was divine! They have wonderful breakfast pizzas along with their famous traditional pizzas at lunch and dinner, a variety of pastas, salads and more.

Review by: Richard Wolak

4363 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-338-6914

Web: www.trilussa.ca

Twitter: n/a

Advice: If you want to get a mix of two pizzas, I suggest you order a Large and ask them if they can give you half and half. Closed Mondays.

I stumbled upon this Italian eatery the other day to my joyous discovery of seeing Chef Alessandro Fonseca behind the counter making his delicious Roman style pizzas. I know Alessandro from another eatery where he had developed this Roman style of pizza and pasta, he now opened his own place. Here the pizzas are available in regular and large servings as well as by the ½ or full size and there are always many different pizzas ready to eat-in or take-out. The Pizzas and the Pane Romano (Italian bread with toppings which is very similar to pizza) served on their wooden slab serving board (clever, asides from a great presentation it is also an easy way of serving).

Abruzzo

I was in for lunch and had the Abruzzo ($5.50 Regular) pizza topped with Soppressata Salami and Mozzarella along with a soda. You will also find sandwiches on rustic Italian bread, (several selections to choose) along with some soups. There is also an espresso bar to have a coffee to begin or end your meal. Already looking forward to my next visit for a slice of the Roman Flat Bread topped with Nutella!

Review by: Richard Wolak

3475 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-873-6760

Web: http://www.slickityjims.com/

Twitter: @SlickityJims

Advice: write your name on the sign at the door for your chance to wait in line until it is your turn to be seated.

It is an iconic breakfast spot for me, I began to frequent the place when they first opened in the Soma area of Main back in 1999, I would often do breakfast or brunch with friends on the weekend. In 2009 after the building burned down Slickitys was suddenly gone, hearing they were going to open a couple months ago I was ecstatic. I had breakfast on a Sunday morning recently with my friend Jason, dining in the back overlooking the park, this eatery is larger than its former, its kitchy and bright.

The Honey Man City Butter

The Morning Yearning

I had my ‘usual’, The Honey Man City Butter ($9.75) -Three slices of multigrain French toast with an effervescent cinnamon and honey-butter sauce, served with fresh fruit atop roasted potatoes and Jason had The Morning Yearning ($9.75) Two free run eggs any style with bacon, chorizo, grilled tomato, and veggie chilli, served with multigrain, rye or sourdough toast.

This is the kind of place which is one of a kind, each dish is cleverly named and the specials even more so. For breakfast you will find the classic egg dishes, from omelettes to French toast to The Benedictions. For lunch you may want to try one of their Sammie’s such as the Denizen of the Deep ($10.50) another favourite of mine that is a wild salmon fillet blackened with Cajun spices in the heat of a stark meeting between fish and pan, topped with salsa on baguette or one of their big burgers. I hear a dinner menu is going to happen soon if it hasn’t happened already. So happy that Slickity Jim’s is back!

Review By: Richard Wolak

7215 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-327-8900

Web: http://www.originaltandoori.com/pdf/MenuVcr.pdf

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Reservations suggested.

With many Indian restaurants on this stretch of Main Street, finding the best one can daunting. The other night my friend Debby and I dined at this wonderful restaurant which boasted friendly and courteous service an extensive menu of Indian specialties as well as a large vegetarian selection. Since my friend and I wanted to try as many dishes as we could we both ordered one of their special meals.

House Special

Dinner Special

I had the House Special ($19.95) chicken tikka, lamb tikka, fish tikka, kebab, rice, tandoori prawns, daal, and  vegi paneer tikka. Debby had the Dinner Special ($17.95) chicken tikka, butter chicken, lamb curry, rice, raita, and gulab jamun.

Mango Ice Cream

Since dessert didn’t come with my meal, dessert to end my meal was a must and I went with the Mango Ice Cream ($3.95) for dessert.

Review by: Richard Wolak

3755 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-8538

Web: http://www.boblikesthaifood.com

Twitter: @boblikethaifood

Advice: no liquor license (one day soon). Cash only.

I had been very curious, as the name of the restaurant was so different, I was curious to meet Bob as I assumed there would be an interesting story. I ventured in for lunch today to taste some authentic Thai, and it was very tasty, wonderful flavours and wonderful service. Of course after my meal I ended up talking to my server who turned out to be the owner about his food which eventually turned into stories about his childhood and the food he ate while growing up in Northern Thailand. The owner is a Filmmaker and Animator by profession who had a dream to open at Thai restaurant and that dream is now reality. The décor is simple, it is the food you are hear for, try the different dishes, share stories with your friends and Bob.

Pad Pik King Chicken lunch set

I had the spicy and flavourful Pad Pik King Chicken lunch set ($7.50) chicken sauteed with red curry paste, green bean, lime leaf, garlic and chilli with rice and greens. Curiousity struck again and I had to try one of their desserts and went with the Maw_Gang ($2.50) that was made with taro root, coconut, egg, palm sugar, baked Thai style, topped with deep fried shallots, this was so different but so YUM!

Review by: Richard Wolak

4851 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel:  604-873-3328

Web: www.aupetitcafe.com

Twitter: n/a

Advice: No reservations, prepare to stand in a line-up during peak periods. There are a few different sauces on each table, use their Hoisin sauce with any of the subs. Their French Bread out of the oven is outstanding and usually sells out by the end of the day.

I have dined here on many occasions and have had a few different dishes on the menu, though I tend to order the same dishes on each visit.

Chicken Sub

Dark French Coffee

Most recently I had the #4 Chicken Sub ($3.75) fresh home-made French baguette with shredded chicken, vegetables and hot peppers and the #55 Dark French Coffee ($3.25) Vietnamese coffee (with no cream). The décor is bright pink inside the small restaurant and I am pretty sure it hasn’t changed since opening many years ago. The service has always been very friendly and a cup of hot tea is on the table by the time I have been seated. The other dish that I have had on many occasions is the Curry Chicken served with steamed rice for ($7.25). The menu is filled with noodle and rice dishes as well their French bread sandwiches.

Review By: Richard Wolak

2702 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 778-317-3783

Web: n/a

Twitter: n/a

Advice: They don’t take reservations, go early or expect to wait in line.

I found myself another go to neighbourhood restaurant in the Soma area, I often miss Monsoon the neighbourhood Asian bistro where I frequently ate, the prices were good and the place had vibe. Cafeteria is that place with good prices and a great vibe and servers with personality, it’s not Asian but it’s a place that is going to be filled with people wanting great food at good prices.

Duo of Chicken

Panoueque Dulche de Leche

Last week I was in for dinner, sat at the bar which is a perfect spot for solo diners and I enjoyed the Duo of Chicken ($18) braised gem lettuce, chanterelles for my main and then Panoueque Dulche de Leche ($7) for dessert. The menu is fairly simple and changes constantly with 5 appies, 5 mains, and 3 desserts along with a nice wine list.

Review by: Richard Wolak

4191 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-879-8758

Web: www.legendarynoodle.ca

Advice: Cash only.

Shredded Potato

Crispy Fried Pan Cake

Lamb Shanks Noodle Soup

Noodles

For over 13 years this family run business has been hand rolling their noodles that they have become known for. I was lucky to be joined by my friend Stephanie Yuen who is another food writer who knows her Chinese food oh so well. We began our meal with the cold Shredded Potato ($3) with garlic, sesame oil a vegetarian dish with a sour and salty taste. Next up was the tasty Crispy Fried Pan Cake ($3.50) with fresh green onion, sprinkled with sesame. We then ventured into the first of a couple of the noodle dishes that they are known for. First was the Lamb Shanks Noodle Soup ($8) sprinkled with garlic and cilantro; and the other dish was the Noodles ($7) Perfumed with lemon garlic, green onion sauce, red chili crunch, topped with spinach and beansprouts (spicy & hot). With a pot of their house tea we enjoyed all of the dishes and conversation.

The style of food cooked here is from Lanzo in the Ghanxu province in China, very different style of food than other Chinese restaurants.

Review by: Richard Wolak