2083 Alma St, Vancouver

Tel: 604-566-9559

Web: http://www.laghianda.ca/

Twitter: @La_Ghianda

Advice: Each day from 5-6pm they offer one dinner to eat-in or take-out, it sells out daily, line up early or call them for the feature of the day. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m

With its rustic décor, it’s as if I was having lunch in the alpine area of Trentino in Italy near the Austrian border. I have always loved La Quercia which is owned by the same people as this nearby restaurant kitty corner to La Ghianda that also specializes in Italian food from the Trentino region. I have already been in a few times and on each visit I was more intrigued than the last. Each day there are 3 pastas, 3 sandwiches and 3 entrees on the blackboard all are priced the same at $10, then there are sides for $6 and desserts for $4.

Vitelli Tonnato

Penne Ariabiata

Cauliflower side dish

I have had several dishes over the visits including the Vitelli Tonnato ($10) panini delicious crusty bread, ham, tuna sauce;  Penne Ariabiata ($10) penne in tomato sauce ; Spaghetti Alla Botarga ($10) with fish row; Milanese & Crauti ($10) veal sandwich; Quiche ($6) and a delicious Cauliflower side dish ($6) with raisins, capers, lemon. I have yet to have the desserts that I am saving for my next visit. This is Italian cuisine at its finest, the bread is rustic, crunchy and so delicious, the food is simple and you will be wanting to visit over and over again.

Review by: Richard Wolak

I was invited to taste a preview of Chef Ron’s Dine Out menu the other day. Since I hadn’t been to The Westward Ho at the University Golf  Club before I had no idea what to expect, all I knew was that they were going to be offering a 3 course meal for $18 during this years Dine Out Vancouver promotion starting April 26^th and running through May 6^th. I had my friend Shar Levine “aka the Science Lady” join me for this wonderful meal.

This year the restaurant is offering 3 courses that includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert for $18 and you get to choose from 3 selections of appetizers and 3 selections of entrees. On their menu they have also provided a selection of BC Wine Pairings. Shar and I sampled all the foods and all the wines and here are my picks for what I loved and how it all paired together. These pairing wines are available by the glass (8oz pour) or by the bottle).

Soy Seared Albacore Tuna

Pan Roasted Scallop & Prawns

Cream of Wild Rice Soup

Our first appetizer that arrived was the flavourful Soy Seared Albacore Tuna with Japanese Vegetable Salad tossed in Wasabi Cream Dressing this was best paired with the Tinhorn Creek Gewurztraminer. The next appetizer was the Pan Roasted Scallop & Prawns on a Chickpea Pancake with Baby Watercress and Cilantro Tossed in Lemon Dressing which was best paired with the Joie Noble Blend. We really enjoyed both of these appetizers; the third appetizer which we both weren’t fond of was the Cream of Wild Rice Soup (usually comes with a BBQ Pork Shoulder in the soup, but we both requested no pork).

Baked Wild Salmon Filet

Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Breast

London Broil of Beef

On to the Entrees, where we both shared the delicious Baked Wild Salmon Filet with a Trio of Roasted Potatoes on a Fennel Cream and Red Pepper Emulsion with Caramelized Leeks and Lemon Galantine and this dish was best paired with the Inniskillin Chardonnay. The next entrée that we shared was the Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Breast on a pool of Sage Demi-Glace and topped with Baby Broccoli & Shitake Mushrooms. Served with a side of Orzo Tossed with Kalamata Olives; if you love sage then you are going to love this dish. Best paired with the Peller Estates Private Reserve Pinot Noir. The third and last entrée that we shared was the London Broil of Beef topped with a Mixed Mushroom Sauce. Served with Roasted Shallot Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Roasted Beets. This dish was best paired with the Petales d’Osoyoos.

Dessert Trio

To end our meal we shared the Dessert Trio which had our favourite Cinnamon Chocolate Terrine, Lemon Tart and Orange Sherbet, Honestly I would have been happy just to have a serving of the amazing Cinnamon Chocolate Terrine. The desserts were best paired with the Tinhorn Creek Kerner Icewine. We owe a great deal of gratitude to our server Brent who was very knowledgeable when it came to the wines and the pairing, he took great care of us through out the meal (ask for him when you make your reservation).

We were both pleasantly surprised to enjoy such wonderful dishes and flavours, and were taken that this Dine Out meal was going to be a mere $18 for the 3 courses (taxes and gratuity extra), the wines are optional and cost extra. This Dine Out promo is an incredible value and they have one of the nicest patios in the city, how can you resist a view of a golf course with blossomed trees. You can reserve for Dine Out now by calling them at 604-225-2315 or reserving online, this promotion runs from April 26 – May 6^th.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Here is the eighth of many places that I have visited recently. Provence is located in the Point Grey neighborhood in Vancouver.

You will want to make sure that you make an advance reservation as they often fill up in advance, bring along a friend or two or three to join you in the experience.

I had their Afternoon Tea service for $20.00 per person. First off, I chose my tea of choice from their selection of teas, I chose the “Earl Grey” and my friend had the “English Breakfast”.

2-tiered tray

A two tiered plate arrived to the table, we worked our way from the bottom plate to the top, the bottom layer was filled with an assortment of Savouries, Crostini that included Roasted Red Pepper and Caper Crostini, Smoked Salmon and Cucumber, Proscuitto and Goat Cheese Melt, and Tomato & Bocconcini Brochette. The top layer plate had fresh baked Deux Scones served with Crème Fraiche and preserves along with House made Biscotti, Parisian Macarons, Madeleines and Lemon Lavender Tartelette.

My thoughts –Of all the afternoon tea services that I have experienced in my series thus far, this was the first to serve a two tiered plate. The scones were a little smaller than other scones I have had previously as this was a French Tea service.  I enjoyed the outstanding Crostini and my favourites were the Roasted Red Pepper and the Smoked Salmon & Cucumber. The Madeleines were the highlight from the Sweets selection; their Teas from Mighty Leaf. The service was hospitable and welcoming, our server took great care of us, she made sure the water in the tea pots was hot and refilled our pots with hot water throughout the service. This is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant that is frequented by a loyal clientele and tea service has been offered here since 2004. If you enjoy Bubbly, for an extra charge, you can have a glass of Kir Royale for $8.00, a glass of Brut Gold Label Blue Mountain (Canada) for $11.00 or a glass of De Venoge Brut Cordon Blue (France) for $20.00.

Style: French Tea Service

Attire: Smart Casual

Time: Afternoon Tea Service is offered 2pm – 4:30pm Daily

Provence

4473 West 10^th Avenue, Vancouver

For Reservations, please call 604-222-1980

Reservations can be made for every day of the week, and cost $20.00 per person

Stay tuned to part 9 of Afternoon Tea in Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

3689 W 4th Ave., Vancouver
Tel: 604-676-1007

Web: http://www.laquercia.ca/

Advice: Make an advance reservation.

Rotini al sugo di agnello

Chocolate Polenta Cake

Apple Cherry Strudel

Outstanding food, Italian without the tradition, this is a foodie place that is intimate and small with great service, a good old world wine selection and delicious food. I had split the Rotini al sugo di agnello ($17) house- made pasta with lamb ragu with my friend who had the Polenta gnocchi ($17), and mushrooms and both of these entrees were delicious, filling and divine. My friend had a glass of red wine ($9) which complemented our pasta dishes. From there we went straight into dessert as all there homemade selections looked and sounded so good. I had the Chocolate Polenta Cake ($7) with a scoop of honey ice cream on the side and my friend had the Apple Cherry Strudel ($7) with whipped cream. Since the restaurant is quite small, I would suggest that you either dine as a couple or up to 4 persons. The ambience is very special and the paintings on the wall add to the Italian dining experience. It is untraditional Italian fare with style.

Review by: Richard Wolak

3685 W 10th Ave, Vancouver
Tel: 604-739-4403

Advice: cash only.

Chicken Shawarma

This west side spot has some delicious chicken shawarma around and they have great hours from lunch thru late night daily. I had the #9 Chicken Shawarma plate ($5.99) with the most delicious Tzatziki sauce that was drizzled over the chicken and rice, also includes a green salad with your choice of dressing. I had mine without the hot sauce but it is included if you wish. You can also order a side of pita bread for only $ .50. The menu features 10 different entrees such as the Shawarma, Falafel, Donair and other middle eastern specialties; they also have salads, lentil soup, and feature one dessert Baklava for $1.79. You can have your shwarma as a wrap or served with rice and salad. You can’t beat such good food for these inexpensive prices. If you are in the area and looking for good value and for some mediteranean comfort food this is the place to be.

Review by: Richard Wolak