Tel: 604.569.1770

Web: http://www.ensemblerestaurant.com

Twitter: @EnsembleVan

Advice: Portions are fairly small, order a few dishes or order the 4 course tasting menu.

Some would say this restaurant is on a hidden corner as its shadowed behind bustling Robson. Once you have found it, you are in for a treat of fine cuisine at Chef Dale Mackay’s abode. My friend and fellow writer Sarah Rowland joined me for dinner the other night to explore and take our tastebuds on a journey, we began our culinary journey together starting off with a couple of drinks.

Basil Caiphirina Cocktail

Lobster Iceberg Salad

Flat Bread

Hamachi

Warm Spot Prawns Cocktail

I had the Basil Caiphirina Cocktail ($12) Cachaça, lime, simple syrup, basil and Sarah had a glass of bubbles. We started by sharing the outstanding Lobster Iceberg Salad ($17) with Lobster Caesar Dressing, Pea shoots, Bacon, Crispy Shallots; and the simple yet tasty Flat Bread ($10) topped with Bacon and Onion. The next dish didn’t wow me, Hamachi ($15) Tofu Puree, Grapefruit, Sesame Seeds; the following dish did wow me immensely Warm Spot Prawns Cocktail ($11) Romaine, Lemon, Avocado.

Beef Shin and Fritz

Poached and Crispy Chicken

Potato Gnocchi

Five Spice Pork Belly

We had originally intended to have our own entrees, however this idea had quickly transformed us into sharing the mains as well. The first dish was moist and delicious far more so than I was expecting, Beef Shin and Fritz ($12) Celery Root Puree, Watercress; next up was the Poached and Crispy Chicken ($14) Chicken Veloute, Black Trumpets, Carrots; follow me the most delicious Potato Gnocchi ($10) Tomato Butter Sauce, Rocket, Olives; after eating this dish I resisted but so wanted to lick the plate, it was that good. To end off our mains, Sarah really wanted to try this dish so we did and it looked better than it tasted, Five Spice Pork Belly ($13) Smoked Miatakis, Brussels Sprouts, Pear, Cashews.

Pavlova

Chocolate Sundae

Chocolate Fondant

To finish our meal, it was indeed a sweet ending, we shared 3 of their desserts loving them all, specifically the one of kind Pavlova ($8) with Fresh Citrus Fruits was refreshing and the Chocolate Sundae ($9) Bailey Ice Cream, Biscotti Crumble and lastly the Chocolate Fondant ($10) with Hazelnut-Nougatine Ice Cream.

It’s no doubt that the location is off the beaten path, the food here is the draw as is Chef Dale Mackay who I had the pleasure to interview this year for Gold Medal Plates.

Review By: Richard Wolak

780 Thurlow Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-685-6436

Web: http://www.cafeilnido.net/

Twitter: @cafeilnido

Advice: Pastas are available as half size just ask your server.

Carpaccio

Caprese

Asparaci

Capesante

Hidden off of Robson, tucked into the courtyard this long time restaurant has been serving customers for over 23 years, I had my first sit down meal recently with a friend to taste some of their notable dishes. To begin we shared the Carpaccio ($18) thin sliced beef tenderloin, capers, lemon, arugula, padano cheese, dijon peppercorn dressing followed by the Caprese ($14) Creamy mozzarella, sundried tomatoes pesto, virgin olive oil, fresh basil. Next was the wonderful Asparaci ($9) grilled asparagus w/ roasted cherry tomatoes, lemon dressing and chilli oil and the last of the starter dishes, the outstanding Capesante ($15) Scallops on a bed of sweet potato mash and cilantro pesto.

Gnocchi

Agnelotti

Bolognese

Tubetti

For our mains we decided to order half servings of each of 4 pasta dishes and started with the delicious Gnocchi ($8 for half, $16 for full) sweet potato gnocchi, broccolini, bocconcini in cherry tomato sauce; and the Agnelotti ($11 for half, $22 for full) Lobster stuffed ravioli in white wine scallion cherry tomato butter and baby shrimp; and the delicious Bolognese ($9 for half, $18 for full) Tagliatelle egg noodles tossed in a veal and beef bolognese sauce; and finally the outstanding Tubetti ($8 for half, $16 for full) penne w/ grilled artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers and light broccoli pesto.

Vanilla Gelato

Blood Orange Sorbet

For dessert I had a simple house-made bowl of Vanilla Gelato ($8) and my friend had a bowl of the Blood Orange Sorbet ($8). The décor was warm and inviting and the service was impeccable.

Review By: Richard Wolak

520 Robson Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-569-3340

Web: n/a

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Counter service, limited seating, complimentary hoisin, sweet chilli and other sauces.

Chicken Vietnamese Sub

This Vietnamese hot spot often has a long line out the door of this tiny popular restaurant, I have been in a couple of times recently and on each visit I had the delicious Chicken Vietnamese Sub ($3.75) with French Bread that was filled with shredded chicken and vegetables, added some of the complimentary hoisin sauce for a great tasting sub. I was served a complimentary cup of hot tea which perfect and a great deal with the sandwich. They also have a good selection of salad rolls, noodle soups, sandwiches, and rice dishes, and next time I must try the B4 Meatball Sub!

Review by: Richard Wolak

1319 Robson Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-8750

Web: www.michicafe.com

Advice: The best seat in the house is at the Syphon/Espresso bar.

Stylish café that showcases coffee at a stand alone Espresso/Coffee Bar within the café and if you are a coffee purist you will know where you are going to want to sit. Waffles also play a big part in this wonderful café and they have 7 different kinds of waffles including strawberry, dark chocolate, white chocolate, bacon and chocolate. The platters look amazing for $6.67 waffle, fruit slices and two sauces. They have smoothies such as a Japanese Matcha & Red Bean Smoothie for $4.70 and the Fresh Taro Smoothie for $3.75 as well as full leaf tea.

Green Tea Matcha Waffle

Espresso Macchiato

I had the Green Tea Matcha Waffle ($3.50) and a Espresso Macchiato ($3.05). They offer two brands of coffee from local roasters which include 49th Parallel and Origins coffee.

Review by: Richard Wolak

1779 Robson Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-893-8424

Web: http://www.tangthai.ca

Twitter: @tangthai

Advice: Their lunch specials look good and are inexpensive. For dinner go with a friend or two and share some dishes.

Panang Kai

Kao Mun

On my way to Vancouver Fashion Week, I stopped in for an early dinner, since I was on my own I was only able to eat a couple of dishes. I reviewed the extensive menu that featured many appetizers, salads, soups, noodles, entrees with chicken, beef, pork and seafood and ended up settling for one of their curries. I had the deliciously flavourful Panang Kai ($12.95) Panang curry with chicken, coconut milk, bell peppers, mushrooms topped with peanut sauce and lime leaves; and the Kao Mun ($2.95) Thai coconut rice served in an authentic rice dish. The service was friendly and I liked the traditional decor with the funky lights throughout.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Tel: 604-681-8121

Web: n/a

Advice: Cash only. Limited vegetarian options.

Cold Noodle Salad

Located in what has become the Ramen neighborhood in the West End at the far western section of Robson, Santouka is a beautiful rather small restaurant that features a communal table as the centerpiece with table seating towards the back and seating along the bar. This is their first location in Vancouver, though they have locations throughout Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and in Chicago. Ramen is the specialty here with various selections of the ramen noodles in a broth (made from Pork bones etc), my friends had a few of the hot Ramen Soup selections, I settled for the large and filling Cold Noodle Salad ($10.95) with cold thin noodles, lettuce, tomatoes, prawns in a tasty vegetarian broth. I also had a cup of their Oolong tea served hot ($1.95 or so).

Shio Ramen

Kara Miso Ramen

Raj and Sophia both had the Shio Ramen ($8.95) a mild creamy soup and JJ had the Kara Miso Ramen ($9.45). If you are as curious as I was on how they make the broth, you can watch through the glass window in the kitchen. The noodles are a secret recipe and they are brought in from the noodle factory in Japan and then boiled fresh into the Ramen. From what my Ramen loving friends told me Santouka could well become the destination for Ramen in the city!

Review by: Richard Wolak

Tel: 604-688-9200

Web: not yet

Advice: They offer takeout but they don’t have takeout menus, ask the owner for a menu. Complimentary bowl of tortilla chips are served with a red and green salsa.

Tortilla Chips and Salsas

Mole Chicken Enchiladas

Walking into El Centro transports me back to Mexico, with its terra cotta walls and latino music playing in the background. This would be a great place to go with a group of friends after work or after shopping on Robson. Try one of their Tequila cocktails and then order some of their specialties to share or enjoy on your own. I dined solo and enjoyed the great food along with an authentic Mexican ambience. I had the Mole Enchiladas ($13) enchiladas filled with chicken, smothered with mole, served with rice and tasty black beans. The menu offers up many Mexican favourites, some other selections that you may want to try includes the Quesadillas, Chilaquila, Burritos, Enchiladas with green sauce or the Mole Chicken. For dessert they have the famous Churros (Mexican version of the donut).

Review by: Richard Wolak

Tortilla Chips and sauces

1333 Robson Street, Vancouver
Tel: 604-569-2295

Advice: The line-up moves quickly.

Steak Mulitas

The place is always packed with people who love great Mexican food from locals to esl students missing the food from back home, After you order you will receive a long plate of complimentary tortilla chips, along with a few salsas from spicy to not so spicy. The menu is fairly large and the entrees are not so typical, my favorites here are the Chicken Mole ($18) grilled chicken breast, covered with their outstanding mole sauce served with rice and beans; along with the Steak Mulitas ($8) grilled tortillas with pieces of flank steak, cheese, onions and more. I love the Mango Juice ($4) a tall glass filled with fresh Mango juice. The place is high energy, great music, good service and all around good fun.

Review by: Richard Wolak

1500 Robson Street, Vancouver
Tel: 604-682-8020

Web: http://www.chauvancouver.com/

Advice: If you are in a hurry then this is not the place to go, if you have some time to enjoy a great meal then go and try Chau.

The best way to describe Chau would be Vietnamese fusion, flavorful and affordable south east asian cuisine. My friend Cassandra Anderton who is a reputable food writer kept telling me to go and visit Chau, after months I finally got to this wonderful gem in the west end. My favourite dish here is the Rice Paper Rolls with Lemongrass Chicken ($9) accompanied by peanut sauce and a cucumber salad. If only the service was a bit faster then I would have had the most amazing experience, the food was delicious and that is why I was here. The room has a great vibe, seating is well layed out inside and there is a great outdoor patio that lies on busy Robson Street.

Review by: Richard Wolak