781 Davie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-681-0130

Web: http://americancheesesteak.com/

Twitter: @thecheesesteak

Advice: Order a small as its big enough for one, order a large to share with a friend.

The Cowboy

Onion Rings

In Philadelphia it is a tradition to eat cheese steak sandwiches, it’s what the city is known for when talking food. Last week I visited this stylish meat paradise that claims to be purveyors of authentic cheese steak sandwiches. In for lunch, I ordered a small (6”) which was actually pretty large, The Cowboy ($10) shaved prime rib, crispy fried onions, homemade spicy bbq sauce, bacon mayo and aged white cheddar which was tasty and filling with high quality ingredients. The server suggested I add an order of fries, I opted instead for a small order of Onion Rings ($4) thinking how could I go wrong with the Onion Rings. I have had lots of tasty onion rings in the past, and most were better than these which were far to ordinary for a stylish place like this that’s striving to be a notch above great.

You can choose from the Traditional Cheesesteaks line-up or from the Decadent Specialty Steaks which I opted to do. Then you choose the size small or large, if you go with the Traditional then you can choose the type of cheese from the four on offer. They are licensed and you may want to have a beer to round out your meat eating experience. Be forewarned this is heavy food!

Review By: Richard Wolak

1118 Denman Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-683-8485

Web: http://www.coscarestaurant.com/

Twitter: @coscarestaurant

Advice: Sharing platters are a great way to taste more dishes.

Funghi Selvatico

Calamari Livornese

Malanzane Arrosto

Focaccia

It’s no secret that I love Italian, my friend Avelino had been raving about the pasta dishes at Cosca for quite some time. I had been invited in for a media dinner recently and I knew this was one that I could not pass up. It was a wonderful evening of meeting other passionate foodies, we shared several appetizers that included the Funghi Selvatico ($11) Wild mushroom medley, pecorino – romano; Calamari Livornese ($10) Tender sautéed calamari, tomatoes, garlic, capers, olives; and the delicious Malanzane Arrosto ($11) Roasted eggplant, basil marinara, smoked mozzarella. Complimentary house baked Focaccia was served along with balsamic and olive oil for dipping.

Pappardelle Boscaiola & Linguini Pesto e Gamberi

For the main, I chose Avelino’s favourite pastas as I knew I couldn’t go wrong and since he had been raving about two of their pastas, I had them prepare a Pasta Platter ($16) featuring 2 different pastas – the tasty Linguini Pesto e Gamberi Shrimp, sundried tomato, pesto-cream sauce and the outstanding Pappardelle Boscaiola Fresh egg pasta, wild mushroom ragu, smoked mozzarella, truffle oil .

Chocolate Torte, Tiramisu & Apple Cake

We then had a Dessert sharing platter featuring all 3 of their desserts including the Chocolate Torte, Apple Cake and the deliciously light Tiramisu. I love Italian restaurants not only for the savoury hearty dishes but for a beautiful sweet finish, Cosca won me over with their pastas but failed to win me over in their desserts.

Review By: Richard Wolak

775 Denman Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-688-1009

Web: https://www.facebook.com/LannathaiVancouver

Twitter: @LannaThaiVan

Advice: Go during the week for their $9 lunch specials.

Panang Curry lunch special

Pad-Thai lunch special

This is one of those places that could have been missed, I am so happy that I discovered this hidden gem. Serving up Northern Thai style dishes, this family run restaurant is small in space and big on flavours. My friend Tara was visiting from Montreal and joined me for lunch recently, I had the outstanding Panang Curry lunch special ($9) with chicken (you have a choice of chicken, pork, beef or tofu), coconut milk, lime leaves and peanut sauce and on the lunch special it was served with rice and a spring roll. I was wowed after tasting this curry, the flavours were so good and it’s the best Panang Curry I have had in recent memory. Tara had the Pad-Thai lunch special ($9) stir-fried rice noodles with tamarind sauce, egg, tofu, bean sprouts and ground peanut along with a spring roll, she loved the dish as it was traditionally prepared. The menu features the usual curries, noodle soups along with rice and noodle dishes common to style of cooking you would find in Northern Thailand. They offer 3 different types of rice on the side, coconut rice, steamed jasmine rice and a healthy Thai red-brown rice. Looking forward to my next visit to try the Massaman Curry!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Tel: 604-685-7337

Web: http://www.raincitygrill.com

Twitter: @RaincityGrill

Advice: Check out their Monday Market Dinners or one of their Tasting menus.

Dishing up local ingredients since opening almost 20 years ago, dining here has always been about the flavours, and purveying what’s local within 100 miles. The star attraction here is the team of talented, creative chefs in the kitchen lead by Chef Jennifer Peters that guide their dining guests on a tasting journey.

Beer Battered Halibut & Wild Mushroom Arancini

Beetroot Salad

Winter Squash Soup

My friend Sophia joined me for dinner and we had a few appetizers to start our meal, beginning with a couple of their Spoons which are just like a taster of some of their larger dishes. My 2 spoons were the Beer Battered Halibut ($4.25) and the Wild Mushroom Arancini ($3) with parmesan mayonnaise. The journey that began continued with the beautifully plated and delicious Beetroot Salad ($12) north arm farms beets, david woods goat cheese cannelloni, apple jellies. Then a large bowl of delectable Winter Squash Soup ($9.50) fennel & birch syrup marmalade, agassiz hazlenut shortbread.

Line Caught Sable Fish

Braised Fraser Valley Lamb Cheeks

Fraser Valley Mushroom Risotto

On to the entrees, Sophia had the Line Caught Sable Fish ($29) north arm farm orca bean & fennel ragu, sunchoke emulsion; I had the tender Braised Fraser Valley Lamb Cheeks ($25) pomme puree, caramelized fennel, mushrooms, pearl onions thumbelina carrots, balsamic lamb jus; and the Fraser Valley Mushroom Risotto ($12) with melted leeks, music garlic foam, as an additional side we had the enticing Braised Helmers Potato Skillet ($12) with BC Farmhouse Alpine Gold Cheese.

Apple Tartin

Walnut Cake

To end our tasting journey we shared the divine Apple Tartin ($9.50) with BC Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese Ice Cream and the tasty Walnut Cake ($9.50) with Carrot Sorbet that was heavenly and left our palate’s in delight. Our server Michaela was wonderful making our visit that much more divine, the restaurant is located steps away from English Bay!

Review By: Richard Wolak

1696 Robson Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604.566.6888

Web: http://www.wecoffee.ca

Twitter: @WECoffeeInc

Advice: If you want a waffle sandwich as opposed to a regular sandwich on offer, just ask to see if they can make it with their waffles.

Smoked Salmon Waffle Sandwich

Espresso Macchiato

This stylish café is decked out in all black and white, with seating throughout this neighbourhood café. My friend Avelino and I visited for lunch to indulge in their waffles, specifically for their savoury waffles. I had them custom create a Smoked Salmon Waffle Sandwich ($8) with the (waffle substituting the croissant) served with a side green salad and Avelino had the same. We both had an Espresso Macchiato ($3) and were so very tempted to finish of the meal with one of their sweet waffles topped with ice cream, though we held back on this visit.

Known for their signature waffles, you will find a good selection of savoury as well as sweet waffles. Here they custom roast their coffee beans in the café for their coffees, world renown Mariage Frères teas are featured and you will also find a fine selection of delectable cakes, and other delicious desserts to savour. Looking forward to my return visit to indulge in their Ice Cream Parfait Waffle that looks divine.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Outside Garden

Crispy Mozzerella, Mediteranean Salad

Watercress and Goats Cheese Salad

Focacia

I had dinner on my favourite patio in the city last week with a friend, it was a warm summer night and ideal for the Italian meal that was too follow. The location is one of my favourites for a restaurant in thie city, it is a wonderful hideway well situated in the West End in close proximity to Stanley Park. I was very much looking forward to Chef Sean Sylvestre dishes as he is a well known master behind the scenes. Our dinner began with a couple of Antipasti, I had the outstanding Crispy Mozzerella, Mediteranean Salad ($9) Crostini and my friend Alexei had the Watercress and Goats Cheese Salad ($12) black olive vinagrette and candied pecans. The complimentary Focacia was warm and topped with a little course salt with a very good olive oil for dipping.

Linguine Genovese

Risotto al Radichioe

Next up was a couple of small appetizer size Pasta dishes, I had the Linguine Genovese ($12 Small) pesto, green beans, new potatoes and my friend had the Risotto al Radichioe ($14 small) gorgonzola, walnuts. We paced our selves well and enjoyed the flavours of each dish, their menu is from the Ligurian region in Italy.

Rack of Lamb

Pacific Halibut

Crushed Potatoes and Olives

Chickpeas braised in tomatoes

For our Secondi, I had the tender and full of flavour Rack of Lamb ($25) with white beans and ragout; and my friend had the perfectly cooked Pacific Halibut ($22) all Acqua Pazza, olives and cherry tomatoes we then shared a couple of Contorini and both thought this very simple side dish was one of the best we have had in a very long time, Crushed Potatoes and Olives ($5) and our other dish was the Chickpeas braised in tomatoes ($6).

Affogatto

Mirtillo

One thing that I always do before dining at any restaurant is that I check their dessert menu, Adesso was no exception as I reviewed their dessert menu a couple of times before making my reservation and well I was right, the Pastry chef is also a wizzard in the kitchen and is creative in his dessert creations. I had the outstanding delicious Affogatto ($8) made with espresso semifreddo, hazelnut praline, chibouste; my friend had the light Mirtillo ($8) fresh and poached blueberry, yogurt panna cotta, almond nougatine. The restaurant has a nice wine list as well as a well thought out after dinner drinks list, my friend enjoyed a Blueberry Tea for his nightcap to end the meal. Adesso is lucky to have a talented culinary team of passionate chefs in the kitchen, looking forward to my return visit.

1080 Denman Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-642-0700

Web: www.natspizza.com

Advice: Pizza by the slice or by the pie. Garlic and roasted garlic is always free for toppings.

5th Avenue

Known for their pizza by the slice, these are no small time slices, think big wedges of very thin crust topped with fresh toppings baked in a NY style. My favourite here is the 5^th Avenue ($3.25 slice) topped with spinach, fresh tomatoes, sweet onions and feta cheese. They make many other types of pizzas all with unique NY inspired names, an extensive selection of the usual toppings. They also have Footlong Heros, Pasta, Salads, Soup, side dishes and cold beverages.

Review by: Richard Wolak

1141 Davie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-566-3960

Web: http://mistrucos.ca/

Twitter: @MisTrucos

Advice: Bring a friend or two along and share some dishes.

Coca

Crispy Bread Wrapped Wild Prawn

Loved the cozy room even though I felt like I was sitting in Ikea, as the décor is very Ikea like from the tables and chairs to the lamps. My foodie friend Mijune of Followmefoodie joined me for dinner last week and we both shared a variety of dishes. Our meal started off with a couple Tapas, we had the Crispy Bread Wrapped Wild Prawn ($2.50) & Alioli which was quite flavourful; and the Coca (Catalan flatbread) with Chorizo & Anchovy ($4).

Pine-nut, Raisin, Spinach & Parmesan dip with crostini

White Truffle & Lobster Risotto

Next was a Share plate where we had the Pine-nut, Raisin, Spinach & Parmesan dip with crostini ($7). For the Main we had the White Truffle & Lobster Risotto ($18), topped with herbed creme fraiche.

Molten Chocolate Cake with Coffee Ice

Hazelnut Pannecotta

To end this delicious meal we shared a couple desserts, my favourite was the Molten Chocolate Cake with Coffee Ice Cream ($7) and the crunchy topped Hazelnut Pannecotta ($7). This is a great place for late night tapas with friends.

Review by: Richard Wolak