350 Davie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604 642 0557

Web: http://centonotti.com/

Twitter: @CentoNotti

Advice: Take a long a friend and share some dishes.

Burrata

This Italian themed restaurant is the latest pop-up at the Opus which is all done up in gold. Italian influenced pop-art is served up with comfort food that they call Twisted Italian. My friend Joe Leary joined me for dinner last week and we began our meal by sharing the house made Burrata ($13) hannahbrook greens, okanagan quince and house pickles.

Seared Qualicum bay Scallops

We were then each served a delicious amuse of Seared Qualicum bay scallops, lobster ravioli, house smoked bacon, carrot butter.

Platter with Three Cheese Garlic Bread ,Spaghetti Bolognese, Lobster Agnolotti, Steamed Asparagus, Roasted Seasonal Vegetables

Then as we were about to share our entrees a massive platter arrived to our table that was filled with the Three Cheese Garlic Bread ($8) along with the delicious Spaghetti Bolognese ($16), Lobster Agnolotti ($27), roasted lobster bisque, pea shoots; Steamed Asparagus ($8) and Roasted Seasonal Vegetables ($8).

Platter with frozen Tiramisu and Lemon Tart

For dessert another platter arrived with the outstanding Frozen Tiramisu ($8) and the refreshing Lemon Tart($8). Loved the room from the golden walls to the gold sparkling ceiling, its an elegant atmosphere with attentive service!

Review By: Richard Wolak

1168 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-1344

Web: www.FlyingPigVan.com

Twitter: @FlyingPigVan

Advice: You can book out the communal table in advance and be served a family style menu.

I loved the exposed brick wall, wooden décor, long wooden communal table and the wine bottles scattered around the room in this Canadian bistro. The restaurant is owned by two chefs who have put together a creative inspiring menu, from lunch and dinner to weekend brunch.

T.F.P. Cured Meat Selection

The open kitchen is such a great idea at The Flying Pig, you can see what’s going on- I like! My friend Jason Sanders joined me for dinner and we shared all of our dishes so that I could taste several of them. It is not too often that after reading the restaurant menu that each dish sounds intriguing, well this is one of those menus that I wanted to eat every single dish. To start we had the T.F.P. Cured Meat Selection ($7 per person) artisan cured meats, cheeses, and spicy olives.

Sharing Platter

For our main we shared a large platter with several dishes that included the delicious Red Wine Braised Beef Short Rib with bone marrow and mashed potatoes; the Pan Seared Queen Charlotte Halibut with crispy outstanding gnocchi and Chilliwack corn nage; and the delicious Lobster and Prawn Risotto with thyme and mascarpone.

Vanilla Crème Brûlée & Quebec Maple Sugar Pie

T.F.P ‘Drumstick’

For dessert we shared three, the Vanilla Crème Brûlée ($7), the T.F.P ‘Drumstick’ ($7) house-made cone, chocolate and caramel ice cream, pistachio crust; and the outstanding delectable Quebec Maple Sugar Pie ($7) maple bourbon filling, walnut ice cream, for my next visit it is not a piece of this pie that crave it is the whole pie!

Review By: Richard Wolak

1055 Mainland Street, Vancouver

Tel:  604.684.6239

Web:  http://www.phatdeli.com/

Twitter: @PHAT_Yaletown

Advice: Private room in the sports bar is a hockey lovers paradise. Get the Phat-Size sandwich and take home the other half.

Any of my visits to New York, Montreal or LA, have always resulted in visiting a Jewish deli for a Smoked Meat or a Pastrami sandwich. After a bit of banter over twitter and friends nudging me to get to PHAT in Yaletown, I joined up with Rachel Fox for a Smoked Meat dining adventure. What we discovered was a Smoked Meat paradise in our backyard so to speak, their smoked meat is prepared in Montreal and smoked in their deli in Vancouver and it’s the leanest type of meat which for us West-coasters makes us happy! PHAT has been serving up sandwiches, soups, salads and more for years, about a year ago they expanded doubling in size and adding a sports bar which looks more like a hockey wall or room of fame.

Skinny Matzo Ball Soup

Reuben Sandwich

Poutine

Coleslaw

I had the heart-warming Skinny Matzo Ball Soup ($4.25) which is made with one matzo ball, you can get the Phat size with two matzo balls in a chicken soup broth. Next was the delicious Reuben Sandwich ($11.99 phat size) with smoked meat, served on toasted Marble Rye with Saurkraut & Swiss Cheese along with the best Kosher Dill pickle; I shared the Poutine ($6.50) with phat fries along with the Coleslaw ($2.50) and for a refreshing beverage had a Limonata ($2.60). They have got bagels and bagels with lots of tasty toppings, breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night, here you can even get a bagel and a beer!

Review By: Richard Wolak

620 Davie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-7980

Web:  n/a

Advice: I just wished they had containers of hoisin sauce on the table for customers to add to their sandwiches or other dishes as they wished, that would have been welcomed. No reservations as the place quite small.

Chicken Banh mi

Love the communal table that takes up most of the dining area of this beautiful wood paneled room. Here it is all about Vietnamese comfort food that is very, very reasonable in price. On the most recent visit I specifically came in for the Chicken Banh mi ($4.50) –grilled chicken, lemongrass, garlic and vegetables on a baguette which was all I needed for my late lunch, I was served a complimentary cup of hot tea which perfect with the sandwich. They also have a good selection of salad rolls, pho, sandwiches, and salads, and next time I must try the Jack Fruit Salad.

Review by: Richard Wolak

1128 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver

Tel: 604-688-8565

Web: www.freshbowl.ca

Twitter: @FreshBowls

Advice: If you are looking for dessert go elsewhere as they only offer one dessert selection. Order online for delivery.

Malaysian Yellow Curry with Chicken Rice Bowl

I have been in a couple of times, the first time was for take-out and most recently to dine in with friends. This is fresh, tasty and healthy food in a bowl, whether you eat-in or take it to go, you will be pleased with the dishes. I had the Malaysian Yellow Curry with Chicken Rice Bowl ($11) with fresh vegetables, mild yellow curry, fresh sprouts salad and brown rice. The menu is fairly simple with rice bowls, noodle bowls, salad bowls and snacks such as Roti Canai and Chicken Satay.

Review By: Richard Wolak

1269 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-688-9339

Web: http://www.charmmodernthai.com/

Twitter: @charmmodernthai

Advice: Brown rice is available for an extra charge, let them know what level of spice you would like.

Prawn Wonton & Tom Yum Soup

Chicken Panang Curry

Vanilla Tapioca, Mango Panacotta, Chocolate Chili Torte

In for lunch the other day for one of their Lunch plate specials, for ($10), my first course included the Tom Yum Soup and Crispy Won Ton, this followed with the flavourful Chicken Panang Curry with steamed rice and vegetables. I ended off the meal with a dessert sampler of the Vanilla Bean Tapioca, Mango Panecotta and the Chocolate Chili Torte ($4.50). For lunch the $10 special is vast and options abound including your choice of curry or stirfry or noodles/rice. The menu also features an extensive selection of appetizers, soups and seafood entrees such as the Thai Styled 3 Flavoured Fish that I must try on my next visit. The service was wonderful and the decor is rich in red and modern on the inside with a great patio on the outside.

Review by: Richard Wolak

1009 Hamilton Street,Vancouver

Tel: 604-331-1511

Web: http://www.hamiltonstreetgrill.com/

Twitter:  @nwyles

Advice: Check in advance for their Sunday Night Service family style dinners at the long table.

Beef Prime Rib, Mashed Potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Potatoes, Carrots, Brussel Sprouts

I dined here last Sunday night with some friends for the inaugural “Sunday Night Services” meal, family style at the long communal table in the dining room. This dinner at the long table seated 24 people (must reserve in advance), 5 of my friends joined me and we all joined the table for a wonderful night of eating ‘family’ style and mingling with other folk. This is a great way to spend a Sunday night and it gives you a chance to meet some new people. As we were seated a basket of bread and butter arrived to the table followed by plates of generous portions of pre-carved, slow-roasted Certified Angus Beef Prime Rib. Plates of Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Potatoes, Carrots & Brussel Sprouts, mini Yorkshire Pudding, Creamed Horseradish, and a big pot of gravy followed and were passed around at the table, you could take as much or as little as you pleased. Pints of R&B’s Bohemian Lager were served after the food was served on the table.

Mashed Potatoes

Yorkshire Pudding

Carrots & Brussel Sprouts

Chef Neil Wyles greeted our table and welcomed us to his family table. Growing up his family used to have big family style dinners and this was on of the reasons he had decided to begin this new Sunday Night Services special in his restaurant. Call ahead to find out about the next Sunday Night Services dinner, and look for the meal to include different types of meat from Lamb, to Roast to Turkey.

Gingerbread Pudding, with Pumpkin & Ginger Ice Cream

The meal including one beer costs ($18) plus taxes and gratuity. While dessert is not included in the actual meal, I had to have their house specialty warm Gingerbread Pudding, with Pumpkin & Ginger Ice Cream ($8) served warm and drenched in a rich caramel sauce.

The restaurant also offers an extensive menu featuring steaks, seafood and more inside this cozy restaurant or outside on the heated patio.

Review by: Richard Wolak

869 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-569-2535

Web: www.luporestaurant.ca/

Twitter: @luporestaurant

Advice: They can accommodate large parties of 12 people in the Nook located in the main floor dining room or larger parties upstairs. Advance reservations are suggested. If you wish to pair wines with your meal ask Michael to either select for you or ask him for advice.

Lupo Focacia

Winter Caprese Salad

Tortelli

I loved the ambience of both the upstairs and downstairs dining rooms, my friend Thu and I had dinner at Lupo last week and were lucky to be seated downstairs close to the brick fireplace. This delightful turn of the century Heritage House, has a contemporary kitchen with Chef Julio Gonzalez Perini it the helm serving fresh reinventions of Italian classics in a cozy, neighborhood environment. We began our dinner with the wonderful Lupo Focacia ($5) which was an ideal size for sharing, From there we had the Winter Caprese Salad ($15) over dried tomato, pesto and saba; then for the appetizer we had the outstanding Tortelli ($15) (is a Ravioli but half moon shape), stuffed with lobster, Mascarpone and onion confit, served with a tomato coulis, and fennel butter. This dish was a daily special that should be on their daily menu (we hope they will add it).

Braised Beef Short Ribs

Pizzetta -Margheretta

The main course was next and again we were shared a couple entrees, the first was the tantalizing Braised Beef Short Ribs ($26) on bed of soft marscarpone and polenta; and since we both had to try the pizza we went with a simiple, Pizzetta -Margheretta ($10) crispy crust, tomato and basil, fior di latte.

Meyer Lemon Tart

Chocolate and Raspberry Tear Drop Mousse

. I always have to save room for dessert when I am in an Italian restaurant, so to end our meal we had the refreshing Meyer Lemon Tart ($8) with a hint of passion fruit,and lemon – yoghurt gelato along with the Chocolate and Raspberry Tear Drop Mousse ($9), a tear drop shaped chocolate shell, stuffed with raspberry flavoured chocolate mousse

The restaurant has an impressive wine list, delicious food, outstanding service and made me feel like being at home.

Review by: Richard Wolak

1079 Mainland Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-602-0835

Web: www.glowbalgrill.com

Twitter: @glowbal_group

Advice:  Dine early on Sunday nights if you are planning to have the Prime Rib as they serve it until they run out. If you are looking to only have drinks then sit at the bar or walk through the back to the adjoining Afterglow lounge.

Tuscan Pumpkin loaf

Finding a great steakhouse, that isn’t priced sky high, and in a trendy part of the city hasn’t always been so easy here that is until now. My friend Lisa joined me here recently for dinner and we were both impressed by the delicious food and great service. The room has been redone with wood paneling, comfy seats along with a showcase signature round table towards the front, the table any large party will want to be seated at. Before we began our meal we were served a Tuscan Pumpkin loaf with rosemary and Hawaiian salted butter, this wasn’t any ordinary bread, this was heavenly.

Hamachi Crudi Satay & Lobster Satay (middle)

Beet Salad

Steak Tartare

We shared some appetizers that included the Hamachi Crudi Satay ($3.90) with pineapple ponzu and the Lobster Satay ($7.95) with curry butter and the Beet Salad ($12) arugala, pecorino, sherry & shallot vinaigrette. Lisa had the Steak Tartare ($18) 5oz prime beef tenderloin and focaccia crisps on her own as I’m not a fan of Tartare.

Ribeye 16oz Canadian Prime

Glowbal Onion Rings

Asparagus

It was then time to enjoy our entree, we shared the bone in Ribeye 16oz Canadian Prime ($39) with 3 salts a Peruvian rock salt, black smoked salt and Hawaiian salt along with a couple of sides to at least get some vegetables to go along with our meat dishes. After eating the Glowbal Onion Rings ($6) panko breaded and so delicious, I declared these the best onion rings that I ever had. The other side was the Asparagus ($7) with béarnaise sauce.

Chocolate Bailey's Bread Pudding

Frosted Beignets & Apple Fritters

We were both quite full after the meal but desserts at Glowbal are a must and we went full on into sharing two of their spectacular desserts. The Chocolate Bailey’s Bread Pudding ($8) bailey’s creme anglais with toffee crumble was my favourite and the Frosted Beignets & Apple Fritters ($8) Vanilla custard, salted butterscotch were a close second. My next visit will be for weekend Brunch as I hear they have one of the best brunches in Yaletown.

Review by: Richard Wolak