Posts Tagged ‘Gastown’

Revolver Coffee Opening

September 2nd, 2011 admin

John, Matti, Chris, and George Gianniakos

On Wednesday, August 31st I attended the opening party for Revolver Coffee on Cambie Street downtown Vancouver.

It’s operated by brothers John, Matti, Chris, and George Gianniakos who are 4 passionate brothers who share a true love for the bean; it’s owned by parents, Tarry and Kristine Gianniakos who also own Crema in West Vancouver.

I was happy to find one of my favourite coffee roasters beans on the bar, those from Ritual Coffee in San Francisco. They are smart about their coffee choices, customers have the choice of two for their espresso based drinks where you can choose from Ritual Coffee or Phil & Sebastian. They also have different roasters coffees available (always changing) with five brewing methods to choose: steel filter; Aeropress; siphon, clever or French press.

George told me that serving the best tea is also important for them and each brew pot is temperature controlled. On the Espresso side of things the menu is going to be simple, none of that fancy ‘bucks stuff, here it is going to be the true brew. On the eats side of things look for fresh baked goods, candies and nuts.

I have always loved cafes, especially ones that excude coolness, a place that people can enjoy the best coffee while being inspired and lost in thought.

Revolver Coffee is open daily 7:30am- 7pm and is located at 325 Cambie Street in the Gastown area of Vancouver. You can also find them on twitter @revolver_coffee or online at http://revolvercoffee.ca/

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Openings Tags: , , No Comments »

Guilt & Co. Celebrates 1 Year

April 14th, 2011 admin

Jody Bowen (Manager & Burlesque Host)

On Thursday April 7th, I attended the 1st Anniversary Party of Guilt & Co. in Gastown.

Chef serving Appetizers

Appetizers such as their tasty beet wrapped pea shoots, crisps and olives, hummus and selection of cheeses were served, along with wine, cava and beer.

Crisps and Olives

Cheese Platter

Known for their popular Burlesque nights, games of Jenga and live music. A unique lounge featuring a collaborative stage (live music, comedy, burlesque, fashion shows, fine art) downstairs with concrete exposed walls and seating throughout.

Guilt & Co. is located at 1 Alexander Street and is open nightly, you can also find them online at www.guiltandcompany.com

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Anniversaries Tags: , , , No Comments »

Opening Night at The Charles Bar

September 10th, 2010 admin

I was fairly lucky to be invited in on opening night last Friday September 3rd to experience The Charles Bar, perhaps the bar was named after a guy named Charles, I’m not sure, but this bar hits it on the nose in this neighbourhood. The room is beautiful, dark wooden floors, large wooden tables, high ceilings and a cool bar set-up along with a kitchen cooking pretty good food! Owned by the Adelphia Group, this bar is located in the new Woodward’s building on the Cordova side in Gastown.

Gastown Lemonade

Tuna Tataki

Truffle Fries

I sampled some of the food and drink, favourites were the Gastown Lemonade, Tuna Tataki and Truffle Fries.

The Charles Bar is located at 136 West Cordova and online at www.TheCharlesBar.ca

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Openings Tags: , , , 3 Comments »

Canvas Lounge Celebrates 3 Years

September 7th, 2010 admin

On Friday night September 3rd I attended the 3yr Anniversary Bash at Canvas Lounge in Gastown. Proprietors, Vance Campbell and Simon Pearson-Roach were on hand to greet guests as was David K Wong, Ivan Chew and others. This was quite the fun party and I had a great time mingling and people watching; tasting and drinking. On Weekends this venue is a high energy dance club and this was no ordinary weekend, clearly this was the place to be on this Friday night as the packed house of guests enjoyed themselves.

Chef Doby created a menu of canape’s that circulated throughout the evening giving everyone a chance to taste some of the delicious bites along with their drinks.

My favourites were the Minced Lemongrass Fresh Water Prawn with Lemon Aioli and Whole Wheat Navajo Bread;  Snow Goat Cheese with Ground Hazelnut, Cognac Pate and Fig Preserve Tartlet; Baked Non Skin Potato with Guinness Cheddar and Oven Dried Prosciutto; and most of all I loved the outstanding Chocolate Espresso and Raspberry Cake with Chocolate Ganache and Marzipan.

Canvas Lounge is a large, full service special events venue located in Gastown at 99 Powell Street and online at http://www.canvaslounge.ca

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Anniversaries, Latest Tags: , , , 1 Comment »

L’Abattoir Opening

July 15th, 2010 admin

On July 12th I attended the opening of L’Abattoir a new French Westcoast restaurant with a menu that is focused on clean, fresh, and seasonal flavours using traditional preperations. Everything from sauces to pastas, bread, and even fresh cheeses are made in-house by hand.

Barman Shaun Layton

The ‘Slaughterhouse Punch’ created by Barman Shaun Layton was a hit by all those who enjoyed it including me. Tasting bites were passed around from Chef Lee Cooper’s menu.

Serving Smoked Trout

Serving Mini Donuts filled with Lemon Creme

This is a room that is going to create a lot of buzz, the modern design elements fit in so well with historical Gastown, in a modern twist that meets the older neighborhood. Their is a front of house bar and lounge, an elevated dining room and a sun soaked atrium at the rear which is my favourite spot and will soon be my go to location for late night and Sunday Brunch.

L’Abattoir is located at 217 Carrall Street in Gastown.

By: Richard Wolak
Posted in Latest, Openings Tags: , , , , , No Comments »

Gastown: Eat and Drink during 2010 Olympics

January 27th, 2010 admin

For locals and visitors alike eating in Vancouver during the Olympics and Para-Olympics will have it’s challenges. Obviously being downtown or close to any of the Olympic venues will see lots of people and most of the restaurants, bars, lounges are going to be busy. Vancouver has wonderful neighborhoods and if you’re a local this is an ideal time to explore your neighborhood or other neighborhoods outside of the downtown core.

Here is a compilation of the best places to eat and drink in some of the neighborhoods outside of downtown.

Gastown Neighborhood

** All locations within 1 mile radius of Waterfront Skytrain station & Bus lines serving Gastown and area

Brioche

401 West Cordova

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-682-4037

– Tasty Sandwiches, Baked goods, Coffee and Desserts for breakfast and lunch daily.

The Greedy Pig

307 West Cordova

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-669-4991

– Sandwiches for lunch and dinner.

Bamboo Café

301 West Cordova Street

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-681-4323

– Espresso, Tea and baked goods all day long.

The Cambie General Store & Bakery Café

312 Cambie Street

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-688-9925

– Coffee, Tea, Sandwiches and baked goods all day long.

Boneta

1 West Cordova Street

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-684-1844

–A modern bistro that is a foodie lovers paradise, dinner nightly.

Incendio Pizza

103 Columbia Street

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-688-8694

– Pizza and Pasta for lunch and dinner.

Cobre

52 Powell Street

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-669-2396

– Latin American cuisine for dinner nightly.

The Diamond

6 Powell Street

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: n/a

– Asian tapas and inventive cocktails Wed – Sun nights

Chill Winston

3 Alexander Street

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-288-9575

– Hip spot serving American comfort food for lunch and dinner.

Six Acres

203 Carrall Street

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-488-0110

– Drinks, Sandwiches and Desserts.

Salt Tasting Room

45 Blood Alley

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-633-1912

– Extensive selection of Wines, Cheese, Charcuterie and Sandwiches for lunch, dinner and late night.

Vera’s Burger Shack

213 Carrall Street

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-568-5850

– Burgers for lunch and dinner daily.

The Irish Heather

210 Carrall Street

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-688-9779

– Fine pub food at bar and Long Table Series nightly.

Salty Tongue

212 Carrall Street

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-915-7258

– Coffee, Tea, Sandwiches and baked goods all day long.

Blarney Stone

216 Carrall Street

Eat-in | No reservations

Tel: 604-687-4322

– Pub food and drinks all night long.

Smart Mouth Café

117-131 Water Street

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-569-1480

– Serious spot for Espresso, Tea, Sandwiches and baked goods all day long.

Revel Room

238 Abbott Street

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604- 687-4088

– Comfort food and cocktail bar open for dinner and late night.

Pourhouse

162 Water Street

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-568-7022

– Delicious comfort food and one of the coolest bars in the neighborhood, lunch and dinner and weekend brunch.

Al Porto

321 Water Street

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-683-8376

– Italian cuisine for dinner nightly.

Guu

375 Water Street

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-685-8682

– Izakya Japanese Tapas for dinner nightly.

So.Cial

332 Water Street

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-669-4488

– American comfort food for dinner nightly.

Steamworks

375 Water Street

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-689-2739

– West coast cuisine and brew pub for lunch, dinner and late night.

Trees Organic Coffee

321 Water Street

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-783-6024

– Coffee, Tea, Sandwiches and baked goods all day long.

Jules French Bistro

216 Abbott Street

Eat-in | Takes reservations

Tel: 604-669-0033

– French bistro for lunch and dinner.

JJ Bean Coffee Roasters

146 West Cordova Street

Eat-in | Takeout

Tel: 604-408-9663

– Coffee, Tea, and baked goods all day long.

Compiled by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Olympic Celebration, Stories Tags: , , , No Comments »

Long Table Series at Irish Heather Jan 11th to Feb 11th

January 11th, 2010 admin

This period of The Irish Heather’s Long Table Series (LTS) will probably be our best ever! From January 11th to February 11th we will be serving 11 new entrees and 3 new beverages, including a first time pairing with red wine.

Long Table suppers are priced at $15 or $17 (plus tax and tip) and that includes a meal and a beverage.  Only two of the suppers are $17 and that is a reflection of the cost involved with a different cut of meat. For those who don’t wish to have an alcoholic beverage, Coca Cola have stepped in to offer a classic bottle of Coke, Diet Coke & Sprite.

The LTS will continue to offer a vegetarian meal for those who would prefer it (just make sure you let us know you’ll be having a vegetarian meal in advance).  We have revamped the entire menu and will be offering completely different options throughout January and February.

The LTS will continue during the Olympics and if the demand is there we will be hosting two LTS sittings each night. Keep your eyes open for the next menu!

LTS reservations can be made by emailing sean@irishheather.com and visit the blog for photos, menus, dates and prices at www.ltsmenu.blogspot.com.

Posted in Events Tags: , , , , No Comments »

Behind The Scenes at Pourhouse

October 19th, 2009 admin

Bartender and Co-Proprietor Jay Jones takes me behind the bar and into the kitchen on a tour of their Gastown restaurant. My ‘Behind The Scenes” tour began a month before opening over an Espresso with Jay at Smartmouth Café in Gastown. We talked about design, food, coffee, restaurants, bars and history and moved on to the vision that Jay and his other 4 partners had for Pourhouse. These guys had well thought out plans, each of the partners were playing a significant but very different role in creation of Pourhouse. Fast tracking to now, after a few weeks since opening, thus the tour begins.

Jay Jones at the Bar

Jay Jones at the Bar

Talking with Jay is inspiring, he is a great story teller and you will want to sit at his bar and talk about everything under the sun, well maybe not everything, I am sure their will be some great conversation.

On Tap - The Beer Tap Lineup

On Tap - The Beer Tap Lineup

The Bar - Going Behind The Bar

The Bar - Going Behind The Bar

Part of this great story of creating the long wooden topped bar, begins here in the outskirts of Vancouver at a local farm, not just any farm, Vista D’oro Farms in Langley where Jay found a huge piece of wood in their barn, and that was the basis for this beautiful long wooden bar top.

Bartender Jay Jones (left) & Chef Chris Irving (right)

Bartender Jay Jones (left) & Chef Chris Irving (right)

Jay Jones

His career really took off 10 years ago in Whistler, when he had a great opportunity to be the Bar Manager at Araxi – his wine knowledge soared, and he was soon offered a role in opening West (originally Ouest) back in hometown Vancouver. He was given the Bar Manager & Wine Director role, and held that position for 5 years. He then left West to assist in opening Nu Restaurant as Bar Director. This then followed by becoming the General Manager of Salt Tasting Room. A year later he left to join Donnelly Hospitality Management and take on a corporate position as Bar & Beverage Manager – overseeing a variety of development throughout the company’s several pubs and nightclubs – involved in the launch of The Modern as well as Pop Opera, and working intimately with the cocktail program at Granville Room. Last year Jay moved to Loden Vancouver, to take the role of Head Bartender at Voya. Which brings him to this year – where Jay and his Pourhouse partners found their beloved location in Gastown.

Chris Irving

Born and raised in Whitehorse, Chris got his start at The Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino. He then worked as a chef at West in Vancouver (this is where he met Jay Jones), followed by 2 years in London, UK at Petruse (under Gordon Ramsay). Throughout his culinary travels, he keeps coming back and calling this place home. Nowhere else he has lived, boasts such a brilliant diversity of culture, geography, gastronomy and the incredible social element of our hospitality industry. Chris is honoured to call Vancouver home.

The Kitchen

The Kitchen

Crispy Cheese with Roasted Tomato Soup

Crispy Cheese with Roasted Tomato Soup

One of the feature selections on the menu is this grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of house roasted tomato soup.

The Chefs Table

The Chefs Table

This is the star of the restaurant, with only one seating each night, serves up to 6 people and must be booked at least 48 hours in advance. You will enjoy a selection of the Chefs creations that aren’t on the menu.

Seating at the Bar

Seating at the Bar

Dining

Dining

Dining under the Edison lightbulbs

Dining under the Edison lightbulbs

Pourhouse is a late 19th century inspiration with most of their furniture and antique pieces having been inspired by the mid 1800’s to early 20th century says Jay. Everything from  the walls, tables, chairs, upholstery, crown molding, chandeliers and even the bathrooms have a history behind them. Welcome back to Gastown to where Vancouver’s history began and to Pourhouse where great food, drink and ambiance begins.

Pourhouse is located at 162 Water Street in Gastown at http://www.pourhousevancouver.com/

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Behind The Scenes, Stories Tags: , , , No Comments »
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