Posts Tagged ‘Romantic’

CORK & FIN

December 24th, 2011 admin

221 Carrall Street  Vancouver

Tel: 604-569-2215

Web: http://corkandfin.ca/

Twitter: @corkandfin

Advice: Have the Chef’s Tasting menu.

As we all know it’s often difficult to eat at every new restaurant that opens in our food loving city, often we miss those gems that we should have visited much earlier on. It took me close to a year to visit Cork & Fin, Juliane Siu joined me for dinner, she won the SFU Marketers Night contest awarding her dinner with me. We both had the multi-course Chefs Tasting Menu ($50 per person or $75 per person with the wine pairings) that was prepared by Chef Elliott Hashimoto, I had the wine pairings and Juliane had the non-alcoholic pairings that were prepared for her by Doug Stephen to match each course.

Amuse Bouche Oyster & Crab

Ahi Tuna Carpaccio

To begin our meal, the Amuse Bouche Oyster & Crab paired with Pasqua Prosecco, Italy, NV for me and Yuzu-ade for Juliane. For our second course we had the most unique presented and delicious Ahi Tuna Carpaccio, truffle aioli, micro greens, crouton paired with the Teillery Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile 2010 and Virgin Pamplemousse for Juliane.

Lobster Bisque

Grappa & Lemon Granite

For our third course we were served the delicious and light tasting Lobster Bisque with lobster meat, chive cream paired with the Laughing Stock Chardonnay, Naramata, 2009 for and Iced Earl Grey Latte for Juliane. For our fourth course which was the Intermezzo I was served the Grappa & Lemon Granite and Juliane was served the same without the Grappa.

Sabelfish ‘Toro’

Short-Ribs

For our fifth course, the melt in our mouth Sabelfish ‘Toro’. Maple glazed daikon & carrots paired with the 8th Generation Pinot Noir Okanagan, 2010 for me and the Chamomile Sour for Juliane.  For our sixth course, the crispy braised Short-Ribs, pommes fondant, caramelized onion jus paired with Plan Pegau, Rhone Valley, France, Lot #2009 for me and Smoked Cassis for Juliane.

Chocolate Truffles

To finish our amazing meal, for our seventh course, house made Chocolate Truffles paired with the La Frenz vintage port Shiraz, 2010 for me and the Hot Dark Chocolate for Juliane.

I loved the exposed bricked room, and wonderful music playing in the background, and the gracious service. Aside from the Chefs Tasting Menu, they also have quite an extensive seafood selection, oysters, fish and meats as well as an impressive wine list.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

THE PEARTREE

December 18th, 2011 admin

4120 East Hastings Street Burnaby, BC

Tel: 604-299-2772

Web: http://www.peartreerestaurant.net/

Twitter: @PeartreeBurnaby

Advice: Closed Sunday and Monday. Advance reservations are a must.

I finally had dinner recently at this oh so humble fine dining restaurant in North Burnaby where many of the finest chefs in Canada have apprenticed in this kitchen under Chef Scott Jaeger. So many chefs that I have met have worked here and many of those have competed in the notable International cooking competition Bocuse d’Or along with Scott.

Witloof Salad

Orange Caramelized Scallops

As we began our meal we were served complimentary house-made Brioche which was flakey and delicious along with butter. This is a kitchen of perfection, that being said it was an honour for me to dine here knowing Chef Scott Jaeger was cooking my meal. To start , I had the Witloof Salad ($14) with watercress, Okanagan pear dressing, candied walnuts and aged Gouda; my dining companion had the Orange Caramelized Scallops ($16) with double smoked bacon risotto.

Braised 'Peace River' Lamb Shank

Pan Roasted 'Miracle Springs' Trout

For our mains, I had the deliciously tender Braised ‘Peace River’ Lamb Shank ($30) with seared scallops and roasted pear risotto; and my dining companion had the outstanding Pan Roasted ‘Miracle Springs’ Trout ($29) served with Pomme Dauphine and butternut squash.

Warm Spice Cake

Chocolate Ganache

For dessert, both were outstanding and a fine finish to each of our meals. I had the Warm Spice Cake ($11) with poached pears and almond coriander ice cream; and my dining companion had the Chocolate Ganache ($12) with a crisp nut base salted caramel and orange chocolate sorbet.

The dining room is well appointed and classy, and the food is well presented to perfection. This restaurant is a gem that has humble chefs creating fine cuisine worth your patronage!

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

FRAICHE

September 1st, 2011 admin

2240 Chippendale Rd, West Vancouver, BC

Tel: 604 925 7595

Web:  http://www.fraicherestaurant.ca

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Reservations suggested, google for directions.

I have dined here on a few occasions in the past including for a Painted Rock Winemaker Dinner, this time around my friends Nikki Caine, and Eddie Tafber joined me for dinner to taste some of notable Chef Jefferson Alvarez dishes.

Compressed Watermelon and Hand Picked Greens

Lobster Textures

 

Tuna Ceviche

 

Wuxi Style Pork

For our Starters, Eddie and I both had the refreshing Compressed Watermelon and Hand Picked Greens ($12) w/ balsamic dressing, spring edible flowers while Nikki had the flavourful and unique Lobster Textures ($18) crispy, liquid, cold. Chef sent over a couple other dishes for us to taste, the wonderful Tuna Ceviche with sea asparagus, heart of palm, aloe Vera in pineapple sage coconut & yuzu along with the Wuxi Style Pork ($15) with squash dumplings.

Bison Short Ribs

Grilled Flat Iron Steak

Grilled Portobello & House Made Gnocchi

For our Mains, I had the delicious and hearty Bison Short Ribs ($29) with heirloom carrots and purple potatoes; Nikki had the Grilled Flat Iron Steak ($32) baton potatoes, chimichurri sauce; and Eddie had the Grilled Portobello & House Made Gnocchi ($26) wild mushrooms, confit tomato, truffle sauce.

Tres Leches Cake

Vanilla Panna Cotta

Chocolate Trio

For Dessert, I had the outstanding Tres Leches Cake ($9.50) milk syrup, butter cake, dulce de leche mousse & parfait; Nikki had the Vanilla Panna Cotta ($9.50) fresh strawberries, raspberry gelée; and Eddie had the Chocolate Trio ($9.50) lava cake filled with white chocolate, jelly, honeycomb bar.

The service was outstanding, and the view impeccable, already looking forward to a return visit to further tempt my tastebuds!

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in West Vancouver Tags: , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

CAFÉ IL NIDO

May 24th, 2011 admin

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

Posted in Robson Street Tags: , , , , , , , No Comments »

LA BELLE AUBERGE

May 19th, 2011 admin

 

4856 48 Avenue, Ladner, BC

Tel: 604-946-7717

Web: http://www.labelleauberge.com/

Twitter: @labelleauberge

Advice: Closed Sunday and Monday. Check their website for cooking classes on offer.

I have always longed to visit La Belle Auberge known as one of the top restaurants in this area if not the country. Chef Bruno Marti founded this restaurant over 31 years ago and is still serving fine French cuisine to this day. While I was in to interview Chef Bruno Marti, I was also treated to a wonderful meal in his dining room along with a walk through the kitchen to meet the other chefs including Chef Tobias Macdonald who is one of the masters of the kitchen.

House cured and Smoked Salmon

Pan Seared Crab Cake

Prawns in a veloute

Roasted Chicken

Frozen Grand Marnier Souffle

To start I had the House cured and Smoked Salmon to tempt my palate, the next dish was the Pan Seared Crab Cake which was then followed by the delectable Prawns in a Veloute. The next course was the delicious Roasted Chicken with an enormous selection of spring vegetables and potatoes. To finish this outstanding meal, the last course Frozen Grand Marnier Souffle!

The dining room is exquisite and classy, and the food is well presented. The restaurant is located in a quaint neighbourhood south of the Fraser River and is the ideal place to dine if you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

RAINCITY GRILL

April 12th, 2011 admin

1193 Denman Street, Vancouver

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

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

NU

January 10th, 2011 admin

1661 Granville Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-646-4668

Web: http://nurestaurant.com

Twitter: @nurestaurant

Advice: Reservations suggested, free parking.

Who says dreams don’t come true, I have always longed for an outstanding Greek restaurant in the city, on several occasions this past year I told , restaurateur Harry Kambolis that he should open a Greek restaurant. Could I have been his inspiration to open this restaurant, probably not, however I am ecstatic that he chose to revamp NU into a restaurant serving Modern Greek Cuisine. Guided by his mother Georgia who is quite the accomplished chef herself, the restaurant has been transformed into a Greek wonder.

Grilled Pita Flatbread

I had dinner there last week with a friend and fell in love with the delicious Grilled Pita Flatbread ($9) feta, olives, charred peppers, evoo, oregani, and aegean sea salt with dips the houmus, eggplant and satsiki.

Nu's Charred Octopus

Grilled Calamari with spicy sausage stuffing

Keftedes Lamb Meatballs

Zucchini Chickpea Balls

Chicken Souvlakia

To begin our Greek adventure, I had the outstanding Nu’s Charred Octopus ($12) charisma, meli, lemon, romaine salad, parsley puree, followed by the Grilled Calamari with spicy sausage stuffing ($12.50), skordalia, tomato, crispy squid, preserved lemon. Then it was on to the delicious Keftedes Lamb Meatballs ($9.50)  tomato sauce, dried olives, chive oil, I then had their Vegetarian Zucchini Chickpea Balls ($8.50) eggplant puree, eggplant chips, this followed by the Chicken Souvlakia ($12) with satsiki.

Albacore Tuna

Lamb Stew

For the main dish we had Albacore Tuna ($19) olive paste, warm chickpeas, green beans, calamata black pepper jus and the outstanding and full of flavours Lamb Stew ($19) quince, pine nuts, red wine, artichokes, vine leaves, cinnamon.

Pomegranate and Walnut Sorbet

Loukoumades traditional Meli

Of course dessert is always a must for me as I like to finish off my meals on a sweet note, both of these were really good the refreshing Pomegranate and Walnut Sorbet ($6.50) and the Loukoumades traditional meli balls ($8), cinnamon meli, walnuts.

The service was gracious and hospitable, the restaurants décor is splendid with one of the most beautiful views of Burrard Inlet as you gaze outside the windows. Looking forward to my next visit to try some more of their specialties.

Review by: Richard Wolak

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

FRAICHE

January 5th, 2011 admin

2240 Chippendale Rd, West Vancouver, BC

Tel: 604 925 7595

Web:  http://www.fraicherestaurant.ca

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Reservations suggested, google for directions.

Fraîche's Beef Burger

Autumn Chicken Salad

Stunning views of the city below, this is a wonderful restaurant for a daytime or night’s visit. I have had the pleasure to dine here a few times and each has been a memorable experience. Not only are the views spectacular, great food and wonderful service make the dining experience one that you will not forget. I had lunch recently with my friend Nikki and we were fortunate to have a window table. I had the tasty Fraîche’s Beef Burger ($16) caramelized onions, pancetta, aged cheddar cheese, sea salted fries in a very nice iron pan. Nikki had the Autumn Chicken Salad ($18) confit chicken, mixed greens, ripe pear, pumpkin, walnut dressing.

Chocolate Hennesey XO Fondant Cake & Ice Cream

We couldn’t pass up dessert as the whole dessert menu looked fabulous. We shared the outstanding Chocolate Hennesey XO Fondant Cake & Ice Cream ($12) with brandied prune gelato and apricot purée and the coveted Hennessy XO. The lunch and dinner menus are quite different, since on this visit we were in for lunch, the menu featured a selection of salads, pasta, risotto and other specialties. Already looking forward to my next visit, may check out the weekend Brunch!

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in West Vancouver Tags: , , , , , , , , , No Comments »
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