Posts Tagged ‘Seafood’

CHEWIE’S STEAM AND OYSTER BAR

2201 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-558-4448

Web: http://www.chewies.ca

Twitter: @ChewiesOysters

Advice: Shuck & Suck Oyster Happy Hour 5pm-7pm daily.

Buttermilk Biscuits

I loved the open kitchen where guests can sit and watch the chefs at play, the room is long and on a split level featuring the bar and oyster bar in the rear. The restaurant is vibrant, energetic and its inspiring to see servers enjoying themselves and serving up some fine Creole cooking! Over a couple of visits I have eaten my way through many of their dishes, I have had the moist, flakey Buttermilk Biscuits ($3) herb and honey butter drizzled on both occasions.

Southern Fried Chicken

BBQ & Shrimp and Grits

Fried Okra

Cheese Grits

Their Southern Fried Chicken ($16) 2 day marinated buttermilk fried chicken, Cajun honey butter drizzle, mash & beans is an outstanding dish, as is their BBQ & Shrimp and Grits ($15) New Orleans style beer & rosemary BBQ sauce, parmesan cheese grits. I have also had the very unique and tasty Fried Okra ($5) Creole remoulade as well as their Cheese Grits ($5) parmesan, and corn meal.

French Quarter Beignets

They offer 3 very different desserts and I have had the shareable and oh so heavenly French Quarter Beignets ($6) Café Du Monde style classic beignets, chicory coffee anglaise.

Looking forward to my next visit for brunch and to trying their Chicken & Waffles!

Review By: Richard Wolak

ENSEMBLE TAP

990 Smithe Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-566-9770

Web: http://ensembletap.com/

Twitter: @ensembletap

Advice: Watch for monthly beer dinners and other special events.

This is the second restaurant from notable Top Chef Dale Mackay and don’t be fooled by the name, Ensemble Tap is for serious beer lovers and all those who want to know more about craft brew!

This dark room is spacious with a larger area of tables and seating on the main level along with the long bar, upstairs is smaller and quieter and the ideal spot if on a date or in with a client for a social meeting. There are 15 beers on tap and the selection is a bit different than most of the other bars in the area. In addition they feature another 42 beers by the bottle, here you will find some local brews along with brews from the USA, Canada as well as Belgium.

My friend Joe Leary joined me for some comfort food which as we discovered had an International twist to the good old comfort food you may have had in other pubs.

Thai Chicken Wings

Popcorn Prawns

Asian Vegetable and Green Salad

To Start we shared the delish Thai Chicken Wings ($12) served with a Thai dipping sauce which goes hand in hand with one of 15 brews on tap. Next up we shared the tasty Popcorn Prawns ($13) with sea asparagus and spicy mayo. The next appetizer was refreshing Asian Vegetable and Green Salad ($12.50) with enoki mushrooms, cashews and black sesame seeds.

Bangers and Spaetzle

Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta

Corn Bread

For our mains, I had the Bangers and Spaetzle ($17) house made sausage, tarragon spaetzle, mushroom-onion pan gravy and onion slaw. Joe had the Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta ($17) with tomato sauce, penne pasta, chorizo and mozzarella cheese. I also had to try an order of the Corn Bread ($5) which is one of the sides.

Apple Crumble

For dessert, I had the Apple Crumble ($7.50) with bourbon raisins and vanilla ice cream while I was eyeing the Root Beer Float on the nearby table. Joe had the Key Lime Pie ($8.50) Chantilly, toasted coconut and lime zest.

The servers are up on the selection of brews, don’t be afraid to ask them for suggestions!

Review By: Richard Wolak

ALVIN GARDEN

4850 Imperial Street, Burnaby, BC

Tel: (604) 437-0828

Web: n/a

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Make sure you tell your server what spice level you want. Dishes are made for sharing.

Happy to have discovered this popular spot specializing in Hunan style Chinese cuisine. As popular as it is amongst those that are in the know it’s also quite difficult to find. I dined with a group and we many dishes were ordered for us the spice level was 1/5 of the usual spice levels and it was plenty hot for us, I can only imagine what the regular spice levels would be like for those that dare.

Tea Smoked Duck

Spicy Shredded Chicken

BC Prawns & Scallops with Vegetables

Tofu and Vegetables

Alberta Beef with pickled green

Spicy Chicken with peanuts

Spicy Green Beans

I especially liked the BC Prawns & Scallops with Vegetables, Alberta Beef with pickled green, Spicy Chicken with peanuts, and Spicy Green Beans as they were flavourful and not too spicy. Hunan cuisine is known to be spicy and while years ago I enjoyed spicy food, I now prefer a lesser heat level.

Review By: Richard Wolak

BACCHUS BISTRO

1064 – 216th Street, Langley, BC

Tel: 604-530-9694

Web: http://www.domainedechaberton.com/Bacchus%20Bistro.html

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Both lunch and dinner are served here, reservations are suggested, on a sunny day request a table on the patio.

After touring the Domaine de Chaberton Estate Winery, my friend Nikki and I were seated on the outside patio overlooking the picturesque vineyard.

complimentary basket of fresh baked bread and butter

This is a French bistro that is in a country like setting with wonderful service in a well-appointed room, patio dining on a sunny day is spectacular.

Bacchus Salad

Tomato & Mesclun

Sautéed Prawns à l'Andalouse

Tomato and Brie Tart

To Start, Nikki had the Bacchus Salad ($10.95) thin slices of smoked salmon over mixed greens with a Rémoulade sauce and I had the Tomato & Mesclun ($7.95) marinated tomatoes and mixed greens tossed with a grainy mustard and sherry vinaigrette. We both then shared the outstanding Sautéed Prawns à l’Andalouse ($11.95) served in a spicy tomato confit sauce with garlic aioli and pistou crostini along with the Tomato and Brie Tart ($9.95) crisp pastry with vine ripened tomatoes and double cream brie with a drizzle of pistou.

Ruby Trout Filet

Braised Boneless Short Ribs

Sour Cream Potatoes

For our Mains, I had the tasty Ruby Trout Filet ($24.95) served on a bed of braised cabbage with white wine, tomatoes and Nikki had the delicious Braised Boneless Short Ribs ($24.95) slow cooked in white wine and tomatoes with olives and mushrooms; we both shared the side dish of potatoes that were smothered in buttery sour cream.

Strawberry Upside Down Cake

Chocolate Mousse

To end our delightful dinner we shared a couple of Desserts, the delish Strawberry Upside Down Cake ($6.95) with vanilla ice cream and the Chocolate Mousse ($6.95) a rich Belgian chocolate mousse with a hazelnut praline croustillant

Review By: Richard Wolak

PAJO’S AT THE WHARF

12351 3 Ave, Richmond, BC

Tel: 604-272-1588

Web: http://www.pajos.com/

Twitter: @Pajos_fishchips

Advice: Seating outside on the patio and upper deck.

This is a popular hangout for residents and tourists alike when visiting the historic fishing village of Steveston. The mainstay here is the Fish & Chips and that is the draw for many, they also offer burgers and hot dogs too.

Fish & Chips

Coleslaw

Mushy Peas

Crab Cakes

 

I shared the Fish & Chips ($14.99) with 1 piece of salmon, halibut and cod along with fries made with Kennebec potatoes that was served in a paper cone; along with a side of Coleslaw ($1.59) and a side of the delicious Mushy Peas ($.99); and an order of the tasty Crab Cakes ($6.99) which had a rather flat appearance and were good value for the price.  My favourite fish was the Halibut by far with Salmon running in 2nd place.

Review By: Richard Wolak

BALILICIOUS

3488 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-709-8150

Web:  http://www.baliliciousrestaurant.com/

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Order a few dishes to share with friends.

Corn Fritters

Roti

Coconut Chicken

Located in the heart of Cambie Village, this South Asian neighbourhood eatery serves a delightful array of Indonesian dishes that are full of flavours. To start I had the Corn Fritters ($5.25)  pan-fried corn fritters with a side of their peanut sauce; this followed with some Roti ($2.25) pan-fried flat bread and then their delicious  Coconut Chicken ($12.95)  with tender white chicken with fresh mixed vegetables in coconut sauce. Their menu is filled with a selection of satay skewers, soups, Indonesian small plates, salads, curry & coconut dishes, rice & noodle dishes, seafood, and lots of vegetable dishes.

Review By: Richard Wolak

DUNDARAVE FISH MARKET

 

2423 Marine Drive West Vancouver

Tel: 604-922-1155

Web: http://www.dundaravefishmarket.com/restaurant-octo.html

Twitter: @fishmongerkim

Advice: You will want to sit upstairs for a cozy hideway dining experience or a seat on the outside patio.

Part fish market, part restaurant, this locale is a busy neighbourhood spot serving some of the finest seafood on the North Shore. On the fish market side you will find fresh fish from the sea as well as their crab cakes all done up and ready for you to cook up at home. On the restaurant side you will find lots of seating along with an extensive menu of seafood favourites and so much more.

Halibut Fish & Chips

Crackin’ Crab Cakes

Lemon Bar

I visited recently joined by my friend Nikki for some delicious fare. We both had the Halibut Fish & Chips ($14.95) 1 pc Halibut, round potato fries, sassy sesame slaw, tartar sauce & Baja sauce; as well we shared the outstanding Crackin’ Crab Cakes ($14.95) w/ peach chutney at Dundarave Fish Market and then for a refreshingly light dessert we shared the Lemon Bar.

Review by: Richard Wolak

 

 

GO FISH BROADWAY

1521 West Broadway, Vancouver

Tel: n/a

Web: http://www.gofishvancouver.com/

Twitter: @gofishvancouver

Advice: Ask for a side of the dark ponzu sauce and drizzle it on your fries, and coleslaw. They offer takeout all day just not during the dinner hour unless you order it in person. Closed Sundays.

I used to frequent their seafood shack at Fisherman’s Wharf where I enjoyed the fresh fish and seafood creations. This second location steps it up a bit, first of all it is a sit down restaurant that is inside with comfortable booths and blue tables around the room, along with art on the walls that was created by Gord. Just as Chef/Proprietor Gord Martin always does, his latest Go Fish still serves their notable Fish & Chips and other favourites by day, and by night their dishes get a bit more snazzy with inventive dishes and wonderful flavours.

Salmon Meatball

Halibut Fish & Chips

I had dinner recently as I was on a Fish & Chips mission, started off with a delicious Salmon Meatball creation that Chef Martin had cooked up! Then I ate through their Halibut Fish & Chips ($13) 1 piece of halibut, fries, pacific rim coleslaw, tarragon tartar sauce and lemon wedge; the outstanding Salmon Fish & Chips ($10) and the Cod Fish & Chips ($9) all with same condiments. They use the Red Truck Lager in the beer batter cause it is a local brew and just gives the fish a clean and delicious flavour. I’ve been hooked on their dark ponzu sauce ever since eating at Go Fish in the early days, hint you may want to drizzle some on your fries and coleslaw!

Okanagan Black Cherry Ice Cream

For dessert I had their home-made Okanagan Black Cherry Ice Cream that was topped with fresh mint, wonderful and refreshing. This location is licensed with many craft brews on tap!

Review by: Richard Wolak

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