Posts Tagged ‘Solo Diners’

THE MAC SHACK

January 24th, 2012 admin

5395 West Boulevard, Vancouver

Tel: 604-267-4225

Web: www.themacshack.ca

Twitter: @the_mac_shack

Advice: If you are going with a friend and having any of the Mac & Cheese dishes then share a medium size or get 2 smalls and share.

West Coast Salad

Having a Mac & Cheese growing up was never as fun as my recent visit to The Mac Shack for dinner. My friend Cassandra Anderton joined me to indulge in Mac & Cheese oooey gooey cheesy goodness! We started with some greens and each had a small West Coast Salad ($5) with tossed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, mushrooms and honey roasted pecans served with a light raspberry vinaigrette.

Lobster Mac

The Ultimate

Build Your Own

Bread Dippers

Next, we shared 3 of the Ultimate size of Mac & Cheese, all were served in large cast iron pans, the first was the outstanding Lobster Mac ($18) with asiago & Canadian cheddar, lobster meat, oyster mushrooms, lemon, dill, truffle oil and roasted garlic in a cream sauce. The second was The Ultimate ($16) with bacon, bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, chicken, chorizo, shrimp, with Mozzarella and Gruyere cheese in a tomato sauce. Third, was a Build Your Own ($16), which I built using the healthiest of ingredients on offer, ours had Aged cheddar and Asiago, along with whole wheat pasta, broccoli, caramelized onions, and mushrooms in a tomato sauce. We also added an order of Bread Dippers ($ .90) that perhaps was adding more carbs into the mix that we could have done without.

The Squish

The Skillet Brownie

We both thought dessert was in order to round up our comforting meal. We both shared The Squish ($4.75) double chocolate chip cookies filled with vanilla ice cream with a raspberry coulis, however it was the 2nd dessert that was the clear favourite for us both, The Skillet Brownie ($5.90) double chocolate brownie warmed in a skillet topped with vanilla bean gelato and drizzled with raspberry coulis.

The Mac Shack has taken Mac & Cheese to a new level, with the best cheese and quality ingredients this is surely Mac & Cheese that you are going to want to eat time and time again.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

CHEWIE’S STEAM AND OYSTER BAR

January 19th, 2012 admin

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

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

NOTTURNO PANINOTECA

January 3rd, 2012 admin

280 Carrall Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-720-3145

Web: http://www.facebook.com/NotturnoPaninoteca

Twitter: @NotturnoGastown

Advice: The locale could easily be missed, go and find it.

I felt like I was back in Italy having lunch at the home of a friend who was serving up simple grilled Panini with quality ingredients, yet I was in Gastown about to enjoy the same! The narrow room was nicely decorated with pictures on the wall, an open kitchen to see the chef making the Panini in front of me, chandeliers, black top tables and seating to enjoy the sandwiches and small plates with friends.

Blu Fico Panini

I had the Blu Fico ($9.50) which became my own version as I substituted the blue cheese for taleggio cheese and figs that was served with a side salad. There is a good selection of panini, as well as salads if you care to go gluten-free without the bread.

Very soon you will be able to stop in at night for a glass of wine or beer to go along with a Panini or share plates.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

EDIBLE CANADA AT THE MARKET

December 20th, 2011 admin

1551 Johnston Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-682-6681

Web: http://www.ediblecanada.com/bistro.php

Twitter: @ediblecanada

Advice: Located across from the Public Market on Granville Island.

I love art and more so love art on a plate, visiting for lunch recently I indulged in both. Having had dishes created by Chef Jennifer Dodd and Tom Lee at off-site events it was a must that I dine in their restaurant.

Chicken Taco

Smoked Alberta Bison Shortribs & Frites

Since I was dining solo, I had to choose wisely, to begin I had a delicious Chicken Taco that was served open face on a crispy flat taco, topped with chicken, fresh herbs and edible flowers. I then had the outstanding Smoked Alberta Bison Shortribs & Frites ($16) with red apple, spiced pecan salad and fresh horseradish. Not only was the dish flavourful it was also colorful on the plate with an artfulness character at play and I loved the crispy fries that were cooked in duck fat.

Triple Chocolate Brownie Mousse Cake

For dessert which was the perfect finish to my meal, I had the delicious Triple Chocolate Brownie Mousse Cake ($8) with caramel, grapes and nuts.

There is an open kitchen, great bar set-up, a pantry to buy all sorts of edible goodies, along with a large amount of seating both inside and out. They also have a private space within the restaurant where they offer their market dinners when featuring visiting chefs. Already looking forward to a return visit to try some more inventive dishes!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Granville Island Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

URBAN TEA MERCHANT

December 8th, 2011 admin

1070 West Georgia, Vancouver

Tel: 604-692-0071

Web: http://www.urbantea.com/

Twitter: @urban_tea

Advice: You can choose from one of their pre-set menus, or have an Afternoon Tea Service and add a lunch entrée.

I have had a few delightful Afternoon Tea experiences here in the past, a lunch menu was added recently. I sat in their elegant Tea Salon to indulge in a tea infused lunch. Each of the dishes are either infused with one of their teas or has something to do with enhancing your tea experience.

I enjoyed a couple of teas from their vast selection of over 250 teas during my holiday lunch, began the meal with the Singapore Breakfast Tea.

Lamb Press

Orange Scone

I had the Lamb Press ($16) braised lamb with Moroccan Mint Coulis and steamed baby beets for my entrée, followed by one of their delicious Orange Scones ($4) with devon crème and strawberry jam.

Red Christmas Creme Brulee

For my dessert tea I had the Holiday Spirits, which was followed by dessert, I had the outstanding Red Christmas Creme Brulee ($8) that was tea infused with their Red Christmas Tea.

There are many choices of entrees along with a good selection of Signature Tea Sandwiches to accompany one of their TWG Teas. Looking forward to my return visit and to experience another unique tea.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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

LANNA THAI

October 20th, 2011 admin

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

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

MANGAL KISS

September 20th, 2011 admin

W. Georgia & Hornby Streets (in front of Vancouver Art Gallery)

Tel: n/a

Web: n/a

Twitter: @MangalKiss

Advice: Follow them on twitter for daily open hours and location.

Imagine that you are somewhere in the Middle East and are craving some of their regional flavours. Now transport yourself downtown Vancouver to the center of the universe as we know it. Specializing in mid-east barbq, these flavours will delight your tastebuds! One of the owners, Mark Cohen is a Welder by trade and he custom designed and built this food truck. The other owner Phyllis Cornacchia is a chef by profession who designed the menu. Between the two, they are serving up a tasty wrap to spice up your tastebuds and fill you up with healthy, yummy goodness.

Chicken Shishlik

I had the Chicken Shishlik ($7) a large wrap filled with Rossdown Farms grilled Chicken skewers on taftoon, a traditional soft Iranian flatbread filled with deliciousness with hummus, tahini and tabbouleh along with Moroccan spiced carrots, beets, and some pickled vegetables, sauces and spices imported from Israel.

These Shishliks come with chicken or beef, you will also find a home-made Limonana ($2) which is their version of a Lemonade. Personally I love the concept as well as the flavours and truly hope they will expand their menu offerings. In case you were wondering as well, Mangal means Barbq in Hebrew.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Downtown, Food Carts Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment »

THIERRY

September 6th, 2011 admin

1059 Alberni Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 608-6870

Web: http://www.thierrychocolates.com/

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Snag a spot on the outside patio. You can purchase the Macarons individually, in a pack of 7 or 12.

I have always had a sweet spot and a love for visiting spots for sweets. Ever since I did a Behind the Scenes interview with Chef Thierry Busset I have been a fan of his Macarons, and now a fan of so much more. Located in close proximity to Robson, is Thierry a modern shop, café and atelier that is ever so sweet. The Curved walls of palmwood tambour imported from Europe are highlighted by flowing Castore lights playing off marble floors and Thonet bentwood chairs that evoke classic Parisian cafés. You will not only find beautiful desserts showcased in the temperature controlled pastry case you will also find the Macaron showcase featuring 8+ different macaron flavours daily as well as pastries, chocolates and more.

Raisin Brioche

Hazelnut Pithivier

Macarons: Maple, Gianduia, Blackberry and Strawberry Rhubarb

 

Espresso Macchiato

House Liquid Chocolate

On my most recent visit I indulged having a Raisin Brioche ($3.45) and the most delicious Hazelnut Pithivier ($4.95) along with a selection of macarons:  Maple, Gianduia, Blackberry and Strawberry Rhubarb ($1.75 each). I also had a Espresso Macchiato ($2.95) made with the organic Thierry Espresso Blend coffee designed exclusively for them by Casa Del Caffé’s Vincent Gentile and then to finish off a 2oz taster of the House Liquid Chocolate ($7.45 if 8oz pour).

The shop is filled with homemade ice creams and sorbets, coffee and other packaged goods to go. This is paradise and I am looking forward to indulging when that whim beckons.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Downtown Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »
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