Posts Tagged ‘Take Out’

THE MAC SHACK

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

NOTTURNO PANINOTECA

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

EDIBLE CANADA AT THE MARKET

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

CENTO NOTTI

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

ANATOLIA’S GATE

7084 Kingsway, Burnaby

Tel: 604-525-2519 ‎

Web: www.anatolias.ca

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Go with a friend or order a couple of dishes so that you are served the larger Lavash bread.

Lavash Bread

On a hunt for authentic Turkish cuisine, I headed out to Burnaby on a mission after hearing great things. Happily discovered a family run gem serving traditional Turkish dishes in a very homey atmosphere. With each of our dishes, Lavash bread was included, normally if dining alone you get a small bread, if 2 people are dining together they serve a large Lavash, this is Turkish bread. We chose the Whole Wheat Lavash which arrived to the table hot and puffy served with tzatziki.

Chicken Shisha

Beef Iskender Kabob

I had the delicious Chicken Shisha ($11.95) Grilled Chicken Breast Chunks served with salad, rice & yogurt sauce, my friend Gerry had the Adana Kabob ($11.95) Freshly Ground Beef grilled skewer w/yogurt rice & salad.

They have many different dishes from pide’s to kebabs and even pizzas, you will also find a limited offering of traditional Turkish desserts. Since I wrestled with ordering the dish that I did vs the Cheese Lovers Pide, I know what I will be having on my next visit!

Review By: Richard Wolak

THE AMERICAN CHEESESTEAK Co

781 Davie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-681-0130

Web: http://americancheesesteak.com/

Twitter: @thecheesesteak

Advice: Order a small as its big enough for one, order a large to share with a friend.

The Cowboy

Onion Rings

In Philadelphia it is a tradition to eat cheese steak sandwiches, it’s what the city is known for when talking food. Last week I visited this stylish meat paradise that claims to be purveyors of authentic cheese steak sandwiches. In for lunch, I ordered a small (6”) which was actually pretty large, The Cowboy ($10) shaved prime rib, crispy fried onions, homemade spicy bbq sauce, bacon mayo and aged white cheddar which was tasty and filling with high quality ingredients. The server suggested I add an order of fries, I opted instead for a small order of Onion Rings ($4) thinking how could I go wrong with the Onion Rings. I have had lots of tasty onion rings in the past, and most were better than these which were far to ordinary for a stylish place like this that’s striving to be a notch above great.

You can choose from the Traditional Cheesesteaks line-up or from the Decadent Specialty Steaks which I opted to do. Then you choose the size small or large, if you go with the Traditional then you can choose the type of cheese from the four on offer. They are licensed and you may want to have a beer to round out your meat eating experience. Be forewarned this is heavy food!

Review By: Richard Wolak

LANNA THAI

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

MANGAL KISS

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

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