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(3.3) (3.1)For some reason the outside of this restaurant is a little off-putting with the sign of a previous cafe still there, and kind of a dingy overhang, but enter and inside it is very nice. Large, attractive room with booths plus tables that could seat a large group.
The food is very good. Quite an extensive menu. The spring roll appetizers are a LARGE portion. Share one order, or have it as a main course. We had the Beef stew, very good with French wine flavours and Vietnamese Lemongrass notes, and one of the stirfys which was also attractive and tasty. Food is nicely plated and the flavors are well done.
Reasonable prices. Staffing is minimal. We only saw three staff on a Friday night, but they are pleasant. Only issue was that we hadn't finished the appetizer when the mains arrived. Next time I would order the main course after we had finished our appetizer.
We chose this restaurant because it was around the corner from the park where some of our group were playing softball, strictly for the convenience of the location. We were surprised at how good the food was. Italian and Greek dishes. Everything was very fresh. We were a large group so we were able to try several items on the menu, everyone was impressed. We shared two orders of the Saganaki appetizer, a fried cheese dish with lemon and pita, very good. Entrees included the kalamari dinner, Greek salad, Lamb chops, Louisiana Chicken, Parmesan chicken, Spanakopita, Meatballs and spaghetti and Baked meatballs and spaghetti. Everyone enjoyed their meal. The orders are large so no one had room for dessert, but one of our party was having a birthday so the restaurant brought out a slice of cake for him. So we tried a bite and it too was excellent.
Diners around us were having pizza, and that looked good too. I would definately go back.it's casual and everyone was comfortable in their softball clothes, The waitress was very good and helpful with advising on the menu choices. We had made reservations because of the size of our group, and the restaurant was very busy so a reservation might be a good idea.
We enjoyed a very nice lunch on the sidewalk patio at Gino's. The roast lamb was excellent. My friend had the wrap special which was very good, but a little messy to eat. Service was friendly and attentive. A relaxing lunch for two with a glass of wine came to $38 including tip.
If you prefer to eat inside, it is quite a large restaurant with many attractive booths.
This is a small cafe just down from Cap's Bicycle shop. It is in a retail complex, tucked in at the back off of the parking lot. So free parking.
We went for the all day Breakfast which was very good. The usual breakfast choices of eggs with bacon or sausage, hash browns and toast. They also have omelettes. All are reasonably priced. There was only one waitress so service can be a little slow. It was busy with a steady stream of regular customers, which is always a good sign.
Restaurant is definately a hole-in the wall, Staff was friendly, but the menus they handed us had on the cover in large print "CASH ONLY".So we figured out how much cash we had on hand and ordered accordingly, forgoing appies and dessert. Just ordered entrees and wine. Then when we go to pay we discover that now they have debit, and credit. So change the menus, or at least tell the customers before they order.
I ordered the quail and fries which was very good. My partner ordered the seafood stir fry with Teryiaki sauce, and the vegetables were raw. Believe me this guy likes al dente but these were definately uncooked. He was also served an unopened clam. If the clams don't open, you remove them. You do not serve them to the customer. Yes most people know not to eat an unopened clam, but what if you don't. What if you take your knife tip, pry it open and eat it, treating yourself to shell fish poisoning.
There was an odd ambience since owners/ staff were eating/entertaining in the restaurant. One man who I assume was an owner would every now and then get up from his table and wander back to the Kitchen. You could see part of the kitchen and I could see him get dishes out or meat. I'm thinking how can you do that, have you washed up, are you ready to work in the kitchen. Then he'd wander back out and sit with his buddies and drink wine. I wouldn't return.
The restaurant has a pub style atmosphere. There was a 15 minute wait for a table, as it is very busy. The menu is mainly burgers and all items are really well priced. We had the New York pepper steak for $9.95. We received a platter of food consisting of a 6 oz. steak perfectly cooked with rice pilaf, potatoes, salad and garlic bread. Really a good deal. Two steak dinners, drinks and tip and the total bill was $44.
Customers seem to be mainly locals and SFU students, Staff is friendly. Definately worth a visit.
This is a restaurant to take your Foodie friends to, not because Chef Dale MacKay won Top Chef Canada, but because the food is excellent and different.
Be prepared to spend some money. The style is small plates, and you need 2 - 3 plates per person. You can't order one plate and a glass of wine and feel as if you have eaten. The plates are served one at a time as courses. So all in for dinner, wine, dessert, tip you are looking at spending $75 per person; $150 for a couple.
Be prepared to share tasting bites. The plates aren't really designed for sharing the way Chinese food is. You have your plate and then try Tasting bites from the other diners. That way you get to try many more of the dishes. The flavors are not blended, there isn't much spice or salt, but sweet notes are often present. The pork belly for example has a sweet apple sauce. You taste each flavor in the dish distinctly. Like a peanut butter sandwich where you taste soft bread, nutty peanut butter, sweet jelly. Each flavor is distinct and the whole is great. The dishes here are like that on an elevated level.
The restaurant is on Thurlow just off Robson, you can get there by Skytrain to Burrand station and then it is a 5 - 10 minute walk. It is jam packed so make reservations or go late after 8:00 p.m to get a table.
The staff is friendly and attentive. This is not the restaurant for a business meeting, or a romantic dinner. Go with people who are into food and who you are comfortable enough with to grab a taste from their plates, order 2 - 3 plates per person, wine and talk about the food. Enjoy!
It's kind of a sketchy area, so if you're going to something at the PNE or if you're in the area this is a good little restaurant to go to. The Vietnamese food is good if unremarkable. Portions are large, and it is very inexpensive. We shared a plate of spring rolls, and had two large entrees. They supply the tea. Total bill with tip $28.
Staff is friendly. The restaurant and the restrooms are clean. Really a nice little neighbourhood restaurant.
From the "no frills cafe" description I was expecting a brightly lit, formica table diner but this is really a very comfortable restaurant with lots of cozy booths. We had about a 15 minute wait for a table. Staff is friendly, I only saw two waitresses , but they kept things moving smoothly.
So the big deal is the two for one pasta special. You buy two of the twenty some choices and pay for the more expensive one. You get a full size plate of food and the pasta is very good. A little more garlic and spice than other Italian restaurants, but I like that. I had the linquini with clams and my partner had the penne forno. Both were very good. We had a 1/2 litre of red wine and shared a Gelato dessert. Total bill with tip was $46. Really that is hard to beat.
The restaurant was full and almost all the customers in this Italian restaurant were Asian which struck me as kind of neat -- an only in Vancouver thing.
The restaurant is comfortable and the staff is friendly. Prices are reasonable, but the food is mediocre at best.I had edamame and chicken Karagi, both needed seasoning. Being a Japanese restaurant there was no salt or pepper on the table. I didn't feel like asking the server to bring salt from the kitchen so I could do what the chef should have done, and season the food. I also had the tuna and salmon sashimi which was fine.
My partner had the California roll, they had put something on the rice and it had turned pink. The dish was not appetizing to look at. He also had an entree that consisted of grilled salmon and a grilled fish steak plus two - yes only two --lonely pieces of asparagus. Again the plate just didn't look appetizing. We eat with our eyes first and that plating eye appeal is part of what you are paying for in a restaurant experience. Usually Japanese dishes are beautiful to look at. The food tasted OK but it was all-in-all disappointing and there are a lot of other Japanese restaurants to try instead.
That's the main draw here -- it is very affordable. You get a loaf of warm sourdough bread, your choice of soup or salad, a pasta entree and ice cream for dessert. Add a 1/2 liltre of wine and the total bill including tip for two was $41.55. The food is good, the restaurant is comfortable, and you get table service from energetic waiters.
It is a family friendly restaurant and the space is large so you don't need a reservation. It is right beside skytrain so you can leave the car at home.
We like to go to this pub/restaurant for dinner and then go next door to the bowling lanes. The two are connected and it makes a fun evening. They brew their own beers and the food is good. Try the steak frites, or the fajitas. Beware, the garlic fries are good but very very garlicky, so you might want plain fries if you're on a date.
Also be sure to have your ID because the servers always check ID -- good for them. Service is friendly and prices are reasonable.
This restaurant is hidden away in the Corporate Inn on twelfth street. It was not busy, because I think no one knows it is there.
Service was friendly. although it appears to be family run as the family was in evidence. It's a bit like eating at someone's home. The food was very good. I had the set meal where you choose either a curry main dish, or a vegetarian main dish, or a sea food main dish. It then comes with raita, rice, roti, two sides and pappadam, and a small desert. It is all served in a tv dinner style plate -- sort of an Indian Bento Box .All for $16.75. Add a beer and your whole meal is $20. My partner had a chicken curry and roti and it again was very good.
The decor is a little odd, it used to be an Italian restaurant and now I guess it is fusion, but comfortable. I would go again, I'm surprised more of the locals in walking distance aren't going there to eat as after work it would be a nice, easy comfortable place to go for a meal.
We went for Brunch which is served until 2:00p.m. on the weekends which is nice for those who get a late start on the weekends.
I ordered a flatbread pizza with egg and sausage whcih was very good. My partner had an omelet which was also good. It's neat to watch them cook the flatbreads on the open oven. This is a trendy place on Main street and was quite busy.
All the food is organic and from local farmers, so I don't really mind that the prices are a bit higher as I can understand their increased costs.
This is a family friendly place and there were several young couples with toddlers. Service was friendly and they kept our coffee cups refilled. I would definately go again.
This pub has one of the greatest patios in the area. You sit and watch the float planes take-off and land on the water. Friendly staff and very good food. The nightly dinner special is great value. We went on a Thursday evening and the special was steak and prawns for $11.99.
If you have out-of-town visitors this is definately a great place to take them as it is different -- very west coast.
The Beaver Tail potato skins are a great appy to start your evening off.
We had guests from out of town who wanted true Chinese Food, not quasi Canadian-Chinese food. Kirin is perfect. We order the set $40/ per person meal which comes with twelve courses. This removes the difficulty of ordering as basically the restaurant has made a selection for you.They have several different set menus you can choose. You get a great variety of authentic Chinese dishes, and lots of food. They pack up the leftovers for you. The restaurant is noisy and service is brisk, but again I think that is very real. Most of us just had tea with our meal, but a few had Chinese beer which compliments the food well.
The Lobster in Black bean sauce was excellent but funny and tricky to eat with chopsticks, still that is half the fun.
At one time this was a dump, but new owners have done an impressive job. Now it is a chic pub with a young upscale customer base. Staff is friendly and they have a smart separate area for private parties, plus a patio.
The dry ribs are excellent. My partner's burger was great, but my steak was overcooked. Next time I would order the burger or pulled pork sandwich where overcooking doesn't matter.
They took the price of the steak off the bill as they hadn't cooked it properly which is good customer service.
There is lots of parking at the back, and you reach the pub via Auckland street.
Okay you are right downtown with cranky children or partners and need a break. This little bagel shop is in the ground floor of the office building at 200 Granville. It is right beside the skytrain station at the foot of Granville, BUT you have to climb up the stairs from street level to reach the building. Bonus -- outside is a little park with grass and places to sit and a view of the water. It just seems very removed from the city hustle and bustle. They make all kinds of bagels. I like the smoked salmon the best. You can get coffee or cold drinks and they pack it all in cute little boxes for your picnic. The Bagels are big so children could easily share one.
They also have a few stools if you want to eat inside.
First let me say that my partner loves this restaurant and the food, but frankly I don't get it. To me the food is just OK, nothing spectacular. I had the Lamb Josh and really it could have been any mystery meat. You couldn't tell it was lamb. I ordered it with rice and the rice came 10 minutes after the main dish. So you sit there with your meal getting cold while you wait for rice. Really how hard is it for a restaurant to get serving the rice with the main dish correct.
I like my food spicy and I guess because I'm not Indian everytime they try to talk me out of ordering it hot. I insist and it arrives sort of spicy, so-so hot, so I think they refuse to listen and have decided that if you're not Indian then you get your curries mild to medium hot.
We go because he enjoys the food, but I always find the experience kind of annoying.
A friend asked me where to go for Easter Brunch.This is where we go every year. They do a beautiful Easter brunch. Two seatings 10:30 and 12:00. They go all out with both breakfast and Lunch choices. Lots of choices seafood, meat, breakfast items, a carving station, desserts galore. Family friendly with lots of cute kids in their Easter outfits.
It is in the Executive Inn right across from Lougheed mall, so you can get there by skytrain and then you can have a Mimosa. Enjoy. Best to make reservations.
