WSJbiotexpertVancouverSince April 25, 20104 Reviews
(3.6)- Food
(3.8) - Service
(4.3) - Value
(3) - Ambiance
(3.3)
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(3.6) (3.8) (4.3) (3) (3.3)Breakfast at Hawksworth today was weak. Cool, dull reception followed by eggs benny served stark, ungarnished with flavourless hollandaise. Few tables yet guests were sat cheek to jowl while the two adjacent rooms sat empty clearly being managed for the convenience of the staff and not the comfort of the guests. Rookie mistake. Further mismanagement was evident in the tea service. Luke warm tea served in ugly coffee cup pre-set on the table beside sad, dying flowers. Foolishly they've rebranded Earl Grey tea into something contrived of Lady Annabelle, named for their PR rep, my how some do strive. When the bill finally arrived the $6 tea was forgotten as has been the case reported by several of my peers, only they were 'comped' glasses and bottles of wine. Good intentions, grand pretensions and sloppy execution. Why forgo linen and complimentary bread service then hemorrhage losses on bad billing and the necessity to give away rounds of drinks in the bar because of incompetent reservation taking.
I got loved at ensemble this morning and sister that ain't easy. To say that i'm a difficult curmudgeon wouldn't suffice since i'm also homely, hunchbacked and brittle. But when I walked thru those doors today I was greeted with remarkable warmth and a disarming smile. Pleasantly disoriented I brace myself to be 'processed' and hustled away but instead this poised young women took an interest in me, gave me the time of day and seemed reluctant to have me take my seat at the bar. I'm a peripatetic dining room habitant and can attest that this class of conduct is revered for it's rarity. A stylish barman took good care of me and I enjoyed perfectly scrambled eggs and expertly cooked bacon. I fault the barman for only one thing, throwing his captain under the bus. I said i'd seen the owner on Top Chef Canada and before I could go on I was interrupted with the question "do you know what episode because he can seem mean sometimes" prompting me to think "quit interrupting people and they'll stop being mean to you". No; I corrected the barman he wasn't being mean; he's a clear spoken, surefooted professional competing in public and under pressure. Winners know; you can't let a wishbone grow where a backbone needs to be.
I'd heard good things about Saltaire but hadn't been till last night. Friends wanted to meet somewhere we could all walk to. There were 9 of us and we were a 'walk-in'. It was busy but they pulled together this big, cool square table that had us feeling like restaurant royalty right from the start. The food was first class and well executed. The wine list was short and well priced; the cocktail list was long and fascinating. We had every drink on it! The servers were enjoying themselves and clearly accustomed to a room full of people having a great time. Saltaire's on the second floor so you have to look for the street entrance but when you get up there the wrap-around windows showcase the most romantic seascape.
My wife and I took friends to Fraiche in West Van last night on the recommendation of people we respect. We'd never heard of the place and thought it was well off the beaten path. As it turned out; it was simple to get to and well worth the drive across the bridge and up the hill. We were warmly greeted and well served all night by a coordinated team of capable and affable professionals. The kitchen is in full view of the guests and produced succulent fare, beautifully presented in a timely manner. The Chef approached our table and was immediately showered with praise. His manner was so genuine and pleasant you knew he really cared that we'd had a good experience. It had grown dark by this time and what had been a panoramic view of the entire lower mainland was now the most romantic mosaic of twinkling city lights we'd ever seen. As host; I loathe confusion about who is paying the bill, my guest made an attempt to pay but the server stood shrewdly still and waited for resolution before proffering the bill. Spastic panic was nowhere to be found at Fraiche, it's such a relief to be spared that 'bother'. Considering the quality of the food, remarkable ambiance and sure-footed service paying mid $20 to mid $30 for entrees translates into the best value in town.
