The Boathouse

Food: * * * *
Service: * * * *

We were here months ago during their Lobster Fest, so details are a bit vague in my mind now. Food was solid and service was attentive and non-intrusive. Prices were not super expensive but still skewed higher due to the seafood/steak specialization. I had the prime rib. It was tasty and not over done. Hubbs had the lobster and he enjoyed it a lot; he thought the portion was very generous. In my mind, it's the place to go if you don't want to spend lots and lots of money (like at le crocodile or C or Blue Water Cafe) but you also want something that's a step up from Joey's. It seemed like it could even be kid-friendly (to a point), and the place was large enough to accommodate families.

Gramercy Grill - DOV 2010

Food: * * * *

Service: * * * *

What a lovely neighbourhood grill! For $28 we couldn't go wrong here; portions were fair (not huge, and the dessert could've been bigger for Hubbs' chocolate thing), food was very tasty (Hubbs *loved* his scallop appie), and on a drizzly rainy Van day, it was a nice place to enjoy a meal. Ambiance is definitely more casual and even arguably kid-friendly, so upscale this is not (even though the dark wood furniture suggests an attempt at business-casual). However, it's definitely several steps up from most family-friendly restaurants, and the food is way better than any chain restaurant willing to entertain people dragging in their little tykes. Good place to hit up if you want a quality meal but don't feel like dressing up fancy and putting on pretenses.

hidden - DOV 2010

Food: * * * * 1/2

Service: * * * *

The former Aria at the Westin Grand got a facelift and is now called hidden lounge. It's small and cozy, the booths and chairs are comfy, and the look is supposed to be somewhat chic for the Sex-and-the-City-loving, cosmo-sipping crowd. DOV dishes were tasty and unique (I think the chef had fun designing the menu) but portions were small on their $18 menu. Guess I shouldn't have expected a full meal deal for that price, but because we got the full meal elsewhere for the same price, I was hoping for more than appie-sized entrees. It is a great place to go for exotic beers; their menu for this is ridiculous and Hubbs had a chocolate beer! Anyway, Hubbs loved it, but I thought it was good but over-priced. Go for a drink and to gossip, but maybe not if you're really hungry.







PS - We had to pay more for the bread, but it was delicious.

Monk McQueen's

Food: * * * * 1/2

Service: * * * *

Don't be misled by the tourist mags touting this place a little too eagerly; this really is a good restaurant for seafood. Parking was non-existent (wear shoes you can walk a few blocks in) save for paid lots a few blocks out of the cul-de-sac. Prices were standard for west-coast contemporary fare, and food was delicious, especially the deep-fried oysters served in mini tortilla shells. The view was breath-taking, so ask for a window seat if possible; we didn't do the patio but it would be uber-romantic to do so if weather permitted. Busy place on weekends and probably some evenings during the week, too; make reso's and be prepared to wait a little for your food. Good for romantic dates and small groups doing a dinner party out.

Fraiche Restaurant - West Vancouver

Sorry, no pics - Hubbs felt it might ruin the romantic mood of our 4th anniversary dinner ;) We made an impromptu last minute decision to go out for dinner to celebrate 4 glorious years of marital bliss, and I picked Fraiche because it has been on my brain ever since I discovered it a few weeks before V-day. I had tried making reso's then, but they were of course completely booked. Next year I'm booking in October ;)

This time we made early reso's and it was on a week night, so they had room and even a table with a view. The restaurant is located in one of the highest points in West Van and thus overlooks the cityscape of Van (particularly near the Stanley Park seawall area). An incredibly romantic place, and quite upscale; the dress code is business casual (at minimum) and the fellow sitting near us who wore a t-shirt probably felt pretty sheepish about his clothing choice ;) I wore a cocktail dress, and most ladies there did the same, so that should give you an idea what to expect ;)

Anyway, Hubbs and I both got starters, he the crab cake and I the foie gras. I think he enjoyed his crab cake (it was pretty yummy from the sampler I got). The foie gras I had was the best foie gras I have ever had, even better than the "Meat and Potato" appie at Hardware Grill in Edmonton. The foie gras was perfectly (and lightly) seared, and so delicate and flavourful and deliciously fatty and smooth that it made my heart flutter. The other part of the foie gras, the "pate" version, was also rich and smooth and paired beautifully with the crispy flatbreads that accompanied it. The clincher though was the candied pineapple that came with the foie gras. The slightly acidic juices were the perfect compliment to the creamy texture of the foie gras.

I could have eaten a pound of foie gros, I'm sure. However, I held back and waited patiently for the main entree. Hubbs had a pasta that came with lobster and sablefish, and I had their rack of lamb. Again, judging from Hubbs finishing all of his meal, I think he liked what he had. My lamb was very tender and roasted such that it was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I've not always loved lamb but this particular preparation was very very good.

For dessert (we made room), I had the creme brulee and Hubbs had the sticky toffee pudding. My creme brulee was good but not particularly stand-out (save for the wonderful "Happy Anniversary" message written in chocolate on my plate), whereas Hubbs' dessert was incredible. Next time I will probably order the toffee pudding instead; it was aromatic and just a decadent and rich dessert to finish off the evening.

Service was great; our server was very helpful and friendly and professional without being snooty. Given the eliteness of the restaurant, his attitude was refreshingly normal and approachable. I very much enjoyed the view and the absolutely wonderful fare. We've already decided we need to save up and come back every season just because we liked it so much!

Fraiche is a great place to celebrate anniversaries and other major occasions, though the place isn't very affordable so it's one of those "save up to go" sort of restaurants. The view is breath-taking, probably moreso at night, so I'd advise going for a late dinner rather than an early one like we did. Do take pictures because it is truly a spectacular view of Vancouver from their dining room; I will next time. :)

Service: 4.5 out of 5

Food: 4.5 out of 5

Sequoia Grill - The Teahouse

Hubbs and I have been eating out a lot. We did the seawall walk a few weeks ago and stopped by the Teahouse for lunch. We had a hard time finding the Teahouse since its real name is Sequoia Grill and happens to be located in a teahouse, which is where the nickname comes from.

Anyway, we got to sit on the deck outside in the sunshine. After having walked to Stanley from our Coal Harbour home, and from the one end of the seawall all the way to Third Beach, we were pretty hungry. We decided to share an appy and order sandwiches.

The ahi tuna was seared perfectly and done really well. Hubbs loved it, and I enjoyed it too (but likely not as much as he did).

Next, the sandwiches. Hubbs had a shrimp clubhouse sandwich while I had the chicken breast BLTC burger. Hubbs liked his sandwich but found it a little lacking in flavour; he does a spicy shrimp salad for his own sandwiches and personally, I think this has spoiled him for all other shrimp salad sandwiches to come.

My BLTC was yummy. A bit drippy/messy but I devoured it all; the bacon was a nice thick kind and very smoky and flavourful, and the chicken breast was moist and filling. I even liked my wedge fries, although they gave me so many that it was an impossibility to try to finish them all off. I think I picked out all the crispy ones ;)

Service was friendly, the standard for most upper-scale restaurants. Some of the other patrons on the patio were obviously among the wealthy "elite," the sort of folks that I find a bit too snooty to want to interact with. Such is to be expected, though; this isn't a cheap burger joint, and it is reflected in both the clientele and the prices. However, the dining experience is very pleasant and proper, making the lunch enjoyable overall.

The Teahouse would be a great date place, and very romantic at sunset I imagine. Be prepared to spend money if you go, however; it's not the sort of location you want to roll into every week wearing your holey jeans and sweat shirt.

Service: 4 out of 5

Food: 3.5 out of 5

Season in the Park

On the day of the parking-lot stabbing at the restaurant (but several hours prior to it), Hubbs & I, and our friends N & J, went to Seasons in the Park for dinner. Our friends are planning to have their wedding reception here, I think, so we were there to scope out the joint.

It's a gorgeous restaurant with awesome views of the city from its raised elevation; we sat by the window so we saw some great city skylines as the sun set. The restaurant is also quite unique in that it's circular in shape, with a circular platform in the middle of the restaurant. In the very middle of the place there is a gorgeous large chandelier that dangles into the oddly-shaped tree that is growing up from the center of the circle.

We had a super friendly server who came by promptly to take drink orders. Hubbs & I shared the cornmeal-crusted Fanny Bay oysters, while N & J had the carrot & ginger soup and caesar salad, respectively. The oysters were delicious and just lightly fried; I could have used a crispier crust, but that's just because I like things fried to a crisp. The oysters were delicious and fresh and were accompanied by a pea shoot & fennel salad that we didn't finish.

For the main event, Hubbs had a colossal prawn duo and I had the duck two ways. Hubbs' prawns really were large; they looked bigger than some lobster tails I've had. Though not as sweet as the BC spotted prawns, his two prawns were still quite crispy in texture and had a mildly sweet aftertaste. My duck leg confit was a little fatty (yum!) and its skin was very crispy, though perhaps the leg lacked a bit of its own flavouring. It ended up absorbing the hoisin and 5-spice flavours of the sauce. The duck breast was tender and had just the perfect amount of skin on it to be rich, but not overly artery-clogging. I really enjoyed my dish, and it was exactly what I needed to curb my duck craving. I also really liked the shittake mushroom rosti that accompanied my entree. Overall, I really can't complain since the entree was a reasonable $28 and it was very very good.

Though I was pretty full by the end of my meal, I opted for a dessert anyway, and ordered their daily cheesecake (almond). It was a generously-sized round piece of cake, and I appreciated that the texture of the cheese was smooth and not too sweet. The almond flavour was also prominently featured, which I liked. Hubbs' creme brulee was good and also very largely portioned, but like a trooper he ate it all ;)

Our server was really friendly and helpful, and quite prompt with her service. No complaints in that department.

Overall, I'd say that Seasons in the Park is one of those nicer, dress-up restaurants that you really should check out on a sunny evening. It's a fantastic date-night sort of place, and romantic during the sunset hour. Prices are not super steep, though not inexpensive either; it's definitely a save-up-to-go sort of place where you really don't want to cheap out when you're actually there. Given its location in the heart of Queen Elizabeth Park, it's also a good place to go for a lovely stroll either pre-or post-dinner. We'll definitely be back, and not just for N & J's wedding ;)

Service: 4.5 out of 5

Food: 4.5 out of 5

Blue Water Cafe

So I can't believe I never posted a review of the Blue Water Cafe (before today, that is).  It is a personal favourite of Hubbs and I and we've been here half a dozen times since his birthday 2 years ago.

Anyway, our most recent visit happened while my Superstar Jo sister and SpaceMax bro-in-law were in town.  We made our reservations early and they had a booth lined up for us upon arrival.  Our server was awesome, timely, and friendly.  When my sis & I wanted fruity non-boozy drinks, she had the bartender specially-design a citrus drink for Superstar Jo and the "Berrylicious" bevvie for me.

The three of them ordered our usual favourite, the "Seafood Tower" while I opted for the beef tenderloin (due to shellfish sensitivities).  We also went with some starters: hot & sour lobster soup for Hubbs and duck confit salad for the rest of us.  Hubbs loved his soup and I quite enjoyed my appie, although I would have preferred a crispier skin on the duck.

Next up were our mains.  This is a small pic of the seafood tower; I took this pic on our first visit to Blue Water but you get the idea.

There was actually a *process* to putting down the eating tools for this thing.  It's quite an exhibit, really, and fun to watch and experience.  During our most recent visit, the Dungeness crab on the top tier was replaced with a 1-pound lobster.  There was also a jellyfish salad on the bottom tier that was once a little plate of escargot (in shell).  Aside from a few minor changes like that, the tower was essentially the same as ever, and (according to my fellow diners) as fresh and decadent as ever.

My tenderloin was perfectly seared and very tasty.  I particularly like macaroni-and-blue-cheese accompaniment that comes with the tenderloin.  It is rich and creamy, flavourful and indulgent.

After our mains, we decided to stay for dessert; in the past, we've sometimes opted to go elsewhere just to experience a different, more casual setting, but on this night we chose to stay.  Hubbs had the profiteroles, which he proclaimed to be one of his new most favourite desserts.  I had the warm Cuban chocolate cake, which was rich and tasty but perhaps not quite warm enough.  Superstar Jo had the fruit brulee which I found to be a bit tart but I think she liked, while Space Max had the Mont Blanc, which I assume he also very much enjoyed since he announced he wasn't going to share with us (jokingly, of course). 

All in all it was another wonderful visit to Blue Water for us.  The price tag isn't cheap and the place is business-casual at the minimum, but you get what you pay for, and the dining experience is exquisite and a good way to impress a date or entertain business associates or celebrate special occasions.  We'll be back again, and likely soon.  We want every member of our immediate families to have a chance to experience the awesomeness that is the Blue Water Cafe; that's just how we roll.

Service: 5 out of 5

Food: 5 out of 5

Fuel Restaurant

Rarely do we get the opportunity to dine out super fancy, but last night was a special night with friends.  Hubbs, Froggers, the Igloo Coder, and I checked out Fuel Restaurant for the first time.  The night was all the more special because it marked the first time that the Igloo Coder dined at his cousin's restaurant.  We were hoping to catch more than a glimpse of the owner/executive chef but he apparently had a charity dinner to attend to.

Anyway, the restaurant was lively and filled to capacity when we arrived.  Intimate soft lighting and a very sleek, modern look characterized the interior of the place.  We had many many libations ranging from the very tart to the very sweet, and slowly got around to ordering our grub: the 5-course chef's menu.  

Before our dishes even came out, servers brought us an amusee bouche, compliments of the kitchen.  It was a bit of some sort of shredded vegetable with roasted sunflower seeds mixed in.  It's not on their menu and I don't remember the name of it but it was incredibly delicious and an excellent way to kick off the night!

The first courses served were 4 different appies for the 4 of us, which up to this point I'd never seen before in a set menu.  Generally when they require everyone at the table to order the same host menu, they do up the same dishes for the entire table.  This was an unexpected delight, made more so by the Igloo Coder's insistence to our server to surprise us with the dishes.  In the end we were able to enjoy things that we probably wouldn't

 have otherwise ordered.  The four appies served were the Cauliflower Soup with cured salmon (Hubb's), the Ultra Rare Albacore Tuna (Frogger's), the Traditional Brodo (Igloo Coder's), and my Heirloom Beetroot Salad with a lemon-citrus creme fraiche.  Igloo Coder nearly had an attack over the deliciousness of his broth, Froggers couldn't stop smiling about her tuna, and Hubbs thought that his soup was an excellent balance of flavours between the cream and the salmon.  I enjoyed my salad, but truth be told I think the other three appies were better.

Course two consisted of two different dishes: the Duck Confit and Foie Gras Mousse Terrine for the ladies and the Carnaroli Risotto for the guys.  I tasted Hubbs' risotto and it was perfectly done; not too heavy but still hearty, and smooth textures that blended well with the more-chewy crab.  I loved my terrine too (I did share half of it with Hubbs) though I think Froggers found it a bit heavy and salty.  I love just about all things foie gras, so this was no exception.  The terrine was pate-esque with a slightly more rich flavour, and it paired well with the toasted bread and the sliced apples.

Next up were the mains, which we each had two of (in reduced portions).  First we had the Roasted Wild BC Salmon, which was done well - cooked thoroughly but still moist, and yet with the crispiness of the skin intact.  I particularly loved the two little perogies that came with the dish, as did Hubbs.  The watercress cream was a hit and miss with our table; some of us found it a little bland for our liking while others of us appreciated the blandness relative to the chantrelle mushroom-watercress saute.

Our second entree was the Fraser Valley Free Run Lamb, seared rare and served with a glazed lamb shoulder (Igloo Coder was in heaven over this part of the meal).  I thought the lamb was tasty and not gamey, and the shoulder was really moist and smooth-textured (like the fatty dark meat from a turkey).  Yumm-o!

Finally, our desserts were served.  I had been looking forward to this all night long.  The guys received portions of their Gravenstein Apple Cake, and Hubbs thought his cake was really soft and pretty good.  I ate his ice cream (ceylon cinnamon) and thought it was sweet and creamy, but really subtle flavour-wise.  I think I would've loved to have a more strongly-flavoured gelato.  We were served their Carnaroli Rice Pudding; the rice pudding itself had a slight almond taste to it, which I really enjoyed.  The pistachio sorbet and chocolate crumble were good pairings for it.  I wasn't as keen on the preserved apricots, though; I found them tart and would rather not have had the sourness of the preserves taint my otherwise sweet warm dessert.

Overall the dinner was lovely and the company even better.  The drinks were also very tasty and in the end, we felt that we had experienced a fine dining sort of meal befitting the formal attire we sported for the evening.  The bill was a little on the steep side though, due mostly to the sheer number of cocktails added to the bill over the course of the 3 hours.  The blow was softened by the sweet morsels of delight that they served to us along with the bill, though.  In retrospect, I think that if we had been completely sober water-sippers, the meal would have been very appropriately priced considering the quality of the food.  It's the booze that cost us dearly!

In the end, we'll come here again.  We thought this was a first-class establishment and the food was fresh and delicious.

Service: 4 / 5

Food: 4.5 / 5

**PS Food images belong to Urban Mixer on flickr. They're not mine. :)

Lift Bar & Grill - New Year's Eve

I should qualify this review by saying that it was NYE and so the menu was set for us in advance.  We had wanted to try Lift Bar & Grill out since we started doing walks in the Coal Harbour area, but were never afforded an opportunity until this particular evening.

We showed up on time and were seated beside the window.  Right away our drink orders were taken (we had martinis) and then we got down to business: ordering. :)  The amusee bouche brought to us was so yummy: it was a quail egg on serrano ham with a green sauce (I think pea shoot).  

Next we were served appies: Hubbs and I both had the wild game consomme with ravioli.  It was the most delicate broth, and yet flavourful and satisfying.  It surprised me that I could feel so strongly about a soup!

Next came our second round of appies.  Hubbs ordered the Scallop St. Jacques, which he enjoyed (though he didn't elaborate on it much) and I had the quail and winter truffle terrine.  I'm not sure what the contents of the shooter glass were, but at the bottom of the glass there were two grapes, and the liquid in which they soaked was tasty and sweet and chilled.  I'm almost certain it was boozy too!

Of course we also asked for bread, which I had been consuming throughout this meal, between dishes.  Bad mistake.  I was also onto my second martini before my entree was served.  Second bad mistake.  In the end, I was too boozed up and too full to enjoy all of my organic bison dish.  The meat was flavourful and moist (an accomplishment considering that bison is oft more dry and easily overdone), though I found the sauce a bit salty.  Hubbs had Lobster Thermidore, and since he's a huge shellfish fan, he really couldn't go wrong with a full tail.  He cleaned his plate so I assume his meal was to his liking ;)

Finally dessert came round.  By now the booze effects had begun to fade and I was gaining my second wind for dessert.  Good thing, since their pot de creme trio was absolutely decadent.  I liked the slight tartness and light moussy texture of their raspberry creme as well as the rich full-bodied flavour of the coffee creme.  Hubbs' favourite was the pumpkin creme, the creamiest and sweetest of the three.

By the time the champagne came round I was full again, and reluctant to resubmit my body to the ravages of alcohol.  Hubbs was left drinking the majority of both flutes, but I think he didn't mind too much.  The lovely folks at Lift even brought us noisemakers and hats for the countdown, which I thought was a nice touch.

Overall, I think we rang in the New Year well.  The food was very tasty and generously portioned (well, individual dishes were appropriately portioned but when you add in the bread and the sheer number of courses, that's where the abundance comes in), and servers were present but unobtrusive.  The restaurant was quite lively while we were there, but perhaps it was not at capacity, since the noise levels remained moderate throughout the evening.  Sure, the restaurant set us back a few $$$ but hey, it was NYE and you can't complain if you leave with your belly full and a smile on your face!

Service: 4 / 5

Food: 4.5 / 5