Josh's Reviews: Vancouver
 Each link includes the first part of the review. Many of the reviews also include pictures of the individual dishes.
2011
Vancouver's Best Restaurants: Hawksworth; Cafe Medina; Cin Cin; Cioppino's; Cibo; Tojo's
Thursday, October 20
I had a short while in Vancouver and was determined to go to some of the best restaurant suggested by friends. I did not have time for all, but I was able to get to many.
Hawksworth
I was told by so many acquaintances, you MUST go to Hawksworth. Perusing the regular menu, I found the selections superficially unchallenging and not particularly interesting. However, some of the dishes on the tasting menu got my attention. My waiter told me, in no uncertain terms, no mixing of dishes was allowed between the regular and tasting menu. Either you have the tasting menu or the menu ordinaire. So, I ordered from the regular menu. I was truly surprised by the exceptional result.
Cafe Medina, Brunch
So many friends and acquaintances who visit Vancouver suggest Cafe Medina for brunch or breakfast, and justifiably so.
Cin Cin
We found that the general service was haphazard and disorganized. The wine service was fine. Bread, accompanied by a side of oil and tapenade, was initially brought....cold. It could have been great if warmed and crisped in the internally acclaimed wood fired oven. Instead it was rather tasteless, insipidly soft, "white bread" with no "crust" at all. The strange thing was that we were brought an order of the same bread later in the meal and it was crusty, hot and perfect!!
Cioppino's
I came to this restaurant to eat food prepared by a former Toronto chef who in my expereince was highly accomplished with his creations. The menu selections, I found, were not as adventurous or avant guard as the menus that Chef Pino Postararo would prepare at his former restaurant inToronto. But, it was good to see old friends. His brother Celestino was there making sure all the clients were cheerfully well cared for.
Cibo
The menu at Cibo is inspiring for anyone who enjoys eating hearty, rustic cuisine. However, we began with a rather uninspiring serving of squishy bread with an uninspiring and uninteresting topping of tomato and herbs, which did not bode well for what might follow. However, we were delighted by the rest.
Tojo
Tojo is heralded as the best japanese restaurant for prime fresh fish to the west or east of toronto. In Toronto, the only competition is Hashimoto, in my opinion. But, the style of Hashimoto is also quite different in only presenting kaiseki style meals.
Vancouver Street Food: La Brasserie, Japadog, Dougie Dog, Mangal Kiss BBQ, Re-Up BBQ, Bella Gelateria, Cafe Artigiano
Thursday, October 20
Vancouver has good street food, especially the carts.
La Brasserie
La brasserie food cart, on Georgia, offers the Brass chicken sandwich, beer brined rotisserie chicken in gravy, topped with crispy fried onions, on a buttermilk bun. This is a tasty very juicy sandwich, but the chicken, although good, the sandwich is not exceptional. But, it is good for at least 1 lunch if you are there for a few days.
Japadog
Japadog is a very talked about venue and has had loads of press in food mags and travel publications. The hot dogs themselves are good but not great, but the toppings, some of which are not bad, to me, are merely a novelty.
Dougie dog
Dougie Dog has many varieties available. It had better crunch and tasted better than the Japadog.
Re-Up BBQ
Re-Up BBQ made a very good pulled pork sandwich and an exceptional chopped brisket sandwich, both topped with cole slaw. The pork and beef are cooked and smoked over an apple wood fire. This was one of my 2 favourite street food locations, worth a repeat for the brisket. This truck is located on the block where the Vancouver art gallery is located.
Mangal Kiss BBQ
My very favourite street food location, located on the back side of the Vancouver art gallery, on Georgia, is Mangal Kiss Mid East BBQ. The food is Iranian inspired.
Finest At Sea
I should mention finest at sea. It looked good but i did not have further capacity to eat there the day i saw this wagon.
Bella Gelateria
This place has the best gelato I have tasted anywhere in the world with the exception of one place in Milan......and, it may even be a touch better. The flavours of each variety are intense and made from the real food flavours, no substitutes, fillers, or shortcuts in making this gelato!
Cafe Artigiano
Cafe Artigiano may make perhaps the best cappuccino in Canada, great taste and great presentation.
Back to top
|
