Restaurants

Canada > Archive by tag 'restaurants'

Hot Dining: Heritage Flavours at The Flying Pig

Yaletown's The Flying Pig restaurant. Photo by KK Law

Once the town’s transportation hub and warehouse district, Yaletown has been transformed into a hotbed of great eats, often in funky surroundings. Go early to get a seat at newly landed The Flying Pig (pictured); try the skirt steak and don’t miss the homemade waffle cone. Nibble on sweet and succulent ebi mayo (tempura wild prawns) at Hapa Izakaya. Check in for the cheese and meat board at the Opus Hotel’s edgy pop-up Cento Notti. Or pop by down-east-style Rodney’s Oyster House for a dozen freshly shucked BC bivalves and a healthy serving of no-nonsense hospitality.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Chicken à la Kensington

Though it boasts a cartoon rooster for its mascot, Le Kensington Bistro & Rotisserie is hardly some KFC or St. Hubert knockoff. Instead, this homey little spot is the more casual cousin of Loire, a fine French favourite on Harbord Street. Of course, rotisserie chicken ($32 for a whole bird, $16 for half) is prominently featured, but it’s not the only palate-pleaser on chef Jean-Charles Dupoire’s menu—classics like beef tartare ($12), steak frites ($22) and a diverse charcuterie ($15 or $25) are uncomplicated, but nonetheless go far beyond the offerings of take-out chicken joints. And what sommelier Sylvain Brissonet’s Ontario and French wine list lacks in breadth, it makes up for in affordability.

Hot Dining: Tasty Eats at The Village Café

Head over to Westboro for a scrumptious meal at Village Café.

Ever tried a caesar salad with grilled romaine hearts? If not, drop what you’re doing and head to The Village Café in Westboro. The unique, smokey flavour will change how you look at this restaurant staple. Described as “fresh, contemporary, handcrafted comfort cuisine,” there’s really no better way to sum up the food, which includes vegetarian pot pie, a daily sustainable catch, stuffed chicken, and Brome Lake duck salad. And that’s just dinner – they also do lunch and Sunday brunch. 295 Richmond Rd., 613-728-2162.

Hot Dining: Elegant Dining at Hart House Restaurant

Hart House photo by KK Law

In a welcome contrast to the bustle of downtown, elegant and romantic Hart House is set in manicured gardens on the tranquil shores of Burnaby’s Deer Lake Park. This Tudor-style home welcomes lovers and others to cozy up inside. Regional specialties range from grilled BC salmon to Yarrow Meadows duck breast with roasted beets, before dessert of chocolate terrine or espresso crème brûlée, all offered with well-chosen wines from an extensive cellar.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dates: Dine Out Vancouver 2012

January 20 to February 5

Seared weathervane scallops at Hawksworth Restaurant. Photo by KK Law

Foodies, this one is for you. The largest restaurant festival in Canada celebrates its 10th year with culinary tours, cooking lessons, dinner-theatre evenings, contests and—the pièce de résistance—prix fixe menus with optional wine or beer pairings at 225 eateries, from humble bistros to casual favourites to Vancouver’s most elegant dining establishments. Choose your price category ($18, $28 or $38) then make a reservation, because tables always fill up quickly. This year’s line-up of tasty choices includes Hawksworth Restaurant, The Boathouse Restaurant, Yew Restaurant + Bar, Banana Leaf Malaysian Cuisine, Diva at the Met and Market by Jean-Georges. Get ready to make your taste buds very happy.—Sheri Radford
Reservations and menus at www.tourismvancouver.com/dine/dine-out-vancouver-2012

Hot Dining: Steak’s New Meating Place at Black + Blue

The bar and meat-aging cellar at Black + Blue. Photo by KK Law

Downtown’s newest steak emporium, Black + Blue (pictured) is a positive stunner with no shortage of buzz, wrapping prime beef and killer cocktails in a dazzling three-tiered setting highlighted by a glass-walled elevator. Uber-cuts from the Himalayan-salt-walled dry-aging room range from PEI Blue Ribbon and Canadian Reserve Angus to USDA RR Ranch and Wagyu, grilled precisely to taste and offered with a variety of sauces. Good sustainable seafood options cater to the less carnivorously inclined. Think high-energy protein palace…then multiply by 100. For a less contemporary though still very flavourful take on steak, wander down to clubby Hy’s Encore, established in 1962. For simple but flawless steak frîtes, and wines to go along, rendez-vous chez Bistro Pastis.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Beyond Sashimi

The food at ShuRaku is as lovely as art. Photo by KK Law

Even though the city boasts countless sushi bars, the raw fish specialty is only part of the Japanese scene. Chef Masahiro Omori takes small plates to new heights at Granville Street’s ShuRaku Sake Bar & Bistro (pictured). Tucked away downstairs at Alberni and Thurlow, long-running Aki is a robata specialist. And nearby hibachi-style Kobe Japanese Steak House puts on a knife-whirling teppanyaki show. Warning: don’t try this at home.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Get a Discounted Dinner During Winterlicious

Aria Ristorante

JANUARY 27 TO FEBRUARY 9 This year marks the 10th anniversary of Winterlicious, the annual event that lures gourmands, coupon-clippers and the epicurious out of hibernation. For two weeks, approximately 175 of Toronto’s finest dining destinations serve up their signature cuisine as part of discounted three-course prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner. Local landmark restaurants like Canoe are taking part, as are newcomers like Estiatorio Volos, Scarpetta and Aria. No coupons are required, but reservations are highly recommended. Winterlicious lunches are priced from $15 to $25, and dinners are $25 to $45; click here for a list of this year’s participating restaurants.

Hot Dining: Keriwa Café’s Canadian Identity

photo by Alexandra Grigorescu

It’s a bit of a cliché that most citizens of this country are defined by a hyphenated identity—you’re Italian-Canadian, or Polish-Canadian, or even, in the case of Keriwa Café chef-owner Aaron Joseph Bear Robe, Aboriginal-Canadian. The Alberta native, son of a Blackfoot father and Scotch-Nova Scotian mother, fittingly combines the influences of his heritage at his Parkdale restaurant, in seasonal and locally sourced dishes that do modern justice to time-tested culinary traditions. While First Nations staples like bison pemmican with red fife fry bread ($14) are on offer, don’t head into this woodsy-chic dining room expecting an exclusively (and anachronistically) “Native” experience. Order up possible mains like rainbow trout with dill gnocchi ($23) or duck with rutabaga and quince ($25), too, and enjoy an encompassing taste of Canadian-ness.

Hot Dining: Great Steaks in Vancouver

The Shore Club photo by KK Law

Downtown Deluxe

With the feel of a luxurious ocean liner, The Shore Club (pictured) blends a striking mahogany-wrapped decor with the best cuts of AAA Alberta prime beef and West Coast seafood served simply and elegantly. Chill over a perfectly poured vesper martini or sidecar at the downstairs lounge before ascending the gracious, sweeping stairs to enjoy a porterhouse steak, filet mignon, plentiful bouillabaisse or macadamia-crusted halibut in an elegant setting in front of the bustling open kitchen. Other worthy haunts range from Gotham to Hy’s Encore to Black + Blue.—Tim Pawsey

More information: (more…)

Hot Dining: Cannery Redux at Goldfish Seafood and Chops

Sockeye salmon wellington with pinot noir butter sauce. Photo by KK Law

Cannery Redux

When the waterfront’s long-running Cannery succumbed to port security measures, former owner Bud Kanke took up the challenge by incorporating some of the original hallmark dishes into the menu at his Goldfish Seafood & Chops in Yaletown. Reincarnated classics include the pastry-wrapped sockeye salmon wellington and the smoked Alaska black cod, while other mainstays include brick chicken, braised beef short rib with cashew brittle, and a seafood tower stacked with marine treats.—Tim Pawsey

More information:

GOLDFISH SEAFOOD & CHOPS $$. D (daily). 1118 Mainland St. 604-689-8318. www.goldfishseafood.com

Hot Dining: Pink Salmon at O’Doul’s Restaurant & Bar

Pink salmon with Pemberton potatoes and chanterelle mushrooms, at O'Doul's. Photo by KK Law

Regional Hero

Not long ago, West Coast salmon was so plentiful that fishers used to throw back pinks. Nowadays, the milder flavoured, pale-fleshed, sustainable cousin of hard-to-find sockeye and coho has found new favour, thanks to chefs such as Chris Whittaker at O’Doul’s, who likes to serve locally caught salmon in inventive ways. Taste it also at Diva at the Met, Yew and The Fish House in Stanley Park, among others. Best way to check who serves sustainable seafood? Download the free Ocean Wise app from iTunes.—Tim Pawsey

More information:

O’DOUL’S RESTAURANT & BAR $$-$$$. B/L/D (daily), brunch (Sa-Su). 1300 Robson St. 604-661-1400. www.odoulsrestaurant.com

DIVA AT THE MET $$-$$$. B/L/D (daily), brunch (Sa-Su). Metropolitan Hotel, 645 Howe St. 604-602-7788. www.metropolitan.com/diva

YEW $$-$$$. B/L/D (daily), brunch (Sa-Su). Four Seasons Hotel, 791 W. Georgia St. 604-692-4939. www.yewrestaurant.com

THE FISH HOUSE IN STANLEY PARK $$. L/D (Tu-Su). 8901 Stanley Park Dr., next to the Pitch ‘n’ Putt. 604-681-7275. www.fishhousestanleypark.com

Hot Dining: 5 Holiday Dining Highlights

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver's Candy Castle. Photo courtesy Fairmont

Celebrate in style this holiday season.

1 Oru in the Fairmont Pacific Rim invites you to indulge in a festive lunch buffet, with traditional faves and modern Asian influences (11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays from Dec. 5 to 24, $34.95 per person).

2 Shaughnessy Restaurant, tucked away in the magical surroundings of VanDusen Botanical Garden’s Festival of Lights, serves West Coast and continental fare nightly.

3 The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Candy Castle (pictured) is the centrepiece of the historic hotel’s holiday festivities, a fitting welcome to 900 West Lounge.

4 The 50th annual Carol Ships Parade of Lights cruises Burrard Inlet, False Creek and English Bay from Dec. 2 to 23. Prime viewing points include Cardero’s, Lift Bar-Grill-View, The Teahouse in Stanley Park, The Salmon House on the Hill, Bridges and the English Bay location of The Boathouse.

5 Bacchus Restaurant and Lounge at the Wedgewood Hotel yields a festive traditional setting with it blazing hearth, carol singers at some lunchtimes and a wealth of seasonal fare.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Top Vancouver Restaurants to Eat Oysters

Oysters at Monk McQueens. Photo by KK Law

Superb Shellfish

Whether or not you believe the old adage about eating oysters only in months containing the letter “R,” November is a win-win. Enjoy waterfront views at Monk McQueens (pictured) while slurping succulent BC bivalves on ice. If you prefer these molluscs cooked, the oysters Rockefeller is a tasty choice. Other top spots for these freshly shucked shellfish include Coast Restaurant, Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House and Yew.—Kristina Urquhart

More information:

MONK MCQUEENS FRESH SEAFOOD AND OYSTER BAR Patio, Where to Dine Awards 2010. $$-$$$. L (M-F), D (daily), brunch (Sa-Su). 601 Stamp’s Landing. 604-877-1351. www.monkmcqueens.com (more…)

Weekend Picks: November 25-27

This weekend in Edmonton boasts an eclectic offering of events to keep you preoccupied with. Whether it be a night out delighting in the stylings of singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, enjoying a belly full a laughs courtesy of Jon Lajoie or strolling down Whyte Avenue and taking in the sights of the special event Return of the Magic, you’re sure to find something to keep you busy this warm November weekend.

Friday, November 25

Image courtesy of David Bowering

This Friday marks the second last day of David Bowering’s Afghanistan Through My Lens exhibit at the Art Gallery of St. Albert. During a four-month imbed in the war-torn country as a photo journalist with the Canadian Forces, U.S. Army and Marines and 101 Airborne Medevac Units, Bowering chronicled his experiences. The result is a series of real, raw moments that offer a rare insight into a country, its people and the military mission that has encased it for nearly a decade. Art Gallery of St. Albert, free admission.

The classic Canadian imagery singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot is known to evoke makes him one of the country’s most celebrated artists and a cultural icon. Lightfoot’s Western Canada and Ontario tour lands him on Edmonton’s Jubilee stage, where he is sure to enchant audiences with the legendary music that has made him one of the most anticipated live Canadian performers to visit Edmonton this year. Jubilee Auditorium, tickets $65-$75.

Saturday, November 26

Canadian comedian, and all around funny man, Jon Lajoie got his start as an internet sensation and has since skyrocketed into stardom. Audiences are sure to leave Lajoie’s show in stitches, as his sidesplitting standup penetrates even the most somber of folk. Myer Horowitz Theatre, 29.50.

Popular 104 Street bakeshop Queen of Tarts is known for making some of the sweetest, and most heavenly, treats in town. Recently, the foodie favourite has started offering “pop up dinners”, a fun food experience that features a set menu from a special guest chef. Not normally open for dinner, the pop up dinners are a unique addition to the shops repertoire. Saturday’s menu includes, amongst other items, a rustic dish of roast chicken served over wilted greens and seasonal vegetables and a tart au chocolate for dessert. Yum! Queen of Tarts, $45.

Sunday, November 27

Image courtesy of Old Strathcona Business Association, Return of the Magic

It isn’t often that we get spring-like temperatures in November here in Edmonton, so why waste the beautiful weather being cooped up in doors? Take a stroll down Whyte Avenue and enjoy the ecclectic shops the district has to offer. Stop by Whyte favourites such as Block 1912 and grab a steaming hot London Fog, or the Princess Theatre for a little afternoon cinema. And once you’ve worked up an appetite, drop in at one of the many restaurants that line the historic avenue. While you’re out and about on Whyte, be sure to take in the Old Strathcona Business Association’s Return of the Magic, where you’ll discover nine fully restored vintage Christmas window displays located in various shop windows from 100^th to 105^th Street. Check out the You Are Here section of the latest Where Edmonton magazine to read more about Return of the Magic and to scope out other great Whyte Avenue hot spots. http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/where-edmonton/where1111opt/2011110101/#18.

Hot Dining: Eco-Friendly Green Table Restaurants

Pork rack chop with Parmesan gnocchi and bacon jus, at Hamilton Street Grill. Photo by KK Law

4 Eco-Friendly Eats

Looking for a meal that’s as good for the environment as it is for you? These Green Table–certified restaurants are sustainable from top to bottom.

1 Hamilton Street Grill Warm and friendly, this converted Yaletown warehouse is known for certified Angus steaks and great seafood.

2 Raincity Grill Across the street from English Bay beach, regional-seasonal plates are paired with wines from throughout the Pacific Northwest.

3 Commune Cafe Right downtown, this minimalist cafeteria-style spot with a hipster buzz serves all things free-range, organic and sustainable, from dawn to dusk and beyond. (more…)

You Are Here: Old Strathcona

Image courtesy of Noel Zinger

With over 600 eclectic, independent and alternative shops and services to explore, it’s little wonder Old Strathcona is regarded as the place to experience Edmonton’s finest live theatre and music, boutique shopping, dining and nightlife. Read on for some of our top spots in this historical district and then visit www.oldstrathcona.ca for even more.

CHIANTI CAFE Housed in the historic Old Strathcona post office building and featuring super affordable made from scratch Italian fare — including over two dozen pasta dishes — it’s little wonder this charming eatery has been voted one of Canada’s top 100 restaurants and is popular with everyone from university students to young professionals to families. 10501 Whyte (82) Ave., 780-439-9829.

WHEN PIGS FLY This quaint gift shop brims with intriguing and unusual trinkets, jewelry, stained glass, home accessories and more. Chances are, you won’t walk out empty handed, as it caters to any aesthetic taste, covering rustic wares, vintage inspired décor, sleek, modern finds and even children’s toys and accessories. 10470 Whyte (82) Ave., 780-433-9127.

Image courtesy of Laura Byrnes Photography

ROWENA Lovers of pin-up couture will revel in this fashion boutique where you’ll not only find the sweetest selection of 1940’s and 50’s inspired pin-up dresses, but also rockabilly, gothic and other alternative cultures clothing and accessories. The shop offers a wide array of lines for both guys and dolls including Lucky 13, Dirty Devil, Deadly Dames, Trashy Diva and Lip Service. 10762 Whyte (82) Ave., 780-439-5445.

BLUES ON WHYTE Featuring top local, national and international blues talent, Blues on Whyte in the legendary Commercial Hotel is the place to enjoy live blues music from soulful Mississippi Delta to finger-snapping Chicago style. The easy-going atmosphere and standout musicians are second to none, and with live music seven days a week, the place is almost always bustling. 10329 Whyte (82) Ave., 780-439-3981.

BLOCK 1912 An eclectic European style café with vintage ambiance, Block 1912 is a trusty Whyte Avenue staple offering specialty coffees, wine and beer, an assortment of in-house made desserts, sandwiches and gelato. This is a casual, inviting spot, perfect to stop in at and unwind after an afternoon of shopping. 10361 Whyte (83) Ave., 780-433-6575.

Image courtesy of Wee Book Inn

WEE BOOK INN This locally owned and operated second hand bookshop includes two floor levels of fiction and non-fiction finds including a sizable selection of antique and collectible literature. Look for their resident cat who you’ll find purring away contentedly in one of the shop’s cosy corners. 10310 Whyte (82) Ave., 780 432-7230.

PRINCESS THEATRE For a dose of history and entertainment, watch a film at the Princess Theatre, Edmonton’s oldest surviving cinema, which screened its first film in 1915. The ornate building still features the original auditorium and balcony, and has remained much the same as when it was built nearly 100 years ago. Today, the theatre screens an interesting mix of independent, foreign and alternative films. 10337 Whyte (82) Ave., 780-433-0728

Hot Dining: Grey Cup Game-Day Restaurants

(From top) Orange and black bean Pemberton beef with potatoes, Yarrow Meadows duck breast, and portobello mushroom dumplings, at Wild Rice. Photo by KK Law

Game-Day Favourites

As Grey Cup fever sweeps the city, and the BC Lions continue to roar, convenient stadium options abound. East meets west at Wild Rice, which sports a contemporary take on Chinese cuisine with local ingredients. Go for the Yarrow Meadows duck breast or seared albacore tuna with ginger-shallot daikon. More good eats close to BC Place range from lamb tagine at Belgian-inspired Chambar to lamb osso buco at Lupo, which also offers a pre-event menu from 5 to 6:15 p.m.—Tim Pawsey

More information:

WILD RICE $$. L (F), D (daily). 117 W. Pender St. 604-642-2882. www.wildricevancouver.com X Map 1: C6

CHAMBAR BELGIAN RESTAURANT Other European, Where to Dine Awards since 2007. Chef of the Year, Vancouver magazine 2011. Best Other European, Vancouver magazine since 2008. $$$. D (daily). 562 Beatty St. 604-879-7119. www.chambar.com

LUPO RESTAURANT & VINOTECA $$. D (daily). 869 Hamilton St. 604-569-2535. www.luporestaurant.ca

Local-Food Luminary Jeff Van Geest of Mirado, in BC’s Okanagan Valley

By Waheeda Harris

Born and raised in St. Catharines in the heart of Niagara’s wine region, Jeff Van Geest learned the benefits of local ingredients early on from his grandparents, who were farmers. In 1992, he moved across the country to work as a cook in Vancouver, where he completed culinary training, did an apprenticeship at Bishop’s and in 2004 opened his first restaurant, award-winning, local-food-focused Aurora Bistro, which was fiercely adored by locals. (more…)

Hot Dining: Top Drops

Delectable food and wine pairings at Giovane Cafe. Photo by KK Law

Tucked into the Fairmont Pacific Rim, near the Vancouver Convention Centre, Giovane Cafe is handy for quick bites and great coffee. At night, though, the space transforms into a sophisticated wine bar with Italian cheeses and house-made meats, pizzas and, of course, wine. The list features more than 40 wines by the glass, including Barolos and Barbarescos, kept fresh by the state-of-the-art Enomatic system.—Tim Pawsey

More information:

GIOVANE CAFE $-$$. B/L/D (daily). Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada Place. 604-695-5501. www.giovanecafe.com