Tag Archives: Vancouver

Hidden Gems Vancouver – European Bistro Crawl

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I love bistros.  When I think of a place for a date night, I rarely think of a formal dining room, starched tablecloths and 5-course dinners.  I think cozy, dimmed lights, easy to enjoy, an interesting patio or a view and of course superb food.  Here’s the top three that in a city with hundreds of outstanding restaurants we keep going back to. Each one is located in a neighborhood that’s unique. I like to start out with just walking through the streets and then  pair it with a meal and a glass of wine. Makes for a date to look forward to.

Here are a few favorites:

Absinthe Bistro – Commercial Drive

Adesso Bistro – West End, near Second Beach

Espana Restaurant – Denman, near Second Beach

Stable House Bistro – South Granville

Absinthe Bistro

Let’s start with Absinthe Bistro.  The first time we went there I was blown away with the food that was pure perfection.  And I’m not saying it lightly.  The rotating seasonal menu offers only 3 appetizers, 3 mains and 3 deserts. The dishes that are not complex or over the top, yet they are cooked in a way that every ingredient tastes the very best it possibly can.  The scallops were the best scallops I’ve had in my life.  And so was the mashed potatoes that accompanied them.  And together with lemony creamy sauce and a spinach, that was the best combination I ever wanted to taste with scallops.  The same thing with braised beef – deep, rich, melt in your mouth, paired with parsnip puree, highlighted by the sauce with such a succulent wine taste, you could not leave a drop on the plate.  I can go on like that about every dish.  The fact that those dishes are made by no more than two people in the kitchen, served promptly and warmly by no more than two servers and usually have every single table full and reservations stretching for weeks, speaks for itself.  Absinthe Bistro is a very special gem of a restaurant in the heart of Commercial Drive district.  If you have a special occasion coming up, book the restaurant early, plan to walk along the Drive, explore the quirky shops, enjoy people watching and stop by for a pre-drink in one of the many bars along the way.  Then go to Absinthe and have the best simple meal of your life.

Adesso Bistro is so close to Second Beach and Stanley Park, which are amazing for a date night walk, taking in the sunset, seating on the logs by the beach.  However, if you don’t know where it is, you’ll never find it.  We’ve walked the neighborhood dozens of times, yet never turned into Haro St, one of the small streets just off Denman and not far from Robson.  In a purely residential street, there is a beautiful green patio, with patio lights sparkling late at night, wrought iron chairs and blankets if the breeze gets cool.  The menu is seasonal and features many local ingredients, hand-made pastas and Italian-inspired cocktail menu.  Adesso brings together a unique experience, different from many Italian restaurants in Vancouver.  It’s not pretentious, takes reservations and does not charge high end prices, combine that with two steps away from one of the best beaches in the city and you’ve got the place we’ll be coming back to over and over again.

Espana steak feature

Espana Restaurant is another great option right on Denman.  One of the most authentic Spanish restaurants in Vancouver, they offer a great selection of tapas dishes, sherry flights, and a seasonal frequently rotating mains.  Transported us right back to our Sitges advetnure in Spain.

Stables House Bistro

Stable House Bistro is a relatively new addition to South Granville Dining scene and a really welcome one.  Tucked away near Granville St and 12th Ave., with a tiny patio in the shade of nearby trees, Stable House offers a French twist on Brunch, lunch and a charcuterie bites. South Granville is one of my favorite neighborhoods and had been so for years.  I love the closeness of Granville island, the walking distance to Kitsilano beach or along the shore walkways with view of bridges, mountains, skyscrapers.  I also love walking along the boutiques, stores and visiting Chapters whenever I’m in the area.  However, I never had a place where I enjoyed stopping by for a bite and now we discovered Stables House. It actually reminds me of one of the favourite places in Seattle (Le Pichet) that we made a point of visiting every time we’d cross the border.  Yet now with this bistro being under 30 minutes  away from where ewe live, charcuterie boards and wine lists that combine some of my most favorite items and service second to none (just imagine I walked in once after a long run, and then two months later we came in for a brunch.  The server remembered who I was!). Another bonus is Stables Bistro is on the way home from work – I know for sure we’ll be coming back for casual dates over and over again.

So here’s the list of our favorites in Vancouver, are there any ones you’d add to that list? Please share with us in the comments.

Christmas Date – CinCin

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The are some cherished traditions that come with the holidays and make all the rushed shopping, crowded malls and endless “to do” lists all worth it.  Every December as I count down days to Christmas, I also know that just a few days before we unwrap the gifts we are going to once again revisit a tradition of our Christmas Lunch Date.

CinCin pork and octopus

Every year in late December we leave the hustle and bustle of the office life and disappear into a beautiful, festive CinCin restaurant for a lunch meal that we then remember for the rest of the year.  We have not changed the location of our Christmas date, even though there is a myriad of worthy and inviting restaurants all around Vancouver.  The reason is simple,  from first steps into the restaurant hallway, as we go up the stairs, and into the warm terracotta walls of Cin Cin we get magically immediately transported into the rich, warm and golden feeling of Italian Christmas.  Christmas lights, intricate decorations, golden light, wooden stove  – the atmosphere is warm and relaxing and we are ushered to the table by the window- stark contrast between the grey rain outside and golden warmth of where we are.

We are introduced to the seasonal special – irresistible burrata appetizer with truffle oil and micro greens salad.  Suggested by the knowledgeable staff – professional, unobtrusive, knowledgeable of every detail of the menu and the wine list.  Mushroom and chestnut soup is velvety and stunning in its simplicity.  Specialty dishes are made in the wood burning stove  – moist and tender inside and with the golden crust outside.  We’ve tried the roasted pork with the crackling skin and octopus over polenta and a chicken over mashed potatoes.  Both dishes were amazing – balanced and luxurious and rich in taste and textures.  Finished with a shared desert  – a tiny caramel apple tart – a perfect finish to a memorable date.earrings yellow diamonds and gold

The room fills up with more people  – some holding holiday meetings with clients, some meeting up with the friends for another once-a-year tradition, and then others picked this place for a lunch date, just like us.  Gifts (maybe gold and diamond earrings just like these)  and hugs are being exchanged, champagne poured into glasses and it truly feels like a perfect Christmas gathering. Definitely a tradition to be continued.

Perfect Date Wish List – Places to Visit

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We’ve talked about some of the memorable places we’ve visited and yet there are so many we dream of experiencing or going back to.  Here’s our “to do” list that will grow with time.  We welcome suggestions and places you think we should visit – share your date favorites in comments!

Seattle

Portland

Vancouver

Okanagan

San Francisco

Toronto

 

 

 

Magical French Date: Le Crocodile

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There is a certain effortlessness and beauty in picking a date location that has a decade of stellar reputation as Vancouver’s best French restaurant. Le Crocodile is more than a great place to eat – it’s an institution, a place to be seen, a well orchestrated show of impeccably trained staff and above all a fantastic food experience.

Located within a walking distance of Vancouver Art Gallery, this can be a perfectly planned ending to visiting a latest arts exhibit.  If you had to le Crocodile before a show or a theater performance, reserve well in advance – you never want to rush le Crocodile experience and the time flies by deceptively fast. Unique Design Citrine & Peridot Earrings in 14K Yellow Gold We came to Le Crocodile for a dinner date.  I was dreaming for months of trying out a restaurant I’ve heard and read so much about.

Right from the very first steps, the restaurant starts working its magic, sets the tone with its formal dining room, grand floral arrangements, polished crystal and lacquered floors.  The atmosphere of romance and old world glamour made me wish I had on a set of family jewels or sparkling fancy earrings, perfect for such an occasion.

The service starts with an offer of champagne or aperitif cocktails.  We loved our server’s knowledge of the menu, polished charm and perfectly timed attention to the table.  We are tempted by all the scrumptious appetizers – foie-gras, truffles, caviar, but decide to go with the signature soups – Lobster Bisque and Tomato and Gin soup.  From the first bites we knew we were in for an extraordinary dining experience.  Balance of flavor, texture, presentation – we could not have a more perfect start!  Followed by a dish of salmon and a rack of lamb.  Both dishes so refined, every element complementing the main ingredient, sauces in perfect harmony, not too heavy, not too light.  And then there were deserts.  We were served a customary pear and champagne sorbet before the desert course.   We’ve shared an apple tart, even though every item on desert menu was incredibly tempting.  Only the agreement to come back another time helped us make a sensible choice of sharing the single desert.

The meal was well balanced, every bite perfectly executed, we enjoyed every moment at Le Crocodile and did not notice the time flying by.  Perfect date indeed and we’ll be back for more.

Valentine’s Date at Miku

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Valentine’s Day is a great reason to celebrate the relationship and steal a few precious moments together from the rushed everyday life.  We have a traditiDessert at Mikuon, where we celebrate the actual day of February 14th by making an elegant dinner at home, which we’ll usually follow by a movie and a chocolate fondue for dessert.  A weekend after, when the restaurant rush around Valentine’s dates is over we’ll do the actual Valentine’s date and dinner out.  This time the destination was Miku – modern Japanese fine dining restaurant.

Located along the Burrard Inlet and next to Fairmont Waterfront and Pan Pacific Hotels, it offers the view of the ocean and North Shore from almost any point of the dining room.  Even on stormy and rainy night, we were amazed by the view of the ocean contrasted by the welcoming yet clean decor inside. We were smart to have reservations, as the waiting line even for a bar seat was close to an hour.  From drinks, to changing courses, to introducing elements of every dish, the service was fast and impeccable – they’ve never missed a beat.  Cocktail menu was unique, with oriental influences and unique spirits featured as well as a selection of Sake.

Stunning Smoky Quartz Earrings

Stunning Smoky Quartz Earrings

And then there was food. Shrimp croquettes, tuna tataki were taken to a completely different level in texture, sauces and presentation.  Every bite memorable and perfectly balanced.  Miku is known for its unique preparation of sushi – Aburi style – torch seared and matched with its individual sauce for ever type of fish.   i could not avoid their Chef’s sushi selection.  The combinations of taste matching and textures of the dish made me never look at sushi plate the same way again.  I looked wishfully at every plate and presentation served at the tables around us.  I’ve also sampled “melt in your mouth prime rib” dish my date ordered and it was also exceptional.

Miku gave us an extraordinary experience – lighting, view, incredible food, skillful service made for a perfect date experience we were looking for at our Valentine’s dinner.  This is definitely a special occasion restaurant and it delivers on every promise. If you are looking for a gift that matches the refined minimalistic feel of the date, smoky quartz delivers the dreamy, magical reminder of the special  date.

Unforgettable Gastown Date: L’Abattoir

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If you ask me to pick five Best Vancouver restaurants, this place will always be in the top five.  I might think hard about the other four, but there will be no question about l’Abattoir being “the place” to experience. I’ve been hearing lots of good things about this rare Gastown gem and coming up was the perfect occasion to visit it.  Our upcoming anniversary that we have a tradition of celebrating at really great restaurants.  With the past choices being Grouse Mountain’s Observatory and Yaletown’s Chambar – this was a really tall order.

This is one of those rare occasions when I’m not dying to explore the areas around the restaurant, walk the streets and combine the great dinner with sightseeings.  Don’t get me wrong, Gastown has plenty of sightseeings to offer.  If you have more willpower than us, plan a nice stroll through cobblestone streets, browse through eclectic boutiques and stylish furniture stores, even make a stop on your drive at the Coal Harbour and take in landing planes.  Us? We are going straight for the L’Abattoir restaurant.  Showing up first after they open and making sure we get a seat overlooking the bar.  And then the magic starts.

We watch bartender mixing our drinks, his hands doing some crazy dance measuring out ingredients, pressing juices, for a cocktail list that is both intriguing and delicious.  Our jaws drop at the sight of first course.  Something that was unassumingly called “Potato salad with steelhead” arrived gorgeously arranged on plates, accented with sauces of different colors, fish tasting better than any other fish course I’ve had in my life.  Every dish we tried was unbelievably good – Steak Diane, melt-in-your-mouse octopus, deserts…   Every plate

Black & White Diamon Earrings

looked gorgeous and fairly small, but don’t be fooled  – every bite is rich and very filling.  Looking around the room I was jealous of every dish I have not tried.  Atmosphere, decor and service matched perfectly prepared food, completing amazing dinner experience.  Servers know every aspect of menu, cocktail and wine list.  Dimly lit beautiful rooms combined restrained design with cozy romantic atmosphere.  We loved every moment there, enjoying every sip and every bite. Saying the date was unforgettable is quite and understatement. How do you match an outstanding experience like this with a gift? Well, let me suggest something that’s just as high-end, restrained and breathtaking at the same time.  Black and white diamond earrings.

Waterfront Date: The Sandbar

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No matter how many times I’ve been at Vancouver waterfront, I always want to come back and I always find the walks along the seaside romantic and beautiful.  Whether it is to meet with a couple of out of town friends, or head out on a cozy date, it’s hard to go wrong with a waterfront patio and views of Vancouver mountains.

So here’s the plan for a nice sunny day date: take a train or drive to Yaletown.  Take in the views of the yachts while you are waiting for the water taxi.  Take a trip to Monk’s water taxi station and go for a nice walk along the waterfront to Granville Island.  View of downtown reflected in ocean water, kayaks and stand up paddlers, man-made pond and a small waterfall make for a beautiful walk.  Once in Granville Island, check out some artisan galleries – Craft Council of BC and a quirky Dragon Shop will give you plenty of things to admire and discuss.   When heading out of the Dragon Shop, turn towards the Sandbar Restaurant – that’s your restaurant date’s destination Colourful Blue Sapphire Ring in 14K White Gold.

It is hard to beat the views of the Granville Island Marina from that restaurant.  Being part of the Sequoya Group Restaurants, the food is top notch.  I also liked a combination of casual, dynamic atmosphere with an impeccably great service.  It never feels like a stuffy pretentious place, but the attention from servers makes you feel special and the restaurant experience truly high-end.

With the lengthy list of daily fish market choices, mussels from various locations and an impressive wine room, it’s easy to make the meal as fancy or as casual as you like. Sipping the wine, looking out at the boats outside, enjoying local seafood – that’s my idea of the perfect date. If it also happens to be a birthday or an anniversary or “just because” occasion, a gift the color of the ocean would make the day unforgettable.  Tanzanite for a sunny day, or deep sapphire for an evening date would be a perfect compliment to a perfect date.

 

Perfect Valentine’s Date: Seasons in the Park

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Valentine’s day is one of the hardest occasions to figure out a perfect date plan. The crowds, overbooked restaurants, clouds of pink hearts….all that screams anything but quiet celebration of love. Well, why not spend the 14th of February at home (with a movie and a bowl of fondue) and then splurge on an amazing evening the following weekend and celebrate in a sane yet still romantic atmosphere.

There’s a place in Vancouver just for such a date. It’s nestled at the very top of the hill in Queen Elizabeth Park overlooking Vancouver downtown.

It’s beautiful in the summer with famous rose gardens, water fountains, luscious flower beds and hidden trails. In the winter it’s magical with dark alleys and a crown of lights surrounding the restaurant.
“Seasons in the Park” restaurant is open year round and I can’t think of a more perfect place for that special date. Book in advance. Ask for a seat by the window. Arrive after dark. Follow the curved road to the top of the hill where a sea of sparkling lights surrounds the restaurant. Enter through the bar and be prepared to be amazed. First with the view. Then with the ambiance. And finally with the food.

You will enter through the wine bar, with nature-inspired branch chandeliers, and be seated in the dining room, surBrown-diamond-ringrounded by the glimmering lights: Brown-diamond-ring candles, chandeliers, panoramic views of night Vancouver. Lit up skyscrapers, red splash of lights from Rogers arena, and a glowing ball lights of Telus Science Center all reflect in the blackness of ocean water. Magical just begins to describe the view.

Restaurant floor is built with multiple raised levels so that seating even in the middle of the dining room you can enjoy the view. The service is impeccable: great knowledge of menu offerings, full of tact and sparks of humour. The food is probably the best among all Sequoia group restaurants. I started looking for an occasion to come back before I finished our first course. Menu is perfectly balanced, presentation is creative and product quality is just superb.

We were lucky to get Valentine’s menu even few days after the actual holiday. Many couples around us were also celebrating post-Valentine’s: admiring the view, sipping the wines, exchanging gifts. What a better place to slip a box with that special gift, maybe a unique brown diamond ring that’ll compete with the sparkles of the lights around?