Monthly Archives: June 2024

Bacchus Restaurant & Lounge

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There was a time when fine dining restaurants were intimate, romantically lit, and offered live music that still allowed for conversation. It’s been a long time since I’ve found one, so I was delighted to discover Bacchus. It’s everything I loved about dining back in the 70s, but with a modern take on food.

There were many highlights to our meal, but I’d have to list the two-tier seafood tower as the best. Unlike other seafood towers, there were a great variety of prepared dishes included along with the usual lobster, shrimp, and oysters–perhaps a dozen selections in total. We loved all of them. 

The wine list is extensive, and represents nearly every region of the world, although there is no depth to the vintages.

Service was friendly and precise. 

This place is a keeper.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/bacchus-restaurant-and-lounge-vancouver

Los Chavos Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

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Los Chavos is probably the best Mexican restaurant in the West End, but that’s a low bar. The tacos are authentic, although my Pastor was hardly the rich succulent marinated pork from the most authentic places. The quesadilla is non-traditional, but tasty, with its sautéed vegetables. Guacamole was excellent, chips okay. The highlight was the Classic Lime Margarita, which was expertly made, and about as good as it gets. Kudos to the bartender, who was also our server.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/los-chavos-mexican-restaurant-and-cantina-vancouver-3

Holy Guacamole Mexican Grill

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There’s nothing terrible about Holy Guacamole, but there’s also nothing great. It’s not really Mexican food, but more like someone read a description of TexMex and tried to make it without any first hand experience. Cheese sauce on Nachos is an example. It’s a shame, because Vancouver really lacks Mexican restaurants, especially in the West End. But with ordering at the counter rather than the table, this isn’t really a restaurant, either.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/holy-guacamole-mexican-grill-vancouver

Black+Blue

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We had a delightful experience at Black+Blues. We were seated in the upstairs area of the dining room, which is quieter and much more intimate than the downstairs. Our server, Will, was perfect.

We started with the Caesar Salad and French Onion Soup. Both were absolute classics. The Caesar was made tableside, and was one of the best I’ve had in years, with all the traditional ingredients, plus a touch of capers and Tabasco.

The prime ptriploin was good, but the standout entry was actually the salt brick chicken, which was incredibly tender, and topped with a delicious lemon & thyme chicken jus.

The fries are excellent. The spinach is whole-leaf, sauteed, and a bit wet; not my favorite.

The wine list offers a broadt selection of varietals and regions, although no depth of vintages.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/black-and-blue-vancouver

Avo House

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Avo House has a delightful selection of sushi and other Japanese treats. The fish is fresh, and the rolls are creative. The Bento box lunch combination is a great deal, combining your choice of main (mine was sashimi plus a dynamite roll) with soup, salad, and side dish of your choice, which can even include tempura! I love that hot green tea is served as soon as you sit down. Service is friendly.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/avo-house-vancouver

Hawksworth Restaurant

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Hawksworth restaurant is an upscale dining experience that offers creative cuisine with an emphasis on fish. There is a nightly tasting menu, but we opted for à la cart selections in order to try more items.

We started with the chips and dip and the bread service, both were good choices to get warmed up for our starters.

All of the starters were excellent. We had asparagus soup, steelhead tartare served on endive, and Burrata cheese.

Our entrées included Lamb, Seabass, and Hamachi (which was served raw, but with a broth poured over it). We all liked the entrées, but I don’t think they were as good as the starters.

Service throughout was friendly and professional.

There is an extensive wine list from a broad range of countries, but with no depth of vintage.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/hawksworth-restaurant-vancouver-3

Banana Leaf

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Banana Leaf offers a nice variety of traditional Malaysian foods, well prepared. The seven course lunch is a great way to experience a broad range of flavors. Our favorites were the very refreshing salad, the curry sauce, and the vegetables. I thought the roti could’ve had a little bit more sear on it. Try their lemongrass and ginger iced tea.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/banana-leaf-vancouver-8

España Restaurant

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This cozy tapas bar offers an assortment of small plates that are interesting twists on traditional tapas. We particularly enjoyed the Spanish tortilla, the sautéed mushrooms on toast, and the cheese assortment. Be sure to try the churros, which are almost more like beignets, offered with two different dipping sauces. There’s a nice selection of appropriate wines by the glass. Reservations are needed on Friday and Saturday nights, even to sit at the bar.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/españa-restaurant-vancouver-2