Category Archives: Vancouver

Perfecto Cafe

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This new location on Robson has been much-awaited, and was a hit, right from day one. It’s in my building, but I managed to resist for a whole month before sampling their offerings.

The focus here is on pastries and gelato, but I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, so I decided to try one of their sandwiches, something you can’t really find out about on their fairly uninformative website. I had the turkey and brie, and I must say it was absolutely delicious. It was warmed for me, and the gooey consistency of the generous slabs of brie was great, accented by thin slices of pear and some very savory turkey. The pretzel roll was fresh, and half a sandwich was a satisfying lunch. I saved the rest for later.

I should have also asked them to warm the chocolate croissant, but I was expecting to take it with me. But temptation got the better of me, and I dug in after my sandwich. Mistake, because the chocolate was essentially a solid unmelted bar in the center. My fault, not theirs. I will say the pastry crust was perfectly flaky and browned.

The coffee menu is extensive, of course. I simply had an Americano, and it was quite good.

The inside dining area is nice, and outside is even nicer.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/perfecto-cafe-vancouver-3

Maruhachi Ra-men

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Maruhachi Ra-men is a small chain that offers awesome Ramen. This location near Stanley Park provides a cozy, authentic, environment.

Their chicken broth is fairly creamy. I had the aka ramen, which included ground nuts and chili. It was just the right spice level. The pork shoulder chashu topping was tender and full of flavor. The other ingredients—seaweed, green onion, cilantro, bean sprout namuru, and lemon—made it quite complex. Best of all, the thin noodles were the perfect al dente, providing a satisfying meal.

Another plus is the beer list. I’ve struggled to find good dark beers in Vancouver, and Maruhachi offers one of my favorites, Coedo Black Lager.

Service was very quick–with this many customers it has to be.

There’s usually a line, so best to go at an odd time. I went at 3 pm and there was no problem getting in.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/maruhachi-ra-men-vancouver

Al-Hadbah Donair

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Al-Hadbah offers excellent Middle Eastern food in a counter service establishment with some patio seating on Robson Street.

I had the Falafel Plate, which included four pieces of falafel, taboule, pickles, hummus, tahini sauce, harissa sauce, and pita bread. I loved that the falafel was made to order! The hummus and taboule were also very good. Service was friendly, and the prices are very reasonable. Highly recommended.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/al-hadbah-donair-vancouver-2

Spicy 6 Fine Indian Cuisine

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This place, located in the posh part of Robson Street, is a bit hard to find, being upstairs along a narrow passageway, but it’s worth the effort.

For lunch they have an extensive and popular buffet, but we elected to order off the menu.

Papad were served with three chutneys, the normal min and tamarind varieties, and a mayonnaise based one I hadn’t seen before. It was very good on the Chicken Pakora, our other starter.

For mains we had Butter Chicken, Navratan (vegetable) Korma, and some accompanying garlic basic naan bread. All were quite good. I liked that the mains were served in dishes with a built-in flame below, so they stayed hot. Speaking of hot, the “hot” version of the Korma was what I would call medium, so if you are spice-averse you needn’t worry.

Service was friendly and attentive.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/spicy-6-fine-indian-cuisine-vancouver-2

Earl’s Kitchen + Bar

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I’d been to the Earl’s Kitchen in Orlando, and was interested to see how this one compared. It’s in a large (for Vancouver) upstairs space on Robson. The interior is fresh and open, perhaps recently updated?

The menu is above the level of typical sports bar food, although there are plenty of football games playing on the TVs around the bar.

I had a Cobb salad, which I enjoyed although it was a bit odd. It was as if someone had read the ingredients of a Cobb salad, but never actually seen one. Typically they are served with discrete rows of chopped ingredients that can be mixed at the table or eaten by plowing your way through one row at a time. This one was just a mixed green salad with some of the traditional ingredients sprinkled around it. But the accompanying dressing was quite good, and I like it for a nice, light lunch.

My companion had the Stea Frits. This dish is often served with a thin steak, or with the steak sliced up in the kitchen. Here it was more of a baseball, and I have to say it wasn’t the most tender steak. The accompanying steak knife wasn’t really up to the task, but oddly the serrated table knife worked better. The rub and sear on the outside was delicious, though.

Service was pleasant. There’s also a nice outside dining area that would be a great place to sit, too.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/earls-kitchen-bar-vancouver-3

The Mexican Antojitos Y CantinaThe Mexican

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Since I’m originally from Los Angeles, I’m used to being able to get great authentic Mexican food almost anywhere. But it’s been a long search for authentic Mexican food anywhere in the West End. Well, this is only marginally in the West End, but it’s sure better than anywhere else west of here!

This restaurant is located in a particularly seedy stretch of Granville, but it’s nice once you get inside.

The traditional Margarita was excellent. One of the best in town.

Nachos we just so-so. They did use melted cheese, but needed more, and needed jalapenos instead of a meager few dried serranos.

The chicken tostada was a home run. The crisp tortilla base seemed homemade, and the ingredients were plentiful and flavorful, including a nice spicy green sauce.

The pastor taco was also very good: fairly succulent pastor on two corn tortillas, with a generous side of cilantro and onions.

Service was pleasant, although the Mexican version of Bollywood on the TV can get old after a dozen similar numbers.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-mexican-antojitos-y-cantina-vancouver

Kosoo (on Cardero)

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We live in this block, and there are three excellent Korean restaurants. This is my favorite!

It would be hard to beat their “Lunch Course” which has a wonderful variety of flavors in ten courses, far more than we could possibly eat. Fortunately they do a huge takeout business, so containers are plentiful.

That said, it’s really a lovely place to dine in. It’s off Robson, on a quiet section of Cordero, with huge trees outside the picture windows. (Note that there is another Kosoo just a few blocks away on Robson, but the vibe there is completely different, more quick server, while this leans more to fine dining.)

It’s hard to pick a favorite dish, and since you can try them all, why bother?!

Service was pleasant and all the food came out course by course, with great pacing, piping hot or ice cold, and fresh.

Note that they don’t have tea, but they do have hot water, so bring your own teabag!

https://www.yelp.com/biz/kosoo-restaurant-vancouver

Coco Rico Cafe

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This cozy cafe/sports bar offers brunch from morning until afternoon and then switches to more of a sports bar menu.

The bacon and cheese omelet was tasting, and accompanied by nicely crisped home fries.

The cinnamon French toast included two poofy pieces of brioche, nicely grilled, and served with assorted fruit.

Service was friendly, and the background music audio quality was impressive enough that we noticed their excellent playlist.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/coco-rico-cafe-vancouver

Joe Fortes

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This bustling seafood house has been around almost forty years, and it’s easy to see why. Not only are they serving great seafood, they’re doing it with impeccable service. The entire staff is laser-focused on every diner’s experience, making sure your meal runs like clockwork, and everything is refilled, cleared, or delivered within moments.

Beef carpaccio was an excellent starter, and unlike many restaurants seemed to be made to order, not presliced from carpaccio central.

My fish duo was the lunch special–a nice piece of salmon and a wonderfully seasoned blackened tuna.

It’s worth noting that salads are available in half portions, which was plenty.

The wine list is extensive, and offers a particularly large and thoughtful selection of wines by the glass.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/joe-fortes-seafood-and-chop-house-vancouver

Teahouse in Stanley Park

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We went here in 1986 during Expo 86, and it’s still as lovely as we remember. Whether is time for a dramatic sunset, or a cozy day with rain pattering on the glass roof, this is a special place in a special park in a special city.

The menu harkens back to traditional time, with dishes like Steak Diane, but also a few modern dishes such as herb crusted ware albacore.

Service was extremely professional, and the entire staff was efficient and welcoming. You can’t beat this location for an especially memorable Vancouver meal.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/teahouse-in-stanley-park-vancouver-2