City EATS – Vancouver, September 2017

The restaurants of Vancouver are changing faster than I can get to them. The list of new exciting places to try is growing so much that I already can’t wait for my next column!

Chef Angus An is already at the helm of some of Vancouver’s best restaurants including Maenam and Fat Mao. His new project Sen Pad Thai provided us with a new approachable on the go menu. Available in the Net Loft on Granville Island. Sen Pad Thai uses fresh ingredients to create dishes inspired by markets of Chanthaburi. The Beef Pad Siew is definitely a favourite for me, made with fresh rice sheets instead of the traditional noodle.

senpadthai.com, @senpadthai

1666 Johnston Street, Vancouver

An inspirational dinner date night with two new friends brought us to Tempranillo located just off Carrall Street in the heart of Gastown. You might almost miss it as you walk by, but trust me you wouldn’t want to do that. Encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone as a recovering picky eater I had my first ever anchovies, and some olives and nuts that paired beautifully with the wine, a Giro Ribot Giro2 Blanca from Spain, picked by Sommelier Ben de Champlain. The dinner special of the evening was a wet rice dish, which means it is like paella but with a sauce, and the clams were so good we fought over the last one.

tempranilloyvr.ca, @tempranillogastown

280 Carrall St, Vancouver

Lucha Verde is the tasty new vegetarian Mexican restaurant that replaced Lolita’s on Davie Street. Lucha Verde has a great atmosphere filled with lots of energy and great staff. Owner John Cooper is out on the floor, serving, getting feedback and providing recommendations that never fail. The menu is not only vegetarian but also gluten-free, with creative tacos like chili relleno, and the cauliflower was worth a look or two or five. A great and creative cocktail menu has been created for Lucha Verde by Amber Bruce, from Keefer Bar, the Limo Wreck has a great combination of smoky mezcal and sweet tropical fruits.

luchaverde.com, @luchaverde

1326 Davie Street, Vancouver

Starting as a local food truck Chickpea has moved to include a storefront on Main Street! Now completely vegan this is a restaurant that someone who is neither vegan or non-vegetarian can eat at, and want to keep eating at every day! (yep that’s me) If you are skeptical and don’t think it will fill you up, give it a chance because it will. You choose the style of menu item from pita, salad, hummus plate or platter, then choose the main to go on it. Try the Shnitzelonim, battered schnitzel like tofu, or the Cauliflower of Life. They do serve a selection of beer, wine and cocktails, but it’s all about the Limonana…

ilovechickpea.ca, @ilovechickpea

4298 Main Street, Vancouver

Banter Room is located in Vancouver’s Yaletown with a great patio perfect for lunch in the sun, drinks with friends or in my case taking advantage of #yaletownfree WiFi. The casual atmosphere has a touch of luxury. Dinners are to be served family style with each one to be shared among four people including a chicken dinner with vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes and gravy ($85) and a Tomahawk steak, sautéed portobello mushrooms and fries ($185). Smaller options are available for smaller groups or individual guests. A sure way to win the heart of this writer is the Moët & Chandon vending machine, just buy a token at the bar to use in the machine. Now to have one installed in my kitchen.

banterroom.com, @banterroom

1039 Mainland Street, Vancouver