It’s a testament to the burgeoning craft brew scene in Vancouver that so many pubs, diners and restaurants have opened their doors over the last couple of years with menus that strongly focus on hops-friendly dining. Some are good, some are forgettable, and a select few not only deliver on stellar line-up of craft beers from both near and far, but also match the quality of their food to their beverage programs. Here are three of my personal recommendations for where to enjoy good brews and fine bites.
Portland Craft This little two-story charmer opened quietly on Main Street several moons ago and has become a neighbourhood mainstay very quickly. As the name might suggest, it’s all about the beer not from here, but rather from just south of the border. Heavyweights like Occidental Dunkel and Ninkasi Believer jostle with Diamond Knot Ale and Skagit River IPA. There’s even a small but serious bourbon list, and a select offering of local spirits like East Van vodka and Victoria gin. But, it’s the food that really hits the mark. Almost everything is sourced from local and ethical suppliers. Dishes as simple as the lemon-butter green beans are slightly peppery and finger-sucking good, while the house burger is heavenly, with pickled beets, fresh basil and aged cheddar. Don’t miss their sugar doughnuts with rose cream for a sweet finish.
Open until late daily, Monday-Thursday from 4pm, Friday from 11:30am, Saturday-Sunday from 10am. Portland Craft | 3835 Main St. | 604-569-2494 | PortlandCraft.com
Craft Beer Market Having what is billed as “Canada’s largest selection of draft beer” is bound to attract a lot of attention for from hops aficionados, with more than 100 beers on tap at any given time at this new False Creek resto. And, while BC is very well-represented, it’s also fun to check out the offerings from Spain, Belgium, Austria, San Francisco and Ontario, among others. The menu is equally far-reaching, but props go to Corporate Chef Paul McGreevy for crafting food that focuses heavily on local ingredients and insisting that everything, including bread, be made in-house. Ocean Wise lobster salsa with avocado and pico de gallo is a neat twist on a simple favourite, while Red Racer-infused chicken taquitos make good use of the bottles on hand. I don’t often rave about mac ‘n’ cheese, but Craft’s version, baked with cheddar, gouda, mozza and fontina cheeses, studded with bacon and poblanos, and topped with parsley and bread crumbs, is a thing of wonder and big enough to share with two others.
Open Monday-Friday 11am-midnight, Saturday-Sunday 10am-midnight. Craft Beer Market | 85 West 1 Ave. | 604-709-2337 | Vancouver.CraftBeerMarket.ca
BierCraft It’s the grand-daddy of beer-forward restaurants in Vancouver. Operating in both the Cambie and Commercial hoods for almost a decade, it’s still one of the best places to tie on a bib and get hopped on not-so-haute cuisine. The menu of straightforward bistro fare, such as the wedge salad, French onion soup and steak frites, is interspersed with comforting twists like braised beef mac ‘n’ cheese and open-faced vegetable lasagna. The menus are slightly different at each location (Commercial Drive features a solid tapas menu), but the quality is equally stellar. Watch for a new third location coming out at UBC this summer.
Both locations open daily for lunch/brunch and dinner until late.
BierCraft Bistro | 3305 Cambie St. | 604-874-6900 | BierCraft.com/Cambie
BierCraft Tap and Tapas | 1191 Commercial Dr. | 604-254-2437 | BierCraft.com/Commercial
Anya Levykh has been writing about all things ingestible for more than 10 years. Hear her every Monday on CBC Radio One’s On the Coast and find her on Twitter @foodgirlfriday and Facebook.com/FoodGirlFriday. FoodGirlFriday.com
