Alright, so if you’re a new restaurant, you get written about, but if you’re an old restaurant, so you don’t. It’s because it’s old news and who cares about old news?
Well I do.
Good food is good food and we need to remember where we can find it. On the other hand, restaurants can start out good and then get too comfortable, which isn’t good either. So here are a couple of Vancouver institutions who have managed to keep consistently high quality and standards, producing some of the "best food" in the city (arguably).
I once called this place “The restaurant Yaletown and Main Street wished they had.” I’m talking about L’Abattoir, arguably Gastown’s favourite upscale restaurant.
What’s been a dinner-only restaurant since it opened July 2010, is now serving lunch Monday to Friday between 11:30am and 2:30pm. They offer a two-course menu for $22, a three-course menu for $29, or à la carte options. Considering the ambiance, quality of food, and refined execution, the value is fair.
Of course, being me, I had to dent the menu and try everything. I highly recommend the rich and creamy broccoli and cheddar soup and the duck confit leg with cassoulet. It’s a perfect transition to fall, and the portions aren’t huge so you won’t feel weighed down and ready for a siesta instead of work.
However if I had to pick one item, and it would be a bit hard, I’d go for the àla carte beef dip made with shaved beef tongue, tenderloin and brisket. Oh god! This is one sexy sandwich and if you leave without trying it, I’ll cry. If you have a hard time digesting tongue, get over it. This will change your mind. It’s delicious. It’s $19 with a side salad, jus gras for dipping (of course), and thick cut fries. It might sound like a pricey sandwich, but you’ll understand. I must add that it’s not an oily or greasy sandwich, it’s done right – sophisticated without being pretentious – which means you can eat with your hands and not have to use 100 napkins.
Moving on!
I just got back from Spain and I was scared to look at Spanish food in Vancouver. That’s not to sound pretentious, but I didn’t want to compare, and fair enough, I shouldn’t. Tapas in Spain are tapas in Spain, and we’re not in Spain.
High five to Espana for still being a kick ass restaurant!
Chef and owner Neil Taylor opened The Fat Badger earlier this year, so his time is split between the two successful restaurants. Chef Derek Gray holds down the fort at Espana and he’s doing a fantastic job.
I rarely visit a restaurant back-to-back because I always want to familiarize myself with as many restaurants as possible, but I actually did this one weekend after the next.
The menu is extensive without being overwhelming and they have enough daily specials to keep it interesting. It’s not authentic or traditional Spanish tapas, but they’re Spanish-inspired tapas for Vancouver palates – and I’m fine with it.
The house-made morcilla is always a favourite, and the charmoula-marinated lamb with fried cauliflower, saffron bulgar wheat, dates, pistachios, and harissa yoghurt is delicious. A great side is the roast Brussels sprouts or the fried cauliflower if you want to double up on that.
The portions are rather generous for tapas and the value is very good for Downtown Vancouver. Being in the West End, affordable prices are needed especially as a neighbourhood restaurant, and they deliver in the categories that matter. It’s a small space and they don’t take reservations, so be prepared.
Find Mijuneat “Naked and Dressed” at the Vancouver Aquarium on Oct. 27. Find out more about Mijune at FollowMeFoodie.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @followmefoodie.
