Eating in Vancouver Blog - Vancouver Restaurant Reviews

Griffins Restaurant Review – Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Taya — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 20:33:01 +0000

Griffins Restaurant is located in the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (900 West Georgia Street) and currently has an 18th Anniversary promotion running until the end of September. The promotion offers 50% off on all dinner menu items from 4:30pm – 6:00pm, daily. We arrived just before 6:00pm so we could take advantage of this amazing deal.

I believe that you can really judge a restaurant based on the bread they serve you. If the server plunks down a basket of hard-as-a-rock rolls, you know you’re in for some less than fresh dishes. The bread at Griffins was amazing. Their focaccia bread was so soft and warm that we had to stop ourselves from eating too much and ruining our appetite for the rest of our meal.

Although I was the only one drinking that evening, it didn’t stop me from ordering their awesome POMEGRANATE MOJITO. It was $12, however I don’t remember if alcoholic drinks were 50% off as well. I know the coffee and tea we ordered after dinner was.

Our friends ordered the APPETIZER BUFFET, consisting of a good selection salads and cold seafood. The salads were quite well executed, however they could taste that the crab and shrimp had been previously frozen – although this was not entirely surprising.

Hubby had the SLOW ROASTED ALBERTA PRIME RIB (50% off 10oz $38 / 12oz $41) which came with classic jus, Yorkshire pudding, market vegetables and his choice of baked or garlic mashed potatoes. He was excited about the large portion of beef because he’s a huge carnivore. The Yorkshire pudding was a tad over-cooked, although still edible. His veggies and meat were all cooked to his liking.

I ordered the WILD BRITISH COLUMBIA SALMON (50% off $35) which consisted of grilled asparagus, Yukon gold potatoes shrimp hash, and ginger tarragon butter sauce. Mmmmm, butter I enjoyed the pickled ginger garnish as its sourness cut the richness of the salmon and butter sauce quite nicely.

Griffins’ DESSERT BUFFET is included in the price of all dinner entrees. They offered a fantastic selection of cakes, pies, puddings, cream puffs, mousse and fruit. The chocolate mousse was my favourite, as it had a layer of creamy white chocolate on the bottom and rich dark chocolate on top – divine!

On a side note, I was perusing the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s website and came across their “Pet Room Service Menu“. I had never seen that before…how convenient for pet-owners!

Overall, our dinning experience at the Griffins’ Restaurant was marvelous. Having 50% off our meals was a huge savings and I know we’ll be back before the end of September.

Stella’s on Cambie Review

Taya — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:14:49 +0000

Stella’s on Cambie & 17th looks a lot different from the outside. Firstly, there’s a barbershop right out front which was a little confusing. The exterior looks very 50’s diner-ish so I was expecting to see turquoise blue vinyl booths with checkered tiles on the floor and a waitress name Dolly smacking her gum while taking our order. However, the interior is modern and cozy – there’s even a fireplace in the back that would be super inviting on a wet winter’s day. The service was excellent and attentive – we even had 3 servers assisting us at one point (pouring water and coffee).

[Yelp]

We went there for brunch with my brother, who was visiting from Victoria.

My brother opted for Stella’s Breakfast – 2 eggs any style, hash browns, toast and choice of bacon, turkey sausage, or pork sausage ($8.50).

I ordered the Tofu Scrambler – scrambled eggs, tofu, black beans, corn, bell peppers, sundried tomato ketchup and salsa verde. Served with hash browns and salad ($11).

Gary had the Three Egg Omelette – New York-style, served with hash browns & a side salad ($11). He ordered the smoked salmon, fresh tomato, dill, and cream cheese omelet. Other choices include: sausage, caramelized onions, spinach, and edam OR mushrooms, fresh thyme, and chevre.

We all agreed that the portion sizes were just right and the ingredients were fresh. We all really enjoyed the hash browns as they were extra hot and crispy. I’d like to return to try their dinner and lunch menus because we’ve read great reviews on other food blogs.

Overall, Stella’s on Cambie has good food, great service and a cozy atmosphere. Check it out!

The Crab Pot Review Seattle, Washington

Taya — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 01:11:32 +0000

We were down in Seattle, Washington yesterday for business and had heard about the famous seafood feasts at The Crab Pot Restaurant. It is located on Pier 57, on Alaskan Way and just a few blocks away from our hotel – so we HAD to try it!

This picture doesn’t show how HUGE this restaurant is – it goes on for ever! We guesstimate there is at least a 500 seat capacity, and every seat was filled. We waited approximately 30 minutes to get our table and there were about 10 parties waiting to be seated as well. The wait was lovely, as we were able to wander around and explore Pier 57.

Initially, we were seated in a really high traffic area because every server and every customer had to walk past us. Therefore, we asked to be moved to a quieter table on a covered patio outside, which was very pleasant. Since we were now seated in a different section, we had to switch servers. However, both our servers were excellent: prompt, attentive, friendly and helpful.

At this restaurant, no silverware is required so you can really get your hands dirty! A huge bowl of seafood is poured on your table and you go at it with a mallet, wearing a large bib. It was so much fun! They offer a variety of crab, clams, mussels, shrimp in the shell, salmon, halibut, oysters, red potatoes, corn on the cob and andouille sausage steamed with mouth watering spices. A loaf of bread and butter is served on each table, however we did not get ours because we had moved to a different section. Although, there was no way we could have eaten the bread anyway.

We ordered the King Crab Legs for $32.95 and the Crab & Shrimp combo for $30.95. Each order came with steamed corn on the cob and red potatoes sprinkled with a secret concoction of delicious Crab Pot seasonings.

Ample ramekins of melted butter with lemon quarters are provided for an extra taste sensation. Let me tell you, the combination of the melted butter, crab, and seasonings was out-of-this-world! Something about the crab served at the Crab Pot is different. It just tasted fresher than any other King Crab we’ve eaten before. Maybe it was the sheer joy of smacking the shells with our mallets and cracking open each leg. Hearing the constant ‘thud, thud, thud’, you could tell everyone else in the restaurant was having just as much fun as we were.

Here is the destruction:

There was just so much food, we couldn’t even finish all the potatoes. We systematically decided that in order to get through this food (enough to feed family of 4!), we had to get through all the crab and shrimp first, then the super sweet corn on the cob, and finally decided the potatoes (although soft and delicious) could not be consumed without us collapsing from over-eating. It was quite the challenge!

A large piece of paper is placed over your table cloth as the ‘plate’. A jumbo roll of paper towel is on each table, and servers will provide plenty of wet naps along your sea-feast journey so clean-up is a breeze.

This is the bowl that both orders were served in, then poured onto our table. Shells are discarded back into the bowl for easy clean up.

Obviously, we were too full for dessert, but we saw a nearby table order the “Famous Strawberry Rhubarb ‘Home Style’ Cake-in-a-Pan”, and we were mesmerized. It’s a yellow cake, baked fresh daily, and yes, it’s the WHOLE cake! It looked like it could feed at least 8 people. It’s also served with a big bowl of ice cream, all for only $6.95. Only in America

Next time you’re in Seattle, a stop at The Crab Pot is a must – you won’t be disappointed.

Help Wanted: Want to write for us?

Taya — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:26:19 +0000

We’re hoping that if you’re reading our blog it’s because you love all things food. You consider yourself a ‘foodie’ and enjoy dining out on a regular basis. We love eating in Vancouver as much as you do and we’re currently looking to find people to join us for writing on the blog. We need help reviewing restaurants around Vancouver and the lower mainland. If you want to join us, here’s what we’re looking for in new writers:

- Knowledgeable and passionate about food, wine and a wide array of cuisines.
- Would like to share your dining experiences through photos and written critiques. Do you think you have what it takes?
- Are able to contribute regularly, such as at least 1 restaurant review per week?
- Your writing doesn’t have to be award winning, but you should be able to write well. We don’t have enough editors to correct basic grammar and spelling so your writing should be polished.

The above is a summary of what we’re looking for in new contributors. Writers here are not paid. Your reward, we hope, is that you’ll get to write about your love of different cuisines, your experiences at restaurants you dine at, and ‘strut your stuff’ to the entire Vancouver Foodie community.

If you think you have what it takes, please contact us via the Contact Form. Tell us about yourself, why you think you’re suited for writing with us. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Old Vines Restaurant, Quails’ Gate Winery, Kelowna

Gary — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 06:28:31 +0000

We recently came back from a tour of wineries in the Okanagan. If you haven’t been wine tasting before, the Kelowna area has a plethora of amazing wineries for you to indulge in some of the finest wines in North America, and possibly the world.

Most wineries include a restaurant, with outdoor seating areas for you to enjoy the views of Okanagan Lake–which is one of the most relaxing experiences during the summer. For dinner, we decided upon Old Vines Restaurant at Quails’ Gate Winery. This winery has one of the most prestigious locations and has incredible views of the lake, and the design and architecture of the location will take your breath away. It felt like we were in Southern California, and not in BC!

Old Vines Restaurant has a two page menu–one side for appetizers and the other for mains. Prices are more on the higher end of the scale, reaching fine dining prices for mains. Upon arriving at Quails’ Gate, we found their hostess to be…unwelcoming. I’m not sure if she was overwhelmed because the restaurant was busy, but she had a slight air of “snootiness” with her demeanor. No friendliness or even a smile. Regardless, reservations are recommended and shortly after arriving we were seated at our table.

We received water service immediately from a junior server, and had to wait much longer than expected for our server, Pierre. He greeted us, and was envious that “we got to have wine before he did because he had to wait until the end of his shift to drink.” Since he took so long to get to our table, we ordered wine, appetizers, and mains all at the same time. We would’ve liked to have had some wine while perusing the menu–as in other fine dining establishments. It seemed as though our server was having a difficult time keeping up with his section and our table seemed to be last on his priority list

Since we didn’t make it for wine tasting earlier in the day, we opted for the $9 Aromatic Flight. This included 2oz samplings of the following wines from Quails’ Gate: 2009 Dry Riesling, 2009 Gewurztraminer, and their 2009 Chenin Blanc. This was a great way to sample some fabulous wines and start our evening.

Now, here’s when things started to take a very sour turn. After we requested the Aromatic Flight, we decided to share the Thiessen Farm Quail “Caesar” appetizer. This consisted of grilled quail, baby romaine, local wild boar bacon, Gort’s smoked Gouda, vinaigrette Caesar dressing. Now, imagine the ingredients I just mentioned. Does this sound like a Caesar salad to you? Would it appear as though it was impossible to share this appetizer with someone? Sure, the name “Caesar” is in quotes…but obviously we all know what it implies.

When my wife informed the server that we were going to share an appetizer to start, and requested the “Caesar salad”, our waiter rudely raised his voice and with anger, yelled: “if you had actually read the menu, you would know the Caesar is not a real Caesar salad and CANNOT be shared.”

We were flabbergasted at his response to us. And we are still unsure what exactly his problem was. Servers can’t control how fast the kitchen prepares meals. Servers can’t control wine stocks when the Chardonnay runs out. They can’t control the weather. They CAN, however, control how they interact with customers. For Pierre to respond to my wife in such a condescending and belittling manner startled the entire table.

Usually, in an ‘actual’ fine dining establishment, servers ask if we have any questions about the menu. Our server offered no such assistance. Although, we had no questions, nor did we even request separate plates – we just wanted to order the Caesar as listed on the menu!

We decided to opt for the Qualicum Beach Scallops ($16) instead because our server had such a problem with us ordering the Caesar! I ordered the Angus Beef Ribeye ($34) and my wife ordered the Queen Charlotte Islands Halibut ($29). The night had taken a very awkward and sour turn with the rudeness of our server, and his inability to take his time to provide professional service.

Anyways, here are the dishes as they arrived…our amuse bouche:

Our server then proceeded to try and rush my wife and tried to take away her amuse bouche before she even had a chance to taste it. I had to almost take the plate back out of Pierre’s hands! I politely informed him that we were still working on it. Why the sudden rush to get things moving along?

Next up, we have the Qualicum Beach Scallops, with Fraser Valley pulled pork ravioli, smoked organic onion puree, Agassiz hazelnut pistou, micro salad. This appetizer was $16. We expected more than just two small scallops (I guess they come small from Qualicum Beach?!) and one tiny ravioli. Is it fair to even include the “micro salad” as a salad? It was a garnish more than anything. This was just way too small.

After our appetizers were finished, we waited a very long time for our mains to arrive. Longer than usual, and there was no follow up service to see how our appetizers were. After the wait, here arrived my wife’s main course: Queen Charlotte Islands Halibut, with a cranberry almond crust, citrus potatoes, braised leeks, blood orange butter.

This halibut was an excellent sized portion for the price ($29), and the fish was moist throughout and not dry at all. The cranberry almond crust added a nice crunchy texture to the meaty halibut, which tasted fresh and was cooked through. A very nice main and highly recommended.

One thing, was the portion of the halibut did seem a bit large. As you can see from the photo the size of the halibut overpowers the harmony it should have with the potatoes and braised leeks. You can’t even see them.

Here is my main course, the Angus Beef Ribeye ($34). It was a dry aged 10oz steak, with Suncatcher sieglende potatoes, king oyster mushrooms, Colbert compound butter. The steak was cooked medium rare exactly as requested, and it was very, very tender!

As with a typical ribeye cut, there was lots of marbling and about 1/3 of the steak was inedible fat though. The butter was nice, but the dollop was a bit too much for my liking so I only melted part of the generous slab. The potatoes were delicious, well roasted and the king oyster mushroom (singular) was grilled to perfection.

By the time we all finished our mains, once again the theme of the night came into play–waiting for service. There was no quality check halfway into our main, or even afterwards. We were just sitting there waiting for service. We did not opt for dessert, and requested the bill from Pierre. Unfortunately, he must have forgotten our bill because we had to physically leave our table to search for him and remind him to bring the bill. The cheque was not split into two for each couple, but one bill. Not a problem, but it would’ve been nice if he had inquired about this extra touch.

Our night at Quails’ Gate started out quite well–upon arriving at the winery because the scenery and the location stuns you. It’s a magnificent restaurant and winery that has been designed and decorated beautifully.

Our table was quite miffed at the rude, condescending behaviour of Pierre. I wondered if others had experienced such service from this server? A quick Google search revealed someone on Open Table also complaining about his “unfavorable” service.

After reading this review below, I was shocked to imagine just how many more people had experienced such unfortunate service at such an esteemed location. Clearly, Quails’ Gate needs to work on their training of staff. If you want to be regarded as a fine dining restaurant and charge fine dining prices, you better act like one.

I also sent out a tweet on twitter, and received the following response:

So that makes at least two other people who have experienced sub-par and downright unsatisfactory service from Pierre. Quite frankly, we received far superior service at a White Spot a few days later. Quails’ Gate needs to seriously re-evaluate how they do their hiring. For the prices they charge (up to $49 for Wild Nunavut Caribou) they really need to step up their game for service. The price is not an issue for us, it’s being treated with respect–something you’d expect from a “fine dining” establishment.

We don’t normally contact restaurants after poor experiences. We just speak with our wallets and never go back. This time around, we did send an email to Quails’ Gate documenting our experience with the horrendous service. They were, as expected, very apologetic and offered gift certificates and even went as far to offer to mail us a couple bottles of wine.

That’s nice, but we’re not in this to be bribed to come back and re-experience the restaurant. The restaurant industry is a cutthroat world and there are thousands of other establishments that are fighting for your dollars. We’ll just move on to another restaurant that can actually handle volume with consistent service (and not downright snooty and condescending behaviour).

It really is unfortunate that we had such a terrible experience with the service. The restaurant and the winery’s location is truly stunning. The food was great, (minus the minuscule appetizer portions) but the poor service just takes away all of the positives Quails’ Gate has to offer. For that, we will consider this to be one gate we’ll never, ever, enter again.

Trattoria Italian Kitchen Review

Taya — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:22:38 +0000

We dined at Trattoria about a month ago, (yes it has taking us a while to post!) with a few friends & family members after a very intimate marriage ceremony of our close friends. The bride and groom wanted to have dinner after their beautiful ceremony to celebrate at a restaurant nearby. We suggested Trattoria, as we always found the food consistently good for a 4th Ave restaurant in Kitsilano.

Trattoria Italian Kitchen is part of the Glowbal Restaurant Group in Vancouver and is located on 4th Ave, near Burrard.

Since it was Dine Out 2010, I had to order from the Dine Out menu! Three courses for $28 per person, was a great value.

Our server Allan was amazing After he heard our friends had just gotten married, he brought us a complimentary bottle of champagne to commemorate the momentous occasion! His laid-back and welcoming attitude, along with attentive service made for a memorable evening.

As a starter, I chose the Farro Soup with wild forest mushrooms, porcini brodo and mussels. It had a very light and tasty broth and the mussels were cooked perfectly.

Pasta Platter ($15 per person): spaghetti and kobe meatballs with tomato fonduta, penne pomodoro, gnocchi pesto and lasagna (kobe beef, ricotta, spinach, fresh herbs). The bride and groom adored the platter and even mentioned that it was the best pasta they’ve ever eaten in Vancouver!

Pan seared halibut main with fried potato gnocchi, grilled zucchini, roasted garlic aglio olio. I wasn’t a fan of this gnocchi and it was overly glutenous and had a ‘gummy’ consistency with zero flavor. The halibut however had a nice crust and was moist and flaky. I would have like more vegetables on the plate.

The special of the day included deep fried prawns, cod, and oysters with dipping sauces. It was a huge portion and we could barely finish the platter. Crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside – what more could you ask for from deep-fried food?!

Spaghetti & Kobe meatballs with spicy tomato basil sauce and herbed ricotta ($15). Again, a very ample portion to fill anyone’s appetite. The spaghetti had just the right amount of sauce not to overpower the noodles. Is it real Kobe beef? I doubt it, but the meatballs were juicy on the inside and perfectly cooked throughout.

The two of us shared a light, fluffy and creamy Tiramisu (mascarpone mousse espresso soaked lady fingers, mocha creme anglaise) dessert. The savoiardi were soaked just enough that they retained a bit of sponginess. It was divine! There was a piece of biscotti which I felt they had put there to fill the plate, and was unnecessary.

The food was slow to come out, probably because the restaurant was quite busy and the Canucks were playing that night! Also, we were in no rush as we wanted to prolong the special occasion.

Trattoria Italian Kitchen’s atmosphere is lively and unpretentious. It’s the kind of place you can get dressed-up for, or dress-down and feel equally comfortable wearing either attire. Check out their cocktail menu, it will not dissapoint.

Mexicali Review

Taya — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:19:03 +0000

I love Tex-Mex food — you know the stuff that’s super Americanized with lots of sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and beefy-beany-goodness. And Mexicali is just that: not authentic, but a little hidden gem on Dunbar and West 28th, in Vancouver.

Think Taco-Time chain with fresher ingredients, larger portions and tastier food! Sure, Mexicali is no Chipotle (which Gary and I are obsessed with and always hit up when we’re traveling in the U.S.) but it is awesome fast food at reasonable prices.

I love the kitschy ‘Mexican’ decor with painted palm trees on the walls and funky Tejano music always playing on the speakers.

The “Slushy Limonada” has a hint of saltiness and isn’t too sweet. Mexicali used to serve a lime slushy which tasted just like a crushed ice margarita, without the tequila . The lemon version is good, although I do prefer the lime for that added kick.

We both ordered the “Redondo Special”: which is basically a large soft taco with “mexi-fries” (tater tots) and a drink (your choice of pop or slushy) all for $6.00, tax included. It comes with really great fresh salsa and sour cream. There are also dollops of salsa and sour cream inside the taco, along with seasoned ground beef, pico de gallo, lettuce, and cheese. The Redondo is flavorful but isn’t spicy at all. Mexicali offers hot sauce on all tables for those craving more heat.

The restaurant also serves crunchy tacos, quesadillas, chips & guacamole, enchiladas, soups, salads, nachos, etc. Upon request, most meals can be made gluten free or vegetarian.

Overall, Mexicali is super tasty and affordable quick-serve food with nothing on their menu over $10. Check it out for yourself and tell us which special you like the best!

Seri Malaysia Review

Taya — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 01:07:57 +0000

Go there now! Don’t even bother reading this post, especially if you love Malaysian food

Really though, it’s that good. It was a one-man show last night. Jamal (I believe he is the owner) was the only one cooking, taking orders, answering phones, busing tables, etc. This made the experience that much more incredible as we’re still not sure how he did it all!

Seri Malaysia is a cash-only, Halal restaurant located on East Hastings, near Nanaimo Street in Vancouver. We dined there last night with another couple and feasted on scrumptious ‘makan’!

The restaurant is spartan, but neat and clean on the inside. Comments on other blogs were slagging Seri Malaysia’s lack of decor, but its modest interior is a lot like a typical restaurant in Malaysia (although cleaner). I actually liked the decor because it felt authentic and had photos on the walls of Malaysia: Petronas Towers, orangutans, and wooden spinning tops. In pic above, you can see a ‘tudung saji’ on the wall, which is a traditional Malay food cover used before dining.

Gado Gado ($5.50) was delicious and had just the right amount of peanut sauce, unlike Gado Gado from Hawker’s Delight which I feel has too much sauce.

The Satay ($7.50) was 6 skewers of chicken and beef, served with peanut sauce and cucumber, and was divine.

Roti Canai ($5.50), Malaysian style puffed hot bread, had 2 pieces served with curry sauce: light, flaky and not too greasy.

Nasi Goreng Kampong ($8.50), traditional fried rice, was amazing. You could really taste the ‘belacan’ (dried fermented shrimp) paste, and ‘ikan bilis’ (dried anchovies). They both added to the depth of flavor and the dish had a kick of saltiness.

Mee Goreng ($7.75) is traditional Malay fried noodles, and we ordered ours with chicken. The noodles’ flavors were a mixture of sweet - from the kepak manis (sweet, think soy sauce), spicy and salty. I could eat this dish every day!

Peppercorn Chili Garlic Prawns ($11.50) were sauteed with bell peppers. The prawns were lightly battered, really crispy and abundantly flavorful.

Forks and spoons are at each table setting, but no knives – as is the norm in South East Asia. Or you could forgo cutlery all together and use your hands. This is often the custom in Malaysia, but only use your right hand!

Overall, Seri Malaysia offers excellent value for exceptional quality and quantify of its dishes. We can’t wait to go back!

Whole Foods Market (Cambie) Review

Taya — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:44:42 +0000

Can you believe Whole Foods has been around for 30 years? It started out in 1980 with one small store in Austin, Texas. Today, they are the world’s leader in natural and organic foods, with more than 270 stores in North America and the United Kingdom. It sure took them awhile to come to Vancouver, but I’m glad they did.

Whole Foods Market on Cambie and West 8th has changed their store since the last time we were here. They now have booths along the wall, free wi-fi, and a juice bar closer to the entrance. I think I could live here.

The soup + sandwich combo ($10) comes with a choice of 5 different soups that change daily. The ‘Langley’ sandwich had turkey, bacon, and avocado – ask for it grilled. The corn chowder was delectable, creamy and super fresh. It had that homemade taste and even still had the potato skins on the potatoes for added nutrients. The combo saves you $3! If purchased separately, a small soup is $3.99 and the ‘Langley’ sandwich is $8.99.

Kiju Organic Lemonade ($1.69) has no sugar and is made in Canada. Really refreshing and not too sweet.

I’m on a health quest recently, so I ordered a soy latte ($3.25 + 50 cents for soy) and banana rice muffin ($2.49) from their coffee/gelato bar. The muffin had brown rice flour instead of regular wheat, which gave it a nutty-ish flavor.

I would also highly recommend the burrito bowl from their burrito bar and their pizza is very good as well. You really can’t go wrong here. Salad bar and hot food stations are also amazing.

The store is super clean, items are arranged perfectly in each aisle, they have biodegradable cutlery and take out containers, and composting bins to dispose of your waste when you eat-in.

Open 8am – 10pm, 7 days a week. They offer ample underground parking and validate your parking upon purchase. Don’t forget to do your grocery shopping after you eat, you can find some great deals on natural and organic products when items are on sale. Yes, if you do all your grocery shopping here it can end up becoming ‘Whole Paycheck’ as certain Yelpers call it, but shop the sales and alternate with less expensive stores like Save-On-Foods.

As I sit at one of their booths typing this post, I love the vibe here – it’s really laid back and pleasant. The service is amazing. Workers really seem to enjoy their jobs, take care when assisting customers and go above and beyond to make your experience the best it can possibly be.

Hawker’s Delight Review

Taya — Wed, 26 May 2010 21:03:30 +0000

I love hawker food in South East Asia – it’s cheap, quick and delicious! The same can be said for Hawker’s Delight on Main Street in Vancouver. It’s a little Singapore/Malaysian ‘hole in the wall’ offering tasty delights.

Traditional hawker stands (street-food) in S.E.A. are either outdoor stalls or indoor food courts offering yummy food at inexpensive prices. Hawker’s Delight’s dishes are $5 each or less and portions sizes are ample.

If you’re new to this type of cuisine, there are photos on the wall, so you can see what each meal looks like before you order. It’s quite a small, cramped ‘no frills’ restaurant so most people order take out. (Don’t forget your dolla dolla bills, this joint is cash only).

Nasi Goreng (fried rice) with egg, tofu and sliced veggies was nice and spicy, flavorful. Although a little greasy, it was definitely worth the price.

Gado Gado (an Indonesian vegetable salad) with potato, egg, tofu, cucumber green beans, and carrots, had a bit too much peanut sauce for my liking, although the dish was good.

Satay, at 75 cents each! Choose from beef, chicken or lamb. At hawker stands in Malaysia, vendors endure humid 33+ degree weather standing over hot coals, fanning flames with coconut leaf fans for hours on end. These satays didn’t taste like that but they were fresh, hot and looked like that they had just been cooked.

Hainanese Chicken with Rice served with chili sauce is often considered the national dish of Singapore. This chicken was tender and the rice had a creamy oiliness, indicative of the dish.

I’ve had their Laksa before and it’s good if you’re craving that flavour. But check out Bo Laksa King is you’re in the mood for a more substantial Laksa meal.

Overall, Hawker’s delight is great little spot in Vancouver when you want the taste of S.E.A. at a great price! The old adage is ‘you get what you pay for’. But when it comes to fast food, I’d much rather pay five dollars for some noodles or fried rice than a nutrition-less belly-bomb from McDonald’s!