Atlas Steak + Fish

/in /by Bianca Yeung

Pulling into Grand Villa Casino’s parkade, I remarked to my date, Jen, how I couldn’t remember the last time I dined in Burnaby. Born, raised, and still living in Burnaby, it was a facetious dig at my own neighbourhood with – embarrassingly – an element of truth. With Vancouver’s booming culinary scene and Arby’s departure from Metrotown, I seldom found reasons to dine east of Boundary Road. My experience at Atlas Steak + Fish this week may be enough to change that.

atlas steak fish

photo by Bianca Yeung

ATLAS Steak + Fish

Nestled in a gambler’s haven, the debaucherous mood shifted quickly as we entered. Greeted by a chorus of warm, front-of-house staff and a live piano rendition of Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up, my dining-in-Burnaby apprehensions were put to rest. Dominion Street cleaned up pretty good.

We kicked off our evening with two signature Atlas cocktails: the El Diablo and the Anejo Old Fashioned. Theatrics are not in short supply at Atlas; the lime garnish on my El Diablo erupted into sparks as the bartender set the orange peel in Jen’s Anejo Old Fashioned ablaze. The pyromanic displays were nearly as stimulating as the cocktails themselves. The El Diablo was fruity and tangy, with invigorating effervescence, while the Anejo Old Fashioned offered a mellow, oaky palate, tinged with smoky sweetness. Atlas serves up an admirable aged-tequila interpretation of a traditionally whiskey-based cocktail, making the Anejo Old Fashioned our favorite drink of the night.

atlas steak fish

photo by Bianca Yeung

On With the Show

Enveloped in Atlas’ showmanship, it was only fitting that we ordered the tableside Caesar salad as our appetizer. Our server, Hassan, promptly carted out a smattering of raw ingredients, mise en place. During the 15-minute preparation, Hassan enthusiastically narrated each step in detail, as though he didn’t have any other tables to attend to. Jen and I, both jaded serving veterans, joked about the slapdash Caesar salad our guests would have to stomach if it were up to us. Fortunately, Hassan was a true professional, so we had the pleasure of enjoying a delicious, garlicky tableside Caesar salad.

Jen and I both ordered the beef tenderloin (Alberta Angus Reserve) as our next course. Between the two of us, we cut into 18-ounces of smoky, nutty flesh that smoldered in a mesquite-fired Josper oven, a five-figure kitchen appliance boasting grill-oven duality. Our steaks were cooked to rare perfection and heightened by creamy, brie-infused mashed potatoes and fragrant roasted wild mushrooms.

atlas steak fish

photo by Bianca Yeung

Can’t Help Falling in Love

As our song request (Can’t Help Falling in Love) tapered off the piano, we capped off our night with two glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Arrogant Frog, 2013) and a crème brûlée.

The crème brûlée was velvety and rich with a buzz of vanilla bean. Even after two tasty appetizers and scrumptious 9-ounce steaks, our arms reflexively reached for more after the first bite.

Digging around the mason jar to recover all of the custardy decadence, I heard myself telling Jen my plans to return to Atlas.

See you in Burnaby.

atlas steak fish

photo by Bianca Yeung

For more information:

The Belgard Kitchen Happy Afternoon

/in , /by Belinda Phung

I had the pleasure of experiencing one of Vancouver’s most unique restaurants last week, The Belgard Kitchen. As a long time industry worker and supporter of Vancouver’s hospitality scene, I’ve seen a lot of restaurants, bars and bottoms of empty glasses! The Belgard Kitchen, located in the historic Settlement Building, emits a radiant Vancouver vibe as you push open the 100-year-old doors imported from an Argentinian Church. Myself and my social media muse, Elle, took advantage of The Belgard Kitchen Happy Afternoon menu – which runs 3-6pm Mon-Thurs, featuring $6 Wine and $5 Beer brewed by brother-band Postmark Brewing.

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Sharing Is Caring

Sharing a space with a brewery adds a unique element that makes Belgard a rarity, as well as a destination that you need to experience. The Happy Afternoon Menu gives you a chance to dabble in the absolutely delicious cuisine that Belgard offers. The Mushroom + Bacon Pate is truly mouth-watering and is only rivaled by its counterpart the Green Chickpea + Avocado Hummus.

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Paving the way for my highlight of the afternoon, the Heirloom Caprese Pizzette. This decadent dish boasts being gluten free and vegan! Drizzled with sunflower seed pesto and white balsamic I was literally in food heaven. The herbed cashew mozzarella was surprisingly delicious. Cashew cheese? I’m now a believer!

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Next time you want to impress a date or just spend some quality time with friends, The Belgard Kitchen will leave all your guests impressed. If you’re like me and love a good deal on quality wine and food, then enjoy their Happy Afternoon Menu Monday to Thursday from 3-6pm. Stay tuned as my search for the best places to drink and dine in Vancouver continues.

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For more information:

THE BELGARD KITCHEN
55 DUNLEVY AVE
VANCOUVER, BC CANADA
V6A 3A3

(604) 699-1989

belgardkitchen.com

Can’t Stop Thinking About Calabash Bistro

/in , /by Bella Tang-Graham

Located at Carrall and East Hastings, Calabash Bistro offers haven from the ever-gentrifying Gastown, pulling you into the warm embrace of laid-back Caribbean vibes. With a cozy dining room upstairs and a groovy lounge-to-dance floor downstairs, Calabash offers brunch, dinner, live music and dancing. Our host and Calabash’s bar manager Chris, curated a delicious and intoxicating Sunday evening tour of Calabash’s authentic Caribbean food and drink.

calabash bistro

One-Two (Rum) Punch

Calabash hosts the largest selection of rum in Vancouver (try a tasting flight) and makes phenomenal cocktails bursting with Caribbean flair. The Calabash Dark and Stormy is the best in the city, featuring house-infused rum and house-made ginger syrup and ginger beer, topped with freshly shaved coconut. Follow the Dark and Stormy up with the Calabash Rum Punch, tropical and citrusy, complete with over proof rum and an orange wheel. After this one-two (rum) punch, replenish your electrolytes with a Coconut Jumby, light and refreshing with coconut water, agave syrup, lemongrass, mint, lime zest, and (of course) rum. As my date Kess and I discovered, Calabash’s rummy cocktails also offer a buzz to be reckoned with. Three drinks deep, you will be in-tune with your inner Jack Sparrow.

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Caribbean Cuisine

The marriage between Calabash’s boozy cocktails and their exotic, satisfying Caribbean food is a work of sublimity. Start with local Salt Spring Island Jerk Steamed Mussels, basking in a rich coconut cream and jerk spice broth. If you love a good, juicy chunk of pork belly as much as I do, try Calabash’s Jerk Pork Belly with Coconut Dumplings, a luscious offering with chunks of roast pork belly nestled alongside zesty pineapple and house-made coconut dumplings. If your stomach is as bottomless as ours, keep ordering: we were equally awed by the Ripe Ginger Plantains, topped with creamy chunks of goat cheese, and by the succulent Jerk Chicken Skewers, marinated in a resplendent Jerk Spice and roasted to glorious caramelisation. Still game for something sweet? Finish your meal with a generous helping of Calabash’s comforting, sumptuous bread pudding paired with jackfruit ice cream. If you still need help reaching food-coma nirvana, take yourself over the edge with one of Calabash’s house-infused rum shots (we had pineapple coconut).

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Vibrant Vancouver

As if the indulgent Caribbean food and cocktails are not enough, Calabash is in tune with the city’s vibrant arts and music scene. Take a moment to check out the local art displayed on the walls and see some live music in the intimate, low-key downstairs lounge. If you’ve been to Caprice one too many times and you need a break from twerking to Despacito, head to Calabash on Fridays (R&B and hip-hop) or Saturdays (reggae) to boogie the night away. Check out their online calendar for more details.

Three hours later, five courses in and four rounds deep, our verdict is that whether you’re hungry, thirsty, or looking for a night out, Calabash is an unassuming Pandora’s’ box: funky, cheerful and full of good vibes.

calabash bistro

For more information:

Calabash Bistro
428 Carrall St.
Vancouver, BC
V6A 0A7

(604) 568-5882

[email protected]

calabashbistro.com

Faculty Brewing Co.

/in /by Kevin Wiens

The Faculty Brewing Co. can be found at the cross section of the Olympic Village and Mount Pleasant. Nestled on the corner of Ontario and West 2nd, Faculty Brewing is a unique spot  where beer lovers can come to learn a little more about the craft. What sets this small scale, friendly and open brewery apart from the rest is their enthusiasm for education.

Congratulations! You’ve been accepted into the Faculty of Craft Beer!

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If you’ve ever met the co-founder and head brewer of Faculty Brewing, Mauricio Lozano, this should come as no surprise. As a former university professor, Mauricio’s focus on education helped him recognize the gap in Vancouver’s craft beer market. He believes that some people can be hesitant when it comes to trying craft beers, not because they won’t like it, but because  often the selection can be overwhelming. Mauricio wanted to create an open space where craft beer drinkers, new and old, can come in and learn. Mauricio’s goal is to increase consumption of craft beer through education. How great is that?

I had the pleasure of speaking with Mauricio about Faculty’s impact in the Vancouver beer scene. Mauricio explained to me that before he opened up shop he had to reach “all the people who are not into craft beer yet, and encourage them to not be shy and try new craft beer.” This is where craft beer meets education.

Learning With Labels

faculty brewing co

To help facilitate the learning process, Faculty likes to keep it simple when it comes to labeling their brews and avoid using “punny” or quirky names. Instead, they label their beers numerically. Each beer’s corresponding number reflects the sophistication of its flavour profile. Lower numbers indicate a more entry-level beer, while higher numbers are reserved for more experimental and bold-flavoured beers. They also provide the alcohol percentage and IBU (bitterness) rating. Mauricio lists this information because it “gives people the opportunity to figure out why they like a certain beer. The name of (other) beers mean nothing, it doesn’t tell the style or intensity.” Mauricio believes this labelling system encourages questions and conversations among beer drinkers.

faculty brewing co

Because Mauricio aims to create an open and inclusive environment, Faculty provides all of their recipes on their packaging and online. That way you can compare recipes on cans and figure out why a beer tastes a certain way. After a visit to Faculty Brewing you will know which ingredients fit your pallet.

Craft Beer 101

No faculty would be complete without some sort of learning component. Mauricio says, “we have provided Beer 101 sessions and home-brewing collaborations. There is a focus on content engagement and using the brewery as everyone’s space that has helped us with our mission of growing craft beer consumption through education.” Also, Mauricio hopes to expand their event presence down the road by collaborating with institutions to host beer brewing courses and pop up lectures.

faculty brewing co

If you’re looking to dive into Vancouver’s craft scene but don’t know where to start, Faculty Brewing is perfect for any newcomer. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the large breweries and want something a little more personal, stop by Ontario and West 2nd for a quick lesson on the craft.

For more information:

FACULTY BREWING CO.
1830 ONTARIO ST.
VANCOUVER, BC CANADA V5T 2W6

facultybrewing.com

 

R&B Brewing Company

/in /by Bella Tang-Graham

This might just be the greatest time to be a beer-drinker in Vancouver. New breweries boasting small batch, locally-made craft beers are appearing in every nook and cranny of the city. All the buzz (and an-end-of-semester thirst) inspired me to go back to Vancouver’s craft beer roots, the “East Van Original” old-faithful, R&B Brewing Co.. Recently acquired by Howe Sound Brewing, R&B Brewing Co. is revamped and thriving.  Located just off of Quebec St. on East 4th Ave, the bustling brewery is complete with the new R&B Ale & Pizza House, a growler station and a constantly evolving selection of innovative craft beers. You can even rent a keg for the next time you want to give you and your friends a hangover they can be proud of.

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What A Time To Be Alive

Tom, my date for the afternoon and I sat down with one of R&B’s assistant brewers, Allan, to drink flights and gorge on hand-crafted pizza. For vegetarian Vancouverites like Tom, the Tomato, Mozzarella and Fresh Basil pizza fulfills all the needs of a hungry herbivore. For shameless carnivores like me, the Crispy Prosciutto with Arugula and Shaved Parm was all carbs and protein, the perfect companion to my drink. Highlights from a beer-filled afternoon include the Shake Your Fruity Milkshake IPA, a Northeastern-style IPA brewed with lactose and apple puree to give it a distinctively milky-sweet and fruity hoppiness and the Gose with a Nose Collaboration Brew with Doan’s Brewery, a unique ale that balances a slight saltiness with tart flavours and dry hops.

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Alongside the occasional collaboration, R&B supports the local craft-brewing community by keeping two rotating guest taps going– of those, we tried out a tart, dry craft cider from Tod Creek Craft Cider located in Victoria. There is something for everyone: R&B is all about giving classic beers the East Van twist.  Try the Dude Chilling Pale Ale–named after the iconic East Van park, it’s a medium bodied, hoppy American Pale Ale.  If you’re more for lagers, try the Stolen Bike Lager– exactly the crisp beer you’d want to drink whilst licking your wounds on one of R&B’s cozy sofas after having your bike stolen in East Van. If you’re unaffected by the allure of Vancouver’s craft beer scene or you just really hate beer, catch a cider on the guest tap and eat something scrumptious. I swooned as endless plates of gooey, cheesy nachos passed our table: irresistible and on special every Wednesday for $10.

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Beer That Everyone Can Relate To

If you are a die-hard craft beer fan, or just curious about the beer-making process, you can book a brewery tour at R&B. During our visit, Allan gave us a guided tour of their craft brewing process. From the “corner du funk”, where R&B’s brewers experiment with making sours, to their retired bottling machine, dubbed Frankenstein, R&B’s laid-back personality rules. Allan explained to us that R&B’s mission is to make quality craft brews while staying true to their East Van roots: they want to make “beer that everyone can relate to”. At R&B, there is no hierarchy. What to introduce as a new tap, what to tweak, and what to scrap altogether– all the decisions at R&B are collaborative.  Here, everyone is on the same craft beer learning curve. Try R&B’s seasonal tap, the Lavender Saison: Allan wisely told us it takes trial and error to walk the fine line between “grandma’s bathwater” and a refreshing lavender beer.

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Having a beer at R&B is like hanging out in the chilled-out, funky apartment you are not quite cool enough to have. The atmosphere is effortlessly East Van, recycling local, used materials to achieve a rustic, industrial vibe. It’s the kind of place you could take both your friend group’s self-proclaimed craft beer guru and a friend whose only beer-drinking experiences are with Bud Light and have a great time either way. On a Wednesday afternoon, the place was packed and buzzing with conversation– Allan told us that every week, R&B has been breaking new records. Whether you are one of Vancouver’s craft beer connoisseurs, someone looking for a pint after a long day at the office, or someone who would at best qualify as a beer novice, R&B has something for you. At R&B, there is no pretentious hipster veneer, just genuine East Van vibes and great craft brews.

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For more information:

R&B Brewing Company
1-54 East 4th Ave
Vancouver, BC

(604) 336-0275

randbbrewing.com

Original Joe’s Cambie Restaurant & Bar

/in /by Ben McRae

Perched high above the corner of Broadway and Cambie, Original Joe’s has always been a local favourite of mine. Ever since I moved out of Downtown to Main Street, I’ve been plagued with finding a venue that can host a decent sized group. I’m not trying to brag about all the friends I have but I’m sure you’ve been in the same boat. Countless times I’ve wandered down Main Street with a group of friends desperately trying to keep our buzz going. Only to be turned down time after time because of Vancouver’s strict (illogical) capacity rules. Low and behold a brilliant thought hits me. Original Joe’s on Cambie will take this group of weary travellers. Onward we go!

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Location, Location, Location

The Cambie location is by far the best Original Joe’s I’ve ever been to. Every time I enter, I’m greeted by a friendly server telling me to seat wherever I like. They’re always accommodating to large parties which is a starch contrast to the incredulous hostesses of Main Street! I don’t mean to be too harsh to my beloved Main Street but the lack of space and capacity is starting to get to me. OJ’s, as the regulars call it, satisfies a void in Vancouver’s bar scene.

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Large capacity sports bars with on point service are few and far between and Original Joe’s is my go-to on this side of the bridge. As an avid drink special lover, OJ’s checks that box for me. They boast Happy Hour every day from 3-6pm and 9pm-close. Featuring $3.50 highballs, $3.75 beers, and ½ off select appetizers. The highlight for me and many of my industry friends is their Thursday night special, ½ bottles of wine! One of the best specials in Vancity and I encourage you to take advantage of it.

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Taking Over

Original Joe’s is shaking its identity of being an “old man bar”, and embracing Vancouver’s local craft beer scene. Watch out for their Tap Takeovers every month, where a local brewery takes over all the taps showcasing their latest craft beer creations! OJ’s is the place to go if you want to kick back, play some pool, sip on some craft beer, and watch the game. It’s spacious enough that you can invite friends down and not worry about getting a table. Original Joe’s Cambie is a real gem on West Broadway and if you come in on Thursday night for 1/2 off wine you’ll probably see me hanging by the window enjoying the view.

Thanks for reading, until next time…

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For more information:

Original Joe’s (Cambie)
2525 Cambie St
Vancouver, BC
V5Z 3Y6

604-434-5636

originaljoes.ca/cambie