From the monthly archives: May 2012
If there’s one thing I love about having school in Vancouver this summer, it’s being able to check out all these new places I have yet to try! Last Thursday, my dear friend Giang took me to La Taqueria for a wonderful pre-class meal. Located in close proximity to the busy business district and a Canada Line Station, La Taqueria is a very popular lunch time go-to spot for those in a hurry and on the go. There portions may be small (Tip: Get at least 4 to really fill you up) but are filled with a plethora of deliciousness.
I decided to try the Asada (Grilled ‘AAA’ Flank Beef), Al Pastor (Pork Marinated in Achiote Chilli and Pineapple), and the De Lengua (Braised Beef Tongue).
The Al Pastor, which was actually recommended by one of the staff, was my absolute favourite. A hint of chilli and the sweetness of pineapple? Need I say more? If you’re a fan of spicy, make sure to add on their hot sauces (available from mild to hot) to top it off. It really gives each of them a kick that completes the meal!
La Taqueria is located at:
2549 Cambie Street
Vancouver BC
http://lataqueria.ca/
Continuing on my “extended” birthday adventures, Krissy and Faye took me to Hapa Izakaya for some Japanese eats. With it being one of Vancouver’s first gorgeous days this season, we sat on their sunny Yaletown patio to properly enjoy the weather.
Words that came to mind to describe Hapa Izakaya’s atmosphere would be sleek, modern, and lively. Because many of their menu items are tapas and share plates, I recommend coming with a group of friends to really get the most out of it.
With Hapa’s trusty allergy sheet in hand (Faye is allergic to dairy, shellfish AND usually eats a vegan diet!) here’s what we ordered:
Ebi Mayo
Tempura wild prawns tossed in a spicy mayonnaise sauce
Crab Tempura Roll
Dungeness crab, avocado and asparagus
Hapa Taster Plate (Choose three from their Taster list)
Beef short ribs, karaage & wild salmon
The best item hands down was the Ebi Mayo. In addition, I loved that the beef short ribs were topped with sesame chili sauce, which added flavour without it being overwhelmingly spicy. The Karaage was tender and really good as well! Next time, I would probably branch out and order the Bintoro and other tuna dishes (which at this point I still have a weird thing with not liking tuna).
So that’s all for this lovely casual Yaletown Japanese joint, which I highly recommend if you’re in the area. Happy food adventuring!
Hapa Izakaya is located at:
1193 Hamilton Street
Vancouver, BC
http://hapaizakaya.com
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Romer’s Burger Bar has been on my must-try list for a while now. Our usual group of friends decided to have a spontaneous meal one night and Romer’s was gracious enough to accommodate our group of almost 20 (We love you!). Maybe it was the fact that it was 10:00pm and I still had yet to have dinner, but man… This meal was dee-licious.
In my state of “hanger” (the feeling of being so hungry you’re angry), my eyes laid upon the “Man’s Man Burger” on the menu — Thick-sliced applewood bacon, local creamery amber ale cheddar, onion strings, smoked alder salts, vine-ripened tomato, and whole grain mustard. This $11 party in your mouth does not include fries so make sure to order them separately (Tip: the fries’ portioning is large so share with a buddy!). This time, I got the basic Fresh-cut Fries that are double cooked and tossed in sea salt. My only regret of the night was not pairing my delicious meal with the Red Racer Raspberry Wheat Ale that my friend let me try. That would have been perfection.
So check out Romer’s Burger Bar! I have a feeling this will become a favorite spot for those burger cravings this summer.
Romer’s Burger Bar is located at:
1873 West 4th Avenue
Vancouver
www.romersburgerbar.com
This gem of a pub and restaurant can be found in Gastown, fairly close to Chill Winston and Guilt & Co. The space features a cozy setting, brick-lined walls, an upper floor and a selection of board games. Too distracted by the amazing atmosphere and international 43-beer menu, it was easy to forget about the board games which I’ll definitely have to go through another day.
I was thrilled to see that their menus are bound with old, tattered book covers. And with so many beer choices, I went with the Leffe Abbey Blonde and Wes picked the Duvel Strong Golden Ale. My very first experience with Belgian beer but won’t be the last, because it was delicious! It reminded me of Hitachi Nest white ale (which I can’t find anymore boo). For their full beer menu see here.
Six Acres’ menu features primarily share plates, but portions were generous.
Poutine
Kennebec potatoes, St. Ambroise stout gravy & cheese curds
Chicken & Avocado Salad
Grilled organic cajun chicken breast, avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, mixed greens, lime & yogurt dressing
Mac & Cheese
Macaroni, gruyere, grana pandano, aged cheddar & sweet onion with a toasted breadcrumb crust
Based on the poutine alone, I’m definitely going back. And you probably can’t tell by the photo of the mac & cheese, but it was actually on a miniature skillet – if it was any bigger I’d most likely pass out.
So if you’re looking for a cozy place to eat delicious appies in Gastown, check it out!
Six Acres is located at:
203 Carrall Street
Vancouver, BC
www.sixacres.com
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