Vancouver’s top new restaurants to try for winter 2016
Vancouver’s grey, dark winter months make this the perfect time of year to stay indoors. We’ve tracked down a few of the city’s best new restaurants where you'll find refuge from the rain while enjoying culinary delights. From a summer camp-inspired sandwich shop to a Southern-style saloon, here are the hottest eateries to discover during the coldest season. [Photo of Juniper courtesy of Luis Valdizon, Where They Find Us]
Osteria Savio Volpe Italian Restaurant
615 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 3K5You’ll need to be quick as a fox if you want to secure prime-time reservations at this much-hyped dining room on Fraser Street. Inspired by the traditional osterias of Italy, Savio Valope (which roughly translates to “wise fox”) is the brainchild of three acclaimed restaurant industry vets – including Paul Grunberg of L’Abattoir fame – and has quickly become a neighbourhood favourite for high-minded foodies and local families alike. The space is cool without feeling intimidating while the rustic menu delights with made-in-house pastas, meaty mains prepared on the wood-fired grill, and fresh and flavourful vegetable dishes.
The Yale Saloon
1300 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1M7Bourbon, brisket and a mechanical bull have taken over the former home of the historic Yale Hotel at Granville and Drake. The new downtown saloon is part barbecue joint, part country bar and is already a lively addition to the strip. Chef Mark Croften prepares ribs, pulled pork, brisket and other slow-smoked meats on one of the city’s largest smokers and serves it by the platter alongside Southern faves like baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad and jalapeño corn bread. If you want live entertainment with your meal, nightly events include singer songwriters, Blues bands, DJs and even line dancing lessons.
Tuck Shoppe
237 Union St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2B2There’s something exciting going on this stretch of Union Street between Main and Gore: indie boutiques, a bartending school, an aesthetically cool athletic studio, and now a new-kid-on-the-block specializing in sandwiches and craft beer. Tuck Shoppe might be small, but the pint-sized eatery definitely makes a statement. The summer camp-inspired space has all the trappings of classic Canadiana, including a decorative canoe suspended from the ceiling and iconic HBC striped pillows. Casual diners will appreciate the relaxed counter service and the small-but-mighty roster of artisanal sammies that are washed down with local brews from Postmark and 33 Acres on tap.
Thai Confusion
117 Pender St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1S5Tai Keattivanichvily’s cheekily named Main Street restaurant, Bob Likes Thai Food, has been serving up authentic Thai cooking to Mount Pleasant locals for years. His latest 90-seat venture in Gastown showcases his culinary talents in a new tapas-style format (known as “Grub Gam” in Thailand). You’ll find plenty of Thai classics such as panang curry and pad Thai on the menu as well as funky fusion dishes that blend Asian and Western flavours – think Thai-style fish and chips, bacon-wrapped lychees, and a Quebec-inspired poutine featuring deep-fried taro root slices loaded with lemongrass, lime leaf, chili and green curry sauce.
Timber
1300 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C5Toques and plaid shirts should almost be mandatory at this new Robson Street eatery where the True North vibes are strong (note the taxidermied goose and beaver) and the casual Canadian fare will leave you feeling stuffed. “Give ‘n er Since 2015” (their words, not mine), the restaurant serves a patriotic menu of hearty comfort food dishes such as mushroom poutine, elk tourtiere, mac and cheese, and fresh-baked bannock paired with local craft beers. Lighter (ish) bites include maple baked beans, ketchup chips, and deep-fried cheese curds. For dessert, the deep-fried Nanaimo bar sounds pretty freaking good, eh?
1203881 Bc Ltd
185 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X3Don’t let the herbaceous name fool you, Juniper is a lot more than a neighbourhood gin joint, although fans of a G&T will definitely find a happy home here. The cocktail program shines at this Chinatown newcomer where the spirit-forward creations from acclaimed mixologist Shaun Layton are prepared with small-batch liquors, syrups and bitters. Not to be outdone by the liquid libations, the food menu is equally on-point thanks to talented chef Sarah Stewart, whose Cascadian cuisine showcases seasonal West Coast flavours. The multileveled dining room is also wow-worthy with modern distillery-inspired finishes and artistic murals from Ola Volo.
Per Se Social Corner
891 Homer St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2W2While some Yaletown residents mourned the loss of Subeez – an old standby at the corner of Homer and Smithe – many locals have been excitedly anticipating the arrival of something new in the ’hood. The wait is finally over. Per Se Social Corner is a multi-purpose dining concept that’s equal parts café, Spanish tapas bar and Italian pizzeria. The renovated space boasts soaring ceilings, bold lighting and an industrial-chic seating area that accommodates 250 diners. Simple-yet-flavourful pizzas are served atop rustic wooden boards and the handcrafted cocktail list features four categories (sweet, strong, savoury and sour) of tempting tipples.
Bao Down Gastropub
115 2nd Ave W, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1B8Gastown’s favourite pan-Asian sandwich shop expanded in early 2016 with a new gastropub in Olympic Village. The street food menu features the namesake steamed buns – stuffed with everything from tamari-braised shitake mushrooms to lemongrass chicken to coconut-crusted catfish – plus an additional roster of larger entrees and oysters from an in-house raw bar. Head here with a hungry group and order up a variety of bao-based sandwiches to share alongside kimchi fries, Singapore slaw and pineapple fried rice. With bold neon murals, hip-hop on the stereo and crowd-pleasing flavours, Bao Down is sure to become a neighbourhood go-to.
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