Dine Out Vancouver - Last Min Cancellation!

Unfortunately had to do a last minute cancellation
due to friend changing their mind on me last minute.
guess there is no satisfying everyone =(

Dine Out Vancouver - Chambar

Probably the best restaurant that I visited this year, however interesting I wasn't able to find a restaurant that completely satisfy me.

Carpaccio de Chevreuil Charred venison carpaccio, garlic chips, radishes, white soy & red wine reduction, soba noodle salad - I believe this is probably the best appetizer of the dine out I had this year! the venison carpaccio paired perfectly with other ingredients. Simply outstanding!

Score: 8/10

Moules-Frites Coquotte &Congolaise – Mussels, white wine, cream, smoked bacon lardons, spring onions - Outstanding dish as well, however it does get fairly salty and dull after all while. but probably because of the large quantity that it gives.

Score: 7/10

Le Fruit Lemon curd, toasted meringue, thyme scented shortbread - very interesting combination of ingredients however the taste of the dessert is very expected

Score: 7/10

Dine Out Vancouver - Change of Plan!

Original plan of O'Doul has been change to Chambar!
Many of my friends went to O'Doul and reported bad results
as was told the portion of the dine out menu shrunk significantly and the quality was no longer as great.

Chambar's menus looks fairly promising as well, we shall see what will come out of this :D

Dine Out Vancouver - Scond Week Lineup

After some research O'Doul's Restaurant & Bar shop and Cork & Fin shows promising results.

O'Doul's Restaurant & Bar had promising result as their steak was enormous for the price they are charging. Menu looks fairly promising as well since there are repeated items from last year.
For appetizer my personal choice would be Canadian Rangeland Elk Carpaccio. From the description we can see it is combined with very interesting ingredient. As for entree there is nothing that stands out in particular, but would probably end up with Curry-spiced Certified Angus Beef Flank Steak, but no promises here would probably end up asking the server for recommendation. As for dessert Late Harvest Vidal and Lime Mousse looks the most delicious out of the three.


Cork & Fin is knowing for their seafood! Surprisingly the restaurant forgo the dessert and included extra main/side dish to enrich the quantity of the dine out. Menu looks subpar, but seadfood lover should still get their satisfaction. For appetizer lobster salad looks dreamy however it requires a extra seven dollars on the bill, thus I would probably end up going for Sawmill Bay Oysters on the half shell served with Champagne mignonette. As for side dishes once again the extra value (+6) looks more delicious but as for side dishes Manilla Clams, saffron broth, crostini should be enough. As for entree the vote went immediately to the seafood Pan Seared Snapper, carrot & ginger puree, bok choy. I must say the menu looks okay but hopefully I would be amazed by them

Dine Out Vancouver - West Restaurant

West Restaurant, rated the one of the best overall restaurant in Vancouver with additional to the promising dine out experienced shared by friends I've finally decided to give it a try!

Disappointment!! Perhaps I had too much hope for it that was expecting something very extraordinary. Overall the dine out menu is just average for the price of $28 ($38 is a overcharge for the quality)

Fraser Valley Trout Salad - Probably not the type of salad choice I would pick in the first place, but aside from that there weren't more outstanding dishes for appetizer.
Score: 6/10

Salish Sea Keta Salmon caramelized savoy cabbage with bacon, smoke salmon croquette served with parsley vinaigrette -The Salmon was average level that if you buy a fresh one from the market you could probably make one yourself. Salmon croquette wasn't crispy enough for my liking, as I really believe fried object shouldn't be put together with other food that could potentially make it soggy.
Score: 6/10

Chocolate ganache with raspberry compote and ice cream - As a chocolate lover myself it is really hard not to love the dish, however I was not amazed.
Score: 6.5/10

Overall I believe it is a matter of the inconsistency, or West is just simply not worth the hype.
However I did book a fairly late time for the dine out (cause it was a sold out) so that their head chef might not be there for it. But I still think there is no excuse for the inconsistency

Score: 6/10

Dine Out Vancouver - Bistro Pastis

First stop for the dine out this year!
I must say being one of the best French restaurant in Vancouver I'm not impressed at all

Terrine de Campagne, Cornichons and Croutons - The quality of the appetizer was only average at best
Score: 4/10


Caramelized Onion and Porcini Stuffed Chicken Breast Creamy Polenta, Brussels Sprouts - Out of the three main, course is probably the best of all!  But I would like the chicken texture to be better!
Score: 6/10


Crêpe Suzette au Grand Marnier, Vanilla Ice Cream - The combination of the ingredient didn't surprise me at all, and missing  a sense of completeness
Score: 2.5/10

Dine Out Vancouver - First Week Lineup

As my wallet screams to me I will announce the dine out line up for the first week.
On the first week I will be visiting Bistro Pastis and West Restaurant.

Bistro Pastis is awarded as one of the best  French Cuisine Restaurant in Vancouver.
Looking through the dine out menu I have to be honest and say I'm not really interested in their appetizers. The entrees provide the choice of Steak Bordelaise, Panseread Trout, and stuffed chicken breast. The entree looks very delicious I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. In terms of desserts the french name really got me, but judging from the name we have the choice of tart, crepe, and chocolate mousse. Personally I would probably go for the chocolate mousse.


West Restaurant is rated the best overall restaurant in Vancouver. Looking through the dine out menu all three categories looks very promising. Several friends had went to the dine out last year gave me positive feedback. I have high expectation for this restaurant.


I will update with more info once I visit the restaurant!
Stay tune!

Dine Out Vancouver 2012

Dine Out Vancouver 2012 is around the corner!
I've got several restaurants lined up this year.
Hopefully they will surprise me.
Stay tune for the food blog!