Metro Vancouver Lunch Rush: Soho Road

May 15, 2012 By

Veg Sabji with chicken

On the hunt for Vancouver’s best street food? Soho Road is worth checking out. 

You’ll notice twelve new food carts popping up around Vancouver this month – and to say the scene has diversified (and improved) is an understatement. We’ve got El Salvadorian (Guanaco Truck), Thai (Rimfoodbaht) and exciting Indian options to look forward to from Soho Road.

Sarb Mund, owner of the Soho Road brand, is soon launching two concepts: Soho Road Tiffin Truck – where he’ll serve meat and veggie dishes in reusable steel tiffin boxes, and Chawalla – a breakfast cart serving Indian teas and paranthas from 7am.

For now, head to the downtown law courts and listen for Bollywood music – here you’ll find smiling Sarb assembling kebabs as quickly as he can.

The most authentic item, he told me, is the Vegetable Sabji.

Deliciously fragrant stewed vegetables and tender chicken peaked out from the brilliant charred naan (which is cooked in the cart’s own tandoor). Sprinkled with fresh cucumber salad, every inch of my mouth tingled with intense flavor.

Of all the street food out there, this is one of the must-tries.

Soho Road Naan Kebab
Smithe & Howe
@sohoroad

This article was written for Metro Newspaper by contributing food columnist, Erin Ireland.

Filed Under: Metro Newspaper Lunch Rush Tagged With: , , , ,

Metro Vancouver Lunch Rush: Catch 122

May 8, 2012 By

Catch 122 Salad with Smoked Salmon & Gruyere

Need a quick lunch spot near Hastings and Cambie? Catch 122 has a big menu and quality food.

It’s been about forty days and forty nights and Hastings Street’s new French eatery – Catch 122 – is in full swing.

Its sprawling space could very well be a dance hall. With a wooden bar and trendy warehouse-style lighting, the bustling eatery’s daytime vibe easily becomes ‘loungey’ at night.

At the kitchen reigns is Walter Messiah – a globe-trotting chef known and respected for his old-school French techniques. A peek at his resume reveals restaurant openings in Monte Carlo, Paris, and Johannesburg (to name a few).

When lunch arrived, I could see why the newly opened spot was already so busy.

The carefully plated Catch 122 Salad exuded quality and careful execution. With caramelized clusters of room temperature onion surrounding the nice pile of crouton-strewn arugula, it was entirely pleasing to the eye.

Sticks of nutty gruyere, vinaigrette doused grape tomatoes and a small portion of super fresh smoked salmon were equally enjoyable – all I could have asked for was more fish.

Catch 122
122 W. Hastings St.
604-731-3474

This article was written for Metro Newspaper by contributing food columnist, Erin Ireland.

Filed Under: Metro Newspaper Lunch Rush Tagged With: , , , , ,

Metro Vancouver Lunch Rush: Fat Dragon Bar-B-Q

May 1, 2012 By

Crunchy Squid Bao Bun

If you’re in the mood for Asian-inspired barbeque, you must head to Fat Dragon. 

Drive down Powell Street and you’ll spot a run-down lounge, a few empty lots, and a curiously new red and yellow dragon that doesn’t quite fit in.

The team of restaurateurs behind the Campagnolos have brought us yet another gem while continuing to push the boundaries of destination dining. Their Main Street location seems smack dab central compared to the latest eatery, “Fat Dragon Bar-B-Q”.

The new menu beholds a slew of dishes bearing East Asian and Southern American influences, like Jalan Alor Chicken Wings ($9), Tom Kha Gai ($7), and Prime Beef Back Ribs ($19).

A meal of Bao Buns and coconut milk broth soup had me predicting one particular bite would see the same success as Campagnolo’s famous Crispy Ceci: the Crunchy Squid Bao Bun.

Super crunchy, extra salty and seriously citrusy deep fried squid is folded inside a doughy steam bun with mint and scallions. Of the four buns, this version is by far the best.

To finish, try a coconut crispy rice chocolate bar – a collaboration from pastry chef Wendy Boys and the Fat Dragon team.

Fat Dragon Bar-B-Q
566 Powell St.
604-558-0880

This article was written for Metro Newspaper by contributing food columnist, Erin Ireland.

Filed Under: Metro Newspaper Lunch Rush Tagged With: , , , , ,

Metro Vancouver Lunch Rush: DD MAU

April 24, 2012 By
dd mau yaletown sandwich

Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Bánh Mì

Looking for a great sandwich shop in Yaletown? The folks at DD MAU specialize in Bánh Mì.

DD MAU should host a Vietnamese sandwich workshop. First lesson: Bánh mì is a Vietnamese synonym for ‘bread’ or ‘sandwich’ (in case you too, at one point, considered it a specific type of sandwich, like a ‘club’, for example).

Ingredients that define a bánh mì are pate, cilantro, cucumber, pickled daikon and carrots, and a protein. The Vietnamese owners of Yaletown’s newest sandwich shop feature seven baguettes that adhere to their culture’s culinary principles.

The Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Bánh mì is nearly floral with sweet chili aioli lathered on a fresh-from-the-oven baguette (choose from white or whole wheat). Its super savory dark meat was tender and plentiful. Boost flavor even more by adding paté or an egg.

The sandwich was delicious, but DD MAU’s Honeydew Smoothie, made with almond milk and – the magic ingredient – condensed milk, was what had me raving non-stop. And apparently it’s not even the most popular flavor – avocado takes the cake, which surely warrants a return visit.

DD MAU
1239 Pacific Blvd.
@ddmau

This article was written for Metro Newspaper by contributing food columnist, Erin Ireland.

Filed Under: Metro Newspaper Lunch Rush Tagged With: , , , , ,

Metro Vancouver Lunch Rush: Le Parisien

April 17, 2012 By

Albacore Tuna Tartare & Lyonnaise Salade

Looking for a French bistro in the West End? Le Parisien fits the bill.

The West End’s brand new French bistro is about as authentic as they come here in Vancouver.

With a menu boasting three tartares, roasted bone marrow, a cassoulet and more, the chances of finding your favorite French dish are high.

Le Parisien is the informal sister of Bistro Pastis, owned by John Blakely, whose first serving job in our city was, serendipitously, at the 751 Denman Street location (then Cafe de Paris).

Executive chef Tobias Grignon has created several original dishes including an Albacore Tuna Tartare that was pretty as a picture, riddled with toasted pine nuts and oven roasted tomatoes, and topped with a hefty dollop of delicious olive and caper tapenade. The strong flavors – which I enjoyed – dominated over the tuna, which didn’t taste top notch.

The Salade Lyonnaise arrived with a whiff of truffle oil. Lean house cured bacon peeked out from the escarole, a soft poached egg perched on top. Crunchy house made croutons dipped in yolk was a highlight, as was the helpful service.

Le Parisien
751 Denman St.
604-687-1418

This article was written for Metro Newspaper by contributing food columnist, Erin Ireland.

Filed Under: Metro Newspaper Lunch Rush, zHome Page - Latest Tagged With: , , , , ,

Metro Vancouver Lunch Rush: Harvest Union

April 10, 2012 By
harvest union strathcona erin ireland

Housemade Steam Bun with organic local chicken

Looking for a quick lunch in Strathcona? Harvest Union serves delicious, local food.

Harvest Union is the kind of establishment every human yearns for in their neighborhood.

Brimming with milk and cheese, chocolate and snacks, grains and baking, it’s Strathcona’s new oasis, sure to save neighbors many an inconvenient car-ride to the supermarket.

The new business was born by popular demand through a project called This Space, which asked the community to vote on what they felt belonged at 243 Union Street.

At the cozy space’s core is mini open kitchen where the local food for sale on their wooden shelves is turned into lunch by Top Chef Canada contender Trevor Bird and chef Mina Hideshima.

Their Steam Bun, a snack-size sandwich made in-house with Anita’s organic flour, has got to be the best deal in town at four dollars a pop. Its irresistibly doughy texture, squirted with sriracha and hoisin sauce, is absolutely luscious. Filled with morsels of moist, local chicken thigh and pickled cucumbers, you just might have to have two.

Harvest Union
243 Union St.
604-682-8851

This article was written for Metro Newspaper by contributing food columnist, Erin Ireland.

Filed Under: Metro Newspaper Lunch Rush Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Metro Vancouver Lunch Rush: Between Two Buns

April 3, 2012 By

Jerk It Sandwich & Tomato Basil Soup

Looking for one of the best sandwiches in Vancouver? Between Two Buns is worth a try.

Every city block in Vancouver needs a great sandwich shop. The demand is that high. Lucky for Yaletowners, Homer and Davie just got theirs.

Despite the cartoonish awning, Between Two Buns is serious about food. Chef Shaun Snelling, formerly of Opus and Fraiche, has applied his fine dining expertise to the sandwich world, and his new menu is mouthwatering.

With six enticing lunch options — like a Moroccan chickpea patty sandwich and a braised Paradise Valley pork cheek creation — you can’t go wrong.

The ‘Jerk It’ ($9) wasn’t saucy like it’s name, but it was stacked high with an incredible combo of ingredients: crispy tempura-style yam, deliciously creamy coleslaw, and tender 24-hour in-house marinated jerk chicken. On a thick white baguette from Boulangerie la Parisienne, the result was greatness.

Adding to the fantastic lunch was the best side salad I’ve seen offered, with arugula, grilled zucchini, plenty of artichoke hearts, and lentils. Snelling’s Tomato Basil soup was also outstanding, finished with a touch of olive oil, cream, and fresh basil.

Between Two Buns
1271 Homer St.
604.336.4103

This article was written for Metro Newspaper by contributing food columnist, Erin Ireland.

Filed Under: Metro Newspaper Lunch Rush Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Metro Vancouver Lunch Rush: Woodland Smokehouse

February 21, 2012 By

Turkey Cranberry Pate Sandwich

Looking for a quick lunch or grocery store on Commercial? Woodland Smokehouse has pretty much everything you could want.

As I neared the end of Commercial, I thought I’d missed it. Pulling over, I noticed a large building with cute pin style logos and text on the front window: ‘Made in House, Smoked in House, Baked in House’. This was it!

I entered to the thick scent of smoke and Chef Anatoli Belov slicing fresh-from-the-oven Jalapeno Sausage Rolls. Their quilts of pastry were noticeably soft and supple.

Woodland Smokehouse and Commissary is a massive food production facility with an awesome retail storefront. Just steps inside and you’ll brim with dinner ideas. They’ve got pot pies, lots of pate, pickled just-about-anything, and much, much more.

Takeout lunch options are endless, too. My Turkey Cranberry Pate sandwich was absolutely bulging with slices of savory paste. The thick bread was hard to eat but the insides were thickly lubricated with butter and grainy mustard.

To finish, a Bacon Bourbon or Earl Grey Cartems Donut — best described as ‘otherworldly’ — is imperative.

Woodland Smokehouse and Commissary
485 Commercial Dr.

This article was written for Metro Newspaper by contributing food columnist, Erin Ireland.

Filed Under: Metro Newspaper Lunch Rush Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Metro Vancouver Lunch Rush: Trafiq Café

February 15, 2012 By

Artichoke Brie Quiche & Thai Coconut Pumpkin Soup

Looking for lunch on Main Street? Trafiq Cafe has soup, sandwiches, fresh baking, and more.

If you know your baked goods in this city, chances are you’ve heard of it. West Van locals most likely have; it’s going on eight years in their neighborhood.

So popular is the baking at Trafiq Cafe that owner Sergio Salamonovitz has opened a second location on Main Street.

With a buzzing commercial kitchen at rear, the snacks up front are nothing but fresh. Don’t let the Saran Wrapped sandwiches fool you. Nothing is day old, I was assured.

The drizzly day coaxed me towards a fragrant Thai Coconut Pumpkin Soup, brimming with carrots and tomatoes. Hot Artichoke and Brie Quiche as a main was creamy and filling with an airy light crust. This paired with a Sea to Sky Organic Coffee misto and a fantastic Walnut Coffee Cake I was toasty.

Perhaps you should nurture the love in today’s air by a chilly walk ending over a steaming menu item at Trafiq? Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Trafiq Cafe
4216 Main St.
604-648-2244

This article was written for Metro Newspaper by contributing food columnist, Erin Ireland.

Filed Under: Metro Newspaper Lunch Rush Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Metro Vancouver Lunch Rush: Thomas Haas

February 7, 2012 By

Portobello Mushroom Sandwich on Organic Walnut Bread

Looking for the best chocolates in Vancouver? You’ve found them. Thomas Haas also serves incredible sandwiches.

There’s delicious…and then there’s delicious. If you’ve stepped foot into one of Thomas Haas’ two cafes, you know that he consistently falls into the latter of these two entirely different categories.

When faced with a challenge, Vancouver’s chocolate king lacks no gumption. Haas is a part of this year’s 2nd Annual Hot Chocolate Festival (January 14 – February 14) and he’s stepped up to the plate, as usual, with an offering so ridiculously mouthwatering, it commands the spotlight: hot chocolate with whipped cream, caramel, a sprinkling of fleur de sel, and hot-out-of-the-oven Sparkle Cookies.

The good news for lunch-goers: Thomas’ heartwarming treat is a perfect pairing with one of his decadent sandwiches.

How about a Portobello Mushroom on incredible, olive oil-drizzled organic walnut bread, riddled with chunks of nuts? Plenty of Gruyère, roasted red peppers and a handful of merlot-marinated portobello mushrooms ( bearing the consistency of a buttery burrata) are its exquisite fillings.

Head to cityfood.com for full festival details.

Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates & Patisserie
2539 West Broadway
604-736-1848

This article was written for Metro Newspaper by contributing food columnist, Erin Ireland.

Filed Under: Metro Newspaper Lunch Rush Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts