Discovering a new awesome restaurant can really liven up your work week. And so here you have it: my weekly dining spotlight…featuring Exile Bistro, one of the West End’s most charming and delicious hidden gems.
Tucked away just off Davie (at 1220 Bute), this omnivorous plant-forward restaurant has something for everyone: vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and game meat dishes that are completely inventive and absolutely delicious.
Exile owner Vanessa Bourget is passionate about real food, and as a chartered herbalist and holistic nutritionist, she’s guided her menu in a healthy, eco-friendly direction using locally grown produce, foraged ingredients and small amounts of game and sustainable fish.
Menu favourites include a creamy lentil pate with house-made crackers, the forager’s bowl with black rice, egg, mushrooms and pickled veggies and the cocktails, which are totally out of this world. How about a Root Sour with yam juice, turmeric, ginger and bourbon? Or the Chaga Sour with strong mushroom tea and bourbon? Both, big winners.
This story was written for 102.7 The Peak