Vancouver Good

After an inspiring evening at Pecha Kucha Vancouver (volume 9 – Elvy Del Bianco, David Duprey, and Vancouver 2010 design team were the best), the hubby and I strolled over to Stella’s on Cambie, the sister location to the original Commercial Drive outpost.

Located in the former Tomato Cafe location, Stella’s looks nothing like its predecessor. It’s a sleek room with warm colours and soft lighting.  The menu is also different from the Commercial Drive location, featuring a few dishes local to the ‘hood plus a prix fixe dinner menu option.

But what you always do at Stella’s is order a beer. With an extensive Belgian beer list and lots on tap, there’s something for everyone. It was a smooth and sweet Leffe for myself tonight.

We opted to share a bunch of tapas, where I feel the kitchen is strongest:

• Cauliflower “popcorn” – mini florets roasted in butter and herbs, topped with cheese
• Tender chipotle lime dusted calamari
• Korean BBQ beef ribs with a pickled ginger and nori salad
• Belgian Poutine with a Blanche de Chambly & miso Gravy and topped with green onions – both ingredients give the poutine a nice zing
• Mussels – freshly steamed mussels with your choice of 8 flavorings. Make sure you order a side of bread too.

The tapas were tasty, fresh, and well executed. The food at the Cambie location is a little better than Commercial Drive, and a step above usual bar fare.

Cold beer, fresh mussels, frites, good prices…yeah, I’d go back.

Stella’s Tap and Tapas Bar on Cambie
3305 Cambie St (@ 17th Ave)
Open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.