Can’t say I have ever been to a Franco-German restaurant before this one, but doesn’t the idea sound awesome? Take the best classic French bistro dishes combined with the best German food and you have a menu with steak tartare, mussels & fries, steak frites, homemade bratwurst and saurkraut, and schnitzel. Yum.

My first visit was a Sunday evening for a quick dinner of rotisserie chicken and frites for me, and the homemade bratwurst for the hubby. The chicken was huge – an entire half chicken on the bone, extremely moist and “chickeny.” The frites were super crispy and salty and lovely dunked into the housemade ketchup and mayo. The bratwurst came with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes – also delicious, but the flavours were a bit more muted than expected. When you think bratwurst and sauerkraut you think really punchy flavours, but it was much milder here. Perhaps to cater to the masses.

Overall, it was a great first visit and I’m looking forward to trying another dinner and the weekend brunch menu next time I want some gourmet comfort food.

La Brasserie
1091 Davie Street
604.568.6499
No reservations

Highlights:

• Lightly cooked asparagus with a runny poached egg, garlic, anchovy, and light olive oil. Fresh and rich without being too heavy
• Spinach and ricotta raviolo with a hazelnut butter sauce. Perfectly cooked pasta and so good with the nutty butter sauce.
• Fettuccine Bolognese – if this is on the menu of an Italian restaurant, I order it. It’s one of my “test” dishes, so to speak – I went through a 1-month period where I made about 10 different bolognese recipes at home. Lupo’s version is great. Meaty, rich & flavourful, clinging to fresh pasta.  The way it should be. I’m bringing my husband back to try this one.
• Sablefish with spinach, grappa, and orange marmalade. I didn’t try this dish, but a few people around the table raved about it
• The dessert list is seasonal but traditional, featuring gelato, tiramisu, panna cotta, and tarts. My tiramisu was excellent – creamy with a nice edge of liquor and coffee.

Located in a beautiful heritage house (formerly Villa Del Lupo – read the back story here), I love the setting. The inside is quite modern with clean lines and colours. The upstairs provides a nice space for a private party or group event. Just watch out for the washrooms – unlocking the doors are tricky!

Around my table of 8 people, everyone loved the meal. A few people felt the portions were a bit on the small side, so plan to order 2-3 courses for dinner…as they do in Italy!

The food brought me back to my trip to Italy last year. Great flavour, but simple and seasonal. My kind of food.

Lupo Restaurant
869 Hamilton Street (b/w Smithe & Robson)
Vancouver
604.569.2535

First, the food – an interesting menu, all dishes executed wonderfully:

• Salade de Baies, lightly dressed greens atop a silky sheep feta and fresh berries
• Les coquilles st. jacques – perfectly tender and seared scallops with smoked bacon and pickled vegetables
• Grilled ostrich with sweet onions and potato crisps. Some of the most tender ostrich I’ve ever had
• Moules Frites – some of the best in town. I love the Congolaise, mussels cooked with tomatoes, coconut cream, chilli, and cilantro. The frites are crisp and dusted with a smoked paprika. And also order some freshly baked bread for soaking up mussel broth.
• As good as all our food was, the dessert made the meal. We shared the “Le Cafe Belge,” a creamy espresso cheesecake topped with layers of chocolate mousse, cream, and crispy chocolate wafers. SO GOOD. Not too sweet and a perfect balance of chocolate & coffee, crisp and creamy textures. I’ll remember this dessert for a while.

One Vancouver restaurant trend I’m liking is the filtering and carbonating of their own water, rather than flying in “gourmet” bottles of sparkling water from New Zealand or other far off places. Our sparkling water was unlimited and just $2.00 – a big difference from the $6-10 charged for Pelligrino at many restaurants.  While it does not help their profit margin much, it’s a much better environmental choice. I know Boneta also does this.

Service at Chambar is always great. Professional, relaxed, and fun. It’s always lovely dining at Chambar – I’ll be back again sooner next time.

Chambar Restaurant
562 Beatty Street (@ Dunsmuir)
Vancouver
604 879 7119

I don’t know about other Vancouver food lovers, but I find this question impossible to answer. There is no way, NO WAY I could name one restaurant as my favourite. Vancouver has so many good places, it’s a lucky place to be.

However, year after year, Cru Restaurant remains one of my favourites, delivering on all fronts: food, wine, service, and price. You can drop a good sum of money here, but you can also have a great time for about $60.

Sandwiched between unlikely restaurant neighbours Vera’s Burger Shack and Memphis Blues BBQ (although Cru was there first!), Cru is an elegant small restaurant that seats about 40 people. As a diner, you can choose between a daily prix fixe menu for $38 or sample a selection of dishes from their small plates menu. I typically go for the small plates, which let you try a few different flavours and the selection is so great, there’s something for everyone. The menu changes up, but there are always some dishes that stay. Some of my all-time favourites:

• The Cellar Door Caesar: This still remains my favourite caesar in town. It’s probably the most fattening too, but it’s worth it. Crisp romaine lightly grilled with a mound of asiago cheese and thick creamy dressing on top. Then, a few made-to-order buttery croutons on the side. So good.
• Syrah-braised beef short rib with a teeny, but potent pot of macaroni and cheese. The short rib is a tender delicious bite and the rich macaroni and cheese puts it over the top. Like the Caesar, I don’t think Cru can ever take this dish off the menu.
• Sweet spring pea risotto: There’s usually a seasonal risotto on the menu, but my favourite is the Spring version, usually full of beautiful green vegetables and a tender & creamy rice
• Cru Brushchetta: Soft bread, flavourful tomatoes, a good bite
• Classic Creme Brulee – I just love Cru’s version. Smooth and creamy texture, perfectly browned sugar top. Just a well executed, simple dessert.

I could go on, but I’ve never had a bad dish at Cru, so I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Service is always friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable – the servers are always more than willing to talk food and wine. In fact, I believe a server at Cru was the one who convinced me I had to go to the French Laundry when I was in Napa Valley a few years ago. One of the most memorable (and expensive) meals of my life.

I’m always thankful for Cru. Good food, room, service. A relaxing and delicious place to go.

Cru Restaurant
1459 W. Broadway (@ Granville), Vancouver
604-677-4111

The menu offers traditional French bistro fare: French onion soup, croque-monsieur, mussels and frites, steak frites, escargots, and more. They used to have frogs legs too, but they don’t seem to be on the menu anymore. Everything is freshly prepared and delicious. The most expensive menu item is $25 and the restaurant also features a daily three-course fixed menu for $25.

My last visit was a ladies lunch a few weeks ago – I devoured a beautiful seafood quiche with a buttery crust and tender filling with a light green salad and plenty of salty, crispy frites. Mmmm.

I also love the room – it’s quite charming, spacious, black & white with a European feel.

Gastown is packed with great food options these days, but Jules remains a favourite for me. No gimmicks – just good food and a nice setting (and a patio too!)

Jules French Bistro
216 Abbott Street, Vancouver
604-669-0033
Open Monday to Saturday, 11:30-10pm

I had to go find something to eat to honour such an occasion. While La Brasserie and Mis Trucos were tempting (and on the list!), I was solo and tired so opted for something much more casual – La Belle Patate, land of all things French-Canadian in the way of poutine – 30+ different kinds, including some crazy combinations (a donair poutine?).

But the only poutine that appeals to me is the classic – fries, curds, gravy. I haven’t enjoyed a real Quebec poutine in nearly a decade, but based on my memories, La Belle Patate’s poutine is pretty good. The fries are real potatoes, fried but not crispy. The cheese curds are fresh and actually have some flavour. The gravy is as it should be – a thin and salty layer over the fries and curds.

Go for the poutine – I’m not sure I’d order plain fries, as they were a little too dark and on the mushy side. I’d also steer clear of their “shakes,” which don’t seem to be made from hand scooped ice cream and milk.

If you need a junk food fix or something to soak up the alcohol on a late weekend night, La Patate fits the bill. I enjoyed the food and service much more than Fritz Fry House – the usual late night french fry hangout.

Oh, and if you are really gung-ho on poutine, they have all you can eat poutine for $25. Dangerous. There are people I know that should never know about this.

La Belle Patate
1215 Davie Street (b/w Bute and Jervis)
Vancouver
604-569-1215

Au Petit Cafe, 4851 Main St (b/w 32nd and 33rd ave)

Two Saturdays ago we hit up Au Petit Cafe, famous in Vancouver for their excellent Vietnamese sandwiches, which we ordered in addition to our vermicelli bowls. Have you heard all the raves about this place’s sandwiches? People go on and on about the fresh French bread. Well, my first Vietnamese sandwich at Au Petit Cafe was certainly the best Vietnamese sandwich I’d eaten – soft & crusty French bread with nicely seasoned pork and veggies…but it was still just a sandwich. I’m not in a hurry to return for it, but it was tasty. The vermicelli bowls were great with crispy pork spring rolls and fresh vegetables. My husband says the portion was a little small though.

The restaurant itself was small and busy, with a line-up out the door when we arrived and the staff running around to keep up with the crowd. You’re not there for the ambiance, but the place was clean and service prompt.  I’d definitely return. For two vermicelli bowls and a sandwich, the price was about $20 plus tip.

Pho Tan Vietnamese Restauarant, 4598 Main St (@ 30th Ave)

This restaurant was given Bronze for best Vietnamese by Vancouver Magazine this year, and is about 1 block north of Au Petit Cafe, so we gave Pho Tan a try this weekend. Business is good, as Pho Tan was also packed with a line-up out the door when we arrived. A ten minute wait later and we were in! The staff was busy as hell, but very good at clearing tables, seating tables, and getting orders taken. Not always an easy feat when you’re slammed. My husband deemed Pho Tan’s vermicelli bowls to be big portions, cheaper and equally good as Au Petit Cafe, so this is his new number one. I enjoyed it also, but found Au Petit’s was slightly fresher and tastier – but also saltier. We also drank down some  lovely iced Vietnamese French coffee with sweetened condensed milk – always a tasty treat, and nicely made here. At $7.50 per vermicelli bowl, this was good cheap eating.

If Vietnamese Saturday lunch continues next week, I think we’ll hit up Thai Son on East Broadway, which I’ve also heard good things about. There’s also Pho Hoang at 3388 Main St, but I find the food quite over-rated. Many tasty options.

Part modern diner, part coffee stop, Acme Cafe is in the slightly dodgy part of Gastown, east of the Woodwards building. It’s well worth the extra steps, especially as a breakfast or lunch spot. Details:

• Open the door to the cafe and you’re greeted with a clean, gleaming, beautiful room. The colour scheme is black, white, and chrome, giving off a fresh ambience to the restaurant. I think it has a modern diner look, but my husband is adamant it looks nothing like a diner – see what you think.
• There’s 2 areas when you walk in – one for take-out orders and one for dining in.
• The breakfast menu looks lovely (will try soon), but lunch and dinner include a nice selection of sandwiches and comfort food classics like Macaroni and Cheese or Meatloaf. I enjoyed a hearty Chicken Club sandwich, loaded with fresh veggies, cheese, and bacon with a hefty side portion of potato chips and a scoop of the most excellent broccoli almond slaw. The broccoli gives a different texture to a standard coleslaw, and the dressing is mayo-based with a hint of sweetness. So. Good.
• Acme Cafe offers online ordering too, so you can put in your order, walk over, and your food will be waiting for you
• If possible, leave room for sweets – there’s milkshakes and floats (good marks from my ice-cream addicted husband), and fresh baked goods, like soft & chewy 3-bite cookies or the most incredible looking pies, which I’m trying next.

There’s lots of reasons to make return trips to Acme Cafe.

Acme Cafe
51 West Hastings St (east of Abbott)
604.569.1022

I’ve been to the Pourhouse a few times now, each experience memorable:

The first time at the Pourhouse was Saturday brunch last fall. I remember the Americano I ordered was great – the first coffee I’d ordered in Vancouver that was comparable to the heaven I drank daily in Italy for three weeks in October. And then I spent an embarassing 10 minutes waiting for the bathroom to be “free” only to realize the door wasn’t locked, the knob just didn’t turn! During my visit yesterday I noticed an added note that says “push” for people like me.

Another time at the Pourhouse was a warm winter’s evening, a friend and I decided to have our own little bar hop around Gastown, visiting four different bars that evening. But the Pourhouse was the best. We slid up to the bar and my friend, who’d recently decided to start drinking whiskey, asked for a good whiskey based cocktail. The excellent bartender started him on a gentle Old Fashioned, changing up the whiskey/bourbon with each round. Good times.

And yesterday I was at the Pourhouse for lunch, which was a crispy grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup – sounds basic, but was it ever good. The sandwich, buttery fried bread on the outside with gooey, oozing cheese on the inside, and you get that perfect “crunch” sound with every bite. A little greasy yes, but so worth it. And the tomato soup, garnished with a sprinkling of fresh chives, a rich (but not creamy) flavour and a  gorgeous deep orange/red hue. We added a little plate of fries to share too – thick cut, soft on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

The room – cozy, real old-school, and charming. A great place for meeting one person or a group of people for drinks or a meal.

The challenge for all my future visits? Ordering something other than that cheese sandwich.

The Pourhouse
162 Water Street (East of Cambie)
Vancouver
604-568-7022

Glowbal and Afterglow, Yaletown, 1079 Mainland St – Glowbal restaurant was the the first and original restaurant and recently changed their cuisine focus to steaks and satays. Afterglow is at the back of the restaurant and is a lounge/bar. To be honest, I don’t like this restaurant at all. The two times I’ve been there, food was unspectacular for the price and service was insulting. However, I haven’t been back in a while, so I imagine it’s improved. What you do get here is a urban, modern setting and decent food at a marked up price. It’s a nice place for business meetings or for drinks.

Coast, Downtown, 1054 Alberni St (near Burrard) – Coast is all about fresh seafood in a welcoming setting. The first Coast was located in Yaletown, but the restuarant moved to Alberni Street a while back and also opened the adjoining O Lounge next door. The food here is good, but I don’t go often. My most memorable coast experience dates a few years back when the head chef of Coast did a joint dinner with Hidekazu Tojo (of the amazing & famous Tojo’s – for serious Japanese lovers only). Were we treated to a beautiful feast of west coast and Japanese inspired cuisine.

The Italian Kitchen, Downtown, 1037 Alberni St (Across from Coast, near Burrard) – Now the Italian Kitchen I like. Fresh and well cooked modern Italian food. The food here is delicious, fresh, and memorable. The penne arrabbiata is my favourite pasta here – slightly spicy and salty with creamy burrata cheese to balance everything out. This restaurant is famous for their Kobe beef meatballs – they are big and meaty, but a little over-rated in my book.

Trattoria Italian Kitchen, Kitsilano, 1850 W. 4th Ave (b/w Burrard & Cypress) - In Italy, you have restaurants and you have trattorias. Trattorias are known to be more casual and more affordable versus the more upscale ristorante. This is also the idea of Trattoria Italian Kitchen, a more casual, more affordable version of The Italian Kitchen downtown and I enjoy it. The menu is focused on a lot of sharing – so you can share a pasta platter or a meat platter with friends. Get the bruschetta sampler, crispy bread topped with sweet tomatoes & basil, chickpeas, and mushrooms – so satisfying.

Sanafir, Downtown, 1026 Granville Street (near Nelson) -  Sanafir is located in the entertainment district of Granville Street, open late and attracting lots of groups. The ceilings in this place are amazingly high and the food is a blend of North Africa, Middle Eastern, and Asian. The decor is inspired along the same themes and quite fun. It’s a nice room. I’ve only had drinks here, so no comment on the food.

Society, Yaletown, 1257 Hamilton Street (b/w Drake and Davie) - This is the Glowbal Group’s latest restaurant, comfort food and junk food served in a trendy Yaletown setting. Not a bad idea. Grab a seat on the lovely patio and order up a milkshake, onion rings, poutine, mac ‘n cheese, pizza – you get the idea. Satisfying, comforting food that you don’t usually get at an upscale restaurant. More restaurants should serve milkshakes, so for that alone Society gets points for me. I’ve only been for lunch and ate something way too healthy (fresh greens with a cajun grilled salmon), but based on the plates of burgers and shakes at the tables around me, I’ll come back and give it another try.

A final note is that aside from off-hours, these are not quiet restaurants. Think energetic buzz and bustling noise. Great for groups and casual dinners out, but not so much for a romantic time.

So, I give you the Glowbal Group of restaurants – some parts good, some parts average, all worth a try – let me know you think.