Review | First Impressions: Elle’s Review of Restaurants Around Vancouver
Florence L/Pendulum Mag
Ça Marche Crêperie
French
Rating: 5/5
Price: $$
Vibe: French vintage meets Modern Art-Deco cooked on high heat and garnished with French seasoning.
The Concept: This shoebox of a res- taurant is hidden away just under the Granville Street Bridge and is unlike any other in Vancouver. Inspired by the famous Buckwheat crêpes of Brit- tany, a region in northwestern France, this bistro blends French vintage with modern Art-Deco to create the perfect atmosphere for consuming delicacies. When presented with the menu, it is impossible to decide on what crepe to order. It feels almost like a life or death situation... except with a pinch more sugar. With a wide variety of crêpes to choose from, this place must be number one on your to visit list.
Food to try: When deciding on a mat- ter such as crêpes, one must think long and hard about their decision. If you are craving savory then the Champignon might interest you. Topped with sau- téed mushrooms, cider onion jam, kale, goat cheese and a fried egg, this crêpe is delectable with a capital D. If sweet is more your style, then the Fraise is your go-to. Served with macerated strawber- ries, whipped cream and croissant ice cream, this crêpe brings heaven to the next level. Even if you’re weary about what crêpe you will order, you simply must order the frites. The frites are thin cut, covered in french herbs and make eating potatoes almost feel healthy.
Fable Diner and Bar
Breakfast Food and Bar
Rating: 4/5
Price: $$
Vibe: Rustic and Unsophisticated. An eclectic playlist of eighties pop songs adds aggravating color to the scene. Imagine an old bar but “trendier.”
The Concept: This bar and diner has taken up residence in the archaic and heritage Kingston Hotel and occupies an impressive two and a half floors of the building, complete with two bars, an army of upholstered cushions, a lounge and a pool table downstairs. Don’t let the amenities fool you, the menu items fall into the casual section for sure. Open all day, the diner sports a menu of edible brunch foods doused in oil and a dazling array of drinks and appetizers to suf fice.
Fable Diner and Bar also is open all the way into the evening, with the day being broken up with a 2:30 PM to 5 PM happy hour (Tuesday to Saturday only)!
Food to try: If you have come here for brunch and intend to leave absolutely stuffed, then the Trucker’s Breakfast is your best bet, complete with two eggs of any style, a choice of meat, breakfast potatoes, sourdough toast and a pancake. For something lighter (and cer tainly healthier), The Huevous Rancheros is probably the best option. With two poached eggs, beans, guacamole, pasilla, cilantro, pico de gallo, cheddar and sour cream, this meal is a delicious way to do brunch in style.
Café Kitsuné
French Cafe
Rating: 3.5/5
Price: $$-$$$
Vibe: Parisian chic meets Japandi (Japanese/Scandi) crammed together in this shoebox of a cafe.
The Concept: Café Kitsuné — and its retail counterpar t Maison Kitsuné — is a luxury brand that sells clothing, furniture, music and now, food. With 15 stores worldwide, this Paris-based brand has opened its first Canadian flagship in Vancouver. Other locations include Japan, France, New York, South Korea, Indonesia, and China, among others. With two separate spaces, the retail and cafe sides both use Japanese interiors styles and accents of the classic Parisian style in the food and clothing. This cafe is on the fancier side, so please remember to bring your manners. A head’s-up before going: Café Kitsuné is a laptop-free zone, so leave your computer at home. It is located in the heart of Gastown, so the atmosphere outside the café is as great as the atmosphere inside! Grab a window seat if you love people-watching.
Food to try: If you’re going for a light snack then there is an array of baked goods to choose from. Their classic fox cookie is a staple to try (Kitsuné is Japanese for fox, hence the fox motif). They also of fer French sandwiches including a cucumber sandwich with cashew cheese and a ham and cheese sandwich with dijon mustard. Bon Appetit!
Bamboo World Kitchen
Bowls and Wraps
Rating: 3/5
Price: $-$$
Vibe: Chill, clean and the epitome of causal-fresh.
The Concept: Bamboo World Kitchen is a restaurant that makes healthy fast food inspired by cuisines from around the world including the Pacific Northwest, Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Japan, and the Mediterranean. There is definitely something for everyone. Their menu offers an array of bowls, wraps, salads, steamed dumplings and smoothies each with their own unique flavors. Their main focus is to supply fresh, local, sustainable ingredients and plant-based packaging. The pricing of the food is reasonable and af fordable; you can expect to spend anywhere be- tween six and eleven dollars for one entrée.
Food to try: The Hanoi, inspired by Vietnamese cuisine, is definitely one to try. Available in either a bowl or a wrap, it comes with marinated rice noodles, fresh mint and basil, pickled carrots, cucumber, bean sprouts, romaine lettuce, spiced cashews, peanut sauce and their sweet chili sauce. You can order any of their bowls or wraps with a protein such as tofu, shrimp and chicken. Another excellent choice is their steamed dumplings. With an array of fillings including prawn, bean curd, and bamboo/veggies, these appetizers are definitely worth the six bucks. Plus, there is a new opening Summer 2022 at 794 West Broadway!
District Eleven
Asian Fusion
Rating: 3/5
Price: $-$$
Vibe: Batcave meets heritage design in a strip mall.
The Concept: Inspired by high Vietnamese cuisine and East Asian street food, District Eleven is a restaurant heavily focused on bold flavours. They offer two menus: Adventurous and Au- thentic. One for brave souls who value flavor and are not hesitant to try new things, and one for those who just want a warm bowl of soup that will remind them of home. Their main goal is to experiment with foods to create new things while still paying tribute to the traditional foods of East Asia. As they put it, “Flavourful and Unforgettable.” Despite being crammed in the middle of a strip mall, this restaurant is funky, yet somewhat traditional. Another plus is the free dehydrated noodles snacks that you’re given upon arrival!
Food to try: If you’re dying to try something fresh from the Adventurous menu, then order the Aburi Crispy Rice dish. Deep fried sushi rice is topped with spicy crab salad, chili mayo, crispy shallots, pickled jalapenos, ponzu glaze and seaweed to create this flavorful tan- trum. If authentic is more your speed then you should try the Pho Chay bowl (Vegan noodle soup), it comes with veg- gie broth, rice noodles, mushrooms, bok choy, carrots, radishes and tofu. Here is a word of advice if you’re going for the Adventurous menu; try to avoid the Umami Bombs...