WEST END EATERIES
NEW PLACE TO DINE
Oh, our dearest West End, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways. We love thee by summer sun—especially in these rain-drenched parts— when we gobble our way down your sidewalks, down to the beaches of English Bay, the trails of Stanley Park, and the spectacles of the Celebration of Light and the Pride parade.
Alas and alack, our hearts were broken over the recent loss of establishments the
Dover Arms Pub,
West Valley Market, Acacia Fillo
Bar, Village eatery, and more. We send our sincere condolences. Ah, but we have also noticed that quite a number of jaunty new places have popped up to soothe our souls.
Let us list the burgeoning spots we most adore, shall we?
MUCHOS TACOS Oh, you know us too well. While La Catrina Mexican Tacos down at English Bay has been drawing lineups over the past year, we’re glad to see more entries in the always popular Mexican market.
The chilled-out Avocado Bay (second floor, 1184 Denman Street), which opened on Canada Day weekend, exudes a vacation feel with its vistas of English Bay. Its all-avocado menu, though, is the clincher. More tacos are always great, but it’s the novel items that pique interest: avoburgers ($7.95), made with tuna or veggies between two slices of avocado in lieu of buns; Mexi-can poutine ($9.95), with green-salsa gravy and queso fresco; and even avocado cheesecake ($7.95). Who said it’s not easy being green?
As sad as we were when the 12-yearold Lolita’s South of the Border Cantina closed its doors in April, we were uplifted by the opening of the similarly Mexican-inspired Lucha Verde (1326 Davie Street) in its place. A vegetarian restaurant that carnivores won’t mind? Yes, please. We’re smitten with the creative range of taco varieties, including achiote cauliflower with toasted-pumpkin purée and orange salsa, kabocha with corn sauce and watermelon salsa, and pasilla barbecued jackfruit with pineapple salsa ($6 to $7). ¡Salud! to that.
JAPANESE, PLEASE We’re encouraged by how Touhenboku Ramen reinvented itself. With the noodle profusion in that area, it’s great to see Yuzu Shokutei (854 Denman Street) expand its offerings beyond noodles to offer an ever-evolving menu that includes rice sets, salads, okonomiyaki ($8), and even poké bowls ($18 to $20).
Not far from there, we also welcomed Tetsu Sushi Bar (775 Denman Street). Its small size (in the former Lanna Thai) belies its wide-ranging menu, which even includes rare offerings such as yamaimo (mountain potato) salad with ume-infused (plum) Japanese mountain potato, asparagus, organic spring greens, and seaweed ($7); miso-marinated sockeye salmon sake kasuzuke ($11); and foie gras don ($15). Particularly pleasing are the reasonable prices for rolls ($4 to $5) and sushi ranging from tuna tataki (five pieces, $7; 10 pieces, $14) to aburi ($2.75 to $9.50). With limited seating that fills fast, we find this one’s great for takeout.
HAPPILY HEALTHY Health-food options have been steadily increasing, suiting the area’s body-oriented fitness culture and plentiful outdoor activities. For instance, Fit Camp Foods (1107 Davie Street) is a convenient spot for grabbing nutritious chow on the go. Their prepackaged meals cover main dishes, bowls, salads, and wraps, including coconutcauliflower rice with seasoned broccoli, a sweet-potato-and-yam hash bowl, Thai noodle salad, and more (all primarily vegetarian, with meat or tofu additions).
Learning about the ethical and environmental approach of the rustic Pasture to Plate deli and grill (1061 Denman Street) will remain a challenge for those dissuaded by its prices. Nonetheless, we’re heartened to know that it supports free-range, grass-fed herds with environmental practices to preserve soil health. The owners run a vaccine- and chemical-free Redstone, B.C., certified-organic farm that supplies the meat for the richly flavoured likes of their voluptuous half-pound Kinikinik burger ($18) and their beef-wiener ranch