Enriched @ the Pourhouse.

After Salt Tasting Room, we decided we didn’t want to leave each others company… so what do we decide to do? we eat and drink again. Walked a block or so and landed in Pourhouse – known for their really great old style cocktails, and delicious menu. I don’t know what possessed us to order a charcuterie plate, which is EXACTLY what we just ate, but we did… with a side of fries.

The Charcuterie Plate was a wonder! it came with their home made bread, a salami, housemade proscuitto, a pate, house pickled veggies, and housemade cauliflower relish. Every piece of this was incredibly delicious, and the bread came slightly warmed (which I really appreciated).

CHARCUTERIE PLATE – Pourhouse, Vancouver.

Atmosphere: Busy, Dark, Old-fashioned Bar.
Food: 5 out of 5 yums.
Service: 5/5.

http://www.pourhousevancouver.com

Salt Tasting Room of Wonders.

It’s always a good thing to reconnect with old friends, but it’s always a great thing to do it while eating great food. Hazel suggested that we try out Salt Tasting Room in Gastown, I’m glad she did because it was – to say the least, a culinary experience. Upon walking in I was completely transfixed on the giant chalkboard wall, which included the daily specials. Then I sat down said hi to everyone, and quickly paused and interrupted the conversation with “omg, have you seen all the pigs in this place?” to which everyone turned around and then turned at me and then shook their heads (oh lissa).  The tiniest details excite me, and Salt decided to adorn their brick and wood décor with porcelain piggy banks, and giant pigs grinning. COME ON! Who doesn’t like a grinning pig? Anywho, we sat down and the server gave us the break down of how this all worked.

The break down:
Choice of meat or/and cheese + condiment, and if you want a flight of wine.
– a BUTCHER PLATE = 3 meats + 3 condiments.
– a CHEESE MONGER = 3 cheeses + 3 condiments.
– a BEST OF BC  = 3 locally produced items + 3 condiments.

Remember that big chalkboard with the daily specials? Well you can choose from that for your amazing culinary experience OR if you’re super indecisive like me, you can leave it in their professional hands.

I ordered the Best of BC plate, and a set of wine flights – which I also let them choose. Glad I did, because the end product was pretty amazing. You’re supposed to eat the meat/cheese with the corresponding condiment and corresponding wine. It’s truly a neat experience, and the pairings are supposed to compliment each other to create a utopia of flavors in your mouth.

Here is my final product:

– (meat/cheese) + Condiment + Wine
– Local Chevre + Similkameen  Honey  + Pantape Sauv Blanc.
– Matador & Garlic + Spicy Apple Chutney +Arrowleaf Gewurztraminer.
– Pork Rillette + Guinness Mustard + BS Rose.

I don’t even know where to start or if I should start at all, because everything was perfect.. no lie.  I’m going to make the executive decision to not write about how delicious everything was and suggest that you go there immediately.. like right now if you can.

BEST of BC PLATE – Salt Tasting Room, Vancouver. 

The portions look extremely small but everything is eaten on bread and crackers and its actually really filling. Being full often doesn’t matter when it comes to the word “dessert”. She said goat cheese cheesecake and I said “yes, please”.  It was topped with salted caramel and mixed berries. Firstly it came in a baby mason jar, I’m a sucker for food and or drinks in mason jars. Cheesecake made with goat cheese is genius, it was so creamy with the hint of goat cheese flavor, and not too sweet. Unfortunately we were unable to find the salted caramel in the cheesecake, but the berry compote on top was very delicious. The only negative I had with this was on top of the cheese mixture there was the crumb, sadly it was a nitty gritty kind of feel – we all felt it was a little strange and tasted like sawdust in our mouths.

GOAT CHEESECAKE – Salt Tasting Lounge, Vancouver.

Overall a winner!

Atmosphere: Very nice, and lots of cute PIGS!
Food: 4.75 out of 5 yums (not a 5 cause of the sawdust).
Service: 5/5. So knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating.

http://www.salttastingroom.com/#menu

Fillo my love.

So today Aurora and I decided that we should run the sea-wall in preparation for the Lululemon Seawheeze. As I was walking down Denman Street, I noticed the words “fillo bar” and literally walked into the door without even knowing it. Like a magical force pushed me into the quaint little restaurant. Thankfully I did, because I ordered something called a Banitza – and it was a delicious surprise. Acacia Fillo Bar, is the restaurant that I walked into, and they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When I first walked in, I noticed that it was actually a very small little restaurant, so I wasn’t sure if it was one of those order at the bar or sit down and order type deals. After standing there for a bit like a dweeb the lady said I could sit anywhere. They had some great breakfast options that I really wanted to try, like their poached eggs and omelettes, but this Banitza kept magnetizing my eyes – it was literally saying “EAT ME”.

Dropping some knowledge:
Banitza originates from Bulgaria, and is basically whisked eggs and spinach wrapped in fillo pastry.

Spinach and eggs are the ingredients for a regular banitza, I opted for the spinach and sirene banitza, which is like a Bulgarian feta cheese. It came to the table, and I literally was in awe and shock. I couldn’t even say anything to the waitress who asked if I wanted pepper on it, i just nodded. They serve this marvelous piece of food, which a fresh salad and balkan yogurt. So I finally snapped out of it and tasted it, and it was divine. It was kind of a neat twist on a Spanakopita (greek Spinach Pie). It was savoury, yet tart, it was crunchy on the outside but soft inside. The yogurt, was a perfect pairing for the banitza – it had a bit of sourness to it, and completely complimented the banitza. Brilliant, it was just brilliant – I want more.

SPINACH & SIRENE BANITZA – Acacia Fillo Bar, Vancouver.

Overall experience, the food was delicious, the server was very nice – and the only thing I sort of disliked was when I ordered my tea.. sugar and cream did not come with it. I had to go to a communal sugar, and cream station near the front of restaurant at the door (like a coffee shop style). I realize after writing this that I sound like a snob, but it was more so cause I was confused, and I sat there wondering if the sugar and cream were ever coming – then I realized there was a cart of it near the door. LOL!! – my stupidity is humorous I know.

Atmosphere: Quiet, Small, Nice. playing Bon Iver #win.
Food: 5 out of 5 yums.
Service: 4/5.

http://www.acaciafillobar.com/menus.html