The Irish Heather - my first gastro-pub experience

And now for something completely different!

Among the various unusual restaurants you can experience in Vancouver, one that’s gaining a good deal of attention is the “gastro-pub,” a rather fancy name for, well, a pub you can eat at. Unlike places like Wings and other sports bar/restaurants, however, the food and atmosphere at gastro-pubs is much higher class, with rarefied ingredients and high quality cuisine. I’ve never really been to one before – “too rich for my blood,” as I told my friends! – but a recent meetup with the maintainer of Follow Me Foodie has opened my eyes to a whole new way of dining that doesn’t break the bank. Thanks Mijune! ;-)

The Irish Heather was a great first experience: steeped with a certain mystique and sophistication while still offering hearty, delicious food that anyone with tastebuds can appreciate.

About the restaurant: The Irish Heather actually comprises of three linked but distinct establishments:

-                    The Irish Heather is built in the style of a traditional Irish pub, right down to the oak finish… the hardwood floor is from the Guiness brewery in Dublin! This is the area most strongly identified as “gastro-pub” where the emphasis is equally on good drinks and authentic from-scratch meals.

-                    The Shabeen is a whiskey parlour in a separate building, accessed via a small courtyard out the back door. In contrast to the Irish Heather, this is a slightly smaller establishment with much greater focus on the drinks.

-                    The Salty Tongue actually doubles as a café as well as the main “dining room” of the Irish Heather. Boasting a more modern look than its counterparts, its main focus is a 40-ft long communal table made of solid reclaimed wood. During breakfast and lunch, an assortment of muffins and sandwiches are available here. During the evening, diners (especially those with children) can sit here and enjoy their meals. Also hosts the long table events.

All three locations have friendly wait staff and a pleasant atmosphere.


The food:  My visit to the Irish Heather was unusual in that I did not order from the menu; rather, our group took part in the Long Table series, a set menu event hosted during the month of January and ending, unfortunately, before the Olympics begin. Having said that, I’m sure their main menu is as high quality as the meal I enjoyed.

Our meal was smoked pork chop with bacon braised cabbage, crisp potatoes and apple-raisin gastrique, along with a glass of apple cider. The pork chop was one of the sweetest, most tender cuts I’d ever tasted, with a texture and taste close to cured ham or bacon. The cabbage shared the same taste thanks to the liberal use of bacon chunks, and it made a wonderful moist bed for the pork chop. The crisp potatoes were actually close to fries or potato chips in crispness and provided a crunchy counterpoint to the otherwise soft textures, and the apple-raisin dressing gave a strong, sweet kick when mixed with the cabbage or chop. All ingredients were fresh and smooth-tasting, and blended perfectly together. It was one of the best pork chops I’ve ever tasted!

In contrast, dessert – a Boston Cream pie – was somewhat underwhelming; while it wasn’t bad, it was not particularly memorable, and the chocolate was a little undersweet. The cider, which was produced in the Okanagan, was very strong, and a bit too alcoholic for my tastes.


My favourites:  Have only been once, but the aforementioned pork certainly qualifies!


Cost:  For the Long Table Series, the meal + cider cost only $15 per person. On the regular menu, entrees cost $14 without drink, with desserts and appetizers coming in at $5-7.


Take-out?:  No.


Delivery?:  No.

Licensed?:  Yes. As befits such an establishment, The Irish Heather offers a robust variety of ales, wines, whiskeys and other alcoholic beverages.


Location(s):  In Gastown, on Carrall Street. Link to Google Maps.


Website and menu: Here.


Summary:  If this is a taste of what gastro-pubs have to offer, then both Olympic visitors and I will have to give this more of a shot! If you’re looking for a more esoteric experience for your money, give the Irish Heather a try. You may not look at Irish pubs the same way again!

Go Fish - fresh from the boats

There is a great appeal in savoring one’s fish and chips while overlooking the very boats that bring in the fish, not to mention spectacular views of the mountains, the city, and the sea. Go Fish provides all this and more, with tender and fresh seafood, deliciously seasoned fries, and a literal breath of fresh air.

About the restaurant:  If it weren’t for its superb location, Go Fish would seem very unimpressive. It consists of a single small food stall with a tiny patio, stuck in the middle of a parking lot for the wharf. The seating is a bit rickety, with some chairs laid out on the parking lot or by the dock fences. The minimalist approach, however, works perfectly against the background of the wharf, giving it a cheery and unpretentious air. Of course, the stunning views don’t hurt either!

Go Fish is a huge favourite with locals, and as such usually has long lineups, especially on sunny days. Orders are made at one window and picked up at another, with no table service. The cooks and staff are very cheery and helpful, but expect a wait for your fish and chips as they are often backed up. Take the time to do some people watching or enjoy the scenery while you wait!

NOTE: the stall is closed on Mondays… apparently that’s when all the fishing gets done.

The food:  Seafood does not get much fresher than this. Go Fish’s seafood is moist, tender, and succulent, with a perfect subtle flavor to it. The batter for the fish is crispy and light without weighing you down too much, and sets off the flesh perfectly. Special mention also goes to their fries, which are handcut, super crunchy and lightly seasoned with pepper. I never get a meal without a side order of them, and the portions are large enough to satisfy even the largest of appetites.

If you’re looking for non-fried options, there are several interesting alternatives available. For example, the scallop sandwich features a giant scallop lightly grilled and served on a toasted bun, with lettuce, tomato, caramelized onions and tangy sauce. I’m also a fan of their grilled cod sandwich, with similar toppings (save for tempura onions) and a very juicy and savory slice of cod. Lastly, one big favorite with many visitors is the fish tacos, tuna or salmon wrapped in a tortilla and served with salsa. Keep an eye on their daily specials; they don’t change very often, but there may be something unusual and new to try.

My favourites:  Cod and chips, scallop sandwich, grilled cod sandwich.

Cost:  The price of fish and chips is, for the most part, quite reasonable, with one piece of cod + fries coming to about $7.50. The seafood sandwiches, unfortunately, are quite a bit more expensive and do not come with any fries; the scallop sandwich by itself is $11.

Take-out?:  Yes, and you can call ahead.

Delivery?:  No.

Licensed?:  No.

Location(s):  On Fisherman’s Wharf, accessible from the sea wall or from 1^st Avenue. Link to Google Maps.

Website and menu: No website, but menu is available here.

Summary:  Go Fish is one of those little “secrets” of Vancouver that everyone knows about. The million-dollar views combined with fresh and tasty fish have made this tiny little stall a local favorite for years. This is one secret that should be shared with our Olympic visitors.

Top 5 Budget “Food with a View” Places on Granville Island

The 2010 Vancouver Olympics are drawing closer, and with them a host of international visitors. While there are obviously plenty of events and attractions for people to see, I hope they will also take a moment to see the beauty of our city, both in its modern architecture and in its natural backdrop. So, why not have a bite to eat while taking in the view? While there are plenty of high-class restaurants with stunning views,  there are also plenty of cheap cafes and restaurants with million-dollar vistas and nice food to boot.

So, here are the top 5 places on Granville Island for gorgeous views at a discount price. Why Granville Island? Well, I’m a local, so I’m a bit biased… but I also think it’s perfectly situated to show both city and nature in harmony.

5. Bridges

The place: While Bridges does strain the definition of budget (it’s at the higher end of casual dining), its lovely setting and appealing menu make it a favorite with many locals. It will soon attract some international attention too as it will become The House of Switzerland during the Olympics. The regular menu will be combined with many traditional Swiss dishes, and between the various events and television broadcasts, it promises to be quite a party!

The view:

4: Sammy J Peppers’ patio

The place: I’ve already covered Sammy J Peppers’ in greater detail, but in summary, it serves great steaks, seafood and BBQ entrees, with a relaxed lounge atmosphere and reasonable prices. It’s a great place to catch the games or just hang out with friends. Sammy J’s also has heated patio dining, often enclosed during the winter, so you can take a look at…

The view: 

3. Pablo’s Organic Coffee

The place: Unlike the other places I’ve recommended, Pablo’s is not on the waterfront facing the city; rather, it backs onto a beautiful park area, complete with pond, that acts as an oasis of calm. Pablo’s itself is a mom-and-pop café with homebaked muffins, sandwiches and other desserts. The coffee and smoothies are a little pricey, but high quality, and it’s a great alternative to people looking to escape Starbucks and other franchise coffee shops.

The view: 

2. Go Fish

The place: Technically, Go Fish isn’t on Granville Island but on the nearby seawall; walk along the waterfront towards Burrard Bridge until you get to Fisherman’s Wharf. I’ll be doing a more indepth review of this place later, but in short, Go Fish is a small but extremely popular fish-and-chip stand right on the docks, where they are able to get fish right off the boats. Of course, the results are incredibly fresh and tasty. Expect lineups, especially on a sunny day, and come prepared to sit and watch the boats go by on False Creek.

The view: 

1. Granville Island Public Market food court

The place: I may be cheating by assigning first place to a collection of places, but I think it deserves it. The food court at Granville Island is another place I intend to review in full, as the food is above and beyond what you would ever find at a mall food court, and the price is right too. Pick your favorite ethnic or Western cuisine, then stroll out onto the outside terrace for what is, in my opinion, one of the best views in the entire city.

The view:

Honorable mentions also go to GI Gelato and Coffee House (which was just squeezed out by having the bridge pylons in the way) and, on a non budget note, The Sandbar.

Tsunami Sushi - Japanese Novelty

Vancouver is famous for its varied ethnic cuisine, but one country’s cuisine in particular has caught on in a big way. No matter where you are in our city, you’re guaranteed to find at least one sushi bar or other Japanese restaurant. As a giant fan of Japanese food, I have had several years to amass a list of favourites, and I think it’s time to share some of them with our Olympic visitors! My first recommendation is Tsunami Sushi, a slightly pricier but truly unique way to enjoy some good sushi. Floating boats and fresh fish... a perfect combination!

About the restaurant: Tsunami Sushi is actually a type of restaurant known as “kaiten zushi”, or “conveyor belt sushi”. A popular alternative to regular sushi places in Japan, the idea is to have small plates of sushi on a circular conveyor belt that passes around the sushi bar area. Customers sit at the bar and grab whatever plates catch their fancy as they pass by. At the end, the bill is calculated based on how many plates you’ve eaten, and what colors they are (certain colors correspond to certain prices). In essence, it is a moving buffet of sushi where you eat as much or as little as you like and pay accordingly.

Taken by user rubytue on Urbanspoon

Tsunami Sushi takes this concept but goes one step further with it. Instead of a mechanical conveyor belt, the bar is ringed with a miniature moat with constantly flowing water. The plates of sushi rest on charming little wooden boats that float on the water, taking a slow course all the way around the sushi bar. The result is very atmospheric and interesting; I usually end up sitting for ages just watching the boats go by! I found a YouTube video of it from user ladyjame:





Apart from the unique sushi bar, the rest of the establishment is unremarkable but perfectly welcoming, with plenty of seating, good views over Robson street, and cheerful service.


The food: The selection of sushi at Tsunami Sushi is often quite variable. The chefs at the bar will usually make a batch of one kind of sushi at a time, then load up the boats with the new selection. Don’t be surprised to see tons of California rolls one moment, then ten minutes later see them replaced by a set of tuna nigiri! It’s good to grab things you like the first time you see them, as you never know who else at the bar might end up grabbing the plate, and it may be a while before the chefs prepare another batch. In terms of quality, it ranges from excellent to merely passable. I find their fried dishes are juicy and satisfying without being overly greasy, and their inari zushi – rice wrapped in a sweet bean curd envelope – is always moist and tasty. Their maki sushi (the small rolls) are also very good. However, I find their nigiri sushi (rice with fish on top) tend to have too much spicy wasabi sauce for my tastes; be ready to have your sinuses cleared if you get too strong a bite! Also, in some cases, if the sushi has been floating around the table for a while, the rice can get a bit dry. All in all, however, I have yet to have any bad experiences and have generally enjoyed my meals immensely... often resulting in a lot of empty plates and a larger bill to match!

Taken by user rubytue on Urbanspoon

For those that don’t like raw fish or sushi, the boats usually have plenty of cooked items like gyoza and fried chicken available. You can also order basic items such as ramen and teriyaki chicken from the menu; while not particularly memorable, they are tasty and well portioned.


My favourites: Inari zushi, gyoza, tuna rolls, scallop and mayo rolls, tobiko rolls.


Cost: Tsunami Sushi can be a little on the expensive side, depending on how much and what you eat. The price per plate of sushi from the floating bar ranges from $1.70 to $4.00... but naturally, all the stuff I like is on the expensive plates! Each portion is small – a sampler, really – so expect to burn through several plates before you’re full. I’ve often staggered out with some rather large bills (approximately $20+ for just myself), but on occasion I’ve had the opposite experience (once I ate 4-5 plates for about $12). In the end, it really depends on the customer; just be aware that the prices are slightly inflated compared to other, less atmospheric restaurants.


Take-out?: No.


Delivery?: No.


Licensed?: Yes. Sake and Japanese beer are available.


Location(s): 1025 Robson Street, on the second floor (take the stairs with the signpost). Link to Google Maps.


Website and menus: Not available.


Summary: While there are cheaper places for sushi, and even places with better sushi, there is nowhere in Vancouver that has the presentation and the quirky fun of Tsunami Sushi. If you’re up for a bit of a splurge, park yourself by the bar and watch the world sail by... along with your waiting dinner!

Sammy J Peppers - Great views and good food

At the gateway to Granville Island, a welcoming aroma of spice and steak wafts out from the doors to Sammy J Peppers. An unpretentious and friendly place, this restaurant offers warm and satisfying Western food, patio dining, a sports lounge with big screen TVs, and some pretty reasonable prices.

About the restaurant: A truly local establishment, Sammy J Peppers was founded in the Nineties by two men in Langley, half an hour or so out of Vancouver. Since then, it had enjoyed a respectable expansion into the rest of the Lower Mainland, even nailing an outlet on Granville Island, one of the trendiest areas of the city. The restaurants are well kept and clean, and seating is cozy and comfortable, if slightly snug! The staff is friendly and cheerful, always serving with a smile; they do have their hiccups, however, so don’t be too surprised if you need to ask for water once or twice.

All Sammy J’s have a lounge area along with several full screen LCD televisions that are visible from most of the restaurant. As such, it serves as a great place to have a few beers and watch Olympic events and other sports; be warned, however, that it can be a bit noisy. The Granville Island restaurant also has a heated patio area where you can look out over the waterfront and take in the beautiful sea views of False Creek. I think the atmosphere and attractive setting alone is worth a visit, especially if you are early enough to catch the setting sun.

The food: Like the name suggests, Sammy J Peppers has quite a bit of spicy food: aside from several Cajun inspired dishes, they have a wide variety of BBQ entrees like ribs, wings, and marinated steak (their honey bourbon BBQ sauce is excellent). However, most of the dishes are not overpoweringly spicy, and there are plenty of milder options for those of a more delicate palate; the variety of burgers, steaks and pizzas is very respectable, and the chicken dishes are quite exotic. There’s also a great selection of satisfying appetizers. The food quality is very good for the most part; the worst experience I’ve ever had was a slightly overdone burger. Other than that, the meat is juicy and flavourful, the sauces are hot and sweet without being overwhelming, and the veggies and seafood are fresh. If you enjoy a beer with your meal, I recommend washing things down with a locally-brewed Granville Island pale ale or lager.

My favourites: Bourbon BBQ Burger, Cajun Pacific Steak Sandwich, Seafood Linguine.

Cost: While the appetizers are slightly expensive ($10 per plate), the entrees are reasonably priced; with the exception of some of the steak dishes ($25 and more), most dishes won’t set you back more than 15-20 dollars per plate. While not as cheap as some of the fast-food or lower end options, the portions and quality make it well worth the price, along with the alcoholic beverages and lounge atmosphere. There is a $5 drink special every day of the week.

Take-out?: Not per se, but the wait staff are happy to bag up any leftovers you may have to take home.

Delivery?: None.

Licensed?: Yes. Beer and cocktails are available.

Location(s): Besides the entrance of Granville Island, there are several Sammy J’s in other parts of the Lower Mainland, such as Richmond, Burnaby and Surrey. Link to Google Maps.

Website and menus: Here.


Summary: If you’re looking for a warm and cozy place to watch the Olympic Games or take in the sea views with a beer and a plate of ribs, you’ve come to the right place. Sammy J Peppers has a little bit of something for everyone and is a great place for a taste of local flavour.