Chau Kitchen and Bar
1500 Robson St.
Vancouver
604-682-8020
Open for Dinner
Monday to Friday: 5 p.m. to late
Saturday & Sunday: 12 p.m. to late
Signature Drink: Artichoke Tea
Signature Dish: Lemongrass Chicken Rice Paper Rolls
Rating: ****1/2
Dinner & drinks for two: $65
Modern Vietnamese is fusion of flavour
The history of Vietnamese cuisine is one of fusions —between the colonial French, the Chinese, the Thai and others. So, it’s no surprise that Chau’s menu is one of contrasting textures, tastes and origins. This is not a typical pho joint—in fact, the dinner menu is completely devoid of it—and that’s not a bad thing.
This recent addition to Robson Street is a cozy, chic corner unit, with wide windows, a brick accent wall, warm, bold colours on the other walls and some cool Buddha-art. It is also remarkably free of kitsch, thank God. Service is friendly, efficient and prompt, without being cloying. I was still feeling hung over from some adventures the night before, so I stuck to the jasmine tea, but the drinks list is healthy and healthily-priced (cocktails around $7). In fact the entire menu is well priced for meagre wallets, with most dishes around the $10 mark.
We started on rice paper rolls with lemongrass chicken ($9), which were a delightful combination of fresh greens, aromatic chicken, crunchy pieces of rice paper and tender rice noodles. Add absolutely perfect apple vinaigrette, and you have something so good that we ordered another set to munch on later. If something hot and hearty is required, look no further than the Buddha bowl of soup ($11) which is large enough for a party of four — the two of us couldn’t finish it all — while choc-a-bloc full of eggplant, noodles, various mushrooms, greens and Asian cauliflower, all served in a heavenly mushroom-date-lychee broth. As a bonus, the dish is completely vegan.
Another starter, beef carpaccio ($10), was lightly dressed with lemon vinaigrette, crispy shallots and cilantro. For mains, pork tenderloin ($16) cooked in a savoury caramel sauce was very tender indeed, although the caramel could have made a stronger statement in this dish. Dessert of fried banana with condensed milk sauce and pandan [sic] leaf ice cream was just yummy.
It’s a menu that combines traditional and fusion elements well, without any unsightly extremes or overly-spicy statements. The food we ate left a lasting impression of freshness, richness of flavour and huge fun-factor. The wallet-friendly aspect—our large dinner for two, plus some takeout, came to $65 plus tip—just means this one’s definitely a keeper.
[PHOTO CREDIT: Photo courtesy of Casella Wines]
John Casella brings Yellow Tail to Vancouver
On Monday, March 9, 60 guests attended a reception at Il Giardino in honour of John Casella, managing director of Casella Wines, whose family is responsible for the worldwide success of [yellow tail]. Guests enjoyed the Chardonnay, the new vintages of the Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Shiraz, and the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. There was also a special sneak preview of the new Bubbles Rosé ($13.99), which will be launching in April. More at discoveryellowtail.com
Top Shelf
Today you can Dine Out for Life all over Vancouver! Breakfast, lunch and dinner at more than 200 restaurants and get 25 per cent of your bill donated to the fight against AIDS. More information at diningoutforlife.com/vancouver
Dining Out
Late Night Pizza and Beer
Campagnolo (1020 Main St) is now offering a late night pizza and beer combo for only $12.50. Enjoy any pizza with an R&B ale, every night of the week after 9:30pm. Choose from the Margherita, the Bianca or the Salsiccia pizzas, and slurp down with either the Cream Ale or Bohemian Lager. Call 604-484-6018 for more info.
Porked Out
Starting this Sunday, March 15, DB Bistro Moderne (2551 W. Broadway) is offering a special Choucroute Royale for $32 on Sundays and Mondays only. Enjoy Riesling-juniper sauerkraut with bacon, braised stuffed pork shoulder, crispy confit pork leg and glazed pork belly with mustard crust. Call 604-739-7115 for more info.
Food in Brief
Openings 2.0
From Sean Heather, of the Irish Heather and Salt Tasting Room, comes another Gastown addition, Salt Box, a Spanish-tapas themed joint slated to open later this year.
Hotel restaurants are on the rise…the upcoming Pacific Rim Hotel will have Oru, which is planned as an upscale über-B.C. dining spot.
