Stumbled upon this place via Yelp (thanks fellow Yelpers) when we were in town for a cruise. So…read moreglad that we found it as the establishment was a gem. The owner and staff were so welcoming / made our dinner even more special. Restaurant has classy, modern, and hip decor. There's also a bar area for drinks. We had several of their pasta dishes and all were very good. Nice selection of wines, which we enjoyed with our meal. We had a large party (9 people) and they did a great job of serving us - meals came out quickly and efficiently. They really added to the specialness of our group vacation.

The happy hour and Monday pasta menu are awesome!…read more The portions are just right for smaller eaters--you can enjoy a satisfying meal without feeling overly full. The Monday pasta special is especially worth trying, and the happy hour options make it even better for a casual dinner or catch-up with friends. Great value, delicious food, and just the right portion size for light eaters. Definitely a spot I'd come back to!

Bar Asra is a charming, innovative, intimate neighbourhood gem. The cocktails are inventive while…read morestill being familiar, and have really thoughtful touches. I'm also a big fan of any cocktail menu which dedicates a page to each cocktail and really explains the drink from inception to ingredients to glass. The food menu is also filled with a great selection for snacking and sharing and there are plenty of options for an array of dietraty restrictions. T he restaurant also has a lovely patio on a quiet street, and an even more beautiful restaurant inside -- I think everyone wants to dine and drink under fairy lights! Service was also prompt, engaging and knowledgeable -- you could tell the staff liked being there and even on a first visit, we felt like regulars. Top marks for ambience, service and taste!

Ambiance is good, and it is priced as such. But the food and drinks were unfortunately quite meh…read more We came on a Friday night at around 10pm for happy hour snack and drinks. For food, we got the karaage and meatballs. Both items were plated nicely but flavor were just okay. Particularly the meatballs where very crumbly. Can barely pick one up with fork without it falling apart. For drinks, we got the plum Spritz and the ginger old fashion. For a bar, with drinks mostly priced around $18-20, they are not even using clear ice. Then, for the old fashion, they are using a huge slice of grapefruit as garnish which 1. Is so big that it keeps hitting my nose every time I take a sip and 2. On the menu is should have been a slice of orange. Service was quick and friendly, but unfortunately quite disappointed with the food and drinks.

Fabulous business in Vancouver! I signed up for a cocktail making class and our instructor Aaron…read morewas amazing! I've always wanted to do something like this but have been a bit nervous to do so but he made the class fun, funny, and so easy! You have the chance to make 3 bespoke artisan cocktails during this 3 hour class, 2 of their signatures and then the 3rd Aaron let us pick! He made it so easy and explained each step well, also how to use the tools properly along with sharing some great tips on shaking, measuring and also the importance of balance in your cocktail. I enjoyed every minute as well as consuming the cocktails after... each so delicious made with their in house liquors. If I had room I would have bought several bottles with me to take home!

Aaron was absolutely fantastic. We came by and were so disappointed because there was a sign out…read moresaying they were closed for a private event. Aaron came out as we were looking for Plan B and let us know the event had just ended and they were open again. (5 loud cheers on the street for sure!) I tried both the Kyoto and Wet Work, enjoying them both. They would even work as a blend of one another. My dad accidentally ordered a chocolate martini instead of an espresso martini, and Aaron made it happen. (The entire table loved it! Take that poured over some ice cream and I'd be far too content!) My brother had the gin martini, and while not a fan of gin straight up, it had a nice smooth finish that I could appreciate.

Chic, mysterious, and just a little mischievous, The Good Thief is the kind of spot that feels like…read morea secret you are almost reluctant to share. The entrance is completely unmarked, with darkened windows and no signage; you literally have to decide whether to push or pull your way into the gloom, which fits the "thief" theme perfectly once you step inside. Inside, the space leans into a **chic** speakeasy ambience, only slightly undercut by 90s chillout tunes that are a touch loud but still on-brand for a laid-back late-night hideout. The food is where things really land. Frog legs arrive as the star curiosity and end up tasting strikingly familiar--so much so they echo the famed chicken wings from Anh and Chi in both comfort and flavour. The beef tartare is properly seasoned and genuinely delicious, rich but balanced enough that it never feels heavy. Ox tail is a unique inclusion on the menu and it follows through, offering deep, slow-cooked flavour that stands out even among the stronger dishes. Duck breast is cooked to a textbook pink, tender and juicy, an easy "order again" plate. Dessert keeps the momentum going. An oolong peach creation acts as the perfect finishing touch: fragrant, slightly floral, and just sweet enough to close the meal without tipping into cloying territory. Service and atmosphere reinforce the sense of a discreet drinking den--this is the place you duck into for a properly made drink and a series of small plates, not a high-traffic scene bar. With nothing to complain about--from food to vibe--The Good Thief feels like a well-executed concept: a hidden, unmarked bolthole where you slip in from the dark, linger over excellent plates, and slip back out just as quietly.

Modern vietnamese/fusion restaurant. Clearly some vietnamese…read moreflavours but otherwise it's not your traditional vietnamese dishes. The menu has lots of interesting cocktails, some unusual and other more classic. We tried the tasting menu which has almost every dishes from the menu. Everything was very tasty and delicious. I would say it was too much food for me and a bit too rich but still worth the price. Our favorites were the bone marrow, the dungeness crab garlic noodles, the wagyu beef tartare and duck breast. Service was fast and the waiter was very helpful making sure what we liked and what we didn't.

We came on a weekday for a quick lunch. Service was fast and friendly…read more Croque Monsieur - sandwich was crispy and addicting. Very cheesy and decadent Mussels - decent portion of mussels. Cooked to just right Steak tartare - loved the flavours on the steak tartare. Interestingly the steak tartare was in chunks and not grinded which was welcome for me Chocolate nousse- okay but I would pass next time Fries and salad came with each dish. The fried are so addicting and morrish. A bit of old oil flavour which is understandable considering the amount they are frying. It's not crispy but instead very potatoey. The sauce that it comes with (like mayo) went so well with it. Could eats lots of it. Salad was also a welcome addition to make it feel a bit healthier Overall great little French lunch spot

In it's former incarnation, it was known as the Gramercy Grill. I went there on several occasions…read moreand was reasonably pleased with service, food and atmosphere. It has been reborn as a French Brasserie in recent years, and I've finally left my private confines and took a stroll over. I guess it was about time. I sampled a bunch of things. See my pics. No disappointment in anything that was consumed. Notice anything missing in the pic? No ketchup. For the French experience! The servers are Francophones. I really like the interior design.

I came here for a private event and was pleased with the food, service, and ambiance provided by…read morethe restaurant! I didn't realize the restaurant did sushi platters and oysters - what a pleasant surprise! The oysters were delicious. For the sushi I've definitely had better, but was still impressed that the restaurant had this kind of platter available. Portions were really big and among the dishes, the miso cod was a big standout with great flavour and texture. I also enjoyed the matcha tiramisu dessert as it was not too sweet. The staff were very friendly and attentive to replenishing drinks. I believe some of the drinks were made specifically for the event so I'm not sure if any of the ones I had are on the regular menu. However, the drinks were delicious and the 'Ryujin' especially was my favourite one (the glass with dragonfruit garnished over top!) It was fruity, sweet, and deceivingly tasted like tropical juice. I would like to return to experience the restaurant on its own sometime. In the meantime, it's an excellent spot for private events!

Caught up with a friend recently and we chose Parker Rooftop…read more The oysters were a definite improvement -- 95% shell-free, a huge step up from previous visits. We ordered earlier in the day, and the shucker was clearly alert, taking the extra steps to ensure a clean finish. Truffle fries were indulgent and perfectly crisp, though the garlic aioli was milder than I prefer -- almost like straight mayo without a punch. I skipped the sushi wrap, sticking to my traditionalist ways, but my friend enjoyed it. Brownie bites, complimentary as they were, were a disappointment. Lacking enough fat and possibly stored improperly, they tasted a bit stale -- a shame, because how does a brownie not taste good? Our server was attentive and charming, swooping in at just the right moments for round twos and top-offs, which made the experience that much smoother.

Cool bar in the hotel lobby. Interesting drinks. Live music…read more Hotel was pretty busy and a bit noisy but a cool place.

Located in the lobby of the Rosewood Hotel this bar was the perfect pit stop, before and after…read moreevents. They truffle fries were crispy and delicious, ketchup not needed. The margaritas were consistently good, I have no complaints. The only downfall is the flimsy bar chairs. Although they are beautiful, I was nervous sitting in them and kept praying I didn't fall.

Only updating this to include the newer cocktail menu :) I've gotten sober since our last visit and…read morewas pleased to see some mocktail options. The earl grey sour was great!!! They also have 2 non-alcoholic beers - an IPA & Heineken 0

This place is pretty good. I like how they do their Caesars, and I also like that they grind their…read moreburger meat in-house, so you can ask for it cooked different than well-done. Their "brunch burger" is a major missed opportunity though... this really should have a fried egg on it. You could possibly add an egg from the ala carte section of the menu, but those cost $3, so you'd be looking at $27 for a burger and a half a cup of fried potatoes. That's insanely expensive. Currently the brunch burger has two small patties which have a tendency to overcook and become dry. My patties were well-done despite me asking for medium - don't even ask if the kitchen can't deliver. Not sure what makes that a brunch burger, but it would be much better if those two patties were combined into one, and a fried egg was added, while staying below a $24 price point expensive burgers in Vancouver. Other restaurants can do it.... Oh, the other disappointing thing is that the card reader defaults to tips at 18, 25, and 28%. Not cool - we already pay servers high wages in BC, tipping should be 10% if not eliminated altogether. 28%? No thanks!

I've been here at least twice in the past month. We like it because it has a good happy hour menu,…read moreit's laid-back, and has quality food and service. And this last visit didn't disappoint. The space has changed a few times over the past few year, previously being a bakery and a vegan restaurant. it's nice two high ceiling room that looks elegant and welcoming. We had reservations, which is recommended because it does get busy. We were seated immediately. We sampled the following: - Whipped Burrata & Prosciutto - Very good. Can't go wrong with burrata, but whipped burrata is even better for spreading on bread. Their focaccia is perfectly heated/grilled. Just the right amount of prosciutto. - Steamed Clams - Good. Small though. - Duck Wings - Good flavour. Small serving of four pieces. - Harissa Carrots - Very good. Looks a bit overcomplicated with all the ingredients, but it works well. - Braised Beef Cheek - Excellent. Beef cheeks is ultra tender. Delicious dish I will order again and again. Service was very good. Friendly and attentive, and know how to come in and out with interruption conversations. Overall, another great meal. Happy hour pricing makes it reasonably priced, matched with great service and a great atmosphere.

Been to The Watson a few times for happy hour (daily until 6pm, all day Sundays). The HH menu has…read more10 small plates and cocktails. Chill vibes that get more intimate when the sun goes down. There's patio seats outside and even seating upstairs. - "Amaretto" sour ($14.00) - tasty foam - The Watson ($11.00) - slightly medicinal - Watson's margarita ($13.00) - smooth - Paloma ($14.00) - well balanced, slight tang - Blue pony club ($11.00) - touch sweet - Watson's gimlet ($10.00) - liked the basil - Chorizo in red wine ($10.00) - best of the three dishes. Tasty chorizo in a flavourful sauce - Potato bravas ($8.00) - not crispy, dry - Wild boar tacos ($12.00) - average

Updating this review a year later to reiterate everything I shared last time!…read more We enjoyed a quick lunch on the patio with the cold and hot mezza samplers. Delicious to the very last bite with flavor throughout and spices to chase. Jose was our server this round and was very attentive and friendly. He steered us in the right direction for the right amount of food for two people. Would absolutely recommend this beautiful Lebanese kitchen for appetizers, lunch and dinner we will return!

Mazahr is a Lebanese restaurant located on W 11th with a covered patio seating and a pretty big…read moreindoor seating area. My coworker and I came here on a Saturday afternoon, we got a reservation ahead of time and I'm glad we did because this place was pretty busy. We got their aperol spritz for drinks which was very refreshing, would recommend this for the summer. For food, we got their dip platter and chose their hummus, labne, and baba ghannouj. My coworker was gluten-free so they were very nice to give us some gluten free chips instead of the bread with the dips. We also got their halloumi fries which came with a pomegrante dipping sauce - I LOVED IT! The halloumi fries were cooked so well! We also got their prawns which were really fresh and delicious. I would definitely come back! Their hummus was so good, it's for sure a very authentic Lebanese spot.