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Made a reservation as saw good reviews of this place. It is located on East Hastings which was not a great area and had a couple of homeless shooting up outside the r restaurant. The restaurant was busy and fairly loud. The food was fantastic as were we able to order the tasting menu for 4 people as we had an elderly and she didn't eat much. There was more than enough food. The service was excellent. Definitely a place to go back.
We were planning to have the World Cup menu but ended having the I Want It All tasting menu. Overall we had a great dining experience. Great decor. The staff explained every dish and ingredients. Location isn't the best in town unfortunately, the one less star is not because of the location.
Hmm, finally tried the Mackenzie room for my boyfriend's birthday and hmm, well, it was just okay. I went in with high expectations and the food notes did not quite hit. I give the food 3/5, but wine and service 5/5. Highlights - chicken of the sea. Great uni butter paired with the squid ink brioche. Lowlights - everything had a purée or mushy element. Seasoning was also a little off. For example, the cod fish - the lemon sauce was just too overpowering. However for the beef - it needed some pepper and salt.
I highly recommend coming in a party of 4 and ordering the "I Want It All" set menu ($355 for a table of 4). It comes with a rotating selection of dishes, and some of them aren't available à la carte. The price might seem steep, but trust me--the portions were generous, and we felt completely stuffed by the time we left. I also really appreciated that, even though we were the last table seated (I could only get an 8pm reservation), they never rushed us--even after closing time. The service struck the perfect balance: friendly without being overbearing. Here's the list of dishes we tried. I believe the menu will be changing soon for spring/summer, but some classics like Chicken of the Sea apparently stay year-round. 1. Showstopper Salad: A lentil-based salad with over 20 ingredients. Tangy, creamy, and refreshing--a great start to the meal. 2. Chicken of the Sea: A personal favourite. Amazing uni butter with squid ink brioche. We asked about the name--it refers to uni being the "sea" version of traditional French pâté. 3. Hare-abian Nights: You can see the puns starting here. Glazed, caramelized carrot served with creamy labneh. 4. Tulum, Tofino: A ceviche-style salmon dish. My friend loved it, but the zestiness was a bit too strong for me. 5. Shichini Now: A bison tartare. My least favourite of the night--I couldn't really taste the togarashi, and the focaccia had a strange, cake-like texture. 6. The Cabbage Patch: Nicely charred cabbage with a creamy pear sauce. A really good vegetarian dish. 7. Sable Attraction: Moving on to mains--this one was just okay for me. The fish was a bit too dry and bland, even with the clams and chorizo sauce. 8. Fish & Three: This one was a winner. The cod was very tender and flavourful thanks to the miso red wine jus. 9. Feeling Plucky: I'm not usually a duck fan, but this was quite good. The plum sauce complemented the duck well, and it didn't taste gamey at all. 10. Limp Brisket: Another favourite. The meat was super tender, and the artichoke and salsa macha added a nice freshness. 11. Pour Some Sugar on Tree: A white chocolate tart. A pleasant dessert to end the meal, though nothing extraordinary. 12. Tea. Earl Grey. HOT!: Meant to replicate pannacotta (which I don't usually like). Not a fan--too soft and a bit bland for me.
This place took me by surprise. I was in Vancouver for the weekend and I was in search of an omakase experience. A Reddit post drove me to this place. Now... I had a late reservation and I was not aware of where this place was located, but it was not in the best part of town. Being my first time in Vancouver I was pretty set-back and almost decided not to go, but this was the one time I was glad I went against my gut feeling. I enter and the place it's packed! The ambiance is warm and inviting. I was greeted at the door taken to my seat at the bar. I was informed of their menu, and what they suggest "Have It All". So I had it all and then some. It would take way too long of a review to go into depth on every plate but to put it in short each plate was art in how it was presented. Every plate had its own individuality no one plate could compare to the next. Just when you think you had the best plate another comes and tops it. You think, "did I overestimate my hunger? How am I going to get through the next course?", but the you take the next bite and you can't stop. The Filet O Fish was by far one of the best plates I've ever had. If you're ever in Vancouver carve out some time to visit this place. You will not regret it!
On my list for an insanely long time because this place requires reservations in advance, a trip up to Vancouver as I am not from here, and total of 4 people to try the whole menu. As a foodie, I cannot settle for less with the 2 person tasting menu so lots of patience culminated to this very moment on a Sunday. The 4 person tasting menu, famously dubbed as the "I want it all!" menu, features everything listed on the board for the menu, served across 5 courses. 89CAD per person, so it is an amazing value. I put as asterisks the ones I loved, for those that opt to do a la carte or the abridge tastings. Showstopper salad - not really showstopper but pretty delicious nonetheless. Fresh arugula with creamy ricotta *Chicken of the sea - for the longest time, thought it was chicken but it is actually uni. I love this dish as it is unique with squid ink brioche (super flaky and crunchy) and hazelnut and black garlic puree for a flavor explosion. The look makes it seem like the dish is not for the faint of heart, but trust me, it is so good Beets by Charley - nicely named dish, not really anything stood out for this dish Big Dipper - white fish rilette with croquettes. I am not big of a fan of the vinegary taste of the gel in the bowl but it is a unique experience and does cut out the fattiness of the croquettes Mi Amore! - beef tartare. It has a bit strong of pickles and the pickled egg wasn't really my preference but works well here with how they prepared the fresh raw beef. Buffalo Bill - another salad with chicken skin and gorgonzola. Leans heavier than the Showstopper Salad and Beets by Charley, and it is for good reason as part of the cadence into the entrees in the upcoming courses. *Filet o Fish - an expensive Filet o Fish, just kidding. The fish preparation here is spot on - fresh, soft, and tender. It comes with crispy potato that combined feels like the inverted Filet o Fish sandwich that is apparent in a fast food chain. *Steely Dan - steelhead trout. Very fresh, soft, and tender. Some of the best fish preparations I have seen in these upscale places! *Cherry Bomb - duck breast. We opted for a $25 supplement for foie gras (total for the whole table, and we split the foie gras into 4 afterwards), which is decently seared but not the best I tried. The duck breast is really flavorful and the dish is prepared with flavor profiles leaning Asian fusion. I love their use of the candied cherries that you see in some drinks. Piggy Smalls - pork collar. Not really my favorite as I don't really prefer Southern US style food and this dish is prepared as such. But it was still done well What's up Doc? - carrot cake. Nice dessert to finish off *Wolf of Wall St. - financier. I like the naming of this dish. This one was pretty hearty and more innovative in comparison. Overall, the value is amazing and the food is good, but there is a large fraction of dishes that for those with even a sliver of hesitation of trying a particular dish or has certain aversions, you wouldn't really have a good time, particularly the first half of the menu. Service is good and is similar to that of a Michelin star restaurant, with complimentary coat check and bag check as needed, to ensure a comfortable dining experience.
The food and services exceeded expectation for two picky eaters. We did the pescatarian version of the tasting menu for two with chicken of the sea addition. Almost all the dishes delivered. Starting with chicken of the sea, definitely worth it, visually impressive and tastes even better. My favorite was probably the vegetable dish: Gailan with chili oils and fried garlic. Bold but well balanced. Makes me crave more. The restaurant was next to a rough looking park but inside it's warm and inviting. I would go back again to try new dishes.
We had a family dinner on a trip to vancouver and I have to say this place did not disappoint. Hannah our server was unbelievably thoughtful. Her service was amazing, always checked on us, and also gave us a list of recs for other restaurants to try out. My whole family thought the meal itself was special. The best weve had all year. Really great quality and a great modern twist on classics. Highly recommend checking out this unassuming restaurant. Very cute interior as well.
Came here on Valentine's Day with my partner and had the Valentine's Day tasting menu. It was very pricey and they upcharged the tasting menu for Valentine's Day, but overall everything was so good and I would gladly come back. For the amuse bouche, we had some sort of biscuit with an olive and fish on top.. it was good but nothing really special to note (I don't like olives). For the appetizers, the BBQ'd gailan was good but there were a lot of elements here that didn't make the dish particularly better than any regular Chinese restaurant's standard garlic gailan. I don't think the coconut vinaigrette did any favours for me here. The beef tartare was really good and I really enjoyed the egg yolk on top! For the mains, the star of the steelhead trout dish was the delicata squash. It was so delectable, I wanted an entire plate of just that. The fish was cooked to perfection. The endives were meh and I would've rather not eat them. The lamb two ways dish was the best dish of the night for me. Wow. The lamb was absolute perfection. The mushrooms delicious. The celeriac puree was quite good, but holy cow.. the celeriac foam on top of the lamb ragu was phenomenal. One of the best things I have ever tasted in my life. For dessert, whatever we had was quite interesting.. I don't know if I liked it, but I didn't not like it. The mignardise was more to my taste -- I think it was passion fruit-flavoured. Something sweet and tart to end the night. Service was really great. It's kind of dark in the restaurant, and can be quite loud. Tables are really close together.
Service is top notchand wait staff knows exactly what the menu is and the pairing wines are. Ambience is cozy and dimly lit. Only disadvantage is the location but every dish was fantastic.
We came with reservations for 6pm. We were promptly seated in a very full restaurant. I ordered the pearl martini. It was a little too strong for me and had a bit too much onion flavour. We got the I want it all! For 89$ per person. The showstopper salad with legumes, cheese and salsa Verde. It was really fresh tasting. very big portion. The chicken of the sea was complex and delicious. But I was really disappointed with the black squid brioche. It lacked the fluffiness that you usually get with the brioche. The texture just wasn't right. But the sea urchin with the hazelnut was a really good combination. I liked the addition of the fruit as well to help cut through the sea urchin. I would recommend this dish if it wasn't for the brioche. The garden state was probably one of the best dishes of the night. I loved the puree on the bottom. It was really good and addictive. It needed a tad more chicken skin for a bit of extra crunch but other than that. I also loved the asparagus. This was perfect. The faux tartare was disappointing. The beef had no beef flavour. I liked the crackers. Very crunchy. But other than that it was disappointing. The pierre Elliot credo with the hamachi was okay. Nothing show stopping but the flavours were there. Needed a bit more sourness for it to taste fresh The straight outta comte was not bad. I loved the fingerling potatoes and the endive. The arctic Charley was okay. Not my favorite. I loved the crispness of the skin. I didn't think the sauce Vin rouge went with it. The de la sole with leeks truffle and pate brisee was okay. It needed way more truffle flavour. The Cauliflower cakes were creative but didn't tie well with the sole inside the pastry. The sole itself was very flaky and light. A bit too seafoody for us. The down the rabbit hole was quite interesting. The mortadella inside the rabbit was very interesting. The chicken skin wrapped on the outside of this dish was pretty good. I loved the contrast of textures. The mortadella was a bit tofu feeling but interesting. The full English with the morel mushrooms was okay. The lamb didn't have much lamb flavour but this dish tasted pretty standard, nothing special. The desserts pear necessities and pink chiffon desserts were okay. The pear necessities was kind of one dimensional and tasted mostly like chocolate. The chocolate part on the bottom had a kind of weird texture. I didn't have enough room for the pink chiffon . The creme diplomat was delicious though. Overall the service here was really good. The food started great and ended on kind of a disappointing note. If I visit again I would not get the I want it all because it's just too much food. Off their current menu I would recommend the garden state, chicken of the sea, straight outta comte and down the rabbit hole.
FOOD: We did the prix fixe menu, but in case you are contemplating the a la carte option, I have put an asterisk next to the items I recommend. *Amuse bouche: Fried potato with creme fraiche and caviar. Salty caviart that contrasted well with the cool freshness of the creme fraiche. I wish the piece were bigger. *Chicken of the Sea: Buttery sweet ink brioche as the vehicle for the sea urchin pate. I am usually neither a fan of sea urchin nor pate, but the melding of the two was perfect and not overwhelming to the palate. The poached pears add a sweet and bright contrast to the dish Reed's radishes: Pickled watermelon, crunchy radishes, and crisp bread crumbs made up this salad. The buttermilk ranch was light and did not overwhelm the flavor of the dish. I liked it, but my partner felt like the radishes were just big hard pieces of raw vegetables. *Hidden gem: The gem lettuce was steamed or cooked, which I am not familar with (I've only ever eaten it raw), and it tasted kind of strange and bitter. That being said, the salmon was SO tender. It looked to be less than a 6 oz piece, and I am not sure if you get a larger piece when you order a la carte. Down the rabbit hole: Tender rabbit meat wrapped in crisp chicken skin. Actually, the whole thing tasted like chicken. We are in general not huge fans of rabbit. The sauce moutarde was too salty. But the buttered brioche was warm, fluffy, and delicious. I would pass on this dish. Blue velvet: I wish our meal had come with the chocolate-based dessert instead. The rye chiffon cake tastes like punishment, some whole grain healthy version of cake. I liked the hint of plum flavor in the blueberry compote, but the sweetness did not offset the bitter taste of the brie cream cheese. It was not a great note to end the meal on. Ambiance: I enjoyed the music playlist, but it just seemed so noisy in the restaurant. Service: The waitstaff was friendly enough.
Finally here to celebrate my birthday and they did not disappoint! Totally worthy of all the accolades. The restaurant was cozy & comfortable. All the service staff were fun & attentive. I highly recommend their tasting menu "I Want it All" $80 per/4 ppl. Basically the entire menu, built for four. Every course was sumptuous and we definitely did not go home hungry! We will be back
The Mackenzie Room is a well-known restaurant on the Michelin Guide for several years. Our party of four didn't know what to order, so what better way than to say I WANT IT ALL and try the entire menu as tasters? The menu was perfectly crafted for four, and there were several appetizers, entrees, and desserts - and of course some adult beverages, who could forget the wine! Making a reservation is a MUST here, as even at 8:00pm, the restaurant was a full house. Our servers were both very attentive and friendly, deeply knowledgeable, too, about the menu. The chefs were amazing at preparing each of the dishes, and the thought put into each individual ingredient really could be tasted and seen. The plating was immaculate, and the journey was bountiful - the tongue was stretched from sour to sweet to salty and savory. The course began with a few salads with crisp vegetables. I was most impressed with the preparation of foods that I dislike, specifically the uni pate, pork, and chocolate. These, even, were tolerable. Some of my favorites were the red wines (Pinot, Bordeaux) which were paired well with the entire course. Others include the trout, squid ink brioche, and option to upgrade with scallops and truffle. The best, though, had to be the immense word play on the entire menu. Of course, since we don't taste with our eyes, the ambiance is fairly cozy and dimly lit. The photos won't be the best, but you best bet the tastes will be worth returning for... I know I will! read more
A few weeks back, I finally got to try the MacKenzie Room with a friend. I have heard positive reviews of this place for both their drinks and creative food menu. The restaurant is located in the heart of the Downtown Eastside and gives a rustic, cozy vibe. We sat at the bar and enjoyed catching up while observing the incredibly skilled bartender. For drinks, we both chose the peach aperol spritz. This was a generic choice, which may not have been a good representation of what the drink menu has to offer. We selected the tasting menu to get as much variety as possible. There was a pop-up collaboration with Say Mercy!, so the menu was shared between the two restaurants. The theme seemed to be Southern-style food with a twist. We started pleasantly with the hush puppies and blackened tuna. These were good, but did not compare to the star of the night - shrimp and grits. My friend has travelled to the south frequently and shared that this may be one of the best shrimp & grits she has ever had. The flavours were spectacular, and the textures between the shrimp, squid, and grits were especially enjoyable. I would easily come back just to have this dish alone. Next, the BBQ bolo was a fun twist between southern BBQ flavours and bolognese. The dinner rolls that accompanied it were buttery and divine. At this point, we were already getting full, so we had to pack half the bolo up to save room for the short rib. The short rib was a bit on the saltier side for me, but the kitchen was wise in adding various pickled vegetables and other elements to cut the salt and fattiness of the meat. Finally, dessert ended the meal on an amazing note. The buttermilk and cornmeal filling, rhubarb puree and cornflake crumble were such beautiful notes singing in my mouth. I never thought vanilla ice cream could taste good with olive oil on top, but it all came together like a perfect symphony. The tasting menu was $170 for two people, which, although it seems hefty, felt worth it as per the amazing dining experience we had. This was a really fun and delicious dining experience. I would love to return and try other menus and drinks. read more
My husband and I were visiting Vancouver for travel and wanted to celebrate his birthday with a nice tasting menu. During our visit it was World Cup themed! The restaurant is not in the best location, but the interior is very nice and cozy. In addition to the set menu we also chose to add the recommended Chicken of the Sea - uni dish. I enjoyed trying some more adventures dishes I likely would not have selected if I were to only choose one. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared and the staff even had a signed card waiting on our table for my husband's birthday. Would definitely recommend! read more
29 days ago
Made a reservation as saw good reviews of this place. It is located on East Hastings which was not a great area and had a couple of homeless shooting up outside the r restaurant. The restaurant was busy and fairly loud. The food was fantastic as were we able to order the tasting menu for 4 people as we had an elderly and she didn't eat much. There was more than enough food. The service was excellent. Definitely a place to go back. read more
3 months ago
We were planning to have the World Cup menu but ended having the I Want It All tasting menu. Overall we had a great dining experience. Great decor. The staff explained every dish and ingredients. Location isn't the best in town unfortunately, the one less star is not because of the location. read more
Hmm, finally tried the Mackenzie room for my boyfriend's birthday and hmm, well, it was just okay. I went in with high expectations and the food notes did not quite hit. I give the food 3/5, but wine and service 5/5. Highlights - chicken of the sea. Great uni butter paired with the squid ink brioche. Lowlights - everything had a purée or mushy element. Seasoning was also a little off. For example, the cod fish - the lemon sauce was just too overpowering. However for the beef - it needed some pepper and salt. read more
7 months ago
I highly recommend coming in a party of 4 and ordering the "I Want It All" set menu ($355 for a table of 4). It comes with a rotating selection of dishes, and some of them aren't available à la carte. The price might seem steep, but trust me--the portions were generous, and we felt completely stuffed by the time we left. I also really appreciated that, even though we were the last table seated (I could only get an 8pm reservation), they never rushed us--even after closing time. The service struck the perfect balance: friendly without being overbearing. Here's the list of dishes we tried. I believe the menu will be changing soon for spring/summer, but some classics like Chicken of the Sea apparently stay year-round. 1. Showstopper Salad: A lentil-based salad with over 20 ingredients. Tangy, creamy, and refreshing--a great start to the meal. 2. Chicken of the Sea: A personal favourite. Amazing uni butter with squid ink brioche. We asked about the name--it refers to uni being the "sea" version of traditional French pâté. 3. Hare-abian Nights: You can see the puns starting here. Glazed, caramelized carrot served with creamy labneh. 4. Tulum, Tofino: A ceviche-style salmon dish. My friend loved it, but the zestiness was a bit too strong for me. 5. Shichini Now: A bison tartare. My least favourite of the night--I couldn't really taste the togarashi, and the focaccia had a strange, cake-like texture. 6. The Cabbage Patch: Nicely charred cabbage with a creamy pear sauce. A really good vegetarian dish. 7. Sable Attraction: Moving on to mains--this one was just okay for me. The fish was a bit too dry and bland, even with the clams and chorizo sauce. 8. Fish & Three: This one was a winner. The cod was very tender and flavourful thanks to the miso red wine jus. 9. Feeling Plucky: I'm not usually a duck fan, but this was quite good. The plum sauce complemented the duck well, and it didn't taste gamey at all. 10. Limp Brisket: Another favourite. The meat was super tender, and the artichoke and salsa macha added a nice freshness. 11. Pour Some Sugar on Tree: A white chocolate tart. A pleasant dessert to end the meal, though nothing extraordinary. 12. Tea. Earl Grey. HOT!: Meant to replicate pannacotta (which I don't usually like). Not a fan--too soft and a bit bland for me. read more
2 years ago
This place took me by surprise. I was in Vancouver for the weekend and I was in search of an omakase experience. A Reddit post drove me to this place. Now... I had a late reservation and I was not aware of where this place was located, but it was not in the best part of town. Being my first time in Vancouver I was pretty set-back and almost decided not to go, but this was the one time I was glad I went against my gut feeling. I enter and the place it's packed! The ambiance is warm and inviting. I was greeted at the door taken to my seat at the bar. I was informed of their menu, and what they suggest "Have It All". So I had it all and then some. It would take way too long of a review to go into depth on every plate but to put it in short each plate was art in how it was presented. Every plate had its own individuality no one plate could compare to the next. Just when you think you had the best plate another comes and tops it. You think, "did I overestimate my hunger? How am I going to get through the next course?", but the you take the next bite and you can't stop. The Filet O Fish was by far one of the best plates I've ever had. If you're ever in Vancouver carve out some time to visit this place. You will not regret it! read more
On my list for an insanely long time because this place requires reservations in advance, a trip up to Vancouver as I am not from here, and total of 4 people to try the whole menu. As a foodie, I cannot settle for less with the 2 person tasting menu so lots of patience culminated to this very moment on a Sunday. The 4 person tasting menu, famously dubbed as the "I want it all!" menu, features everything listed on the board for the menu, served across 5 courses. 89CAD per person, so it is an amazing value. I put as asterisks the ones I loved, for those that opt to do a la carte or the abridge tastings. Showstopper salad - not really showstopper but pretty delicious nonetheless. Fresh arugula with creamy ricotta *Chicken of the sea - for the longest time, thought it was chicken but it is actually uni. I love this dish as it is unique with squid ink brioche (super flaky and crunchy) and hazelnut and black garlic puree for a flavor explosion. The look makes it seem like the dish is not for the faint of heart, but trust me, it is so good Beets by Charley - nicely named dish, not really anything stood out for this dish Big Dipper - white fish rilette with croquettes. I am not big of a fan of the vinegary taste of the gel in the bowl but it is a unique experience and does cut out the fattiness of the croquettes Mi Amore! - beef tartare. It has a bit strong of pickles and the pickled egg wasn't really my preference but works well here with how they prepared the fresh raw beef. Buffalo Bill - another salad with chicken skin and gorgonzola. Leans heavier than the Showstopper Salad and Beets by Charley, and it is for good reason as part of the cadence into the entrees in the upcoming courses. *Filet o Fish - an expensive Filet o Fish, just kidding. The fish preparation here is spot on - fresh, soft, and tender. It comes with crispy potato that combined feels like the inverted Filet o Fish sandwich that is apparent in a fast food chain. *Steely Dan - steelhead trout. Very fresh, soft, and tender. Some of the best fish preparations I have seen in these upscale places! *Cherry Bomb - duck breast. We opted for a $25 supplement for foie gras (total for the whole table, and we split the foie gras into 4 afterwards), which is decently seared but not the best I tried. The duck breast is really flavorful and the dish is prepared with flavor profiles leaning Asian fusion. I love their use of the candied cherries that you see in some drinks. Piggy Smalls - pork collar. Not really my favorite as I don't really prefer Southern US style food and this dish is prepared as such. But it was still done well What's up Doc? - carrot cake. Nice dessert to finish off *Wolf of Wall St. - financier. I like the naming of this dish. This one was pretty hearty and more innovative in comparison. Overall, the value is amazing and the food is good, but there is a large fraction of dishes that for those with even a sliver of hesitation of trying a particular dish or has certain aversions, you wouldn't really have a good time, particularly the first half of the menu. Service is good and is similar to that of a Michelin star restaurant, with complimentary coat check and bag check as needed, to ensure a comfortable dining experience. read more
The food and services exceeded expectation for two picky eaters. We did the pescatarian version of the tasting menu for two with chicken of the sea addition. Almost all the dishes delivered. Starting with chicken of the sea, definitely worth it, visually impressive and tastes even better. My favorite was probably the vegetable dish: Gailan with chili oils and fried garlic. Bold but well balanced. Makes me crave more. The restaurant was next to a rough looking park but inside it's warm and inviting. I would go back again to try new dishes. read more
1 year ago
We had a family dinner on a trip to vancouver and I have to say this place did not disappoint. Hannah our server was unbelievably thoughtful. Her service was amazing, always checked on us, and also gave us a list of recs for other restaurants to try out. My whole family thought the meal itself was special. The best weve had all year. Really great quality and a great modern twist on classics. Highly recommend checking out this unassuming restaurant. Very cute interior as well. read more
Came here on Valentine's Day with my partner and had the Valentine's Day tasting menu. It was very pricey and they upcharged the tasting menu for Valentine's Day, but overall everything was so good and I would gladly come back. For the amuse bouche, we had some sort of biscuit with an olive and fish on top.. it was good but nothing really special to note (I don't like olives). For the appetizers, the BBQ'd gailan was good but there were a lot of elements here that didn't make the dish particularly better than any regular Chinese restaurant's standard garlic gailan. I don't think the coconut vinaigrette did any favours for me here. The beef tartare was really good and I really enjoyed the egg yolk on top! For the mains, the star of the steelhead trout dish was the delicata squash. It was so delectable, I wanted an entire plate of just that. The fish was cooked to perfection. The endives were meh and I would've rather not eat them. The lamb two ways dish was the best dish of the night for me. Wow. The lamb was absolute perfection. The mushrooms delicious. The celeriac puree was quite good, but holy cow.. the celeriac foam on top of the lamb ragu was phenomenal. One of the best things I have ever tasted in my life. For dessert, whatever we had was quite interesting.. I don't know if I liked it, but I didn't not like it. The mignardise was more to my taste -- I think it was passion fruit-flavoured. Something sweet and tart to end the night. Service was really great. It's kind of dark in the restaurant, and can be quite loud. Tables are really close together. read more
2 years ago
We came with reservations for 6pm. We were promptly seated in a very full restaurant. I ordered the pearl martini. It was a little too strong for me and had a bit too much onion flavour. We got the I want it all! For 89$ per person. The showstopper salad with legumes, cheese and salsa Verde. It was really fresh tasting. very big portion. The chicken of the sea was complex and delicious. But I was really disappointed with the black squid brioche. It lacked the fluffiness that you usually get with the brioche. The texture just wasn't right. But the sea urchin with the hazelnut was a really good combination. I liked the addition of the fruit as well to help cut through the sea urchin. I would recommend this dish if it wasn't for the brioche. The garden state was probably one of the best dishes of the night. I loved the puree on the bottom. It was really good and addictive. It needed a tad more chicken skin for a bit of extra crunch but other than that. I also loved the asparagus. This was perfect. The faux tartare was disappointing. The beef had no beef flavour. I liked the crackers. Very crunchy. But other than that it was disappointing. The pierre Elliot credo with the hamachi was okay. Nothing show stopping but the flavours were there. Needed a bit more sourness for it to taste fresh The straight outta comte was not bad. I loved the fingerling potatoes and the endive. The arctic Charley was okay. Not my favorite. I loved the crispness of the skin. I didn't think the sauce Vin rouge went with it. The de la sole with leeks truffle and pate brisee was okay. It needed way more truffle flavour. The Cauliflower cakes were creative but didn't tie well with the sole inside the pastry. The sole itself was very flaky and light. A bit too seafoody for us. The down the rabbit hole was quite interesting. The mortadella inside the rabbit was very interesting. The chicken skin wrapped on the outside of this dish was pretty good. I loved the contrast of textures. The mortadella was a bit tofu feeling but interesting. The full English with the morel mushrooms was okay. The lamb didn't have much lamb flavour but this dish tasted pretty standard, nothing special. The desserts pear necessities and pink chiffon desserts were okay. The pear necessities was kind of one dimensional and tasted mostly like chocolate. The chocolate part on the bottom had a kind of weird texture. I didn't have enough room for the pink chiffon . The creme diplomat was delicious though. Overall the service here was really good. The food started great and ended on kind of a disappointing note. If I visit again I would not get the I want it all because it's just too much food. Off their current menu I would recommend the garden state, chicken of the sea, straight outta comte and down the rabbit hole. read more
FOOD: We did the prix fixe menu, but in case you are contemplating the a la carte option, I have put an asterisk next to the items I recommend. *Amuse bouche: Fried potato with creme fraiche and caviar. Salty caviart that contrasted well with the cool freshness of the creme fraiche. I wish the piece were bigger. *Chicken of the Sea: Buttery sweet ink brioche as the vehicle for the sea urchin pate. I am usually neither a fan of sea urchin nor pate, but the melding of the two was perfect and not overwhelming to the palate. The poached pears add a sweet and bright contrast to the dish Reed's radishes: Pickled watermelon, crunchy radishes, and crisp bread crumbs made up this salad. The buttermilk ranch was light and did not overwhelm the flavor of the dish. I liked it, but my partner felt like the radishes were just big hard pieces of raw vegetables. *Hidden gem: The gem lettuce was steamed or cooked, which I am not familar with (I've only ever eaten it raw), and it tasted kind of strange and bitter. That being said, the salmon was SO tender. It looked to be less than a 6 oz piece, and I am not sure if you get a larger piece when you order a la carte. Down the rabbit hole: Tender rabbit meat wrapped in crisp chicken skin. Actually, the whole thing tasted like chicken. We are in general not huge fans of rabbit. The sauce moutarde was too salty. But the buttered brioche was warm, fluffy, and delicious. I would pass on this dish. Blue velvet: I wish our meal had come with the chocolate-based dessert instead. The rye chiffon cake tastes like punishment, some whole grain healthy version of cake. I liked the hint of plum flavor in the blueberry compote, but the sweetness did not offset the bitter taste of the brie cream cheese. It was not a great note to end the meal on. Ambiance: I enjoyed the music playlist, but it just seemed so noisy in the restaurant. Service: The waitstaff was friendly enough. read more
2 years ago
Finally here to celebrate my birthday and they did not disappoint! Totally worthy of all the accolades. The restaurant was cozy & comfortable. All the service staff were fun & attentive. I highly recommend their tasting menu "I Want it All" $80 per/4 ppl. Basically the entire menu, built for four. Every course was sumptuous and we definitely did not go home hungry! We will be back read more
The Mackenzie Room was full of surprises, and all great ones. We tried things we loved that we initially didn't expect to like, we had supremely accommodating and friendly service, we ran into people we knew in a city we had never been to before, and we entertained a menu concept that was right up our alley. When we finished our last few bites here, I remarked that the food here was subtly unique but I couldn't put my finger on how. Maybe it's because I don't have much exposure to Canadian cuisine, which is very similar to American cuisine but not necessarily the same. We had been in Whistler for a wedding for a long weekend and wanted to spend a night in Vancouver, a city neither of us had been to before. I looked up a zillion restaurants for dinner, of course. A good number of them were closed because it was Sunday, and I ultimately chose The Mackenzie Room because it a) was open, b) had a great pre fixe concept, c) had an amazing-looking menu, and d) seemed relatively central. As soon as we walk in, who do we see but another couple who had been at the wedding that weekend, two of the few people we actually knew there. Great minds (they also loved their meal). The ambiance here is warm and inviting, and very down to earth considering how refined the food is. Though not posted online, the cocktail menu here is a formidable one. Clearly everyone dining here thought so, because the bartender was working nonstop while we were there. It took a while to get our first round of drinks so our server brought us a little glass of champagne. After that, I had the Werewolf in Vancouver (odd society mongrel, chili, maple, black walnut bitters) which was a rich and spiced old fashioned variation with unaged rye (essentially moonshine). A delicious winter cocktail. I then got the featured cocktail which I did not take a picture of but I know it was made with pork fat-washed bourbon, a complex whiskey sour. My partner loved his drinks too (he got a gin sour-type drink and a tiki-style drink with calvados). So food-wise, Mackenzie Room offers a pre fixe set menu of five courses for two people. I saw each dish listed up on the chalkboard with accompanying prices, making me think that a la carte was an option, but they said it was not. You can ask to maybe swap one thing out but otherwise you've got what you've got. We ended up swapping out pork for quail but otherwise kept the menu as is. I was sad to miss out on a few things (we also weren't intending to get dessert) but most of what we got was seriously great. Eats, below: Amuse bouche - something delicious on top of a gourmet tater tot. Can't remember much else other than it being a sign of great things to come. Chicken of the Sea (sea urchin, hazelnut, squid ink brioche): A+ This is their signature dish, the only one you are absolutely forbidden from swapping out. My partner is not a fan of sea urchin so he was nervous, but ultimately he may have loved this dish more than I did. It was rich, savory, umami, altogether decadent. I have a gluten sensitivity so I ate it by the spoonful which was just fine by me. Root 66 (parsley root, almond, salsa verde, radish): A I believe they said this was the only vegan dish on the menu. Such a beautiful and creative winter salad, with perfectly roasted yellow carrots, thinly sliced parsley root and a nutty salsa that brought it all together. Arctic Charley (salsify, split pea sauce vin rouge): A Stunning cook on the fish (said in a Gordon Ramsey voice), with a flavorful shallt puree, raw cabbage, delicious roasted mushrooms and a light but flavorful sauce. You've Got Quail (root vegetable pave, mushroom, currants): A+ Another spectacular dish, with chicken sweetbread-stuffed quail that melts in your mouth. The root vegetable pave nearly won out as my favorite component of the dish. The Pear Necessities (chocolate, salted caramel, peppercorns): A- The only A- of the night because the chocolate cake itself was a bit dry. The other components were excellent. When our server asked how the meal was we gave a rave review but my partner mentioned the cake -- our server said he had heard this a few times already so perhaps it was an off night for the cake. Speaking of our server - this guy was so kind, friendly, and generous. This sort of thing really does make a difference. He seemed genuinely interested in knowing about our travels. He gave us a little bit of Montenegro as a digestive to close out our meal, a perfect way to end our short Vancouver adventure. read more
2 years ago
Came here with a large party which we were glad they could accomindate considering how small the dining room is. I was open to trying this place but honestly wasnt to optimistic as the menu was all over the place for me. We tried the full menu and the restaurant did its best to make adjustments for us as we had a lot of dietary restrictions. My party had mixed reviews of the restaurant. There were hit and miss moments. I personally did enjoy the duck and the salmon. I have to be honest about the desert portion of the experience. It was one of the worse desert culinary experience I have ever had and my whole party agreed. The "Golden ticket" which includes chocolate and banana mousse was an epic NO. I couldnt even swallow it. No one at my table ate it. Not sure I would return but glad I was open to experience it. read more
3 years ago
Came here on the first night of a bachelorette. We had to make 2 reservations for 4 at 8pm and 8:15pm since they did not allow more than that online but would not pick up their phone or answer any emails. Immediately we were greeted extremely poorly and accused of bypassing the appropriate reservation system. That they would need to stagger our orders and would not even listen when we tried to explain that we wanted to make reservation for large group. Ok well we're hungry and tired from flying in so we just take it. Then we're told that we have to order the tasting menu which our group initially didn't consider cuz of certain food preferences and allergies and we would have been forced to try all the dishes on the menu. They were very unaccommodating and frankly pretty rude about it that we didn't want to make a fuss and just do the tasting menu. Dish highlights: Chicken of the sea dish was absolutely scrumptious and I never heard of squid ink brioche buns but they were delicious! Sashimi Not was also quite good as well as the pigs in a blanket. Never thought I'd enjoy deep fried sweetbreads but here we are. The other dishes were decent but nothing I'd necessarily go out of my way for. The halibut was overcooked and the bend and snap salad had way too much harissa. Desserts were also pretty meh. I'm not a huge fan of rhubarb so I was particularly disappointed. The service really deterred me from ever wanting to come back here despite a few very good dishes. I think it's very trendy and they lean on unique ingredients and preparations for the experience which is ok but not something I'm willing to dish out so much money for if the core taste is not there ($85CAD/pp). Ambiance was also way too dark and loud for me to enjoy. read more
2 years ago
3rd time at this restaurant. Very cool experience and innovative chefs. Delicious taste sensations. Service was excellent and interesting wines. It's got a great vibe and energy though the music could be turned down a couple of notches read more
4 years ago
Truly one of the best meals I've had in a long time. I was afraid that The Mackenzie Room's recent recognition by the Michelin Guide would cause it to become overrated, but I was relieved to find that was not the case. I genuinely enjoyed every aspect of my dining experience here. The best way to do this is to gather three of your friends, convince them to spend $82 per person, and order the "I Want It All," which is a tasting menu that features... well, the whole menu. The four of us jumped at this chance to try all twelve dishes for a price that isn't cheap but also isn't absurdly expensive. If I started talking about all twelve dishes, this review would become a novel, so I'll talk about my highlights. The Chicken of the Sea is hands down one of the most unique dishes I've had. I'm not sure how they got sea urchin to have that dense, creamy texture, but there was some wizardry involved I imagine. The Wesley Snips was a luxurious blue cheese parsnip dish that balanced sweet and salty like no other. The miso beurre blanc in the Sir Salmon Rushdie was rich and smooth; I wanted to drink it. I loved Hello Clarice; I was amazed at how they managed to cut the gaminess of raw lamb to make an Asian inspired tartare. My friends also raved about the cocktails, a smoky Mezcal Manhattan. For $82 per person before tax and tips, this is not cheap. But it is worth going to for a special occasion. Now to go brainstorm what "special occasion" I can come up with so that I can come back... read more
3 years ago
I can't say enough good things about the Mackenzie room. Everything from the service, to the ambiance, to the food was 5 . The moment we walked in, we were greeted by a server and our coats were taken to their coat room. It's a smaller restaurant and has a more intimate feel -- perfect for a date night! One of the servers explained that they have a tasting menu of 5 courses (2 smaller plates, 2 bigger mains, & 1 dessert) which were to be shared between me and my husband. We had the option to add on any of the other dishes for an additional cost. We got the squid games since it was highly recommended by our server and I'm so happy we did! Squid games was a carbonara dish where they subbed out the pasta with squid. We couldn't believe how perfectly cooked it was! It was so tender and soft. Every bite of food was thoughtfully prepared and so simple, yet SOOO GOOD. The pictures speak for themselves but you have to try this food for yourself to see what I'm talking about. This was definitely on my list of top 5 favorite meals I've ever had. My only problem is that we're not from Canada so I can't go anytime soon to try their other dishes. But we will definitely be back again when we visit next. read more
4 years ago
Ordered the Just the Two of Us tasting menu--Chicken of the Sea was one of the most amazing dishes I've ever had. The umami bomb of the uni pate with the salty squid ink brioche bread and sweetness from the pears was just out of this world. Duck was also superbly prepared, though I was getting full by then. Enjoyed the strawberry and radish salad but didn't care for the salmon/radish dish as much because I thought the mouth feel of the salmon was a bit too soft and wished they had left the crispy skin on. Dessert left me wanting a bit; wished it was actual cake instead of a soaked brioche. Nonetheless, we had an amazing experience with super attentive service, wonderful ambience and I'd come back just for that chicken of the sea dish again! read more
Amazing meal and so much food for the "Just for the Two of Us" menu! Aside from being located in a somewhat sketchie neighborhood, The Mackenzie Room is a gem of a restaurant. Their signature dish, "Chicken of the Sea" was such a yummy mixture of sea urchin, pear and hazelnut. I had to use the ink brioche to wipe clean the plate so nothing went to waste! The "Big Tuna" was seared perfectly and paired well with the beans, potato, nduja and tapenade. The spice from the nduja definitely enhanced the entire dish. We ordered the "Prince Char-ming" Artic Char which was also fabulously prepared and tasted amazing. We were told it was a new menu just released that night and I believe it will be there to stay! The Duck Duck Ganoush was a fabulous mixture of eggplant, chard and raisin. All the flavors just meshed well with one another. And we ended with the "Orange Ya Glad" dessert which was a light palate cleansing orange panna cotta with mint and basil. Perfect ending to a fantastic meal! read more
3 years ago
Food - unique flavor, balance and rich. Service - great service! Ambiance - small, cozy and romantic read more
onwards with the michelin journey, this time with a as s was unavailable. the mackenzie room gives off a rustic cafe/bar vibe the minute you step into the restaurant. you are greeted right away, and there's lively chatter and hubbub that emanates in the room. the tables in the restaurant are rather tight, and the restaurant does get a little loud so intimate conversations will be hard. we were early for our reservations but we were still seated quickly with no issues. a and i did the smaller tasting menu of just the two of us. there are several other tasting menu options that you can chose depending on the size of your party. a and i ordered drinks - she had the wallflower and i can't rmb the name of my drink lol the bar was a little behind so there was a little bubbly for the 2 of us on the house - shoutout to our server alice. that was a nice gesture, and i felt that the restaurant appreciated and recognized us - def went above and beyond. both our drinks were decent - i found mine to be refreshing as there was soda in it, and herbal because both gin and fernet were the main liquors. a's cocktail was decent - nothing to rave about but it was nice. the cocktail menu rotates so it'll be different by the time you go! now for the food - the first dish is chicken of the sea; a chicken liver and uni pâté with ink bread. the pâté was smooth and i love the pickled pear that helped cut the richness of the dish with its tartness. the last of us was a dish that while a and i enjoyed, we found the sauce to be too salty. it is a mushroom dish, and the mushrooms were absorbed a lot of the sauce as they were braised with it. this was especially so with the maitake mushrooms - it was rich and savoury but it got to be on the saltier side. appies done and now the mains! first was trout kraut sprout - the steelhead trout was done perfectly and we both loved the coconut liaison. the cauliflower purée added a nice sweetness to the dish that helped to counterbalance the slight bitterness with the blanched brussel sprouts. of bison men was next - the bison was tender and juicy, and went perfectly with the mushroom demi-glace. the creamed spinach and the potatoes were also stars of the dish. there is a sneaky mushroom in there that will wake you up! and of course, dessert - the pear grylls. i loved the smoked chocolate thin wafers around the cake. it's not really a cake cake but all the flavours worked perfectly together - we did find it on the sweeter side as we were finishing up the dish. all in all, i found the portions to be decent and i love the idea of a rotating menu that changes with the season. a rustic, hidden away gem! read more
2 years ago
Sooooo good. Great scene. Easy servers and bar staff. Food was delicious. You'll want to get the tasting menu. Definitely recommend. read more
The mackenzie room is on the michelin selection list that it is recommended to try. For $89, you can get it all which is actually for the size of 5 people for each dish if you want to choose alacarte. Most of the selections are really good and some others need improvement and that is why i am not able to give 5 star yet. But mostly it is good already so keep it up. Cheers! Recommended to come and try!! read more
Went for Valentines Day as I wanted something low key and a place where I've had a good experience at and not have to pay up the ying yang for a fixed menu dinner. Right now due to COVID, most places that host special occasions go quickly so I made sure I booked well in advance. They offered a 5 course menu for $60 a person which I thought was very reasonable and had a time limit of an hour and a half for seating which is understandable. You had to pay upfront to book a time slot but it also included their gratuity. I get why as they want to make sure no one flakes and have enough food for the night. The only draw back I would say is that it was kind of louder than we expected and we didn't have a dedicated server and kind of felt since they got their tips already, they didn't need to put in the effort that I felt in my prior visits. Regardless, we still enjoyed our meals and I would still recommend this place to anyone that's visiting or wants to check out a hidden gem in the downtown eastside. read more
Today I came here after reading an article saying this was the best restaurant you have never heard of. I ordered a Brassneck Pale Ale to start and was served a frothy tall glass of magical ale. I took a perusal at the menu and decided I would like salmon tonight. I have noticed that inflation has had it's way here as the per person plate for I want it all is now $76.00. The salmon was tangy. I cannot describe it any other way except that the lemon and vinegar on the Salmon was tangy and quite refreshing. It was a decent dinner and I'm going to have to come back another time their other dishes. read more
My boyfriend and I wanted a great experience to celebrate our anniversary and boy did we receive exactly that! We started with the famous Chicken of the Sea and we both loved it! The stronger pate flavour was beautifully contrasted with the pear and onion purée sauce. All of them together or separately eaten with the brioche was delicious. We also ordered a salmon dish, Sir Salmon RushdiI'm usually not one for fish but this salmon was cooked perfectly - just below completely cooked though but not the slightest raw at all. It was so tender that it almost melts/crumbles in your mouth! Our last main was the famous Kamo-Flage duck dish. I am more picky with my duck but let me tell you! Like the fish, the duck was perfectly cooked, not overdone and not undercooked. The meat was very tender and juicy. It was very well paired with the watercress purée and picked veggies, which cleansed the palette after each bit of meat. I would absolutely go back for the Kama-Flage! read more
2 years ago
The food and services here are top notch. Neighborhood is ok lol if you know what I mean .. but it is still worth it imo. The highlight is def the chicken of the sea.. I agree with ppl that need to return here just for this dish. read more
Holy cripes, haven't had a meal this good in ages. If there's a restaurant you should go to in Vancouver, it's this one. Unsavory neighborhood and that's coming from someone that's been in some rough cities. I walked from my hotel but all in all the walk isn't too bad. Just, y'know exercise common sense. Anyway, super cozy interior with lovely bar area. I sat at the bar and had a lovely time chatting with other solo diners and the bartender! Their menu is seasonal although they do have some regulars. Food wise here's what I got: Chicken of the sea (5/5!) - their most popular dish! Squid ink brioche with uni pate with hazelnuts. So much umami in this it was absolutely amazing. The bread had a great depth of flavor and was so soft inside and crispy on the outside. 99 Poblanos (5/5) - chinook salmon with fennel, poblano peppers, and citrus. Super tender salmon with crisp fennel, with a kick of poblanos. Kamoflage (4/5) - tender duck with cabbage, daikon, shiitakes, and umeboshi! Great combo of flavors and textures. Duck was cooked great with no hint of gaminess. God flan (5/5) - silky flan with rhubarb caramel, rhubarb, shortbread, lime and mint. I loved this restaurant a lot and it was at a great price point. The cad to usd conversion is great! read more
This is hands down the best restaurant in Vancouver (at least in my opinion). The highlights are definitely "Chicken of the Sea" and "Hello Clarice", which are both unbelievable! The flavor profile of both of these dishes are out of this world. I can't even describe it in words - that is how good it is. It is rich, tons of umami, savory, and balanced all at the same time. Highly recommend and absolutely love this little gem!!!! read more
2 years ago
To celebrate the start of 2020, we decided to try and book a table at The Mackenzie Room and finally try them out. We were lucky enough to grab1 so iff we went. I've heard a lot about this place and its crazy dangerous location, but the allure of the menu was enough to pull me in. so here goes... from the outside, the place looks very unassuming. you'd never know that there is an amazing restaurant behind the double doors, but only 1 opens..lol. old dilapidated bldg with a musky smell. surrounding bldgs are dark, old, and gloomy. inside, low orange lighting like those from horror films... but as soon as the hostess/ servers greet you...magic starts to happen! suddenly you embark on a gastronomic adventure like no other, with the place turning into an european diner. we tried the 5 course chef's tasting menu... 1st. Chicken of the Sea - this is basically sea urchin pate served with squid ink infused bread. Absolutely an amazing dish! the pate was so silky smooth and creamy. very robust flavours all coming together mixed with quality butter and cream creating a true masterpiece. spreading it on the squid ink bread truly awakened the taste buds...the bread was toasted right and the ink not overwhelming the palate and sense of smell. it was executed perfectly. the plate was presented artistically. every single item was edible. no fishy after taste whatsoever. ( my fav dish actually) 2nd. squash with duck proscuitto - another unique crafty , and excellent dish. squash was steam perfectly giving it the perfect balance of body and taste. its sweetness was allowed to materialize and combined with the saltiness of the duck prosciutto, simple perfect pairings. the duck prosciutto was done flawlessly. tender , flavourful, and not chewy at all. melt in your mouth goodness. 3rd: Cod Cassoulet - fish was cooked to perfection. moist and tender and the skin left crispy. as you slice into it, smoke still emanates from the inside. the cassoulet that came with it was amazing as well. complemented by pancetta bits, it gave a the perfect salty balance to the fish. perfect execution! 4th: Quincy Bones- Pear Poached Pork chops. the chops were grilled first to give it a smoky texture and then poached with pear. and despite being thick and served with the bone, the dish came out so tender, juicy, and moist. it goes to show the level of skill of the chef. the pickled cabbage that cane with it provided the perfect balance and acidity to cleanse and refresh the palette. 5th: Carrot cake with creme anglaise - never had a carrot cake like this before. the cake itself was soft and full of flavour. but the toppings the came with with namely...black pepper on cream cheese and the ginger infused creme anglaise simply catapulted it to new heights. everything eaten together was such a delight. it provided a perfect gastronomic ending to such a fine experience. Service here is just impeccable. you are very well taken care of and attended to. for every dish, you get a change of plate and cutlery. never will you ask for a water refill as its done even before you ask. punch glasses were always refilled as well. every detail and need done before you asked. serve very knowledgeable of the menu and provided good insight. Price is very reasonable for the portions and proportionate with the qty you get. everything here is simply amazing! will return for sure!! cheers! happy eating! read more
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