The Calling - Enlgish Bay

On Tuesday my friend Shane and I went out for a pint or two…or four. We went to one of my favorite places in English Bay, The Calling on the corner of Davie and Denman. The Calling is my local watering hole and I felt at some point it needed to be included in this blog. It is more of a gastropub then a typical bar as the food is awesome and they offer much more than wings, burgers and beers.

            It’s small and it fills up quickly on a nice summer day due to the great views of English Bay and the beach, most people come early and leave late. They host different events during the week – Pub Trivia Wednesday and Comedy at the Calling Thursday, so it’s always got a good vibe. They offer a cocktail of the week in addition to seasonal cocktails and of course all the classics. It was Tuesday so beers were $3 – a no-brainer in my opinion. There menu has everything from Wild Mushroom Ravioli to Pan Roasted Organic Salmon and Parsley truffle fries. I had the Brie and Prosciutto sandwich with a side salad. Artisanal prosciutto, baked brie, arugula, vine ripened tomatoes, basil aioli and aged balsamic – ummm, yes please! The sandwich is a grilled panini and it was phenomenal. It’s a bit messy but it’s worth it. I think it’s become evident that not only do I love cheese but Brie is the Queen of all cheeses; at least in my world. The side salad was underwhelming, but it always is so I wouldn’t expect that to change anytime soon. Basically, it is just greens tossed in a bland dressing and a bit of feta.  But hey, we all have room to grow right?

            All in all, it was a good night, one that we have come to expect at The Calling. So if you live in English Bay and are looking for place to have a few pints and good food with friends, hit up The Calling and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

-         Eat Passionately

Xoxo Sarah

Kadoya - Davie St.

Last night I went on a date to Kadoya on Davie St. The food was great, if only the boy could have been. Kadoya has a reputation of being one of the best Japanese food restaurants in the city. It is a “hole in the wall” type of place but the food is excellent. Sushi is one of my favorites and Kadoya definitely lived up to its reputation. I had salmon sashimi, a spicy tuna roll and a Sunomono salad. For those of you who aren’t familiar, Sunomono salad is a vinegar noodle salad with cucumber, prawns, carrot and ginger. The sashimi was mouth watering and everything was really fresh, which is the key to good Japanese food. I stuck with my staples but the menu is extensive and there are some unique dishes that I would like to go back and try. If you are not a sushi fan they have a long list of udon and rice dishes as well.

Like most Japanese restaurants in this city the space is small, crowded and loud but that is all a part of the experience. If you are looking for a quiet night out of dining, this is not the place to go. Kadoya is always busy but the service is quick so you never have to wait very long for a table. The prices are reasonable and from what I have heard they offer some of the best house rolls in the city. This place truly is a gem in the heart of the West End. Check it out if you get the chance.

Xoxo, Sarah

- Eat Passionately

 

Cardero’s Restaurant – Coal Harbour

So last night my sister and I went to Cardero’s for dinner and I was shocked at how busy it was for 7:30 on a random Wednesday. This is a sign of a solid restaurant however the estimated wait was over an hour so make a reservation if possible. Their lounge is full service so we ended up grabbing a seat at the bar right away and rather than waiting we decided to just eat there.

First off – the location is incredible and the patio is large, so its a great place to spend a summer night. Their cocktail list didn't consist of anything unique or exciting so we went for wine instead. A bit of a disappointment but their extensive wine list made up for what was lacking on the cocktail menu. It is a high energy atmosphere so it’s a great place to go with friends or coworkers for dinner and drinks.

            There were several items on there menu that both of us wanted to try so we went for a few tappas style sharing plates. This is my favorite way to dine. We tried the Wok Fried Squid, Fish Tacos and the Capicolla and Mushroom Flatbread. The squid was perfectly done and really tasty. Often restaurants overcook squid but the chef knocked this one out of the park. The Fish Tacos were not my favorite. The tortillas were fresh and the fish was decent but overall they lacked creativity. I have had better and I wouldn’t recommend ordering them - save your $9.  For our entrée we shared the Capicolla and Mushroom Flatbread and it was exceptional. It was perfect for sharing and was pretty much a flavor explosion. Best item of the night by far. Capicolla, Mushrooms and feta cheese – I could have had two.

            Overall Cardero’s is a solid restaurant. The service was great, the bartender was very attentive and we were satisfied with our experience. Cardero’s isn’t going to make my top 10 restaurants in Vancouver (a blog coming soon) but it is a great place to go with friends if you are looking for a menu with something for everyone.

Sundried Tomato and Garlic Baked Brie

For my first post I thought I would start off with something easy, quick, and delicious. This is a recipe my mom gave me and was a staple at all her dinner parties for as long as I can remember. Baked Brie is one of my favorites - you can make minor changes to your recipe and have a completely new dish. Plus, who doesn't love ooey gooey cheese on a fresh whole wheat baguette? Frankly, if you don't, I don't know that we can be friends. I usually use Jalapeno jelly but this time I thought I would try something a bit more savory. Enter Sundried Tomato and Garlic. Here is what you need:

Cheese
 - 1 Wheel of triple cream Brie cheese
 - 3 cloves of garlic (chopped)
 - 2 tbsp of Sundried Tomatoes
 - 1/2 tsp. Fresh ground black pepper

Baguette
 - 1 Whole Wheat Baguette
 - 1/2 tbsp of butter
 - 1 clove of garlic

Remove the rind from the cheese and cut it into cubes. Mix the chesse together with all of the ingredients in a bowl and bake at 350 degrees until the cheese is bubbling. Remove from the oven and whisk with a fork.

While the cheese is baking cut a whole wheat baguette into 1 inch sections and place them onto a baking sheet. Melt the butter and press in a clove of garlic - then whisk. Brush the baguette with the butter and garlic mixture and then place in the oven with the cheese until toasted. Serve.

Let me tell you this one will be a hit! I had my friend Hana over for a TV night when I made this and we polished it off in a matter of minutes.

Given  that this was my first entry and we were 1/2 way through a bottle of Chianti- I forgot to take a picture so I have included some examples below of what it should look like. Let me know what you guys think!

 Eat Passionately,

Xoxo Sarah