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.