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Bishop's Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Canadian (New) Canadian (New) [Edit]
2183 4th Ave WVancouver, BC V6K 1N7
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
(604) 738-2025
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5:30 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for Bishop's Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"...another guest had the vanilla creme brulee and I had the..." In 4 reviews -
"An excellent wine-list too; I love Burrowing Owl." In 4 reviews -
"...my family with a memorable and delicious dining experience." In 3 reviews
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Steve K.
2/18/2012
Love this place. Return regularly when in from NY.
Always enjoyed by colleagues
Expense account prices and high quality ingredients and presentation, and consistent quality. -
Review from Ruth D.
Vancouver, BC
2/27/2012
This is a classic restaurant for my family. We go here for most of our important celebrations. The service, the oysters (and house hot sauce), and just about everything to do with this restaurant is amazing. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate.
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Review from tee a.
1/13/2012
We got to meet Bishop!! The perfect understated restaurant to showcase their fresh local ingredients and exceptional service. Our meal was cooked to perfection. My favourite of the night was the diver scallops. I opted for the martini list instead of the wine. Unique tropical flavours such as passionfruit and lycee yum! Prior to dessert, the server will ask if this is a special occasion. They will customize your dessert accordingly. Nice touch! :) Tip: book through open table to earn points towards gift certificates.
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Review from Peter A.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 2/13/2011
Imagine, still the best after twenty-five years, that's Bishop's Restaurant in Vancouver. Food, service, ambience and wine list are top ten.
When you dine, look at the evening as entertainment and plan to enjoy and linger. Sure, the price point is higher that traditional places, however, you'll never pay to much for quality food, service par excellence and an unforgettable evening.
Just try Bishop's and you'll be back and go ahead, splurge on the deserts all freshly made by the pastry chef .
Congrats on twenty five years.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/4/2010
I've been a fan of this fine establishment since 1985. John and his team continue to serve up… Read more »
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Review from Chelsea W.
6/23/2011
Excellent food that pushes the standards of fine dining with creative local, seasonal ingredients. The meal started off with a complimentary watercress puree topped with edible flowers, and a bottle of sparking rose. Three of us ordered the gnocchi but it was the dungeness crab and prawn salad (over a shiso gelee) that took the cake. Everyone was very pleased with the Portuguese wine recommendation from our waiter. I ordered the duck breast and ravioli which came in a surprisingly large portion, every last bite was gone. I believe they change the menu regularly, so order a food you like - and be prepared for a creative and perhaps unexpected presentation.
Bishop's food is consistently good, perfect for a special occasion or romantic dinner. It's the second time we've been with a party of about six, and I do recommend it for that size. The atmosphere is minimal and intimate, but certainly not elbow-to-elbow.
What sets Bishop's apart from other restaurants is the memorable and dependable service. This is not a place where one would ever get snubbed by too-cool servers. It seems the owner is smart and precise about hiring his staff. In both dining experiences I've had here, the service has been top-notch and hospitable - from beginning to end. -
Review from Kevin G.
Vancouver, BC
1/23/2011
Great reputations always draw me into a restaurant. Everywhere you see this advertised as a 'must visit'. Would it live up to the hype?
First impression - the venue is too small. Small can mean cosy and exclusive but I didn't get that feeling here, perhaps because the decor is a bit too sparse. Got a good table without booking though (on a Friday night). Service was good and a nice touch was someone, who could have been the owner, coming up and asking for feedback. This was done in a genuine and friendly way, a nice touch. The soup starter was adequate; the tuna scallops main was excellent. An excellent wine-list too; I love Burrowing Owl! The portions are small - but appropriate for a 'tasting' menu. So the guy on the next table, making a big deal to the waitress of being 'full-up' came across as a bit of a berk! We know you stopped off for a pizza on the way home!
At one minute past nine I realised our parking meter had run out - so I rushed out to save our car from towing; to be followed by two waiters who'd forgot that my wife was still sitting at our table, credit card in hand, ready to pay! A problem they've had in the past?
Overall though you get the impression that you've just visited friends for dinner. Great place and we'll go again. -
Review from Jason D.
Vancouver, BC
2/27/2011
I've long wanted to visit Bishop's and last night, finally got my chance. The food was superb with each portion accommodating the next. The building is comforting and not ostentatious in any way. And the experience was made perfect by John Bishop dropping by to say hello and ask how everything tastes. I really enjoy the proprietor of a restaurant visiting his guests. It shows that they care about the experience and that they work hard to ensure a positive one.
We'll be back without question. -
Review from Lisa S.
Vancouver, BC
10/22/2008
2 stars given the competition and the expectations.
When we moved to Vancouver, our older friends spoke of Bishop's as if it were the sine qua non of Vancouver dining. We'd heard amazing things about the service and the wine list. So of course we were looking forward to a nice evening out when we booked there.
In the 80s, when there was nothing else, Bishop's may have been the best Vancouver had to offer. My guess is that they were more conscientious back then, because it set them apart. Certainly John Bishop was a pioneer, from all I've heard. But he appears to be a bit lax in this day and age in the everyday operation of his restaurant, which is sad given that the competition is so much stiffer. (Longtime patrons -- i.e., our older friends -- do quite well here at special events that John Bishop himself books and presides over...not so much during the regular restaurant hours when the unknown / unwashed eat.)
The food was fine when we went. It was typical, fresh BC fare. And the wine list was strong, especially for BC wine. But you'd do as well or better at West, Rain City Grill, Cru, or a number of other places around town, for the same money.
What really sealed Bishop's fate for us, though, was the service. It ranged from indifferent (when we arrived) to dreadful (when we were finished with dinner / dessert). I'm all for the slow food movement, but once the table is finished with dessert and coffee, it really shouldn't take 30 minutes just to flag down the waiter to get the bill, and another 20 to have him pick it up. And it wasn't just our table -- it was all the others around us, as well.
After our friends had praised the service to high heaven, we were terribly disappointed. And we won't go back -- there are many other restaurants in town with the same or better cuisine, and far better service. -
Review from Erin R.
Vancouver, BC
3/11/2010
Taking a break from my go-to eateries along 4th, Bishops was the choice for a celebration meal this past Monday. My boyfriend finally started culinary school, and we decided to take him to dine at the table of an icon he admires as an influencer.
I respect that influence, and we did have a fantastic meal. Even though I wouldn't rank it as among the top 3 meals I've had in this city (which is, I admit, what I was half expecting), it's likely in the Top 5.
The appetizers were good, with my friend's choice of the Venison Braise standing head and shoulders above my own pick (the terrine), and I'm told the Rabbit Consume that the boyfriend ordered was just lovely.
On to entrees, where two of us ordered the same dang pork loin; it was very tasty, sweet and tender, and notched a few 'wow' points from its accompanying almond-date cake, which blew our collective minds. Seriously - meat was nice, but that cake? I'll take a pound of it. The boy ordered squab, and once I got over the thought of eating pigeon, I sampled and was more than pleased. There again was that same rich, depth of flavour that was present in the venison.
Then came desert. First off, they brought the boy's chocolate bar out with a sparkler and a little sugar banner saying 'Congratulations' - how cute is that? Who cares if he's 26, no one is ever too old or too cool for sparklers. After the show, I cracked through the sugary crust on my creme brulee...
...there's a reason our server smiled when I ordered it. I have sampled creme brulee at nearly every place in this city that claims to have the best, and I'm crowning this one the reigning champ. Perfectly caramelized on top, with no burnt or powdery spots, but it was the creme itself which blew me away. Delicately flavourful, with the distinct notes of vanilla tea checking in well short of sickly, and the most amazing texture. It ruined me for other brulees for a little while (sorry Refuel).
The service was elegant, if at times a touch meandering, and I'm a fan of a quieter room, so that made me happy. Overall, it's a solid choice for a quieter celebration dinner. -
Review from Mi N.
Vancouver, BC
10/5/2011
amazing dish and wine. Every thing was perfect.
Just in my entree, rum steak was very old , so smelly like a moss.
I said to a server about that, and she said she would tell to kitchen.
But nothing any more explain or excuse by them.
I always try rum at a restaurant, however I never try that kind of old one.
I cannot believe that costs $40.
I hope kitchen staffs could know their rum meat was too old to eat as a steak.
Of course, other dishes, vegetable and fish were so tasty and great.
I gonna recommend Bishop to every one, but I never forget to say" Don't try rum there" -
Review from Namit M.
2/18/2010
Reserved for Valentines Day through Open Table. Was called a few days after making the reservation specifying the price and menu options for the day.
We should up a few minutes early and were promptly seated. The menu included a glass of bubbly which was delicious.
The menu was well balanced and had options that were hard to make. So the lady and I decided to order and share everything. Good choice.
For our starter I had the pork terrine which was excellent;she had the spotted prawns that came with a very delicate sauce and were excellent.
A very beautiful, flavourful consomme was served. It had a touch of creme freche and was excellent.
I had the venison and she had the sable fish - both of these were excellent - better still was the excellent accompaniments that came on the plates.
Desert was a very memorable cheesecake panna cotta and a decent chocolate trio.
We had a bottle of Chateau Sancerre which went really well with the food.
The service was excellent and I could not have asked for a better evening. -
Review from Kaya R.
Vancouver, BC
2/5/2009
I've eaten at Bishop's on a few occasions, and I have to say each time has been a truly memorable dining experience. Everything was perfect, from the ambiance and intimacy of the space, to the food and service.
The food speaks for itself, and everything that I have ever eaten at Bishops has been outstanding. It's the kind of food that truly excites, as you'll find yourself eating as slowly as possible to savor the experience.
John Bishop is a pioneer in Vancouver, his restaurant an institution. I highly recommend checking it out - I have yet to be disappointed. -
Review from Stephen Y.
Vancouver, BC
10/1/2008
It was quite an experience- The Joie was quite nice but the local oysters were just awesome ! I think I had the venison... which was delightful.
Everything was organic and local. The restaurant is very cozy...
Bishop's had been a Vancouver institution for many years and John Bishop has set the standard for what a quality restaurant should be.... not flashy and gimmicky but the freshest local ingredients cooked properly.... -
Review from Rachel E.
8/12/2008
As a tourist in Vancouver, one has limitless possibilities for dining. For decidedly fine dining, the challenge of making the right choice is not hard when there are quality establishments like Bishop's.
This restaurant totes organic and locally harvested fare, so the menu changes regularly. In August, we enjoyed such delicacies as a fresh pea salad and venison carpaccio. For mains, a choice such as the scallops offers the diet-conscious patron guilt-free eating that does not skip on flavor nor presentation quality. My mother ordered the beef which came with mashed potatoes and a wine reduction. She could not get over how delicious and tender the beef was.
As we were new to Canada, we were extremely interested in sampling some of the Okanagan Valley's pinot noirs. Their menu offers quite a few choices, some more reasonably priced than others, but the staff's knowledge of their wine stock and attention they take in wine service was remarkable.
Desserts are there to please and share with little negotiation. You will not be served a skimpy, quarter (toonie?) sized piece of cheesecake. Here you get a WHOLE, GENEROUS piece, with more than enough nibbles for your companions.
Thank you, Bishop's, for providing my family with a memorable and delicious dining experience. Another thing to mention is that we called Saturday evening, at 5:00PM, asking for a same night 6:30 reservation, and our request was accommodated no questions. -
Review from Irene B.
5/27/2009
We were referred to this restaurant by a travel website and made reservations through http://OpenTable.com. We were greeted immediately upon arrival. The service was excellent throughout the entire dinner service. The menu is nice and small with less than 10 options for entrees, but there is a rather extensive wine menu. The tables are all covered in white linens and candlelight on most tables. It is a very cozy restaurant with around 20 tables. We were very impressed with the local and sustainable food choices on the menu. Everything came out at perfect temperatures and just great flavors, nothing was bland. We were given plenty of time to enjoy every course, we never felt rushed. The portion sizes were just enough to keep us from over eating, but allowing us to eat everything on our plates.
One server noticed we liked one of the breads more than the other and offered to bring out more. Our water glasses were always being filled. I had mentioned a birthday celebration on my reservation and when we ordered dessert, they brought it out with a candle and Happy Birthday written on a piece of hard pastry. They didn't sing though, which was nice.
We each had wine, an appetizer, an entree, coffee, and shared dessert. We both went for the halibut and it was cooked well, came out very warm. The halibut was complemented with nice flavors. I love dishes that have a lot of different flavors.
Our dinner was a little expensive ($50+ per person), but it was a special occasion and we were traveling and it was worth it. We definitely enjoyed every bit of our dinner. For a restaurant with linens, the dress code is pretty lax. We wore dark jeans. He had a collared shirt and I wore a nice top and heels. We noticed a few in shorts and flip flops when we arrived. -
Review from P C.
Vancouver, BC
12/28/2010 1 photo
I'm a fan of my hometown, so when my foodie friends are visiting from L.A., I had to give them some good recommendations for their week-long visit. Bishop's was one of the shortlisted, and we were not disappointed.
They started our meal with a little amuse-bouche. It was some kind of puree with sundried tomatoes, and it brought out my appetite a bit (since I wasn't that hungry). Then came 2 types of bread (cornmeal & golden raisin, and poppyseed). The only thing I wished was that the breads would be served warm rather than cold.
There were 7 of us, so we decided to share three appetizers. We ordered a Baby Beet and White Anchovy Salad, a Winter Bibb Lettuce and Endive Salad, and a Mushroom Tortellini. We just got a small bite of each, but since we were not that hungry, we were happy to get a small sample of each.
Then came the entrees. We ordered jumbo Scallops, a Beef Tenderloin, a Pheasant dish and a SableFish entree. They were prepared very well and the ingredients were excellent. When you go to a fine dining place, not only does the main focus (i.e. the scallops, the tenderloin, the pheasant and the sablefish) has to be good, but the sides have to wow you too, and this place does that. I was impressed with the thinly layered stack of potatoes that came with the sablefish.
Finally, we ordered a few desserts to share. One of us ordered the homemade ice-cream which came in 3 flavors (candy cane, eggnog and espresso -- you can tell we're still in the Holiday season). I ordered the Eggnog panna cotta, and another friend ordered a cheese plate. What surprised us is that a plate of thinly sliced organic apple came before everything else. I wonder if it was on the house or if it came with the cheese plate, but we didn't care to ask. It was an architecture of its own and our cameras started snapping away at it.
The restaurant is cozy, with white linens and white walls. The service is not over the top, but attentive enough. Probably just the laid back style we prefer. The special touch was when they helped my friends order a cab (actually, two) back to their hotel. I think I can safely say that we all enjoyed the dinner. This is the place to come for finely made Northwest cuisine. Leave your expectations of "iron chef" type of creativity at home, and you won't be disappointed. -
Review from N V.
8/24/2010
Eating at Bishop's feels as though one has been invited to enjoy dinner in someone's home. If only meals in someone's home were this delightful. We went because we were really trying to sample the best of Vancouver's regional and seasonal fare. We weren't disappointed.
Service was gracious and enthusiastic. We were quite early for our reservation and they found a way to work us in. The martinis were the best and most generous we enjoyed in Vancouver. Chef Bishop was very much in evidence greeting customers and visiting.
Dinner was like a well-executed sonata--each note clear, distinctive and layering one upon the other. The fresh pea soup was at once light, delicate, and complex without a muddy flavor or false seasoning. The duck breast on wheat berries was perfectly cooked and again filled with clear rich flavors. The creme brulee was the only outstanding--in fact very nearly perfect--desert we had in nearly two weeks of dining out in Vancouver.
The atmosphere was outgoing and convivial. We found ourselves in quite pleasant conversations with other guests (not our usual style) over the various delicious things which appeared before us. The couple next to us has been going to Bishop's since it opened 25 years ago.
If you go here expecting everything to come in cubes and suspended on wires or at the end of picks, you will be disappointed. Bishop's is not that sort of place. That sort of food has its place, but if you want to eat well in a place that honors the ingredients and the guests who will consume them, then Bishop's it is. Take your sweetheart and have a wonderful evening. -
Review from Rafael R.
5/13/2009
Given Bishop's reputation as the Chez Panisse of Vancouver, I had considerable expectations, but found it odd that there were so few reviews on Yelp given that reservation site http://OpenTable.com listed Bishops as its "Best Overall" and "Best Food" Vancouver restaurant. In further researching Bishops, I reviewed the restaurant website and found only limited information about its history, but a rather involved page listing the cookbooks that chef Bishop has had published. This, along with restos that sell t-shirts, always puts me on edge. With only five reviews of such a long established restaurant, most of which I found to be mixed, I went ahead and made my reservation, looking forward to a dinner of fresh, local, seasonal ingredients.
Bishops is located in the Kitsilano neighborhood. We choose to arrive early to take in a stroll of the West 4th Avenue corridor. Beginning roughly at Burrard Street and sloping gently towards Yew Street, this neighborhood offered many shopping opportunities before our evening reservation.
Once we arrived, we were greeted by Mr. Bishop and his staff and were promptly seated in the downstairs (street level) dining room. Service was quite professional and cordial. Upon opening our menus, I was surprised at how affordable the prices were. Entrees of this caliber tend to cost significantly more in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the evening progressed, I felt somewhat disappointed. The staff and service, again, were very professional. When a member of my party sneezed, a small box of tissues up top a paper lace doily was presented to her. Where I felt let down was with the food itself. It was not by the quality of the ingredients used, but more by the simplicity of the preparation of the dishes, perhaps that is the focus at Bishops. Often, in order to really experience the flavors of a specific chef, one needs to order dishes with sauces and while my entree did come in a broth, it was very low key. I think when Bishops first opened to the public, it introduced the public to the slow cooking movement, using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients, but 20 years later, this is commonplace at many restaurants even to the degree that one elementary school in Berkeley California even prepares its lunches using these methods - to be a kid again!
I have been to other Canadian restaurants that serve local/regional ingredients and was quite pleased, returning many times over, however, Bishops missed the mark for me. The food was good, however, it did not live up to my expectations, given its highly respected reputation. -
Review from Lee N.
Vancouver, BC
3/9/2009
The food has been consistent and innovative over the years. This was the place to go for BC produce and west coast style of cuisine. I still believe it is the best of class, the only restaurant of this style I like better is the Sooke Harbour House and it a bit of a trip to plan for a Wednesday night in February. I will continue to eat at Bishops while trying the other new restaurants around town.
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Review from Dayna P.
Vancouver, BC
8/18/2011
Absolutely recommended. I went there with my family and every single dish was exceptional. The service was impeccable as well. It is a small, modest venue, prices not so much, but very well worth it!
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Review from Karina B.
Vancouver, BC
4/18/2010
Quietly waiting in excitement for dinner and the other guests to arrive, I could not help but notice the sheer friendliness of the service, each greeted us with a smile and a kind word. Bishop's is no doubt, a smaller "boutique" restaurant. The display of the Petrus and first growth wine's makes an excellent first impression upon entering as a fine dining establishment. Candles lit the room, and as the night wore on, the ambience became slightly more vivacious with resonance. From the white table cloths and the silver de-crumber created a fabulous dining experience all in all. The service was attentive and friendly, I should say impeccable service, as everything was attended to promptly and appropriately, Abel was absolutely wonderful and my compliments to chef Andrea. Also, the wine list is incredible, having such wines as Chateau Margaux and Chateau D'Yquem, signifies an excellent consideration for their clientele. I had the raw oysters, which was not on the menu and tasted as fresh as the sea. Personally, I would immensely recommend the sea food at Bishop's! I understand they use the most fresh ingredients and they try to keep the food as local as possible. The other guests had the sablefish which looked picture perfect. I had the muscovy duck, which was cooked very well, requiring no added spices, and I particularly enjoyed the duck leg confit tart, which was warm and elegant. For dessert, another guest had the vanilla creme brulee and I had the chocolate mousse cheesecake. The mousse was light and fluffy, and the creme brulee was perfectly thick and creamy, both were sweet, but not too sweet; the torched sugar on the top was crunchy and still sweet, while not being overly burnt. I must say that this is one of the best experiences for a restaurant, although it is rather expensive, the food is marvelous. Every presented menu item was simple, taking the flavor from the ingredients themselves rather than adding more spices unnecessary to the textures and flavors of the dishes. I must simply say, dine here.
Listed in: Restaurants in Vancouver
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