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Controversial Kitchen - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Restaurants [Edit]
1420 Commercial DrVancouver, BC V5L 3X9
Neighbourhoods: Grandview-Woodlands, The Drive
(604) 254-6101
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
10 reviews for Controversial Kitchen
10 reviews in English
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Review from Emily S.
Vancouver, BC
11/1/2010
Menu - not enough information, be prepared to memorize
Food preparation - must have been made with love, it took forever and the waiting was painful
Atmosphere - divine, I liked my little table in the window
Food - Yum, but not drop-dead amazing -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
4/11/2010 1 Check-in Here
It's like Foundation, but with fewer choices and the ability to make any sound like a child when they first try to order at the bar.
What's this? What's that? What's that? What's this? What's in this? What's on that? What does that come with? What's in the eggs of the day?
The questions continue but could easily be avoided with a simple description of the menu items. It doesn't have to be a paper menu, but perhaps a picture? Or just a few choice words?
I opted for the eggs of the day. The sauerkraut was extremely gingery, the slaw was bland, yam hash was decent but lukewarm and the eggs... well they were decent. As was the "garlic bread" they sat on. But organic or not, it wasn't worth $9.50.
Service was melancholy but all of our questions were answered without hesitation and our food was brought out pretty quickly. They even came and cleared away our plates.
"Granola" to the fullest, it's definitely a place I'd take my uber eco-loving friends. And I give them 3 stars for lightly treading on the planet. Extra star for not having to-go cups. -
Review from Roanna Z.
Updated - 6/28/2010
I still think this place will win by popular vote for it's product, and I just love the fact that they are making espresso coffee now and you can sit outside too, but I just can't get passed that counter girl's attitude. She has the patience of a gnat.
How is it that business don't realize that WHO they have behind the counter is as important as what they have to offer in goods, I wonder.
Thank goodness there are other people working there with better people skills or I never would have heard about the gluten free, dairy free chocolate cake.
mmm. chocolate cake.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/7/2009 First to Review
Wow. This was a well thought out business plan.
Fist off, the space layout is family friendly,… Read more »
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Review from Amanda H.
Vancouver, BC
3/27/2010
I've attempted to eat at this new-ish Commercial drive cafe, but turned away due to the terribly rude serviced I recieved.
The first time, I walked in, door wide open, lights and music on, and a couple of people chatting with the girl behind the counter. I started looking at the menu - and was there for a good couple of minutes - when the girl, very rudely, said "uhh, just so you know, we're closed."
Alright. No vegan sprouted grain sandwich for me. Maybe you should lock your door next time.
My second "experience" was the real turning point for me. A friend and I decided to give it another shot one afternoon. Seeing again only the one vegan option, I told the girl I would like the sprouted sandwich.
She informed me they were "out" of the sandwich, so I inquired if anything else could be made vegan... and my answer was, I quote, "Uh, we don't really do a lot of vegan things, we believe in NUTRIENT-DENSE cooking."
Thank you, Controversial Kitchen for completely dissing my lifestyle choice. -
Review from Louise G.
2/21/2010
Controversy is: why does it take so long to prepare a roast beef sandwich?
Controversy is: why are the tables so attrociously organised?
Controversy is: why are the smokers allowed to puff away outside next to the windows that are open!?!?!
Controversy is: what is that noise?
No controversy: the fact that we didn't enjoy our visit to this place and it is unlikely we will return anytime soon. Lots of other choices on The DriveListed in: The Best Of The Worst
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Review from Reena M.
4/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
The concept of this place is interesting. I think the set up of the tables is quirky. I'm happy that everything they serve is eco-concious and glad that they don't have paper cups. So extra star for that.
The lamb and date stew I ordered came out in a reasonable amount of time. I really liked the brown rice they served it with. And usually I don't like rice. The dates were the background flavour of the rice which was perfect because I don't really like whole dates either. I didn't realize it was a slaw on the side. I thought it was a carrot salad with no dressing... but for the stew, I thought it added a nice crunch.
Overall, this place has its own style. And I respect that. -
Review from Kirsten S.
Vancouver, BC
12/10/2009
I had high hopes for this place, because their food is ethically sourced, as local as possible and so on. Having jumped on the Omnivore's Dilemma bandwagon, and trying to be more conscious of what I eat, I thought this restaurant might set a good standard, and came here with my mom to try it out.
I understood the prices would be higher because of the nature of the food, and we were prepared for that. But I also expected that because we were paying more for carefully considered, ethically sourced, pesticide/antibiotic-free food, it would be thoughtfully and artfully prepared as well, and taste good. Nope.
We both ordered the Moroccan curried chicken stew, which was $13 and came on a bed of quinoa. The stew was pretty bland, and the chicken was actually chewy and gristly, like it had been microwaved or something. There were whole olives, with pits, that were heated up in the stew as well, so you had to kind of work your way around them and figure out where to put the pits.
The service was, at best, indifferent. We might as well have been at a fast food chain. We were a bit surprised by this seeing as how the place had only recently opened, and usually new businesses are pretty keen to make a good impression.
Quite a disappointment. I wish Juicy Lucy's was still in that spot... I miss their smoothies more than ever now. -
Review from Silvia C.
Vancouver, BC
6/6/2010
The service is a bit spotty....and I'm only referring to coffee service.
They have a little known $1 Americano WEEKDAY morning special from 9AM - 10AM. It's a good cup of java normally priced at $2.42. I showed up a few minutes before 9AM once, and the girl opening offered to make the Americano for me provided I had exact change (she did not have keys to the cash till). It was nice of her given she had not completed her opening procedures.
However, there is at least one day in the week were the espresso machine "isn't working" or "waterline is not connected" or "something is wrong". As a regular patron of this morning ritual, the spotty disappointment doesn't encourage me to dine here.
If you're in the area and would like to try the Americano (or any other coffee), bring your own mug. -
Review from Jeff M.
Vancouver, BC
5/16/2010
i had the roasted lamb flatbread. which was about $9. surprisingly filling. the amount of lamb you get isn't really that much though. they do fill it out with a lot of veggies. flat bread itself would be more of a 3.75/5
i also had this tea/fermented concoction which i can't for the life of me remember the name of, only that it looked like ice tea. Interesting flavour, which i had to get used to, didn't really like it upon first sip. i don't think i'll be trying it again. also they should do a better job at cleaning the inside of the caps. (bottles are re-used/cleaned)
addressing earlier comments. i had no problems with the seating arrangements aside from initially not being sure if i should wait to be seated or go right up to the counter. (latter is the way to do it). and staff were very friendly. food was also served in a reasonable amount of time.
overall i think what their doing is great. but i think it's a little pricey for what you're getting, though i can understand why the prices are what they are. -
Review from Megan L.
Vancouver, BC
3/28/2011
In our food culture where the customer is always right it is amazing to go to a place where the genius of food is left in the hands of the experts. Going to places like Controversial Kitchen (which are few and far between) teaches you about food and where it comes from. All of the meat and dairy they use comes from grass fed pastured animals. How many places can say that. They strive to use local products whenever possible and every ingredient they use has been carefully thought about. Ethical Kitchen and Controversial Kitchen are both the types of restaurants that at first may be a little intimidating, but as you continue to visit, learn and nourish yourself the staff will treat you like family. Its one of the few place where the knowledge of the customer is some what excepted. They are happy to share their knowledge about food as well if respectful interest in their product is shown.
