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Grub
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants Italian Canadian (New), Italian
4328 Main StVancouver, BC V5V 3P9
Neighbourhood: Riley Park
(604) 876-8671
- Hours:
Mon-Wed, Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
Thu-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
56 reviews for Grub
Review Highlights
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"...the Price Fixe from the fresh sheet up on the blackboard." In 4 reviews -
"Salmon and Capers with Goat Cheese Pizza - 4/5." In 2 reviews -
"...was delicious, and the chilled prawns were in this great..." In 3 reviews
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56 reviews in English
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Review from Janet W.
North Vancouver, BC
4/28/2012
I recently went for my birthday with a party of eight and everyone in the group had a option for each of my picky eater friends and offered my vegan friends choices as well. What can I say as a chef and foodie I've never been disappointed each time I've been to Grub, the size is quaint with the perfect amount of seats for the small kitchen to handle with ease.The service has always been quick and attentive the many times I've visited, although I'm sure as Grub becomes increasingly popular it may change.
The group of my friends all got one of each of the featured items on the menu and had the pre fixed veg, fish or meat option with appy, entree and dessert for a decent price. Although we all thought we should have ordered less in order to go on to our next destination that evening, No complaints never the less!!!
The food is always seasonal, local and fresh. the kitchen has never disappointed when I've brought guests visiting B.C and they always rave about how great the menu is. If your vegan vegatarian, meat or seafood lover there is a choice for everyone. I suggest you book a reservation as it is a smaller 30 seat restaurant but well worth the visit. Enjoy!!!!! -
Review from Jennifer K.
Vancouver, BC
My friend and I decided to get our *Grub* on by comin' here for Eat for Education - a night when a percentage of the proceeds would be donated to local elementary schools; and I immediately jumped on the bandwagon considering this cause is right down my alley.
Always a good sign when an eatery offers a daily fresh sheet for their entrees. In Grub's case, they're written in multi-colored chalk on two blackboards, offering not just 3 options, but 7 to 8 including a veggie *and* a vegan option too! Here's one of the boards: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Andddd on to the food. I know the menu changes daily, but I cannot resist giving at least a short synopsis of what we ate.
5 stars for the *Char*: Seared arctic char fillet, risotto, with tiger shrimp in shellfish bisque, lime avocado salsa. Now, doesn't that sound goooooood? The dish definitely lived up to its description. In fact, we thought it tasted like butta (Is that butter oozing out of it?) http://www.yelp.com/bi...
3 stars for the *Vegan*: White navy bean, artichoke and spinach filled zucchini cannelloni baked in rosemary cashew coconut cream, smokey vegetable and corn salsa, lemon arugula salad. Good and savory. But there was something in the dish that tasted like undercooked dough (maybe the zucchini?), hence my 3 stars. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Not off the blackboard: You'll find this appy and dessert on their "permanent" menu:
4 stars for the *Portobello Mushroom salad*: Goat cheese stuffed portobello over roasted vegetables and arugula in porcini aioli. Yum. Not orgasmically, head-over-heels delicious. But good. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
2 stars for the *Lemon brûlée tart*: Beautiful but terrible. I know it looks like a pie, but don't let my photo fool ya, cause it's only 4 inches in diameter. So definitely a larger tart. And speaking of tart, it was sooooo tart (I ate it literally with only one eye open), not a hint of cream at all, and the crust was more like a hard cookie - so hard, we were literally banging it with our spoon to break it off (meanwhile, we looked left and right to see if we were drawing attention to ourselves). I would rename this a lemon jam tart cookie. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Solid 4 stars for the laid back atmosphere; good for dress-up or dress-down, a family with kids, or dinner with friends before a night on the town.
I know I'll be back if only just to admire their ever changing blackboard menu. -
Review from Joyce VanFoodies L.
Vancouver, BC
4/5/2012
The menu at Grab is relatively small. The appy, salad, pizza and dessert sections are always on the regular menu, whereas the entrees are featured daily, with the fresh sheet written on a chalk board.
We only ordered entrees here: Beef & Duck. Mr. ordered the AAA Beef Tenderloin. It was a very thick piece of tenderloin, with a pretty good sear on the outside, and tender inside.
The Wentzle Duck Breast, in my opinion, was the better of the two. The duck breast was flavourful and moist, surprisingly moist. I'm guessing it might have been sous-vide to have such tenderness in the meat.
Instead of ordering a la carte, you could also choose the 3-course Table d'Hote option. It would start with either a soup or an individual size antipasto plate, then an entree and a dessert. It's $32 for a meat entree, or $28 for vegetarian entrees. Both of our entrees alone were $23 each. Desserts are $7-8. Doing the math, the 3-course dinner is a much better deal.
Pictures and more detail here: http://vanfoodies.com/... -
Review from Marc S.
Vancouver, BC
2/27/2012
Grub always amazes me. This is my first yelp review and I think its fitting because its one of my favourite restos in Vancouver. It is so rare that an restaurant has a daily fresh sheet with this size and consistency. Every dish on the fresh sheet, it would seem, is amazing. I often go to Grub with larger parties so there is always a range of dishes ordered and they are so consistent in the level of quality and taste.
The fact that they offer not only a Vegetarian option but a Vegan option day in day out is outstanding.
The dishes tend to be large, stick to your ribs kind of food. Often nice gravies and a variety of starches. Meats are well prepared and I am constantly amazed by the options.
Interior is fun and Main street hipster appropriate. The back patio is nice in the summer.
But I can't give 5 stars because while their 1920s inspired drinks and punch bowls are excellent, they have one of the worst wine lists of any restaurant of this quality. I just don't understand it - they need a sommelier in there stat! -
Review from Sam L.
1/16/2012
Grub takes everything I like about the Main Street/Mount Pleasant area and leaves out all the things I don't. It's modern but cozy, stylish but unpretentious, and accessible (and I don't mean from a parking point of view) while leaving out the cooler-than-thou-into-bands-you've-never-heard-of- fixie-bike-riding-hipster vibe that Main has become notorious for.
We got the pescetarian antipasto plate which is the reason I'm giving Grub 4 stars instead of 5. The ceviche lacked flavour, and the chilled prawns were basically just boiled or steamed prawns that were cooled down. Besides that, everything was fantastic. The food was excellent - my stuffed chicken breast was moist and succulent and the fire roasted tomato 'salad' was delicious and my girlfriend's sablefish on herbed risotto was equally as good. The service was also stellar - they came around just enough to ask if we wanted more beer/wine, but didn't hover and the place just had such a comfortable laid back feel to it, I will definitely go back.
They also have a table d'hote special where you get a personal sized antipasto plate, a main from the fresh board and a dessert for $32 which I think is a great deal. -
Review from Angie J.
Vancouver, BC
3/3/2012
This restaurant has never let us down...it was love at first sight! My husband and I have been going to Grub for the last 2 years and are pleased to call it our favorite in Vancouver. There is always a fresh and ever changing menu of a variety of dishes... the flavors and combinations are amazing, prices are very reasonable...our meals have always been cooked to perfection. I love that they always have a vegetarian and vegan option. The punch bowls are so good! (Try the prohibition punch!) Adorable spot for a date night. Definitely make a reservation if it's on the weekend. Grub is yet another reason why I love Main street....
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Review from Cody J.
Vancouver, BC
11/29/2011
My wife and I have made this our staple place to go for special occasions or if we're undecided on where go out for dinner. Have brought multiple friends and family to experience all that is Grub.
Great selection of food on a rotating menu board.. From the vegetarian, to the vegan, to the flat out meat and fish feeders there will be something for everyone in the group and you'll leave full and happy.
I suggest one cabs or buses because their boozy punch bowls will creep up on you like a tasty smack in the face...so worth it. -
Review from Sabrina T.
10/25/2011
This place was AMAZING! It's a bit hard to find, esp at night, but it's worth driving down the street again to find it.
We got the fish option and a pizza.
First off was the soup, it was some kind of butternut squash. It was so comforting! Not too rich, but just thick enough, it's the kind of soup you finish without even realizing it.
The fish dish was truly well crafted. The fish itself was perfectly cooked! I can't think fish that tasted better than this. It came with scallops, mashed sweet potato and cauliflower, asparagus, and an assortment of other vegetables with avocado aioli. Drool!!
Just when I think I can't eat anymore, they bring out the pear strudel. It definitely has a home made-with-love taste. The pastry was warm and flakey.
Was too full to eat the pizza, so they wrapped it in a swan aluminum foil (haven't seen that since in foreverrr). I ate it a few hours later in bed. It was cold, but I still enjoyed it :) -
Review from A W.
Vancouver, BC
2/29/2012
LOVE IT!!
YUM!
Great for Vegans and Veggies too! -
Review from Reena M.
I've been here now on several occasions, when I wasn't on a vegetarian diet (see previous review) and I still absolutely love this place. It really can't get any better. All the food is amazing here and I love bringing friends from out of town here.
I won't try reviewing the individual food items as their menu changes constantly. I can just say--it's good! Go check it out for yourself!Listed in: Reena M's Guide to Main St., Date Night in Vancouver, My Absolute Vancouver Food…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/19/2010
This couldn't be a more perfect dinner spot, especially for a date night. I came here once last… Read more »
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Review from Sarah O.
5/11/2011
Grub is very tricky place to review. It's not that I didn't like the place: In fact, I really did. But I can't help but wonder if it was under any other circumstance, I would feel the same way. Would I still give this place 4 stars if it hadn't been for my strict vegetarian diet that led me to their delicious vegan dinner? Would I still feel the same way if I hadn't just randomly stumbled into this cute hole-in-the wall with a stellar companion?
It was a tab bit on the expensive side and the menu is quite limited.. but once in a full blue moon when all the (four) stars align, you get an unexpected combustion that results in a pleasant experience. Here is a secret: I'm hesitant to go back here because I'm almost positive it won't ever be as good as that first time. -
Review from Justin L.
8/7/2011
Grub serves up a satisfying and comforting meal. I'm not a fan of the whimsical wallpaper, but I'll return anytime for the succulent pan-roasted arctic char or any other dish, for that matter. The food is unpretentious, generous, and packed with flavor. I love the simplicity of the chalkboard menu.
WARNING: You should allow more time before and after your meal. First of all, the place is easy to miss. There's a BIG TREE that covers the storefront, so that if you blink, you will definitely miss the partial "G-R---" sign. Allow time to circle the block and find parking in the residential area.
Secondly, the food comes out VERY SLOWLY. It was a very, very long time before we received our main entrées. In fact, by the time we left, it was 40 minutes past our estimated time and we had to adjust our subsequent activities. We hadn't told our server that we were in a rush because we had allowed plenty of time for dinner, and were the only ones in the restaurant when we first arrived. Maybe the chef wasn't there yet. It's a good thing the food was so darn good. -
Review from Mikaela s.
7/28/2011 9 Check-ins Here
Meat, poultry, fish, vegetarian and vegan option EVERY NIGHT. I'm talking a new dish within each of these categories everynight.
I should knock off one star because their only location is a block from my parents house in Vancouver and not in San Francisco where I now live. Except that might be a tad critical even for me.
Seriously folks this place is amazing and a must stop no matter where you are in Vancouver or the continent for that matter. Organic local meat, wild meat, fresh from the farm vegetables and the most delicious entrees no matter what your diet constrictions. I first discovered this place right before the Olympics and have been a die hard fan ever since.
For example, last time we were a table of four. One person ordered the lamb, another the duck, another this yummy Filo pastry veggie yumminess and I ordered the halibut. Every single one of us was impressed; the portoins are HUGE as well. The cost is well, the cost is so good it should be a crime....
The deserts are insane, awesome wine, great cocktails.....
HELLO? Well ya know why they got the 5 stars... -
Review from Amy T.
12/5/2010 1 photo
My husband and I decided to try a restaurant on Main Street that we've never eaten at before. Walked by Grub and saw 3 empty tables so we went inside.
It's a funky and casual place - was my first impression. Very simple decor and they didn't try to look high end. We sat down and I noticed the cartoony wallpaper behind me. There's a cow watching TV, a 1990's cell phone and whoa... is that a naked man? So my husband gets to eat his food and look at a woman hugging the naked dude. Interesting meal. We weren't complaining, we just thought it was funny.
The service was good and the food didn't take too long to arrive. They had a pretty good drink list and 2 out of the 3 cocktails I had were good.
The food, I thought was average. There are a lot of different types of dishes to suit each person as well as vegetarian. We ended up ordering 3 things:
The Carnivore Share Plate - 3/5
I thought there wasn't enough pieces of bread to go with the olives, 3 kinds of cured meats and pate. Everything was salty so some more bread would have been nice. (They don't give you bread with your meal either) Other than that, the pate with jelly was quite good.
The Seafood Salad - 2.5/5
Cured salmon, smoked trout, prawns, pine nuts and mixed greens with a passionfruit vinaigrette. I thought the salad was way too sweet with all the seafood. Yes, it's a passionfruit vinaigrette so I guess it would have been a good hint, but I didn't know it would taste so sugary.
Salmon and Capers with Goat Cheese Pizza - 4/5
This was my favorite item that we tried. Delicious. I think it could use just a bit more capers and onions though. But the flavors of those ingredients always go well together and it's hard to go wrong. Loved this.
Overall, the food is not bad and I would have given Grub a higher rating if it were a bit lower in price. I didn't feel that it was worth the price for what we ate. However, I will go back and try some other dishes next time.Listed in: Main Street Love
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Review from Yoony P.
Updated - 1/19/2011
I was actually looking forward to going to Grub again, but somehow it seemed to have lost it's charm a bit. The things that stuck in my mind from my previous visit was its great service, good food, and that it takes reservations.
Grub was still able to deliver on the latter but the two former points could have been more meticulously attended too.
It was three of us at the table. We first ordered the House bread appy which comes with olive tapanade, humous, and butter. The bread came out warm and the toppings were just right.
For mains we all wanted salads and upon asking the server he said that the "Grub Chopped Salad" was the most substantial and the "Portobello Mushroom" Salad was filling because it was a bit richer. I was leaning towards the Chopped Salad as its menu description had it boasting bacon, rosemary ham, roquefort, fresh herbs, and a deviled egg. However, since hubs decided on the Chopped Salad I went for the Portobello Mushroom--as did our guest.
When the dishes arrived (we waited quite a time for them) my poor husband's plate was a small pile of chopped romaine sprinkled with some red cabbage on top. The deviled egg was pathetically sitting on both sides of the plate. I could not see one piece of ham or bacon. Hubs says there were tiny pieces in there hiding, but honestly, this was not a good menu representation! He was thoroughly disappointed.
What's more is that our server didn't come by to refill our waters (we had to prompt him to do this) nor did he come by to ask how our meals were. Minus and Minus.
My dish however was fine for what it was. I could have used more goat cheese on the mushroom, but the arugula was dressed well and the entire combination of flavours on the plate were quite yummy.
Grub's lack lustre service and food might not having me coming back for more.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/8/2010 ROTD 1/1/2011
Why do I like Grub?
Because it's a tiny restaurant that seats something like 35 people yet *still*… Read more »
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Review from Toonie D.
Vancouver, BC
9/15/2011
Perfect place for a birthday dinner with all your picky, multi-diet jamming friends! You can go for tasty non-gluten dinner with your rogue vegan friends.... while your other bud eats a meat rainbow!
Super tasty totally adorbs. Small, so make resos or get there early...
Take a cab or walk because the punch is bonks. -
Review from Angela L.
10/30/2010
I haven't been back to Grub in a long time now, but I've been a few times in the past and really enjoyed my experiences here.
I love that the menu is constantly changing, and that there is something for everyone's tastes (meat, fish, vegetarian, vegan, etc.). Food is consistently good. The cocktail list is small but good...as is the beer list, now that I think about it. Wine list could use some work, but until then, pass the Tommy Collins. Portion sizes are very fair for the price. When I came here in the past, I split a share plate or a pizza as an appetizer, then ordered separate entrees and have always left full and happy. I haven't managed to try dessert here yet..and that's saying something! My dessert stomach does not usually mess around.
It's small and cute inside, as others have mentioned. I've dropped in without a reservation very early and haven't had problems getting a table, although it fills up very quickly. Man, it gets HOT in here during the summer though - I sat by the window once on a sultry summer afternoon and spent most of the time not-so-subtly wiping sweat off my brow. It made for a great date (I'm sure it was super sexy).
Service is usually on-point, and I wouldn't except any less given the size of the space. It can be a bit sketchy not knowing what will be on the menu, but I heard someone call in and ask once, so I'll keep this tactic in mind for future visits.Listed in: Dates are Great, Liquid Lunch, Vancouver Vegetarian
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Review from Geoff G.
Vancouver, BC
10/16/2010
My wife and I walked up to Grub for dinner last night to celebrate our 5th anniversary. Great choice! We'd never been there before and the food was great. We both did the Price Fixe from the fresh sheet up on the blackboard. I had the NY Strip, my wife had the Sablefish. The food was perfect. Our hipster server (and co-owner) was fun & attentive, without being annoying like visiting an Earl's in 1993.
Like others have said, be sure to make a reservation though. It was a Friday night, and everyone trying to walk-in was turned away, as the restaurant was booked solid.
We'll be back. -
Review from Sara M.
Updated - 3/14/2011
Took my step mum here on her recent visit after raving to her about how great this place was.
Aaaaand it was AWESOME again! I am so glad it wasn't just a one night stand with you Grub!
I had the vegan, she had the vegetarian, and my friend had the beef. And we were all mmming over everything. And to top it off, the vegan dessert that night was a buttercreamy cake that made my mouth extremely happy.
**My only complaint had nothing to do with the restaurant but with a fellow diner. Unfortunately, due to the small one room space.... a crying baby created the most awful dinner music.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/11/2011
I have so much love for this restaurant!
The atmosphere is intimate and sexyish - perfect for a date… Read more »
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Review from JY F.
Richmond, BC
2/1/2011
It was a cold late winter's night when 5 friends embarked on an on-going gastronomic journey. Being an obsessed food junkie, there is nothing better than trying out a new restaurant with some friends and stuffing your face w/good food & beverages. We decided to start a "once a month food club" when I was sitting at a friend's house talking about my obsession that the thought came to us to get together once a month and try out a new restaurant and our goal was to only spend $40 per person. That way we could all sample the menu items without having to break into our savings account or in my case, my children's education funds, to do it.
It just needed a name. We wracked our brains and the most intelligent and interesting thing we could come up with was, "Once a Month Food Club". We really are more interesting than that and obviously suffered from Friday night brain damage from too much wine and beer. Anyway, we decided to put off picking a name and try out our first restaurant. As I like to say sustenance usually provides inspiration! During a Friday morning at our respective offices, we came to a decision...our first restaurant was going to be GRUB.
Located on 25th and Main, the simple grey store front almost disappears among the artistic and unique shops on the strip. But to our surprise the interior was so laid back and cozy. I particularly loved the yellow vinyl banquet and playful wallpaper. We were seated promptly and quickly ordered our first drinks. Deciding to share their Prohibition Punch Bowls, we gushed over the cute retro cups and bowl the drink came in. The atmosphere was very casual and the servers were knowledgeable of the menu and friendly albeit a little on the slow side. We each ordered a different dish from the menu and decided to each have a bite of each others meals. Now here is where Grub stands above others:
- Arctic Char & Beet Risotto: The fish was prepared perfectly and not overly seasoned as I find most restaurants do with fish. The beet risotto was creamy and perfectly aldente! I usually hate ordering risotto because it so easily is butchered in mid-range restaurants. But I was pleasantly surprised. I also loved the colors and textures on my plate. Being Asian and a girly-girl, the pink rice was definitely right up my alley!
- Roasted Duck Salad - Mayu ordered this and the roasted duck was prepared well if a bit on the well side. But the spinach salad and citrus vinaigrette was surprisingly fresh and flavorful!
- Duck Confit & Cassoulet - This was our only disappointment of the night. Sorry Sarah! The duck ended up tasting deep fried (so much so that some of the meat was actually crispy!) and the cassoulet was a bit undercooked and too crunchy. I couldn't tell if the dish had dried out or was under cooked.
- Lamb w/ Porcini Cream Sauce - The meat was roasted to perfection and the sauce was a perfect compliment. I was a bit worried because I thought the cream and lamb together would end up being too rich but the flavors were smooth and sensual. The mashed potato side made it the ultimate luxury comfort food.
- Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Yams - Dilip's dish was the piece de resistance! Pork Tenderloin w/a jerk spice rub was roasted to tender perfection. The side dishes of spiced yams and dandelion salad went perfectly with the pork creating a flavorful party in my mouth! Poor Dilip, I kept coming back for more bites that I think he didn't get very much.
Overall, our group loved our first choice so much and adding weight to my belief that sustenance truly inspires, we named our "Once a Month Food Club", GRUB Club in honor of our first restaurant! -
Review from bon b.
Vancouver, BC
5/14/2011
This is a great little restaurant with a very cool cosy casual atmosphere.
It has a small but amazing menu! I appreciate that they offer really tasty vegan and vegetarian options unlike many upscale restaurants. -
Review from Katie K.
Vancouver, BC
11/26/2010
Grub is amazing.
Even though it's not a vegetarian restaurant, they always have a tasty vegan option, and dessert. it makes a good choice for meat eaters with vegan friends. everyone will be happy.
the place is small: reservations recommended as they do fill up at dinner.
5 out of 5 for food, service and quality. i will always go back. -
Review from Ramon V.
4/5/2011 5 Check-ins Here
A little place on Main Street that is perhaps easy to miss. It's charming, cosy and has a unique menu. I tried the vegetarian option: house made gnocchi with beet cream and asparagus, topped with a nicely stuffed crepe filled with multiple cheeses. I was amazed at how good it was.
Definitely one of my favourite dishes in while. A creative approach to simple food, and not overpriced.
For dessert a sticky toffee and fig cake. It was overly banana flavoured, which wasn't a problem for me, but one of our guests did not like the banana.
The menu is not extensive, but there seems to be enough variety to suit a range of tastes. The menu has one item from a selection of meat categories, vegetarian and vegan options.The drink lineup is highlighted by several creative cocktails. The wine list is also quite good. Beer is only available in bottles/cans. -
Review from Mandy R.
8/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
I recently visited Grub with a group of about 5, and had a great time. They serve Pimm's in large punch bowls (although I believe they have 3 different types of punch) with teeny adorable punch glasses, which was definitely the highlight of my trip. I also tried the Casablanca cocktail, which was incredible. My male cohorts mostly stuck with beer after our Pimm's bowl, and although the beer selection is lacking in comparison to similar places down in Gastown, I don't feel that detracts from the menu at all. This is a restaurant, you go for the food. The fact that the cocktail and beer selection is somewhat limited but still great still earns 5 stars from me.
I arrived late and missed most of the appetizers (a platter of dips, some meat patte, and a pizza), but heard they were all great. My friend and I shared the vegetarian special of the day, squash gnocci. It was delicious, as were the vegetables I stole off some other friends' plates. My group also ordered lamb and pork, which they raved about (I'm a vegetabletarian). The menu at Grub changes regularly... weekly, maybe daily? Don't come back for your favourite. Come back to try something entirely different. They seem to usually have 2 meat dishes, 2 fish, a vegetarian, and a vegan.
The service was quick considering that we went at 7:30 on a Friday night. The patio is intimate but not too packed, and decorated charmingly so you'd never know you're basically sitting in an alley off Main. I'll definitely be back. -
Review from Vincci L.
Too cute!
A tiny storefront with a black facade, the interior is a whole other world. It's a small space, with about 30 seats.
Colorful wallpaper makes this place ever so sweet, with bright yellow accents. This is almost like a child's room-but with the cool looking white chairs, this place is as unique as ever.
Blackboards on the wall showcase their daily specials, which I also hear they don't repeat their dishes. They actually detail their specials, which I find helpful, because it's like what you would find in a regular menu. It's also catergorized into "Meat, Seafood & Veggie." Simple enough.
First, drinks. Pretty cool cocktail menu. Lots of innovative drinks. I got the Pink Ramos cocktail-strawberry puree based cocktail with gin, lemon juice, and sugar, with cream, egg white, and a hint of orange blossom and dusting of pink peppercorns on top.Delicious!
Get this: They have these fish bowl sized punches, with ladles and mini cups!! Try the Commy Punch-Apricot Brandy,honey lavender wine, pineapple juice, apricot nectar, cranberry and lemon juice. Seriously. This totally reminds me of my childhood days of playing tea party, but this is even better!
Appies-For the undecisive, this is the place to go. They have these share platters that have a bit of everything. Again, this is grouped into meat, veggie, and seafood. The seafood platter has a reasonable price, for a good amount and quality of food. Salmon gravlax and avocado salad (note my fav combo of things is present here), smoked trout, and chilled prawns. Yummy yummy!!
Tried the seafood special-Wild salmon in a coconut prawn curry. The portion was large, and the salmon just done right. Curry wasn't too spicy, and coconut infused flavour made this dish very delicious.
Good service and awesome atmosphere. This place has great value and fun times.(with that cool punch bowl, you can't go wrong.)I can't wait to come try the brunch!Listed in: ROTDs!, Main Street Eats
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Review from Danielle L.
Vancouver, BC
3/25/2011
Really enjoyed my first experience at Grub, I will be returning!
Quite a small space, seats maybe 26-30 people in the whole restaurant. When we arrived it was full sans for one table for 4 with a reserved sign on it. The server didn't hesitate to remove the sign and seat us there. (guessing someone was late for their reservation).
Had a really hard time deciding on a dish, so many of them on the fresh sheet sounded fantastic.
Finally settled on the Arctic Char $19. Served with a delightful creamy seafood (crab & scallops) risotto and a few veggies (broccoli). The risotto was done to perfection and it was a fair sized serving. Definitely wasn't hungry after this!
My date opted for the 3 course option (for $30 receive a personal size antipasto, fresh menu item & dessert)
We shared the personal sized Pescitarian antipasto (Salmon gravlax with avocado salad, seafood ceviche, smoked trout brandade, chilled prawns with tomatillo sauce and purple cabbage slaw).
I'm assuming the full size order ($15) of the antipasto is more impressive, but i thought this was an excellent taster size... and was even enough to share on top of the main courses.
For dessert we shared a pear strudel with creme fraiche & caramel. This is probably a better solo sized portion. Tasty, but not the best part of the meal.
To drink we tried the Prohibition Punch ($24 even though their website states $19). This was delicious! I will be trying to replicate this recipe at home. Pimms, gin, lime syrup & ginger beer. Garnished with strawberries, cucumbers & pear slices. Comes in a huge punch bowl with tiny glasses. I would recommend the punch for a larger group, as there is quite a bit of ice melting in the bowl which waters down the flavor eventually.
Good was fantastic, service was quick and friendly, ambiance is pretty unique (almost feels like a cottage with rather strange wallpaper). Would probably recommend a reservation as I feel we were lucky to grab a seat on a thursday night. -
Review from Mercedes G.
Vancouver, BC
11/27/2009
I don't remember the last time I had an absolutely satisfying, delicous and perfectly cooked meal as the one I had on Thursday evening at Grub.
You know its fantastic food when you cannot find a single thing to bitch about.
Go. Now! -
Review from Alexander Bromley Clark D.
Vancouver, BC
11/6/2008 1 photo
Grub is among the many "boutique" restaurants popping up around Vancouver right now: intimate, unique spaces serving extremely high quality food at moderate prices. Other recommended restaurants in this vein include Bin 941/942, Crave, La Brasserie, Guu, La Buca and Pied a Terre.
This off-beat bistro-esque eatery is cute...tiny and quirky. The menu is refreshingly small, and the emphasis is on the daily specials (which do sell out, so get there relatively early).
Everyone loved the dishes that they ordered when I went here, and my only criticism is the lack of draft beer. -
Review from Jesse W.
Vancouver, BC
1/15/2011
It's hard to give Grub three stars. If one were judging by food alone, it would be a strong four but the service was so poor that I can barely give it three.
The ambiance is cute and cozy and the menu seems to change regularly since it's written on a chalkboard. That was the first problem though since we couldn't all see it so we thought we'd ask our server to go over the six entrees offered that evening. He suggested we get up and walk over instead. When asked for a recommendation between the vegetarian or vegan dish, he couldn't imagine going without meat so was unable to offer any help. Very considerate of the vegetarian diners among us.
Thankfully we saw very little of him after that although we'd probably have ordered a second bottle of wine had we been asked. The food came in good time and everyone enjoyed their choices. I had the char which was served over prawn and crab pasta with a watercress salad. While the pasta was a little cool, everything was very flavourful and well balanced.
Desert was tasty too but when it came time to settle up, we didn't get the bill for quite a while. Then, when we needed our credit cards put through, I couldn't get anyone's attention even though the restaurant had cleared out and the wait staff was sitting right beside us. I've never had a waiter meet my gaze and then purposefully look away.
I'd wanted to try this place for some time but after this experience, I'm not sure I'll be back. The food was very good - hopefully they can turn the service around. -
Review from Janice F.
11/12/2008
Grub has got to be the quintessential neighbourhood gem. Cute, modern, casual and surprisingly off the radar of major reviews, this place feels like the unsung hero of Main St - but it has definitely been discovered by locals and beyond.
There's no food discrimination here - the plates ranges from vegan to seafood to pork tenderloins, from Asian to West Coast to French influences but it is all fresh, well-prepared and generously portioned. The blackboard special menu is pivotal - I've been here 3 times and I've only seen a repeat of their daily soup. I believe they only prepare enough for 15 of each special per night, to keep things fresh and as an incentive to get there earlier before they start crossing off the specials!
An example of the vegetarian entree ($15), I had a spinach crepe with asparagus and cheese, served with coconut lemon scented potatoes and artichokes. Their thin crust smoked salmon, capers, and goat cheese pizza is also quite good for $13.Listed in: Restaurants worth a second…
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Review from Jay S.
5/29/2009
How can you resist a place that has a sidewalk sign that says: "guest bartender: Levar Burton"? Well, unfortunately, we had to because we'd already stopped at 3 other food places on that block Sunday morning!
A tiny eatery on Main Street, we stared like urchins at all the patrons as they grubbed on Grub grub. "Coddled Eggs, you will be mine," I vowed as the patrons started to stare back at us. Appropriately chided, we moved on to Voltage for more shopping...
Grub has recently added Sunday Brunch, 11 to 3. Entrees average $12 to $14. I'll be back.Listed in: A Slice of Main Street,…
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Review from Gina I.
5/14/2010
Grub is small. And they take reservations which I think is very cool.
I can't really find anything wrong with it.. not that I want to, but that's just my nature.. to find something wrong with something, ya know?
It's good food & cute drinks.. but I can get good food and drinks elsewhere too. So what sets Grub apart from other restaurants? Not sure yet, I'll have to try again.. -
Review from kath r.
Updated - 1/28/2010
Ok, went back again to Grub with a group of 12 and it was just as fantastic as the first time!
Food and service were spot on, the vibe is great; relaxed, friendly and hip Main Street.
I'd highly recommend this place (and have done so to many).
The night we went I had an amazing piece of sockeye salmon (cooked to perfection), which I followed with a a delish piece of chocolate bourbon pie. YUM!!!!
Run. Don't walk. And make reso's bc it's small and the word is spreading.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/1/2009
Oh, I'm a fan and I'll be back!
I ate here recently with a group of sophisticated palates and not one… Read more »
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Review from Darcy C.
Updated - 11/28/2009
This is my third meal here. This is my third, insanely tasty, meal here. There were seven of us- every single diner was happy (granted, four of us did have the same tasty thing).
This is *definitely* the best mid-range priced restaurant in Vancouver.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/19/2009
Damn, this was tasty- I had the pork, my friends had steak and the veggie special. They were all… Read more »
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Review from Amy C.
Vancouver, BC
7/4/2011
I adore this place. It's quaint and the vibe is friendly and casual. The food however is what you'd normally find in an expensive restaurant. The ingredients are all fresh (and I think mostly organic). The menu changes every few days according to what's fresh at the market.
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Review from Alison S.
1/9/2010
After reading Vincci L.'s review, the Boy and I set out on a trek to find this place! Unfortunately I don't read maps well and scanning two sides of the street simultaneously while driving did not work, so we walked around in the night rain for a while...much more successful.
Behind the simple grey front is a delectable and unique noshing place. For drinks we started with an Alhambra beer (him) and the Autumne Gatsby (me). The gatsby has a sort of chai tea flavour to it, which is great because I love chai tea! I wanted to try the Commy punch but alas, one girl + one entire punch bowl = disaster.
The chalkboard menu looked delicious (beef and lamb sold out already!) but we opted for the Pescitarian antipasto platter and the salami thin-crust pizza. The antipasto was delicious, and the chilled prawns were in this great green salsa that was tangy and amazing. There was also smoked salmon and slaw and crab spread and avocados ...awesome combination!!! The pizza was also good, with a truly thin and crispy crust. It was a little on the salty side, maybe the tomato sauce? But I liked how it had a generous amount of salami and artichokes on it.
The atmosphere is really chill and the we studied the wallpaper for a while too! Would definitely come back for more antipasto...or the chalkboard specials....or the punch.....well either way I'll be back! -
Review from Jyrki Y.
1/10/2012
Great small restaurant, easy parking on the street at least on a weekday. The arctic char was just perfect! Too bad the fillet was not bigger. The portion itself was plentiful enough with green asparagus, noodles and very tasty king prawns
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Review from k. r.
Vancouver, BC
8/16/2011
meeeeeeeeeeeeeeh.
it was fine. service was kind of snotty. i came here to spend money, why did no one even ASK me if i wanted a second glass of wine. i mean really.
our table shared the bread plate and the veg antipasto... both of which were pretty darn good. i had the sable fish as a main, which was a daily special and it was overly rich. i mean it had gnocchi and it mentioned cream sauce so to be fair i should have known. but yes, it was a bit heavy for my taste. and there were technically scallops there too i know but they left a considerable amount to be desired.
i.e. i am desirous of delicious non-chewy scallops.
you know?
overall it was fine. just fine. nothing more, nothing less. -
Review from Victor A.
Vancouver, BC
1/4/2012
Daily specials are creative and full of value for the price you pay. You can easily come here, order a cocktail (or one of their signature spiked punch bowls if you're with a group of two or more) and one of their specials and have one satisfying night. Dishes are sometimes composed over-zealously with all sorts of garnishes and sauces that may not necessarily go together - but again, great bang for your night-out buck! Totally recommended - a gem in SoMa.
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Review from Foley L.
Vancouver, BC
1/20/2010
Went there with another couple as part of the Main Event - a prix fixe event with money going to the food bank.
I was really excited to try out Grub as they're in the 'hood and always seem busy. The place is tiny, and is pretty hip. They clearly didn't spent much money on decor, but it's not a thrift-store job. Wasn't exactly to my liking, but overall it's a nice room. I will mention that it's one of the loudest rooms I can recall. I never get too stressed about the sound of people enjoying themselves, but we had to lean in to talk to each other.
Food was excellent. Three choices for antipasto plates, meat, veg and pescatarian (seafood) - and they're massive. Shared the pescatarian - ceviche, lox and tomatoes, some sort of spread, prawns and crostini.
Had the half rack of lamb - came a bit more well done than I would have liked, and smothered in a white sauce which I felt was unnecessary, but it was yummy. Rounded out with grilled asparagus and a tasty pasta.
My wife had a five-spice encrusted New York steak and it was terrific.
Desert was unremarkable, save for the pear strudel which was divine.
Service was spotty but friendly. Decent wine list, tight but nice cocktail list, and no taps. Boo.
Something about the vibe didn't work for me, and I can't completely put my finger on it. We walked out down about $240 and I couldn't help but think we could have done better for the dollars elsewhere. Too bad because it's super-close to my place, but the joy of South Main is that there are tons of other places near by as well.
