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Two Chefs and a Table
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants Cafes Canadian (New), Cafes [Edit]
305 Alexander StVancouver, BC V6A 1C4
Neighbourhood: Downtown Eastside
(778) 233-1303
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Tue-Sat 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Sat 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Sun 9:30 am - 2 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
72 reviews for Two Chefs and a Table
Review Highlights
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"They also serve bottomless French press coffee." In 4 reviews -
"My favorite brunch place." In 25 reviews -
"I had the smoked salmon benedict, which was excellent." In 3 reviews
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72 reviews in English
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Review from Elton R.
5/22/2012
Living just a couple of blocks away from this spot, It's a wonder this is not my usual spot on a lazy hung over Saturday morning. I do like exploring different restaurants and taking the confusing words of Marky Mark from the movie The Other Guys: "I'm like a peacock you gotta let me fly!"
Not sure if that even makes any sense (I'm sure it doesn't) but I digress... In my mind the food here is excellent not because they offer an eclectic collection of offerings on the menus (they do) but because their offerings focus on the taste and the quality of the dishes sourced from local and fresh ingredients. For instance, their sausages come from Big Lou's (butcher shop a block away who also sell locally sourced meats), ham from Sloping Hills farm in Qualicum Beach and chicken from Polderside farms in Chilliwack. All the eggs are listed in their menus as being cage-free and the beef grass fed. I'm not going to get side tracked and discuss why it's important for all of us to try and support local and cruelty-free meat products if you consume meat - that's a whole other discussion for another day - but it is nice to see more and more restaurants such as 2 chefs adopt such policy.
I've yet to try their dinner offerings, which I am sure are fantastic given my experience with their brunch and lunch menus. Now, having said that I must point out one annoyance of the dishes I have tried so far and that is the Chicken and Waffles. Maybe I am just being snobbish and was fortunate enough to have a relatively expansive culinary experience in my life but I did not enjoy this dish at all: Chicken was very dry and the waffles rubbery. I've tasted some fantastic deep-fried chickens and waffles individually and this dish was not able to come anywhere close to those standards. Collectively and the dish as a whole was definitely well off the mark from the quality I tasted at the legendary Chicken and Waffles restaurant Roscoes House of Chicken and Waffles in LA area. I also feel as though I was harsh on this dish because everything else I have ordered here were fantastic. Could have been an off-day but there are so many offerings on the menu I can always get an entirely different dish each visit.
If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting this spot, I'd highly recommend you do so. But be aware that brunch is served on the weekends only while lunch is served during the week. I know that they sometimes open for brunch on a holiday if it falls on a Monday or something... It does fill up rather quickly so get there early! -
Review from Ag T.
Burnaby, BC
I've been here's few times before since I work in the neighborhood. The place fills up during lunch hour. It's an interesting place located very close to the Downtown Eastside "hood".
The kitchen is open concept. The decor has a comfortable feel. Bright and airy. There's usually just one server as there isn't much seating.
I've been here about 3 times and I've generally been satisfied with the food. Nothing to write home about.
THEN IT HAPPENED...... When I came here the last time, I noticed something new and intriguing on the menu....something called chicken waffles. Fried chicken and waffles?! I've never had! Always excited to try something for the first time, I eagerly looked forward to it.
When it arrived, it looked divine. Almost too pretty to eat....almost. I took a couple of pictures and then cut my first bite.
Heaven on earth. 2 HUGE pieces of chicken lightly drizzled in maple syrup with pecans. The combination is magical.
I see many people put up the chicken waffle pictures here. Definitely a crowd pleaser. I find myself craving it which means it gets at least 4 stars!
If any of you have not had chicken waffles before and are foodies...you MUST go and order this. -
Review from Nancy W.
I am a Vancouverite in need to find my identity. I certainly don't fit into the mold of fitting in. I don't own any Lululemon, or Canucks apparel. I don't drive to Stanley Park on a Saturday morning for a jog nor read the nutrition levels in the back of the cereal box. Heck, give me the best tasting brunch in the morning, and throw some alcohol in the mix. I'll use my physique (6'2 200lbs) like a credit line on a credit card until I max it out. Why can't you throw everything in the deep fryer using buttermilk batter, it would probably taste better. I should really consider moving down south, they are probably more excepting in lifestyle choices.
I arrived at Two Chefs and A Table. It's located at the boarder of Gastown where industrial, manufacturing, drugs and prostitution was the main economy in the 90's. It's so out of place for such a fancy restaurant. White exposed brick walls with contemporary chandeliers. Well... quoting Andrew Morrison, Strathcona is the new Yaletown. The formula is simple, find the most ghetto area you can and place a restaurant there. People are going to line up for hours waiting to get a seat in your restaurant that can host 30 max patrons, SUCCESS!
I did in fact have to wait for a table. It was packed inside so I had to stand in the cold. As I had time to ponder, I was choosing between the organic grape tomato pureed, smoked salmon scrambled eggs, or do I want the low fat breakfast parfait with locally grown fruits? I better have a freshly squeezed orange juice as well.
We eventually made our way in and sat at the chef's table aka the bar counter, facing the open kitchen. As we were handed the menu, it continued the trend of a fancy restaurant. A legal sized piece of paper with less than a dozen of dishes on the menu, nothing is throwing me off anymore, or is it?
I was reading down the list on the menu and that's when it struck me, I am being thrown off again. This isn't how my brunch story was supposed to go. I can have Chicken and Waffles in Vancouver for breakfast? I thought this only happens across the border heading way south.
Chicken'n Waffles: Housemade waffles with pecan, vanilla butter and syrup. The buttermilk battered chicken was so soft, so juicy. The waffles were light, and the pecans added a crunchy texture. I am in love. I would have preferred it if they gave me more syrup, it tasted so good along with the vanilla butter.
Pancakes: griddled in fluffy buttermilk, vanilla butter. orange marmalade, and maple syrup. Nothing fancy on the appearance. Just buttermilk pancakes that's every so fluffy. The orange marmalade was refreshing. I just didn't know why I didn't get any seasonal fruit, when the menu got my hopes up.
Sunday Caesar: Celery salt, spring olives, house made beans. It wasn't Sunday, but who cares. Well salt rimmed glass with flavorful salt. Spicy cocktail paired with what I called an "impotent" bean.
French Press Coffee: Not on the menu but everyone was ordering it. Large Bodum French Press with freshly grind coffee. It sure woke me up. It also made me want to invest in a French Press again, I missed that in the morning.
Talk about being surprised in a good way. I woke up late, drove 30km for brunch in an industrial area only to be surprised by southern soul food. Two Chefs and A Table is a restaurant I want to revisit again. I am also glad that I have the option of going to their other location. I would feel a little sketchy having dinner in such an industrial area. That is why, I will visit their Richmond location which is located near Bridgeport and Sweden Way... another industrial area...Listed in: Best Damn Caesars
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Review from Ben C.
2/27/2012
It was a place to check out! That's what all the lunch and brunch reviews said.
So, i came for dinner. That was my first mistake... well, maybe my only mistake. I was just sticker shocked! I love french food, in fact, this weekend i had french food 2 out of 3 days. Fact is, this dinner menu is overpriced.
For the same price you can have significantly more (dare i say better?) food at Les Faux Bourgeois, Henry's kitchen or The French Table...
There are some items that do outshine the rest though: The gnocchi was like "pillows of happiness" as my esteemed dinemate described and the service was second to none.
The fondue wasn't very good tho (wine overpowered and the bread was hard). My steak was 35% fat (by weight)
I'll have to come back for LUNCH! 3 stars...that's what you get. -
Review from Amy T.
2/25/2012
Two Chefs and a Table is located in a very sketchy area so getting here is half the fun. There isn't any other businesses beside it and is surrounded by industrial and apartment buildings. However, once I stepped inside, I couldn't stop smiling.
The decor was felt like an old house, but with crystal chandeliers, dark wood and chic artwork. The space is small, but you feel cozy. Service was excellent and almost as if you're visiting a friend's house for dinner.
I couldn't make up my mind so I ended up ordering 2 appetizers. I had the gnocchi with mushrooms and truffle oil and by far it was the best I've ever had. Cooked perfectly and didn't feel too heavy, I almost wished I ordered two of the same dishes instead.
The 2nd dish that I ordered was the cheese fondue, which came with toasted bread, apples, tomatoes and grapes. I wasn't a fan of this at all. I can taste the smoked apple wood cheddar with emmenthal, but it felt like there was too much black pepper and wine. Believe me, I love strong cheeses, but this was some powerful stuff. The bread was also too hard so it made the roof of my mouth very sore and I didn't end up finishing it.
For dessert, I had the creme brulee and the caramel was thick and torched perfectly. I love smashing through that first layer. The custard wasn't too cold and I can taste the Tahitian vanilla.
I may come back for brunch instead and so far I'd give this place a 3.5 stars. -
Review from Cyrus G.
2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Love at first sight.
I love the location, the look and decor of the place and the food.
I'd definitely recommend trying the chicken and waffles. It's an odd dish (fried chicken on top of waffles), but it's something totally different and has a really good taste.
The french press coffee (as recommended on here) is a great pick too. -
Review from Deborah S.
Vancouver, BC
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
With a warm and cozy atmosphere, this little corner shop has a long line-up on most weekends for their brunch service. My friend and I went there sans reservations and staff were extremely accommodating. The room was filled except for 2 seats up at the bar which were reserved for the owners. They said, "one minute, let me just doublecheck," and sure enough, one minute later, they came back, and said, "the owner says he'd be glad to give them up for you".
I got the traditional eggs benny which was nice. The hollandaise was done well. My only comment is I wish the english muffin weren't so hard.
My friend got the sausage scramble, and she loved it. Both servings were large, and rich in taste. We couldn't finish the portion, and had to pack it up to go.
My one HUGE kudos to Two Chefs and a Table though is the custom jams they make. Today, they had an heirloom tomato jam which is out of this world. In fact, I was so enamoured, I begged to buy it. Alas, they couldn't sell it to me.
Sitting up at the bar was a real pleasure too as I got to watch the chefs in action (free breakfast entertainment).
I will definitely come back (they have a chicken & waffle item too I'm interested in). -
Review from Melissa E.
Vancouver, BC
1/23/2012
Yes please!
I was a wuss and didn't order the chicken and waffle. I know I know. Chicken and waffles! I so wanted to but that is a seriously huge plate of food and i wasn't that hungry. So i got the pancakes and a side of bacon....pancakes were fluffy and had some apple slices at the bottom that cut the starch in a really nice way. Our coffee was late coming (it was taking them awhile to boil the water...no joke) so our waitress compensated by comp-ing it for us! Hoooza! These are the little things people that will keep me coming back. Customer service. Gotta love it.
Overall we were really happy with our experience. The wait staff was really pleasant and efficient. Food was yum and i loved the atmosphere.
Only thing I wonder about is the one dude/chef that was seriously just standing immobilized almost the entire time we were there. It was like he was some weird performance artist.
IntriguingListed in: Gastown Goodness
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Review from Kat S.
1/4/2012
Pretty solid brunch spot. Not in the best of neighbourhoods for transit, however, so I took my car.
I thoroughly enjoyed my brunch of grilled chicken hash. Plenty of veg with big chunks of soft potatoes. The condiments for the toast were a nice treat, too. Was that pear butter? Delish. Don't expect to leave with your pants busting at the seams (it's not a good look, anyways), but portions are a good size, just not huge. For the price, it's a good deal.
The service was not as I had hoped. We were ignored once the food arrived, and we had to swipe utensils off the other tables. Nor was I offered more hot water for my tea. Our server was polite, but I had hoped for more attentiveness. -1 star. Could have been an off day, so I will reserve harsher judgement for future visits if the trend continues.
Nice atmosphere inside, with reasonable brunch prices will bring me back. Woo!Listed in: Count 'em!
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Review from Alicia Q.
Vancouver, BC
2/15/2012
Really cool location (wouldn't recommend a leisurely stroll alone in the neighbourhood though). Cozy atmosphere, very friendly home dining room kind of feel. I wish my dining room looked so nice and came with two chefs ;)
Been here a few times now and a few standouts are the mac and cheese (yes please) and the salted caramel mousse sort of dessert.
Had a pleasant experience each time, the service is always good and waits are never too long. There's lots of parking around, even found a free spot once...HA take that City of Vancouver! A cute little place, would definitely recommend for a couple or a smaller group! -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
Porchetta hash. Oh yes, a brunch spot -- that's also a dinner spot, of course -- that delivers real, wholesome brunches -- like chicken and waffles. Mmmmmm, yeah.
Allow me to deconstruct my amazing brunch: runny, perfectly poached eggs; hollandaise sauce; roasted potatoes, porchetta, zucchini, onions, toast. For $10. Say what? That's reasonable! Throw in French pressed coffee, light streaming in the large windows, reflecting off of the vintage-esque chandeliers, and well, it's just a perfect place for a Sunday afternoon.
Some things to keep in mind about Two Chefs: It's TINY. Like, there's nowhere to wait inside. And since it is popular, there's likely going to a wait. And you're going to be waiting outside. Make sure your whole party is with you, or they'll bypass you for the next group. And if by whole group, you were thinking a large party of 6, think again, I'd suggest Two Chefs when it's just you and your closest crew. "Table for 2 please." They also stop taking tables at 2:15ish. We got there at 1, and it was enough time.
Servers and hostessing staff seem to be run off of their feet. It's fair, it's busy. But it's also really small, so their put-off attitudes feel amplified. It's noticeable and detracts from the magical feel of the space. A little smile, some banter, maybe even a water refill or a quick check in during our meal. I'd smile back :) None of this put me off enough to not come back. No, Two Chefs, I feel a little too fluttery around your menu! I love you, regardless. Je t'aime!Listed in: Breakfast and Brunch in…, Gastown Hotspots
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Review from Larry L.
12/31/2011
Have you ever had one of those lazy afternoons where you call up a dear friend to have brunch and not need to really say too much to each other? It's just two people having a day out, a common bond between each other and the food.
This day, at Two Chefs and a table was just that.
The sun came out, it was a nice crispy winters day.
Perfect for a weekend brunch in the outskirts of old Japan Town that is slowly seeing a small resurection of specialty shops like Lou's Butcher shop just down the street.
Two Chefs and a Table was one of the first places I wanted to Yelp about but never really got the chance to try it until now. You know how you have expectations of what it should be like, after reading glowing reviews and word of mouth that in your mind, you kind of put it on a pedestal before you even get to try it?
I always try to put things into perspective about food and food services and base it on their customer demographics, the style of food and the their price points.
I would give it a 3.5 for today's breakfast, a 4 for service, 5 for style and presentation of the place. I liked the way it looked and felt.
Cost factor here is decent. I guess middle of the road. Not cheap, but not expensive for what you get. Some of the dishes I saw were pretty large and the food quality seemed good. I think on some dishes, it would look like you got very good bang for the Loonie.
I ordered the quiche with a side of sausages for $3 more. No particular quantity, on the sausages which depended on the size of the links and would determine how many you'd get for $3.00. Today, I got two.
The sausages were from Lou's Butcher shop, just down the street and they are good. Not greasy, not laden with fat but all meat and seasonings.
The quiche was an average slize and came with chunky pan fried taters, skin on and seasoned nicely. I'm not much of a potato fan, but I ate my share.
After picking through H's breakfast of scrambled eggs, and a bit of her sausage, I was fuller than full, potently bursting at the seams and felt a bit like Whimpy after two cheesebugers and fries before gladly paying on Tuesday.
The nice thing about our meal was that it wasn't greasy. I mean, yeah, we/I like greasy breakfasts, but it's not always good for the body. Especially for me. I love to eat and sometimes I don't know when to stop.
Be careful with the salt shakers. They sprinkle with abundance. (if that means anything).
I like this place.
typed with two fingers and a thumb. (can't you tell?)Listed in: Le petit déjeuner pour grande…
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Review from Robin M.
11/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Easily seduced by impossibly high ceilings, gorgeously polished wood, opulent crystal chandeliers draped from thick wooden beams, celestially white walls and unsuspectingly impressive washrooms (yes), it's not difficult to imagine why the space in Two Chefs tugs at my heart. That is, after all, their space.
Friendly, fast, impressive -- the food *and* staff here are both comforting and accessible. Nothing too out of the ordinary, nothing too ornate, everything a reflection of this particular spot in the world, there's not one thing I dislike about the place. Decent wine list, well-rounded brunch menu, a charcuterie plate that is calling my name and a communal table to share.
Local, simple, fresh -- stay classy, Two Chefs.Listed in: Five Star Holler, Communal Table Love
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Review from Matt L.
Vancouver, BC
3/4/2012
As a long-time resident of Gastown, I'm always excited when new restaurants open to explore, especially when they offer a brunch menu! I've been to Two Chefs a handful of times now, and although the food is always reasonably good (and they make a mighty fine Ceasar!), my group and I pretty much always say we're never going to go back. Why? Because there's one server/host (possibly manager?) there who never fails to make us feel completely unwelcome and practically scolds us for doing something "wrong", pretty much every time we're there.
Today we were standing outside waiting for our table (as it's a tiny restaurant, there's very little room to wait inside), and Mr. Condecending popped his head out the door and told us they were preparing a table for us. I made a small movement towards the door, and he said in a stern tone, "STOP. WAIT. Did you SEE anyone come out yet?? You have to WAIT for other people to leave first". I felt like I'd committed some huge mistake and should go sit in the corner or something. Another time I was there, the same server was bringing us our food and was leaning across the table with a large plate which looked a little precarious, so i made a motion with my hands to offer to take it from him. He immediately said "Whoa, NEVER do that!! NEVER EVER do that!". I just put my hands in the air like I was being arrested, while the rest of my party looked at each other in a state of silent shock until he left our table.
My friends have all had similar experiences, and while I can forgive someone having a bad day (and certainly wouldn't write a negative review based on one experience), we've pretty much just decided that he's a jerk all the time. Comparisons have been made to the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld; I don't think I've ever seen him smile. To be honest, every time I go I not-so-secretly hope that he's not going to be there. Every other server in the place is completely wonderful, so it's a huge drag that I have such a negative impression of the place due to one person. However, being constantly worried that I'm going to do something to annoy the server and be berated for it isn't my idea of an enjoyable experience, and I've thus decided that I won't be going to Two Chefs anymore.Comment from Paul D. of Two Chefs and a Table 3/20/2012
Hi Matt, Please accept our apologies for your visit. We've… More » -
Review from Vincci L.
Just as good as I remembered.
This time I had the smoked salmon benedict. Hollandaise, and the home made English muffins were excellent. Note that their eggs for the benedict are cooked medium, which means no runny yolks. Be sure to let them know if you want your eggs undercooked.
French press coffee, good food, cute space. Yes, I still love this place.Listed in: Brunching.
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/27/2010
My most recent visit here was wonderful. A rainy Sunday morning, cold and damp, and it was this… Read more »
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Review from Theresa W.
9/21/2011
Had reservations for dinner with a large group, and we got seated at the big table. Surprisingly, it wasn't very busy for a Saturday, though the place is tiny so reservations seem like a good idea if you're more than a party of two.
The food was all good, though nothing was particularly astonishing. It was all just well done and delicious. I particularly liked the duck confit salad--a full crisp and juicy thigh over a bed of greens and the shoestring fries. The risotto was creamy though not as rich and flavorful as I'd hoped for. Everyone else raved about the mac and cheese which had lovely bits of crunchiness going on--panko crumbs?, but I think I'm just not the biggest mac and cheese person. The portions are very generous, especially when it comes to the sides--they should warn you that those can easily be shared amongst three people, and the duck salad was plenty to split between two people as a starter.
They had a small but thoughtful selection of cocktails and each cocktail seemed to have its own size/shape of ice. Some kind of bartender secret? The staff couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating--dishes that we indicated would be shared were helpfully served on two plates, they turned down the ac because we were freezing, and unusual for a fine dining place, they were happy to allow each of us to decide to order a la carte or to do the chef's menu.
I'd definitely come back next time I'm in Vancouver. -
Review from Sebastian T.
Vancouver, BC
12/11/2011
One of my favourite brunch spots. Great food (porchetta hash is awesome!), french press coffee, cute little space that feels intimate, fun and stylish. All good things.
Only downside is there's no waiting area (except outside) and the staff is sometimes a little... 'gruff' is how someone put it... ignore them and enjoy the amazing food! -
Review from Herman E.
12/18/2011
Part one of an eat fest today.
Finally hauled my a$$ here after wanting to get here for so long. Glad I made it. I was quite happy about what I got. Brunch was being served and we were eating at practically 2:00PM and didn't have to wait for a table at all.
House made sausage was made of actual minced pork with herbs. Very nice change from the (garbage mass produced) stuff that you get at other restaurants. Potato hash was not actually hash browns but are boiled potatoes that have been seasoned with herbs and grilled nicely. Sweet ham served with Big Lou's breakfast was also very tasty.
I was very surprised to get French pressed coffee - was not expecting it. Another treat.
Very rustic interior and nice atmosphere, in a neighbourhood that is a bit rough around the edges.
I'll be back. for dinner someday. -
Review from Paul R.
Vancouver, BC
2/27/2012
Brunch
Up for a (sunny) Sunday spin on the bike and ended up here as I recalled they open earlier for brunch than most others.
Inviting room, rustic white-washed old bones, great art and lighting. Nice corner with interesting big windows..
Sat at the bar/kitchen and watched the place promptly fill up as the busy staff did their thing. Calm vibe, retro 80's tunes.
Ordered the 'hash' and coffee. French press coffee was 'muddy'. Not sure why.
Great poached eggs, decent hash browns, chopped (zucchini?) veggies were just ok. A bit too 'browned'.
The entree surprisingly came with (whole wheat, yuck!) toast, that they bring in from a bakery. Tried it because of their home made jam.
Might try it again based on the early opening and nice room and congenial service. -
Review from Melissa K.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 1/16/2012
I'm updating my review since I come so much...around 2-3 times a week. The food here is so good and fresh, and the staff are always friendly. Their prices are great for what they offer. Their lunches range from 10-13$ and there's always free parking. The chef's salad is my favorite. Their chicken wrap is delicious but I'm never hungry enough to get it. My friends swear by the chicken and waffles, and they've had it at other places and agree that Two Chefs is the best for that. I've also tried their curry rice bowls which are delicious. Their brunches are good and sometimes they switch up the menu. They have fixens like vanilla butter and home made jam (different flavors each time). Their bread also varies. Get there early, or be prepared to stand in line.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/15/2011
This is probably one of the best restaurants in town. Went for lunch yesterday and had the chefs… Read more »
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Review from Realtor Darius D.
Vancouver, BC
2/6/2012
Stopped here for brunch and there was a line @ the door. This place if very cute and off the beaten-path. Great looking menu but I'm just sorry I may have picked the wrong dish (scrambled eggs with bison). I expected cubed meat but it was ground and cooked with the eggs.....not my thing really. I like the overall feel of the place and expect that when we go back it'll be for dinner.
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Review from Cooking D.
9/16/2011
At 9:30am we arrived as early birds. We are the first customers. It feels good to be the first. I am a tourist and on a mission to eat good breakfast. Here I was at an interesting junction of a neighborhood that went through urban gentrification.
Coffee follows shortly after we sit down. In 20 minutes the whole restaurant is completely full. Menu is short and straight to the point. Perhaps the "two chefs" were cooking away in an open kitchen that I had enjoy watching. The banana butter, syrup and home made jam were delicious. The egg yolk was super fresh in bright orange color. These details are crucial on the breakfast table to me. Everything is visually pleasing. There were loads of potato that I cannot finish. The pancake is the best of all. I highly recommend. Good job! Two chefs. -
Review from N F.
Vancouver, BC
9/18/2011
After my friend had read some of the reviews of this restaurant on Yelp, we were stoke to try this place out for brunch. However, never got to since we got fed up with waiting to be seated for more than 20 minutes in a tiny waiting area, crammed together with 5 people (+4 of us) and having to shuffle around everytime the door opened.
There were tables available to seat everyone waiting, but the waiter told us that he was instructed not to seat anyone as they were backlogged.
It was a bit baffling to us that we were not allowed to be seated, especially when we could see that there were open tables. We would not have minded if they did not take our orders right away (given the explanation that they were backlogged) - we just wanted to sit!
Would love to try this place in the future, but will probably call ahead next time to see if there is a long wait. -
Review from David F.
Vancouver, BC
5/26/2011
Read a lot of reviews about the brunch and lunch, but not so much about dinner, so I wondered how that would fare. Well, it was fantastic. We had the set dinner and it was really wonderful. Expertly prepared and decent portions.
Dinner started with an amuse bouche of chicken liver parfait on a cracker. Just a small thing, but an amuse bouche! This was followed by a wonderful beat salad with Salt Spring Island goats cheese. Simple, but perfectly prepared and delicious. After that, we had a duck confit plate. Good portion again. Nice big chunk of duck confit with pickled onion and some other bits. Time for the main? Nope. One more starter. This was a mushroom risotto which was divine.
Now finally the main. I had a rare tuna with chorizo and broth with mussels. It was outstanding. Everything was served perfectly cooked and hot, right out of the big open kitchen which was clearly in view.
The service was excellent. Friendly, efficient and charming. I have read some things about service issues, but I have no complaints here at all.
The room is charming and eclectic and so unlike so many Vancouver restaurants. Feels more like something I would find in Montreal, and that's a good thing. My only issue is the hard wooden seats. I don't know why hard seats are considered appropriate in a nice restaurant. They weren't the most comfortable, but not that big a deal compared to all the positives.
Only other thing to mention is that the set menu is quite different each night. I love that. I saw someone order a steak frite which looked amazing too. Huge pile of shoestring fries and a good size chunk of steak.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention the dessert. It was simple, but delicious. I had Chocolate pot de creme and my wife had creme brulet. Classics, but perfectly done and delicious. This was a five star experience. -
Review from Benson H.
Vancouver, BC
12/11/2011
A brunch review:
It's the tiniest place for a meal but very inviting nonetheless. The coziness does make you feel like you're at the (2) Chef's Table as it seats a maximum of 28. I made it there for brunch on a Sunday afternoon and I was glad to have a spot.
It has been a while since that visit but I can remember the flavours were all very clean and tasty, which left me ready for the rest of the day ahead of me. Usually if I'm going to pay for someone to make me breakfast, I would not order the usual eggs and sausages because that's something I'd whip up at home. But in this case it was an exception because of their home-made sausage (delicious with sweet dijon mustard) and the perfectly sweet ham. I whole heartedly agree with all the other reviews regarding their perfectly combination of a beautiful cozy space and yummy food to make you forget about the rest of the day. Next time I go back - their chicken and waffles. It was definitely the most popular item on the brunch menu.
Also can't wait to go back to try dinner and do another review. But during the holiday season, they are so booked up with private events in and outside the restaurant, that you need to call ahead to see which day they have regular dinner service. No dinner service as usual on Sundays/Mondays, and with all the private functions they only have Wednesday this week. If you are interested in a private function in the restaurant, they can seat 26 comfortably, 28 maximum, and around 38 for a standing reception. -
Review from Reena M.
10/24/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Oh my! This little hidden gem is an unsuspecting restaurant for brunch (and dinner) tucked away in a little corner of the downtown eastside. As soon as I saw the entrance (which I almost missed because it's very inconspicuous), I knew I was in for a treat.
A short perusal through the menu directed me to ordering a benny since they make all of their own English muffins in house. I decided to go with the crab benedict, and it was only $9. In fact, i don't think any of the brunch items were over $10. What a deal for fantastic food! They also have bottomless french-press coffee for $2.50! The benny was great, and quite rich. The hashbrowns they came with were delicious! I was worried that since the price was low, there probably wasn't enough food on the plate but my worries were in vain. There was just enough, maybe a bit too much for me.
We didn't have to wait at all for a table since we were just two. But I noticed groups of 4 or more definitely had a wait. And on a rainy day this isn't fun since they won't let you wait inside (it's so small already!). I found the service to be just on time and polite.
Move over Twisted Fork, I think I just met your match! The two chefs have a new fan.Listed in: The Morning After...brunchity…
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Review from Jenna L.
1/27/2011
I love this place! The location is a bit mah... but nothing dangerous or anything. I in fact walked from Gastown to the restaurant, but of course with 3 more girls not by myself.
The Eat Drink festival allows one entree and a glass of wine.
I had Coq Au Vin and it was excellent. The potatoes were a bit chunkier and not as soft as I'd like it to be but the meat was good. The portion was generous. I think I should have had the Bourbon instead of the red. The red was a bit too strong for me....
The place was nearly empty except us, and it was Saturday night at 6PM. Friends had tuna and one other thing on the menu....
The service was ok, the girl was very nice, attentive. But otherwise left us to chit chat and laugh throughout the dinner. -
Review from Stephanie M.
Vancouver, BC
11/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
I came here on the recommendation of a friend who had a good experience, and I wasn't disappointed. I do however have one complaint: I don't know if it was a particularly busy Sunday or they were short-staffed, but it felt like the place was far too busy for what it could handle as they made us wait for 20-25 minutes before letting us order (the chef was apparently too overwhelmed to take more orders right away). They also indicated that they were running out of certain food and did not have fruit or salad prepped. So much for any substitute for my toast... I was worried at first that they literally wouldn't be able to feed us and we'd have to go elsewhere, and this place is definitely off the beaten path.
Aside from that initial hiccup, my omelette (with spinach, tomato, roasted chicken and brie) was great and my fellow diner's fritatta (with bociccini, tomatoes, basil and pesto) looked amazing. The potatoes were very tasty, too. It's worth noting that once we did order our food came quickly, and our server was apologetic about the delay. They also serve bottomless French press coffee.
Overall I think this place needs to be better equipped for the crowds because word is obviously spreading that this is a great brunch spot. It is hidden away but worth the trip, especially when you consider that the prices are a fair bit less than a downtown restaurant but you're still getting high quality food. -
Review from tee a.
2/24/2011
My favorite brunch place!
Yes, it is super busy on the weekends, never a fan of communal washrooms and sometimes the area isn't the best to walk around in... BUT this place is so good!
French pressed coffee, huge open kitchen so you can smell and see your food being prepared. The menu is innovative and different. The pancakes w/ apples are a must try.. No rooty tooty fresh and fruity here.. they mean serious pancake business!
Tip: if you're not a big salt fan, make sure ask for no salt on your potatoes.. sometimes they can be over seasoned. -
Review from Dennis T.
North Vancouver, BC
4/8/2011
This tiny little place has plenty of charm and very tasty food! I had the Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich with Fries and it was delicious. The chicken was so moist and the bun and veggies were very fresh. My friend had the Joe's Special Breakfast, a beef, spinach cheese and mushroom scramble, and he said it was great too.
Service was excellent from the cheerful staff at the end of a busy lunch rush. I'll be back here soon when I need to impress a client. Truly a diamond in the rough(est part of town). -
Review from Derek W.
10/23/2010
Don't let the location fool - or scare - you. Just shoot a friendly smile toward the Downtown Eastside locals, enjoy the free parking (to the East and Northeast - to the West you'll find meters) and head into this little 30-seat bistro.
Lunch is delicious and affordable, with nothing over $10. If you have a party larger than 2, be sure to arrive just before noon. It is usually empty at ten minutes to, with a lineup out the door by quarter after. The servers are all well trained and professional, though they are as likely to sit two smaller parties in the same table, which can be potentially awkward.
In typical French style, the bulk of the lunch menu is sandwiches, but they fill it out with some delicious international fare, including a daily rotating vermicelli bowl (my favorite is the Singapore bowl on Friday), mac and cheese, and a near-perfect Pacific Salmon Salad.
The room is flanked by massive, beautiful windows, making a very bright eating space for lunch. The only real hang-up for me is the decor, which seems somewhat contrived and weak. But that's a small price to pay for a perfect croc monsieur.Listed in: Railtown - Eats, Studios, and…
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Review from Gale L.
Vancouver, BC
3/17/2011 5 Check-ins Here
The location, "building" and inside excite me. The bread didn't.
Salad was colourful and tasty and duck breast with risotto perfect. The charcuterie board was good but not good enough for those really familiar with charcuterie.
Short, like Two Chefs and a Table and will go back! -
Review from Annika R.
Vancouver, BC
3/7/2011
I was very impressed when I went to Two Chefs for the first time. We had brunch and I simply loved the funky room and the clientele. I had the Croque Andre which is basically a version of a Croque Monsieur.
I just went back this weekend and had the same thing - mainly because I liked it so much the last time. This time I was pretty disappointed. The hollandaise didn't taste right, the hash had no flavour. I liked the fruit pancake which we had on the side but that was it. My brunch partners weren't over the top excited either.
Really no idea what happened as my last visit was less than a month again. I would like to go back and try dinner but will favour some other places before heading back.
Maybe they just has a bad day. -
Review from iain m.
Vancouver, BC
12/3/2011
I don't know if I went on an off-day, or what. The menu was well-conceived and beautifully presented, but perhaps not-well executed.
Everything had a flavour of slightly old, or scorched oil. It might have just been a problem with that night, or I might just be a snob. For what it's worth, my bad experience was enough to make me not want to give them a second try.
That said, the concept is great, the decor is wonderful and the service is 5-stars. -
Review from Whitney L.
Vancouver, BC
2/17/2011
What a great spot (on an edgy part of town). Loved the atmosphere, service and the food. Reminded me of the neighborhood restaurants that you would find in NYC.
Had a great salad - options range from burgers, pastas, noodle bowl, to sandwiches. Everyone looked happy to be there and more than satisfied with their food.
Great pricepoint
Only drawback is location in the city ( DTE ) and that you may have to wait in line... -
Review from Ernesto G.
Updated - 4/25/2011 3 photos
Solid!
Came here for lunch last week and had the Chicken Cordon Bleu Burger with a side salad. Tasty and healthy. Loved it!Listed in: I LOVE BRUNCH
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/20/2011
Fantastic Brunch!
Came here for Sunday Brunch for the first time and was blown away by the food.… Read more »
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Review from Jesse T.
Vancouver, BC
7/2/2011
Review Update/Comment 7/19/11
Having read the owners reply to my original review I feel it necessary to amend/qualify my comments. My review of Two Chefs and a Table (TCT) was one of my first on yelp and I now regret my failure to first email the restaurant with my concerns prior to posting negative comments. It is very true that mistakes do happen (to err is human) and I did have a number of very positive experiences at TCT before that which I detailed below. On balance it was rash of me to dismiss the restaurant due to a solitary negative experience. If I do take the restaurant up on their offer to have me visit again, I will write a follow up review. In the meantime I am reflecting on the disproportionate impact that negative reviews by anonymous reviewers like myself can have on well-intentioned (and this case highly innovative) proprietors. I really do appreciate the owner taking the time to write to me, an indication that he or she both cares about their business and listens to their customers. I have bumped my review to three stars from two, an assessment that is more reflective of my overall dining experience at TCT over several visits not only of my one unfortunate morning meeting with a piece of chicken that was prematurely out of the oven and onto my plate.
Original Review 7/2/11
"I discovered this little gem of a restaurant two or three years ago and it quickly became a favourite. With only seven or eight tables, it has an intimate ambience that's about a million miles away from factory restaurants like milestones or the like. Every breakfast I had there until my last was above average, usually boasting creatively cooked local ingredients.
Unfortunately it was that last terrible experience that has led me to knock my rating down from what would have been five stars to a stingy two. I ordered fried chicken and waffles, which I've discovered are an unlikely but heavenly combination. The first few bites were close you're eyes, take a moment to savour, delicious. Quite simply, a wonderful start. Then I noticed .... the chicken was quite raw in the middle. Damn.
Once I got the attention of our server the meal was taken away and they comped it. Really that was the least they could have done. I don't know about you, but for me raw chicken is about as gross as it gets and I really felt they could have made more of an effort to make amends.
On weekends like this I feel a little sad that I won't return, as I'd grown quite fond two chefs and a table. Perhaps this was a one off but even so just once biting into a raw piece of chicken is one to many times for me."Comment from Paul D. of Two Chefs and a Table 7/19/2011
Hi Rick, First off, let me us apologize for what happened.… More » -
Review from geraldine g.
Toronto, ON
4/17/2009 1 photo
This is a review for their brunch. See photos I posted.
You want to know what my favourite part of my experience was? You'll never guess. It was the bodum of coffee. I loved it!! Seriously, if you could drink more than that at brunch...you, my friend, drink alot of coffee.
I'll admit, I have not had the opportunity to try their dinner menu. It's not out of the question for me after you have read the review.
I will say this, the presentation was clean but unexciting. Not that this is the main reason for not enjoying the meal. If anything, it gets me excited at the giant white serving plate in front of me!
I love breakfast food! The food was properly cooked but I , like another reviewer, found the side of potatoes a little on the soft side. It needs a bit of crunch to contrast the soft scrambled eggs. Speaking of the eggs, they too were just just shy of flavourful. It wasn't bad but everything else was just A-ok.
I really wish they added some fruit to the plate.
I guess, when I see a small and polished restaurant with impeccable everything, I expect to the food to follow through. I rarely have this expectation from a greasy spoon. There is something to be said about a restaurant that is beautiful but the food doesn't have the same follow through.
Now the service was great!! Can't be faulted for that.
Would I go again? Sure. If someone wanted to I wouldn't be opposed to it. It wasn't greasy. Things were cooked well except the potatoes. I might know that for the next time round to bring my own fruit and season the eggs a wee bit.
Reasonably priced.
I will add a side note. My friend was neurotic about parking here. We decided to sit where we could see the car. There is an array of strange people walking around. If you aren't used to the area that thought may cross your mind.Listed in: BRUNCH/ BREAKFAST
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Review from Sara C.
Vancouver, BC
10/24/2011
I eat here all the time at lunch and it's quite good. I'm writing this because today I had salmon and boy was it over-cooked! Very disappointing for such a forgiving fish. Judging by their over-all quality, I'd say this is probably just a one-off mistake, but I hope they read this and are more careful with their salmon cooking times!
Comment from Paul D. of Two Chefs and a Table 11/1/2011
Thanks so much for letting us know. I've passed the comment… More » -
Review from Kathleen L.
Vancouver, BC
9/30/2011
I love the decor and the size. There's a couple of issues I have with this place. The service is different every time. Sometimes they are friendly and sometimes they downright snobby. Have been there 5-6 times and it varies every single time. Secondly, the music is terrible. I personally find music to be a great enhancer of ambiance. Their music choice is crap. Seems like 90's soft pop and rock on some satellite station. The food is also hit or miss. Some days it is fantastic and some days my food is undercooked. I still kinda love the joint because of the feel and the owner. They just need to work on a couple of things.
