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Voya - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants French French [Edit]
Loden Hotel1177 Melville St
Vancouver, BC V6E 0A3
Neighbourhood: Downtown
(604) 639-8692
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
25 reviews for Voya
Review Highlights
-
"...timeless) - plymouth, lillet blanc, white chocolate, lemon." In 5 reviews -
"Wax Poetic in the Twentieth Century." In 6 reviews -
"...creative made by Jay Jones - a Vancouver establishment on..." In 3 reviews
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25 reviews in English
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Review from Shelley B.
Vancouver, BC
2/22/2011
Downtown, at the Loden Hotel. Where you'll find more twisting of classics than there are loops in the shag carpet. One of the low booths by the fire is a great spot to reminisce at a slow pace, luxuriously and languidly loping through all your long ago days and all their not-so-long-lasting cocktails. The staff are really knowledgeable in this suave lounge - it's like somebody took the 70's on a business casual shopping spree to Holts. Have a Wax Poetic, the best drink in town. But if you're prone to bourbon whiskey bringing out the over-opinionated in you - ask to have it made with gin instead of Maker's Mark. It's delicious.
Makes me feel like i've been busy sailing the high seas and have landed on mild feet here, to finally get back in touch with future aspirations and the good ole drink. What...can't the two be combined? -
Review from Ligaya T.
11/14/2009
There's a very good reason Voya is nestled into a place of rest: their uttering ravishing, potent cocktail menu. It's no doubt sparked a few twilight trysts and/or impromptu horizonals. These are the things of date night, nightcap dreams.
Divided into inspirational and aspirational libations, the selection runs the gamut, from gentlemens classics to contemporary styles. Tipplers, brace yourselves...
Serendipiti (enchanting) - morin calvados vsop, stellar's jay brut, apple, mint
Twentieth Century (timeless) - plymouth, lillet blanc, white chocolate, lemon. This tasted like a light, frothy lemon merengue and was executed flawlessly.
Mackinnon (philosophical) - drambuie, havana club anejo, citrus
Wax Poetic (sassy) - maker's mark, agave nectar, peychaud's bitters, grapefruit
Extra points for guessing which one I sipped, falling deeper into their sunken leather armchairs. The interior offered a splash of vintage and sumptuous textures in a relaxing palette with a few estate sale decorations scattered about in Ian Schager-ish fashion.
Don't write this place off as just another boutique hotel lounge with fine-boned servers, dim lights and a deep house soundtrack; the spouts pour forth liquid gold.Listed in: Real Cocktails, Visting Vancouver!
-
Review from beki L.
Vancouver, BC
1/6/2010 ROTD 2/10/2010
Never heard of this place...probably never woulda have...thnks to a sweet guy (on a sweet date!), you shall be graced with a review by moi!
first of all, what a beautiful place! the lounge/bar area is classy and simple and not overdone at all. but once you get into the dining area, its transformed to this open elegant 5 star restaurant with an array of amazing chandeliars hanging from the ceilings. wow...i walked in, being my first time, and just stared and stared. we sat down at a table... and started chatting and then the bar lady walks over and starts to apologize profusely. she thought we were just coming in to look and didint realize we were there to eat...the dining area was closed..so we were moved to the lounge.
no love was lost for that lil mishap. they took our coats..checked them away and gave me a ticket so i can retrieve it back.
we started with a great bottle of beer..innes and....something? for all your avid beer drinkers, i hang my head in shame for i have forgotten the name AGAIN!!! irish beer? supposedly extremely expensive.. (that is what my roommate said after i told him what he ordered for us).. anyway...
starters we shared the sliders... never had a mini burger...but these were awesome. it has the perfect ratio of burger, bacon, cheese and greens stuffed between those lil' buns... being a gentleman, my date offered me the last one....me, being a perfect lady, offered him half of it =)
for dinner i had the seafood char.... soft, flakey, melt in your mouth fish with a balance of blackened skin to add that char flavour. Mmm..Mmm..mmmmmm.....
it was a lil' awkward eating the meals in the lounge since the tables are small and not the most agreeable height..but we made do... fantastic meal!! and great service. -
Review from Akiko T.
5/31/2009
Ooooh. What a sexy place this is! Definitely come here for cocktails and snacks!
The vibe and service here is incredible... think: Ian Schrager. Dark woods, neutral color scheme, pale blue and zebra accents.
The bartender was great at steering us away from drinks he didn't like and doctored up something for me... it was a Basil & Coriander Infused Gin with Aloe Juice and Rose Essence. Very pretty and refreshing. My friend had a Kumquat Infused Vodka and Soda which was quite refreshing as well.
Food wise, order both the Coconut Shrimp and Tuna Tartar! Both were excellent! -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
Wax Poetic in the Twentieth Century. No this is not the name of a song or film, these are two outstanding cocktails at Voya. Cozy, dark and comfy, this place could easily be a new neighbourhood haunt for me... if I lived within walking distance. Ironic, isn't it? A local secret space for a nightcap within the walls of a hotel!
As I send myself to dreamland I'm inspired to quote some words from the fair Emily Dickinson:
I taste a liquor never brewed-
From Tankards scooped in Pearl
Not all the Frankfort Berries
Yield Such an Alcohol -
Review from Jenna H.
Vancouver, BC
9/5/2009
I went to the penthouse at the Loden for their Thursday evening patio party and my jaw dropped as soon as the elevator binged opened! Walking around the ultra pimp pad made me dream of what I could do in life to generate copious amounts of cash so someday I could be a baller and stay there! Really, it is equal parts stunning, breathtaking and exquisite. The interior decor of the penthouse is beautiful and the balcony is likely 1500 sq ft. It all smells like success!
Amazing panoramic views of Coal Harbor combined with sexy people sipping and mingling is a favorable way to spend a Thursday evening...or at least in my humble opinion! -
Review from Yiling W.
9/7/2009
Decadently delicious ravioli. I forget the rest (it was fine). Service was sufficient. They serve a drink called the Desperado with Absinthe in it. The waitress kept offering to "fix it" for me, lest it be too strong --so of course I had to take it like a man..or something. My chair across from the booth seats was not very comfortable, but all the other ones in the restaurant looked very inviting.
This swanky joint is worth the splurge to kick off a classy night on the town with good, gourmet food that is surprisingly filling. Stash your car before you try to park downtown (unless you feel like paying for that too). -
Review from Katie F.
12/10/2009
4.5 stars.
After reading Ligaya T's decription of a lemon meringue cocktail, this moved up on my places to go list... very glad for that!
Had a bit of trouble finding the place since it's on Melville, a fairly quiet street downtown. Once I got in, loved the vibe of the hotel and the lounge/resto. Great decor and comfy chairs with nice lighting. Service is good in the restaurant.
Of course I had to have the "Twentieth Century" - plymouth, lillet blanc, white chocolate, lemon... this is light, a perfect pre-dinner drink, and just like lemon meringue!!
Ex-Lumiere chef Marc-André Choquette heads up the team and the dinner is solid. Had the soup of the day to start, which was a cream based squash soup... nice taste with a touch of sweetness. Bread service is average. My main was excellent - had the arctic char which had an amazing seared skin, veggies and goat cheese ravioli on the side - mmmm! I finished off with the chocolate dessert with a touch of salt and caramel... very interesting. Not one of my favorite desserts, but interesting mix of the smoothness of the mousse inside the chocolate shell contrasted by the caramel and salty bits and the sesame cracker. It grew on me while I shared it with the hubby.
Prices are reasonable for service and food quality/presentation - $12 for cocktails, $10-$15 for appys, and $25-$35 for mains. A touch higher than some places in town, but totally worth it.
So why not the elusive 5th star???
Well, I am a service snob and this for me starts from the point of arrival... this place needs improvement of their valet, esp. since Voya's entrance is the same as the hotel's entrance. I was surprised that there was no one at the door, and then when a lady came out, she clearly had never driven a BMW in her life... (now I know where the horror stories come from!) - she kept trying to push the start button on the car without the key fob in and asked me how to adjust the windows!
Anyway, the car came back fine, but this is not the best way to be greeted at the door. Valet is decently priced at $7 considering that this is the pricey meter part of town at $1 for 12 mins.
If their valet gets smoothed out, Voya would get the elusive 5th star from me :) -
Review from Stephanie M.
Vancouver, BC
11/23/2010
I really like the chic, sophisticated atmosphere here, complete with the beautiful marble fireplace and 40s-inspired vibe. The restaurant, being located just off the craziness of Georgia Street and Burrard Street, also feels much quieter and more relaxed than the usual rush-rush downtown crowd. The service was friendly and efficient without rushing you.
As for my lunch, I tried their soup of the day, which was pureed sunchoke and squash, and the ahi tuna salad. The soup was smooth, rich and creamy with perfectly blended flavours. The salad was very tasty; it included grape tomatoes, green beans, onions and quail's egg topped with a light olive dressing.
My only small complaint is that compared to other ahi tuna salads that I've had, I thought they were a little stingy on the tuna (I only got 3 small pieces). But the food was delicious and I would definitely come back to sample both the cocktails and some of the many other really interesting menu items. -
Review from Allen W.
11/22/2009
If you're looking for a swank restaurant, then look no further than Voya located in the boutique Loden Hotel. The restaurant and bar offer a 40's style glam with crushed blue velvet, mirrors, and chandeliers.
I've visited twice for dinner and enjoyed it both times. The menu offers a solid, modern twist on the basics (lamb shank, steak, halibut) and the cocktails are from heaven. My favorite drink remains the sazerac which is strong and indulgent.
Expect prices on the high side with approximate prices being: soups/salads $10-14, starters $15-19, entrees $23-30 and extra side dishes $7 each.
Voya is worth a visit and a great place to take out of town guests. The service is impeccable! -
Review from Rachel P.
Vancouver, BC
11/21/2010
I got to try Voya for the standard mid-week corporate lunch, which certainly seems to be their target demographic in their down town location. There were plenty of suits & ties lurking around the place and their interior has that semi-swish feel perfect to take a client to, although somehow still slightly feels like a hotel restaurant.
We had the duck rolls with roasted baby beets and apricot vinegar to start. This is kind of a "light meal" on the menu, but I would say that its definitely an appetizer only! If I tried to have only that for my lunch I would have passed out at my computer that afternoon, and it was certainly not enough nosh to soak up the two glasses of wine I nailed. Portions aside, it was tasty!
For our entrees I had the Pappardelle & Short Rib Pasta with chili garlic, pine nuts, and spinach. Nice big flat noodles and the short ribs were melt-in-your-mouth delicious! I tried my friends lunch as well (of course!) and her Cavatelli & Dungeness Crab Pasta with tomato, rapini, and lemon basil was fresh and tasty.
Overall, nice fresh food with good quality ingredients. Attentive service and nice, if slightly formal, atmosphere. Easily knocked over $100 for the two of us for lunch. Good business lunch venue, although I'm not too sure how I would have felt paying that much from my own pocket.
I would like to check out the vibe here for dinner, so will be back. -
Review from Joe L.
Vancouver, BC
9/8/2009
The restaurant is located in the boutique Loden Hotel hidden on the quiet end of Melville Street in Coal Harbour. I'm glad that I found out about the restaurant from simply walking by one day and have been twice already since I moved back to Vancouver less than 6 months ago. However, my patronage was also propelled by a $250 gift certificate I received from a good friend.
The bar selection is long. I had a sazerac the first time and a sugar shack the second time. They were so good that I savoured them during the entire meal. On my second visit, I had half a dozen of 3 different kinds of oysters to sample. Awesome selections from the restaurant. I order the halibut from the menu - a crispy and rich piece of fresh fish sitting on a bed of spinach in a light mussel chowder.
Service was friendly and very attentive.
The restaurant was quiet on our most recent visit a few weeks ago but it was a full house the first time we went there in April. We will definitely return even we have to pay full price next time. -
Review from Sunny S.
Vancouver, BC
2/17/2009
A few months ago I wrote about the Loden Boutique Hotel located in the Coal Harbor area which is now officially open. With months of delay, this beautifully designed hotel was well worth the wait.
This past weekend I dined with friends at the Voya, the new chic restaurant at the newly opened hotel. The room is a fair sized 80 seater with a 16 seat private room at the back. Adorned with large ceiling chandeliers, a zebra marbled two-sided fireplace and roomy velvet dining chairs it was a modern take on a New York City styled jazz bar straight out of the roaring 20's.
We were treated like royalty as Chef Marc Andre Choquette started us off with a complimentary plate of cheese puffs with spinach and artichoke dip. The rest of the evening went as followed: We started with a bowl of rich baked gnocchi dressed in ricotta, eggplant and tomato sauce and seared scallops laid upon green papaya and mint. We followed up with our mains, baked halibut dressed in chanterelles, capers and lemon to share; glazed roasted vegetables and sablefish bathing in a smoked paprika broth and scallop cappelletti. To top off the meal, we smacked our lips to the lemon curd tart topped with a handmade marshmallow and chocolate shavings.
Don't worry, you have all day and night to try the restaurant, the Voya is full service, meaning they are open for brunch, lunch, dinner and they have a lounge menu if you prefer something small to go with your after work cocktail mixed by Mixologist Jay Jones.
Voya at the Loden Hotel
1177 Melville St, Vancouver BC
604-639-VOYA -
Review from Kate T.
Vancouver, BC
3/7/2010
I love a good vintage cocktail. And Voya is one place to get them in Vancouver. Their cocktail menu is interesting and unusual, specializing in pseudo "Prohibition Era" drinks. You're not going to find your standard cosmopolitan here.
I've been here for just drinks and appys as well as a full dinner. I love coming a little early for an after-work drink - say around 4PM. It hasn't filled up then and the staff has a bit more time to chat and talk about their new drinks. I've met colleagues here and the atmosphere is very congenial.
I've also had dinner here with my partner and another couple. Very tasty food! What I would call good Canadian fusion cuisine. Some good big meat, great cheese, oysters. All yummy and delightful. I would definitely recommend for an intimate dinner or for a pair of couples, but not for a large group. Plus, depending on the night, the bar area does get full and a smidge rowdy, so go on a non-standard night :) -
Review from Joshua C.
7/11/2010
Four stars alone just for their cocktails. More specifically, the Twentieth Century. While doing my research for Vancouver eats and drinks, I came across Voya. It just so happens that Voya was the restaurant and cocktail lounge attached to my hotel, The Loden.
I knew I had to try the Twentieth Century because both Crystal H., the Vancouver Community Manager and Ligaya T., the previous East Bay Community Manager mentioned it in their reviews. One thing I know for sure is that Yelp Community Managers know their stuff.
It was our first night in Vancouver and after walking around the city, we settled in at Voya for a nightcap. The Twentieth Century is the perfect way to end the night. Plymouth, lillet blanc, white chocolate and lemon equals a sweet, tangy, frothy cocktail that is almost dessert like. Don't get me wrong though, this drink is a creeper. I sipped on mine and thought "Oh, this is nothing!" and a few minutes later I felt a wave of heat flash over me and I was buzzed!!
The bartender and staff at Voya were very nice. I asked them about the drink and they showed me the white chocolate syrup they used. We ended up talking about Vancouver, our plans to move there, what we should check out and things of that nature.
While I can't vouch for the food at Voya, it's definitely a place to check out cocktails. Whether it's a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap, Voya is the spot. -
Review from Natasha L.
2/28/2010
Each spoonful of the Meyer lemon sorbet is a cloud of cold, soft perfection. I never knew lemon can taste magically heavenly. The cheesecake is solid too, but the sorbet was the highlight of the dish.
The cocktails are reflective of the place, elegant, enchanting, and chic. What made our evening stood out though were the personal, caring touches: warm and friendly server, A large flat screened TV just for tomorrow's final hockey game, and the welcoming mood that can be elusive on such upscale dining establishment. -
Review from Rosemary R.
Vancouver, BC
2/2/2010
We've been to Voya a couple of times - once for dinner and most recently, for drinks and appetizers. We loved it both times and I'm finally getting around to writing a review.
Voya is that perfect mix of upscale decor and service but with a cozy, comfortable atmosphere. It's not too loud, so it's a great place for a drinks meeting or to hang out with friends you'd like to catch up with.
I think our favourite thing about Voya is the cocktail menu. They boast a variety of vintage cocktails for a variety of tastes; I like the girl drinks, so I always go with the Twentieth Century - plymouth, lillet blanc, white chocolate, lemon (it tastes like lemonade with a hint of white chocolate - incredible) and my drinking buddies both decided their favourite was the Last Word - tangueray ten, green chartreuse, maraschino, lime.
The lounge menu is delightful - we finally settled on mini tuna sliders (they were so good we had to order another plate of them) and even bar favourite nachos had a little something extra. And while the restaurant was filling up over the course of the evening, we never felt rushed or pressured to commit to "dinner" - the staff was very friendly and kept the water (and booze) flowing.
I'd definitely recommend Voya when you want to treat yourself to unusual cocktails - and while the dinner menu has changed since we were last there for dinner, I would recommend checking it out for dinner too. Interesting flavours but nothing too avant-garde - very upscale comfort food! -
Review from Victoria R.
BC
11/1/2008
This brand spanking new restaurant at the newly opened Loden Hotel is going to be a hit. The gorgeous, 1940's inspired room (appropriately decorated with Michele Kambolis's artwork) is so beautiful. The perfect place to sip something creative made by Jay Jones - a Vancouver establishment on his own - the cocktails are delicious. The Constantine made with Herradura reposado tequila, fresh tomato juice and a bit of veal stock was my fave ($12)! What can you expect on the menu? Share items are a great idea. The oysters, BBQ and sesame crusted frogs legs and lamb kebabs will set your taste buds on a culinary voyage. Expect to dish out a little for some of the mains,but it'll be worth it. And save room for the dessert. The on-site made lemon curd tart and chocolate marjani dome are seductive.
-
Review from Teresa S.
7/3/2010
This restaurant was an excellent introduction to Vancouver and presents drink mixology at its best! Try the "TWENTIETH CENTURY - timeless" drink with- plymouth, lillet blanc, white chocolate, lemon. It tastes like drinking a lemon meringue pie. It's the best drink I've ever tasted. Delicious!
-
Review from Steven V.
Surrey, BC
2/25/2010
This place is right out of the movies. The previous reviews do not do it justice. The menu follows the same guidelines as Chef Gordon Ramsay "... keep it simple and fresh." I had the bison rib eye and it was great. Now everyone please keep this in mind that this is a high-end fine dining establishment not your local pub. It is a little pricey, but if you want something really different and see how the rich and famous "appear" to live, give it a try.
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Review from Enzo R.
10/22/2009
Some of the city's best cocktails are made at Voya.Try the Glassy Junction, Piper Down, or Wax Poetic. All of the bartenders rock. I usually just hang out in the bar and have snacks so can't say too much about the food.
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Review from Aidan B.
10/7/2009
all i can say is ...
''_______________''. I was speechless. WHY?... because i was EATING!!!!!. the food here is amazing! i would give it 10 stars if i could. I stayed here for 3 days and had breakfast and dinner here and i swear to you... the food here is the best I've ever had. They dont cut corners! I met the pastry chef and i tried his chocolate cake; it was simply divine. I was in heaven. I want to go back just to eat here again. -
Review from Nic M.
Vancouver, BC
6/3/2009
I was invited by Amacon VP Mr. Randy Baker to lunch yesterday at the LODEN hotel, I was politely greeted by Maitre D' Shinko at the door, who was very gracious. Our waiter's Michael and Julianne were exceptional, first class service and attention to detail.
I am a vegetarian and was impressed in the way the staff handled my dietary requirements, a magnificent beet salad was concocted, so aesthetically arranged too with three different colours of beets etc. etc....great plate arrangement and good quality ingredients. I followed this with a delightful pasta and then a sorbet...excellent value. I would suggest this is possibly the premier lunch place in downtown, ideal for business or a special occasion.
As I was leaving I had the good fortune to hear my name called out by "Maestro Mixer" Jay Jones and was happy to chat with him, I'll definitely be back for some wine at the bar one of these evenings.
Excellent quality and excellent value. -
Review from Larry L.
Vancouver, BC
7/11/2010
Great location, easy parking and very good service. Great lounge for after work drinks too. However, we have an apartment on a high floor of the Melville (same complex) and the Voya held Thursday afternoon parties and played ridiculously loud music that bothered us all the way up on the 36th floor. But I digress. They have stopped the Thursday noise-fest and it's now a solid choice for any occasion.
-
Review from aiden b.
Vancouver, BC
10/4/2009
Small restaurant with decent food, but pricer than it really should be. Art deco interior and overall a cool place but the food is not as good as you think it would be. It's not bad... but I don't know just doesn't hit the spot. We used to eat here all the time, a couple time a week, but the fodd especially the dinner items are slipping. It also has weird hours like they're not really open for Sunday but the "lounge" which is something like 8 club chairs at the front of the rest, serves food. The burger is good, the nachos are spicy but for $14 on a saucer I want more or some kind of meat. It's just chips and cheese served with guac and sour cream. Better for lunch than for dinner. Prices are reasonable for lunch. Beet salad is really good, actually better than the one at Tratorria, loaded with beats and cheese. Parpadelle is good too. Poutine is bland. Mac and cheese used to be better but they change the recipe, different mushroom and lower quality cheese, if anyone from Voya is reading this, BRING THE OLD ONE BACK!!! Meatball are boring and bison is hit or miss. Like I said a good plac for lunch during the week but skip it for dinner. Dessert are better looking than tasting, but if u realy need it try the lemon tart with lemon icecream, the icecream is better than the tart.
Update
had a friend tell us that they went in for a bite and had really bad service, doesn't surpise me. We haven't been in for a while because the service is not good and the food is not much better anymore. Too bad, i could have seen myself spending a lot more dough here.
