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West Restaurant + Bar
Categories: Restaurants Nightlife Bars Restaurants, Bars [Edit]
2881 Granville StreetVancouver, BC V6H 3J4
Neighbourhoods: Fairview Slopes, South Granville
(604) 738-8938
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Mon-Sun 5:30 pm - 11 pm
Sun 11 am - 2:30 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
76 reviews for West Restaurant + Bar
Review Highlights
"Hubby and I both did the Autumn tasting menu."
(in 14 reviews)
"I would highly recommend West for special occasion."
(in 7 reviews)
"The foie gras just melts in your mouth."
(in 4 reviews)
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76 reviews in English
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Review from Nancy W.
Port Coquitlam, BC
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
West Restaurant is a contemporary seafood restaurant located in South Granville, Vancouver. It features seasonal seafood and Northwest cuisine conceived by Executive Chef Quang Dang and talented pastry chef Rhonda Viani. If you are familiar with Thierry (click), Blue Water Café, Cin Cin, Araxi than you should know West is also brought to you by the Top Table Group.
I have been to West on many occasions and after their revamped space my experience was more enjoyable. Two "chef's table" located adjacent to the presentation kitchen; a long cherry wood bar where cocktails are infused and a well-stocked temperature controlled wall for wine. The long dining area features a Werner Forster installation floats under the ceiling, Mario Bellini designed leather chairs paired with etched stone tabletops. The surroundings simply entice you while you are pampered by stellar service.
This year we decided to book a Dine Out experience here at West. We wanted to see what this restaurant had to offer during this "hate it or love it" event!
We began our meal with complimentary bread and olive oil. The bread is warm and fluffy and was also bottomless.
Appetizer
Carrot and Ginger Soup
A puree of permberton heirloom carrots, crispy shallots and fine herbs and cilantro. The soup itself was a light and refreshing with a hint of spice.
Fraser Valley Trout Salad
A bed of arugula spring greens served with soft poached quail egg smoked mayonnaise. Initially it appeared to be a simple green salad, as you begin to brush the greens away you discover a stripe of delicious trout with black pepper croutons. The fish was exceptionally fresh and because of its preparation method, it was young with every bite.
Entree
Salish Sea Keta Salmon caramelized savoy cabbage with bacon, smoked salmon croquette served with parsley vinaigrette.
Normally one would jump to conclude that salmon on salmon may be too much. But it was not the case. In fact it was two very distinct take on preparing said fish. Salmon filet itself was fresh, tender and juicy. Salmon croquette reminded me of a crab cake only more dense and had more bite. One is light while the other was rich. Add a pan seared scallops for $5.50 to give your dish more variety.
Apple cider braised pork cheeks caramelized gala apples, spiced cous cous, wilted winter greens natural jus
I really wanted to add some foie gras, but my friend doesn't. And to eat it alone may have been too much for myself alone given an early dinner. But if you ever have a chance, do give it a try - it is amazing! Back to the dish. The pork cheeks were soft, tender and falls apart as you gently tug it with your fork. Caramelized apples were warm and juicy. The acidity and the sweetness pairs well for an uplifted comfort meal.
Desserts (note: all desserts are made from scratch in house)
Roasted Spiced Apples with caramelized pastry fennel orange sauce and cranberry ice cream.
A delicious pastry of apple pie with a tart cranberry ice cream with cranberry bites added for texture. A chewy and crisp topping with a warm juicy center filled with apples.
Buttermilk cake with passionfruit curd pineapple salad, ginger crisps and frozen vanilla yogurt.
If you love the buttercake at Blue + Blue (click) you will also fall in love with this one. There is two unique experiences to be had with this one dessert. On the one side, you have frozen vanilla yogurt (sorbet like) that is tangy, tart yet sinful; it sits on top of a ginger crisp which sits on top of and soft fluffy cake bottom. The other side is a buttermilk cake with a hole thru the middle in which passionfruit puree is infused; sweet pineapple slices is layered on top. There are simply too many textures and intricacies that gave my taste buds an adventure.
Our experience at West was top notch from arrival, dining and departure. Service was professional, friendly and phenomenal... and that's the way it should be, especially for a Dine Out event! I am a loyal patron and will continue to be... -
Review from Robert B.
Vancouver, BC
1/28/2012
with the history and reputation West has, I was truly expecting more. Maybe those high expectations were what led to my disappointment. I felt that it was a lot of hype but the fundamental product (the actual food) was mediocre. wife and i both had the pan-seared fois-gras to start and it was very good. brioche toast was perfect. for mains, my wife had salmon which was over cooked and dry and a very small portion. i ordered small plates/à la carte and had the pork cheek which was also a bit dry and not too tender. the side of beets was unremarkable with another small plate of agnolotti which was over cooked (too soft, not al dente).
[edit feb 6,2012: the owner has responded to my criticism of the wine storage. please see his reply below] the wine list was extensive and included a decent selection under $100 as well as some of the best wines in the world (cheval blanc, ausone, yquem, etc.) but they are stored on shelves above the bar where the room temperature probably changes by at least 10 or 15 degrees from day to night and is probably a good 25C or more when the place is full. this is not how fantastic wine should be treated as it will be absolutely killed. anyone who spends over a thousand dollars on a bottle of wine that has been kept in those conditions does not know a thing about wine. they did have an amazing selection of digestifs though, all kinds of eaux-de-vie, grappa, cognac, armagnac, etc.
Our waiter was great but that didn't help the food. The sommelier poured my wine but left a huge drop of wine on the stark white formica table which would of been visible from 20 ft away and yet didn't wipe it up. neither did anyone else. i guess that was supposed to be my job. That's another thing, white formica tables in a place of this supposed calibre? i expect a table cloth and not to have my cutlery sitting on a bare table top. It is this lack of attention to detail that let me down.[edit feb 6, 2012: the owner has responded to my criticism of what i called formica. per his comment below, the table is stone. I still don't find it inviting no matter what it is as it is a cold, hard material. This point of view is entirely subjective depending on your preferences]
I also found the decor to be a bit on the garish side. and i wasn't thrilled with the decor either. it wasn't classic nor was it nice contemporary. it was kind of a tired 80s look, especially with that chrome swoosh thing on the ceiling. personally i think this is not the place for a true gourmet but rather someone who is a foodie-wannabe. is west a place "to be seen?"
Overall, I'm not saying it was bad, it just wasn't at all that good. i sincerely doubt that i would go back to West. Much better food and ambiance at Cru a few blocks away or at Pied à terre.Comment from Jack E. of West Restaurant + Bar 2/6/2012
Good afternoon Robert, Thank you for your recent visit to… More » -
Review from Liz M.
1/7/2012
I didn't do full research with this place. I had just yelped it and knew it was one that shouldn't be missed.
We were WAY under dressed. My solution? Sit at the bar and pretend you were going to do that the WHOLE time.
The bartenders there are by far the most creative, friendly, and just good guys. And I say this post-alcohol. David Wolowidnyk has won multiple awards, and he shared with us a few secrets. We tried two drinks (Bringing Sherry Back and The Last Word) he would be serving up in competition and turned my husband into a fan of cocktails! What really did it for me was the fact that after sharing my love for ginger beer, he goes to his pocket and gives me the copy of his recipe. Who does that?
We didn't need to try the food because I think we really had the best time watching and learning at the bar.Listed in: The Other Big Blue Wet Thing
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Review from Christine C.
Vancouver, BC
1/21/2012
One of our best restaurant experiences since we moved to Vancouver a year and a half ago. I'll make this short and sweet...the meal was delish, the staff educational and friendly and the atmosphere fantastic.
I can count on one hand how many times I have had a meal this expensive in this city and walked away truly feeling like I got my money's worth. Even more than that, this was a deal because it was a perfect date night.
Just try it. West will not disappoint. -
Review from Melody M.
10/23/2011
I have always passed this tiny restaurant when I'm shopping with friends in Granville but didn't think much of it. I had the opportunity to try the food at this place during a good friend's b-day.
First, the decor is modern and simple. Lots of tables for couples and a few round ones and booths for larger crowds. The seafood was spectacular. Each item, from the crab meat salad starter at the beginning to the main dish the ling cod was edible art. I couldn't decide wether to devour the food or just stare at it. So..... I took a picture so I'd remember how yummy the food tasted. My favourite was the caramalized scallop appetizer and the cauliflower soup with fish roe. I've never had soup this creamy.
The two downside was parking, yes you do have to hunt for paid street parking and the waitress was slow with cocktails. -
Review from Dia D.
11/7/2011 3 photos
We had a very nice meal here. The food was excellent and the service was knowledgeable and attentive without being intrusive. The atmosphere was modern but elegant.
I had the Sablefish with bok choy, mushrooms, and vegetable tempura in dashi consomme. Dessert was the Chocolate Tasting which included 3 desserts: dark chocolate coffee cream cake, hazelnut butterscotch ganache tartlette with hazelnut ice cream, and espresso ice cream sandwich with chocolate hazelnut wafers. The truffled fries were excellent. -
Review from Annie W.
9/21/2011
I once had a plate of squash ravioli with a truffle emulsion here that literally gave me chills. It was one of the best plates of anything I've ever put in my mouth.
West has always been a "special occasion" treat for me as, unfortunately, it's prices make it an unrealistic regular dining spot for mere mortals like myself. On almost every occasion I experienced near perfect service that was always attentive, but never intrusive. I always loved the fact that while West is clearly an upscale place, one could come in wearing jeans and a button up without anyone even giving a second glance. The food was always delicious, perfectly executed, and memorable - in addition to the ravioli, I can recall a spectacular sablefish dish that completely blew me away.
There was a single occasion where all of the above fell short. It was a Dine Out reservation, and from the moment we stepped in to the moment we walked out, it was sadly apparent that the "Dine Out" tables were being treated detrimentally different from the "regular" tables. There was no offer to hang up our coats, when scallops were accidentally left off a dish, they brought them out 15 minutes later on a separate plate instead of bringing the entire dish back to the kitchen, and an 18% gratuity was slapped on for our party of four.
Hence the 4* rating. Otherwise it would have been perfect. Consistency is the hardest thing for any restaurant to achieve, but that's what makes a world class restaurant what it is - the service, food, ambiance is the same for every single customer that walks through it's doors. Period. -
Review from Rita A.
10/16/2011
After visiting Vancouver over a dozen times, I have tried many of the great restaurants over the years, however trying something new did not dissapoint. A small restaurant with exceptional service and quality produce. Great Bar with extensive wine list and excellent cocktails. Food was quite special also. Using only local produce provided us with some really great flavours and tastes that were all super fresh. Really enjoyed my evening with a special friend and would highly recommend!!
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Review from Robert C.
Vancouver, BC
11/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I took my wife here tonight for her birthday and the smile on her face throughout the evening was the sum of our first experience. After a really great meal with wine, desert and coffee MY smile seeing the bill was the reason West is now in the rotation for special occasion meals. Service was great even though they had a tiny mixup with the 1st course, and our server specifically seemed to really know his stuff. It's not surprising when you eat at an expensive place and your server's ego gets in the way of their 'sell'...especially in this city. Not at West; not tonight. Thanks guys!
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Review from Danielle M.
Vancouver, BC
6/12/2011
Hands down, two of the best cocktails I've ever imbibed were made at the bar at West.
Not in the mood to choose something on the menu, I asked for a sour, gin based beverage. I was served "The Last Word". Perfection. Next I wanted something savory and gin based. The bar man put together a hot little cocktail with muddled jalapeno and cucumber. Bright and cheeky. Loved it! -
Review from Jeremy R.
7/13/2011
This place is really great.
When we went we had fish. My wife had a halibut with a foie gras foam and mushrooms.
I usually like my halibut uncomplicated, but I loved this dish. It was probably the best halibut I had. I typically don't like foams, but the foie gras foam was amazing.
It was a great dish at a great restaurant. -
Review from Kiwi W.
Vancouver, BC
2/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here with my friends for dineout. It was also my first time at this restaurant.
First off, I have to say that I loved our waitress. She was very friendly and super helpful. She explained to us what was in our dishes and recommended a very yummy wine to go with our meal.
Now the food... Honestly, the food was very average. I tried a bit of my friends' foods so I got to taste everything on the dineout menu, but nothing blew me away. The best part was dessert, which I can say was pretty tasty.
The food was also in very tiny portions. I expected the food to be much better for the price we were paying... Or if the taste wasn't exceptional, we should have gotten a bigger portion for an average tasting meal.
The place was also quite noisy... I felt like I was in a Chinese restaurant eating dim sum in the morning because of the super loud chatter from everyone and from dishes cling-clanging.
To sum it up: service was wonderful, but food was very average. -
Review from Suiki S.
Vancouver, BC
3/23/2011
Food - 4 stars
Ambiance - 4 stars
Décor - 4 stars
Service - 4 stars
Value - 4 stars
West located on the corner of Granville and 13th street on the South Granville shopping corridor serves outstanding contemporary regional cuisine with a modern twist featuring pristine local ingredients and ocean wise friendly seafood. The elegant dining room has an incredible high ceiling highlighted by a magnificent temperature controlled wall of wine collection. Furnished with deep cherrywood fixtures and a cocktail bar, the decor and atmosphere offers a modern yet classic elegance.
I ordered the 2011 Dine Out Menu ( $38 three-course meal)
Appetizer: Squid Tempura Quinoa, Herloom Radishes Salsa Verde - The tempura batter was done poorly and soggy.
Main: Lois Lake Steelhead Trout with Braeburn apple and bulgur salad, arugula, horseradish sabayon - The steelhead was nicely done - moist and tender accompanied by the horseradish sabayon was to die for.
Dessert: Coconut Tart featuring grapefruit curd, coconut, white chocolate ice cream and caramel - The medley of the coconut tart, grapefruit curd and ice cream was harmonious and mouthwatering. -
Review from Ramon V.
I really don't get the general fantasy that is attributed to West.
Here are some reasons why I disagree with the 5 star reviews:
1. It's not fancy. It may be that fanciness it attributed to service, decor, or ambience, but this is not fancy. The decor needs a complete overhaul. The white marble meets beige faux leather walls, the cheesy art, diamond shaped 80s lighting, and the high brightness of the place is not pleasant to look at - not even in the same league as other fancy established restaurants in town
2. It's not cozy. The bustle and noise level of the place does not make for a comfortable dining experience. My back was to a busy service aisle, and we were only a couple of feet away from the adjacent tables. The hard surfaces echo sound and it has the ambience of a busy hotel cafe with lots of people moving about. I've read the other reviews. Why anyone would consider this for a date is beyond me - except for showing off what you're willing to spend.
3. The food did not live up to the hype AT ALL. My starter was the squid in ink tempura, on quinoa. While unique and interesting, it wasn't spectacular. I was waiting for my taste buds to make something more of it. My main course was the short ribs with organic root vegetables. The ribs were 2 cubes of tender ribs, but each was cooked quite differently, and only one was good - the other was dry. This made me wonder if the dine out menu quality was perhaps taking a hit based on the demand. I was satisfied with it, but the regular menu has a slight variation of this for $39.50. Not something I'd be happy with at that price.
The chocolate mousse and profiterole dessert saved the menu a bit and was the first time I found chef quality in what we were eating.
The Dine Out experience for 3 with one drink each (virgin drink for the driver) came to over $60 each with tip, and we ventured a block away afterward for another drink and a side of fries, and West was quickly forgotten. -
Review from Dominique W.
Burnaby, BC
3/17/2011
Obviously only for very special occasions, or when you can someone else to pay.. because, buddy, this place is not cheap.
that being said... the food is stunning, and if you take your culinary vice seriously you MUST visit West at some point if spend any time in Vancouver. -
Review from Eva B.
1/30/2011
I went here for Dine Out Vancouver recently. I was so excited to try it out as a friend told me it was the best Dine Out experience she had ever had. Unfortunately I wasn't that impressed.
I ordered the minestrone soup to start and was so incredibly disappointed. The soup tasted like they had used a store bought tetra pack vegetable broth and just added a few vegetables and beans. The plating was nice, but I think the judges on Iron Chef would have given them a low score for taste. For my main I ordered the trout. It was good, but not over the top amazing and the portion was on the small side. In fact I felt like I was having another starter. Then came the dessert course, which was really good.
Unfortunately for me I left after eating a three course meal feeling a little bit hungry. I realize it is a tasting menu, but for the price, I don't want to have to go out after to get a snack. I wish I had taken the hint from the waiter and taken more bread.
I was offered to taste two of the cocktails ordered at the table. Both were extremely tasty. I think if I came back I would just have dessert and drinks as I felt that these items are the only things worth the price.
I must admit that the service was some of the best I have experienced in Vancouver. So if that is what counts for you to have a good meal then by all means go here. I do think it is time for West to update their decor. It screams early 90's hotel bar. -
Review from Lea Q.
Burnaby, BC
5/28/2011
I went here many moons ago but all I can say is the food was great. It was smaller portions which is expected with fine dining but the presentation was great.
From what I remember the decor and setting isn't that great it could be better, I don't know if they have changed that but it wasn't that cozy, romantic, nostalgic feeling you look for when fine dining. They had a open concept layout.
Be prepared to spend $200 for 2 people without going all out and just getting a 2-3 course meal. -
Review from April R.
9/25/2011
Before our trip we read reviews and saw that this and Raincity Grill were both top restaurants in the city. We made reservations at both and West was by far better! We sat at the chefs table, it was not as cool as we wanted it to be but still fun. The service was amazing. We had a few mixed drinks and they were all great. To start your meal they give you a little taster, they had salmon tartar for my husband and since I don't eat seafood they gave me an apple celery soda. Both were really good. I had the duck and it was the best thing I ate while in Vancouver. My husband had the sablefish and said it was the best fish he has ever had. For dessert he had a yummy cheese plate and I had the brownie with peanut butter ice cream with banana sauce. Really, really good! If you want to go to a nice dinner you should go here for sure!
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Review from Madhuri I.
10/7/2010
The space is certainly unassuming for the kind of wonderful place this is.
At Vij's, there was a 3 hour wait to eat dinner (seriously, what's up with that?!) and so we wandered into West to kill time. We wandered in, unwarned about the amazing drinks and service at this place.
Between the boy and I, we had 4 cocktails -
- one called journey to india, with tequila, mango, jalapeno and cilantro. Very balanced.
- Ya Mon (a.k.a dessert before dinner) which comes with a garnish of freshly caramelized banana. Are you kidding me? This is amazing. Marrying the two great loves of my life - desserts and cocktails.
- Four o'clock, which is quite a piece of art. I find it hard to talk about this cocktail without getting that glazed dreamy look in my eyes. All I will say is it has bourbon. And an orange blossom foam. Enough said.
- Dark and Stormy. It was dark, but not stormy enough for me. Props to West for making their own ginger beer, but my ideal dark and stormy is the Milk and Honey one - less lemony and very gingery.
I wish I could pack West up and take it back with me, to New York. -
Review from Jamie W.
10/14/2010
On our once-yearly pilgrimage back home to BC (Port Moody, specifically), hubby and I make a point of planning a meal to do on our own, halfway through our trip. This serves two purposes. First off, Vancouver has some AMAZING culinary gems the we completely missed out on when we lived there (we were very young when we left) and the other reason being that after a couple days into a family visit, we seriously need an escape from the drama that family often (okay, always) brings.
We visited and thoroughly enjoyed Lumiere last visit so I was intent on on researching the perfect culinary follow up. In no time, I discovered West. The online menu looked incredible. The pictures were pretty. The restaurant came off very unpretentious. Perfect for a night out on the town.
We showed up a little early for our reservation to sit (by choice) at the bar for a drink. First off, the bartender was amazing. I really appreciate a person who treats their work like art. I had a Hangar One martini and hubby had a Manhattan. The Alberta whiskey he used was incredible.
My online request for a corner table was honoured. West is beautifully decorated without being too over the top or too minimalist.
As for dress, this is Vancouver and where I would hate to say I was overdressed, I would say that people just weren't all that dressed up. I opted for a sequence mini dress and silver heels (because that's how I roll) and hubby wore a suit. That being said, you could definitely get away with a LOT less here.
Hubby and I both did the Autumn tasting menu. We added in the cheese course and hubby did the wine pairing (I stuck with martinis). Everything was delicious, well prepared and beautiful but my favourites were the crab with heirloom beets and the (absolutely incredible) risotto. The main dish (halibut) was very good but vanilla is just not my flavor to pair with savoury. Everything on the menu is easily identifiable and the freshest of fresh and very local. Even though there were a total of 9 courses (from amuse bouche to petits fours) we didn't leave feeling overly full. That's the nice thing about tasting menus... they go easy on the carbs.
Every single person at West worked as a team and the end result was an amazing service. We were treated like VIPs from the moment we walked in the door to the second we left. Absolutely no complaints.
If I could sum up West in just a few words, I'd go with...
Unpretentious, delicious and absolutely worth the money.Listed in: A List, Oh Canada!
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Review from jeanine T.
Vancouver, BC
1/11/2011
If you haven't already been ... GO!
One of my FAVORITE date night places. Great cocktails, fantastic food, beautiful wine list ... the only problem you may have, is deciding what to choose.
Jeanine -
Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 7/27/2010
* One last chance *
I didn't want to give up on West, as it used to be one of my favourite fine dining spots in the city. So even though I was underwhelmed last time I thought I should return and give one last try at the full tasting menu.
Here's the meal:
- The amuse was a corn soup with tempura enoki. Corn is in season right now, and they did a good job highlighting the natural sweetness of the corn. The single enoki was in a slightly too heavy tempura batter which was slightly greasy. The soup would have been excellent standing on its own. It was slightly larger than an amuse - taking about 4 spoonfuls to finish. 5 stars for the soup, 2 for the enoki, giving 3.5 stars overall.
- Bison tartare. They put way too many ingredients onto the plate, which ended up masking the bison entirely. There was parsley puree, which was a bit too strong and off balance, some wild berry purees, which were lost in the parsley flavour, and a quail egg on the side which was fine. The toast points which the tartare were served on were slightly soggy as if the tartare had been pre-plated and was waiting to be ordered. Some of the puree work on the plate also looked pre-plated as it had a slight film. 2 stars.
- Sweetbread. This was the best dish of the evening. They had a perfect sear. I believe they had been poached first and then seared off. They were tender, sweet, and basically perfect. There were fava beans on the side, along with a truffle jus. Everything was well balanced on this plate. 5 stars.
- Duck ravioli. This was a single ravioli plated in a soup bowl and then presented with a broth added tableside. The ravioli skin was simply too thick. They took the overly thick ravioli and crisped it so that the thick pasta became overly crunchy and hard. The broth was duck based and had a hint of sesame oil. There were also some fresh peas (which were oddly raw and didn't really work well in the broth), and some enoki mushrooms. The filling of the ravioli was shredded duck, which was severely underseasoned. I suppose the chef was hoping the saltiness from the broth would counteract the filling. But to balance things out I had to break the ravioli down, then marinate the filling in the soup myself to get things in balance. Not a successful dish on many levels. 2 stars.
- Beef. This was a small piece of beef which had been prepared sous-vide and then seared off. Unfortunately the beef was overcooked and tough. Granted, I perhaps come down more on the rare preference side than many, but this was way past done for almost any palate. It was served with an onion puree which added nice flavour to cover the overdone beef. The potato was a bit overcooked as well. The raw watercress was refreshing. This was my least favourite savoury dish of the evening. 1 star.
- Cheese foam. This was a strongly flavoured cheese foam served with some blueberries. The blueberries had been soaked in a simple syrup, which made them lose their natural fresh taste which I am sure they had considering it is blueberry season. The foam itself had a nice cheese flavour, but it left me wishing they had simply served the cheese instead of turning it into a foam. 2 stars.
- Strawberry cake. The cake itself was moist, but had a slightly artificial flavour to it. Perhaps that was coming from the honey roasted strawberries, which entirely lost the natural freshness of the berry and ended up tasting almost like canned strawberries. This was served with a melon scoop sized ball of earl grey ice cream, which was superb. The ice cream had nice bergamot flavour and really cleansed the palate (which was very necessary after the almost artificial tasting strawberries). 5 stars for the ice cream, 3 stars for the cake, 1 star for the strawberries. 3 stars overall.
- "Petit fours." Normally I would consider petit fours to be small pastries or cakes. Not tonight. It was a single cube of raspberry gelee, and a single coconut chocolate. It sadly left me feeling they were skimping. 2 stars.
Price for the tasting menu was $92. Wine (a glass of a local Pinot Noir) was $17.50 a glass. So the total per person with tax and tip was about $150.
Overall a disappointment, and I think after having 2 disappointing meals in a row West is off my list going forward.Listed in: Vancouver European Food, Quack!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/14/2010
* A bit out of balance *
I hadn't been to West in a while, and finally returned. I have to say it… Read more »
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Review from Dru C.
8/18/2010
The West has amazing ambiance to their restaurant. I loved how this restaurant made the place very romantic for a lot of couples, and I was there with my boyfriend that night.
Too bad there was no valet though, it would have been better for us. I loved how the service was enjoyable since the waiter was very cute. He was very nice to the both of us.
I had the Rabbit as the main entree and it was delectiable. I enjoyed every bite of that rabbit as it slowly hopped around in my mouth. The carrot, I assumed was just to make it pair with a rabbit dish, but it didn't taste anything different. I would only say it changed the taste to add sweet but there was barely any sweet taste from a carrot.
I will go back again because I enjoyed the place very much so. It gave an amazing romantic feel to it. -
Review from Marcia F.
8/20/2011
Delicious and creative food. Lamb Risotto, filled with cheese and wild mushrooms, was delicious. Have great pastas and vegetarian dishes. Also wonderful desserts.
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Review from Joseph L.
Vancouver, BC
7/13/2010
Just a little story: About a year and a half ago I attended an event at West for the Playhouse International Wine Festival. A year later I returned for a date and the waiter remembered my name and where I was from; with no reservation to peek at either!
So sure, it's a pricey place for dinner. But they treat you like you're important, even if when you're not. THAT is what turns a four-star into a five-star restaurant.
Oh! They also make the best Manhattan in town. Dangerously good. Bring cab fare. -
Review from Rhiannon A.
8/25/2011
Food is good. However, it's a bit precious and overly expensive unless you catch the really early sitting.
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Review from Ches H.
Vancouver, BC
7/6/2010
My rating is a 3 but it could be a 2. I'm sure I'll get chastised for being critical but let me explain. First off, the description of 2 of 5 by Yelp is "Meh. I've experienced better" and 3 is "A-OK" ... with those descriptions in mind, I have a hard time deciding between 2 and 3.
It was a Friday night dinner with my girlfriend.
The "room" is nothing out of this world.
The "food" is very very good.. no argument
The "wine" list is very very good.. no argument
I guess we left and both enjoyed ourselves and our time but we weren't sitting there raving about it and anxiously planning to go back. Quite frankly I don't think we will go back considering all the great restaurants in Vancouver.
If we're picking a premium place to go for dinner on a Friday / Saturday night, its going to be down the list from places like Joe Fortes, Fraiche etc. -
Review from Mel P.
Vancouver, BC
8/11/2011
The tasting menu paired with wines is the way to go.....everytime I am there the food has been amazing.
Little warning, when reserving a table try not to get the booth at the back right beside the kitchen...can be a little loud becuase staff is always there picking up food and you can hear the kitchen,
But if this is the only table available....DO IT...the food and service is totally worth it -
Review from Tara L.
6/27/2011
Everything about this place is wonderful. From the neighborhood that it's located in to the quality and service, I was thoroughly impressed by West.
The first time I came to this place was back in August 2009, when my Husband and I were on our honeymoon in Vancouver. We had randomly flipped through some books at a local bookstore and saw that it was Zagat rated. We normally don't follow Zagat ratings, but through the description of the food and the ratings, we looked into the restaurant in full detail. After reading about it through numerous sites online, and hearing great feedback from its patrons, we were convinced and decided to make a reservation.
First off, the lady who answered the phone was really sweet, friendly, and funny. I asked her whether there was a formal dress code because I gauged this place to be pretty upscale, and she said no. She simply said, "As long as you come in with shirt and a bottom, you are all set!" For as modern and upscale this restaurant was, I appreciated how low key it felt.
Onto the food. The food was VERY GOOD. Husband and I opted for 1 appetizer, 2 entrees, and 1 dessert. The menu currently has slightly changed because of the chef, but what really set the entire evening apart from any other restaurant that we've been to is the pace and presentation of the food. There was such an artistic approach to how the food was presented, but it wasn't overdone. It had a minimalist and gastronomic flare to it, but very simple and easy to eat. Sometimes I look at food and it looks just way too pretty to eat! The food here was presented very well, but not pretentious. I loved that. The sablefish and aged angus rib eye were mouthwatering, not to mention fulfilling. The radish complemented the soft, flaky texture of the fish so well without being overpowering. The sauce that it was steamed in was light and fragrant. Husband said that his rib eye was cooked to perfection, with a unique spice blend that he couldn't pinpoint.
For dessert, we split the chocolate tasting, which initially, we were a bit hesitant in trying. Typically, whenever we go to restaurants and they offer chocolate desserts, they are always extremely rich. I can never eat more than 3 or 4 bites of it without feeling too full. However, the chocolate butterscotch ganache tartlette with hazelnut ice cream was not only smooth in texture, but the sweetness did not outshine the gentle flavorings of the hazelnut and butterscotch. I had never had this pairing before, and was really blown away.
To make an already memorable evening even more memorable, the staff was informed that we were on our honeymoon and gave us an additional tasting of their house made ice cream. It was the perfect palette cleanser to end a wonderful evening.
Final bill for the evening: $150 CAD with tip for 1 app, 2 entrées, 1 dessert - definitely worth every penny.
Great staff, wonderful and simple environment, awesome food with a casual elegance to it. I'd highly recommend it, and can't wait to go back again! -
Review from Betty L.
4/11/2011
I always have a great dining experinece at West. I went on a Sunday night with boyfriend. We experience a little bump in the beginning, when the hostess seated us right near the entrance to the washrooms. I refuse to eat and look up to I have to see the sign for the washrooms. It's not very appealing. She quickly seated us to another table. I thought it would be quiet since it's a Sunday but the room was nicely filled up. The clientele is on the mature side. I couldn't believe that West has been open for 11 years already. Although some may find the decore cheesy and dated, I like it. The leather walls warm up the cool marble of the restaurant. The look is clean and modern. I am always impress with the huge wine "rack" against the wall. It resembles a library in a huge mansion with the ladder to access wines that are stored way up. I also like ample lighting in there so one can actually read the menu and look at the food. As usual, the service is impeccable. Our server was friendly and periodically checked on us to make sure we're enjoying our dining experience.
Since my boyfriend and I were quite hungry we ordered the tasting menu. The portion for each course may seem small, but it adds up after awhile. The presentation of each dish is just beautiful. By the end of the meal, we were stuffed. It would be helpful if I didn't help myself to those nicely warm cute bread and fruity olive oil. Highlights of meal:
1)satori oysters w/sea asapargus, horseradish, apple & celery soda- actually it was only one oyster in a cute little shooter glass. It tasted really fresh and clean. The soda really wetted my appetite. A good start for the rest of the meal.
2)sea urchin w/pasta, hard boiled egg, white shoyu n wasabi tobiko-interesting combo but it works. I can eat another portion of it. The sea urchin tasted really fresh.
3)quail w/parmesan polenta, creamed kale n hazelnut jus- quail was cooked to perfection, the skin was crispy and meat was oh-sooo juicy. Although I found the kale to be too salty. I couldn't taste the hazelnut in the jus but I tasted a bit of wine and juice of the bird. So the dish was still good.
4)angus beef ribeye with oxtail, mushroom compote, etc- The beef was prepared rare, I'd prefer medium rare. Since I was quite full by now, my boyfriend finished the meat for me and he enjoyed it. The oxtail came in the form of a ball and it was deepfried with some breadcrumbs. It was packed with flavour!!! So tasty!!
5)passionfruit marintaed pineapple w/banana icecream, rice custard sauce n puff grain granola - lots stuff happening on that small plate. I like the warm n cold of the dish also with the freshness and lightness of the pineapple with the smooth comforting of the sauce and "heaviness" of the icecream., plus the crunch of the granola.
Overall, I had an amazing meal. I left the restaurant with a few hundred dollars less in my wallet, a few pounds heavier and a huge grin on my face because we enjoyed ourselves. A great place for celebration or visit culinary heaven every now and then. -
Review from Nick J.
Victoria, BC
5/24/2011
Firstly, The West is at the very least $200 tab. I know you can do it for less but this is serious dinning. On that note, I want to say it can be 5/5 if you luck out. On some visits it is a 3/5 with the same tab.
Arrive early and sit at the bar... order a drink that is complicated to make or requires some skill, these guys and gals are made to perform so don't just order a rum & coke!
If you are a couple looking for a bit of Romance pick the table near the window away from the entrance (Table 12?)
Tell them you want an experienced waiter, this has been our biggest problem with the place. The host is amazing but the servers are hit and miss.
I think this place has the potential to be 5/5 every night of the week. -
Review from Katy N.
5/29/2009
I'm in love with this restaurant!!!!! This was what we ordered last Monday:
Foie gras w/lobster roll - DELICIOUS!!!! I CAN easily have 10 plates!! The foie gras just melts in your mouth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scallop w/bacon appetizers - cooked perfectly
Pork tenderloin, pork belly, bacon & pan seared gnocchi - YUM & tender
Roast lamb - cooked perfectly
Frozen creme brulee - interesting concept and was not bad
Tasting trio - A-Ok, was a tad disappointed -
Review from Fulgencio M.
12/6/2009
What gets a 29 score at Zagat (aside from when they rate my beauty)? I was shocked and bewildered when I saw that West received a score of 29. I dine out all the time, and since I don't ever have to pay I go for the highest points. Anywhere high-20s I've been there, done that, wrote the review (or will soon....hint hint, if you want to remain my boyfriend).
West is tucked away in a cute space on Granville. We were greeted by more of this "Canadian friendliness" upon arrival. I was even late (stylishly), and they were still friendly. At first I thought the hostess was trying to steal my Dior coat, until I realized they were just being hospitable.
Our seating arrangement was "OK." A lot of straight people, go figure. At least as two mature gay men we were seated next to each other rather than across. But unfortunately, my date was allergic to the fabric of my Italian designer jeans, so luckily I didn't have to worry about him grabbing at my leg while I was trying to enjoy my dinner!
Here's what I need from a sommelier: I tell you what I like, and you bring it to me. Luckily I didn't have to pay for the bottle, so cost was no issue. He brought me a beautiful Australian shiraz, and a Riedel decanter worthy of my table. hEllO, our table so trumped all the straight people.
For the first course we each ordered the risotto with truffle. Mine included 3 grams of black truffles and his was 3 grams of white. I enjoyed this dish, but having recently returned from a truffle-filled trip to Paris I wasn't yet "wow'd". This would soon change.
My main course was truly the wow factor I needed: Sablefish in a soup bowl, with a unique blend of flavors and tastes that compensated for the fact that our server was hitting on me constantly. hEllO, there's "nice" and "too nice." This couldn't have just been a Canadian thing.
For dessert we ordered two cheeses, a nutty Cheddar and a soft & delicious blue. When three bougie girls who looked more fierce than I did strutted into the restaurant in their knock-off high heels, I knew it was time to go. And so my jeans-allergic (actually, I don't know if he was allergic to the jeans or just to Italians) date and I left West.
Was it a 29? My global standards tell me no. It wasn't a L'atelier de Joel Robuchon, or a Jean Georges, but I still had a fantastic meal. Certainly a memorable Vancouver restaurant. Next time (as long as someone else pays for me) I'm sure I'll try more of their menu, maybe even one of their two tasting menus.
This has been a Review by Fulgencio -
Review from Peter H.
5/21/2011
best meal I've had all year. service even for our table of 12 was phenomenal. the waitresses never missed a beat. Even with our huge party, they took the time to present all the food properly.
I had spot prawn appetizer with chorizo which was so delicious. the prawns were cooked perfectly and I regret that there were only 3!
The entree was one of the best meals I've ever had. I got the sablefish in a lovely broth and puree. I could have sworn it was put over abalone but it turns out it was mushroom.
The wine was excellent and kept coming. This is the type of place worth the money spent. The food quality, service and charm of this place make this truly a worthwhile experience. I feel this place deserves a michelin star as trumps other michelin star restaurants I've eaten at. i would come back to vancouver just to eat at this place! -
Review from sue c.
Richmond, BC
6/24/2011
Cocktail was amazing. Had scallop for appetizer and duck for main. Tasted great but potion were bit small. Will return
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Review from Rich B.
4/11/2009
I've still never actually eaten here, but I given this place five stars just for the cocktails. While waiting for a table at Vij's this is a great place to call in, and sitting at the bar means you get to meet their legendary barman. He knows his drinks inside out and he's always got some interesting twists up his sleeve. The first time I went, it was a new take on a whiskey sour that was absolutely awesome. The golden beet cocktail is a real treat as well.
One day we'll eat there, but not without spending half an hour sitting at the bar first. For me, a trip to West wouldn't be the same without it. -
Review from Eric B.
Vancouver, BC
6/9/2009
The food, the service and the ambiance is what a 5 stars restaurant should give. Fresh and perfectly balanced. You can love the taste of your favourite Chinese or your cozy tasty Greek restaurant , but West is none of that: Eat slowly and let the flavours overcome your tongue, mouth and mind. Everything that has to be nailed to make your experience perfect, will be nailed. Don't go there if all you ever ate was restaurant's food. This ain't. This is chef's food.
If you want a perfect experience, perfectly cooked, perfectly seasonned, perfectly served food, and your mouth is developped enough, you will enjoy your 50-100$ per person bill.
I would strongly suggest to even just go there for the drinks. They are perfect, (yeah i know i say that a lot...) and the prices for them are competitive. -
Review from Jared W.
Victoria, BC
3/15/2010
David Wolwidnyk is an amazing bartender. The other bartender I was served by, Dave, was good but clearly the apprentice. Sitting at the bar when West was dead, I learned a huge amount just chatting with them. And then they started inventing drinks!
West isn't cheap, but you're paying for the cocktail experience. If you're more interested in beer, wine or conversation, you could go somewhere else. -
Review from siobhan d.
Vancouver, BC
11/1/2008
Great food, top-notch service, brilliant wine list. I find the atmosphere at bit too sterile, and actually a bit noisy for the size and style of the restaurant. Maybe I wouldn't mind the volume to much if the layout had a more intimate and cozy feel, I don't know...
Aside from that, one of the best things in life is a great Prix Fixe menu with wine pairing, and West has an early Prix Fixe menu (available until 6 pm) and a separate Tasting Menu. The best tasting menu is a gastronomic ballet with everything expertly choreographed and timed and at this, West excels. If I have one complaint about the food it's that there was just too much of it. If you order the West tasting menu, prepare to pace yourself and make sure you're hungry! This is not one of those lame pretentious tasting menus where a single curl of frisée lettuce and a grape-sized roasted beet counts as a "roasted beet salad".
Final verdict: yummy food, especially try the tasting menu, and try it with the wine pairing but be forewarned that it is a LOT of food. Keep that in mind, and pace yourself. I don't find this restaurant intimate enough for a romantic dinner, but it's a great place to take a client you want to impress, a frenemy you want to fatten-up, or your in-laws to ingratiate yourself too. -
Review from Jason D.
Vancouver, BC
12/29/2009
Updated Comment: It's now August 2011 and I've not returned to West since my review. There are simply too many other restaurants in town. It goes to show the effect that one bad experience can have on return business...
West is one of those restaurants in Vancouver where one expects an immaculate experience every time, it's that good. The interior is inspiring, the wine list offers more than I could ever drink and when my meal came, I was shocked that the steak was soooo bad. Any other occasion, I would have sent it back but we were celebrating and I was starving. But when I can get a more tender steak at the Keg than this A-list restaurant, it's more than a little disappointing. However, every restaurant has bad nights and I would eventually return. Everything else about the evening was great but I'm guessing my company had a lot more to do with that than the food.
