Ivan and I have often walked past this trendy little restaurant in Kits called The New Bohemian. It always looked cool and fun, which is more than I can say for the rest of Broadway dining. There are a lot of small, cute little Greek, Asian, Thai type restaurants and a tonne of pubs for the college kid crowd...but this is really the only place you can get a little dressed up and dine for a reasonable price. Last night was Friday and we didn't feel like cooking so we quickly got ready and went out for a little date!
The atmosphere is pretty chill and modern. Cute little room with pleasant lighting and a cozy fireplace by the entrance. We hopped up onto a stool at the bar to enjoy a cocktail for 20mins as we waited for a table. I had a nice and refreshing lemon drop martini, it was hard to decide as they all sounded groovy. Their martini list is good, and priced under $8 which rocks! Ivan tried their signature drink called The Bohemian which was a spin on the classic Mojito, muddled with fresh basil instead..it was excellent.
We started with the lamb meatballs which came in a nice and hearty tomato sauce....waitress said they were her fave for appies. They were good...not the best thing in the world, and Ivan said the flatbread that came on the side was gummy and not that good.
We split a bottle of delicious wine from the back of the menu....be sure to take a peek back there because they provide a 25% discount for unsold stock they are trying to use up when they change the menus. All of their bottles were a very reasonable price.
We split the Spanish Paella Skillet which was hearty and perfect for the two of us (if you are a big eater, get one for yourself). Presentation was great, as it came in a little pan heaping with shrimp, mussels, chorizo and chicken, with lots of yummy sauce, rice and nice flavours. They could have added a bit more spice to the dish, but it was very good.
We both felt sufficiently satisfied, pleasantly tipsy and the best part was that we just walked home!
Don't go out of your way to try this restaurant, but if you are in the hood and looking for a fun and well priced evening out with good food and drink then try out the New Bohemian and Enjoy!
Showing posts with label Kitsilano Dining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kitsilano Dining. Show all posts
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Local Public Eatery
After a fabulous ten days in Ontario (save for the scary riots with smashed windows and useless assholes running around, trying to make their statement to the world....frankly the only statement I think they made is...I am a bitter, useless ASSHOLE).
I returned safe and sound into the arms of my hubby, who kindly picked me up from the airport and drove me home. It was Greek days on West Broadway so we walked up and down the streets, catching up after 10 days apart, while taking in the sights and sounds of those crazy Greeks!
I don't know about you, but when either of us is out of town we don't call one another that much...we maybe spoke on the phone 2 times, and the conversation was less than riveting. Neither of us are phone people, we prefer to be with others in the flesh...and its really exciting when you return home because you have so much to catch up on! I really do NOT understand people who HAVE to call their spouse/partner/lover everyday while away...how drab. The worst is when Ivan or I are away and the people we are with say "oh I gotta call the wife/hubby" like its a chore.....why bother...call when you feel like it. Some people really just need to get a life. I'm busy enjoying my surroundings when I am away, as is Ivan when he is away....but wow did we have a lot to catch up on when I returned!
So we walked down to Local Public Eatery on Kits beach, which we have never been to before...but it has such a nice patio and view and the evening was lovely. This is a great spot for casual summer days in Van. We enjoyed TWO pitchers of Sangria, which was excellent and very refreshing...not to mention well priced at only $16...its not super boozy...but after 2 pitchers we were feeling nice and fuzzy. We started with the calamari which was a definite MISS...why oh why do I order calamari at a pub...its always bad....extremely deep fried, lots of batter, and rubbery..yuck...my bad, I should have known better! But the Islander burger was AMAZING...with Vancouver Island Goat Cheese and grilled mushrooms, even the bun was perfect! The meal came with a side of delicious Yam fries which were equally as awesome, and we were plenty full, even with sharing the meal. With all of this gorgeous sunshine that has been promised to us for the next week, I certainly recommend LOCAL for a fantastic meal in your shorts and flip flops.
Enjoy!
I returned safe and sound into the arms of my hubby, who kindly picked me up from the airport and drove me home. It was Greek days on West Broadway so we walked up and down the streets, catching up after 10 days apart, while taking in the sights and sounds of those crazy Greeks!
I don't know about you, but when either of us is out of town we don't call one another that much...we maybe spoke on the phone 2 times, and the conversation was less than riveting. Neither of us are phone people, we prefer to be with others in the flesh...and its really exciting when you return home because you have so much to catch up on! I really do NOT understand people who HAVE to call their spouse/partner/lover everyday while away...how drab. The worst is when Ivan or I are away and the people we are with say "oh I gotta call the wife/hubby" like its a chore.....why bother...call when you feel like it. Some people really just need to get a life. I'm busy enjoying my surroundings when I am away, as is Ivan when he is away....but wow did we have a lot to catch up on when I returned!
So we walked down to Local Public Eatery on Kits beach, which we have never been to before...but it has such a nice patio and view and the evening was lovely. This is a great spot for casual summer days in Van. We enjoyed TWO pitchers of Sangria, which was excellent and very refreshing...not to mention well priced at only $16...its not super boozy...but after 2 pitchers we were feeling nice and fuzzy. We started with the calamari which was a definite MISS...why oh why do I order calamari at a pub...its always bad....extremely deep fried, lots of batter, and rubbery..yuck...my bad, I should have known better! But the Islander burger was AMAZING...with Vancouver Island Goat Cheese and grilled mushrooms, even the bun was perfect! The meal came with a side of delicious Yam fries which were equally as awesome, and we were plenty full, even with sharing the meal. With all of this gorgeous sunshine that has been promised to us for the next week, I certainly recommend LOCAL for a fantastic meal in your shorts and flip flops.
Enjoy!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
La Bucca in Vancouver
So my wonderful husband received a nice cheque for his bday in the mail, from some very lovely in-laws...and what does he chose to do with that, you ask...well take his amazing wife out to dinner of course!!! Yipee. We decided to go to this little, hidden, local Kitsilano treasure called La Bucca. We have been here a few times, and really love the nice, cozy buzz in there. (tip: this restaurant gets LOUD on weekends when its packed, because its very small....so not a great place to go if anyone in your party is hard of hearing) Plus its only about a 20 minute walk, so you can build up an appetite! You probably wouldn't even see this place if you were walking by...it's so tiny and in amongst some nondescript stores, in a little strip mall type jobbie...along MacDonald Street. But you had better make a reso, because this place is always busy! And you will soon find out why.
We went early, at 6:30 so it was a little quieter than usual, but filled up by the time we left...and that was the only time we could get in. Each time we have been to this restaurant we have been impressed. Now, its not one of the best restaurants in Vancouver...but it is DAMN good.
Their fresh menu is constantly changing day to day, with their features on a huge chalk board at the back...it will take your server about 5mins to describe each one, leaving you totally confused and wanting everything. I really wanted to try their lasagna with roasted duck, apricots and mozzarella...it sounded so unique..but alas, my tummy wasn't up for something quite that rich...but I sure hope they have that on the menu again as the people beside us ordered it and said it was amazing!
Neither of us was too hungry, so skipped out on the starter and went straight for the vino...we had a little Quartino of wine to share, and it was the perfect amount...probably could have done 2 but we were trying to be "good". I ordered the house made Farfalle (bowties)with local wild mushrooms and pancetta done in a red wine sauce with a splash of cream...and it was delish! The pasta was a perfect el dente, and the sauce wasn't overthetop rich...but just a nice balance...loaded with flavour!
Ideally when at an Italian restaurant, I like to have a main, like a fish or a meat with a side of pasta...but this night I indulged in the full bowl. They give you a perfect portion of pasta as well...I'd probably get a side salad next time just to break up the flavours...sometimes if you are just eating a bowl of pasta you are eating the same flavours over and over and it can get a little boring. This was not the case, because the portion was on the small side so, really just enough to fill me up....BUT if you have a huge appetite and you are just ordering one of their delicious housemade pastas, you may want to order some of their savory focaccia.
Ivan opted for the lincod, which was divine...roasted with sundried tomatoes, olives and Italian sausage...wow...what a gorgeous dish...a little bit of orzo (rice shaped pasta) a little spinach...I loved this dish. The cod on its own is a very bland fish...but this was cooked perfectly..soft and delicate and the flavours were a celebration in your mouth.
All of their salads and appies are delish...lots of imported speciality foods and ingredients from Italy. And if you need to take a wee, you actually get to walk through the little kitchen and see the chefs in action...with all of their trays stacked up with roasted tomatoes, and decadent desserts just winking at you....they must do this on purpose so you order that 3rd course! I highly recommend this restaurant for a nice casual dinner with friends, or simple date night with your favorite sweetie.
Enjoy!
We went early, at 6:30 so it was a little quieter than usual, but filled up by the time we left...and that was the only time we could get in. Each time we have been to this restaurant we have been impressed. Now, its not one of the best restaurants in Vancouver...but it is DAMN good.
Their fresh menu is constantly changing day to day, with their features on a huge chalk board at the back...it will take your server about 5mins to describe each one, leaving you totally confused and wanting everything. I really wanted to try their lasagna with roasted duck, apricots and mozzarella...it sounded so unique..but alas, my tummy wasn't up for something quite that rich...but I sure hope they have that on the menu again as the people beside us ordered it and said it was amazing!
Neither of us was too hungry, so skipped out on the starter and went straight for the vino...we had a little Quartino of wine to share, and it was the perfect amount...probably could have done 2 but we were trying to be "good". I ordered the house made Farfalle (bowties)with local wild mushrooms and pancetta done in a red wine sauce with a splash of cream...and it was delish! The pasta was a perfect el dente, and the sauce wasn't overthetop rich...but just a nice balance...loaded with flavour!
Ideally when at an Italian restaurant, I like to have a main, like a fish or a meat with a side of pasta...but this night I indulged in the full bowl. They give you a perfect portion of pasta as well...I'd probably get a side salad next time just to break up the flavours...sometimes if you are just eating a bowl of pasta you are eating the same flavours over and over and it can get a little boring. This was not the case, because the portion was on the small side so, really just enough to fill me up....BUT if you have a huge appetite and you are just ordering one of their delicious housemade pastas, you may want to order some of their savory focaccia.
Ivan opted for the lincod, which was divine...roasted with sundried tomatoes, olives and Italian sausage...wow...what a gorgeous dish...a little bit of orzo (rice shaped pasta) a little spinach...I loved this dish. The cod on its own is a very bland fish...but this was cooked perfectly..soft and delicate and the flavours were a celebration in your mouth.
All of their salads and appies are delish...lots of imported speciality foods and ingredients from Italy. And if you need to take a wee, you actually get to walk through the little kitchen and see the chefs in action...with all of their trays stacked up with roasted tomatoes, and decadent desserts just winking at you....they must do this on purpose so you order that 3rd course! I highly recommend this restaurant for a nice casual dinner with friends, or simple date night with your favorite sweetie.
Enjoy!
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