Posts Tagged ‘pub’
Christmas in Whistler was bookended by a night and a day in Vancouver. In search for pub fare, we strolled to Gastown for burgers and beers at Steamworks. A historic neighbourhood of heritage listed Victorian buildings and cobblestone streets, at the heart of Gastown is the steam powered clock. Puffs of steam veiled the twinkling festive lights on a clear night.
On a previous visit to Vancouver we had sought respite from the persistent rain in the cosy armchairs soothed by afternoon beers. We returned to a near full restaurant with a boisterous crowd for a Canucks game.
The Gastown Brewing Company brews Steamworks beers on site using the local steam to boil its kettles.
On tap were:
* Lions Gate lager – ‘Vancouver’s gateway to flavour’
* Empress India pale ale – ‘a strong pale ale with scrumptious hop character’
* Signature pale ale – ‘eminently quaffable’
* Nirvana nut brown ale – ‘a blissfully malty brown ale’
* Heroica oatmeal stout – ‘oatmeal is not just for breakfast anymore’
* Coal porter – ‘like a song that’s smooth as silk’
* Seasonal specialties
Empty tables next to us were soon occupied. Televisions screening the ice hockey live were diverting attention from dinner conversations.
The graphic style Steamworks logo was printed on each serviette.
A beer stein!
Mr S ordered the Steamworks deluxe burger. A beef patty was topped with a square of aged cheddar, a strip of crispy double smoked bacon, and garnished with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and relish mayonnaise.
I selected the mushroom burger. A charred beef patty cushioned molten Swiss cheese and sautéed mushrooms, and were adorned with the same vegetables and condiments.
After nourishing burgers and beers we walked downstairs to peek at the polished brewing equipment.
Next door was the Wine Thief where we purchased a couple of bottles for Whistler.
We strolled back to the hotel happy that the Canucks won.
- In: Capitol Hill | Eating | Seattle | USA | Washington
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After a fun afternoon tenpin bowling at Garage Billiards, we sought reprieve from the darkness that was the end of daylight saving. The sister restaurant of the soon-to-be relocated Restaurant Zoë, Quinn’s gastropub is at the busy corner of Pike and 10th.
I love the architecture of Capitol Hill. Single or double story buildings are converted into spacious gathering places with floor to ceiling windows and mezzanine levels.
The entrance curtain parted to reveal a moodily lit loft. The bar is at the front and there are tables on the ground floor and upstairs.
We were seated by the window upstairs with a view of neon signs and street traffic. The wall was decorated with animal themed artwork, including these drawings of a plump pig and cow.
A majestic sheep grace the cover of the menu.
Water was served in recycled liquor bottles of varying shapes and sizes. Ours was Sazerac rye whiskey.
We chose a cider each. In a salvaged jar was a draught apple cider blended with apricot. In a flute was a pear cider made in the style of Champagne.
Topped with a pink cow shaped pin etched with ‘M rare’, the burger of Painted Hills beef, bacon, cheddar and mayonnaise was served with a bowl of French fries. The thick beef patty was juicy and the sturdy bun held the burger contents together without getting soggy.
Two generous portions of battered fish fillets rested on French fries, and were plated with pots of tomato sauce and tartare sauce. The batter was light and crispy, coating the succulent and flaky fish evenly. It was the best fish and chips I’ve had in Seattle!
The dessert items were priced at three dollars each and were perfect tasting size. I paired the chocolate ho ho with coffee ice cream. Studded with roasted hazelnuts and a round wafer, the ice cream was smooth and creamy but light on caffeine.
The chocolate ho ho was a cream log encased in chocolate ganache. It was pleasantly sweet with the texture of sponge cake.
We look forward to the re-opening of Restaurant Zoë in January 2012!
- In: Eating | Seattle | South Lake Union | USA | Washington
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We had an errand in South Lake Union a few Saturdays ago and galloped (pun intended!) into Brave Horse Tavern for lunch afterwards. With the Amazon and biotech workers absent, the area is quiet except for the crowd waiting for tables at Portage Bay Café and the looping blood orange coloured streetcar.
Above Cuoco and next to Ting Momo, Brave Horse Tavern is an English style gastropub - it has a casual atmosphere with relaxed service and a hearty menu. You can play darts and shuffleboard, share some snacks and sample the eclectic beer list on the wooden benches or perch at the bar for a cocktail and a counter meal.
Mr S bypassed the small brunch menu and opted for the BHT burger consisting of Painted Hills ground chuck on a Dahlia Workshop bun with smokey burger sauce, iceberg lettuce, dill pickle, mayonnaise, cheddar and caramelised sweet onion. Skewered and teetering on an angle, the beef patty is thick and charred, and the caramelised sweet onion and condiments combine to make a juicy and tasty burger. There is a generous serving of hand cut fries on the side.
‘These pretzels are making me thirsty!’ To me pretzels are synonymous with New York and this malt boiled, hearth roasted version is homage to Big Apple street food. There are many savoury accompaniments available and I ordered the only sweet one – a brick oven pretzel with a pot of Theo chocolate and toasted hazelnut. It is a huge glossy knot, sprinkled with salt crystals and a dark, earthy colour. It is soft and doughy, and I dip chucks of it in the Nutella like chocolate with glee.
As we were leaving, we noticed a group of people playing shuffleboard and there is outdoor seating. Brave Horse Tavern is perfect for a lazy weekend afternoon!
