Cuchillo Vancouver is a new new Latin-themed restaurant in the fringes of Gastown and Downtown Eastside, landmarked by a skull  neon awning. Barely opened a month and there’s a crowd forming already and protesters outside, green with envy, for city revival and booming business. Oh, what credit does that give them. But I digress. Service is friendly, food is top shelf – perhaps this is what they call ‘high end’.

Inside exposed brick and wooden communal high top tables fill the center; skull themed tiles surround the kitchen and the smell of delectable warms the space.

Mojito: one damn fine drink with all the essential aesthetics.

White Sangria: Pears, pineapples, grapes, apples.

Ceviche – Mixto Traditionale: octopus tiradito, side stripe prawn, rockfish, mussels y calms, sweet potato puree. I felt like I was a at seaside market in Spain filled with colorful flavors.

Ceviche – Local Albacore Tuna Y Pipian Rojo: warm Peruvian double smoked bacon causa. Light delicate flavors highlighting the buttery tuna with bursts of bright smoked bacon. The potato stack at the bottom was unexpectedly distinctive with seasoning.

Taqueria – Mole Lamb: albondigas sardo parmesan browned garlic popcorn. We appreciated the gameyness from the lamb meatball which was only elevated with the toasted garlic. The use of the popcorn was clever and at times I almost thought it to be cracklin skin softed by sauce.

Taqueria – pulled duck y cracklin’ roasted garlic, blackberry habanero jam. The duck shallows in comparison to the lamb tacos. The flavors are subtle and not as pungent. The best would be to have the duck first followed by the lamb.

Pork Belly Confit: maple chipotle,  tamarind glaze, chicaron, patacones, minced onion y jalapeno. Tender soft pork belly in a sweet-spicy sauce. The sweet yam patty is slightly crispy with stickiness. And contrasted with fried pork rinds. The sauce however was  too overdressed, overpowering the natural flavor of the pork… Like arriving to a beach picnic in full prom attire.

There was only so much we could sample in one sitting. We must make a feast out of this sometime and try the other dishes. For now, I’ll have to just reminiscence and drool over the photos.

Cuchillo Vancouver
URL: http://www.cuchillo.ca/
Cuisine: Modern Pan-Latin, Latin American, Mexican
Hours:
Mon 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Tue 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Wed 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Thu 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Fri 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
Sat 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
Sun 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm

261 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2Z1
(604) 559-7585

Many of you living in Vancouver will pass by えびす Ebisu Japanese Restaurant on Robson x Butes location at one point in time; or perhaps frequent this eatery. Like Ebisu in Richmond, it comes from the same parent group Kamei Group. This place is forever jammed action packed and is great of late nights or happy hour. Problem with this location, like any other establishment on Robson is that street parking is terrible and there isn’t any free parking. There is a long bar table, booth seats and high tops tables in the back. Again, it is a great place to watch the game, pre-drink, chill and grab a bite.

We came here this time for some food to bridge the gap on a TGIF and a late dinner party with friends. Thank goodness for the Royale Sashimi Feast Platter. Plenty of fresh sashimis that is filling but also easily digestible.

Royale Sashimi Feast 29.95: Amaebi, Hotate scallops, Sashimi (Salmon, tuna, saba, and hamachi) and spicy tuna.

Fresh oysters: Although on the skinny side. they were fresh.

A beautiful array of my favourites.

Generous chunks of spicy tuna garnished with green onions

Sweet awesomeness of hotates.

Two sweet amaebis prawns.

For $30, this was a great deal. After dinner at Ebisu Japanese Restaurant, I’m ready for some shopping before we migrate to dinner. TGIF! <3

Ebisu Japanese Restaurant

827 Bute Street  Vancouver, BC V6E 3Y4
(604) 689-8266
[cetsEmbedGmap src=https://maps.google.ca/maps?daddr=827+Bute+Street,+Vancouver,+BC+V6E+3Y4&gl=ca&panel=1&fb=1&dirflg=d&geocode=0,49.285827,-123.127479&cid=0,0,11941172651591251264&hq=ebisu&hnear=0x548673f143a94fb3:0xbb9196ea9b81f38b,Vancouver,+BC&t=m&z=16 width=350 height=425 marginwidth=0 marginheight=0 frameborder=0 scrolling=no]

I love Commercial Drive. It has so much to offer; there are so many restaurants, bars and pubs. Belgian Fries, BierCraft Tap and Tapas Bar, etc. Another one of my favorites is Havana. They first opened in 1996 and interiors are pretty rad: inspired by the faded glory of Old Havana in Cuba. All the scribbles on the walls reminds me of Jim Carrey horror movie The Number 23. Good thing this place comes with one of the best Sangrias in Vancouver! Havana Vancouver has my favorite is the Champagne Sangria: bubbles and fruits.

Although the food sometimes is a hit and miss, Havana Vancouver always friendly service and they open late and have a killer patio! This place is packed during summer times! In the back of the restaurant there is a little area displaying art works and serves as a gallery. For a list of upcoming events visit them here.

Tuna Taco 14: House made tuna crudo with lettuce, guacamole and fruit salsa. Served with a hard shell taco. Although I like the crunchiness it brings, I prefer soft shell tacos. One bite and it simply breaks apart and pieces goes flying around. The fruit salsa was tangy but missing more of a lime face punch.

Tuna Ceviche 12: Fresh Tuna crudo house cured ceviche with crispy tortilla chips. We made the mistake of order two tuna items (our waitress didn’t warn us about this. But then again I don’t think she really cares). This tuna tasted pretty very close to the previous fish tacos and had a heavy sesame taste to it.

West Coast Mussels 15: With housemade chorizo sausage and tomato. The mussles were plump and there was a nice acidity with some heat to the broth. Can’t say it was the best mussels we’ve had but it wasn’t too bad.

Paella 19: West Coast mussels, prawns, chorizo, peppers, onions, tomatoes, saffron, rice, coconut milk and Pernod. First I like to say the chorizo was ham. It wasn’t the sausages I am used to. Perhaps they ran out that day and had to substitute, otherwise it would be pretty disappointing. Overall not a bad dish and there were plenty of prawns, mussels and mild spiciness to this fried rice.

Jambalaya 17.95: Quite similar to the Paella but there was more acidity to the dish and it was a bit overwhelming. The dish was also a bit watery and seemed very rushed.

Havana Vancouver Desserts of the Day: This changes all the time so best to ask to see what’s available.

Bread Pudding and vanilla ice cream –  best remedy for stale bread is to tear it into pieces and bake it in milk, eggs, sugar and spices. Covered with whipped cream and delightful pairing to ice cream.

Cheesecake: Pumpkin flavor just in time for fall! Rich, creamy and a hint of pumpkin. Not too sweet and smooth.

1212 Commercial Dr Vancouver, BC V5L 3X4
(604) 253-9119

[cetsEmbedGmap src=https://maps.google.ca/maps?daddr=1212+Commercial+Dr,+Vancouver,+BC+V5L+3X4&gl=ca&panel=1&fb=1&dirflg=d&geocode=0,49.273738,-123.069512&cid=0,0,16245148039519754575&hq=havana&hnear=0x548673f143a94fb3:0xbb9196ea9b81f38b,Vancouver,+BC&t=m&z=16 width=350 height=425 marginwidth=0 marginheight=0 frameborder=0 scrolling=no]

#109-5021 Kingsway  Burnaby, BC V5H 2E5
(604) 431-6995

[cetsEmbedGmap src=http://maps.google.ca/maps?daddr=%23109-5021+Kingsway,+Burnaby,+BC+V5H+2E5&safe=active&cid=0,0,1503862574505483448&fb=1&hq=Happy+Day+Metro+House&hnear=0x548677a8219c8373:0xdd0a72738752b169,Burnaby,+BC&gl=ca&geocode=0,49.226201,-122.992062&t=m&z=16 width=350 height=425 marginwidth=0 marginheight=0 frameborder=0 scrolling=no]