Cacao, a progressive Latin restaurant recently opened at 1898 West 1st Avenue (beside Rocky Mountain Flatbread Pizza). The old Epicurean Cafe transforms into a 35 seater new dining hot spot. Brunch will be served daily and dinners on Thursday thru Saturday nights. Chef Jefferson Alvarez (formerly Fraiche, Mosquito and Secret Location) explores fresh modern takes on Latin cuisine with a playful note. The menu consists of both a la carte and also 3 course ($45 pp) and 5 course ($75) tasting menu.
This casual fine dining restaurant is high concept but very approachable. Ingredients used are local and sustainable. Seafood are Ocean Wise and ocean friendly. The staff is welcoming, as is the Chef who greets and chats with his guests at every table.
Toasted Arepas: mini arepas made of ground maize dough, pine mushroom and chanterelle mushrooms are delightful amuse bouche. We joked that we a need dozen of these savory ‘macarons’ please!
First time at Cacao, we optioned to try a few things off the menu. For date night, we like to share a few dishes and pick off each others plate.
Ocean Wise sturgeon chicharron 14: full sturgeon is structured into this dish – fish skin chicharron, bone marrow mousse, and charcoal filet. Served with lemon ash, paprika aioli, radish, crispy shallots.
Ocean Wise albacore ceviche 15: leche de tigre, mint oil, arepa crisp and yellow pepper puree. Bright and balanced with acidity.
pork shoulder and burnt pineapple 24: tender braised pork shoulder with pipian verde (toasted pumpkin seed pesto) and charred brussel sprouts and garden vegetables.
foie gras and guava 17: chilled and aerated foie gras is fluffy and melts in your mouth as you are surprised by pop rocks. The dish is accentuated by guava gel and catalina.
Smoked Birchwood chicharron
A nice palate cleanser of cacao nib rocks, dark chocolate ganache and acai berries foam.
Bien me Sabe 9: A lovely fluffy and not too sweet coconut rum cake, meringue and toasted coconut.
Burnt Banana 9: Chef turns a common burnt banana into a delightful dessert. Served with gluten-free tonka bean streusel, dulce de leche and horchata ice cream.
We can’t wait to come back for brunch. Because everything sounds wildly delicious and you can’t go wrong with wild mushrooms and 65º free range eggs.
URL: http://www.cacaovancouver.com
Cuisine: Latin
Hours:
Mon closed
Tue 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Wed 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Thu 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Fri 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sat 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sun 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
1898 W 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1G5
(604) 731-5370
