Vancouver Restaurant - The Keg on Dunsmuir

Time flies.  After a few weeks of being on hiatus, Vancity girlfriends spontaneously decided to go for a girl's night out!  We missed Dine Out Vancouver so this was a way to go out to wine and dine and catch up on old times.  

Originally we wanted to go to The Keg on Alberni at the Shangri-La Hotel but apparently Family Day long weekend is a popular time to celebrate.  It was fully booked except for 5pm or 8:30pm which are not the ideal dinner time.  So instead we made reservations at The Keg on Dunsmuir.  It's easy to make reservation on Open Table which will give you 100 points for each reservation.  When you have 2,000 points, that is equal to a dining cheque for $26 Cdn ($20 US) or you can keep collecting to the next level.  Guess it rewards all of those organizers and planners out there who plan ahead and make reservations.

When we arrived, we were so glad we had reservations.  There was a line out the door.  We were able to get seated at a table in the bar and lounge.  We ordered our glasses of wine.  I tried a 6oz glass of the Knotted Vine on tap white wine specifically made for The Keg by local Okanagan winery Inniskillin. 

For dinner I ordered the Keg Classic Filet Mignon which is wrapped in bacon.  The classic means that it comes with a caesar salad and vegetables and one additional side dish which I choose mashed potatoes.  The steak is the main attraction at The Keg.  

I haven't had a meal like this is ages.  So since we were already out, Vancity Girlfriends is going to celebrate the girl's night out by sharing a Billy Miner Pie.  The whole evening was definitely a treat!  I loved it so much that I'll be coming back in March for Vancity Girlfriend Carolyn's birthday bash and I'll plan ahead so can go to The Keg Alberni!  Thanks The Keg Dunsmuir for a memorable night!  

Vancouver Restaurant: Gotham Steakhouse and Bar

Gotham Steakhouse is one of Vancouver's well known restaurants for steak.  They have won several awards and none of this would have enticed me to go.  Instead I could just wonder....until this Christmas.

The office decided to host the Christmas party at Gotham Steakhouse and Bar.  What a treat!  There are private rooms downstairs for company parties and a bar and servers.  It's the full service deal.  It was cozy to have this private Christmas party and even better that there was an open bar!  It's the company Christmas party when I can choose a signature cocktail to enjoy all night long.  I've learned my lesson not to mix drinks or play and drinking games.  I've grown into enjoying a cocktail and Gotham is the place for cocktails.

I researched Gotham cocktail list so I would be prepared for the party.  I waited for others to order so I could admire the different types of drinks and then I ordered the "French 49" martini.  Such a beautiful drink!  

The servers are friendly that it wasn't until my 2nd order of this fancy martini cocktail that they corrected me and said it was a "French" martini.  I loved every sip of this drink.

When the food arrived it was just as impressive, the steak was flavorful and tender.  There was a set menu for us and we had options for our appetizer, entree, and dessert.  I choose a prawn cocktail as an appetizer.  It was served on ice and the prawns were large and delicious.  

The main course was a filet mignon tenderloin steak.  It was the perfect size and packed with flavour.  The side dishes of mashed potatoes, button mushrooms, and asparagus were in the middle of the table for all to share.  The mashed potatoes were light and fluffy and whipped with butter.  I couldn't get enough and had to finish all of the little plates of mushrooms and asparagus.  This was such an elegant tast of a steak.  I now know why Gotham Steakhouse is so well known for its steak.  

I have to admit that this was one of the most memorable Christmas parties!  I'd recommend others to look into Gotham Steakhouse next year for their holiday party but keep in mind that you have to book early.  

Vancouver Restaurant - Cactus Club Coal Harbour

When you have guests in town or want to be a tourist in your own town, Coal Harbour downtown Vancouver has great views and scenery as well as good places to eat.  At Coal Harbour stands the Olympic Cauldron from the 2010 Olympic Games.  It is a beautiful structure and attraction for a photo shoot.  In addition, there are the views of the seaplanes, North Vancouver and the water.  

Cactus Club Coal Harbour is right there for an elegant dining experience for you and your guests.  I get invited there for business and it is always a memorable experience.  For groups you can reserve a private room and there is a set three course menu to choose from which includes steak, chicken, fish, or vegetarian options.  Of course, I always choose their Peppercorn Sirloin Steak.  The private room has large windows to see the boardwalk.  Our guests loved seeing an odd sighting which was a family of Canadian geese that were strutting along from the Cauldron to the water before flying off.  They were able to snap a few shots.



This was a great way to start a weekend with Pimm's Cup cocktail with Pimm's No1, ginger ale, strawberries, cucumber and mint.  I chose the Prawn Ravioli for the starter, Peppercorn Sirloin Steak, and then the Key Lime Pie for dessert.  The other dessert option was the Peanut Butter Bar.  The portions are generous and filling.  I loved the flavour in the ravioli appetizer.  Most importantly the out of town guests enjoyed their meal and had a good time. 

Cactus Club Coal Harbour Pimm's Cup

Cactus Club Coal Harbour Prawn Ravioli Appetizer

Cactus Club Coal Harbour Peppercorn Sirloin Steak

Cactus Club Coal Harbour Key Lime Pie

Cactus Club Coal Harbour Peanut Butter Bar

Vancouver Restaurant: Hamilton Street Grill in Yaletown for Dine Out Vancouver

Dear Vancity Girlfriends,

Dine Out Vancouver Festival is back in town again for another year of restaurants participating!  With so many restaurants, the big question is which one to choose.  I've learned a few tricks over the past few years.  The first is to choose a date ahead of time with your girlfriends what is the perfect date especially if you are trying to get a group together as reservations on the weekends will fill up quickly.  Then narrow down your neighbourhood or type of food that you want to eat to have fewer restaurant menus to look at.  It can be overwhelming if you are searching all the menus of all of the restaurants participating in the Dine Out Vancouver Festival.  

I already knew that we wanted to eat downtown and I narrowed down my search to "Steakhouses" and found Hamilton Street Grill in Yaletown.  

Hamilton Street Grill has a $30 Dine Out Menu here and the photos below are of the three courses that I choose from our girls night out.  It was a flavourful and filling steak dinner.  Dine Out Vancouver Festival is on until the end of January.  And if you hashtag your experience in #MyDineOutStory #DOVF you can have a chance to win foodie gift certificates. 

Dine Out Vancouver Menu for Hamilton Street Grill:  http://www.dineoutvancouver.com/listings/Hamilton-Street-Grill/18575/0/

Bison Carpaccio with horseradish cream and arugula salad

Grilled Angus Beef New York Steak with Brandy Peppercorn sauce, garlic mashed and fresh vegetables

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake with raspberry coulis