The 2014 edition of Dine Out Vancouver Festival is well underway with the first weekend seeing restaurants and events filled with Festival goers. This year I start the Festival off with Billy (@billyforce) and Mary (@maryinvancity) at Bistro Sakana, in Yaletown. I’d only ever been for lunch and know it’s a great spot for quality sushi. Happily it is a participant in Dine Out and from the constant stream of patrons coming in and out of the doors it was a popular inclusion. This was Billy & Mary’s first visit and none of us were disappointed.
Executive Chef Etsuko has carefully chosen a selection of menu items to highlight Bistro Sakana’s fine blend of Japanese, Italian and French style cuisine. Everything on the menu stimulates all the senses, the plates are presented beautifully to stimulate the eye, the flavours stimulate the palate with many layers of flavour, and scents to stimulate your sense of smell.
The $38 three course menu starts with Wild Sockeye Salmon Miso Chowder – a hearty, but light broth with a hint of miso and cream topped off with chunks of Sockeye.
The beautifully plated main included five tastes; Wild Sockeye Jalapeno Aburi & Toro Red Chili Aburi Hakozushi – fresh, perfectly torched, bite full of flavour, Caprese Roll – like its namesake salad, tomato, bocconcini & pesto with scallop sashimi accented with balsamic reduction, Crunchy Filo Scallop & Prawn – light & crispy, filo wrapped prawn and scallop with miso hollandaise sauce, Ahi Tuna Tartare – ahi tuna, fresh house-made guacamole, mango & yuki sauce served with a crispy nori slice to wrap it in. We also added on their unique Caterpillar Roll – crab, smoked salmon, cucumber with brown rice wrapped in fresh, creamy avocado.
During the meal we sipped on their signature cocktails; Geisha Girl – pineapple juice, blackberry liquer & vodka and The Salty Samurai – grapefruit juice, ginger, & vodka. The meal was then topped off with Oka San’s Rich Chocolate Brownies – bites of warm dark chocolate brownies served with chocolate sauce and vanilla bean gelato, a great treat to wrap up an excellent meal. And a great way to start of 2014 Dine Out Vancouver Festival.
Bistro Sakana is located at 1123 Mainland Street, in Yaletown.
Open for lunch weekdays and dinner Monday – Saturday, closed Sundays & Holidays.
For reservations phone 604.633.1280 or email bistrosakana@shaw.ca
Follow @BistroSakana on Twitter or Facebook