Across the street from the famous Gastown Steam Clock (literally) and in the heart of Gastown, Downtown Vancouver situates a west coast cuisine restaurant Water St. Cafe. The restaurant has an Italian influence as well and offers pasta made from scratch. However, we were here to take advantage of their happy hour menu and to try as many plates as we could! Happy hour at Water St. Cafe runs 7 days a week (yes, including weekends!) from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
The atmosphere at Water St. Cafe is very bright and inviting. Outdoor seating is available now that patio season has arrived and there are private rooms upstairs for larger parties.
TABLE BREAD AND WHIPPED BUTTER.
The house made focaccia exhibited a light crispy crust, which was well salted along with a soft crumb. This was definitely one of the better table breads I have had at a restaurant.
ANTIPASTO BOARD ($24.50).
The first appetizer we tried was the antipasto board that included garlic butter prawns, calamari fritti, warm mixed olives, cannelloni bean hummus and crostini. The buttery and garlicky prawns were perfectly cooked and exhibited a nice bounce. As for the calamari with fried jalapeño and a garlic aioli, it was well seasoned, lightly battered and tasted tender. Also despite that the calamari was cold, it still tasted good (like one of the Top 5 Calamari I have had). Last up on the plate was the hummus with more of that house made focaccia, but grilled! Oh man, this was way better than the table bread as it was grilled, drizzled with evoo and salted even more. The hummus had a great consistency and was not aggressively seasoned. This was a solid plate. Oh the olives, tasted great as well.
BISON CARPACCIO ($14.50).
Next up is the pink peppercorn crusted Canadian bison sprinkled with shaved parmesan, a generous but not did not overwhelm drizzle of truffle aioli, topped with crispy capers and arugula. This was probably the best bison carpaccio I have ever had! The bison tasted fresh and tender, and the truffle aioli provided that oomph and butteriness. The crispy capers gave it a nice texture as well as a salty component and the addition of arugula was refreshing.
WEST COAST CRAB CAKES ($15.00).
Continuing on with the appetizers is the crab cakes that consisted of pacific rock crab, baby shrimp, preserved citrus, fennel, arugula and saffron aioli.
The crab cakes had a perfectly light and crispy exterior and was filled with fluffy and meaty crab meat. The saffron aioli did not overwhelm and complimented the crab cakes as well.
BEET AND ARUGULA SALAD ($11.00).
Now on to something on the lighter side, the salad consisted of salt roasted golden and red beets, pickled beet puree, baby arugula, pistachio and goat cheese. This was a fun and healthy salad, there was a good balance of acidity and fruity flavours and it was not overdressed. The toasted pistachios added some nuttiness and goat cheese tasted great.
SMOKED BC SALMON PLATE ($14.00).
Last of the appetizers is the smoked salmon and maple salmon candy. The smoked salmon tasted fresh and easy on the salt, which paired well with a spread of the dill cream cheese and crunchy crostini. As for the candied salmon, there was a great texture and the maple did not overwhelm. This was another solid appetizer.
How can have I never been here before? Oh right, I always assumed Water St.Cafe would be a tourist trap. Well, they have totally proved me wrong! From the tasty food to the great staff, I honestly cannot wait to try their dinner menu and pasta.
POSITIVES
- Great food and staff
- 50% off during happy hour
- Happy hour runs 7 days a week from 3:00pm to 5:00pm
NEGATIVES
- Calamari was cold
WATER ST. CAFE
300 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B6
www.waterstreetcafe.ca
Telephone (604) 689-2832
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