Commercial Drive has long been the nexus for Spanish-speaking immigrants, mostly from Chile and Central America. It boasts a clus¬ter of Latin American clubs and eateries, among them Havana (1212 Commercial Drive, East Vancouver, 604-253-9119, www.havana-art.com). Its kitchen turns out tapas and entrées such as jambalaya, and snapper with mango salsa, preferably consumed on its all-weather patio. However, Havana also houses a backroom art gallery and sixty¬seat theater (mainly alternative fare). Throw in a good bar and Cuban cigars, and you have a Caribbean-style night on the town.
The Latin Quarter (1305 Commercial Drive, East Vancouver, 604-251-1144), with a Peruvian owner and, at last report, Mexican chef, offers tapas (I like their crostini with goat cheese) and entrées. But just as important, a superior string-and-drum quartet plays wonderful edgy instrumental music nightly, followed by fine vocals. Sit for an hour or three, and you’ll definitely mellow
A delightful little Mexican restaurant that regularly appears on somebody’s “best list” is Tio Pepe (1134 Commercial Drive, East Vancouver, 604-254-8999). The Topanga Café (2904 West 4th Avenue, Kitsilano, 604-733-3713) has also been dishing out Mexican dishes specialties include came nortena, tamales, huevos rancheros, and Mexican pizza — for a very long time, so it must be doing some-thing right. A newer and hugely successful Latin spot — a lounge with atmosphere is Baru (2535 Alma Street, Westside, 604-222-9171). It also serves tapas.
A take-out place founded by young Mexico City—born Rossana Ascencio and her siblings, the Mouse & the Bean Café (319 West Hastings Street, Downtown, 604-633-1781), is oddly sandwiched among the marijuana-culture cafés. However, it dishes up the real thing and is popular with office types. Ascencio also hosts a travel program on local cable TV.
A friend who knows his inexpensive ethnic dishes reports that the Mirosol Restaurant (181 East i6th Avenue, East Vancouver, 604-874-3463) is run by a Chinese-born Peruvian who makes great South American dishes and serves them up in a simple but nice setting.
Well recommended by a secretguides.com contributor is Los Guerre¬ros Mexican Foods (3317 Kingsway, East Vancovuer, 604-451-7850). Que Pasa Mexican Foods, maker of excellent (and widely available) tortilla chips and other products, has done so well that it’s decamped from Vancouver to a spacious Richmond factory and deli (12031 No. 5 Road, Richmond, 604-241-5781).
|
