Gotham Steakhouse

Throughout the dining experiences that Michael and I have shared, I have realized that we don't often to go to fancy restaurants. I feel that I like the idea of going to a fancy restaurant but whenever I go to one I am always disappointed by the food. Maybe it's because many high end places are all about the ambiance of the restaurant and not much thought has been put in to the food, and for the price we pay I am often leaving the restaurant still hungry or unsatisfied. Or it could just be because I have not found an upscale restaurant with both a fantastic atmosphere and great food at the same time.

Gotham Steakhouse on Seymour

Michael and I met up with a couple of very close friends of my mom's who were visiting Vancouver for a few days. They happened to be also fellow dog lovers, my favourite kind of people.  They chose to go to Gotham Steakhouse in downtown Vancouver, which happened to be one of their favourite restaurants to visit when they're in town. I always pass by Gotham located at 615 Seymour St, I know my parents have been there a few times before with their friends, but it's okay this time Michael and I stole my mom's friends for the evening for a dinner date.

Dimly lit and luxurious interior

It was both Michael and myself's first time to the restaurant, I can't speak for Michael, but when I first walked in to the doors I felt a tad overwhelmed, and with the dark ambiance it felt very upper East Side. We agree that the restaurant was served at a slow pace, so diners can enjoy their company with their friends which I really enjoyed. We shared great conversations and laughter.  There is dining outside and upstairs dining as well, it seemed pretty big, and our fellow dog lover friend Dr. Dog even said that to locate the washroom we would probably need a map. There was also a piano player playing somewhere in the restaurant which Michael really liked.

Gotham's calamari

For appetizers Dr Dog and his lovely wife raved about their calamari ($15.95) so Michael and I decided to share the appetizer together.  The calamari was served with hot cherry peppers with a cajun mayo on the side.  Myself I really enjoyed the calamari. It wasn't greasy and didn't taste so heavy that I felt like I wouldn't be able to eat my entree. I also really like the peppers that was mixed in with it, I thought it was lovely, it was sweet and very spicy at the same time. As for the cajun mayo, I thought there would be a little more heat to it since it was cajun right? but it was a very light mayo taste.

Steak Tartare with crostini

As for Dr. Dog he had the Steak Tartare ($19.95) which happened to be one of my favourites before I cut beef out of my diet.  Back in the day my favourite beef tartare was at the old Rob Feenie's restaurant Feenie's. At Gotham it was served an egg and surrounded with a little crostini on the side. Dr.Dog is quite the world traveller himself, he says out of the tartare he's had, his favourite is still in Seoul. The Gotham Tartare was not too heavily seasoned, leaning towards to the bland side, but not bad for an appie. Usually he is use to the tartare served with French Fries, or with a boiled egg, so it was interesting to have only half a boiled egg.

Roasted half-stuffed chicken

For entree, you probably wondering why I went to a steakhouse if I don't eat beef, well thats alright I  had the chicken. I had the roasted half stuffed chicken ($31.95) usually I feel with a lot of Western restaurants they often serve chicken breasts which can taste a little dry and grainy. At Gotham where I got a half a chicken, it was very moist I liked the mixture of the chicken juice mixed in with the caramelized glaze sauce at the bottom.

16 oz bone-in rib steak

Michael had the 16 ounce bone-in rib steak ($46.95). It arrived as a huge piece of rib perfectly cooked to medium rare on the inside, but still with a nice touch of charcoal on the outside along with that fire-infused crunch. The entrees don't come with side dishes though, so those had to be ordered separately. Michael would say the lack of complementary side dishes was the only thing that put him off. And of course, with all large pieces of meat there's the same problem - the steak gets colder the longer you take to eat it. But overall, Michael would say he's never had a better restaurant prepared steak.

Filet Mignon

Dr. Dog had the filet mignon ($50.95) and Mrs. Dog had the New York strip ($48.95).  Dr.Dog had his steak rare and thought it was a melt in your mouth experience. He has been to many places where his rare steak's texture was usually strange and chewy. Gotham is anything but that, he liked that they didn't add much spices because it would have interrupted the natural taste of the beef. It was only lightly seasoned with basic salt and pepper on the exterior.

New York strip

The lovely Mrs. also really liked her new York strip, which also described her dish to be melt in your mouth. She liked that it wasn't overly cooked on the exteriors edges.

Potato lyonnaise

For entrees nothing is served on the side so don't forget to order your sides. Since Gotham's side dishes are served in large portions,  our party of four decided to share everything. We were going get two of their baked potatoes but unfortunately they were all sold out. Thats half a potato Michael and I will never get to try. So we got the potato lyonnaise ($9.95), it was our first time trying this French style potato and I for one thought it was very tasty. The potato was thinly sliced and pan fried with onions. I thought there was a charred smoky flavour to the dish, lovely. Dr. Dog especially liked the charred smokiness of the dish.

Cauliflower gratin

Second there was the cauliflower gratin ($10.95) with melted cheese on top of everything. What could possibly go wrong? The cauliflowers were huge. Michael and I split the a cauliflower between us two because it was that big. I loved watching the ooey gooey cheese stretch. But I was hoping the cauliflower would be a little more soggy, it was a little too crunchy for my liking. Dr. Dog had expected the cauliflower dish to be mashed, and liked that it had the crunch. Michael enjoyed the dish too.

Sauteed baby beets

Third was sauteed baby beets ($8.95), I am not usually a big fan of beets, I prefer turnip over beets, they're in the same veggie family yes? all I can say for my thought was that they were very beety and purple. Mrs. Dog liked how the beets weren't overcooked, prepared just enough that there was a slight crunch to it, but not too much. She also enjoyed how the side dishes were meant to be shared, with enough food to share among two to three people a dish.

Mashed potatoes

Last was my favourite and I am sure everyone else's from the table as well. It was the mashed potatoes ($7.50) I loved that it was mashed to perfection in to a creamy texture and there was a nice garlic taste in there as well, it wasn't overwhelming that you can knock out a vampire, there was also a creamy component in there as well which I feel that it empasized the garlic taste. My favourite! Mrs. Dog couldn't agree more about that garlicy goodness.

We were all so stuffed that we didn't have room to take on dessert but thats alright because I would have settled for a bucket of ice because of the hot weather. Gotham was a really fun place to dine, but I'd say it's a place meant for special occasions. You go to it for a really high class experience, where waiters are always attentive and the lights are always dim.


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Faubourg

Bonjour mes amies! It was such a stressful week and I thought I well deserved a macaron. I have to admit macarons have been an overrated and overstated dessert for awhile but its been awhile since I've had one. Also I usually think eating delicate little pastries and dessert treats isn't Michael's style but it was such a stressful week that I didn't care what he thought I just wanted my macaron. 

Welcome to Faubourg!

There were a few places I contemplated but we were near the Kerrisdale area and decided to hit up Faubourg.  Faobourg is located in the chic strip of Kerrisdale at 2156 West 41st. I have been here once with a Frenchie bff of mine. We loved that the majority of the staff at this artisan delight cafe spoke French. Although my bff and myself thought it was awesome, I don't think Michael really cares what the staff speaks, he's a guy's guy and just wants his food.

I love how this cafe is laid out there are the macarons, pastries, desserts, sandwiches, and baguettes. There are big windows that street goers can see their decadent treats, just the way I remember it in Paris. It really does give me a quick escape to France until I open the door and I  see a TransLink bus go by. Up on the walls they were playing a black and white film that reminded me of  an adorable French film I watched not too long ago.  On the tables where we ate on there is a map laid out like the Arrondissement, and there's also a separated area behind the hussle and bussle of the cafe you can enjoy a quiet high tea. 
 

Pain au chocolat

For desserts I would say Faubourg is on the pricey side. But first there is no price on being or eating chic. Second how could Michael ever say no to me. I got the pain au chocolate for about $4. It was amazing compared to the one I had at Thierry in downtown Vancouver, I just gobbled that sucker up. The exterior is flaky and crunchy as it should be, there was the perfect amount of chocolate in the middle that didn't take over the butter taste. A little on the oily side compared to the ones I've had in Europe but hey who am I to complain, finding a good croissant is like finding gold in Vancouver. 

Ham and cheese sandwich

I feel that since Faubourg serves,for the most part, petite site sized desserts, there weren't many options for Michael. He got a regular old ham and cheese sandwich. He thought it was a pretty big serving compared to everything else and he enjoyed that they bake their own bread for the sandwiches.

Assorted macarons

Of course I came for the macarons and oh I got them alright. We got nine for $16, a bit on the pricey side. My favourite was the lavender Earl Gray and the Tahitian vanilla bean.  The Earl Gray was like drinking the tea but in a solid form and it wasn't too sweet at all. Vanilla does seem like a really boring and generic flavor, but something in there gave it a little pizazz. It tasted light and creamy something perfect for a spring afternoon. Or perhaps I have a thing for Paul Gauguin and Faubourg decided to add the word Tahitian in there.  It was Michael's first macaron and I told him to take only half a bite and just feel what he is taste from the delightful little thing. We also gave one to Michael's manly friend and he just popped the whole thing in his mouth. They both feel there is nothing special and doesn't understand what all the fuss is about. Men, what do they know. 

Of course to wash all this we needed out black coffees. Nothing says a good dessert without a good cup of black coffee. 

A bien tot! 

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