The Dishes is a new Scout column that asks Vancouverites to walk us through a map of their ideal day and night on the town. We’re talking breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner and late night cocktails. Tax and tip included.
For this week’s edition of The Dishes, we ask Rus Yessenov, barman at Yew Seafood, to show us on the map exactly where he gets his fill of Vancouver, starting from his place of work…
Good morning! What’s for breakfast/brunch?
Crispy Chicken & Waffles at Tuc Craft Kitchen paired with their ‘DIY Mimosas’ (bottle of bubbles & fresh OJ)! And they’re part of the Mealshare program (#buy1give1).
Where should we meet for coffee/tea?
The newish Di Beppe is the perfect friendly neighbourhood corner spot sporting oldschool Italian immigrant vibes. More importantly, they serve old school Italian coffee: dark, strong, without acid. Living a block away makes it an even more obvious choice. Pro-tip: stay long enough and you’ll hit the 3pm aperitivo happy hour.
Now we’re hungry again. What’s for lunch?
Channeling my inner bougie at Colette Grand Café in Holt Renfrew. Small Plates, Sandwiches, Pasta, Raw Bar, Salads = Perfection. Homer Street Café is a lovely space as well.
Who has you figured out at Happy Hour?
Living next door to Pidgin [pictured at top] is awesome for their happy hour Penicillins and Negronis, but my guilty pleasure is Cactus Club #frosé.
What’s for dinner?
Savio Volpe tops my list — great ambiance, great service, and precise food, cocktail & wine menus. I recommend taking the chef’s choice coursed dinner with a bottle of Super Tuscan and focus on the company you’re with.
What’s for dessert?
I typically skip the dessert and indulge in a sequence of digestifs: amaros, bitters, vermouths, etc. Is offering a shot of Fernet still known as a ‘bartender’s handshake’? The Diamond comes to mind…
Where are you taking us for late night cocktails?
My favourite cocktail spot is Pourhouse. Confidently choose a cocktail from the menu or any classic and flip to the bourbon list for the kick. The ambiance is dark and friendly — perfect for a date or a post-shift libation.