La Quercia Wins Best Casual 2013

By Vancouver Magazine / May 1, 2013

Opening a second operation in the Opus Hotel this year did nothing to hinder La Quercia (Gold), our judges’ favourite casual room. Seven impeccable courses for $45 explains why you might have to wait a couple weeks for a reservation. “Adam Pegg’s pasta is the best in the city, with the agnolotti di Guido (veal, chard, ricotta) a firm favourite-though the spring variation with stinging nettles is better yet. Equally earthy and ethereal.”

Gutsy, lusty food and “modern plating that’s never precious” earned L’Abattoir a Silver this year; our judges loved it for “a romantic dinner, a meal with friends in the sun-filled atrium, or a session at the bar with Shaun Layton and his innovative cocktail program.” Dungeness crab and chickpea toasts, steelhead potato salad, sweetbreads, and a reinvented steak Diane are essential eating.

The “startling and delicious” cuisine at newcomer Wildebeest (Bronze) was praised as “unlike anything else in Vancouver-and the Noma-esque techniques seem perfectly suited to our local ingredients.”

Honourable Mentions to two excellent and reliable rooms: Vij’s and Chambar.