Cardero's Restaurant Review

Cardero's Restaurant Vancouver, BC

Located on the southern end of Stanley Park, this fish joint was a pleasant place to eat. The menu had a decent variety of food. The atmosphere was very busy and loud, only because there are so many people in the restaurant and out on the patio. We had to wait to be seated, which is usually a good sign, though it was not an overly long wait. The decor was comprised of a bunch of fun and intriguing items, all with local ties, to look at. The waiter was attentive and saw to all of our needs in a prompt and timely manner. As far as the most important factor, the food, we have mixed opinions on this. The steak that my wife ate, though perfectly cooked, had a huge chunk of gristle running down the center, making it really hard to eat. For the money paid for it, I would have expected better. My food, on the other hand, was quite delicious. I had a Miso-Sake Sablefish. The grill was perfectly charred on both the skin side and the flesh side, and the seasoning/marinade was packed full of flavor. When you cut into the meat, it oozed juices and was very tender. Probably the best fish I have ever eaten. I guess when visiting this fish restaurant, eat the fish and you will leave quite happy. I would eat here again, and confidently recommend it. 

Blink Restaurant & Bar

Blink Restaurant & Bar was a very upbeat place to eat. A little noisier than the other places we have eaten in, but that was due to the very open concept in the restaurant. It's ambiance was that of hip and modern, the decor being Rustic and Antique. The servers were friendly, but maybe not as attentive as other places we have eaten in. Not the best place for a romantic dinner, but certainly one for a night out, sans children. The open kitchen allowed us to see the chefs preparing the meals, which is a kind of entertainment of its own. My wife ate a Quiche with broccoli and cheese in it, that she enjoyed though the crust was a little tougher than she is used to. My steak was served with potatoes on a bed of spinach and grilled beans. It also had an asparagus and pea puree. The beans being grilled added a bit of crunch to the meal, and the steak was beautifully seasoned with peppercorns and salt. The potatoes could have used a bit more seasoning but the vinaigrette was very tasty, as was the puree. Overall it was a pleasant meal, at reasonable prices.

Ruth's Chris Steak House- Calgary Tower

Crab Cakes

Ruth's Chris Steak House 

Lobster Tail

Lobster Bisque

Mashed Potatoes and Corn Medley

I must say I loved this Steak House, although the prices were a little steep for what you get. The atmosphere was perfect for our 10th Anniversary Celebration. Quiet, peaceful music, romantic atmosphere. They put Happy Anniversary confetti on our table and had a card for us as well. We did not even have to pay for our deserts which they customized with Anniversary Writing. We were treated very well by our waiter who was very attentive and respectful of our space. He was there when we needed him, but not hovering. My Crab Cakes were very easy to eat, the crab flavor comes through as the main focus, but could have used a tad more seasoning. The Lobster Tail was great as well, though was a little tougher than I  was thinking Lobster Tail would be. My wife's Lobster Bisque was delightful, a great way to start off her meal. The mashed potatoes were light and fluffy, though a touch of dill or garlic would have put this over the top. The corn medley was good as well, but again a touch of salt would have been all this needed. My wife's steak I would say was the highlight of this meal, as a steak should be. This had the correct amount of fat marbled throughout to make it tender, and it melted in your mouth, not much seasoning on this, but it really did not need it. And finally the best part of my meal, the desserts! My wife had Creme Brule with berries, and this was simply heavenly! Perfect! I had an amply named Sinful Chocolate Cake, that was surprisingly gluten free. This devilish cake definitely tasted so good and melted in your mouth like good chocolate should.
I would return to this restaurant again for a nice quiet evening, though prices could be shaved down considering the amount of food.

Steak

Gluten Free Sinful Chocolate Cake

 

Creme Brule