Raincity Grill

A GuestLife Vancouver
Great Restaurant

Since restaurateur Harry Kambolis opened at this bustling beachfront corner in 1992, Raincity Grill has become a much-loved West End institution. On weekdays, the Grill is a relaxing seaside lunch destination, with seasonal favourites played out on its sunny patio — find barbecued chicken on potato baguette, or halibut tempura served with sweet potato fries. Offering a front-row seat to the action on English Bay, the patio is also a perfect place to stop for weekend brunch (recommended: the Dungeness crab benedict) on the way to the beach.

Raincity Grill is a warm celebration of local flavours. Chef de Cuisine Andrea Carlson has fine-tuned this commitment, with a promise that 98 percent of the food on each plate is organic and produced in British Columbia. This year she has introduced seasonal collections based on a particular region, such as the Salt Spring Island Heritage Orchard Apple tasting menu. And her 100 Mile Menu guarantees that indigenous ingredients are sourced within a two-hour radius of the city.

Raincity Grill is a repeat winner of Vancouver magazine’s Best Regional award — a prized distinction that reflects chef Carlson’s constant visits to organic farms and the relationships she has developed with the people who grow her ingredients.

The open kitchen is part of the intrigue at Raincity Grill, as guests can watch chefs prepare classic staples such as Grilled Caesar Salad with romaine spears and asiago, or new favourites like Golden Beet Carpaccio, Grilled Chipotle Quail or Seared Agassiz Coho.

The wine list reflects the same values as the fresh-obsessed menu. Raincity Grill features the finest Pacific Northwest vintages, offering more than 400 labels from B.C., Washington, Oregon and California. Awardwinning Sommelier Brent Hayman regularly tours the area’s wineries, selecting rare labels and limited production bottles. With one of Vancouver’s largest lists of wine-by-theglass, diners can enjoy a different pairing with every course.

On a balmy summer evening, there’s no better place to enjoy the favourite local sights: boats sailing into the harbour, beach volleyball players, Denman Street amblers, the sunset and, on special nights, fireworks. With its comfortable, contemporary decor and high-energy bistro atmosphere, Raincity Grill is an exemplar for the city, and the province.

Menu Highlights

Lunch

Warm barbecue chicken on potato baguette,
smoked gouda, arugula, pickled shallot and potato salad.

Halibut tempura
sweet potato fries, radish and pink lady apple salad, arugula aioli.

Pesto pasta
hand rolled, arugula and roasted pumpkin seeds, montaña cheese.

Garbanzo bean & preserved garlic “tajine,”
cauliflower & buttermilk fritter, roasted beet sauce, sheep’s yogurt.

Brunch

Back bacon benedict
toasted english muffin, hollandaise, roasted potatoes.

Candied wild salmon benedict
roesti potato, crème fraiche, spring greens.

Oyama sausages and eggs, roasted potatoes

Poppy seed & walnut brioche french toast
rhubarb compote & maple mascarpone, candied walnuts.

Appetizers

Seared lamb loin carpaccio,
tomato preserve.

Spotted prawn and cucumber salad
sorrel and green pea gazpacho, pea tips.

Grilled chipotle quail
yogurt fry bread, cilantro & savoy cabbage slaw, chili glaze.

Organic golden beet carpaccio
horseradish cream, ‘tiger blue’ cheese, poached quail’s egg.

Main Courses

Vermicelli pasta
halibut cheeks, spring leek and organic mushroom cream.

Grilled freerun chicken breast
red sunchoke gratin, roasted butternut squash, coriander jus.

Seared sea scallops
porcini mushroom, bulgur wheat and watercress “risotto,” house-cured Berkshire pancetta.

Agassiz beef striploin
roasted potatoes, braised beef shortrib, roasted cauliflower, chili jus.

Best of the Cellar

White Wines

Cedar Creek “Platinum Reserve” Chardonnay 2002, B.C.

Blue Mountain “Reserve” Pinot Gris 2003, B.C.

Alderlea Viognier 2004, B.C. Eroica, Riesling 2004, Washington

Woodward Canyon Chardonnay 2001, 2002, Washington

Domaine Drouhin “Arthur” Chardonnay 2003, Oregon

Willakenzie, Pinot Gris 2004, Oregon

Landmark “Damaris” Chardonnay 1999, California

Red Wines

Laughing Stock “Portfolio” 2003, B.C.

Poplar Grove “Reserve” 2002, B.C.

Golden Mile Cellars “Black Arts” Pinot Noir 2004, B.C.

Quails’ Gate “Family Reserve” Pinot Noir 2004, B.C.

Burrowing Owl, Syrah 2003, B.C.

Nichol Vineyards Syrah 2003, B.C.

McCrea “Sirocco” 2002, Washington

Delille Cellars “Doyenne”, Syrah 2002, 2003, Washington

Evesham Wood “Cuvee J” Pinot Noir 2002, 2003, Oregon

pictured: An Organic Golden Beet ‘Carpaccio’ with beet jellies, tiger blue cheese, and horseradish cream. Braised aggassiz lamb neck with sunchoke chip and berkshire bacon jus.

Raincity Grill
1193 Denman Street,
Vancouver
(604) 685-7337

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