Raincity Grill

A Celebration of All Things Vancouver.

Seen right: Seaside lunch at Raincity Grill.
Photography by Bruce Law.

Raincity Grill is the quintessential Vancouver dining experience. Located in the heart of the West End, overlooking a stretch of Stanley Park and the beach at English Bay, Raincity Grill was one of the very first restaurants in British Columbia to embrace the ‘buy locally, eat seasonally’ philosophy, helping to define Pacific Northwest cuisine. Proving the concept was no passing fad, Raincity Grill was the first restaurant in BC to have adopted the ‘100-mile tasting menu’ (where every ingredient is sourced from within 100 miles of the restaurant) and has done so for over two years.

The room is comfortable and intimate with a long patio resplendent with fresh herbs and flowers that offers a million dollar view of shimmering English Bay. Weekend brunch at this beautiful location is a venerable Vancouver tradition and, if you’re hitting the beach, a handy side takeout window offers fish & chips.

Chef Peter Robertson’s menu reflects the ever-changing seasons of Vancouver with his thoughtful tasting menus. “With Peter, we have a chef who is inspired to push forward with what we believe in: providing a showcase for local and regional products prepared in the best way possible," says proprietor Harry Kambolis. Local duck breast with braised endive, Sloping Hills pork belly with candied kabocha squash and Bayne Sound scallops with Jerusalem artichokes are standouts on a menu that features only the freshest ingredients.

Longtime General Manager Brent Hayman’s innovative wine list has garnered numerous accolades for its savvy finds culled exclusively from the Pacific Northwest and extensive by-the-glass selection. “Brent brings a wealth of knowledge,” says Harry. “Not just his innate ability to source spectacular local wines, but also the experience he brings to the dining room.” Brent has been recognized as Sommelier of the Year by Vancouver magazine, and was just inducted into the BC Restaurant Hall of fame for his contributions to Vancouver’s vibrant dining scene.

“There are a lot of restaurant concepts that would work in any city,” says Harry. “Raincity Grill can only exist in Vancouver. For eighteen years now we’ve been honing in on regional and seasonal ingredients. I think we get better at it every year.”

Menu Highlights

APPETIZERS

Butternut Squash Soup: hazelnut, dungeness crab salad

Grilled “Caesar” Salad: romaine spears, caesar dressing, asiago

Salad of Smoked Langley Trout: BC spot prawn, ‘Granville Island Sake’ emulsion

Parfait of Fraser Valley Duck: toasted brioche, spiced vodka puree

BRUNCH

Dungeness Crab and Herb Benedict: toasted English muffin, hollandaise, red onion hash

Brioche French Toast: red fruit compote, mascarpone, maple syrup

Chorizo Omelette: Yukon gold potato, red pepper, asiago cheese, grilled sourdough

Back Bacon Benedict: toasted English muffin, hollandaise, red onion hash

LUNCH

Mushroom and Goat Cheese Sandwich on Sourdough

Salt Spring Island Mussels: chorizo, tomato, white wine, Yukon Gold potato chip

Wild Pacific Salmon: B.C. spot prawn & pancetta colcannon, creamed leeks, red wine jus

Confit of Fraser Valley Duck: warm salad of white beans, red wine jus

DINNER

Roasted B.C. Halibut: verjus puree, beetroot, cous cous, a salad of watermelon radish, a salad of watermelon radish, onion & thyme broth

Rare Albacore Tuna Loin: green pea risotto, honey roasted carrots, Fanny Bay oyster cream

Wild Pacific Salmon: B.C. spot prawn & pancetta colcannon, creamed leeks, red wine jus

Best of the Cellar

WHITE WINES

Blue Mountain "Reserve", Chardonnay 2004
Tantalus "Old Vines", Riesling 2006
Woodward Canyon, Chardonnay 2002
Delille Cellars "Chaleur Estate", White 2000, 2001
Au Bon Climat, Chardonnay 2005
Etude, Pinot Gris 2006
Château St. Jean "La Petite Etoile", Fume Blanc 2005

RED WINES

Fairview Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Laughing Stock "Portfolio", 2005
Cedar Creek "Block 4", Pinot Noir 2005
La Frenz, Shiraz 2005
Quilceda Creek, Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Woodward Canyon, Merlot 1996, 98, 99, 2000
Delille Cellars "Doyenne", Syrah 2004
Mystic, Barbera 2004, 05
Cristom "Mt. Jefferson Cuvee", Pinot Noir 2003, 05
Thomas "Dundee Hills", Pinot Noir 2003
Château Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon 1989, 91, 93, 96, 97, 98
Stag's Leap, Merlot 2003
Turley "Hayne", Petite Sirah 2002, 03

Pictured above: “Agassiz” - Butter Poached Swift Aquaculture Coho Salmon, watercress, wasabi leaf salad, hazelnut. “100 Mile” - Seared Fraser Valley Muscovy Duck Breast, 100 mile vegetables & herbs, North Arm Farms beet root chard..

RAINCITY GRILL
1193 Denman Street
Vancouver, BC
604-685-7337

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