Circa Restaurant and Lounge on Granville, Vancouver

Suanne and I were invited to a restaurant launch a week ago.  We enjoy going for these sort of events because we get to learn a lot.  Also, it gives the excuse to check out the restaurant scene in downtown.

North Granville.  This area had seen better days.  This was the happening street over 50 years ago and is actually world famous for its neon lights.  Granville Street was indeed the Entertainment District of Vancouver.  Less than 20 years ago, the street began a spiral of decay and deterioration.  Gone were the famous theatres and in its place sprouted porn shops, peep shows, pawn shops and what nots.  Before long people began to shun the street and converged on Robson.

When Vancouver won the rights to host the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, the area began a series of rejuvenation and gentrification.  The city embarked on a program to bring this street back to its former glory.  Last week, when Suanne and I walked down the street, we felt safe.  We can see that all the efforts of the City Hall is coming to fruition.

Circa Restaurant and Lounge is one of those businesses who are spearheading the gentrification of Granville Street north.  They were opened only to media on the first day.  He he he … Suanne and I really enjoyed it so much playing media.

We were met by Colette who brought us around the place.  We were quite impressed with the way the place had been setup.  They certainly had very clever ideas and has a corner or table for every sort of events.

We were particularly impressed with the private room — it was so simplistic and yet so elegant.  I was thinking that if I want to impress and entertain (business or otherwise), this private room would quite fit the bill.

From the outside, you won’t guess how big this place really is.  It has almost 200 seats in this area with over 50 seats on the upstairs area.  There are two bars (one for the upstairs).

Talking about bar, the event was sponsored by Absolut.  Too bad I am not too much of a drinker.  Being Asian (and I think I can speak on behalf of most Asian), I am somewhat intolerant to alcohol.  One glass, I am all flushed … two glasses, I talk nonsense … three glasses, I will break out in rashes which will last a week!

I had something I thought would be OK for me.  After all, it had Lychee Puree as it’s main ingredient.

There is the Chambord (or at least I think that’s what it is).

So … Absolut, SoHo, Chambord, Lychee Puree = Southeast Star.  Small glass but certainly too much alcohol for me!  My face were all red.  Suanne had raspberry juice instead.  She couldn’t stop looking at my face and remarking like every 2 minutes how flushed I was.

Circa served Amuse Bouche together with the drinks.  They were all very good.  The tuna had a crispy base, sauteed fennel with red peppers and tomatoes.

More after the jump. Click to read the rest of Circa Restaurant and Lounge on Granville, Vancouver (157 words)

© ben for Chow Times, 2009. |
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