Top picks in North Vancouver: your choices please

[grayelf]

Hey Hounds, I'm here to pick your collective brains again. We're looking for a place to hold a casual birthday dinner for a cool chick on a Sunday night in North Van. The eclectic and early short list includes The District, Kashcool and Lolo's. Pretty open re type of cuisine, though we do need to consider two gluten-sensitive guests needs. Bring your suggestions and thanks!

[gourmet wife]

There's Tamarind Hill on Lonsdale by 15th.

[grayelf]

Noted, ecg_wcl and gw!

[slugsunderfoot]

- dunno if this will be much help but here we go regardless... there is a small, family- run west- indian place on the north side of 3- rd @ lonsdale- east side. pretty decent ' islands ' style roti, ackee with salt cod, etc...this is by no means a trendy, fashionable ' scene ' restaurant- but the food is quite good ( read: authentic flavours ) and the prices are excellent. very, very casual. hours ?

[eastcoastgirl_westcoastlife]

Haven't been there yet - just moved to North Van recently but it gets rave reviews on dinehere.ca and vancouverslop.com!

Kingston 11 Reggae Cafe
232 Lonsdale Ave
North Vancouver, BC V7M2G1
Tel: [phone]

http://dinehere.ca/north-vancouver/kingston-11-reggae-cafe

http://www.vancouverslop.com/2009/01/kingston-eleven-reggae-cafe.html

http://www.canada.com/northshorenews/...

[grayelf]

Heading to Lonsdale to look at the Russian tall ship tomorrow and contemplating an early dinner at Kingston 11.

FYI the cafe phone number is actually [phone] (the number listed is Prince's cell)

Hours are 12-9 Tues-Sat.

Respect :-)

[grayelf]

Will post more after the Olympic TV watching marathon is over (that should be an event too!) but in the meantime if you are in NVan and hungry, check out Kingston 11. Try the stew chicken, the curry goat or the oxtail, but not all at once or you will explode. This is comfort food with a twist, well made with love and care. I think it's what going over to your Jamaican friend's mum's house might be like. Recommended.

[waylman]

My wife (she's persian) and I prefer Kaschool to Shalizar....we found the chow at Shalizar very oily.

I had a killer meal at La Cucina when I was living in North Van....that's going back 3 years or so though.

If you don't mind venturing into West Van i would go to La Regalade. Killer french food and a very fun place to hang out for a birthday dinner.

[grayelf]

Thanks, waylman, duly noted. I'm chuffed to not only have so many choices for our little party but also to be capturing all these recs for future North Shore chowing. I always feel a bit at a loss on the other side of the pond :-).

Anyone else??

[lunchslut]

Funny, being Persian, I had the exact opposite experience. On our last visit we found the Fesenjoon (walnut and pomegranate stew) at Kashcool to be saccharin sweet , oily, and inedible. Then again, any self respecting Iranian would not order anything else than Kebab in a Persian restaurant and Kashcool does do kebabs well.

Would wholeheartedly agree on La Regalade -- wasn't sure if it fit the "casual" category.

[lunchslut]

Even though the kitschiness level can't be beat, Kashcool, in my opinion, aside from their decent kebabs has pretty low quality Persian food. The Tomahawk of the Iranian people.

Shalizar in West Van does a better job if the choice was for Persian food rather than the atmosphere.

If a pub would be an option, North Van has some decent ones. I have always been a big fan of the Raven Pub and on live entertainment nights the place is reminiscent of a truly amazing Celtic Pub! Black Bear Pub also gets great reviews.

[fmed]

Thanks for the tip on Shalizar (vs Kashcool). It's been on my list for ages. I've always wondered how Kashcool rated amongst Persians. I used to hang out with a bunch of Iranians who lived in North Van a long time ago now. I had the most amazing home cooking and wedding banquets.

[grayelf]

ls, can you expand a bit on your comments? I've not been to Kashcool (or Shalizar for that matter). Are they both kitschy but Shalizar has better food?

Though I agree with you re the Raven, I think we're looking for something more "restauranty" this time.

Any other places you might suggest? Have you been to Deuce?

[lunchslut]

Kashcool is very kitschy...think of an overdone Greek restaurant but triple the frescos and symbols of the ancient empire.
On the other extreme is Shaiizar. Vanilla contemporary is how I would describe the decor. Think the renovated White Spots. You would never know Shalizar is a Persian restaurant until you see the menu.
Unfortunately I am not familiar with Deuce. (I grew up on the North Shore but that is decades ago so not super up on the current restaurant scene)
Most of the popular casual places are chain restaurants but I don't think that is what you are looking for.

[grayelf]

Thanks, that is most helpful. And right you are on the no chains. If I wanted to go to Browns (and I don't) there's one in Kits!

We're heading to another friend's house after dinner who lives near Lonsdale so if there are any Chow worthy places I've missed near there that anyone has tried, please let me know!

[vandan]

burgoo, quattro

[grayelf]

Thanks, vandan, thought of Quattro but I was so put off by my last meal at the one on 4th I just can't do it :-(. Burgoo could work though some might consider it a chain...

[vandan]

true, but its a small c cain at that :)

[vandan]

edit :small c chain

[lunchslut]

In continuing the small c chain theme, there is a Crave in West Vancouver as well.