burgoo

After doing the Aids walk in Vancouver with my friends, we all worked up an appetite! A quick drive away from Sunset Beach, is one of our favourite restaurants that has a great atmosphere, delicious food from all around the world, and reasonable prices! Their soups are amazing every time I go there, and the portions are BIG! It’s usually bustling place on Main street although it’s obscurely located on a corner, next to a public parking lot and across the street from Insurance and Travel agencies. What does the place justice is the old post office “The Heritage Hall” at 15th and Main that stands magnificently on the Southern side of the bistro. It’s “heritage” charm (built in early 1900’s) with a three story clock tower, lends a great vibe to the approach of the place, as you stroll past a wedding ceremony, or a little craft show.

The design of Burgoo has a rustic flair as the low wooden fence, that is seemingly made of former shipping palettes, surrounds the patio and the rough and worn wooden siding paired with faux stone facade makes it feel like a cottage or country building which is a nice escape in the city. The only clue that you have that screams modern, is the neon light that’s high up on a post, that spells out burgoo for all of main to see. On the inside are these amazing beams on the ceiling, nice accents with blue tile, lovely heavy hardwood lacquered tables and it all works very well together. Leather seating, trendy bar stools, ancient cash register (just for decoration) and hot staff all make this a trendy modern place that all of us love. Old meets new is a great collaboration in design.

Now, on to the food! The last time I had a meal there, I had beef bourguignon which was rich, meaty, but still had the fresh zing of wine. Served heaping in a large bowl on top of mashed potatoes, the vegetables in the dish were cooked perfectly (tender but with a little bite) and the beef with its thyme, garlic and tomato gravy was heaven! That was comfort food that warmed you to the core.

The carrot soup that I regrettably never ordered, (I stole some from my dining companions who were clever enough to order it), has the richness of coconut milk but with the mint and cardamom, adds freshness and honey brings out the sweetness of the carrot. it’s smooth as it glides down your throat and inevitably, the bowl empties out quickly as you can’t have enough!

The French Onion soup was amazing with the characteristic deep caramelized flavour of onion with beefy stock and finished with croutons and ooey gooey Gruyere, Emmenthal and Mozzarella. I love the croutons rather than the usual floating toasts which I find are always difficult to manoeuvre. How are you supposed to eat that? You usually have to break it apart with your spoon by putting it up against the sides of the bowl, or sink it to the bottom. That defeats the purpose though doesn’t it, because you lose the cheese that’s all oozing over it, now don’t you? (rant over). Burgoo does a magnificent job with the right decision for croutons and the peppery-ness of the whole soup I looooooove.

The “summer salad” I had came with seasonal mixed greens, red onion, blueberries, cucumber and maple salmon in some kind of red wine(?) vinaigrette (sorry I was so hungry I just wolfed it down) It was a great accompaniment to the heavy soup as the crunchy sweet salad played well with the deep flavours of caramelized onion.

What else can you have here? Burgoo has an array of true comfort food, as they have baked Mac and cheese: a meat version with bacon, peas and breadcrumbs or a veggie version with basil, garlic, tomato or parmesan. They feature comfort food from all around the world with Ratatouille [France], Butter chicken [India], Lamb Tagine [Morocco], Laksah [Malaysia], and Irish Stew [Ireland]. There are so many more dishes that they execute beautifully, authentically and lovingly. Their sandwiches look amazing as the rustic filone bread comes hot and toasty with a classic grilled cheese, or a Vietnamese Banh Mi Xa Xiu with barbecue pork, pickled carrot, cucumber, sunflower sprouts and cilantro. The tasty Chicken which is roasted chicken with apple and Dijon comes with lots of greens and veggies.  Deeeeeeeelicious.

 

Their brunch menu is amazing, the bloody Mary's were spicy and Mint tea came with its own tea pot and organic tea!

I had a great time, and a delightful meal with great friends, yummy comfort food and I left more than satisfied. This was a great lunch after walking along the seawall for the Aids walk and on a slightly chilly day, Burgoo did its part in warming all of us up!

Locations:
Burgoo Bistro Main Street
3096 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T3G5‎ - (604) 873-1441
Burgoo Point Grey (near UBC)
4434 W 10th Ave, Vancouver, British Columbia V6R 2H9‎ - (604) 221-7839
Burgoo Lonsdale (North Vancouver)
3 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7M2E4‎ - (604) 904-0933‎