Pair Bistro

Hidden gem alert! I'm amazed we haven't been to Pair Bistro before. Fair enough, it isn't in our neigh­bourhood, but still.

One of the defining characteristics of the culinary scene in Vancouver is the use of local ingredients. Given the abundance year round, we can't believe more chefs don't take advantage. Pair Bistro embraces this concept, offering ever changing menus based on what's in season.

No excuses today for ordering a cocktail, other than the fact that Pair Bistro listed a Caesar on their menu. Although, in general, I prefer a Bloody Mary to a Caesar, ill-fated rulers do make a mean drink.

We were graced with an amuse-bouche, but lest you think we got special treatment, the table next to us received the same. Looking at the presentation, I initially thought the raisin would dominate the fennel, but not at all.

We started with the Oven Roasted Garlic "Pairtizer," an elaborate platter (pictured at top), with a tapenade, a relish and a nice crusty bread.

Lucky us, we visited during the height of spot prawn season, and we got to taste Pair Bistro's take on this delicacy.

For our mains, we ordered the lamb, which was so tender it virtually fell off the bone,

and the Cast Iron Steak. The steak was cooked perfectly, and the cinnamon-sugar yam fries were extraordinary.

Okay, we must eat pretty slowly because between the time our main courses arrived to our dessert course, the sun set and twilight quickly crept in.

Speaking of desserts ... the crème brulée was divine, and the chocolate fondant was very good, too.

No surprise for our regular readers, but since there were only three desserts on the menu, we also ordered the goat-cheese cheesecake.

Fine, we ordered a dessert wine and a coffee with Bailey's. Just don't tell our parents, okay?

If Pair Bistro were in Kerrisdale, we would be spending waaaaaaay too much time there. Fortunately, since we'd need to take two buses or a taxi, we think we have sufficient impediment.