Vancouver is home to a lot of restaurants and bars, but there are tons of hidden gems that the majority of Vancouverites aren't unearthing. To help guide us to these potential discoveries, we've enlisted some of our city's food players to share their recommendations for a feature dubbed Dining Confidential. Voted Vancouver Magazine's best bartender of the year in 2013, H at Notturno hails from the UK but has made a corner of Gastown all his own.
Know a chef who wants to share some top dining spots? The tipline is open.
[Photo via Robyn Hanson]
H, where do you like to go to eat?
I mostly cook at home, but if I go out, I'll try a different place each time.
So there's nowhere you're a regular at?
I love the Cafè Deux Soleils on Commercial Drive; the staff treat me really well and make me feel welcome every time I go in. I never get bored in there, they always have something to look at - either art on the walls or random magazines and books to read.
What's great about this place?
It's close to my home, and I can do my work there. The food - like me - is vegetarian. I get left alone but the staff are smart, charismatic and individual, which I find very important - also they always know what I want. They have events on, usually open mic nights, but I'm only there in the afternoons. The vibe is like a bohemian style and there's always interesting people to watch.
What do you order?
I usually drink lattes or espresso. I love my coffee, it helps inspire me to be creative!
· Notturno [Official Site]
· Cafè Deux Soleils [Official Site]
· All Previous Dining Confidentials [EVAN]
· All Previous Notturno Coverage [EVAN]