Fridays Patio: BierCraft Tap and Tapas Bar, Vancouver (Commercial)

Posted by nance on 2012/07/27 in Bar / Lounge, Canada, Happy Hour, Northwest, pub food, Vancouver No comments

The Drive (Commercial Drive) offers a lot of great eats and most of all great drinks and great patios. One of my favorite go to spots is BierCraft Tap and Tapas Bar. The other is Havanas (they have amazing Sangrias). BierCraft, used to be called Stella’s. Guess someone didn’t like them using that name and it was not worth fighting over in the end. Frankly, BierCraft or whatever you want to call it serves a pretty impressive list of Belgian, Craft & Microbrewed beer.

BierCraft is not only great place to have a few pints in the open patio, but they also have a pretty delicious set of Tapas and food items.

The story behind BierCraft x Coffeefoodies is that Dave and I came here one year for my birthday before we started dating and long before Coffeefoodies was born. We were seated in the corner and shared some laughs and food. The waiter walked in on us a couple times while we fed each other and him stealing a kiss. (AWWWWW and apologies too much details for those clearly not interested.) While the couple next to us was staring at the menu the whole time in utter silence and awkwardness. Perhaps a blind date gone terribly wrong. Nonetheless BeirCraft holds a special place for us.

Let us begin with libations. I’m sure if your goal was to try one of everything they have you would be pretty pissed drunk. They used to also serve my beloved Fruli strawberry beer, but not anymore. So I must settle for:

Liefman’s Fruitesse

This fruit beer is matured in cherries for 18mos. and then blended with natural fruit juices of cherry, bilberry, elderberry, strawberry and raspberry. I’m not a fan and found some traces of cough syrup like properties. My tastebuds wasn’t very pleased.

St. Ambroise Apricot wheat ale

McAuslan Brewery, Montreal. I first discovered this in Montreal while dining on some POUTINE at La Banquise Resto 24h. This clean fruit ale boast a generous helping of apricots with malted wheat to create an original, refreshing beer.

Ephemere Apple

This big boy is 750ml and has a pleasant display of Granny Smith apples give a full, solid flavour to this white beer. Crisp and refreshing.

More Belgian Witbier … Wittekerke Wit

Unfiltered with sweet wheat and malt followed by a mixture of lemon, orange and coriander notes. A crisp finish with no real bitterness.

Fentimans Ginger Beer

To play pretend that I’m drinking some alcohol.

Caesar

My love of spiked tomatoe juice and olive garnishes continues. I found this drink a tad weak and required a little more punch.

I can’t say we’ve tried everything in one sitting, but definitely the following were only from a span of two visits recently. I know, we eat like pigs in starvation mode. But we also pound the pavement…

Beef Carpaccio $12.50

The English version of beef tataki with Parmesano reggiano, crispy capers, fleur de sel, spanish onion, garlic rouille. Not bad. Not bad.
Fish Tacos $11

Soft shell tacos are my favorite with Achiote & citrus marinated cod, cabbage, salsa & crema, chimichurri, fresh cilantro. Sometimes these are a bit hit and miss. I’ve had tender fish done just right and other times slightly overcooked and dry.

Belgian Frites $6

Crispy fresh cut Kennebec potato frites

Sesame Tuna $12.50

Great portions but not my thing. We found it under seasoned and bland. Too much mayo and sesame seeds.

Charcuterie $15

I love cured meats and pickled vegetables. A great selection of cured meats, house smoked oysters, cheese, pickled vegetables,grainy mustard, fresh filone

MUSSLES ½lb $10.25 // 1lb $15.5

Available in a 6 flavours.

Madrid

I love the spiciness of Chorizo sausage, plum tomatoes, white wine, jalapeno peppers

Thai

Sweet bell peppers, kaffir lime leaf, red curry coconut broth. I still like Madrid more.

Calamari $11

Regular flash fried squid.

Chicken Wings $13

MMMMmm wings. The Mumbai sauce with mint mango raita or maple chipotle sauce with lime cilantro crema was rich and pretty solid.

Jumbo Prawns $14

These big boys were savory and was boldly Thai spiced and fired grilled and sprinkled with some citrus aioli. The prawns were fresh and had a nice bounce.

Steak Frites $18 Entree

Nicely seasoned 6oz AAA Flat iron steak and comes with frites, creamed spinach, red wine demi

Overall this place have fairly reasonable prices for the portions and food served. Remember to sign up for their mailing list because often they have great offers like buy 1 get one free offers on tapas items.