Immigrant from Mexico serves up dishes that honour the woman who taught her the recipes

Mia Stainsby
Sun

It sounds like a north wind is howling through the phone. I’m stabbing at the volume control but I’m still mis-hearing things. “Did you say the name of your restaurant means widow in Spanish?” I ask.

“No, no, no!” comes the distant but distinctly horrified reply. Dona Cata is named after Brenda Cortes’s grandmother, who was a widow. That’s the grandmother who taught her everything about cooking, which led to this busy Mexican cafe on Victoria Drive.

I suggest I redial and try again and the line is better.

“My father was seven and she had nothing. No husband. Someone found her crying under a tree and took her and taught her how to make pork; how to kill the pig and process and cook it. She started when she was very young and she ran a meat shop and taqueria for 25 years. It’s an honour to continue cooking what she taught me,” says Cortes, a teacher who immigrated to Canada five years ago with her husband, also a teacher.

Cortes is pregnant with her second child and she’ll be at the stoves until she gives birth — and then she’ll be right back at it afterwards. “Just like my grandmother. In Mexico, most women work with babies on their back. It’s normal,” she says.

When you walk into Dona Cata, you’ll notice there are 10 bowls of different salsas set out, all in a row — green tomato, avocado, chipotle, chili de arbol, and so on. Spoon them onto your tacos (a specialty here) and other dishes. It’s a sign that she and her husband (he cooks, too) aren’t just running a business. They love what they’re doing.

Tacos are made with several meat toppers and come in two sizes — $1.25 and the two for $5 Campesena tacos with onions, beans and meat. She says burritos aren’t a true Mexican dish, but she sells them too, along with quesadillas and some combination plates. The latter, I found, was a big messy dish, made worse by the paper plate.

I didn’t visit on a weekend so I didn’t try any of the weekend specials — including lamb stew, pozole and shrimp soup.

However, the tacos are nice and fresh and the atmosphere is homey and lively with music, lineups out the door and people coming in for takeout orders.

– – –

DONA CATA MEXICAN FOODS

5438 Victoria Dr., 604-236-2232

© The Vancouver Sun 2007

Set in the former Rossini’s digs in Gastown, Flux Bistro tries to be modern but makes a miscalculation

Mia Stainsby
Sun

The notes for my first visit to Flux Bistro end with a police report file number.

I imagine the report goes something like this: “Bozos leave briefcase, tote bag and books in vehicle. In Gastown, no less! Car vandalized, value of stolen goods about $800.”

The only good that came out of our car break-in was that we discovered we had a hidden coin compartment in the car. Our better-informed vandal had left it agape as if to say, “What! No change? Next time, fill it up!”

I can’t say the meal preceding our misadventure made up for this inkier aspect of Vancouver culture. Flux Bistro had two tables of customers; one table took their leave and then there was only us. Good music eased some of our loneliness but the staff should have been dancing on the tables for us.

When we first walked in, a server walked towards us with a beaming smile; she walked right past us to a male friend walking in behind us. Lots of hugs. Later, she went out to the street to smooch with the guy. Another, more focused server was welcoming enough. There seemed to be no management and the place felt rudderless.

The food was a roller-coaster of ups and downs. The menu mostly features tapas dishes with some entrees on the specials menu. There’s also a more casual lunch menu with burgers, sandwiches and some small plates from the dinner menu.

I thought the chocolate butter poached tuna with salted plum, cured baby bok choy and peanut brittle sounded bizarre but it would be a good test. If the kitchen pulled it off, it could perform magic.

But it was off the rails. Peanut brittle had no business on this plate and the tuna had an iridescent shimmer, which is not normal.

Lox-wrapped halibut with lemon dill vin blanc also had a freshness issue. Panko chicken cutlets with yee mein and shiitake mushroom sauce lacked flavour.

Shrimp and green papaya salad almost had us but the vinaigrette was lacklustre. The one dish that redeemed this meal was a divine dessert — honey almond semi-freddo with white wine pear black pepper tuile. We steered clear of the frozen chipotle white chocolate souffle, leery of strange combinations after the tuna.

On our second visit, the kitchen seemed to be on a better groove, although not completely. Sauteed calamari with tomato garlic butter tapenade smelled too fishy to be appetizing; warm green bean and almond salad had an overly acidic vinaigrette.

However, the Alaska black cod with black bean cream sauce featured fresh fish, lively with flavour. And beef tenderloin medallions with tomato and bocconcini stack and port reduction was lovely. This time, the dessert, a cinnamon genoise layer cake with rose petal buttercream and red wine apricot preserve — with potential explosions of flavour — tasted like we’d kept it waiting too long.

Flux takes over from Rossini’s, which used the big-boned timbers to advantage in its Mediterranean styling. I think Flux, in trying to be modern, made a miscalculation. It’s a dark, crypt-like space. Near-white walls and lighter furnishings would bring out the old-growth timbers and original brick wall.

Owners Brian Redillas and Vincent Wong (also the chef) have assembled an interesting wine list, featuring a lot of small-production wineries from B.C. like Joie, Wild Goose, Mystic River and Therapy (try their Freudian Sip) as well as interesting global wines.

“We’re looking to get more boutiquey B.C. wines, a case at a time if needed. The wine list will keep evolving with the food,” says Redillas.

The food, actually, needs to catch up to the wines.

– – –

FLUX

Overall: 2 1/2

Food: 2 1/2

Ambience: 2 1/2

Service: 2 1/2

Price: $$

162 Water St., 604-678-8800.

Open Sunday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Restaurant visits are conducted anonymously and interviews are done by phone. Restaurants are rated out of five stars.

© The Vancouver Sun 2007

 

Mark Laba
Province

Riverhouse

Plunk yourself down on a patio overlooking

Deas Slough, add 25 wines by the glass or 30 different martinis and you’ve got a marriage made in marina heaven. Oh, and there’s food, too. Check out the steamer pot of mussels and clams in ginger, coconut and lemongrass broth, pan-seared giant scallops in a sesame wasabi sauce, Jamaican Rum Ribs or a classic steak. The lunch menu offers more downscale burgers, sandwiches and stuff. True tranquility.

5825 60th Ave., Delta, 604-946-7545

WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE ESOPHAGUS

Dockside Restaurant

Magnificent patio with False Creek views and a brewpub on site to boot. Doesn’t take a genius to figure out this is a winning combination. And the food is as enticing as the scenery. The appetizer listings are my favourite, with dishes like the Vancouver Island Oyster Six Pack, the steamed mussel and clam hotpot, wood-oven-baked pizzas or the crispy pork and veggie gyoza. With a pint of the Jamaican Lager, it’s like dropping anchor in a culinary inlet of flavour.

1253 Johnston St., Granville Island, 604-685-7070

Marina Grill

Ponder the engineering feat of the Second Narrows Bridge strutting while enjoying sun and sea on a patio overlooking the Lynnwood Marina. Start with bacon-wrapped scallops or seafood-stuffed mushroom caps before hitting big-ticket items like ribs, grilled halibut, steak and prawns or a burger. Brunch, lunch or dinner is all a pleasure when you hunker down at this marina-side patio hideaway.

1653 Columbia St., North Vancouver, 604-988-0038

Pelagos Restaurant

Really, the best way to eat Greek food is with a great oceanside view so that you can imagine yourself on Corfu or Mykonos while you suck back squid parts, meat skewers and eggplant shlimazels. This place, nestled right on Crescent Beach, offers tranquil seaside eating with beautiful patio seating and a lineup of classic Greek dishes. Try the roast lamb, the broiled quail, the meatballs baked in tomato sauce with feta or the marinated squid or garlic prawns.

2728 O’Hara Lane, Crescent Beach, Surrey, 604-538-6102

Galley Patio and Grill

No bells or whistles here except on the boats in the marina, and the patio is bare-bones concrete simplicity but the view is magnificent. Located on the second floor of the Jericho Sailing Centre, the view sweeps from Locarno Beach and beyond to the North Shore Mountains to the distant city. Beer-battered fish and chips, Jamaican jerk-chicken sandwich with mango papaya salsa, pure Angus chopped-steak burgers, fish tacos, great nachos or mussels steamed in beer, cilantro and lime. And local R&B ales on tap to wash it down.

1300 Discovery Ave., Vancouver, 604-222-1331

Sockeye City Grill

The docks of Steveston make for some picturesque dining and if you enjoy sniffing the briny and listening to the gluttonous shrieking of dive-bombing gulls check out this spiffy sea shanty with an excellent dockside patio. A great spot to gargle fresh oysters and wine but also check out the West Coast paella, the scallop and tiger prawn cannelloni and the West Coast Fisherman’s Pot.

108-3800 Bayview St., Steveston, 604-275-4347

Watermark

Just as amphibians are the first warning sign of global warming, Kits Beach serves a similar purpose for the flesh-market of sunworshippers sniffing at the first indicators of summer. Science gets swanky with the geo-thermal cooling and warming system of this beachside edifice and the patio has a magnificent view plus blankets supplied for cooler days. Try the rock salt chili prawns, the lobster gyoza, surf clam vongole or the spicy lamb stir-fry.

1305 Arbutus St., Vancouver, 604-738-5487

Sharkey’s Seafood Bar & Grill

Besides the huge variety of fresh seafood, the view from the patio overlooking the passing boats at the Government Wharf is wonderful. Try the Ladner Express Steamer with a half pound of clams, a half pound of mussels and a quarter pound of prawns steamed in the broth of your choice. There’s also a nice lemon-pepper halibut, oysters deep-fried or freshly shucked, scallops in Pernod and, of course, fish and chips. For landlubbers, plenty of burgers, steaks and chicken dishes.

4953 Chisholm St., Ladner, 604-946-7793

Go Fish

A fantastic fish shack with a catch so fresh you can watch your meal coming up the gangplank and plopping onto your plate with a small detour to the deep-fryer first. The patio overlooks the docks and a bit of a quick-fix fish environment but what great fish and chips these are. Plus, check out the fish tacos, the Po’Boy oyster sandwich or the fresh B.C. spot prawns right off the boat done up with herb garlic butter. Specials depend on the daily catch so you never know what new surprise awaits you when you visit.

1504 West 1st at Fisherman’s Wharf on False Creek, 604-730-5040

Le Bistro Chez Michel

Gallic hospitality at its casual best and a wonderful patio with a panoramic view of the city across the water. It’s hard to resist steak and frites, Calamari Basque or Escargot Nicoise because nobody understands snails like the French. There’s also bouillabaisse, rabbit Dijonnaise or steamed mussels served up in a bevy of broth options. A lunch menu offers the Bistro burger with bacon and brie, pastas, pizzas, or let your belly bask in the warm seafood salad with tarragon dressing.

224 Esplanade West, North Vancouver, 604-924-4913

La Regalade Cote Mer

The French say, “Forget all your other culinary endeavours and your West Coast fusion fiascos; we have the best cuisine in the world.” What I love about this place is they prove the point with a down-to-earth personality devoid of pretension but packed with flavour. Nestled across from serene Eagle Harbour, this patio is beautiful, with the scent of pines and saltwater-laden air. The menu changes daily so you never know what awaits you but in the past entries like smoked black-cod filet with zucchini and garlic sauce, lobster tarragon Shepherd’s Pie or wild salmon with creamed leeks and bacon exemplify the beauty of culinary simplicity.

5775 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, 604-921-9701

Beach House at Dundarave Pier

Real-estate developers have been known to have aneurysms on this spectacular patio imagining what could be if they could only subdivide this lot for waterfront condos. The rest of the patrons are getting hernias trying to lift the wine list. Along with the view, enjoy scarfing back seafood ravioli with a sun-dried-tomato pesto cream sauce, espresso-crusted pork tenderloin with wild fungus risotto or prawns and scallops in a green curry masala.

150 25th St., West Vancouver, 604-922-1414

Lift Bar Grill View

It’s like botox for a building at this spiffy Coal Harbour edifice, which wouldn’t be the only thing receiving facial reconstruction in this neighbourhood. Nevertheless, the joint is inspiring architecturally as is the view from the patio overlooking the water. The upper-deck patio is equipped with two fireplaces to warm the cockles on cooler evenings and the view over Coal Harbour is beautiful. There’s a raw oyster bar, duck two ways that have something to do with molasses lacquer and huckleberries, halibut with surf clams and pancetta and some really good sushi.

333 Menchion Mews, Vancouver, 604-689-5438

Monk McQueen’s

A longtime favourite in Vancouver patio history with two deck levels to choose from offering a spectacular panorama of False Creek and environs. Great seafood, including more oysters than you can shake a Viagra prescription at, but the denizens of the barnyard are not forgotten either. The upstairs is a little flashier, the downstairs more casual but fare like fried cornflower oyster frites, lobster corndogs, grilled veal chop with Stilton cheese and a yam potato pot pie or nori crusted ahi tuna show imagination and flair.

601 Stamps Landing, Vancouver, 604-877-1351

Washington Avenue Grill

There’s nothing quite as meditative, and perhaps profound, as gazing out at Semiahmoo Bay with a large alcoholic drink and some Thai beef pockets. Don’t ask, just visit this place with its great patio and intriguing food. Lobster-stuffed ravioli, Chicken Con Cray with tiger prawns in tandoori cream or Crown Royal glazed ribs. Really, the list just goes on as you drink in a White Rock sunset and let your nerves wash away with the tide.

15782 Marine Drive, White Rock, 604-541-4244

Saltaire

It’s a view that only a seagull would usually aspire to from this rooftop patio that takes in the sweeping expanses of Stanley Park, Howe Sound and rusty freighters chugging away. Tasty food from tapas to dinner, all served up with a West Coast flair, so look for entries like tiger prawn and scallop fettucine, smoked salmon and crabmeat pizza, roasted-red-pepper crab cakes, and the grilled sirloin steak sandwich here is particularly tasty.

235-15th St., West Vancouver, 913-8439

Fiddlehead Joe’s

The East Coast fiddlehead in Vancouver is kind of like Bill Murray in Lost in Translation. Out of place, a bit hangdog-looking and doesn’t understand the language. Thankfully, this place has embraced this strange veggie and given it a nice home on Pacific plates. Great seawall patio where you can drink in both a fine view and a fine wine list, too. Watch roller bladers bounce off railings while chowing down on the Drunken Chicken Salad, braised pork belly or spicy crusted Digby scallops.

1-1012 Beach Ave., Vancouver, 604-688-1969

DECKS IN THE CITY

Chill Winston

A cool cobblestone patio overlooking Maple Tree Square and the mottled metal statue of Gassy Jack sets the scene with nothing but a small iron railing to separate you from panhandlers and other wildlife. Nevertheless, it’s a thriving and bustling atmosphere, fun, frivolous, and beer-and-martini fuelled. The food’s pretty good, too. Excellent red-wine-braised beef ribs are a sure bet as is the oven-roasted duck breast or the orange roughy with salsa verde and tomato confit. Definitely a great place to chill and take in the uber-urban view.

3 Alexander St., Vancouver, 604-288-9575

O’Doul’s

The Old World opulence of this restaurant interior gives way to a small and smoke-free courtyard patio. Cuisine is Pacific Northwest with the odd twist like cumin and chili-seared tiger prawns and scallops or Wenzel duck breast with wild rice and yam rosti and blackberry demi jus, not to mention steaks and lighter lunch fare. Wine list leans heavily on Okanagan picks, which is another strength of this place.

1300 Robson St., Vancouver, 604-661-1400

Cafe Il Nido

Here’s a city gem as hidden as a Mafioso in the witness-protection program. This courtyard patio tucked away between the Manhattan Apartments has that la dolce vita atmosphere and Italian dishes as finely crafted as a Fellini film. The menu builds on the classics with inventive inspiration culminating in creations like rare seared tuna on shiitake rice cake with scallion pesto, barbeque duck fettucine in a sweet chili sauce with aged ricotta, or fusilli with Italian sausage and mushrooms whipped up with veal jus and mustard cream. The wine list proves to be as eclectic as the dishes.

780 Thurlow St., Vancouver, 604-685-6436

Mill Marine Bistro

This is where the upwardly mobile and nubile trendsetters of Coal Harbour hunker down when they need to escape the condo canyons and suck up some sun. Boasting one of the largest patios in the vicinity with a view of all the scenic harbour stereotypes, which means it’s a great place to stretch your legs and suck back a pint. A concrete water park for Coal Harbour kiddies completes the scene so parents can enjoy a martini and throw back health-conscious pub fare while the kids romp only an olive-pit spit away.

1199 West Cordova St., Vancouver, 604-687-6455

The Artful Dodger Pub

Miss those days where you and your horse could mosey up to the local watering hole like John Wayne? Well, this place can actually accommodate you with a corral for parking your beast while you chow down and enjoy some drinks. Wonderful patio blooming with colourful flowers and a whiff of country air mingling with your burger. Check out the homemade chicken pot, shepherd’s or steak and kidney pies, the Dodger clubhouse sandwich or the Philly cheesesteak, a pleasing taco salad or nuzzle up to one of the schnitzel variations. And every day offers a different food and drink special.

2364 200th St., Langley, 604-533-2050

Joey’s Mediterranean Grill

Joey Tomato changes its name and goes a little upscale at this Broadway venue and the second-floor patio with its Casablanca-feel motif manages to remain secluded from the busy street action beneath. I’m a fan of their fish tacos, the rotisserie chicken, Panang prawn curry bowl and the grilled chicken Cobb salad. The Mediterranean and the Asian mingle on the menu with tasty results and the drink list aims to please every taste bud and nerve ending in your body.

1424 West Broadway, Vancouver, 604-732-5639

Yoshi

This is a raw fish vista. The rooftop patio overlooks Stanley Park and there’s a shrine-like tranquility where your belly, if not your mind, can attain a Zen-like state of being. The dishes here are as artfully arranged as the view, balanced for a sense of visual and flavourful harmony. From the robata grilled array to the sushi, sashimi to temaki, this is Japanese cuisine done up with elegance and style.

689 Denman St., Vancouver, 604-738-8226

Nevermind

Smells like teen spirit to me, though a few clicks over the drinking age in their clientele. It’s a youthful feel that could make the botox spurt from the pores of older folk trying too hard and flexing their face muscles. Nonetheless, it’s an OK patio out front but around the side the eatery provides great Adirondack chairs, which to me are the height of summer lazing and imbibing. After one of the burgers, pizzas or satay plates and a couple of cocktails or martinis like the Young Jedi or the Drunken Monkey, just try getting your ass out of one of these suckers.

3293 West 4th Ave., Vancouver, 604-736-0212

Crave

Walk straight through this place to the back door, where you’ll find a cozy brick courtyard patio enclave hidden away from the shenanigans of Main Street. This casual bistro balances comfort with swankier culinary endeavours owing to the ex-Four Seasons chef Wayne Martin, who has downscaled his talents for the food-loving proletariat. On the menu look for the poutine with truffle parmesan fries and shortrib jus, the mussels with wild-game chorizo, the chipotle BBQ back ribs or a great buttermilk-fried-chicken Cobb salad. A small wine and beer list is more than sufficient for this well-grounded food.

3941 Main St., Vancouver, 604-872-3663

Joe Fortes

If you ever get the itch to light a big fat stogie with a C-note and snort up some hundred-year old Scotch on a rooftop, this is the place to do it. According to history Joe Forte was a humble guy whose main goal in life was looking out for the good folks swimming in English Bay. He may be the antithesis of the power brokers sucking back oysters and puffing on stogies on this snazzy rooftop patio, but really, everyone deserves to look like a millionaire now and again. Steaks, chops, fresh fish selections including the daunting seafood tower on ice, plus one of the best Cobb salads in the city make this patio a hedonistic summertime ritual.

777 Thurlow St., Vancouver, 604-669-1940

Brix

Enter the inner sanctum of this courtyard patio that evokes a bit of European charm amid the warehouse-chic renovations of Yaletown. Always intriguing food with a great late-night-eats and small-plate menu. For mains try the Nicola Valley venison scalloppini or Szechuan cured pork tenderloin on udon noodles, or tapas dishes like prosciutto wrapped sea scallops or smoked rainbow-trout crepe bundles. Late-night offerings include a Kobe beef chuck burger, a kabob platter, and afterwards you can get gooey over a dark chocolate fondue. Plus an excellent wine list to lubricate the proceedings.

1138 Homer St., Vancouver, 604-915-9463

Savory Coast Cucina

The name is a bit misleading since the only coastline here is along the sea of Robson St. shoppers. But this Tuscan-tinged patio setting succeeds in secluding you from the hordes below and the statuary trickling water from its grimacing gargoyle mouth adds a little Old World quaintness. Savoury indeed, with items like seared tuna carpaccio, veal-cheek garganelli, sirloin and spicy sausage rigatoni, Dungeness crab risotto, lemon braised lamb shanks and some intriguing pizza entries like the duck construction with goat cheese, sweet onions, duck confit and Kalamata olives. The wine list ain’t half bad either.

133 Robson St., Vancouver, 604-642-6278

Arm’s Reach Bistro

The bright yellow patio umbrellas mark the spot accented against the mountain and ocean backdrop at this quaint bistro where the road ends and the sea begins. Truly the embodiment of outdoor West Coast dining, with nature in all its glory and food that equally embodies the spirit of the Northwest. Look for the prawn salad with a champagne and poppyseed vinaigrette, steamed mussels in coconut milk, green curry and lime juice, The Spicy Reach spaghetti with tiger prawns and wine-cured chorizo, Fraser Valley roasted duck breast with a fig and tawny port reduction, or potato crusted local wild salmon with blood-orange buerre blanc and and shrimp risotto. All beautifully constructed for the eye and palate.

4390 Gallant Ave., North Vancouver (Deep Cove), 604-929-7442

Kingston Taphouse and Grille

Not just one but two patios live up to this joint’s billing as an urban oasis in the heart of the city. A garden patio on the second floor, lush with exotic shrubbery, a Mexican fountain and antique fireplace, plus the palm-tree-graced rooftop space that’ll have you crooning “Midnight At The Oasis” after a few drinks. Great ahi tuna springrolls or calamari for starters and entrees like chorizo penne, Kung Pao chicken, baby back ribs brushed with chipotle sauce or a red curry prawn bowl. Along with a toothsome chuck steak burger and a variety of savoury thin-crust pizzas, the Flat Iron steak sandwich on gorgonzola-imbued bread is a winner.

755 Richards St., Vancouver, 604-681-7011

Bridges

This place is so quintessentially West Coast it would make a great location shoot for a Kokanee beer commercial. The lower-level bistro patio packs in the crowd for burgers, mussels, pizzas or fish and chips but, if you’re looking for a more refined shindig, try the second-level dining-room terrace for a fancypants view matched by the fancypants food.

1696 Duranleau St., Granville Island, 604-687-4400

Green Acres

John B. Neighbourhood Pub

This patio has always been a Coquitlam crowd-pleaser, especially the smokers who enjoy a little nicotine with the oxygen-generating surrounding foliage, but the beer-enthusiast community and wine weenies aren’t neglected, either. The eating gets serious with grilled offerings like New York steak and crabcakes, scallops and bacon, and rack of lamb with a Guinness demi glaze. And, of course, there’s the tasty pub-grub offerings of burgers, nachos, chicken wings, an oyster poor boy, paninis and even a taco pizza. An award-winner with locals year after year and the neighbourly hospitality borders on Mr. Rogers if he ever kicked back with a coupl’a pints and a plate of ‘tater skins.

1000 Austin Ave., Coquitlam, 931-5115

Hart House Restaurant

Ah, to the manor born, even if it’s only for an afternoon or evening. The patio overlooks luxurious lawns fronting Deer Lake where the Queen playing croquet wouldn’t seem out of place if she didn’t mind the odd bit of duck poop; this is true pastoral patio serenity. The Tudor mansion in the background doesn’t hurt either, nor does the great menu. Put your molars to work on roasted lamb sirloin, prosciutto-wrapped poultry or seared Weathervane scallops with English peas, smoked ham hock and crips polenta.

6664 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby, 604-298-4278

The Flying Beaver Bar & Grill

If you have a fetish for float-planes this is your place. Named for the famed Canadian-made De Haviland Beaver aircraft, one of the best bush and seaplanes ever built, the legacy of perfection (albeit in pub food in this case) lives on here. A panoramic patio overlooks the Fraser River and beyond, where you can watch the planes take off and land on the water while you put your incisors to work dispatching a great array of burger offerings, pizzas, sandwiches and an enticing appetizer list spanning everything from nachos to pepper-fried squid rings.

4760 Inglis Drive, Richmond, 604-273-0278

The Point Pub

A very cozy patio with lots of pastoral shrubbery to create a secluded sanctuary between the brickwork of Port Moody’s main strip. If the night should cool down there’s even a nifty gas fireplace outside to warm your tootsies. Classic pub grub wonderfully done with no unpronounceable ingredients gracing your nachos, chicken strips, baked chicken wings with a great sauce lineup, burgers, steaks or salads.

2524 St. Johns St., Port Moody, 604-936-1400

River’s Reach Pub

A pleasant foliage-filled patio with heat and covering for inclement weather so, in the middle of a downpour, you can still sit outside, sniff the ozone and scarf up a burger and a beer. This place, filled with atmospheric antiques and photos of bygone days, also boasts a huge and varied menu. Great burger selections, from the Big Mouth to the Firehall, layered with jalapeno and banana peppers, or try the baby-back ribs lathered in Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce. For seafood lovers there are mussels steamed in wine and butter, grilled halibut or a nice filet of broiled salmon. Plus pizzas, steaks and a wackload of poultry dishes.

320 Sixth St., New Westminster, 604-777-0101

Dublin Crossing

The interior is so impressive you many not want to wander out onto the patio but it ain’t a bad place to while away some time and wash down a pint with your bangers and mash. Not much of a view but fresh Langley air with just the right balance of cow patties and car fumes. Pretty classic pub fare, some hit and miss depending on what you order, but check out the Pub Pie with steak and Guinness gravy and the amazing homemade ice cream.

Unit 101-18789 Fraser Hwy. Langley, 604-575-5470

Par For The Patio Course

Hazards Restaurant

Expansive view of the Fraser Valley and Mount Baker, beautiful patio jutting out over the greenery and dishes spanning everything from eggs benedict to salmon, from ribs to sandwiches.

Westwood Plateau Golf, 1630 Parkway Blvd., Coquitlam, 941-4219

Eagle’s Nest Bar and Grill

Nestled amid stunning mountain scenery, which you can think about along with great burgers, wraps, chicken wings and cold pitchers of beer while you’re hacking out divots on the back nine.

Golden Eagle Golf Club, 21770 Ladner Rd., Pitt Meadows, 460-1111

Morgan Creek Golf & Country Club

A stunning setting of rolling greenery and a seat on the patio, gnawing on baby back ribs, the Everest nachos, the Creekside clubhouse or the New York steak sandwich will help you forget the 30-over-par you shot on this championship course.

3500 Morgan Creek Way, Surrey, 531-4262

Meadow Gardens Wedge Bar and Grill

The name of the place pretty much describes the patio panorama except for the addition of people swinging nine-irons in the distance. Ponder it all over paninis, burgers, quesadillas and a brew with a view.

19675 Meadow Gardens Way, Pitt Meadows, 465-5474

Westward Ho Public House and Grill Room

A pastoral setting, the serenity broken only by the sound of golfers swearing and searching the shrubbery while you watch from the patio, chowing down on some tasty grub. But the best spot here that speaks of summer to me is the beer and hotdog stand on the 10th green.

University Golf Club, 5185 University Blvd., Vancouver, 224-7799

Lakeside Grill at Mayfair Lakes Golf Club

The clubhouse building juts out like a Frank Lloyd Wright creation with a touch of Stealth bomber but its pointy prow is softened by the magnificent mountain and meadow backdrop. The menu covers just about everything except advice on your backswing.

5460 No. 7 Rd., Richmond, 604-276-0511

© The Vancouver Province 2007