There are some restaurants in Vancouver that for most people reside solidly in the "special occasion" column. You know, the places where you go to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, or when a boss or relative is footing the bill.
At Vancouver's veteran fine dining spot West, they're serving up an incredible dinner deal nightly that puts their elegant, chef-driven, seasonal fare within reach, thanks to a $39 prix fixe three-course menu.
Coho salmon at West. Photo by Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome
Available Sunday through Thursday during dinner service, and Fridays and Saturdays until 6 p.m., the prix fixe menu lets diners choose from three options for each of three courses - appetizer, entree, and dessert.
Changing with each season, currently West is offering a Spring Prix Fixe, featuring dishes created by Chef Bobby Milheron, showcasing the bright, green, and vibrant tastes of one of the most exciting times of year for growers, chefs, and diners.
Sawmill Bay oysters are one of three options for appetizers. Photo by Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome
Appetizers include your choice of an asparagus salad with cured egg yolk, fried focaccia, and pickled shallots (an optional add-on of burrata is available for $8); a beef tartare studded with spring garlic served with a smoky mayo; or Sawmill Bay oysters on the half-shell with a rhubarb granite and creme fraiche.
Beef tartare. Photo by Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome
The choice of entrees includes a roasted bistro filet with charred spring onion, green pea falafel, roasted carrot, and a spiced yogurt (you can bump up to a five-ounce beef tenderloin for a $12 add-on); a Coho salmon with fava beans, green garbanzo, toasted rye, and a bagna cauda vinaigrette; or ricotta gnudi with stinging nettle pistou, walnuts, and pecorino.
Asparagus with the add-on option of burrata. Photo by Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome
For dessert, keep it simple with petit fours; try a mille feuille pastry with poached rhubarb, creme fraiche mousse, lemon cream, and rose sorbet; or indulge in a chocolate souffle (this last one comes with an additional charge of $6, since it features the incredibly decadent Guanaja chocolate).
If you have some flex in your budget, West has acclaimed bar and wine programs, which means you can ask for some perfect pours to pair with your meal.
Mille Feuille with rhubarb. Photo by Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome
One of West's other excellent advantages is its proximity to the Stanley Theatre, so if you have tickets for a show and want to make a night of it, the restaurant is handy for starting your evening off with a great meal that will get you to your seats on time.
Similarly, if you are looking for a terrific and high-end lunch, West does a two-course $29 weekday prix fixe menu that will have you back out and ready for business within 45 minutes. Of course, you can always dive into West's inspired eats a la carte style for lunch and dinner, or check out their lovely weekend brunch offerings.
West is located at 2881 Granville Street in Vancouver's South Granville neighbourhood.
