With a tagline like "West Coast Wild" you might expect a rain-beaten shack on the coast's edge where you keep your slicker and boots on while you hunch over a bowl of chowder. That's definitely not the set-up at Wildlight Kitchen + Bar - but it's easy to see how the simple beauty of locally-sourced ingredients and the joy of great food is at the soul of the concept.
Just launched in early February in West Point Grey (aka adjacent to UBC), Wildlight is a modern, more upscale restaurant that pays tribute to the varied proteins and produce of the west coast in a polished and contemporary atmosphere.
Behind the food is local chef Warren Chow, who brings his French training and a touch of Vancouver's undeniable global influence to Wildlight, with an all-day menu of approachable and creative dishes that spans from wings and a burger to elegant mains like scallops with lobster risotto or Fraser Valley duck breast with spaetzle, sunchokes and pickled chanterelles.
Locals in need of an exciting new neighbourhood spot for lunch, happy hour, or dinner (and soon, brunch) will be keen to duck into Wildlight to snack away on addictive truffle fries that are beautifully crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside with a house-made onion dip or tuck into what could read as more "special occasion" plates, like a Tomahawk steak for two. There's a lot of thoughtful balance at Wildlight, which means diners from across Vancouver - or from out of town - would just as easily enjoy sitting down in Wildlight's bright, light, and cozy dining room.
Emphasizing locally-sourced ingredients, Chow's seaonal dishes reflect not only the bounty of the region but also its beauty and diversity. For example, the Oysters Motoyaki start with juicy Kusshi oysters cooked on a bed of wakame (seaweed salad) and topped with bacon-infused breadcrumbs for the ultimate west coast of Canada bite. A sibling appetizer is the signature Pescatarian charcuterie board, which includes items like cured salmon "pastrami" and cold smoked mussels alongside nori crackers and papadam; it doesn't get more Vancouver than that.
The cocktail and mocktail program at Wildlight is a standout, as is their selection of excellent B.C. wines, like Tantalus Riesling and Averill Creek Pinot Noir, among others. There are lots of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options as well, and we hear brunch is going to launch soon. And, yes - if you do want a little of that rugged fish shack experience...Wildlight absolutely has a west coast seafood chowder on the menu.
Wildllight Kitchen + Bar is located at #107-5380 University Blvd in Vancouver and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations can be made online.
Watch: What's on the menu at Wildlight Kitchen + Bar
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