Kingston Taphouse and Grille

755 Richards Street
604-681-7011

Atmosphere - This cavernous restaurant just outside of Yaletown consists of several different areas: the pub, dining room, oasis patio and the wreck room. Its is large and busy, but designed and decorated in a way to make it feel almost cozy. Also great place to catch 'the game' as it has several huge projection screens situated around the pub and dining room.

Service - The staff was very prompt and friendly and i don't remember the last time I had such great service. It was a Friday night and we wanted a table for six so we waited at the bar. The bar tenders were very friendly, funny and quick to get our drink and appetizer orders. We ate and chatted and were seated at our table in less than 20 minutes. The waitress was equally as attentive and friendly even as our group kept expanding as the night went on.

Food - We shared a few of the appetizers instead of a meal. We ordered the house calamari, ahi tuna spring rolls, edemame and Kingston kettle chips. The flavors of the ahi tuna, dipping sauce and crispy roll didn't go together well, but the calamari was just the way it should be served with tatziki dip that wasn't too garliky (I love garlic but it's nice to keep bad breath to a minimum when chatting with your neighbor all night). The edemame was fresh and tasty and served warm with sea salt. I liked that they made their own kettle chips - they were very crunchy and had a nice flavour. They were served with salsa and sour cream but thought i thought they would be better served with a different dip. The Kingston also has a great selection of beer and a long martini list to choose from.

Whom to take - Go with a friend(s) for a drink and appys after work or on the weekend.

Value for Money - Good. The food was okay but the service was impecable even on a very busy night.

Irish Heather

Atmosphere - The Irish Heather is an authentic looking pub located in Gastown. It has a casual feel with mismatched tables, benches and stools, brick walls and a cool enclosed patio in the back.

Service - The server was unhelpful and looked very bored, we barely had time to tell him our order before he walked away. They were out of the Harp Lager so he suggested another option, which was inaudible so I wasn't sure what I ended up ordering until it was brought to me.

Food - A North American take on English/Irish pub food with choices like bangers and mash curry chips (basically curry sauce dumped on fries) and pot pie. We ordered the mushroom strudel to start and then the Fish and Chips. The mushroom strudel was delicious and was served with a tasty cream sauce. The Fish and Chips were average but the coleslaw and tarter sauce added much needed zip.

Whom to take - Aside from the service I really loved this place and would definitely go back with a group of friends.

Value for money - Excellent. The food was tasty and the casual pub atmosphere was great on a Saturday afternoon.