Gyūdon at Sukiya [Japan] Weekend Brunch at Abigail’s Party

Two Chefs and a Table

By Wynnie On November 3, 2011 · Leave a Comment · In Breakfast/Brunch, Downtown, Vancouver

After four straight days of sun, the first that I had available to me for a nice lunch ends up in rain! Luckily it was just a drizzle and I always do enjoy walking through Gastown. This end of Gastown is definitely getting more and more attention lately with Alibi Room, Big Lou’s Butcher Shop and Deacon’s Corner, but those will be left for another day because Two Chefs and a Table was on the serving table for that day! Found on the corner of an intersection, the restaurant is located just another street beyond The Alibi room on Alexander St.

Looking into Restaurant From Entrance

Walking inside, we were greeted with four chandelier lights above our heads. The restaurant is quite small with approximately 6 to 8 tables in the restaurant that would total to about 40 people or so at max capacity (maybe the rain was in our favour after all to deter people from coming), and an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs making your meal before your eyes!

Drink Selection

We were seated at one of the larger tables since the smaller ones were already taken. The kitchen is an open concept and you can see into it from anywhere in the restaurant. From our table, there is the ledge with a row of drink selections.

Chef Spice Rack

Looking next into the kitchen, right above the stove there is a whole assortment for spices. It’s so neatly organized that I wish I had one for my kitchen too!

Chicken and Waffles (polderside chicken, housemade waffles, maple syrup, pecans, vanilla butter) – $13

Having done some research ahead of time, the chicken and waffles was actually on the 100 must eat list in Vancouver for 2011 and the restaurant received mad reviews for its brunch selection on the weekends. Unfortunately, we came on a Wednesday. But luckily the waffles were still being served.

Since we were there, we HAD to try the featured dish from the list of the “Best Things to eat and Drink in Vancouver“.

“Chicken and Waffles: This Southern staple goes gourmet with two fluffy housemade waffles, pecan-vanilla butter, and B.C. Polderside Farms chicken that’s fried to crunchy perfection.” – VANMAG

Now unfortunately, I don’t eat chicken (a long personal story that can be saved for another time). But luckily my dining buddy loves it and I love waffles so it worked out perfectly!

Take a Closer Look at the Thickness of that Housemade Waffle!

The waffle itself was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. My friend had let the waffle soak in the syrup for a while but despite that, the sides were still really crispy! It was such a successful waffle. The vanilla butter also gave it a really nice touch as well, not super sweet but just the right amount of vanilla flavour that just added really nicely together. The pecans were sweetened as well, my friend thought they were deep fried but I felt like they were just crystallized. It didn’t add that much to the waffles for me but it was definitely yummy!

House Made Lamb Burger (housemade pesto, steak spice, feta cheese, iceberg lettuce, red onion, garlic mayo) – $10

For my dish, I had The House Made Lamb Burger. You get the option of a side of fries or salad and though I initially said salad, I was later persuaded to get fries instead as a treat for the “long” walk we did.

Lamb burger with feta cheese, iceberg lettuce, red onion as seen

The top bun had a homemade pesto that was spread on top and then with a steak spice and feta cheese on top of the lamb upon presentation. It was definitely a “just right” portion for the burger and the patty wasn’t super lamb-ish tasting either, which I actually enjoy the taste of. The bun was soft but crispy on the edges, and though some of the burger was kind of dry for me, whenever I got a bite of the pesto and cheese combination, the burger was definitely quite heavenly!

Brooklyn Lager – $5.50

My friend had to get one of his favourite beers as well to go with his chicken and waffles.

From this one lunch experience, Two chefs and a table is definitely a nice quaint place. We got there around 1pm and the place was about 60% full on a Tuesday afternoon! Several different people would come by for take out etc and there were a couple other tables who were there with us until they closed lunch service at 3:30pm. I saw lots of people ordering the mac and cheese as well, I’m not sure if it’s because of the rain that day that made it more of a comfort food day or because it’s really good. Must try next time!

Overall:

Neat little quaint restaurant that's out of the public eye with ample parking space; unfortunately, nothing that would make me crave nor want to run back and return to it.