From the same owners and creative minds that has brought Earls to Canada comes Birdie’s, a California themed restaurant with a focus on good times through great cocktails and classically done dishes.
The restaurant is divided into 4 very distinct sections. Their pantry and store with grab and go meals and frozen dishes right at the front. This not only includes Earls and Birdie’s menu items like lasagna, ribs, and brisket Mac and cheese; but also great options from other local food purveyors including frozen ramen, pre-marinated chicken as well, and jarred preserves.
Next you have the main dining area, spacious with plenty of seating, decorated with tropical greenery to set the beach mood. This is especially with all the doors open to bring the outdoor and indoor space together seamlessly.
Moving along is the lounge area where the liveliness surrounds the bar. High top table seating is available here, and every table has a view of the flat screens televisions broadcasting the latest sporting match.
Today were were invited down to their sun soaked patio to check out their brunch menu. And it felt like we were whisked away on vacation with palm trees, banana plants, and bright orange sun umbrellas.
I love the sun, but it was so hot that we receded into the shade of the umbrellas, which unfortunately left a reddish hue in the majority of my photos.
Thankfully there were plenty of drinks to help beat the heat. I was especially excited to see the wicker cart equipped for mimosa making, featuring their house sparking wine and pitchers of orange juice at the ready.
We were seated at a long table made festive with palm fronds table decor and margarita pitchers on table. This is their Bird Bath! A decanter with a help yourself spout to dispenser either freshly squeezed strawberry or lime margaritas. You don’t get a salted rim on the glass, but there is plenty of lip puckering sourness from either. This serves 2 to 4 people.
Not on tap is the Strawberry Sour Margarita with Cuervo Tradicional, triple sec, and egg whites. The latter sweetens the cocktail, and I didn’t find this version all that sour, despite the name. I did prefer this premium served to order cocktail over the dispenser option.
For something more on the savoury side, the Cucumber Jalapeño Ranch Water is a great choice. Cuervo Tradicional blanco, cucumber, jalapeńo, lime, and soda. Easy drinking smooth with a hint of spice. Not to mention, the vessel was so much fun!
The Blue Crush was eye catching, a sweet and fruity punch made with Cuervo Tradicional, blue curacao, and yuzu. Then finished off with a little shimmer.
As for food, this is the following that we had as a group, ordered individually and shared amongst ourselves.
“The Basic Benny” had eggs, back bacon, and hollandaise on toasted artisan bread. Served with a side of crispy potatoes and house salad. This was a classic and as tasty as it looked. The back bacon provided salt to help cut into the rich and heavy Hollandaise and runny egg yolk. I did miss the chew of a traditionally used English muffin, but appreciated all the herbs found in the house made bread substituted in here.
Another classic is Birdies Breakfast with fried eggs, thick cut bacon, artisan toast, crispy potatoes, and house salad. The crispy layered potatoes were definitely the highlight and most memorable for this. The remainders were elevated versions of a classic eggs breakfast platter. Well done.
Looking for something on the sweeter side for breakfast? The Poached Pear Dutch Baby came highly recommended. These reminded me of a cross between a North American flapjack with its chewy exterior, and a Japanese style pancake with its foamy centre. I was worried that this would be too sweet, but with the fresh fruit? maple walnut crumble and cardamom crème anglaise for texture and crunch it was fine. In the future I would order it with a side of bacon for a salty and sweet mash up.
The Brioche French Toast was another nice sweeter option. Fresh with lemon curd and topped with whipping cream, strawberry compote, maple walnut crumble, and fresh berries. It is advisable to eat this one first as the cream melts and the bread gets soggy quick.
For those who don’t like breakfast foods for brunch Birdie’s has pizzas and burgers as well.
The El cartel is a regular style pizza with braised beef, pickled shallot, fresh tomato, and sour cream. You got heat from the jalapeños that was curbed by the freshness of the sour cream and the tang of the pickles. A familiar yet different take on pizza.
The Birdies Burger has two patties topped with tomato jam, smoked bacon, American cheddar, and all the typical fixings. Classically done like most of their menu, this is exactly what you expect it to be. No complaints, especially as a fried egg was added on to this one, to make it more breakfast-like.
At this point we were craving some greens with all the above meat and bread so, as a table ordered the “It’s Our Caesar” to share, only to add protein to it.
Shredded lettuce with Tahini caesar dressing, Grana Padano, tomato, and croutons. We choose steak over shrimp or chicken, and were all pleasantly surprised by how great the steak turned out, fearing little from a chain restaurant kitchen. We all agreed we would order this again. As for the salad itself, it was a big hit, especially with the crunchy Brussel sprout halves that were unexpected and highly appreciated.
And seeing as brunch sort of turned into lunch we had to end with dessert, sharing all three options.
The Key Lime Bar had fresh key lime juice, graham crumble, and chantilly cream. A thick cheesy base with very little crust. It was very lime forward and made me pucker, just thinking about it now has my mouth filling with saliva.
I am typically not a fan of tiramisu given its overall soggy texture. But this Drunken Tiramisu is a category all its own. Ladyfingers, chocolate shavings, and chantilly cream, but made boozy with red wine that you could distinctly taste.
I enjoyed the Feature Soft Serve the most. A rotation of flavours served in a twist. Today it was a refreshing vanilla with orange gel blend. It was the perfect blend and not too sweet, a great overall creamy vanilla flavour.
In short Birdies is a great spot for some fun cocktails matched with familiar fan favourite dishes that you can dine in and/or take out. Sure to be a new Burnaby hotspot.
Birdies Eats & Drinks
3850 Lougheed Hwy., Burnaby, BC V5C 6N4
(236) 427-8902
birdiesrestaurant.com
