This weekend we were enjoying a getaway into the city, a staycation at downtown Vancouver’s historic St. Regis Hotel, celebrating over 110 years.
We had an earlier check-in, so thought to christen the occasion with lunch at Gotham’s, now celebrating 25 years. This would be my first time at the hotel, but I have visited the popular steak house on many occasions before. Although this would be the first time during the day, and for lunch.
The classy decor hits a little different in the light of day. We were seated adjacent to the patio, where the natural sun really showcases the deep reds of the room.
Seeing as this was lunch, we kept it non-alcoholic with their two seasonal mocktails. The first is a Lavender Spritz that is like a lavender lemonade with a hint of strawberry of sweetness.
The Bridgerton was named after the television series prepared with earl grey tea, orgeat syrup that tastes like almond, and soda. The result is a neutral tangy and tart fizz.
For food, we stuck with the more popular items to mark their landmark anniversary.
The Crab Cake is fresh crab, pickled cucumber, and a roasted jalapeño tartar sauce. Crispy and light flaked sweet crab, in what looks like a smaller puck is actually packed tight with condensed crab meat. The cucumber offers a nice neutral base, along with the breading, and the tangy tartar is what flavours with citrus and dill.
The Grilled Octopus ate like a Mediterranean salad with olives, piquillo peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, artichoke, preserved lemon, and garlic confit. The dish looked and smelled salty, but was well balanced by the thick slices of octopus as a base. And we were impressed by how much there. My only critique was that this great mix of textures was on the salter side, and I would have liked some bread and butter to have with it, and less olives to help with that.
I loved the presentation of the Lobster Cobb Salad, but found it challenging to eat, served as a wedge of cabbage, that you have to cut and slice into. Although the motion did make it feel heartier, and with this many ingredients each bite remained interesting.
Atlantic lobster meat, hickory bacon, Stilton cheese, avocado, hard-cooked egg, grape tomatoes, and local organic greens. You must love blue cheese for this and I do, the flavour was pungent and consuming, balanced out by the sweet and salty pops of candied bacon.
We rounded out our meal with the Gotham Bacon Cheddar Burger. A hand-chopped Prime beef burger patty with aged cheddar, bacon, lettuce, and beefsteak tomato on a French bun. Served with either fries or mixed local organic greens, we got the latter. The crispy potato as long sticks were enjoyable to eat. And I found myself removing my rings and using both hands to tackle this juicy and saucy burger. This was a solid burger and fries combo, a classic done right. Although there was nothing unique or all that memorable about it, despite the quality of beef used.
In short, this was a delicious meal with amazing service, and I expected no less from this fine dining phenom. You don’t think to come out for lunch, but for those concerned over pricing, mid day meals tend to be more cost effective in smaller options, that are just as tasty.
Gotham Steakhouse & Bar
615 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3K3
(604) 605-8282
gothamsteakhouse.com
