I have been to this restaurant a handful times, however, have yet to blog about it. This is because whenever I do, it is for couple of drinks, and to enjoy the view. I have yet to have a full meal here, as it has never been my destination, but a pause before my original plan. Case in point, we were killing some time for a spirit tasting at the nearby Westin Bayshore. So were looking for a spot to grab a couple of drinks and a few bites at, and The Lift stood out as the stand out. What other restaurant gives you this elevated view of the harbour, Stanley Park’s shores at the distance, and the meeting of sky and water so blue?
I arrived first and found myself waiting for my guest who confused the time. We were in time for Happy Hour, so decided to focus on the savings there. Instead of waiting for my friend, I decided to start off with a happy hour glass of white wine myself. Rose, white, or red each $7 for 5oz and at the sommelier’s discretion.
Sitting there by the water I figured we would order something seafood related, so went with the traditional pairing of white wine.
The tart wine was a great cool-me-down (a play on “pick-me-up”), as I sat and took in the sun. Looking around many others were engaged in the same. Relaxing with feet up by the outdoor fire pit, leaning on the back of their chairs in casual conversation, and enjoying the peace surrounded by such a picturesque setting.
When my guest arrived and it came time to order, we did so keeping with the happy hour menu. However, both agreed that the food prices listed weren’t all that cost savings. In retrospect this was probably just a condensed menu for in-between services: lunch and dinner. Overall, you are definitely paying for your surroundings on this one.
Wanting a little vegetable we ordered the shishito peppers at $15 a plate full. Blistered shishito, flaked salt, and sweet soy. This is typically one of my favourite appetizers, that if and when I see it, I tend to order it. Our friendly server cautioned us, saying that he finds them spicy, ant an 9 out of 10. In hindsight, I am not sure if he met the scale of heat was a 9 out of 10, or if out of 10 peppers 9 were spicy. However, we didn’t find them as such. There was the off-chance that one did have a prickle of heat and was a stab in the tongue in check. Spicy, but not enough to dissuade you from eating anymore, or to have you reaching out for a glass of milk. I would have liked the peppers a lot more charred and a lot more crispy; instead of the slightly waterlogged and mashed finish that they had here. Although overall, still tasty enough to have us finishing more than half, and packing up the rest. This was a lot for two people.
For something a lot more heartier, we looked too the calamari, which came with more shishito peppers, Szechwan seasoning, lemon, and tzatziki for dip.This, our server recommended, stating that he too has had them today. Over fried, crispy curls of breading. It was hard to make out any of the chewy texture of squid hiding within. Not the best, but a decent offering, and not unlike many other versions from other restaurants.
In all honesty, this will continue to be a stop of convenience for me, and not one that I go out of my way to visit for its food. I love taking inna sunny day here, and definitely consider it one of the best patio views in downtown Vancouver.
Lift Bar Grill View
333 Menchions Mews, Vancouver, BC V6G 3H2
(604) 689-5438
liftbarandgrill.com
