I met up with David of @PickyDiners fame, looking for a quick lunch in Gastown. Our original plan didn’t pan out, so based on where we already paid for parking, we decided to stop by Pourhouse instead.
It has been a while since I have been here, so was happy to return and review. If memory serves, the menu has been greatly paired down to classics of salad, burgers, and steak. We would order a few things to share.
Their drinks beckon your from behind their speakeasy style bar. So we started with a couple. I had the Barrio Journo daiquiri made with Mezcal Agua Santa, Maraschino Liqueur, Ancho Reyes Verde, grapefruit, and lime. The cocktail drank true to the essence of mezcal. I got plenty of the sharp smokiness from the charring of the cactus, that was necessary in concocting the spirit.
David had the Pegu Club Sidecar with Beefeater London Dry Gin, Grand Marnier, lime, and orange aromatic bitters. This was much lighter by comparison. An even blend of refreshing grapefruit to the herbaceous-ness of the floral gin.
For starters we halved a Scotch Egg, because it has been a while since I have had one. This is a soft hen’s egg coated in a fennel sausage, wrapped and deep fried in a panko crust, then served with a spicy mayo. The quality of each ingredient sang. The fatty meat was the perfect pairing to the luscious yolk, and both were given an exciting crunch by way of an even crust. The final touch was the cream, adding balance and bringing it all together.
I was excited to try what David deemed one of his top fives favourite burgers in Vancouver. The classic, simple Pourhouse Burger. 7oz dry-aged beef, confit pork belly, aged cheddar, caramelized onion, and a grainy mustard mayo; all between a potato bun. The patty is typically served medium, so that is how we had it for my first taste, although David prefers it done medium rare. A thick round of beef, that ate so meaty, he compared it to a steak. I agreed, it certainly was well prepared with an even char, and the ability to clearly make out his natural flavour amongst the other ingredients. With the pork belly adding some saltiness to the mix, and the pickle a nice tang break in between bites; I can definitely conclude that this is one of the better beef patties I have enjoyed date.
All their burgers do not come with a side, so we ordered the Pourhouse Caesar as a compliment. Romaine hearts, bacon bits, garlic croutons, and Grana Padano; all coated in a bacon fat and anchovy dressing. As for as Caesars go this was a nice rendition, plenty of impactful flavour with the meaty dressing. Plus it gave us the greens we lacked in the actual burger above.
In closing, this was a lovely lunch at a classic spot. Everything was so clean and simple that I would love to review more of their menu. Although did find things a little on the pricy side for every day eating, which was what this meal felt like.
Pourhouse Restaurant
162 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B2
(604) 568-7022
pourhousevancouver.com
