We went to the Sequoia Grill at the Stanley Park for our next Dine Out Vancouver 2007 event. I’ve always enjoyed the drive down wide Georgia heading to the world famous park. It’s just never ceases to amaze me that I will driving down the heart of downtown Vancouver with high-rises on each side and down the street is the 400 hectare park. Stanley park has millions of tall trees that are hundred of years old.

At Stanley Park you have the best view of downtown Vancouver. This is a must stop place for any tourist. Everyone gotta take a picture from this spot to prove that they have been-there-done-that. What I hate about the scenery is the ugly Chevron gas station right smack in the middle of the Coal Harbour. This scenery will undergo some dramatic changes over the next few years once the Shangrila (a new tall building being constructed along Georgia) and the new waterfront Convention is completed.

The Causeway to the Lions Gate Bridge cuts right across the park. This suspension bridge, built in 1938, is very much a Vancouver landmark as Canada Place and Stanley Park.

A few weeks ago a huge storm ripped through Vancouver and destroyed quite a bit of Stanley Park. We learnt about the destructions on the TV and in the papers but what I saw in person really broke my heart. I have always seen Prospect Point to be dark and full of trees. You can now see the sky. I heard that it will take $9 million to clean this up. Stanley Park is going to be slightly different but time will heal it.

The Sequoia Grill at the Teahouse is located in the western side of the park.

It has one of the best view of the North Shore and English Bay. It was very chilly and dark when we were there but on a warmer day this is a great place to go for a walk after dinner.

This place used to be called the Teahouse. They underwent extensive renovation and converted their menus from English teahouse to cater for a more contemporary crowd. There are great views all around with large windows out in the direction of the waters.

The Sequoia Grill is surrounded by tall sequoia trees. Many trees fell all around the place but the restaurant was not affected.

We saw that there are three separate dining rooms — each with it’s own fireplace. We were early again and were ushered to a great table by the window with a great view of the ocean.

Windows all around. Even the roof is glassed. Its setting is dim and romantic with a great view of the sea. One thing though, this place was really noisy once it is filled.

On to the food. When we booked for this place, they had their $25 fixed price menu on the website. However, we were presented a menu with an option of either the $25 or the $35 menu. We chose the $35.

It started with the usual bread. They were served warm and is really flavourful. They have a nice crunch to the crust. They were so good that we asked for more.

For appetizers, Suanne had the Teahouse Mushroom. There are three pieces of large mushrooms, each of them stuffed with crab, shrimp and mascarpone. The stuffings were baked and crispy.

The appetizer for me is the Steamed Mussels. They are cooked in white wine, shallots and parsley. It does not have much of gravy though. I like to dip bread into the soupy gravy.

However, the mussels were really fleshy and succulent. Hmmm … nice. This is really a promising start.

My main dish is the 8oz Aged New York Strip Loin. It is served with Fondant Potatoes, Gorgonzola Butter and Madeira Demi-Glace. The Gorgonzola is like blue cheese — I did not like it. The steak was tender and juicy, cooked medium rare.

Suanne had their Roast Lamb Sirloin with minted demi-glace, winter vegetable gratin. Four medallions of tender lamb meat.

One thing though, the platings were really good. They were beautiful arranged and the chef took great care with fine details. For instance, they tied up the brocolli with the baby carrots with chives or green onion so that they all stay intact even when moved. Nice touch.

Suanne ended the meal with the Sunburned Lemon Tart topped with Berry Sorbet. The tart had a creamy lemony filling with a layer of glazed sugar. We can’t figure out what the sorbet was made of — tastes like raspberry though.

The Creme Brulee was good. Not much to say about it except that is is custardy and included a shortbread biscuit. Creme Brulee is always good for dessert.

That’s it for today’s entry. Food wise this one is better than Heron’s by far.