I finally met up with Kevin of 604foodtography.com.
We had planned to meet up for a few months but failed to for one reason or another. When we came to a date that suits both of us, Suanne had to go for her canning workshops. So it was just I who went and met with Kevin.
We met at the Alibi Room. The Alibi Room is located on Alexander Street in Gastown.
Having never been to this part of the town before, I thought it was just next to Water Street in Gastown. I was running late and I did not check the exact location before I parked at The Harbor Center.
Boy, it was a long walk to the Alibi Room from the Harbor Center. And to add to that, Alexander Street was so empty and quiet. I thought for a moment I was at the wrong place. Spin around the Google Street View above. It IS that quiet with hardly a soul in sight. It is situated in an old heritage building and there is no prominent sign on the restaurant front.
The Alibi Room opens at very odd hours. I am curious as to why they keep such odd non-uniform opening hours. See their hours here:
Tuesday – 5pm ‘til late
Wednesday – 5pm ’til well after dark
Thursday – 5pm ‘til closing time
Friday – 5pm – 1am
Saturday – 10am -1am (brunch 10am-3pm)
Sunday brunch 10-3
Monday – CLOSED
The Alibi Room’s decor is minimal and laid back. This adds to the charm of this place. It did appear to me that this is primarily a beer place. That is fine with me even though I am intolerant to alcohol. Since it was at that time there was a discussion on chowtimes about beer, I thought this would be a great place to learn a bit more about beer.
You know how bad my alcohol intolerance is? I first found out about my condition in the worse of circumstances. Of all times, it was at a … wine tasting session many many year ago. Without knowing, I tried a LOT of different wines … red, white and what nots. Within an hour I erupted in rashes — all over my body. It was so bad that I was in pain for two whole weeks and had to see a doctor. Even today when I get an injection at the doctor’s, the alcohol swap would cause a rash. Sad, huh?
Alibi Room is known for their selection of beer on tap. Their beer menu has 25 types of beer with each of them representing a different micro-brewery. The price list above shows that most of them are $4 for a small one and $5.75 for large. A few of them are more expensive.
All of us ordered what they call the Frat Brat Sampler. For $9, you get to select four from the beer menu. Kevin and his friend were obviously experts on beer and they ordered what they wanted. For a beer noob like me, none of them made sense to me. So, I left the choices to the waitress.
The samplers are served on a bat. I thought it was cool. The waitress told us what beer each one was. Frankly, what she told me went in one ear and out the other. All I knew was that all of mine were the clear types, like lager. I still can’t tell one beer from another, let alone the difference of a lager from pale ale. What I do know is that a stout is black.
Oh yeah, my face were so red that it was embarrassing. Kevin and his friend was kind enough not to mention it, let alone laugh at me. I am sure it was obvious to them! This is unlike Suanne who ALWAYS had to make a remark about it.
We had some “food” with the beers. We had the Skinny Fries … real skinny ones. Too skinny for my liking actually although it was quite crisp and nice. I prefer fries the size of Burger King’s.
The Skinny Fries came with chili garlic vinegar & house made ketchup.
That’s all we had … beer and fries. We chatted about blogging and cameras. I enjoyed that because it gives me a fresh perspective of what I am doing. We did not stay as long as we wanted as it was obvious that the waitress was trying to politely shoo us away.
Funny that Alibi Room isn’t as “hyped” as many other “trendy” places in town …. but that’s good. They manage to stay just under the radar enough so one can usually get a table if spontaneously dropping in.
Did you check out the movie scripts in the far left corner of the room ? Very cool. The proprietors (original owners in Seattle also behind the YVR one until YVR location sold to new owners a couple years ago) had this thing with the film industry, I forget the exact story now. But nevertheless both are neat places to be in:
http://www.seattlealibi.com/welcome.htm
Ben – if you like beers and varieties of them as samplers, check out Steamworks in Gastown, as well as Stella’s (Commercial Drive or new Cambie location). At Stella’s, must get the Moules Mariniere !
Actually Ben, Kevin was much more redder than you were!
Hahahah…wow, you really can’t handle your alcohol.
My Dot Com Pho crew went to the Alibi Room a year or so ago and did not like it at all. The food was slow, not well done and the service was worse.
http://www.ededition.com/the-alibi-room-with-leo-laportesort-of/
Hi Ben:
I also got the hives/rashes when I had a sip of alcohol. My friend wants to know how many ounces of beer in the glass of beer? Thanks.
Hi Monkeysmile: Those are 4oz glasses. Ben
Thanks Ben. Hey, I have a suggestion for a breakfast place that you, Suanne, and the boys should try. The restaurant is called Deacon’s Corner (http://www.deaconscorner.ca/). I really enjoy your insightful and visual restaurant reviews, so think this would be a place worth trying. I heard some good things about this place.
Monkeysmile
Hi Monkeysmile: Good suggestion. I had heard good things about them before. Ben
Hi Suanne:
I have a few suggestions for your future cake-meets (I am partial to cakes).
Sweet e’s pastries and sweets in Kerrisdale (2032 West 41st Avenue)
Maple Leaf Bakery in the west end (1216 Davie Street).
The only drawback is that seating in both places is limited. There are only two small tables in the second place and I think none in the first one. Keep up the great forums and commentaries. I enjoy your blog a lot.
Monkeysmile
Hi Monkeysmile, thank you for your recommendations and your support. I had add them into my list of places to go. But, I guess it has to wait till warmer weather where we can buy the goodies for a picnic.
As person of Irish decent, I sometimes break out in hives from not drinking enough beer. Luckily I have not tested my intolerance of sobriety recently. But I will break out in hives also. I think that it might be a nationality thing. I have a friend that is of Russian decent. He is somewhat intolerant to beer. I won’t mention his intolerance but it is not pleasant for those around him. He is however able to tolerate vodka.