No, I'm not over-sharing. I got lucky and found Calabash Bistro. I just moved to Vancouver, and I have been checking out the culinary scene. I've been here a bit more than a week and found some great food, some mediocre food, and some disappointing food. I moved here from Thailand and have travelled a lot in Asia, so the Asian food (believe it or not) hasn't wowed me yet. Yes, I know, I have to give it time, so don't think I've reached a hasty verdict or anything. I'm just saying that I haven't been awed by anything yet.
Calabash, on the other hand, was a great surprise. I have lived in Toronto before and visit every year. Caribbean food is all over the place in Toronto. It's so much a part of Toronto that sometimes I don't think people even associate things like patties with the Caribbean. Patties are on their way to being the bagel of the Caribbean in Toronto - so common and so much a part of daily life that people forget their roots.
In Vancouver I hadn't really scene many traces of Caribbean food, so when Calabash Bistro turned out to be practically in my neighbourhood (!), I had to check it out. This is where that 'fortuitous find' thing from the title of the post comes in. From the moment I walked in the door, things felt right. The restaurant is in a cool space occupying the ground floor and basement of a beautiful Chinatown building. It's not fancy, but it's inviting. It looks like a good place to listen to music (and they do have live music sometimes), have a drink, or eat a cozy dinner.
Ultimately, though, spaces are secondary considerations in a restaurant. What matters is the food, and the food was good. The menu covers a huge range from roti to ackee fish. You'll be lucky if you can make it past the appetiser section with room to choose anything of the main courses. This is one of those places to go without your skinny jeans. If you're into rum, this is the place to see the rich offerings of the rum world.
A special mention has to be made as well about the service in the restaurant. I don't think I've been in such a friendly restaurant in Canada. Everyone was amazing, but the woman who served us, Kimberley, made it seem like we were eating at a friend's house.
Reasons to return (in order) - 1. food 2. crazy friendly atmosphere 3. music and space
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