Location, location, location and of course Taps
With a location and a view that can be bested by very few, the new Coal Harbour Tap & Barrel has become a new favourite of ours. This Tap & Barrel is located in the new Convention Center behind the Olympic Caldron. It has two outdoor patios, one with an amazing sweeping view of Burrard inlet. There are also two indoor spaces. The Tap & Barrel Cafe has a fabulous water facing view and is a small space with a long table and a bar. The main restaurant and bar, located literaly under the Convention Center and the ‘Whale’s Tale’ is quite large with an open kitchen, long bar and great seating for both dining and game watching.

Tap & Barrel is known for its taps including an extensive selection of BC’s best craft beers. They also offer a sampler of three 4oz tasters which lets you try more than one at a time. The Barrel part of the name refers to the long list of BC barrels that are tapped to provide wine as fresh as the winemaker intended. The Coal Harbour location is open from 11am to midnight daily with brunch served from 10am to 3pm on weekends.

Even on a cloudy day the view is fantastic. There are only a few tables overlooking Burrard inlet so for lunch arrive by 11:45 to make sure you get one. There are heaters on the main patio area for the cooler weather.

We saw these on the menu and had to try them. ‘Bacon Chips’ ($5) are just that – crispy bacon pieces served with a house-made spicy sweet catsup. Craving salty and sweet this is a great starter. 

 The ‘Cob’ ($17) normally comes with blackened chicken but if you ask nice you can get salmon instead. And the salmon was delish! A deconstructed cob, the salad also includes bacon, avocado, tomato, egg, blue cheese and a creamy craft beer dressing. Love it! and have had it more than once.

The ‘Corkscrew’ pasta ($14) is a tasty take on mac and cheese. The beer and cheddar sauce is creamy and delicious and the red hot au gratin is a perfect topper. You can add salmon, sausage, tuna or chicken for $6 but why mess with a good thing.

There are five hand crafted pizza choices. This is ‘Smoked Salmon’ ($17) with capers, red onions, cream cheese and mozza. Very fresh salmon and arugula. Pizzas are not available gluten free but the pasta options are.

The ‘Cob’ ($17) as advertised with blackened chicken.

This is another must try. You’ll love it (or you won’t but) you have to try the ‘PB&J Burger’ ($15) just once. All burgers are 7oz of seasoned Angus beef served on a house-made potato bun. The PB&J has chipotle peanut better and bacon jam. The fried pickle and sea salt fries make a great meal.

The house-made hollandaise sauce is worth a visit for brunch. The ‘T&B Benny’ ($13) has pulled bacon, avocado and tomato while the ‘Veg Benny’ ($12) just omits the bacon. Since I am always opposed to deep fried hash browns I opted for a Caesar Salad instead which was very good. The hollandaise was delicious and my egg was cooked a proper medium. Yeah!

This is the ‘T&B Benny”($13) as advertised with breakfast potatoes.

There are outdoor tables for 2 and 4 and long tables for groups or sharing. We have been at least 5 times now and have yet to sit inside but with the rains now here stay tuned for some inside pics.

Even if you do not face the water the views of the downtown and the Olympic Caldron are also impressive. We did like the Olympic Village location of Tap & Barrel when it opened but since this new location is now in our backyard we are sure to visit more often.

 

Jeff & Tara Ciecko of CK Golf Solutions write two blogs on their website, one is their 19th Hole Blog where they share personal experiences and the Biz Blog where they share business best practices and golf industry related opinions. They have owned CK Golf Solutions for 6 years and provide marketing, social media and business services to the golf and other industries.

Related Posts