Restaurant: RAW Canvas
Cuisine: Wine Bar/Tapas/Charcuterie/Organic
Last visited: Jan. 8, 2014
Location: Vancouver, BC (Yaletown)
Address: 1046 Hamilton Street
Phone: (604) 687-1729
Transit: Yaletown-Roundhouse Stn Northbound
Price Range: $30-50+
1: Poor 2: OK 3: Good 4: Very good 5: Excellent 6: FMF Must Try!
Food: n/a
Service: n/a
Ambiance: 4
Overall: n/a
Additional comments:
- Interactive/activity dining
- Charcuterie/cheese
- Some local/organic
- Vegetarian friendly options
- Wine bar
- Closed Sunday/Monday
- Tues. – Thurs. 6 pm – 11 pm
- Fri. – Sat. 6 pm – 12 am
- Twitter: @RawCanvas
**Recommendations: n/a
January 17th to February 2nd is Tourism Vancouver’s Dine Out Vancouver Festival (DOVF). This is the city’s largest restaurant festival featuring $18, $28, and $38 price fixe menus and special culinary events. I wrote about the “Do’s and don’ts of Dine Out Vancouver“, and in a nutshell, it is a social event more so than a proper representation of a restaurant on a regular night. Just go with the right mind set and expectations.
I was invited to the media preview which gave a sneak peek of menus from participating restaurants and the theme of my group was “Date Night”. The first stop was at Film Feast: Jiro Dreams of Sushi at Market by Jean-Georges at the Shangri-la Vancouver, and the second stop was at La Pentola della Quercia. The last stop was at Raw Canvas in Yaletown, where I saw a lot less table and more cloth.
Raw Canvas is a creative experience more so than a dining experience. Food is available, but it’s secondary with wine, cheese and charcuterie making up the whole menu. There is no hot food, so it is more grazing than eating and more of an art studio than a restaurant. That being said, they try to be ecologically conscious, although their meat and cheese options are local and international.
It would be nice to commit 100% with an all local menu since it’s emphasized in their online philosophy, but it’s a bit challenging to do with a meat and cheese concept. Actually they could source from local delis and artisan cheese makers in BC, but it’s hard to say no to Spanish cured meats and French and Quebec cheeses.
It is more about what is on your palette than on your plate, and don’t confuse “palette” with palate. This is your primary palette for the night and the one you’ll be using more.
I’ve been to Raw Canvas on a couple occasions, but haven’t had the full experience. I’m not really the clientele, but it’s a fun and unique experience for a niche market. If you want to exercise your creative side and try something different then this might do it. And if you’ve ever been curious about Raw Canvas, then their Dine Out deal could give you extra incentive. Their Dine Out offer basically equals to a complimentary canvas (includes paint, brushes, smocks and clean-up) or complimentary food, because a 10” X 10” canvas is usually $38 on a regular night.
In terms of being “date night” appropriate it really depends on the person. It’s not for everyone and not everyone wants to show their “true colours” on a first date. On the other hand it might be appropriate for a later date, or a friend date. The “date night” theme is just for fun though, but in case you’re wondering and planning, then take note and think wisely. It’s not as scary as taking someone karaoke, and it’s a bigger investment and time commitment than a movie, but you can actually talk and get to know someone better.
On the table:
Raw Canvas – Dine Out Vancouver 2014
Jan. 17th – Feb 2nd | 6pm – late | $38
10” X 10” canvas + Tasting plate + Dessert – Cheesecake
10” X 10” canvas
Tasting plate (your choice of cheese/meat/mixed)
- Cheese tasting plate
- Parrano, Bleu d’Auvergne, St. Maure Caprifeuille
- Pear rosemary, dijon, figs
- Recommended BC VQA Pairing: Monster Merlot
- Meat tasting plate
- French Pepper Salami, Chorizo Rioja, Pheasant & Pistachio Terrine
- Cornichons, Castevertrano Olives, apricots
- Recommended BC VQA Pairing: Poplar Grove Pinot Gris
- Mixed tasting plate
- French Pepper Salami, Parrano, Pheasant & Pistachio Terrine
- Cornichons, pear rosemary, apricots
- Recommended BC VQA Pairing: Poplar Grove Pinot Gris
- What can I say? It’s meat and cheese.
- The wine pairing was a bit unexpected (red with cheese and white with meat), but it is just a recommendation.
Cheesecake
- It is a very generous slice of New York style baked cheesecake from Trees Organic.
- Trees Organic are known for their cheesecakes and they are very good, but not exclusive to Raw Canvas.
- It was dense, creamy and rich with a graham cracker crust and blueberry compote on the side.
