The New Bohemian 
3162 West Broadway,
Vancouver
Ph: 604-736-7576 or Reserve Online

Continuing my exploration of the dining scene in the Kitsilano area I decided to check out The New Bohemian before going off to see The Idiots Karamazov at the Freddy Wood Theatre at UBC. It has been open about a year, I was told, in the location where Fiction had been previously. I appreciated that they opened up the wall between the lounge and bar area  - the place  seemed larger and more open than I remembered. We recognised scenes from The Graduate projected on the wall as we entered.

There were many starter items that tempted me but in the end  I liked the description of the Heart of Palm salad so much that I did something I rarely do and ordered a salad starter. It consisted of  heart of palm, mango, papaya, cabbage "slaw", bell peppers, avocado, basil and mint served with a spiced roasted peanut vinaigrette and was attractively presented on a rectangular plate. It read and looked better than it tasted. I think perhaps too many flavours competed instead of working together.

For the main course I had the grilled organic Black Angus New York Striploin with sweet potato puree, seasonal vegatables and roasted red pepper/cherry tomatoes relish - excellent. I really enjoyed the steak, relish and puree.  My companion ordered the soup special which was green-pea soup, was also nicely presented in a large bowl. Having the soup led to an interesting discussion on food temperature and the tendency I have recently noticed of soups to be served warm  rather than hot.

He also tried the pasta special, giant beef tortellinis and  accompanied this with a glass of Bohemian beer from a local microbrewery, which was declared "interesting." I of course, stuck to my one glass of white wine, enough to enjoy with the meal but not enough for me to dose off in the play. Which actually turned out to be funny and interesting enough that even two glasses of wine would not have put me to sleep.