Nancy W.
Yelp
Grapes & Soda is Vancouver's first natural wine and cocktail bar. Opened by Chef David Gunawan and Dara Young at Farmer's Apprentice, Grapes and Soda which features natural, organic and biodynamic wines and artisanal cocktails paired with seasonally inspired small plates. Grapes and Soda is located on West 6th, next to Farmer's Apprentice and Cadence Cycling Studio.
The team is led by Farmer's Apprentice GM and Sommelier Hao-Yang Wang and Manager Paul McCluskey as well as Chef Ron Shaw (former Bishop's Executive Chef) and Bar Manager Satoshi Yonemori (formerly of Wildebeest and The Diamond).
Being an extension to Farmer's Apprentice and the Farm-to-Table concept, the construction by Milltown Contracting focuses on plenty of reclaimed wood, a short bar and a long banquette.
We spent an evening over natural fine wines and seasonal dishes that are fresh and farm-to-table focused. Smoked Sockeye Salmon Salad: with mizuna (Japanese mustard), ikura, strawberry, and rhubarb juice dressing. A fresh introduction to summer highlighted by salty salmon caviar and a single fermentation champagne with subtle carbonation.
Puzelat-Bonhomme Petillant Naturel Rose '11, Loire, FR
Marinated anchovy 10: with fennel, celery, olive oil croutons. Pairs nicely with a tart lemony glass of Verdicchio (pronounced like the Italian chicory vegetable, radicchio).
Colle Stefano Verdicchio di Matalica '13, Marche, IT
Chicken Balantine 12: Anson mills grits siphoned and aerated for a whipping cream light texture, hazelnut crumbles, onion puree and morels. I have never been a fan of grits. This may very well change my mind, if all grits were as tasty as this! This is one of my favorite dishes of the night.
Roagna Langhe Bianco '12, Piedmont, IT
Organic Beef Tartare 11: A lighter take for the summer with beets, blueberries and raisins, cubeb pepper, watercress
Noella Morantin 'Cot a Cot' '12, Loire, FR
Stormy Flip 12: If you are a fan of Moscow Mule than you will love this! This summer in a glass contains rum, citrus marmalade curd, falernum, grapefruit, and ginger beer.
Grapes and Soda by Farmers Apprentice Vancouver West 6 Instanomss Nomss
Olive Oil Cake 7: this super moist cake is amazing with grand fir, grapefruit sorbet, citrus marmalade lemon curd and topped with crunchy zest.