{"id":19873,"date":"2020-06-04T08:05:54","date_gmt":"2020-06-04T15:05:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/?p=19873"},"modified":"2020-12-16T11:55:34","modified_gmt":"2020-12-16T19:55:34","slug":"reopening-ancora-charms-with-ample-space-tasty-bites-drinks-and-waterfront-views","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/reopening-ancora-charms-with-ample-space-tasty-bites-drinks-and-waterfront-views\/","title":{"rendered":"Reopened in Downtown: Ancora charms with ample space, tasty bites & drinks, and waterfront views"},"content":{"rendered":"

Starting from last week, a great number of restaurants have opened dining room doors to customers. It has been way too long since I ate at restaurant. I chose Ancora Waterfront Dining & Patio<\/a> for the very first to visit. The restaurant, with a ranking in Canada’s top 100 Best<\/a>,\u00a0 is known for its refined menu inspired by Peruvian and Japanese cuisines, designed by award-winning chef\u00a0Ricardo Valverde<\/span><\/strong><\/em>, and a beautiful waterfront patio.\u00a0 Outdoor seating definitely sounds more attractive to me right now, making me feel safer and more comfortable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ancora<\/a>
Ancora Waterfront Dining & Patio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The patio is first-come-first-serve, but when we arrived at 7 pm. The patio just reached its capacity.\u00a0 Seated at a table inside, we were the first on the waiting list for the patio, and the wait only took 10 minutes, or I should say, half of a cocktail.\u00a0 But I think however long the wait is, it is totally worth it when you have unobstructed views of False Creek and Granville Island and a beautiful sunset as the backdrop.<\/p>\n

The Cocktails<\/h3>\n

Their cocktail menu was recently updated for the summer, featuring mostly light a refreshing drinks for sunny days. Facing southwest, the entire place gets a lot of sun in the afternoon and the summer evenings. The\u00a0Ginebra Inglesa<\/strong> ($15) honours English gins as the name suggests, and presents fresh English garden aroma and flavours with gin, lillet, lavender and citrus. The Peruvian classic\u00a0Pisco Sours<\/strong> ($16) is done properly with the usual ingredient of pisco, citrus, egg white, and bitters, and the work is all in the technique of making that smooth and luscious egg white foam. But I was more impressed with the Royal Sour<\/strong> ($17) in the Sours section, which is whipped up with cognac, early grey, amaro, vanilla, egg white, and is more vibrant in flavours. Even the Espresso Martini ($15) here is pretty light on the palate with just a hint of sweetness compared to the espresso element that’s much more forward.<\/p>\n

\"Left<\/a>
Left to right clockwise:\u00a0“Ginerbra Inglesa”, “Espresso Martini”, “Pisco Sour”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\""royal<\/a>
“royal sour”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Elly<\/strong> ($15) will please the Aperol Spritz drinkers with a boozier approach by adding the Ketel One vodka and cointreaeau to the cocktail that usually features Aperol and Prosecco. But it still well fits in the fresh summer-themed program. I, as usually, would throw a request at any bar at first visit. Yes it’s the Spanish G&T<\/strong> test and I like to see what the bartender would create a dressed-up G&T with whatever fresh ingredients they have at the bar and in the kitchen. They impressed me with Gin Mare<\/strong> from Spain ($11\/shot), probably one of the best gins in the world, along with pink peppercorn, juniper, rosemary, lime, and Tonica Tassoni, an imported tonic water from Italy. All the flavours sing well together, but it would be perfecto if a round glass is used to engulf all these incredible aroma and flavours!<\/p>\n

\""the<\/a>
“the elly” (on the right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"G&T<\/a>
G&T with Gin Mare<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Bites<\/h3>\n

Food wise, we snacked on some freshly prepared nigiri ($5-$8\/piece), prepared by sushi chef\u00a0Yoshihiro Tabo<\/span><\/strong><\/em>, as well as their signature the Scallop & Lime Ceviche Shooter<\/strong> ($7).\u00a0 \u00a0The local uni (sea urchin) is in season now so I had to get a taste of it. My date devoured and loved the rest of the sushi pieces.\u00a0 The ceviche shooter is super flavourful and a must-have when you visit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"nigiri\"<\/a>
nigiri<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Scallop<\/a>
Scallop & Lime Ceviche Shooter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ancora<\/a>
Ancora Waterfront Dining & Patio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Final thought<\/h3>\n

What a lovely evening at Ancora! And it’s so nice to be dining out again. The patio is absolutely incredible with the stunning waterfront views of False Creek and\u00a0 Granville Island, especially sunset. Here they deliver carefully crafted cocktails and finely prepared food dishes. The service was attentive and adequate.\u00a0 I also want to note that they are doing an amazing job to ensure the place with health and safety measures – tables safely distanced from each other, all staff in personal protective equipment. Overall, I was truly impressed!\u00a0 If you want to find a classy restaurant to impress your date, this is the spot!<\/p>\n

$$$$<\/p>\n

rating: 4\/5<\/p>\n

Ancora Waterfront Dining<\/em><\/h3>\n

1600 Howe St, Vancouver<\/em>
\n (604) 681-1164 or\u00a0ancoradining.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n