  arry Kambolis's third restaurant, discretely located under the Granville Street Bridge, next to C, is a seamless composition featuring an inventive seasonal menu that will please conservative and adventurous eaters alike. The False Creek-surveying restaurant features the requisite warm and graceful service, while shying away from contrived eye-batting and sycophantism. A gorgeous brass-plated view creates an inimitable glow for a big night out and the limestone and marble-accented space effuses a splendour not often found in nascent restaurants.
Chef Robert Belcham's eclectic French-influenced menu is fairly compact, offering both lunch and dinner. Four of the five more-elaborate first courses were claimed by my greedy companions, but I lucked out with a twice-baked (because once is never enough) goat cheese soufflé with a tomato fondue and pine nuts ($9.60). Sadly, a disappointing Gruyere Cheese Soup ($8.90) promised bold snaps of flavour with a healthy dose of caramelized onions and croutons, but arrived lukewarm and bland.
Nu's strength rests in its mains, particularly the straightforward and satisfying Caramelized Lamb Cheeks ($24.10) with sides of minted radishes and mashed potatoes. Adventurous diners should take a chance on Belcham's crispy Braised Pork Belly ($20) sided with sweet potato, pears, walnuts and cider vinegar. Other winners include the Baked Halibut ($20) paired with pork-and-potato hash and an aggressive sherry veal reduction. And if all that dining wears you out, there's the addictive patio and atmospheric side bar for catching up with friends, sipping chi-chi cocktails, and lingering contentedly. Idle much? 1661 Granville Street – R.B.
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 AT A GLANCE
Nu
1661 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC
604-646-4668
French
Downtown
Venue:
Restaurant
Hours:
Price Range:
$$ (affordable)
Payment:
Master Card, Visa, American Express, Diners Club
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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5 Reader Reviews | Here's my NU review,
Retro Chique bordering 80's tack. Sub-par service for such an "acclaimed" spot. 30 minute average for a cup of coffee, they must have gone to Colombia. Interesting, innovative ideas, loved the hot chocolate mini scone sampler. Brunch benny's were good, although to be honest, the hard poach of it all made me lose my appetite for Nu. Go there for the view.
1. I'll Never Tell's Review :: November 09, 2008 I'll Never Tell's Rating: 2 Stars |
Wow. I was prepared for a serious food experience and while "chef-driven" was a big part of it, I was blown away at the taste sensations and just plain great food.
Everything was super. We did the 12 course with wine. Mind boggling good. Service was top notch.
Jaw droppingly expensive of course but worth it.
2. Barbara Carey's Review :: October 11, 2008 Barbara Carey's Rating: 4 Stars |
One of the best - I really liked it......
The fresh selection in fish and other main dishes was fantastic
sat at the bar with a friend - I don't really recommend the late night dining here but of course its all up to the scene you're seeking. It can get really expensive but i think it is so worth it.
3. Dan Ratner's Review :: September 23, 2008 Dan Ratner's Rating: 3 Stars |
If you've got the stretchy pants, my friends, this is the occasion in which to bust 'em out. You're going to need them at Nu, especially if you're the sort whose eyes never seem to keep pace with her appetite, ahem ahem. Nu does it right, right now, and right in time. And you owe it to yourself to check to see what the fuss is about. One warning though: It's $$$$$!
4. Darren Barrett's Review :: July 03, 2008 Darren Barrett's Rating: 4 Stars |
My company on this particular evening was on form as usual, but the critiques which I have of Nu are ones which are related to the noticable flaws in both the service and the food, two areas of unforgivable precision. Both work together as a tandem to create overall experience. Making mistakes in one will adversely affect the other. Making mistakes in both will lead guests down a path of critique endeavouring them to write articles to websites to voice their concerns so that similar minded individuals contemplating a special evening out, may think twice before going to places such as these. Nu made errors in both areas of experience, and then other details became more scrutinized.
The restaurant is in a fine location, overlooking False Creek below the north side of the Granville Street Bridge, downstairs from the Stone Grill, next door to C, and in the shadow of the Sandbar across the narrow on Granville Island. We were greeted by a tidy host that had all the warmth and charm of a plate of Tako Sashimi. His demeanor seemed accustomed to approaching people who, like the patrons of Nu, are over 45, drive Porsches, wear Rolex watches and have oil baron bankrolls, or at the very least, pretend all of this. The host seemed surprised that we had reservations and then sat us on a table right next to the busy food pickup window. The table, a pedestal table with high bar chairs, elevated us over the entire restaurant and provided us with an excellent view of their small, unspectacular kitchen. The host offered a variety of options to drink, while we waited for our guests. Since we weren't quite ready to order anything we asked for water. At Nu you don't just receive water, you are treated to Voss mineral water, which is a nice touch if you are aware of it.
When our guests arrived, they immediately noticed the odd table that I was blithely willing to accept. Our waiter, a young and affable fellow, took our request for another table to the manager. He returned apologetically and explained the we were sitting at the "chef's table", where we would receive complimentary appetizers. We looked at each other in bemusement, and thanked him for trying. In another minute he was back at our table and told us that there was indeed another table available. It was a corner table by the window in the furthest region of the restaurant. Because it was not as precariously balanced as the Star Trek lounge table we were seated on initially, we were happy with the switch (although our complimentary appetizers offer was now rescinded).
We soon forgot about the misunderstood beginning and decided to order some food. We ordered oysters, which the waiter said might be out of stock. He returned soon after with the oysters leaving us wondering if we were going to receive them or not. The fresh shucked oysters at $3 a pop are very fresh, but more than half of them had gritty shells inside. If you want oysters, my advice to head to the much simpler but warmer Rodney's in Yaletown. We went straight to mains ordering the Flat Iron Steak in a green peppercorn sauce, Caramelized Lamb Cheeks, Morrocan Veal, and a Salmon in a curry sauce. Though the presentation was gorgeous, and the portions were plentiful, we all felt that the taste left us looking for a salt shaker. The food, but for the lamb, was also all overdone. The steak arrived at Medium rather than Medium Rare, the Veal was dry, and the salmon, which was described as going to arrive "a little rare", was cooked through. Speed of delivery was not a factor, so one can only assume this mistake was made in preparation.
The meal left us full but not as satisfied as it could have been, similar to the experience overall. We had fun with the water-on tattoos they keep in the men's and ladies rooms, and we had a few laughs at the expense of the restaurant's decision makers, such as the ones that decided to order the plates with holes in them, have a bar level "chef's table" in the middle of their dining room, or use cheap paper menus that fold into your serviette. The view is very romantic at night, and the restaurant is convenient to get to by car or by foot. Nevertheless, the False Creek area is rife with stronger restaurants with better service and food. Though the portion sizes are filling, the taste left a little to be desired, and the service was not exemplary. Nu may be best suited for for corporate parties and older single professionals looking to entertain younger legal secretaries and dental hygenists.
5. Sandro Fracca's Review :: November 18, 2006 Sandro Fracca's Rating: 2 Stars |
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   1661 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC |
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MBO Vancouver :: Vancouver Restaurants & Dining Guide
