Revel, Vancouver

Martiniboys
MBO Vancouver :: Vancouver Nightlife & Clubs
  • Revel, Vancouver

    Cassandra Anderton
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    After some serious delays, Gastown’s newest drinking and dining spot is finally open. The doors at 238 Abbott Street have been unlocked and Revel is ready for inspection. The project is a partnership between Dennis Brock (ex-owner of Steamrollers), Michael Murray (ex-Mark James Group), Sean Hamilton (Cardero’s, Umberto’s) Walter Sawadsky and Peter Smith. And although it took the team a while to get started, they’ve hit the ground running; already the place has developed good "hot spot" status.

    The room is dark and funky, with exposed brick as the dominant design feature. Eclectic light fixtures, such as the huge 10,000 watt light bulbs, were taken from a film set and suspended from the ceiling, while art deco vitro lights - which the team recovered during the destruction of a nearby building - line the side walls. Two levels include the main dining area upstairs and a more lounge-y atmosphere below. Black and white films will soon be projected onto the walls and DJ’s will frequent the room. It’s a place you might want to lounge around for a while.

    Chef Michael Pacey has been recruited to head up the kitchen. You may have seen him previously at The Rex or in one of Sean Heather’s kitchens. Pacey has gone with all small plates and his menu items trollop around the globe. Start with some grilled naan bread with tomato relish, roast garlic and olives, be sure to try the flash-fried potato chips with chipotle ketchup and garlic aioli. And don’t miss the shrimp and jalapeno fritters with green curry crème fraiche dip. Try the crispy buttermilk wings that drip with a cinnamon honey glaze, ordering up some grilled asparagus, Chinatown fried rice, and Moroccan lamb meatballs. You can have yourself a fairly balanced meal. Just make sure you’re fine with many global flavours sharing space on your table.

    Revel is starting slowly with their wine menu. There’s a little BC and some of our international friends. Currently bar manager Sean Hamilton has five red and five white by the glass. Signature cocktails are inventive and include classics and some newbies such as the English Ed with cucumber infused gin, red apple and lemon and Jack’s Canada with Crown Royal, fresh lime and maple syrup. Draft and bottled beer are available for hops lovers.

    The kicker with Revel is that it’s handily open and licensed until 2 am. So when the local cool kids from the f and b industry get off work, here’s were they’re heading. The kitchen feeds diners until 2 as well, so no one goes home hungry and alone.

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    AT A GLANCE
    Revel
    238 Abbott Street, Vancouver, BC
    604-687-4088
    Gastown
    Venue:
    Bar/Restaurant
    Hours:

    Price Range:
    $$$ (Within Reach)
    Payment:
    Master Card, Visa, American Express
    THE BUZZ

    IN THE AREA

    20 Reader Reviews

    The Revel: not divey enough to be a serious dive, not interesting enough to be...well...interesting. What I'm trying to say, Revel, is that it's not me, it's you. Sure, you'll do in a pinch, when I'm in the neighbourhood and I need a decent enough music and a drink.


    1. Brad Moore's Review :: July 01, 2009
    Brad Moore's Rating: 3 Stars
    I LOOOOOVE THIS PLACE! The best pub place to eat whether you're drunk or sober. The guys that work there are actually really nice and totally make you forget that bar people people in general are rude.

    2. Tammy Ishall's Review :: March 14, 2009
    Tammy Ishall's Rating: 3 Stars
    CORRECTION: This review was intended for Jules French Bistro in Gastown NOT Revel. Sorry for the confusion.

    The food was decent but the service on the other hand was the worst I have experienced in my 20 years of dining. I would definitely not recommend this restaurant to anyone! There are far greater French restaurants in Vancouver such as Salades de Fruits.

    3. Anonymous's Review :: February 01, 2009
    Anonymous's Rating: Stars
    The food was decent but the service on the other hand was the worst I have experienced in my 20 years of dining. I would definitely not recommend this restaurant to anyone! There are far greater French restaurants in Vancouver such as Salades de Fruits.

    4. Anonymous's Review :: February 01, 2009
    Anonymous's Rating: 1 Stars
    Find me here bolted to the bar stool, beer in one hand, lady in the other, singing along to the nasty top40 tunes.

    5. Blair Olive's Review :: January 30, 2009
    Blair Olive's Rating: 2 Stars
    I love Revel! The staff and food are great and they now serve lunch so I can go in twice a day instead of just at night!

    6. Jules's Review :: January 16, 2009
    Jules's Rating: 4 Stars
    I just ate there for lunch today and I had a great experience! I really recommend the duck spring rolls wrapped in lettuce...sooo delish! the pumpkin cheesecake was excellent too!

    7. Loola's Review :: December 16, 2008
    Loola's Rating: 3 Stars
    Great restaurant !

    8. Adil Virani's Review :: October 19, 2008
    Adil Virani's Rating: 4 Stars
    Always a mellow little scene. Great place, fantastic service, the stand and model crowd needs to get a life and drink a little more.

    9. Monica Charles's Review :: October 14, 2008
    Monica Charles's Rating: 3 Stars
    Although I eat here about twice a week, it's still excellent each time I go there. It's all quick and fun food... but it's always a good time. YUMMO!!

    10. Peter Webster's Review :: October 10, 2008
    Peter Webster's Rating: 4 Stars
    I like Revel, because the staff isn't so stuffy. They have really affordable items. For example, I had some buttermilk wings that were around $15, and they also have wines that are considerably more expensive... if you want to spend.

    11. Sarrah Morrison's Review :: September 16, 2008
    Sarrah Morrison's Rating: 3 Stars
    The place is very cool inside and this is one of the up and coming places to visit in Vancouver. The food was all right, though nothing special and I didn't feel the menu was great, but the drinks were good. You may be better off going elsewhere for food and coming here later for drinks. Its a chilled place with quiet music, not as good as somewhere like Chambar which has a lot more ambience.

    Service was good as well, but the biggest draw back upstairs was the temperature. Be prepared for sweltering conditions upstairs that are almost unbearable.

    12. Anonymous's Review :: June 25, 2008
    The place is very cool inside and this is one of the up and coming places to visit in Vancouver. The food was all right, though nothing special and I didn't feel the menu was great, but the drinks were good. You may be better off going elsewhere for food and coming here later for drinks. Its a chilled place with quiet music, not as good as somewhere like Chambar which has a lot more ambience.

    Service was good as well, but the biggest draw back upstairs was the temperature. Be prepared for sweltering conditions upstairs that are almost unbearable.

    13. Jon Hurley's Review :: June 24, 2008
    Jon Hurley's Rating: 2 Stars
    It was my first time there last night. We walked in, and Dennis, one of the partners met us. He offered us a tour and was so welcoming. The food was diverse and a mix of interesting flavours.

    I will be back for sure. It was a great meal, great service and it is a place where you can sit down, relax and spend a good two hours experiencing good company and good tastes.


    14. Anonymous's Review :: June 03, 2008
    It was my first time there last night. We walked in, and Dennis, one of the partners met us. He offered us a tour and was so welcoming. The food was diverse and a mix of interesting flavours.

    I will be back for sure. It was a great meal, great service and it is a place where you can sit down, relax and spend a good two hours experiencing good company and good tastes.

    15. Hungry Gurl's Review :: June 03, 2008
    Hungry Gurl's Rating: 3 Stars
    Was not impressed. Food was poor and service was not much better. Would never go back again. Everyone in my group was disappointed


    16. Jerome Bergman's Review :: June 03, 2008
    Jerome Bergman's Rating: 2 Stars
    First time last weekend, it was great!!!! I travel and entertain clients for a living and I was very impressed!!! I you have to try it!!

    17. Don Miller's Review :: May 29, 2008
    Don Miller's Rating: 4 Stars
    This is a great place to go for a relaxed dinner before or after a night out on the town. Revel is an amazing restaurant and I will certainly return!

    18. Claire Mortifee's Review :: May 29, 2008
    Claire Mortifee's Rating: 4 Stars
    Tried it for the first time last weekend and I will most certainly be returning! A little pricey, but as for atmosphere, it is exactly what the area needs.

    19. Anonymous's Review :: May 23, 2008
    Tried it for the first time last weekend and I will most certainly be returning! A little pricey, but as for atmosphere, it is exactly what the area needs.

    20. Cora Jenkins's Review :: May 23, 2008
    Cora Jenkins's Rating: 3 Stars

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