  ere’s the deal: I'll tell you about a sensationally cool eatery located in a dark, cobblestone alley that has a dazzling little wine and cheese program and is run by the owner of other hot spots. But before I tell you about it, each and every one of you have to agree to congregate somewhere, take a number, and visit the place only in small, small batches. Very small batches.
First, you should know that the restaurant has no kitchen. Secondly, it nonetheless succeeds terrifically. The Salt Tasting Room combines the best aspects of a charcuterie, wine bar, and chill spot into one enigmatic meeting space. Sean Heather (owner of the Irish Heather, Salty Tongue, Shebeen and Limerick) and Scott Hawthorn (a Gastown property developer) created this slick Gastown spot, tucked discretely on Blood Alley and named it after the substance used to make cured meats.
Once inside, a well-manicured space awaits, featuring raw, exposed brick and concrete floors, and adorned with steel designer stools, an 18-foot-long communal table, simple hanging lighting, and heavy wood tables.
As a charcuterie, Salt Tasting Room offers all the extras you'd expect, that being a good artisanal cheese selection, thin sheets of cured meats and an array of condiments. You simply create your own tasting plate by choosing three items from the daily blackboard. For $15, your little meal - chosen from a rotating roundup of specialty meats and artisan cheeses - is adorned with condiments. This runs the gourmet gamut, from Piccadilly relish to Guinness grainy mustard.
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46 Water Street, Vancouver, BC
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8 Reader Reviews
Only a very silly person who had never been to a deli would think Salt is anything but a pretentious rip off. I regret having ever set foot int it and gladly warn others away from this excruciatingly poor value. If you want to pay $15 for three bites of lunchmeat be my guest.
Tom Schulz's Rating: 1 Stars |
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Had lunch here the other day. Out of the way place in a grungy alley in Gastown.
Not what I expected. I was imagining sausages hanging from hooks all over the wall and a huge cooler full of cheese. The food is actually well concealed. Inside is quite sterile, almost zero decor and atmosphere.
The servers were pleasant and attentive. I ordered the meat sampler. $15 for three tiny servings of sliced sausage, at best an ounce each. Comes with a basket of nice bread and a sample of three different condiments, fancy mustard, relish, pickle etc. The sausage was excellent, but the portions were tiny. All three together might have made a decent bagel.
Do yourself a favor and go directly to JNZ deli on Commercial or Oyama sausage. For $15 you will get 20 times as much as they serve at the Salt room.
Pedro The Engineer's Rating: 2 Stars |
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Well, our knowledgeable son, who works in the Vancouver restaurant/club sector, had been to Salt and recommended it, so that was the first thing going for it. The place was virtually empty when we went there - lunch on Valentine's Day - but there was still an ambience about the place. Our server, Alex, was from North Yorkshire, but we didn't hold that against him! Very well versed on the cheeses, the meats, and the wines. Service was excellent - okay, we were the only diners, but still... The selection of cheeses and meats, which varies daily, was impressive. You don't think you'll get filled up, but trust me, you will. The wine pairings are also geared for the ultimate gustatory experience. We didn't try the beers but they have Budvar, from Prague, and since we visited there last year we'll be sure to try it on our next visit. Don't look for a McDonalds-priced dining experience here, but treat yourself. It's worth the price.
Joe From Deep Cove's Rating: 4 Stars |
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Cool restaurant located off the beaten track in Gastown. We loved the food and the atmosphere. Try the fennel salad - delish! The concept is new to Vancouver, and a welcome change from the usual trendy places that have recently opened. Though the food is a little pricey, you won't be disappointed. Be adventurous and have your waiter make the selections for you... We ordered a plate of 3 cheeses and a plate of 3 meats, all selected by our waitress. It was great. The bill, with a glass of wine each, came to $70 including tip. More than enough food for 2 with the salad. We'll definitely be back to try the dessert.
Jenna's Rating: 4 Stars |
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Overall, it was ok/good. It certainly wasn't what I expected. I had images of Spain in my head - with legs of pork hanging in the windows of all the restaurants and delicious olives that accompanied every drink. While the service and the food selection at Salt was good, there was something in the overall atmosphere that didn't click. The music was loud and not appropriate, the antiseptic smell emphasized the sterile environment and the seating, though fashionable, was uncomfortable. I was a little annoyed and disappointed at the minimal selection of beers. Three different types were available - two microbrews - and none were from Canada! I really wish restaurant people would realize that a lot of good beer, wine AND food comes from Canada. Do we REALLY need to import beer from Brooklyn?? Fortunately, there were a few wines from BC on the list. I hope these guys do well because I certainly do like the concept. I think a little more refining needs to happen in order for it to be really successful. I don't think I would recommend Salt as a must-go, but I would certainly suggest it and let them decide for themselves.
Jen Gerullis's Rating: 3 Stars |
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I dio not like the Brooklyn beers they are stunky smelling. Cheeses are wonderful. hard to talk with servers due to noise. I asked for a taster of red wines and got all whites. service still needs to be worked on; something that seems common in Gastown.
Julia Lazzari's Rating: 3 Stars |
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Way too noisy. Over priced for portions. Not enough beers.
Richard Saunders's Rating: 2 Stars |
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Here's my quick review of Salt. Number 1. I was so happy to hear about a place like this, and I have been dying for someone in Vancouver to open a place where we can drink and chat over something rather then nachos. I love cheese, wine meats etc. I love the location of Salt, the atmosphere everything. Everything except the ridiculous price. for three of us, who went there for our first time had a few plates of cheese and a decent bottle of wine, and the total was with tip $210.00 $70.00 each and it isn't even a meal. It truly should have been $35.00 each. I am a very well traveled individual, infact I am writing this letter from Tokyo, where last night I went to a great restaurant ate incredibly well and spent only $40.00.
In Seattle there is a really great restaurant called La Piche, near Pike market, same thing, cheese and meat plates, great wine etc. The price there is also half of the price of Salt. Unfortunately I can't recommend Salt to anybody, the price has to be lower - this isn't the first place of its kind I have visited, and of all the places, Paris included the prices are NEVER so high!
Infact I wanted to email this to the owner but can't find their homepage address. I guess I will call them when I get back.
Geoff Browne's Rating: 4 Stars |
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Salt Tasting Room |
46 Water Street, Vancouver, BC
604-633-1912
Gastown
Contemporary
Restaurant
Daily: 4:30pm - 12:00am
$$ (affordable)
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