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Zocalo, Vancouver |
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Miranda Post
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A group of in town and out-of-town girlfriends and I met at Zocalo a few weeks after it opened. On this particular weekend it was quiet. Our service was fantastic and attentive. We were more than satisfied by the food, which is usually difficult with my posse thanks to our strange eating habits, including spice intolerance, allergies, and varying degrees of vegetarianism. Now that Zocalo is finding its feet it's getting busier, so don’t count on walking in on a Friday night to find a lonely cantina. – M.P.
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 AT A GLANCE
Zocalo
2515 Main Street, Vancouver, BC
604-677-3521
Main Street
Venue:
Club
Hours:
Tue. to Sat.: 5:00pm - Late Mon.: 9:30pm - 1:00am
Price Range:
$$$ (Within Reach)
Payment:
Master Card, Visa , American Express
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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1 Reader Reviews | ...here's the thing: this is a "mexican" restaurant that doesn't make virgin margaritas but somehow justifies making a "coochie coochie" (a cinnamon 'margarita' where the rim is rolled in cinnamon hearts). I was already annoyed. The margaritas??? You've got to be joking me. I think the only impressive thing about them is that they come in a pitcher. They are solid lime juice and tequila - which is neither "authentic", "fusion" nor "forward thinking" - it's just plain lazy. Worse - the rims are rolled in iodized table salt - somebody doesn't have a clue what they're doing. My "o'douls" was skunked, expired in September 06, but nobody even came by to ask me about it - so I gave up. I asked the bartender to make me a cool mocktail (pregnant) and he made me a virgin raspberry mojito. That was good.
Fine, I get that you don't want to be "authentic" but then don't get all self-righteous and tell me that you won't bring me chips (because you 'don't make them') and salsa (because they're reserved for special dishes). We were off to a rocky start and it got worse.
The ceviche arrives with - you guessed it - chips. Three of them. And no sideplates. Wow. I'm really enjoying my water and finger food by this point. I ask for more chips, graciously, and she comes back with a side plate of about 6 of them. Whatever.
Their "white fish ceviche" is comprised solely of shrimp and lime juice. Yawn. The most irritating thing about Zocalo was the timing: we waited 40 minutes for our salad course (we were being patient because we were a large party, but still, 4 salads=40 minutes?) and then TWO minutes later all the mains arrived. The server hadn't even cleared the ceviche dishes, the salad eaters were three forks in - and food runners arrive with plates of mole and warmers full of tortillas.
Two of our guests had the flank steak and it was so tough they didn't even bother eating half of it. Three of us had the mole - which was notable but if you've actually been to Oaxaca and want the real deal - drop your expectations. Two people had the pork dish and loved it - it was excellent. The Caesar salad, believe it or not, was one of the best we had ever tried in Vancouver. That was cool.
Moving on to dessert - excellent - with a decent americano on the side.
The happiest people in our party were the ones drinking Pacifico, eating pork tacos with no starters and no expectations. The unhappy ones were the ones who actually went in expecting a dining experience. I would go back if somebody invited me...I guess. But I'd go back and have a Caesar salad and a beer.
1. AF's Review :: March 24, 2007 AF's Rating: 2 Stars |
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 2515 Main Street, Vancouver, BC |
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MBO Vancouver :: Vancouver Nightlife & Clubs
