Vancouver's Como Taperia named the second-best new restaurant in Canada
Credit to Author: Harrison Mooney| Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2019 00:06:15 +0000
A Vancouver tapas restaurant has been named one of the best new eateries in Canada.
According to a new ranking by Air Canada’s enRoute, Mount Pleasant’s Como Taperia is the second-best new restaurant in the country, behind only Quebec City’s Arvi, whose five-course vegetarian tasting menu wowed Air Canada’s food critic.
Como Taperia, located at 201 East 7th, is the brainchild of three Spanish cuisine lovers and Vancouver foodies — bartender Shaun Layton of L’Abattoir, Meat & Bread co-founder Frankie Harrington and chef Justin Witcher of the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort.
While none of the restaurateurs are Spanish, Air Canada gushed about the establishment’s effective Espana atmosphere, saying “they’ve channelled the spirit of their favourite Madrid and Barcelona bodegas (that’s wineries in Spain): the vermouth and sherry on tap, the jamón, salted fish, pimentón- and potato-centric small plates and the booty-shaking 1970s-era soundtrack.”
Air Canada also highlighted the tinned seafood and rice pudding, giving the latter “an enthusiastic two thumbs up.”
Postmedia food critic Mia Stainsby gave the restaurant a glowing review back in January as well.
The top 10 restaurants were winnowed down from a list of 35 nominees, assembled by an all-star panel of 30 judges, including local luminaries like celebrity chef Vikram Vij, Vancouver’s “Follow Me Foodie” and Top Chef Canada judge Mijune Pak, and Andrew Morrison, editor and publisher of Scout Magazine.
After the judges’ preliminary list was revealed back in August, Air Canada flew one writer across the country to visit the restaurants, using fake names to make reservations for meals.
While last year’s list featured just one B.C. restaurant — Vancouver’s St Lawrence — in its top five, British Columbia had a much better showing this time out with three restaurants occupying top spots.
In addition to Como Taperia in the no. 2 spot, Ucluelet’s Pluvio and Victoria’s Nowhere * A Restaurant rounded out the top five.
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