Postmark Brewing
When Andrew and I went to Vancouver a few weekends ago, we decided to go on a mini pub crawl to three different bars and restaurants located in the Railtown and Chinatown district. There so many amazing restaurants and bars in Vancouver it was nearly impossible to decide on just a few. The first stop on our tour was Post Mark Brewing located in The Settlement building. This old heritage warehouse is a collective of manufacturing and lifestyle brands. The Settlement Building was updated by the internationally acclaimed designer Omer Arbel and is one of the first businesses to revitalize Vancouver’s trendy Railtown neighborhood. The Settlement Building is currently home to The Belgard Kitchen, Vancouver Urban Winery and Postmark Brewing, three brands that form the ultimate expression of the West Coast lifestyle.
Postmark Brewing is a great place to go for a flight or beer or try some of their amazing boards like this Grilled Postmark Sausage Board. The atmosphere is also super unique with a collection of old artifacts and antiques.
Juniper
The second stop on our tour was a Cascadian-themed restaurant called Juniper located in Vancouver’s Chinatown. Chef Sarah Stewart plays with the idea of Canadiana but isn’t bound by any one interpretation of it. Complementing her seasonal, locally-sourced menu, world-renowned bartender Max Borrowman helms a program of local and international small-batch spirits, a revolving list of curated gin & tonics and a wine list highlighting West Coast vineyards from Northern California.
I never knew a restaurant could specialize in so many different versions of gin and tonic until I came to Juniper. Gin and tonic are not my go to cocktail but after trying these, I am taking a liking to a high-quality gin and tonic. These cocktails made me realize the skill and artistry behind a great cocktail. We paired our gin cocktails with a fish board featuring fish charcuterie, caraway crackers, radishes & creme fraiche.
Mamie Taylor’s
The final stop on our tour was Mamie Taylor’s also located in Vancouver’s Chinatown district. Mamie Taylor’s features exposed brick, taxidermy and plank tables that serve as the backdrop for Southern comfort food staples such as fried chicken, grits, sourdough biscuits, cornbread, steak and pork chops. At the vanguard of Vancouver’s Chinatown renaissance, Mamie Taylor’s has quickly become a neighbourhood and hospitality industry hangout.
Mamie Taylor’s was my favorite place on the tour because I was in love with the vintage decor, taxidermy and laid back atmosphere. The Mamie Taylor cocktail is to die for featuring scotch, fresh lime juice, ginger beer, angostura bitters. This cocktail goes perfectly paired with a few chicken wings and fried green tomato sliders. The next time I am in Vancouver I will be sure to head back to Mamie Taylor’s to try the dinner menu; my mouth is watering over the fried chicken.
