Author: bravoadmin

Chilliwack is billed as the gateway to the outdoors. And while it may seem a distant drive from the crowded streets of downtown Vancouver, there are treasures here that make the journey worthwhile. Objects furniture store, for example, at 45873 Wellington Ave. Opened last year, it has quickly gained a reputation for its funky designs, eclectic offerings and reasonable prices. The look is modern, but the feel is warm and comfortable.

Insider’s tip for when you get hungry

Another Chilliwack location gaining attention is Bravo Restaurant & Lounge. The popular eatery just opened last summer, but it has already established a loyal following. The menu runs the gamut from thin-crust pizzas, and salmon in nori, to Szechuan rack of lamb. A popular item is the Bravo taster plate which includes risotto and grilled vegetables and grilled polenta. Bravo also boasts an impressive — and affordable — wine list that recently garnered a 2005 Green Glass award from the Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival. Bravo is located at 46224 Yale Rd. Phone 604 792-7721 for reservations.

Interesting local factoid

A fact few people realize about Chilliwack is how close it is to the mountains. Five minutes south of the city are some of the finest trails and mountain biking found anywhere. Looking for a quick, but invigorating hike? Head up Teapot Hill in Cultus Lake Provincial Park. The trees are dripping with moss, and the view at the top is worth the 2.5-kilometre climb.

— Greg Knill, editor, Chilliwack Progress

Mia Stainsby

They took a former Mexican restaurant in downtown Chilliwack, deleted all traces of the former uglies and came up with Bravo Bistro. “It had looked like an atomic bomb went off in there,” said Damian du Plessis, one of the owners.

Now, why would I make a mind-numbing drive out to Chilliwack to review a restaurant? Well, it helps that some friends moved out that way a year ago. (What have we here? A Chilliwack trend?) It also helps that the guys behind Bravo Bis tro are city slickers from Delilah’s restaurant — first in that magnificently campy Haro Street location, then at its encore presentation on Comox Street Du Plessis was manager and partner. Louie De Jaeger was bartender at Delilah’s.

Come to think of it, Bravo reminds me of the handsome Parkside restaurant, which now is in the old Delilah’s location.

At Bravo, De Jaeger’s still shaking martinis, using his own infused vodkas. He’s put in a roof-top garden, with the help of Brian Minter (of Minter Gardens) which is yielding herbs like pear mint, and garnishes from the miniature crabapple tree. For aesthetics, they called upon friend Wade King, who’s done the interiors at several of Umberto Menghi restaurants as well as the chain of Take Five coffee shops in town.

The place could be air-lifted into Yaletown and trendy lofters would slip into it like a Tom Ford jacket. The sandstone-hued walls have 25 layers of colours, the black wainscotting shows traces of antique brown beneath and edges have been smoothed, the ceiling is like suede and the mosaic tiles don’t feel tile-y at all — they’re hand-painted onto concrete. A section of the fresco ceiling at the first Delilah’s was rescued and is behind the bar — their good luck charm.

They apparently don’t need it. Chilliwack has responded enthusiastically, even to the campy events, like the New Year’s Eve dinner with two of the hottest drag queens from Vancouver entertaining.

Of course, they wouldn’t get far without decent food and what they offer is good value. The cooking is not haute; it’s more bistro fare. Every dish on the menu, including beef tenderloin with stilton butter and potato gratin, is under $20, except for the rack of lamb which at $26 limbos pretty low.

I loved the appetizers I tried — three-cheese souffle with port and fig chutney was lovely as was the crab and mascarpone agnollotti. Both had nicely controlled flavours. I wasn’t quite as enthralled with the entrees I tried. The double-cut macadamia pork chop with apple cream was generous to a fault — it must have been two inches thick, sliced off a roast and it was dramatic and tasty but the apple cream sauce and macadamia crust didn’t play off it strongly enough. The bouillabaise — good, but not remarkable. The broth needed a little more intensity.

The vanilla bean creme brulee, perfectly cooked, was a lovely ending.

The menu also features taster plates of appetizers for one or two people as well as braised bison short ribs with port demi-glace; thin crust pizza; lamb osso buco with roast veggies; herb-roasted half chicken with sundried cranberry stuffing, and some pastas and risotto. They have a kitchen manager trained at Earl’s but the menu is guided by du Plessis and De Jaeger.

If you live in the city and need more than one reason to visit, Chilliwack, du Plessis insists, is a great place to visit. “I used to think Stanley Park was a nice refuge,” he says. “Now it doesn’t seem like wilderness. Chilliwack’s totally under-rated. And it’s golf heaven out here. There’s kayaking and river rafting, there’s a heron reserve on the Vedder River, there are fishing lodges and Minter Gardens isn’t far away.”

There you go. Some reasons to get on the Highway 1 and drive.

Ambiance ****1/2 Food ***1/2 Service **** Overall ***1/2

Restaurant visits are conducted anonymously and interviews are done by phone. Restaurants are rated out of five stars. (mstainsby@png.canwest.com)

46224 Yale Rd., Chilliwack. 1-604-792-7721. Open Wednesday to Saturday for dinner at 5 pm. Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays can be reserved for private functions.

Jennifer Feinberg, The Chilliwack Progress—2004

The owners of the newly opened Bravo Restaurant and Lounge on Yale Road say their vision from the start was to create a fun and relaxed room that would stand up in any big city.

A June 30 soft opening at the restaurant was packed, and the response has been better than expected already. “We think downtown Chilliwack is becoming an exciting place to be and we’re thrilled to be a part of it,” says Bravo co-owner Damian du Plessis.
He and partner Louie De Jaeger have been cooking up a master plan to open up a stylish and inviting spot in Chilliwack for about six years.

They’re veterans of the restaurant and hospitality industry and the fact that they spent years running the celebrity-studded Delilah’s is reflected in the casual yet vibrant tone they’re setting.

“Overall I do think the key is attention to detail,” says Mr. du Plessis.

The food focus here is high-quality dishes at reasonable prices.

“The menu is West Coast Continental but our spin is highly evolved comfort food,” says Mr. du Plessis.

“We’ve connected with a local organic farmer and we’re searching out the best local produce.”

The menu runs the gamut from thin-crust pizzas, and salmon in nori, to Szechuan rack of lamb. The most popular dish so far is the Bravo Taster plate with a selection of their cuisine.

“We chose a powerful but condensed selection of choice wines to go with the menu,” says Mr. De Jaeger. “We’re very interested in fine wines.”

Unique cocktails are his specialty and he makes his own flavourful vodka infusions for knockout martinis.

The casual atmosphere of the room encourages lots of interaction between customers, say the restaurateurs.

“The bar is becoming a focal point, too,” says Mr. De Jaeger.

Well-known restaurant designer Wade King designed Bravo’s cool and tasteful interior. His talents are also on display in elite rooms like Delilah’s and Umberto Menghi’s Circolo.

The designer went with textured ceilings and walls, and chose an appealing colour palette of rich, earthy and neutral tones.
The hand-painted mosaic on the floors is becoming a real conversation-starter.

“Everyone who comes in touches the design on the floor,” says Mr. De Jaeger. “They can’t believe it’s not made of stone.”

The antique black bar, ultra-suede booths, pineapple fountain and crystal chandeliers create a classy air of sophistication.
“We wanted it to look stylish and modern, but timeless,” Mr. du Plessis says. “Wade King has been a friend of ours for decades and he’s done an absolutely outstanding job.”

Chocolate-coloured chairs and leather barstools, richly textured privacy curtains and hand-made lampshades also add to the newly-renovated flair of the former Mexican restaurant.

Decorative tiles by Sid Dickens make a strong statement on one wall and some original artwork by Mr. King is also featured.
A repeat clientele is already starting to emerge and the owners say the average length of stay is more than two hours.
The dimly-lit room and comfortable seating is conducive to relaxed dining.

“We also have a more private lounge area in the back which is perfect for holding private events,” says Mr. De Jaeger. “We’re finding that some our younger customers already enjoying sitting there.

Bravo Restaurant & Lounge, 46224 Yale Road, Wednesday to Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Reservations, 604.792.7721.