After a few failed attempts, I managed to dine at Maenam on a weekend without any reservation. This is quite a feat given how popular this establishment is! Indeed, Maenam is ranked among Canada’s best 100 restaurants, so it has a solid reputation not only in Vancouver, but across the country.
The Atmosphere
Located on 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, this establishment serves revisited Thai cuisine for an elevated dining experience.
Frankly, if I hadn’t known beforehand, I wouldn’t have guessed that Maenam was a Thai restaurant. The décor, although well-made, doesn’t make it too obvious.
The inside is nice and polished without feeling upscale. It is rather modern with a lot of warm and natural tones.
The Food
Maenam features Thai staples — like Pad Thai or Papaya Salad, but Chef An makes a point of using local and seasonal ingredients to craft his menu. As a result, you will find many traditional Thai dishes with some creative twists.
Grilled Thai Sausage & Crispy Rice Salad ($20)
To get started, I ordered the Grilled Thai Sausage & Crispy Rice Salad. I didn’t exactly know what to expect and it turned out to be excellent. The pork sausage was really aromatic. The crispy rice bits were very flavorful thanks to the curry and turmeric, and their crunchy texture was very satisfying.
Tom Gati of House Smoked Duck Breast for 2 people ($52)
The Tom Gati of House Smoked Duck Breast was a true wonder. Everything about it was delightful. The duck was very tender and cooked to perfection. It bathed in a light and flavorful white curry. Although rutabaga and kale are not traditional Thai ingredients, I thought they complimented this dish very well. The combination of flavors and ingredients was perfect.
Thai Coconut Pancake ($12)
For dessert, I tried the Thai Coconut Pancake. It was served in a beautiful vessel shaped like a hollow stone. The pancake was made of black sticky rice, which gave it a nice chewy texture. It was served with coconut cream and young coconut slices. This light dessert was not too sweet and I liked it a lot. It was perfect to end the meal on a good note!
The Drinks
White Cardamom Cosmo ($9) & Beer ($6)
Maenam‘s happy hour lasts until 10pm. That alone made my evening! Maenam has a decent selection of alcoholic drinks — including cocktails and beers, for less than $10 dollars.
I tasted the White Cardamom Cosmo and I really enjoyed it. The base was a cardamom infused vodka mixed with some Cointreau, cranberry and lime. It was a refreshing and easy-to-drink fruity cocktail.
Overall
Maenam is not a cheap restaurant, but I would say it is fairly priced given the quality of the food and the location. However, I would have expected the service to be a little better. It was too average for an establishment of this standing.
That being said, I would not hesitate to go back to Maenam. I truly enjoyed my dinner at this establishment and I think it is an ideal spot for a special date or a small gathering with close friends. If you are looking for some privacy, ask for one of the tables located on the upper deck!
Maenam
Opening hours: open from 5pm to 10pm from Sunday to Thursday and until 10.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Website: click here
Address: 1938 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1M5
Telephone: (604) 730-5579
Note that prices and information featured in this article are subject to change.
