I have food cravings ALL the time. But I would never have craved Peruvian food before dining at Suyo. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I disliked Peruvian cuisine. It was just not something I had ever thought of until I stumbled upon Suyo in Mount Pleasant. And, gosh, I am so glad I did. I went in to expand my culinary horizons and left with one of the best dining experiences I have had in Vancouver.
The Atmosphere
I went to Suyo on a Friday night and the place was packed. You could really feel a buzz in the air.
Although the décor is modern, Suyo feels friendly and casual. The natural tones and the greenery make it an inviting space. A few pieces of art sparsely hanging on the walls assert Suyo’s Peruvian roots.
The Food
Dinner was amazing, from start to finish. The plates were vibrant and colorful. Everyone was eying each other’s tables, trying to figure out what their neighbours’ dishes were before placing their next order.
Albacore Tuna Causa ($26)
I started with the Albacore Tuna Causa, which was visually striking, and also tasted fantastic. The tataki was very fresh and tender, and the tuna salsa was a great addition. The potato base and the eggs made this dish more substantial than it looked.
Steelhead Tartare ($25)
My favorite dish of the evening was the Steelhead Tartare, which came with crispy nori. It was extremely beautiful and the seaweed, steelhead, avocado and ikura flavors blended in very well.
Ceviche Misto ($29)
Compared to the other dishes, the Ceviche Misto lacked visual enticement. However, it was still a very good dish and I particularly liked the leche de tigre which added a fresh and citrusy note to this dish.
Grilled Veal Anticucho ($24)
The Grilled Veal was served scallopini style— extremely thin and lean. It was dressed with a tasty aiji criolla sauce and some choclo, which I learned was Peruvian corn.
Peruvian Trifle ($16)
The Peruvian Trifle was terrific! This fruity dessert is made of passion fruit and lucuma— a yellow and sweet fruit also known as “gold of the Incas”. The play on texture was really well thought out. The pisco foam was light and airy, and the milk crumble added some crunchiness.
Drinks
The food was great, and the drinks really did not lower the bar. If anything, I would say that they elevated my entire dining experience. I splurged and tried three of their cocktails, which I must admit are on the expensive side.
I was very impressed by how well executed each drink was. The bartender was almost like a storyteller and listening to him explaining each cocktail was absolutely captivating.
Drift ($18): Akuavit, fino sherry, green apple, baby strawberry, clarified milk, samphire.
Amaro and Homemade Bitters ($21)
Lunar ($21): botanist gin, grey goose, oyster shell, sake vermouth, hinoki, moon
Overall
I really loved Suyo. The food was delicious, the cocktails were amazing and the service was very friendly. I think this establishment has made a name for itself in the Vancouver dining scene. The cuisine and concept are rather unique; it is the only place where you can enjoy modern Peruvian cuisine in the city.
If you are looking for a fun night out, Suyo will not disappoint. It’s a great spot for a date night or a small gathering with a couple of friends. That being said, it can get pretty busy, so if you are looking for an intimate or quiet dining experience, there are probably better options, which you can find here.
Suyo
Opening hours: open from Tuesday to Saturday from 5 to 10pm
Website: click here
Address: 3475 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3M9
Telephone: (604) 322-1588
Note that prices and information featured in this article are subject to change.
