If I had to sum up my dinner at AnnaLena in three words, I would go with impeccable, exceptional, and humble. This newly Michelin-starred restaurant located in the heart of Kitsilano serves Canadian cuisine with a touch of Asian flavors. It is one of the most sought-after establishments in Vancouver and it has been consistently ranked among Canada’s 100 best restaurants.
The Atmosphere
AnnaLena is simple yet refined. No white table clothes, no bow ties, no fuss. The inside is modern and stylish, just like the cuisine it serves.
The Food
At AnnaLena, each menu is called a “chapter” and each chapter rotates on a monthly basis. I dined in during Chapter Fifty-Nine, which was outstanding from start to finish.
Amuse-bouche
The first amuse-bouche was a beautifully presented meringue topped with a goat cheese mousse and a baby sorrel leaf. It was subtle enough to awaken our taste buds.
Fresh Oysters with Shaved Foie Gras
It was followed by a Fresh Oyster with Shaved Foie Gras sitting on a meringue foam. I loved how the deep flavors of the foie gras were released as the shavings melted in my mouth.
50/50 Cured Albacore Tuna with Shaved Cabbage
The Albacore Tuna was fresh and lightly dressed. The mushroom split vinaigrette and the black truffle dressing gave this dish some substantial earthy flavors.
Green Peppercorn Squash Bisque, Basil Compressed Confit Kohlrabi, Pesto Ricotta, Torn Bread
I absolutely loved the smooth and velvety Squash Bisque. The pesto ricotta paired remarkably well with it. It was served with AnnaLena‘s signature torn bread, which reminded me a lot of a fresh croissant.
Mushroom Glazed Spaghettini, Chanterelles, Maple Bacon Foam, Crispy Wakame
The Spaghettini dish was my favorite of the evening. The maple bacon foam was light but extremely flavorful. The contrast between the foam, the crispy wakame, and the firm spaghettini was fantastic.
Sablefish, Duo Sunchokes (Roast/Puree), Koji Butter Sauce, Lobster Scallop Boudin
The Sablefish was cooked to perfection and the koji butter sauce was amazing. Everything on this plate was on point, but my absolute favorite was the lobster scallop boudin.
Carrot Cake
Last but not least: dessert. As expected, we finished on a great note with a refreshing carrot cake served with vanilla carrot ice cream and toasted barley and honey custard. It was perfectly balanced and just what we needed to finish our meal as well as it started.
Overall
AnnaLena is an institution in Vancouver and its reputation is well-deserved. The food was outstanding and the service was impeccable without being over the top.
Cocktails and drinks were also fabulous, and they offer a wine-pairing menu if you really want to go all out.
It is a very popular restaurant, so making a reservation is no easy task, but I think it is totally worth it. It is a very solid option for a special date or occasion. If you are looking for something different, I have compiled a list of my favorite date spots here.
AnnaLena
Opening hours: open from Tuesday to Sunday from 5 to 9pm
Website: click here
Address: 1809 W 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 5B8
Telephone: (778) 379-4052
Note that prices and information featured in this article are subject to change.
