There is a new comer in Vancouver’s dining scene that has been making some noise. A couple of months ago, Chef Bardia Ilbeiggi opened the restaurant Delara in Kitsilano. Delara means ‘beloved’ in Persian and it is a rather fitting name since it has already won the hearts of many Vancouverites. This establishment serves modern and seasonal Persian cuisine and the menu is strongly influenced by the Chef’s Iranian heritage.
The Atmosphere
I went to Delara for dinner a couple of weeks after its opening and the place was crowded. At times, it got very noisy, so it was hard to grasp what my 5 co-diners were saying. By now, the buzz may have faded so it may be more suitable for group diners, but I would recommend this place more for a date or a small gathering with a couple of friends.
The space is quite beautiful. The interior is bright and the white and blue color palette is rather soothing. The geometric patterns carved in the wood elements add an extra refinement to the overall décor. A lot of effort has been put into small details such as the candle holders and even the table menus.
The Food
The menu is seasonal so it is a bit limited, yet it is varied. The staff was great and very helpful with their recommendations.
Grilled Sourdough Flatbread and Seasonal Dips ($13)
I started off with the Grilled Sourdough Flatbread and Seasonal Dips, which was an excellent choice. The freshly made seedy sourdough flatbread was very soft. The crunchiness of the sesame, caraway and nigella seeds contrasted nicely with the tenderness of the bread. It paired very well with the two dips that were both wonderful. The thick yoghurt dip was creamy, fresh and subtly flavored with herbs and mint. The red pepper dip was deep, rich and extremely flavorful.
BBQ Chicken Kebab (28$)
The BBQ Chicken Kebab grilled over charcoal was extremely tender. Although it had been marinated with saffron and flavored with a brown butter and saffron sauce, I found the flavoring too subtle. I was hoping for more spices and flavors. It was served with fresh greens and tomatoes, and a side of crispy rice, which were all well done.
Tahdeeg (crispy rice)
The crispy saffron rice was not amazing, but it was good and it complemented the chicken well. It also came with some yoghurt and pickles for extra flavoring, which were enjoyable.
Toot Candy
Unfortunately I did not have any space left for dessert (blame it on the delicious flatbread!), but before leaving we were offered some Toot Candy (Iranian marzipan). I liked the texture and consistency, but it did not have much taste.
The Drinks
Spiced Cardamom Sharbat (6$)
I had a glass of Spiced Cardamom Sharbat. Sharbat is an Iranian drink usually made from flower petals or fruits. The bottom part was sweet and it had to be mixed with the carbonated water before drinking. The seeds created a beautiful visual effect and added an interesting texture to the drink, but it did not have a particularly strong taste (or if it did, it was not easy to taste it in the drink). It was a warm day, so this refreshing sharbat hit the spot!
Overall
Delara started strong and I understand why it has already won so many hearts. The atmosphere was nice, the staff was kind and helpful, and the food was very good. Price-wise, I found the main dishes a bit expensive, but I would not say it is overpriced. The quality was there so the price was fair. I would love to explore more of Delara‘s menu and I will most likely be back to try their brunch menu and desserts.
Delara
Opening hours: open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 2.30pm and from 5pm to 9.30pm
Website: click here
Address: 2272 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 1N8
Telephone: (604) 730-4325
Note that prices and information featured in this article are subject to change.
