Guess who got her act together to make reservations for Dineout Vancouver? Yes, that’s right, me! And guess who’s finally in town? Sandy, a good ol’ pal who just moved here from Australia. Love her! We’ve known each other forever but never met until a couple of days ago. That’s the great thing about the Internet. :)

We headed to Bacchus for early dinner last Thursday. I was telling Sandy that I probably should have called ahead to check if we can request a seat by the window, because we ended up being escorted to what looked like the dungeon, the backroom, the place for those who didn’t appropriately dress in the wedding and were being hustled into the tables where people won’t see you. I didn’t even know that section existed because I usually sit by the window when I go there! The “cheapskate” section, Sandy joked. I…was not pleased.

The base price for the Dineout pre-fixe dinner menu was $38. They offered a wine flight for dinner for $14, which I had, and that included wine for the appetizer and main course. I assumed that it was for the 3 courses, because as I recalled in my previous Dineout dinners, I always had wine with my desserts. When I asked how many wines were included, I received an almost stern response that the wine flight was for $14 (reiterated) and it was only for 2 glasses of wine. Uh, did I ask how much it was?

I also ordered the cheese plate. Now if you’ve been following me on Twitter, you might have noticed that since the previous weekend, I’ve been on a cheese binge. On the night of our dinner, it was no different. I wanted some cheese and I wanted it with my appetizer, to which the server asked me several times if I was sure, as if I was a complete moron. Really? Are you kidding me? Does it warrant such rudeness? I don’t think so. Oh my god, I should have ordered a glass of Coke with ice and then we’ll see who gets reported to the French culinary board for (gasp) not following the program.

On to to the menu (and you’ll have to excuse the crappily-lit photos…we were in the dungeon, remember?).

Citrus Cured & Lightly Smoked Lois Lake Steelhead Trout Micro Herbs & Cold Pressed Olive Oil -- 3.75 out of 5 stars -- Salmon was good, but nothing I can't buy on my own.

Navarin of Slow Braised Lamb Shank Potato & Soft Herb Gnocchi, Minted Jus -- 4.5 out of 5 stars -- probably my favorite dish of the night. Fall off the bone, flavorful meat. Gnocchi was not as melt-in-your-mouth as I had hoped.

Goat Cheese & Mascarpone Cheese Cake Rhubarb & Port Compote -- 4.5 out of 5 stars -- Extra creamy cheese cake that I would love to replicate at home.

The cheese plate (no photo) was an additional $12 – 3 out of 5 stars.
We should have received:
Poplar Grove Tiger Blue
3year Old Aged Quebec Cheddar
Little Qualicum Brie

The brie was missing on our cheeseplate and I didn’t notice until I checked the menu when I got back home. The aged cheddar is probably the same one I usually get, except I pick the 5yrs.

We had dinner at Cru last night, and we were comparing the HUGE difference great service makes. Overall, my dinner at Bacchus would be 4 out of 5 at best because of our experience. [The food was good. Sandy commented that her salad greens looked like it came from a pre-mixed salad bag. I hope not.] I usually come back to restaurants after Dineout Vancouver, but I would have reservations going back to Bacchus, even just for drinks. I’d have to say that of all the my dinners around town, my experience last week was probably the worse. I won’t say that you shouldn’t go there, but you should try it yourself and have your own opinion. I was just (ghastly) disappointed, if not utterly repulsed. For a $120+ dinner (not including tax), it’s not cheap and not over-the-top expensive, but I’ve had far better service where my meal cost much less. Yes, I understand it’s Dineout Vancouver, the staff is busy and the restaurant gets full. However, we were there early. There were not too many people seated in the Dineout Dungeon of Bacchus yet. Chalk it up to experience, I guess.

Bacchus Restaurant & Lounge
845 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1V1
(604) 608-5319
www.wedgewoodhotel.com