Tokyo Japanese Grill

While the Tokyo Japanese Grill does offer a lovely sushi selection it is more of a traditional Japanese restaurant, not just a sushi place. Located in the heart of down town Chilliwack right across from the Paramount Theatre, it is perfect for a business lunch for those who work on the north side of the City or as part of an evening out in town (dinner & a movie). If memory serves, this was the first restaurant in Chilliwack to offer Japanese cuisine. It has a lovely traditional feel, right down to the private screened rooms for intimate dining experiences. The full dinner sets are the way to sample the gifts of the chef. Teriyaki here is the best, the way it is supposed to taste. If you are really into sushi, sharing the sushi ‘boat’ is a great choice but so beautiful that you may not want to mess it up. The staff here are exceptional and remember their customers in an uncanny way, even when it has been a while since you stepped through the door. Highly recommend that you head downtown and enjoy a fantastic meal and wonderful service!
Open:
Monday to Friday 11:30am ~ 9:30pm
Saturday 4:00pm~ 9:30pm
Sundays Closed

46170 Yale Road East,
Chilliwack, BC
V2P 2P1
(604) 795-2931

Vedder Sushi

Vedder Sushi

Being the sushi fanatics that we are, we were just beside ourselves when Vedder Sushi opened up right in front of our office at RE/MAX on, you guessed it, Vedder Road. It was a building previously occupied by an English fish and chip shop as many will remember. It is a cute stand- alone 2 storey restaurant. The upstairs is lovely for meeting with a larger group as it is a bigger space or if you want a table beside the fireplace and a warm saki on those cooler days. The mood is serene, and the decor is modern yet warm. We also believe that it is the only sushi place that also has patio dining available. The food is lovely and fresh as it should be, and the service is very gracious. Between us we are now visiting here at least three times a week. Good thing sushi isn’t fattening!

In terms of favourite dishes we would recommend the Spicy Sashimi Salad, the Ebi Sunomono and the Philadelphia Roll.

We encourage you to give them a try. This is one of the sushi places that would be good for dinner out because of the warmer atmosphere.

Open:
Monday -Thursday 11:30am ~ 9:30pm
Friday & Saturday 11:30am ~ 10:00pm
Sunday 12noon ~ 9:00pm

8-7300 Vedder Road
Chilliwack, BC V2R 4G6
(604) 824-9880

Seven Sushi

There are now many options for sushi lovers in Chilliwack, and we certainly count ourselves as a part of this group. We are only reviewing a few however that are our favourites and Seven Sushi is definitely one of them. This is the most contemporary of all of them in this town with contrast of apple green walls, sleek black furniture and flat panel TV monitors showing off their amazing dishes. It is a super environment for lunch with friends or colleagues if you are looking for a place on south side (Sardis) near the Cottonwood and Chilliwack malls. We think that Seven has the very best and freshest tuna (melt in your mouth) and it was one of the first in Chilliwack to come up with some very wild and delicious special rolls. One example of that is the Explosion Roll that is prawn tempura, yam, spicy tuna, sweet potato, avocado, cucumber, crabmeat, mayo and unagi sauce. Spicy and delectable and only $7.77, the same price as all their special rolls.
The owner and Head Chef, Andrew Um with his staff are warm and very accommodating making it a terrific place to bring the family as well. They even have wheat -free soya sauce upon request should you have gluten issues (like me).

Open:
Monday to Thursday: 11:30 am to 9:00 pm
Friday to Saturday: 11:30 am to 9:30 pm
Closed Statutory Holidays
150-45428 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack, BC V2R 3S9
604-824-7710

Merle’s Eatery

Looking for a great place to get together with a friend for breakfast or lunch? Check out Merle’s Eatery,  “your place to meet and eat.” This unassuming café offers you “freshness, quality and great friendly service.” Merle’s has been making quite a name for itself on the Chilliwack list of good places to eat and it is well-deserved. Winner and nominee of many business awards including the 2009 Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards ‘ Customer Service Excellence Award’. She has a committment to food, shopping local and imagination. The daily specials are always delightful with ingredients that you expect to see in Gourmet magagzine. There are great salads, fresh fish offerings, delicious unique sandwiches, inventive burgers, awesome quesadillas and fresh cut french fries that are the best in the Valley. For those of us with allergies this is one of the few places that you can have a fantastic meal worry-free. For example I am celiac, and have discovered that Merle’s kitchen is completely safe as she has a gluten-free prep area with separate tools, mayo, etc. Merle also offers catering service which is fabulous! So do yourself a favour and check it out!!

Merle’s Eatery

#6-7355 Vedder Road

Chilliwack, BC

604-824-4160

Whispers Wine Bar

Something Different to Do This Weekend

Located at 9282 Main Street in Chilliwack, across from the old Safeway site is a real hidden gem. To the best of my knowledge this is Chilliwack’s first wine bar and it opened it’s doors in January 2009.  Husband Steve and I thought we would finally get over to sample their wares last week and were pleased that we did.

The exterior of the building is quite unassuming, with a mere coro-plast sign with red vinyl letters. Hopefully they will be doing something more permanent and appropriate for signage soon because we all know that books and business establishments are often judged by their covers. It was very quiet at 6pm when we entered but it was a hockey night in Canada so…The atmosphere is very nice although a little spare and wide open. A few more tables, rugs or art would make a world of difference.

The wine menu is extensive featuring many interesting selections with a strong concentration of BC wines. Almost all the wines are available by the glass. The beauty of a wine bar is that ordering wine by the glass, beyond a few crummy ‘house wines’,  gives one a chance to sample something new and broaden your wine experience. Steve ordered a glass of Enigma, a red blend, from Lotusland Winery in Abbotsford (can you say ‘100 mile diet?) and I had a lovely white from Hester Creek . We also ordered a delicious baked garlic brie with crackers and grapes to nibble on with the beverages. The food menu is just wine-friendly appys to enhance the tasting experience.

Service was professional and attentive but not bubbly and annoying. Low lights, cool jazz playing softly, a little candlelight, good food and drink… how can you go wrong? Perfect place to talk tete-a-tete or with a group of friends, even as start of say a movie night.

The hours for Whispers  are 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Evangelines

Evangeline’s Barbeque and Contemporary Soul Food” located at the corner of Mill St and Victoria (formerlythe home of the Mill St Café) is one of my top 3 restaurants in Chilliwack.

As you walk in the door you get a warm welcome from restaurant manager Jamaal and his staff . It is a very hip atmosphere, only 50 seats inside and a heated covered patio that seats 25. (Nothing like a mojito on the patio…on a summer eve…)

They have a fresh take on soul food from crab cakes to jambalaya to great pastas, salads,and sandwiches, Evangeline’s prides themselves on using onlythe freshest and most locally produced ingredients.

Some of our favourite must try dishes are: The Cajun Corndogs, disks of sweet & slightly spicy andouille sausage lightly corn battered and served with a sauce that should be patented; the pulled pork either in a sandwich at lunch or as an entrée at dinner served on pecan mashed potatoes to die for…really!  They slow roast the pork on a BBQ forever, and it just melts in your mouth; and whatever seasonal fish that Chef Michelle has chosen served on lovely fresh sautéed greens.

Added fun deal about Evangeline’s is the entertainment that they have on a pretty regular basis. Thursdays they have a jazz trio, and at special events they bring in some terrific talent.  There are very few other chances in Chilliwack to have dinner and live music, especially in such a fun & funky atmosphere.

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 am. They do occasionally close for private parties so best call ahead for reservations just in case (but we usually just show up when it’s the two of us). You can check out their web site for menu and upcoming special music event information at www.evangelinesbarbeque.ca.