You know how big occasions seem to always call for a very expensive, very fancy meal? You know how you always get all gussied up, shave, etc. You always sit down and say things like “oooh this is VERY nice!” etc. You know how upon reading the prices associated with what you are eating you suddenly become a food critic. Knowing that you are paying $20.00 for two prawns and a single scallop served with a small pile of lemony leaves makes you acutely aware of how good you perceive everything to be. If it was White Spot, you couldn’t care less if it even arrived warm, if it is nice it’s just a pleasant surprise! So for our first anniversary, we decided that the last thing we wanted was to spend something akin to a first months rent in Yaletown on a “nice meal”. I left this up to my husband to pick something romantic but unconfrontational. He decided on Bin 942, the West Broadway sister of Bin 941 on Davey. It is funkily romantic. This is not a place for a first date. This is definitely the one you save for the date when you finally think you’re gonna get laid. The music is a little bit louder, but not so much that you can’t hold a conversation, and the girl behind the bar was on top of this, monitoring it to make sure it never became nuisance . The ambiance is warm and red, people are dressed up, but in expensive jeans and the like. This is, I think, a very good first stop on the way to go clubbing.
The drinks menu is short and to the point, it doesn’t waste time on anything uncool. The wines and beer are nicely selected. This is a Tapas place, so I was surprised to not find a Cava on the menu. Maybe that’s a little camp of me to ask for. Maybe this is because we got engaged in Barcelona and I really wanted a bottle of Cava. So I had a glass of Prosecco instead. It sufficed.
This is Tapas, so we ordered 4 items. They were all in the $15 range, so we didn’t feel too bad about this, so far. First up was Kobe beef carpachio, a plate full of little slices of gorgeously seared beef, with a little dab of balsamic reduction, and a cheeky bowl of garlic popcorn. Really nice, I felt the love in the little whispers of beef. Next came scallops wrapped in prawns topped with leek tempura. Again, lovely, nibbly, moreish. Mussels in garlic and white wine followed. Huge, fat mussel meat, nice little garlic toasts, served molten lava hot. There is no time wasted from kitchen to table here. Last up was a giant mound of matchstick pomme frites with a syrupy drizzle of balsamic reduction. (Balsamic reduction on two items, nah I’ll let it pass). The only thing was that I wish I had known how big the pile of matchstick potatoes were. This was really something best shared between four people with drinks. After everything else we really didn’t need these. We had it packed up, and took it home. They kept fine, and were eaten as a late night snack later. Liked the candied fennel seeds that came with the bill. Have a bad feeling very soon anywhere that tries to emulate trendiness will have these coming with the bill very soon. But I felt they fit in this place, amongst the red light and young pre-clubbers in hair extensions and torn jeans.
I love Tapas, and I thought Bin 942 did a nice interpretation of the theme rather than being a slave to traditional Spanish food. Excellent food, prepared with love. So my husband was very successful with his restaurant selection and we had a great night. Later we ran out and grabbed a bottle of Cava to drink with the top tier of our cake. So i took care of that whole Cava craving. And I got pretty spiffy ring for my present. YAY!
Total for 4 items, two drinks and tip: $85
Ambiance: 7
Food: 8
Value: 7.5
Service: 8
Recommend to a friend: Yes
