22 - Wednesday, Auyust 23, 1989 - North Shore News “\ ay dinin Ambleside Inn a second-storey s POPULAR RESTAURANT “3 ee as a IS ONE DECADE OLD | THE AMBLESIDE INN, 1495 MARINE DRIVE, WEST YAN- COUVER, 922-0101. VISA, AMERICAN EXPRESS AND MASTER- CARD ACCEPTED. OPEN TUESDAY TO SUNDAY FOR LUNCH AND DINNER WITH BRUNCH SERVED SUNDAY. WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE. FOR SOME inexplicable reason, a lot of restaurants in the Ambleside area flourish on second floors. Perhaps it’s the innate desire of West Van‘ers to get above street lavel and strive for iop-drawer profiles. Whatever the explana- tion, places suck as Chez Michel, Ichiban, ta Belle Sole and the Ambleside Inn have ali staked cut goed second-floor dining turf. The latter member of this restau- rant quartet holds a pre-eminent position both in location and West Vancouver restaurant pecking order. TIMOTHY RENSHAW table hopping Ambleside inn has overlooked the bustle of West Vancouver's 15th Street and Marine Drive in- tersection from its second-storey locale for 10 years now. And the restaurant’s ownership is an integral part of the restau- rani’s longevity. Willy and Martha Brueckel make a point of greeting everyone who- walks into their second-storey res- taurant, dispensing the social graces each has developed in over 35 years in the hotel and service industry. Between the two of them, the Brueckels know 2 good portion of West Vancouver's en- tire dining public. They know vir- tualiy all their customers by name. Royalty, both former and cur- rent, and those who live beyond the boundaries of West Vancouver (yes, there are some), have dined at-the Ambleside over the years: ex-president Jimmy Carter, the King -and. Queen of Spain, Lord Carrington: and former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed. Food served is reminiscent of hotel fare from generations past: lots of red meats and rich sauces. But the Ambleside Inn also offers lighter meals, pastas, some seafood and vegetarian dinners upon request. Entrees are primari- ly in the $73 te $18 price range. Live acoustic guitar is provided | TICKETS! Fill up at Shell and receive 50% off weekday admission to the PNE. Valid August 21 to August 25 and August 28 to September 1, 1989. triday and Saturday nights by Michael Cummings, who comes armed with a full repertoire of everybody’s favorite lounge hits. Clientele, at least on the Friday night Table Hopping sampled the restaurant’s wares, is largely from the more mature end of the dining population — patrons whose quest for the nouvelle has long since been replaced with a quest for relaxation with familiar food and friends. * Ambleside Inn wine list concen- trates on European vintages, and there are some inieresting speciali- ty bottles. . We sampled a 1984 Marques de Riscal ($19.95), a fine dry Spanish red from one of the best known bedegas of Rioja Alavesa. i opened with an order of Fresh Oysters ($3.75). The dish included three of the raw shellfish accompanied with an excellent side of raspberry vinegar, red wine and chopped purple onions. The oysters were small but firm and fresh. Also sampled was the evening’s special Papaya, Avocado and Shrimp salad ($3.50). Visually col- orful, the salad came topped with toasted, sliced almonds and sliced oranges. Both appetizers, refreshing and simpie, did their job by piquing our gastronomic interest and had us looking forward to the main feature. Following a quick check with Table Hopping accountants, we selected Chateau Briand for two ($20.95 per person}. The meat was prepared to the rare side of medium rare as re- quested and came with two sauces: the traditional Bernaise and a cranberry and red wine demiglace. Vegetabies included broccoli and cauliflower, bath boiled, a PRESENTING warm smiles in the warm surroundings of the Ambleside Inn ave Geft to right) | assistant manager Andreas Schaaf and ihe restaurant’s owners Martha and Willy Brueckel. Now in its 10th year, the Antbleside continues to be a popular West Vancouver res- taurant. half tomato baked with an orange puree centre and a small serving of deep green sea asparagus, 1988's trendy vegetable of the year. Deep-fried mashed potatoe balls were also provided. The fatter tasted as if they had been fried in old oil. In addition to their. poor flavor, their molten centres of gooey potate scorched my tongue. But the’ meat, cut and served at the table, was good. The twe sauces adced interest to the meal. For dessert we sampled a speciai white meringue ($4.95) served with a-colorful coulis (puree) rain- bow of kiwi, papaya and raspberry surrounded with braids of fresh blueberries. The central meringue was top- ped with whipped cream, raspber- fies, strawberries and a single mint leaf. It was a light dessert with good color and good fresh flavors. Service was attentive throughout the meal. Providing solid mid-European cuisine and congenial. hosts, the Ambieside inn remains a favorite for mature diners and second- storey enthusiasts. See Pats Page 25 SUSHI HAPPY HOUR | Oh ott The Move fs On! The only Chinese DIM SUM and Seatocd Restaurant in North Vancouver LUNCH SPECIAL . DIM SUM $1.49 per dish fvery Saturday only from li am-4 pm (available daily but at regular prices) LIVE SEAFOOD Served in Special Chinese Style Enjey Family Dinner Specials Daily The Dining Area easily seats 250 or more for parties and banquets . FULLY LICENSED $83-3888 FAST FREE DELIVERY Minimum order SIQ within 3 miles Open 7 days a week ll am-l2 midnight &3 Chesterfield Ave. North Vancouver (near Lonsdale & ist Ave) Delivery People needed. Please call 983-3888 ALL SUSHI Monday-Thursday 9-10:30 p.m. Try our rainbow roll — a deliciously colourful roll of sea-eel, cucumber, salmon, snapper and egg and spinach, or mushroom sushi with shitake mushrooms. . ~ Wide selection of Japanese dishes incl. Sushi, Tempura ancl Teriyaki Sieck. MANYO SOUSA! JAPANESE RESTAURANT Open Lunch & Dinner