Mee 60 — Friday, January 17, 1986 - North Shore News Midtown fare upbeat treat UNLIKE most restaurants launched on the first wave of a new trend, Caffe Bibbers has managed to age gracefully. The 118-seat West End eatery began life in the easly 80s in digs briefly occupied by the: Sultan’s Tent, a Turkish kebab and _belly- dancing parlor. ; eS table Renshaw EE With its interior designed by David Vance, Bibbers replaced opulent harem cur- tains with the chic bistro high-tech veneer and the low-calorie atmosphere that were so quickly sweeping modern Vancouverites off their feet at the turn of the decade. CAMOUFLAGED Camouflaged by the pop and fizz of Perrier and the glitter of the facile uptown menu, however, was an in- adequate kitchen and mediocre food. Bibbers subsequently rose-and fell with its initial novelty. But in March, the management finesse behind O’Doul’s moved in. Bibbers’ centre stage cheese-and- fruit-counter-turned-bar was the first thing to go. The restaurant’s kitchen corps was then placed in the capable hands of chef Alain Favre, who had been lured BIB away from the renowned ovens of the William Tell restaurant. Where once stood the te. dium of culinary suburbis presented with generic ho. hum, is now the vitality of midtown fare presented with artistic twists. The restaurant’s dinner menu (Bibbers also boasts separate brunch and lunch menus) features clean-edged simplicity with nine full- fledged entrees, from Red Snapper aswim in a tomato, cucumber and pepper sauce ($8.95) to Filet Mignon broiled, then served in bear- naise sauce ($13.95). PASTA QUARTET There is also a quartet of pastas in both half orders Starting at $3.95 and fvil-size with a top end of $8.57. And with cach :nonth Bibbers’ kitchen sends forth a ‘special menu, featuring items as diverse as fid- dieheads and lobsters. December was pheasant month -—- bad news for pheasants — but good news for all its ravenous fans. Featured pheasantries in- cluded Pheasant Consomme in puff pastry ($4.50) and Pheasant Breast simmered in raspberry vinegar laid to rest on a bed of leeks and shallots ($13.59). Wine list at Bibbers deserves special mention, not only because it reflects the knowledgablé touch of maitre de’ and former wine industry representative Brian Klassen, but because no bot- Ue is marked up more than $8. MENU ASSAULT The list also features a- good selection of small B.C. estate products. At the urging of master waiter and all around bon vivant Jim Muylart, our table plunged into a refreshing °’83 Uniacke Estate Gerwurztraminer ($13.50) and never looked back. Live Atlantic avg. I Ib. Free Valet Parking ERS 1184 Denman 684-5322 Accompanied by wife and two sisters-in-law, | directed a wide-ranging assault on Bibbers’ menu. From the special pheasant selection, Beet and Walnut Salad ($3.50) topped with blue cheese and walnut oil :¥oved an excellent change 4é salad pace, even for sister-in-law number one, now a practising Torento- nian. I tried the Graviox ($4.95) — a lovely glass plate ‘pres- entation with a dozen thin slices of marinated salmon i id THE CHEF and a waiter at Bibbers display the star attraction at the restaraunt. Lobster is featured during this mont at the Denman. Page 62 eatery. SaiR: aS Ye: Serving the PLANADE , West Coast's finest seafood ._ES 117-260 W. Esplanade 986-2228 Alam-10pm, Sun.-Thurs., Llam-1ipm, Fri, & Sat. Free Parking Bradbrooke, Crawford & Green Complete Legal Services ' Lonsdale Quay Free initial consultation Please present coupon betore final bill ts totaited May not be used with any ather promotion Suite 600 - 171 West Esplanade North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 3.19 © (604) 980-8571 f SUNDAY BRUNCH HAS STRINGS ATTACHED. | Relax this Sunday at the International Plaza’s Classical Sunday Brunch. Compose your own deli- cious brunch from cur vast buffet and enjoy while our talented musicians play the best of the classics. Come soon to the International Plaza’s Classical Sunday Brunch. The price will be music so your ears, too. Conduct yourself accordionly. , THE CLASSICAL SUNDAY BRUNCH This Sunday's Feature: Entracte YD 75m $ 7 for Seniors and Children under 12. | 2/9 dinners Buy one of the following entrees and your & guest will receive any of the following en- . trees FREE with this ad. ' Seafood Casserole « Beef Teriyaki * Schnitzel with * Seafood Crepes gravy ; (Complete with rice and vegetable) ? days a week from 430-830 p.m. This otfer is good to Friday, Jan. 24, 1986 987-8812 1301 Lonsdale, North Van. . Open Sunday from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM Reservations accepted for parties = — aN of 6 or more. 7 My: ; : i Ga AGP You've Tried the Rest Now Try the Best THE PIZZA MADNESS continues Celebrate with the best-tasting pizza in town. Large Pizza Only 5 Toppings: $7.00 * Sauce « Cheese To Take Out * Plus any 3 others or Hours: - -» mes rye $8.00 To Eat in mene or, after Soir munumum order of SE 92 {N FRRN AT I Wooden Plate Restaurant PLAZA “H¢ Fully Licensed 2988 Mountain Hwy. 986-3010 986-2475 .