Pidgin

On a very hot Saturday night in late June of 2022, we walked into a fairly quiet Pidgin Restaurant at 8:30 PM. As is our wont, we chose to sit at the bar, and we were an island onto ourselves. No one else was at the bar. It took us aback. I anticipated a happening scene. However, there is a certain kindness and empathy that is inherent to Pidgin and its staff. Within seconds we were enveloped by warmth and camaraderie. Brandon, the owner, engaged us in conversation about the food, life, and a whole bunch of stuff, recommending the set dinner after listening to our needs. The food was fantastic, way beyond our expectations. Fresh truffles enhanced our dishes, and my Asparagus Brie cheese fondue with black truffles and almonds will remain a part of my best taste memories for years. Halibut was cooked perfectly, but the accompaniment of flavors enhanced every bite. Each dish put smiles on our faces, and the staff made us feel we were eating with friends who were cooking for us. They all took pleasure in our pleasure. How cool is that! The chef came over to say hello and to thank us for coming in. That made us feel great, but it was his cooking that made us wiggle with joy. The cocktails and wine did give that wiggle some impetus. Pidgin is another great Vancouver restaurant that shouldn’t be missed.

Delicious food and impeccable service. Definitely recommend the tasting menu - I enjoyed every dish they served and the cocktail I ordered was pretty strong. For those visiting from out of town like us, be aware that the restaurant is located in a very seedy part of Vancouver with lots of homeless people wandering around the streets.

Of all my reviews, this one was the most difficult to write. I enjoyed my experience at pidgin. Very attentive service, luxurious preparation of ingredients, and of course tasty bites. With that said, it's impossible to separate the restaurant from its city setting. As I'm enjoying seared duck breast, some of our most vulnerable and ignored are right across the street. My take away is to don't feel bad for enjoying things, but at the same time don't forget those who struggle. They're here too.

Great Experience!! 🌟 So glad we finally tried this place out. It's not in a great area of town but definitely worth going to. We got to sit at the Chef's table and see the kitchen in action. Shared plates. We had wings, pork crisp, beef tartare. The Foie gras Rice bowl was amazing. Great local wines. yummy 🍉 cocktail. Super friendly, attentive services. Will definitely return. If you are looking for food that is tasty and innovative this is the place.

We got lucky and got a seat at the chef's table. The staff and service were outstanding. They were very attentive to everything, and their drink and food suggestions were spot on. Everything was spectacular. We didn't do the tasting menu because there were so a variety of choices to make on the menu. I think we did three dishes each, portions were plenty for two. I'd definitely go back for another visit. We'll worth the money spent!

Celebrated a huge milestone in my life here and the restaurant provided the perfect amount of intimacy and deliciousness. The atmosphere was very chill, servers were attentive, and the playlist was top notch. The food was perfect - opted out of the tasting menu, instead had three tapas. This was a good amount of food, leaving enough room for dessert. Knocking down a star for the underwhelming dessert. The pre-dinner snacks were a bit questionable but I can’t complain as they were complimentary.

I do not have the words to describe this experience. This was genuinely one of the best meals of my life. From the unique cocktail flights and sake tasting flights to the dessert options, the experience was 11/10 from start to finish. The service is done in a way that is efficient, with every employee helping every table and bringing their expertise to every experience. Every single server was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and well versed in the menu and in the food. Every single dish we had was memorable and impactful, from the scallop topped with shaved lime ice, to the Korean rice cakes, to the Szechuan pepper beignet. I never knew what to expect and every dish was phenomenally unique, creative, and most importantly high quality delicious. Make sure you make reservations because this place earns its customers.