Tequila Kitchen (web site, 1043 Mainland St. Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-681-2120) is a Mexican restaurant in the upscale Yaletown neighborhood of downtown Vancouver. Pictured below, from their Brunch menu, are the Huevos a la Mexicana: three scrambled eggs with tomato, onion and green chile, served with a quesadilla, beans and guacamole (for around $10). Also pictured below is the freshly made salsa and guacamole, which I must say is excellent. Visit Part 1 for more photos.

Mexican scrambled eggs (Huevos a la Mexicana)

Fresh Mexican salsa and guacamole from the Mexican restaurant Tequila Kitchen in Vancouver.

Marmalade Kitchen and Bar (web site, #3 – 1010 Beach Ave, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-689-7800) is a London-inspired casual waterfront restaurant with a great patio, overlooking one of the marinas at Vancouver’s False Creek. It’s located just east of the Burrard Street bridge, on the north side of False Creek downtown. You’ll find it in front of the Chilli House Thai Restaurant at the bottom of Hornby Street. Google Maps (click here for map) incorrectly places their address on the west side of the Burrard Bridge, when in fact it is just to the east.

Marmalade is a great place to go for cocktails or dinner, and the restaurant is also open for lunch, weekday breakfast, and weekend brunch. Visit their web site for their current menu and specials.

Enjoy dishes that bring out the best of London-style cuisine, such as the Chelsea Flair (sauteed wild sockeye salmon with red onion marmalade, served on a bed of sauteed potatoes, $17.95) or the Knightsbridge Chic (half garlic herb-roasted game hen served with tomato ragout and saffron rice, $16.95). Or if you’re looking for something a little more traditional, there’s always the comforting and satisfying Shepherd’s Pie ($12.50, served with mixed greens) which is a rich stew served with mashed potatoes, vegetables and a tasty gravy. Pictured below are some of the chef’s creations.

Mushroom at Marmalade Kitchen and Bar

Tuna at Marmalade Kitchen and Bar (photos courtesy of the restaurant)

Tequila Kitchen (web site, 1043 Mainland St. Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-681-2120) is a new restaurant in the Yaletown neighborhood of downtown Vancouver, offering authentic and fresh Mexican cuisine in a simple and almost austere atmosphere.

The minimalistic decor evokes some great restaurants and hotels I experienced while visiting the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, which catered mainly to Mexicans on vacation rather than American tourists.

Susan Hollis writes, “Tequila Kitchen encourages diners to taste the soul food of Mexico”, and I agree – the fresh guocamole, home-made salsa, and corn tortillas stuffed with scrumptious goodness brought me back to the streets of the towns I visited in Mexico. CityFood Magazine has some photos and reveals that owner Laura Enriquez spent over twenty years running successful restaurants in Playa Del Carmen.

Pictured below are items from Tequila Kitchen’s signature Lunch Platter ($13) which is an affordable way to try a variety of tasty temptations, including: guacamole, salsa, 1 Tostada de Pollo (shredded chicken on an oven baked tortilla topped with lettuce, avocado, green salsa, onion cream and cheese), 2 Tacos de Cochinita (pulled pork slowly cooked in juicy annatto sauce in soft corn tortillas with marinated red onions), 2 Tacos de Rajas (Poblano rajas, sauted chicken and onions with cheese in a creamy sauce served in soft corn tortillas), rice, beans & salad. Visit the restaurant’s web site for their current dinner menu.

Mexican Tacos at Tequila Kitchen in Vancouver (included with the Lunch Platter)

Salsa and guocamole.

Tostada de Pollo (included in the Lunch Platter)