5 /5 Richard Wardell: I tried to describe this place to someone and couldn’t quite find a category for it. It has the hallmarks of European fine dining with beautiful plating and complex flavors, yet also offers the generous portions you would expect from a traditional American restaurant. The menu has something for both adventurous and conservative palates, which makes it especially approachable.
The melon and prosciutto appetizer was outstanding. The prosciutto was the most authentic I have had in America, and the melon was perfectly ripe. It was paired with a chili flake vinaigrette that balanced the sweet and salty elements beautifully.
The New York steak was incredible, perfectly cooked, generously portioned, and well seasoned. The sauce really put it over the top for me. It was rich and flavorful, and the compound butter and cream mellowed out the black pepper’s heat. The pork chop was also fantastic, served with a sweet apple chutney that had a warm chili flake kick, rounding out each bite.
We finished with the creme brulee, accompanied by slices of caramelized banana. It was the perfect dessert to wrap up a great birthday dinner.
Thank you to our wonderful waitress, Amber (I hope I remembered correctly), who made the evening special and even checked with Chef Sosa about a flavor in the sauce I couldn’t quite identify. Element is truly a hidden gem in Vancouver that delivers a dining experience well above its price point.