FOOD

FOOD Stock Room might be Yaletown’s new best secret

by Mike Usinger

Because they remind us of prohibition speakeasies, turn-of-last-century opium dens, and first-season episodes of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, here’s something we love: hidden bars. Hands up if you’ve been lucky enough to find yourself standing around confused at the Candeleria in Paris where, following 10 minutes of confusion, you eventually figured out that the no-frills taco eatery was a front for the A-list bar behind a secret door.

Head to the new Hundy outlet in Yaletown at 1144 Homer, and you’ll find simple, and simply delicious, burgers in options that include bacon-laden, cheeseslathered, and chickenalicious.

Do a bit of exploring after you’ve stuffed yourself with a Hundy-sauced sandwich, poutine, and/or cabbage salad, and you might discover the Stock Room. Look for the unmarked door near the counter, head down a nondescript corridor hallway, and then enter a Caribbean vacation-blue room resplendent with bamboo thatch accents, random mermaids, and ghost-of-Carmen Miranda-approved pineapples.

The cocktail menu—overseen by Vancouver stalwart Trevor Kallies—leans toward punches and fruit-forward offerings,

The Stock Room in Yaletown will have a mix of original and classic cocktails to choose from. including the Count Sheet (dark oak rye, cognac, punt e mes, and Pehchaud’s bitters), Line Item (Absolut vodka, lavender syrup, lemon, hibiscus, mint, kombucha), and Raspberry Crush (Havana Club 7 Year Old, coconut water, falernum, demerara syrup, pineapple, lime, milk, and clarified raspberry). Classics will also be available. For those who don’t understand how folks can sit around doing nothing but talking while drinking, there’s a pool table in the Stock Room’s semi-private parlour. And to help make sure imbibers don’t have to tap out after three cocktails—or, even worse, switch to water—Stock Room patrons will not only be able to load up on international snacks, but also have the option of ordering from the Hundy menu. Or, you know, just head back up the secret hallway to where the burgers are.

SLICKITY JIM’S CLOSES ITS DOORS After a quarter century as a Vancouver institution, Slickity’s Jim’s has announced that it will be serving its last Voodoo Eggs with grilled cornbread, vegetarian chili, and melted cheddar cheese. As well as house favourites like Huevos Rancheros, Smoked Salmon With Avocado Toast, and Chorizo Benny with pico de gallo.

In a post on its Facebook page, Slickity Jim’s announced that it’s closing for good, with the final service this coming Sunday (April 10). The restaurant, located on Main Street, has long been a favourite of Vancouver’s grassroots musicians and artists, as well as Mount Pleasant families.

“I have some sad news for you all,” the post reads. “It’s been 25 years and Slickity Jim’s is finally packing it in and closing up shop on April 10. A quarter of a century serving Vancouver and it’s time to hang up the eggs for now. It’s been our privilege to serve you all.”

Slickity Jim’s, which first gained traction on Powell Street, and then later moved to Main Street, cites the cost of trying to run a business in Vancouver as part of the decision to close. But owner and chef Mike Zalman hints that he might be returning to action with a new venture in the near future with “So onto the next project, you just can’t stay a little duck forever.”

POPINO POPS BACK UP ON THE ISLAND Now that the worst of the winter monsoons is behind us (and with Juneuary a couple of months away) Granville Island’s Popina Canteen has reopened for the spring. And if the promise of favourites like the East Coast Lobster Roll, Crispy B.C. Cod Sandwich, and Grass Fed B.C. Beef Cheeseburger weren’t enough reason to head down to the dockside fast-food eatery, Popina is celebrating its return with a limited-time-only Easter-themed Mini Egg Puffcream.

Start with a specially baked cream puff, and add Birchwood Dairy vanilla soft-serve ice cream that’s dotted with Mini Eggs.

The love-child of Vancouver chefs Angus An, Robert Belcham, Hamid Salimian, and Joël Watanabe, Popina Canteen is located by the ferry dock on the northwest corner of Granville Island’s produce market. g

Check out the Georgia Straight’s upcoming issue on MAY 26, 2022 and discover our readers favourite places to eat, drink and hang out. Ballot has now closed for the Golden Plates contest

BACCHUS

Easter Sunday Brunch restaurant & lounge April 17, 2022 | 10:30 am - 2:00 pm | Three-course menu

604 689 5319 | 845 Hornby St. Vancouver | wedgewoodhotel.com/easter

Thank you to all our participating sponsors this year: Terra Breads, Rocky Mountain Flatbread, La Belle Patate Vancouver, Water St. Cafe, West Coast Poké, España, Pacific Poke, Cartems Donuts, Pallet Coffee

Roasters, Marquis Wines, Bella Gelateria, Memphis Blues BBQ House,

Bonta Italian Restaurante, Havana, Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine.