Mini-Review: Gramercy Grill

Touted as a New York style eatery, the Gramercy Grill shows lots of potential for becoming a popular bistro. We popped in on a weeknight evening, when the restaurant was barely opened a week. And we were pleasantly surprised.

The room is cozy, divided by warm wood paneling and decorated with stained glass light fixtures. The deck to the side promises lovely seating in the summer.

The menu is an electic mix of french influenced dishes. We started with bruschette with a tapenade mixture topped with fontina. The tapenade was gentle--the olive mixture was tempered with tomato and red onion. The three slices of bruschette arrived at the table warm with melted cheese, yet the grilled bread maintained crispy.

I had the apple-glazed long bone pork chop accompanied with asiago potatoes. The generous pork chop was thick, succulent and perfectly grilled. For such a thick cut of meat (about 1"), it was cooked through without being overcooked. The au gratin style asiago potatoes were a savoury counterpoint to the apple glaze and the braised red cabbage that also accompanied.

Roland ordered the roasted lamb sirloin. It came sliced and fanned atop a generous serving of mashed potatoes. The lamb was tender and flavourful. The accompanying jus was light and served as a nice glaze for the lamb.

The dessert menu is quite extensive. I was too full for any dessert, but Roland settled for a chocolate pecan pie. It consisted of a pecan crust and a thick, dark ganache filling. Decadent.

For our meal and 2 glasses of wine, the bill before tip came to $70.98.

Since it's just around the corner from us, we'll pop in again in a few weeks for brunch or lunch. These menus are less expensive, yet equally creative.

Gramercy Grill 2685 Arbutus, 730-5666

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