The Belgard Kitchen & Vancouver Urban Winery

The Belgard Kitchen & Vancouver Urban Winery Restaurant Review:

Thirty-something wine enthusiasts Steve Thorp and Mike Macquisten introduced the wines-on-tap concept to Vancouver in 2012. Today, kegs of wines can be found in numerous city restaurants, pubs and wine bars. Here, the best choices --- 36 taps (all BC vintages except for a few international wines) --- are in this working winery’s atmospheric tasting room shared with The Belgard Kitchen restaurant. It’s all housed in a 1923-era warehouse called The Settlement Building, which boasts soaring 24-foot ceilings, huge wooden beams, skylights and a massive fireplace. Helmed by chef Reuben Major, the restaurant offers guests flights of wines and snacks, or the option of settling in for brunch, lunch or dinner. The menu (local ingredients are a focus) entices with dishes such as a spicy salsiccia pizzette with gypsy salami and Postmark IPA chorizo, a foraged-mushroom risotto, a Korean rice bowl and juicy Belgard burger. For dessert, try the chocolate and espresso budino, a cross between cake and pudding with crème fraîche and sponge toffee. Enthusiastic servers will cheerfully recommend pairings and guide you through tastings.