Vancouver — By thevancouverguide on November 17, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Filed under: Attractions, Events, Food & Beverage, People, Restaurants & Bars, top-feature

Dining at the Long Table: The Irish Heather GastroPub.

If you want a unique dining experience, I highly recommend treating yourself and your friends to a night of dining at the Long Table Dining Series at the Irish Heather Gastro Pub. Located in the heart of historic Gastown, the Irish Heather has moved into their attractive new digs (across the street from where they were originally located) and, as before, they have maintained the unpretentious neighbourhood pub atmosphere, combined with fine dining at affordable prices.

Besides the usual lunches and dinners, a really fun occasion is the weekly Long Table Series where you can meet lots of new friends and dine in a party atmosphere. It’s a great way to meet new folks. You just sit where there’s room and enjoy the company. I was invited to go this weekend with a friend who was meeting four other friends at the Long Table and it proved to be one of the most special social occasions I’ve had in awhile.

We met first in the Shebeen Whiskey House, the back room pub in the Irish Heather. Dinner was announced and we all trooped into the Long Table room, found seats, and settled in to enjoy the evening. The chef came out and told us what was on the menu that night: roast turkey with onion stuffing, bread sauce, vegetables, mashed potatoes and cranberry chutney. Plus 16 oz. of Fullers London Pride presented by the evening’s brew sponsor. All for $15 plus tax and service!

The meal was excellent, served as exquisitely as if you were at a top dining room paying twice the price. And the pairing of the beer was perfect. Later we indulged in delicious desserts: I chose a decadant toffee crisp and others tried the tantelizingly yummy chocolate cheese cake. No-one was disappointed. And besides the first-class meal, the company for the evening was stimulating and inspiring.

The Irish Heather has a reputation for it’s excellent service, great food, choices of alcohol and the ambience. It’s a truly authentic Irish House, with Irish owners who also work there.

Check their web site for the menus and dates of the Long Table Series. You must make reservations on line (please do not phone for reservations!) Vegetarian menus are available with 24 hrs notice. Cancellations require a 48 hr notice. And for parties of more than eight people you must pay in advance. The Irish Heather is currently taking reservations for Christmas parties (for twenty or over).