In summer, when I need to take someone for a great downtown lunch spot with great Vancouver energy and a bit of class, I usually think of Reflections, the garden terrace lounge located at the inner courtyard of the fourth floor of Rosewood Hotel Georgia. Hotel Georgia, built in 1927, has established quite a brand for elegance and quality over the years. All the restaurants and bars here are worth visiting, especially for foodies and cocktail connoisseur. This time I was meeting my old friend Beatriz, who was visiting from Hong Kong. And she instantly fell in love with the place.
We were sitting in the middle of this urban oasis, surrounded by foliage, vibrant flowers, sumptuous greenery, and warmth from the sun. The open kitchen is on one side and the bar is right across the main dining area from the kitchen.
Cocktails
Available in every dining or cocktail spots at the hotel, the Hotel Georgia ($18) is the signature cocktail that I must recommend to whoever that’s new here. Inspired by Circa 1951, the classic cocktail is mixed with Tanqueray, lemon, egg white, orgeat, and nutmeg. Besides the classics, they also feature a summer cocktail section and sparkling section for the bubble lovers. Beatriz’s Bellini ($17) is quite a pleaser on a hot summer day, with icy cold white peach puree and delicious prosecco. Cocktail lovers should go for the Inception Negroni ($30) for the excitement, observing a serving of classic negroni locked inside an ice sphere floating in a glass of white negroni. Expect a dramatic enhancement of the taste after the ice sphere melts away.
Tapas Style Food Bites
Food-wise, the Tomato & Burrata Salad ($22) was the first impression of the light tapas style menu, with very minimal seasoning. However, the perfect few drops of olive oil has bound the vibrant tomato and the luscious cheese together, finished with the texture forward rye croutons. And we were lucky to taste some dishes that are only available on the dinner menu. Both the Charred Catalan Octopus ($20) & the Summer Fried Butter Milk Chicken ($22) were freshly prepared and incredibly tasty. Every single component, every single lick of the sauce, and even down to every grain of salt, was executed immaculately.
Final thoughts
We have a number of urban oasis spots in the heart of the city, but Reflections is one of the few that also opens for lunch. It’s a sexy lounge with an incredible ambience for fabulous cocktails, delicious light tapas, and intimate, quality time with great company, with the Hotel Georgia quality stamped on not just the food but also the service. Do ask them if they could prepare some of their signature dishes on the dinner menu when it’s not busy. The Charred Octopus and the Summer Fried Chicken are highly recommended. If you want to take your visiting friends to a classy but laid back restaurant for lunch, and show what Vancouver could offer in the summer, Reflections is just the place.
$$$
rating: 4/5
Reflections: The Garden Terrace
Rosewood Hotel Georgia
801 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7
(604) 673-7043 or
rosewoodhotels.com/en/hotel-georgia-vancouver/dining/reflections-The-Garden-Terrace
