VA2007 - Cactus Club Cafe

Fresh Flavours From a Global Skillet

Photos: Courtesy Cactus Club Cafe

Cactus Club Cafe is the undisputed leader of the upscale, casual dining experience, offering a globally inspired menu with outstanding food and inventive cocktails in an unpretentious atmosphere that is second to none. Whether it is for a quick bite and a cocktail (or three), or a leisurely dinner, by the time you leave, this convivial dining lounge will already have you planning your next visit.

President and founder Richard Jaffray and his team travel the world for exciting new flavour ideas. A recent trip inspired their popular Hawaiian Tuna Poke, with sashimi grade ahi tuna, fresh fruit salsa and macadamia nuts, while a jaunt to South America netted the ‘Brazilian', a rum-based cocktail made with sugar cane and fresh muddled kiwi. Sometimes the best ingredients are right in the backyard, like their local Cedar-Roasted Salmon with a pine nut parmesan crust. "Everything we serve is prepared fresh," says Richard. "We even hand squeeze the limes for our signature Key Lime Pie and margaritas."

Since opening in 1988, Cactus Club now boasts 17 locations, with two more on the way this year. "Every Cactus Club has its own personality," insists Richard, "that reflects the neighborhood it is in. Our Chefs and General Managers have a lot of autonomy, and they tailor the menus to suit their customers. We truly believe in being accountable." And he means it. Emblazoned on every Chef jacket is their Mission Statement "Every Customer Leaves Happy."

A member of the Ocean Wise program, Cactus Club features only ecologically sustainable and ocean- friendly fish selections on their menu; in fact, they are the largest restaurant group to be endorsed by the Vancouver Aquarium. Cactus Club is also a founding member of the Green Table Society, an organization committed to teaching restaurants to be more environmentally savvy. And for the third year in a row, BC Business Magazine has recognized them as one of this province's Top 25 Employers.

"You can be serious about the food, but the environment of a restaurant doesn't have to be serious," explains Richard. "We have fun while we work and it shows. I believe that our atmosphere is infectious and responsible for a lot of our success."

Menu Highlights

Appetizers

Westcoast Pockets
Wild smoked salmon, avocado, seasoned sushi rice, pea shoots and inari

Soft Fish Tacos
Seared Cajun halibut with grilled tortillas, chipotle aioli, shredded green cabbage and salsa fresca

Ahi Tuna Poke
Sashimi grade ahi tuna, prawns, chopped fresh fruit, avocado, macadamia nuts, sesame ginger vinaigrette and crispy wontons

Spicy Chicken
Seasoned chicken breast with sweet chili glaze and scallions

Entrées

Raincoast Greens
Grilled chicken, avocado, tomato, feta, egg, pecans, seasonal berries, lemon-thyme vinaigrette

Kung Pao Noodle Bowl
Wok-seared chicken, Shanghai noodles, fresh vegetables, chopped peanuts, chili-garlic coconut milk

Pistachio-Crusted Halibut
Fresh Queen Charlotte halibut with red Thai curry, basil oil and seasonal vegetables

Jack Daniels BBQ Ribs
Baby back pork ribs braised in our signature J.D. BBQ sauce, served with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus

Four-Mushroom Steak
Certified Angus beef with shitake, portabello, button and crimini mushroom demi-glace, garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables

Desserts

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

Freshly-Baked Apple Pie

Hand-Squeezed Key Lime Pie

Seasonal Berry Cheesecake

Best of the Cellar

White Wines

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, N.Z.
Summerhill Ehrenfelser, B.C.
Blasted Church, ‘Hatfield’s Fuse’, B.C.

Red Wines

Burrowing Owl Merlot, B.C.
Sandhill ‘Small Lots’ One, B.C.
Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon, CA

Above: Grilled Ahi Tuna, fresh sashimi-grade ahi tuna grilled rare and served with fresh fruit salsa, wild rice and oven-roasted asparagus.

Cactus Club Cafe
Downtown Vancouver locations:
357 Davie Street, Vancouver, B.C., 604-685-8070
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1136 Robson Street, Vancouver, B.C., 604-687-3278
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1530 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C., 604-733-0434
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575 West Broadway (at Ash) Test Kitchen, Vancouver, B.C.604-714-6000
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