Everything you need to try at Vancouver's hottest new martini bar and restaurant
It was Friday night in Gastown, and Vancouver’s newest martini bar and restaurant, The Moon, was absolutely buzzing.
The restaurant has been the talk of the town ever since co-owners Sonia Symoom and Wyatt Rybchinsky shared the news that they would be opening the concept in Gastown. Naturally, we had to stop by for a visit on opening night to see what all the buzz was about.
The Moon is split into two distinct areas: a bar and a dining room separated by a thick curtain. Walking in, we were presented with the Moon Bar — a casual, laid-back area meant for folks looking to pop by and grab a drink or to wait for their table to be ready. There were couches for lounging and seats right up at the bar, along with a couple of snacky bits to munch on. We saddled up to the bar and placed our order: two martinis.
Rest assured, you’ll be able to order one solid, classic martini here (whether you want it wet, dirty, or dry, we’re not here to judge your order), but we definitely recommend folks venture outside their comfort zone to some of their house martini creations.
The one drink that everyone couldn’t stop talking about was the Heirloom — a delicate concoction that Bar Manager Zoe Bates (who you may recognize as the mastermind behind beverage programs at Ellipsis, The Westin Bayshore, and Sula) said made her feel like a tomato on the vine. After one sip, we can assure you that she is 100 per cent correct. The drink achieves its incredible tomato flavour through the use of both the tomato and the vine it’s grown on, resulting in a drink that tastes more like a tomato than some actual tomatoes we’ve gotten at the grocery store.
The other highlight from the martini offerings was the Supernova, made with Peddlers Shanghai Gin, lacto-preserved lemon, lychee, and cranberry. This is a great option for folks who may be new to the world of martinis.
Papas Rellenas (Marco Ovies/Dished)
Naturally, we had to sample some bar snacks, including an assortment of Chef’s Pickles and Papas Rellenas filled with jamón ibérico de bellota, aged Manchego, and topped with preserved nectarines to balance out what would otherwise be a very rich dish.
Once we finished nibbling away, the curtains pulled back, and we were whisked away into the 27-seat dining room. To the left of us was bar seating looking into an open kitchen (and when we say open, we truly mean open. There is no hiding for the team there). On our right, tables for two and four lined the wall.
Unclaimed Baggage (Marco Ovies/Dished)
While The Moon might be a martini bar, don’t let that pressure you into only ordering from the martini menu. There are several non-martini cocktails, including the delightful Unclaimed Baggage (Tabb Baijiu, five spice, pineapple, milk tea, and fernet granite) and the non-alcoholic T&C (Lucano Zero, bitter, and cardamom soda). The restaurant also features a wine list centred on smaller, organic producers, alongside a wide selection of sake and a developed tea list in partnership with O5 Tea.
Once seated, we opted for the chef’s tasting menu so we could try a little bit of everything, and dishes quickly made their way to our table (but don’t worry, these options are also available to order individually).
The Tartare was the first plate to grace our table, consisting of Quebec milk-fed veal, toasted hay, Piave Vecchio, and preserved plums, all surrounded by a wall of corn crisps. Texturally, this was a wonderful dish, with the creamy tartare contrasting the crisp corn crisps.
Marco Ovies/Dished
From there, dishes like Humpback Prawns served with Galiano Conservancy sea buckthorn, heirloom beans, and cucamelon, along with Einkorn Alkaline Noodles in a Peking duck broth with morsels of geoduck graced our table before we were presented with our favourite plate of the night: the Dry Age Duck.
Slices of duck were served alongside a bed of arepa sabayon (think a corn cake turned into a custard-like sauce) along with a dusting of crumbled popcorn on top. The dish feels like a study of all the different ways corn can be delicious.
Dry Age Duck (Marco Ovies/Dished)
Following a course of Coho Salmon wrapped in smoked cabbage, we moved onto the other highlight of our visit, Carrara Wagyu Beef served with a preserved habanada butter alongside some tasty greens, brussels sprouts, and Galiano Conservancy mulberry. Quite frankly, we could have licked the plate clean if we weren’t worried about embarrassing ourselves at the bustling restaurants.
Carrara Wagyu Beef (Marco Ovies/Dished)
Of course, no meal could be complete without something for dessert, and we were particularly impressed with the team’s Semifreddo made of Charentais melon (also known as a French melon) served with a Chinati Vergano gel and topped with melon paper made from the same Charentais melon. Just like any dessert lover will tell you about their favourite sweet treat, this conclusion to our meal was not too sweet and was instead a nice, refreshing bite to conclude a night full of good eats and drinks.
Semifreddo (Marco Ovies/Dished)
But don’t think if you visit The Moon that you have to stop in for a full dinner experience. The beauty of this new spot is that it’s great for those looking for a full culinary experience or just a quick stop for a couple of drinks and snacks. Regardless of which room you end up in, the team will make sure you have the best possible experience.
The Moon
Address: 59 Powell St., Vancouver
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