Last night, I attended one of the Irish Heather Gastropub's Long Table Series dinner (212 Carrall Street, half a block up from Gassy Jack
) through an event put together by the Vancouver Activity Group.Although it was all booked up even up to about a week ago, for some reason over a dozen people dropped out at the end, and we ended up with 44 out of 52 spots (helped no doubt by the waiting list that Sean Heather had on hand). All in all a fair showing for an event that's invariably sold out.
(Special thanks to @HummingBird604 for helping out with a last-minute tweet on my behalf to try to fill up the spots. Honestly, I felt so embarrassed by the no-shows from the Vancouver Activity Group that I sent out a tweet at around 5pm.)
If you're not familiar with the Long Table Series, the basic idea a one-course dinner and drink for $12 plus tax and tip (roasts on Sundays for $15). Everyone gets the same thing. It invariably involves meat, but you can ask for a vegetarian option 24 hours ahead of time. Meat-eaters last night got two thick slices of pork on shredded cabbage and mashed potatoes, with an apple jus.
It invariably involves beer, though last night we got an interesting cider made from five different kinds of apple and weighing in at 7% alcohol. You can ask for a Coke instead (and check out the coke-bottle-cutout napkin holders while you're there).
Here are the menus from August 30th to October 29th, 2009.
If you'll be asking for veggie and no booze, honestly there's no point in going unless it's for the company--And that's one of the other draws. At a very long table and community eating, there's supposedly a chance to make new friends and what not. If you're going alone, that'll definitely happen. If you know too many people, you'll have to position yourself near strangers. Because once you're seated, you really have access only to five, or maybe nine, people next to and across from you.
The evening starts at 6pm with optional drinks at the Shebeen "in the back" of the Irish Heather / Salty Tongue narrow squeeze at that section of Gastown. Everyone's herded to the kid-friendly-by-day Salty Tongue Café side of the establishment at 6.30pm so dinner can start at the same time for everyone. From then, it's dinner in front of you by around 7pm, and it goes till late.
Optional dessert of the day was $7 last night, with a choice of a chocolate tasting plate; apricot mousse in what looked like a jam jar; or creme brulee with a funny biscuit at the bottom. Don't expect the same every time, though.
It's not fancy food, and not particularly interesting food, but it's an uncomplicated one-plate of tasty, filling food and something to wash it down with. If you figure your pint of whatever is about $5-7, the $12 combo is cheap eats if you drink.
P.S. Check out the Irish Heather on Facebook and Twitter.
On Facebook? Check out the Irish Heather there.
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