Bishop’s – Vancouver’s Original Fine Dining Restaurant

John Bishop and John Chow

For our third wedding Anniversary, I took Sarah to Bishop’s Restaurant on West 4th Avenue. Bishop’s is considered by many as Vancouver’s original fine dining restaurant.

John Bishop’s love for cooking began when he was a child growing up in Newton Powys, Wales. Starting out by helping in his mother’s kitchen to eventually as a young man learning the formal requirements of traditional French food preparation at a hotel school. After working as a chef in Great Britain, John moved to Vancouver in 1973. During the recession of 1985, John opened Bishop’s and pretty much put fine dining on the Vancouver map.

John Bishop is a consummate host. He personally greets every diner that comes into his West 4th Avenue restaurant. Bishop’s has been somewhat of a training ground for the city’s top chief. Many of them had their start at Bishop’s. Iron Chef America champ, Rob Feenie, started his cooking career at Bishop’s. If the Vancouver dining establishment ever decided to give out a lifetime achievement award, I’m sure it would go to John Bishop.

Caramelized Walla Walla Onion and Fig Tart

My opening dish was made with castle blue cheese, rosemary puff pastry, house cured berkshire proscuitto and a fig vinaigrette. It was very refreshing and all the ingredients worked well together.

Roasted Glenn Valley Artichoke

Roasted Glenn Valley Artichoke with seared albacore tuna, rye toast and anchovy gremolata. This was Sarah’s starter dish. With the way the dish was presented, it could have been called Seared Albacore Tuna. It was really good.

Qualicum Bay Scallops

Sarah’s main course was the Qualicum Bay scallops with caramelized nectarine and baby fennel. The scallops were huge! And oh so tender! An absolutely amazingly prepared dish.

Roasted Polderside Duck Breast

My main course was the Roasted Polderside Duck Breast. It was made with caramelized garlic potato gratin, braised ‘glorious’ greens, baby leek, carrots and turnips and thyme jus. This dish was every bit as good as the scallops.

Vanilla creme brûlée

The Vanilla creme brûlée was a great way to end our dinner. Adding the “Happy Anniversary” cookie was a nice touch by Bishop’s and shows John’s attention to detail.

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