Editor's Pick - Salt Tasting Room

Salt a sweet treat hidden in Gastown

Tucked away in Gastown, on Vancouver's venerable Blood Alley, Salt Tasting Room could possibly have been a city secret that never failed to get out. Opened in June 2006, by Sean Heather( owner of the popular Irish Heather Gastropub ), Salt was a bit of a risky venture from the start. In a rough part of town, on a street that gets very little walk-by traffic, a restaurant with an extremely new concept for Vancouver: no kitchen, no fixed menu, no fancy seating or expensive linens. Salt offers only meats, cheese, and wine, served picnic-style at long wooden bench tables set on a polished concrete floor.

Some have called Salt the anti-restaurant, noting that it is more of a charcuterie combined with a wine bar, but that hasn't stopped patrons from flooding in for lunch and dinner, making the room one of the hottest culinary destinations in town. It may be hard to find at first, but that's part of Salt's appeal – a hidden oasis of simplicity in the city. And for those worried about the area, rest assured, owner Sean Heather's longstanding presence in the area (The Irish Heather is just around the corner) means Salt and its immediate surroundings are safe and clean.

The concept is so simple that many chefs and entrepreneurs in town are kicking themselves for not thinking of it first: a large chalkboard, changed everyday, containsa list of 10 meats, 10 cheeses, and 10 condiments, bought fresh by Heather from local markets and secret sources. For $15, you can order three meats or cheeses, in any, combination, along with three condiments. Add another $15 and you get three flights of wine, which you can either choose yourself, or have selcted for you by a server.

Herein lies the luxury hidden in Salt's simplicity – a team of charismatic, extremely knowledgeable waitstaff, led by General Manager (and Wine Manager) Kurtis Kolt, allows patrons to hand over control with confidence. For the full Salt experience, a have a brief chat with your server about likes and dislikes, and then let them choose the whole affair for you. You'll be rewarded with a unique, often surprising experience – unexpected flavour combinations that dance on your tongue, acting not only as a treat for your tastebuds, but also fodder for conversation. Whether you're on an intimate date or with a large group, Salt is set up for sumptuous sociability.

As the chalkboard changes everyday, it's unlikely you'll ever have the same experience twice. One visit you might fall in love with a combo of organic Salt Spring Island goat's cheese and honey, the next time you might be surprised to find that Oyama sausage and roasted garlic float your boat. And don't be fooled when the tasting plate arrives and seems small – the rich fare on offer will almost certainly be enough to fill you up. And if it doesn't, there are other selections- artisan sandwiches, gorgeous, light salads, and a famous Foie Gras Parfait - that will satisfy even the heartiest appetites.

With consistently quality ingredients and top-notch service, you'll almost certainly want to come back for more adventure. To that end, Salt has recently opened up another floor (their cellar) to patrons, to accommodate the hordes of fans packing the place on weekends. The room is open seven days a week, from noon till midnight, and takes reservations at (604) 633 1912.

Salt is located at 45 Blood Alley, between Carrall and Abbot Streets, just south of Water Street in Gastown. Look for the salt shaker flag. Visit SaltTastingRoom.com for more information.