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Dine Out Vancouver 2014: Siena Restaurant

OMG!  4 down 1 to go!!  It’s nearing the end of my DOVF dash.  I must say it’s been going good so far.

I met up with GRock and LockerBud who I’ve known for 23 years.  LockerBud and I go way back.  Like waaaaaay back.  We lived across from each other when we were young and went to elementary and high school together.  We were also locker buddies =)

Siena Restaurant Exterior

Not wanting to venture into the heart of Downtown, I picked Siena Restaurant on 12th and Granville for our meet up.

Siena Restaurant Interior

It was quite small in there.  It got kinda loud after a while but not overly so.  Our server Tim was extremely friendly and attentive but not over the top.  I liked him.

Siena Restaurant: Roasted Beet, Squash and Chèvre Salad

GRock’s appie: Roasted Beet, Squash and Chèvre (goat cheese) Salad with arugula, limoncello dressing, and toasted almonds.  Citrusy and refreshing.

Siena Restaurant: Smoked Salmon & Smoked Trout Rillettes

LockerBud and I got the Smoked Salmon & Smoked Trout Rillettes with capers, shallots and crostini served with pea shoot salad.  The slab of butter on top was intimidating but I gobbled it up.  It was creamy and smokey, and there was more than enough to layer it thick on the crostini.  Loved the pea shoots…the taste of spring!!

Siena Restaurant: Grilled Natural Pork Tenderloin

My Grilled Natural Pork Tenderloin wrapped in smoked bacon, served with grainy dijon smashed yukon golds and red wine fig reduction was fantastic.  The pork came just slightly undercooked.  I worried at first but LockerBud (who went to culinary school) assured me that it’s fine, and that’s it a trend now.  As long as it’s not ground meat it can be undercooked slightly….even chicken!!!  To a medium-well!

The meat was so moist and super tender, even more so than L’Abattoir’s.  I really really enjoyed this.  It wasn’t chewy at all even though it was undercooked, it almost melted in my mouth.  Siena has made a place in my heart with this one dish alone. I can also say that I did not get sick from the preparation.

Siena Restaurant: Pan-roasted Steelhead

The others had the Pan-roasted Steelhead with a fingerlings, tomato, artichoke & olive ragout, topped with crispy leeks.

Siena Restaurant: Warm Spiced Fig Cake

They also both chose the Warm Spiced Fig Cake with frangelico toffee sauce and chantilly cream.  It reminded of a fruitcake lol.

Siena Restaurant: Raspberry Panna Cotta

My Raspberry Panna Cotta with lemon custard was a letdown.  It just didn’t compare to Ask for Luigi’s version.  This tasted more like a mousse.  The vanilla tuille cookie tasted odd too.

Dessert disappointment aside, I really enjoyed my night here.  The server was just wonderful; so was the company.  Lots of laughs all around.  We should do this more often.  Perhaps here again??  They have 50% off wine bottle Mondays!

Parking:
Free parking along W. 12th Ave after 6pm Monday-Saturday

Siena Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Dine Out Vancouver - Siena
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