New York Times | 36 Hours in Vancouver 2017
September 07, 2017
It happens before you know it: Suddenly, you’re smitten with Vancouver — its endless coastline, glassy downtown, the extravagant nature that surrounds and permeates it. A recent article in the Vancouver Sun featured a 600-year-old Douglas fir in Stanley Park. Vancouver is that kind of place — a place where a tree is a celebrity. It’s also a food lover’s kind of place:
MONTECRISTO Magazine | Four Must-Visit Vancouver Restaurants
April 03, 2017
The question has plagued hungry urbanites since the dawn of white tablecloths: “Where should we go for dinner?” Old standbys are great—the predictably delicious—but in a city like Vancouver, with a dining scene bursting with new, exciting, and unique restaurants, it’s a question that deserves a bit of attentive research. Four culinary stars—AnnaLena, Ancora, Kissa Tanto, and Savio Volpe—are serving up more than just tempting fare, but also expert service and ambience.
Straight.com | Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
March 29, 2017
Joining Ochi that evening are, among others, Hapa Izakaya chef Takayuki Sato (whose creations will include tuna tataki); Benkei Ramen’s Taka Omi (tori-shio ramen with cherry blossom); Justin Paakkunainen of Prestons Restaurant Lounge (sake-poached octopus on sesame crisp with cherry-blossom gel); and Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio’s Ricardo Valverde (B.C. trout aburi with avocado mousse, puffed nori, and ikura).
BC Living | You've Gotta Try This in March
March 02, 2017
4. Get the new tasting menu at Ancora
I was blown away by how fresh, delicious and just unlike anything else in the city chef Ricardo Valverde’s new Peruvian Tasting Menu is. It’s on offer for all of March and takes you on a five-course journey through food memories from his childhood, but with ultra-modern twists and using all-sustainable West Coast ingredients.
National Post | Five Must-Sees in Vancouver
May 27, 2016
From Canada’s top urban park to one of the best city markets on the planet. Vancouver is one of the world’s most popular cities, a perennial list-topper with gorgeous scenery, fantastic food and a wealth of great things to do. Here are a few favourites.
Vancity Buzz | The Ultimate Vancouver Brunch Guide
May 20, 2016
We’re taking a tasty tour of Vancouver’s many brunches to create The Ultimate Vancouver Brunch Guide. Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio is now in the weekend brunch game. Serving a late-morning spread on Sundays from 11 a.m., Ancora dishes up some truly sensational grub.
Western Living | 2016 FOODIES of the YEAR - Finalists
May 17, 2016
Meet the 40 shortlisted finalists who represent the best in the West—in the running to be one of the 10 Foodies of the Year.
37. Ricardo Valverde (Chef, Ancora, Vancouver) Seafood restaurants are oddly tough to run in Vancouver. Peruvian restaurants are almost unheard of. This guy has somehow managed to fuse the two and make it look easy.
Vancity Buzz | Best New Patios in Vancouver
May 16, 2016
Patio season is here, and there are a few new spots to check out this year in Vancouver. So take a seat, grab a drink, and cheers to the long summer days still to come!
Ancora opened up in the former C restaurant space in Yaletown in September 2015, so while its impressive False Creek-facing patio saw many a sunny day last year, it has yet to soak up the rays for a full, proper patio season. Enjoy terrific cocktails and unique Japanese-Peruvian fare with an upscale West Coast bent.
Dine Out Vancouver 2016
April 08, 2016
Vancouver World Chef Exchange
The Vancouver World Chef Exchange is a collaborative project held during Dine Out Vancouver Festival. It is designed to spread Vancouver’s culinary story across the globe, bring leading food cities closer together and, of course, dish up a never-before-seen dinner for culinary enthusiasts...
Georgia Straight | Dining Feature
January 06, 2016
Dine Out Vancouver goes international with World Chef Exchanges and Michelin three-star masters
Latin American flavours will get the spotlight at another World Chef Exchange dinner hosted at Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio, which specializes in Pacific Northwest cuisine with Japanese and Peruvian flair. critic Alexandra Gill names top five restaurants in Vancouver for 2015.
Vancity Buzz | Recipe
December 11, 2015
14 egg nog cocktail recipes from Vancouver's top bartenders
Matt Cooke takes Ancora’s always popular Pisco Sour and gives it a Peruvian holiday twist.
Ingredients:
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1 ½ oz Campo de Encanto Grand and Noble Pisco (from Peru)
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1 ½ oz Fresh Cream
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¾ oz Pineapple and Winter Spice Syrup*
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1 Whole Egg
Method:
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake hard, without ice. Add ice and shake again. Strain into a old-fashioned glass, and garnish with fresh grated cinnamon and sweetened pineapple chunks.
The Globe and Mail | Restaurant Reviews
December 11, 2015
3. Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio
This splendid seafood restaurant feels somewhat familiar, yet tastes entirely new. Housed in the False Creek waterfront space long inhabited by the late C Restaurant, it has been spiffed up with aquamarine accents, crystal chandeliers and punched-out windows on the mezzanine level to take full advantage of the seawall views. Most of the senior staff...
The Globe and Mail | Restaurant Reviews
December 04, 2015
Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio: A Vancouver paradise for any palate
Once upon a time, C Restaurant and Blue Water Cafe competed fiercely for the title of Vancouver’s – nay, Canada’s – finest seafood restaurant. Although both were recognized far and wide, the former fell into tragic hardship and closed last year. While it may be true that the latter, now under new ownership, has never been busier, its sense of...
The Province / The Food Gays | Food
November 30, 2019
Ancora’s Matt Cooke: Cocktails with Purpose
Ancora Waterfront Dining & Patio opened its doors this past August, and is arguably one of the hottest new restaurants in Vancouver. On a mission “to embrace the harmony of Peruvian and Japanese cultures while incorporating the bounty of the West Coast,” this glamorous 100-seat room is a playful mix of modern upscale meets coastal casual – a place you could easily envision a beautiful and romantic evening for two, or perhaps to enjoy happy hour with a few friends...
Scout Magazine | AWESOME THING WE DRANK
November 25, 2019
AWESOME THING WE DRANK #699 | Flights Of Japanese Whisky At False Creek’s Ancora
by Shaun Layton | A recent trip to the Peruvian seafood-focused Ancora restaurant had me gawking at the bar’s ample spirit collection. Bar Manager Matt Cooke, formerly of Homer Street Cafe, not only has a killer collection of bourbons, rums, and piscos to play with, but also one of Vancouver’s strongest selections of Japanese whisky. Though the...
Western Living | Food & Wine
November 05, 2015
Peruvian Cuisine is the Next Big Thing
And Vancouver's Ancora is on the cutting edge of the trend.
I’m not going to say we called it, but Western Living ran a story in 2010 calling Peruvian cuisine the next big thing. And since that time we’ve seen the trend explode: great restaurants in L.A., San Fan and New York and a honest-to-goodness celebrity chef in the form of Gaston Arcurio. And now finally Vancouver has its own spot to experience the revolution...
NUVO | Palate
October 06, 2015
ANCORA FINE DINING
Sophisticated seafood with a Peruvian twist
Aim to arrive at Ancora around sunset, when the bright, white space becomes saturated with light reflected off Vancouver’s False Creek. Only then can you fully appreciate the effect of the room’s ethereal linen-white décor and the glint of chandeliers draped to mimic fishing nets. Complete with a Juliette balcony primed for romantic dinners for two...
Vacay.ca
October 02, 2015
Peruvian flavours sizzle at Ancora
Valverde knows crab cakes and fries will still be menu favourites but one of his goals for the restaurant that opened in September is for much more interesting fare. It’s exciting to think we might have authentic Peruvian mole dishes to enjoy in a room overlooking False Creek. That’s to come in the future, along with possible appearances from some of Peru’s acclaimed chefs, Valverde says. For now, the ceviches will be “just like you will find in Peru.”
VITA | Food for Thought
October 01, 2015
Our editors sample the city's most recent culinary offerings
Ancora - What happens when you take a waterfront restaurant, make it white and bright and beach-y, add a famous sushi master and a Peruvian chef and drop in a crudo bar, cocktails and a Peruvian-Asian take on fish? Answer: Ancora.
Breakfast Television | Video Interview
September 23, 2015
7:20am: Flavours of Peru at Newly Opened Ancora Waterfront Restaurant
It is one of the top food trends of 2015. We show you how you can incorporate the flavours and cuisine of Peru in your kitchen when we spend the morning at the newly opened Ancora at a waterfront location Vancouverites know and love, the old C Restaurant.
Modern Mix Vancouver | Food & Drink
September 18, 2015
Ancora Waterfront Dining Dishes Up Westcoast, Peruvian & Japanese Fusion
With some of the city’s finest culinary professionals behind the Ancora team who carry experience from acclaimed restaurants such as Blue Water Café + Raw Bar and West, you can expect not only top notch food, but a memorable dining experience too. At the front of the restaurant are Andrea Vescovi, Ancora’s general manager and wine director, and Tara Thom, Ancora’s Restaurant Director. They will ensure the finest customer care and extensive knowledge of the restaurant and menu.
Scout Magazine | AWESOME THING WE ATE
September 15, 2015
AWESOME THING WE ATE #957 | Lobster, Carrot, Snap Pea Risotto At “Ancora”
Because the last ATWA we published was also a risotto dish – with Stoney Paradise tomatoes at Campagnolo Roma – we hesitated (for all of three seconds) about doubling down with another one. But how could we resist the deliciousness of Ancora’s creamy, aromatic, sublimely rich, carrot-enhanced number with...
The Food Gays | Now Open
September 11, 2015
Now Open: Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio
We attended Ancora’s media preview earlier this week, where we had the opportunity to taste a sampling of some of Executive Chef Ricardo Valverde’s beautifully composed dishes, accompanied by craft cocktails by their head bartender, Matt Cooke. Matt was probably the first bartender in Vancouver who truly taught us to appreciate a great cocktail, so it was to no surprise that his refreshing ‘Ancora Punch’ went down just a little too easy.
Vancity Buzz
September 03, 2015
Ancora brings upscale waterfront dining to the shores of False Creek
Vancouver’s newest upscale eatery, Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio, brings upscale waterfront dining to the shores of False Creek. Acquired by Viaggio, the hospitality group that owns Cibo, Uva and the recently opened Beach Bay Café and Patio, Ancora serves West Coast sustainable cuisine with distinct Peruvian and Japanese flavours and hopes to be a destination for fine dining foodies...
Georgia Straight | Food
August 31, 2015
Ancora offers Vancouver fine dining with Peruvian twist
Staff meals are not to be sneezed at. These could be a sample of the next big thing. Ancora, the latest addition to Vancouver’s fine dining scene in the old C Restaurant at 1600 Howe Street, looks like this kind of story. As chef Ricardo Valverde recalls, he used to prepare staff meals at the previous place he worked at, and would put in a Peruvian touch every now and then...
Scout Magazine | DINNER
July 13, 2015
DINNER | 100 Seat “Ancora” To Bring Modern Flavours Of Peru To The False Creek Seawall
by Andrew Morrison | I’ve often lamented the weird lack of waterfront restaurants in Vancouver. I mean, with 22km of seawall available to us, it seems a little odd that we don’t much beyond same-same chain restaurants and deep-fried, pirate-themed pubs. Surely we can do better, because we have before...