You can’t help but feel as if you’ve stumbled across a well-kept secret on a first visit to Tap Restaurant in South Surrey. A few blocks in from busy 152nd Avenue, Tap is nestled amongst designer homes in a commercial complex in the Rosemary Heights/Morgan Creek area. The cuisine is distinctly French-inspired with a contemporary West Coast perspective. A restrained and refined menu features a handful of appetizers, soups, salads, and plates principaux from which to select. Chef Alistair Veen partners with farmers to provide customers with the best in local meats and vegetables.
Dining here is an intimate experience, with the kitchen fully open and looking out on the small, romantically lit dining room. Chef Veen steps out from behind the counter to deliver plates and check in on tables, with many patrons addressing him by name. Based on the freshness of ingredients, caliber of food, and friendly service, it comes as no surprise that customers would be repeat ones.
Both the giant scallop and gnocchi starters came highly recommended. The scallop was beautifully seared and covered in rich hazelnut-basil butter. Served in olive oil and made fresh every morning, the herb gnocchi come seared and crispy on the outside, providing a contrast of texture to the soft interior.
Next up, confit duck leg from Thiessen Farms, pan-seared pacific halibut, and butter-basted Pemberton Meadows beef tenderloin. Making your way around these entrees is an adventure and absolute pleasure. Multiple components come together perfectly on each dish.
The duck leg, featuring perfectly crisp skin, is served atop pickled Swiss chard, radishes, and creamed leeks alongside fondant potato.
Beautifully presented, the beef tenderloin is finished with a generous scoop of Café de Paris butter, which has a nice, mellow, citrus flavor and features over twenty different ingredients! As it melts the butter coats the red meat decadently.
Served with summer squash and tabouli salad, the halibut falls apart with the touch of a fork and melts on the tongue. It features a salty crust and olive tapenade. The salad underneath with mint and cucumber provides a cool, refreshing balance.
To finish, house made vanilla bean and chocolate-bailey gelato provide a sweet, light end to a generous meal.
A memorable experience at a buzzing little restaurant in the quietest part of town, Tap won’t be a well-kept secret much longer.
Recommended for:
Foodies – Take your favourite foodie to Tap and challenge them to name every ingredient in the Café de Paris butter!
Eating local – Supporters of the local food movement can take comfort in knowing that Tap partners with farmers to feature their products on the menu.
Date night – An excuse to get a little closer to that special someone, as you won’t be able to resist reaching across the table to taste each other’s plates.
Fine dining – Downtown chic cuisine in a neighbourhood setting.
Be sure to visit Tap Restaurant for all your special occasions, from anniversary celebrations to family get gatherings, Tap Restaurant has you covered.