Grain Tasting Bar signage

A recent lazy Saturday morning was the perfect excuse to head out and enjoy brunch in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Grain Tasting Bar at the Hyatt Regency has recently started a brunch service, including an array of brunch bennys, salads, and locally-sourced cheese and charcuterie plates.

While I’ve had the chance to dine at Grain in the past (including their opening launch, a business lunch, and a recent pizza challenge), I was curious to see what Chef Thomas Heinrich could whip up for a leisurely breakfast with a view.

Grain Tasting Bar brunch menu

My husband and me enjoyed a shared cheese and charcuterie plate while perusing the brunch menu. The five brunch benedicts ($15 each) are grilled chicken, smoked tomato bruschetta, Oyama (chorizo and proscuitto), Dungeness crab, and prime rib, each dish containing a selection of seasonal ingredients and house-made breakfast potatoes.

Grain Tasting Bar cheese and charcuterie plate

Our cheese and charcuterie plate had truffle salami and duck proscuitto (both from Oyama), Alpine gold cheese (Fraser Valley), Comox Valley brie, truffled honey, sliced baguette, spiced nuts and house-made apple mostarda.

Grain Tasting Bar Comox Valley Brie
[Comox Valley Brie]

Every ingredient on that plate was fresh and flavourful, giving us a good glimpse into both our local cheese makers and farmers. The boards are completely customizable: Two of each ($14), three of each ($18) and four of each ($22), all served on a wooden board with the aforementioned condiments.

Grain Tasting Bar Oyama Benedict
[Grain Tasting Bar’s Oyama Benedict]

My husband’s Oyama benny contained Pamploma chorizo, red wine proscuitto, and arugula. He found the chorizo and proscuitto both great flavour components to the poached egg and Hollandaise; the arugula added another texture of natural spiciness. The egg and proscuitto in turn mellowed his palate somewhat. The potatoes are neither over-seasoned nor greasy, making for an enjoyable side dish that did more than grace the plate.

Grain Tasting Bar Dungeness crab benedict
[Grain Tasting Bar’s Dungeness crab benedict]

My Dungeness crab benny was topped with a good portion of delectable crab meat with tiny bits of diced tomatoes and herbs as its only filler. An absolute delight as the soft poached egg and crab’s texture played with the grilled toast.

Grain Tasting Bar interior

Another highlight of any visit to Grain Tasting Bar is the city street views below. The restaurant recently replaced the window side row of tables with high tops, offering a better bird’s eye onto Burrard Street. On the cloudy morning of our visit, a Canucks away game was playing on one of two screens (Grain’s a nice place to take in a hockey game, but the restaurant isn’t overwhelmed with sports action).

Grain Tasting Bar is located at 655 Burrard Street, on the ground floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver. Visit the website for opening hours and current menus.

Disclaimer: Our brunch was compliments of Grain Tasting Bar for the purpose of writing this article.

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