Transylvania Flavour is operated by Nick Cruciat, with help from his wife and mother-in-law
Mia Stainsby
Sun
Nick Cruciat, owner of Transylvania, holds a plate of his Transylvanian pork and beef sausages with mashed potatoes and a mixed green salad. Photograph by : Stuart Davis, Vancouver Sun
Transylvania Flavour is a tiny little place tucked away in a little back-pocket street in Gastown. Locals know it for the fresh and hearty, inexpensive meals. Since it closes at 6 p.m. during the week and 7 p.m. on Saturday, it’s more of a breakfast and lunch affair, but early-bird dinners can be squeezed in.
Owner Nick Cruciat runs it with help from his wife Joanna and his mother-in-law pitches in with the baking and desserts. She does some lovely cakes and strudels and makes the breakfast croissants as well.
As the name would suggest, there are Romanian dishes — Transylvanian sausages (skinless), cabbage rolls, schnitzels, and tripe soup. The latter is meant for Eastern European palates but adventurous diners do order it occasionally. A meat-bone broth and sour cream make up the base. A tongue-in-cheek McTransylvania Breakfast Burger is offered on croissant or whole wheat bread. Transylvania style potato salad is flecked with carrots, pickles and celery root.
As well as the homespun Romanian dishes, the menu features wraps, sandwiches, chicken cordon bleu, Italian sausages, quesadillas. There is a modest offering of wine and beers as well as organic coffee.
The prices are inviting. Wraps, quesadillas and sandwiches are $5.25 to $6.75; generous entree servings are $9.75 to $10.75 and you can be assured of good service from a very friendly Cruciat at the counter.
Restaurant visits are conducted anonymously and interviews are done by phone. Restaurants are rated out of five stars. [email protected]
– – –
TRANSYLVANIA FLAVOUR
107 Carrall St., 604-683-3290
