The Pop Up Patio at The Westin Grand is back for another summer. Located above the bustling downtown Vancouver intersection of Homer and Robson, this sun-drenched poolside terrace is open to the public only on Thursdays and Fridays from 5pm to 9pm. Guests can unwind and refresh after a hard day of work in this relaxed atmosphere with soft seating, green gardens and live DJ music.
Despite being a 4-star luxury hotel, the general vibe of the Pop Up Patio was quite casual and very welcoming. Local Vancouverites had just finished work, tourists were wearing summer maxi-dresses, while hotel guests were swimming in the pool.
We started our evening off with a round of $1 Jello Shots. They are hardly alcoholic (it’s a buck, what do you expect?!) but a fun and colourful way to begin your evening at the Pop Up Patio. The available flavours are Strawberry & Rum and/or Tequila Lime.
The food offerings designed by Executive Chef Chris Savino are served from a BBQ station on the patio. The majority of the menu can be categorized as comfort-food bar offerings, but many of the items were garnished with an interesting twist like a grilled pineapple ring on Chicken Sliders ($14), or caramelized orange and tomato relish on the Duck Salad Roll ($14).
Other slider options included Beer Braised Bratwurst Sliders ($14) – great for sausage fans, or the classic Pop Up Sliders ($14) – for those looking for something more traditional.
Pulled Pork and Corn Bread Bites ($10) were one of my favourite items from the night. The warm homemade corn bread crumbled as you picked it up, the pulled pork was moist and flavourful and the apple compote balanced out the savoury bites with a bit of tartness.
To make sure we were getting enough greens, we ordered the Iceberg Salad ($12), which came in crunchy, refreshing wedges, topped with maple bacon, candied pecans and finished with a creamy blue cheese dressing.
Pretty much all the dishes on the Pop Up Patio menu are made for sharing, so pick a few dishes and head to this hidden gem at The Westin Grand with a few friends. This is a great spot for after work drinks, or just for catching up with friends over a bite or two.
The Pop Up Patio at The Westin Grand will be open for the rest of summer on Thursdays & Fridays from 5pm – 9pm.
To get an even better sense of the Pop Up Patio Space through some cool photos, I encourage you to check out Vancouver stylist Nadia Albano’s recent photoshoot photos on her blog.
