Strap in, you may not believe what I have to tell you. I had the most amazing meal of my life. If you want some of the best food you have ever eaten in your life, you have to come here! What is lacking in decor is not lacking in food presentation and taste. The chef has mindfully prepared every dish that comes out of the kitchen. I've had beef Wellington prepared at some of the finest restaurants around the world. This one was it better by a lot! How can this kind of food come out of a strip mall. Because the man who cooks it has the highest standards and he just hasn't found anybody that will cook beside him as well. If you expect fast food go somewhere else. Each dish is prepared with love and it is served perfectly or it is not served. Everything we had that evening was as close to perfect as one could find. I don't normally post many pictures of my reviews but I'm going to change that tonight. Bon appetit
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sleeep Chen
Too expensive for mediocre food
Peter Estrada
Update: August 16, 2025 - we are here again to celebrate our 33rd anniversary. I absolutely loved our experience once again. This time we ordered the calamari, the tiger prawns to start. I ordered the lamb Osso Bucco and my wife ordered the rib eye. My goodness this was the best Osso Bucco I have ever ever had. It was so tender and so full of flavour. The rib eye was juicy and well seasoned. The dessert was awesome too. Ordered the cheesecake with berries and the chocolate souffle. This place is going to be my always go to for special occasions. Don't sleep on this place. Its Richmond's hidden gem. The service is consistently excellent, friendly and respectful. I love this place. ‐-------------- Thank goodness we got there early. Apparently the place was almost all reserved. I had seen good things and reviews about this place. Decided to take my wife there for dinner tonight. I'm so glad we did. We got there and we were seated right away. Our server went over our options and gave us a little tip on the extras we could get if we didn't want to go with the special for the evening. We decided to order the tiger prawns for my wife and the Dungeness crab and avocado salad for me to start. My wife and I ordered the grilled ribeye for the main entree. And for dessert the chocolate souffle. ROLL ME OUT!! Let me say the salad was perfect in size and taste. Fresh seafood and the avocado was tasty. Check the pictures. The ribeye had some nice grill marks and the accompanying mushroom sauce was delicious. Medium rare! The chocolate souffle was intensely sweet but light and fluffy. A perfect way to end the meal. Fyi they aren't licensed yet as of March 29, 2018 and they are only open for dinner 5pm-10pm. We will be back to try their other dishes. Thank you Shoestring Cafe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mi K
The restaurant is small and cozy. Amazing service. The crust for the beef wellington was too soft and soggy, but the meat inside was fine. With the rib steak, it was over cooked and they were willing to give another one. It was a long wait and by the time it came, my friend already finished their main course. The server did apologize, but it just wasn’t a great dining experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
xxdjkid the yt gamer
I have been a loyal customer for many years, and I have never been disappointed. I highly recommend their Grilled jumbo tiger prawns with corn cake, Baked scallops in lobster sauce, Grilled rack of boar, Duck breast, Rack of lamb, and Lobster stew.
Additionally, their three desserts are exceptional, especially the Chocolate Soufflé. It’s a light and fluffy. However, my favorite dish, which they no longer serve, is the Brandy-infused quail. It was truly the best on the menu, and I hope to see it return in the future.
This restaurant is the only French place in Richmond that is run by an Asian chef and offers outstanding cuisine.
I wholeheartedly recommend it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Liam Murphy-Burke
Fantastic food, super attentive service, huge portions. I had the wild boar special and it was 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leo Siu
The chef puts real dedication to making the food! My friends ordered steaks. I tasted it too it was fantastic quality steak
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Valerie Wilson
Way overpriced. I have heard good things about this place and wanted to try it myself. I was sorely disappointed. When we saw the prices and looked around at the dingy decor, we decided to just try some soup. My friend got seafood chowder that tasted like they mixed a can of cream corn into the bowl and added a few pieces of shrimp. Two pieces to be exact. The lobster bisque was okay but I have had significantly better bisque in other restaurants. And for less expensive. They even upcharge for bread if you want it, but don't tell you that they will be charging you. For these prices, I would expect the food to be great. Not to mention that both soups were served in chipped bowls. The wallpaper is faded and peeling, the plastic is melting off of the bench seats and the waitress, while friendly, would be better suited to a diner as she knows nothing of serving etiquette. Hovering while we look at the menu and then reaching across our faces when we are trying the food. Looking at recent reviews, it seems that something has changed in the last few months as we are not the only ones who were let down by their experience at this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Dead Poet
This place is what it is, not too fancy, it's a local joint run by a talented chef. Service is a bit amateurish but very friendly. Ambiance is just another local hole in the wall, we'll a bit better than a typical hole in the wall. Where it shined is the food.
Came here to celebrate Father’s Day because I remember this restaurant being decent from two or so years back.
The prices have definitely increased with the food quality going down. We ordered two prime ribs sets, one tomahawk and a squid ink pasta.
Most items were fine but the tomahawk was ridiculous. I ordered it cooked to a medium rare and as seen in photo not even the bone part was a medium rare. This steak was really overcooked. At the price point of $79, I expect the chef to be able to gauge how to cook this steak, otherwise why even ask how I wanted it cooked?
When I brought this issue up to the server, his response was simply “I’ve let the chef know,” and there was no mitigation. I did not want to make a fuss as we were celebrating my dad, however I believe this entire situation was unacceptable. Needless to say I will not be returning.
I used to really enjoy this restaurant, but it’s COMPLETELY gone downhill over the past year. The service is now is inattentive — you’re left waiting far too long for even basic things like water refills.
Definitely not coming back. There are far better places nearby where you actually get what you pay for.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Maggie Fang
Overpriced, bad customer service
Jared D
My wife and I ate here last night, while it was not what we expected when we entered. We were very pleased with the food and the service. Our food was absolutely amazing... our waitress was so nice and so attentive, we will definitely be back next time we are in the Vancouver, BC area... Thanks
Zeta
Overpriced mediocre food
It was our third time coming to Shoestring Cafe and it seems they have since increased the prices quite a bit. At this point, they are charging prices that higher end restaurants in downtown are charging but you are seated in an old diner like environment.
Ordered the seafood and corn chowder, the signature pan fried linguine, and the seafood alfredo. The chowder tastes exactly like the seafood alfredo.... both of which were not good. We were told the pan fried linguine is the signature but for 36$ I got a bowl of tiny overcooked prawns mixed with too much salt and pasta.
Overall a very disappointing experience that costs much more than it should have.
Brodie Hernandez-Winkler
I was pleasantly surprised coming here for the first time.
The food is a bit pricey but I definitely feel I got what I paid for, the chowder was amazing, duck breast tender and flavorful, and a souffle that is to die for (20 minutes to make it is well worth the wait).
It is a small space and doesn't feel as upscale as the price may suggest but it is easy to overlook with the quality of food.
Strap in, you may not believe what I have to tell you. I had the most amazing meal of my life. If you want some of the best food you have ever eaten in your life, you have to come here! What is lacking in decor is not lacking in food presentation and taste. The chef has mindfully prepared every dish that comes out of the kitchen. I've had beef Wellington prepared at some of the finest restaurants around the world. This one was it better by a lot! How can this kind of food come out of a strip mall. Because the man who cooks it has the highest standards and he just hasn't found anybody that will cook beside him as well. If you expect fast food go somewhere else. Each dish is prepared with love and it is served perfectly or it is not served. Everything we had that evening was as close to perfect as one could find. I don't normally post many pictures of my reviews but I'm going to change that tonight. Bon appetit
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Too expensive for mediocre food
Update: August 16, 2025 - we are here again to celebrate our 33rd anniversary. I absolutely loved our experience once again. This time we ordered the calamari, the tiger prawns to start. I ordered the lamb Osso Bucco and my wife ordered the rib eye. My goodness this was the best Osso Bucco I have ever ever had. It was so tender and so full of flavour. The rib eye was juicy and well seasoned. The dessert was awesome too. Ordered the cheesecake with berries and the chocolate souffle. This place is going to be my always go to for special occasions. Don't sleep on this place. Its Richmond's hidden gem. The service is consistently excellent, friendly and respectful. I love this place.
‐--------------
Thank goodness we got there early. Apparently the place was almost all reserved. I had seen good things and reviews about this place. Decided to take my wife there for dinner tonight. I'm so glad we did. We got there and we were seated right away. Our server went over our options and gave us a little tip on the extras we could get if we didn't want to go with the special for the evening. We decided to order the tiger prawns for my wife and the Dungeness crab and avocado salad for me to start. My wife and I ordered the grilled ribeye for the main entree. And for dessert the chocolate souffle. ROLL ME OUT!! Let me say the salad was perfect in size and taste. Fresh seafood and the avocado was tasty. Check the pictures. The ribeye had some nice grill marks and the accompanying mushroom sauce was delicious. Medium rare! The chocolate souffle was intensely sweet but light and fluffy. A perfect way to end the meal. Fyi they aren't licensed yet as of March 29, 2018 and they are only open for dinner 5pm-10pm. We will be back to try their other dishes. Thank you Shoestring Cafe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The restaurant is small and cozy. Amazing service. The crust for the beef wellington was too soft and soggy, but the meat inside was fine. With the rib steak, it was over cooked and they were willing to give another one. It was a long wait and by the time it came, my friend already finished their main course. The server did apologize, but it just wasn’t a great dining experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
I have been a loyal customer for many years, and I have never been disappointed. I highly recommend their Grilled jumbo tiger prawns with corn cake, Baked scallops in lobster sauce, Grilled rack of boar, Duck breast, Rack of lamb, and Lobster stew.
Additionally, their three desserts are exceptional, especially the Chocolate Soufflé. It’s a light and fluffy. However, my favorite dish, which they no longer serve, is the Brandy-infused quail. It was truly the best on the menu, and I hope to see it return in the future.
This restaurant is the only French place in Richmond that is run by an Asian chef and offers outstanding cuisine.
I wholeheartedly recommend it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic food, super attentive service, huge portions. I had the wild boar special and it was 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The chef puts real dedication to making the food! My friends ordered steaks. I tasted it too it was fantastic quality steak
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Way overpriced. I have heard good things about this place and wanted to try it myself. I was sorely disappointed. When we saw the prices and looked around at the dingy decor, we decided to just try some soup.
My friend got seafood chowder that tasted like they mixed a can of cream corn into the bowl and added a few pieces of shrimp. Two pieces to be exact.
The lobster bisque was okay but I have had significantly better bisque in other restaurants. And for less expensive. They even upcharge for bread if you want it, but don't tell you that they will be charging you.
For these prices, I would expect the food to be great.
Not to mention that both soups were served in chipped bowls.
The wallpaper is faded and peeling, the plastic is melting off of the bench seats and the waitress, while friendly, would be better suited to a diner as she knows nothing of serving etiquette. Hovering while we look at the menu and then reaching across our faces when we are trying the food.
Looking at recent reviews, it seems that something has changed in the last few months as we are not the only ones who were let down by their experience at this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
This place is what it is, not too fancy, it's a local joint run by a talented chef. Service is a bit amateurish but very friendly. Ambiance is just another local hole in the wall, we'll a bit better than a typical hole in the wall. Where it shined is the food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Seafood, Crab Avo Salad, Grilled Lobster Tail and Seafood Risotto
Came here to celebrate Father’s Day because I remember this restaurant being decent from two or so years back.
The prices have definitely increased with the food quality going down. We ordered two prime ribs sets, one tomahawk and a squid ink pasta.
Most items were fine but the tomahawk was ridiculous. I ordered it cooked to a medium rare and as seen in photo not even the bone part was a medium rare. This steak was really overcooked. At the price point of $79, I expect the chef to be able to gauge how to cook this steak, otherwise why even ask how I wanted it cooked?
When I brought this issue up to the server, his response was simply “I’ve let the chef know,” and there was no mitigation. I did not want to make a fuss as we were celebrating my dad, however I believe this entire situation was unacceptable. Needless to say I will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
I used to really enjoy this restaurant, but it’s COMPLETELY gone downhill over the past year. The service is now is inattentive — you’re left waiting far too long for even basic things like water refills.
Definitely not coming back. There are far better places nearby where you actually get what you pay for.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Overpriced, bad customer service
My wife and I ate here last night, while it was not what we expected when we entered. We were very pleased with the food and the service. Our food was absolutely amazing... our waitress was so nice and so attentive, we will definitely be back next time we are in the Vancouver, BC area... Thanks
Overpriced mediocre food
It was our third time coming to Shoestring Cafe and it seems they have since increased the prices quite a bit. At this point, they are charging prices that higher end restaurants in downtown are charging but you are seated in an old diner like environment.
Ordered the seafood and corn chowder, the signature pan fried linguine, and the seafood alfredo. The chowder tastes exactly like the seafood alfredo.... both of which were not good. We were told the pan fried linguine is the signature but for 36$ I got a bowl of tiny overcooked prawns mixed with too much salt and pasta.
Overall a very disappointing experience that costs much more than it should have.
I was pleasantly surprised coming here for the first time.
The food is a bit pricey but I definitely feel I got what I paid for, the chowder was amazing, duck breast tender and flavorful, and a souffle that is to die for (20 minutes to make it is well worth the wait).
It is a small space and doesn't feel as upscale as the price may suggest but it is easy to overlook with the quality of food.
I will definitely be returning to try the pasta.
Loading...