Cask Whisky Vault is a stunning whisky lounge located inside the Versante Hotel in Richmond. This beautiful luxury whisky lounge features a selection of single malts, bourbons and blended whiskies alongside a menu of Japanese-inspired cuisine. In addition to their extensive Whisky menu, Cask also has a selection of delightful cocktails to choose from. Cask’s intimate dining room is anchored by a robata grill and a 30-foot custom bar to really bring the spirit of an Izakaya into the lounge. This was my first experience at Cask and it will definitely not be my last. We decided to go with the $59 Whisky Vault Tasting menu with a few additional snacks to round out the meal. However, I think the tasting menu on it’s own is quite filling!
Cask Whisky Vault – Snacks and Robata
To start off our meal we had a few snacks:
- Maguro Tuna Tartare ($18.00)
- Calamari ($16.00)
- Abalone Motoyaki ($12.00)
The Maguro Tuna Tartare features kaiso, ponzu, scallions, sesame, wasabi tobiko and taro chips. We got ours with an additional side of togarashi chicharron. The tuna was fresh and this was a great classic rendition of a tuna tartare. I love the taro chips and these were perfect.
The Calamari features umeboshi aioli, jalapenos, furikake and shiso. The calamari came in strips (my favourite) with a generous topping of aioli. The umeboshi adds a slight tanginess to the dish.
The Abalone Motoyaki features lobster, scallops, scallions and red miso yuzu aioli. This was so so so good. Imagine the best motoyaki you have ever had and then multiple it by 10. This was rich, creamy and full of seafood.
Cask Whisky Vault – $59 Whisky Vault Tasting Menu
The Whisky Vault Tasting menu features 4 courses and is $59 per person. There is an optional Whisky Pairing for $49. The four courses:
- 1st Course – Oyster & Caviar
- 2nd Course – Ebi Tartare Motoyaki | Green Tea Soba Salad | Kurobuta Pork Chashu Skewer
- 3rd Course – Robata Grilled Prime Beef Tenderloin | Crispy Truffle Potato “Okonomiyaki”
- 4th Course – Matcha Cheesecake
The menu starts off with a bang with a stunning Kusshi oyster topped with caviar, ikura and shiso oil. It’s light and refreshing and the perfect start. I could definitely eat a dozen of these.
For our 2nd course we get a sampling of the robata grill with the Kurobata Pork Chashu Skewer. The pork was melt in your mouth tender and goes so well with the torched red miso motoyaki on top and chicharron and micro shiso. The Ebi Tartare Motoyaki is a one biter on a crisp seaweed chip and shiso leaf. It’s an explosion of creamy, salty, savoury, and sweetness from the ebi.
Along with these two bites we got the Green Tea Soba Salad. It features wasabi calamansi dressing, edamame watermelon radish, daikon and peanuts.
For the 3rd course we got Robata Grilled Prime Beef Tenderloin with Crispy Truffle Potato “Okonomiyaki”. This dish was so good. The tenderloin was perfectly cooked and I love the addition of wasabi on the side.
The “okonomiyaki” was a revelation. It features a crispy truffle potato topped with kewpie mayo, katsu sauce, furikake cabbage and bonito flakes. The potato was so crispy and light but still decadent with the mayo and katsu sauce.
For dessert the tasting menu ends with a matcha cheesecake which features white chocolate raspberry brownie, black sesame tuille and a raspberry compote.
Cask Whisky Vault – Desserts and Cocktails
In addition to the cheesecake from the tasting menu we got the Cucumber Wasabi Sorbet and Whiskey Chocolate Cake. The sorbet was an absolute revelation. It comes with almond crumb, compressed whiskey melons, pine nut tuille. The flavour combination is interesting, but it really works! I kept going back for more.
From the cocktail menu we tried:
- Toki Tencha Tea ($18.00) – Suntory Toki, chrysanthemum tea yuzu, honey, tencha matcha ice
- Above the Clouds ($18.00) – Mezcal, licor 43, aperol, lemon passionfruit meringue habanero sugar
- Strawberry Fields ($17.00) – strawberry, rose tea, lemon sparkling water
The cocktails were all light and refreshing without being overwhelming. Personally, I would stick with their whisky flights thought next time.
Worth a Try?
Yes! Cask Whisky Vault is a stunning hidden gem for great lounge eats and whisky. I love the balance of plush indulgence coupled with casual dining feel from the elevated Izakaya dishes. The food really surprised me and I really enjoyed every dish I had. I would highly recommend this spot for your next date night or girls night out.
Note: Cask cannot be accessed by the main hotel entrance. You need to walk down West Road on the side of the hotel where Acre Through the Seasons is located.
Cask Whisky Vault
Address: 8400 West Rd #105, Richmond, BC V6X 0S7
Website: http://clubversante.com/cask