Suika - Round Two!

Suika has partnered up with VANEATSca before, see the previous package here. This time they are offering something completely different.
This #SupaSUIKA package, available for $35 includes the following:

• Salmon Battera, sockeye salmon, salmon caviar, spicy cod roe mayo, Japanese basil, avocado, shiso
• Magical Mojito Pitcher, choose from watermelon, pomegranate and aloe flavours (regular price $28)
• Steak Salad, diced & marinated AAA beef filet steaks on organic greens topped with watercress and beets 
• Ma-Po Rice Cake, deep fried rice cake with spicy ground pork sauce

First up was the Mojito Pitcher. Whoa, this is a lot of liquid for two people, whether or not it's boozy! In the end, we left about a third of it. We got the watermelon flavour and it was really refreshing. This is the Beef Salad, with chunks of beef filet on a bed of organic greens. I found the meat to be a little bit on the tough side, probably because it was a bit too well-done. The dressing was nice and light, making it a great appetizer. 

Next up is the Salmon Battera, which was a pressed salmon with some ikura on top. The shiso is amazing and I really enjoyed this dish. I was under the impression that it was supposed to be torched but ours had only a very faint hint of that. This was my favourite dish of the #SupaSUIKA package, MaPo Rice Cake. These little bundles of rice were fried and then drizzled with a spicy ground pork sauce. The texture of the rice is amazing, chewy and slightly crispy, I could have cleaned this up all by myself. 
So that's it for the #SupaSUIKA package. Everything from here on in is extras we paid for ourselves. This is the Tako Karaage, sort of like Japanese Calamari. It was a bit oily and not as crunchy as I would have liked. It did go down nicely with the mojito though! Another appetizer we tried was the Grilled Gindara, and this was really good. I would say this was probably the highlight of the night. Moist flesh with a lightly crispy skin and a sweetness that can't be beat. We needed some carbs to finish up with, so we got their Tokyo Ramen, with slow braised oxtail. This was outstanding, with tender bone-in chunks of oxtail as well as perfectly cooked ramen. The meat to noodle ratio was amazing and the broth was a nice mix of salty and sweet.  Our final dish of the night was the Kakuni Bibimbap. The pork had a nice amount of fat and the meat was super tender. Mixing it into the rice was a breeze, with the ample sauce they gave us. The deal is available for purchase now until June 30, 2013. Go and get yours today!

See the VANEATSca offer and video here.

Grand Opening of Grain

Last month, I was fortunate enough to visit both the restaurants at the Vancouver Hyatt. The first event was the Grand Opening of their lounge, called Grain. The second one is my next post featuring an epic Chef's  Table dinner from Chef Heinrich. 

 

To accompany their tasty cocktails, they had a wide selection of Charcuterie featuring meats from Oyama Sausage Company. There is the usual Italian Salami, some Beef Bresaola and your trusty Prosciutto. But they also have more exotic things, such as a basque Style Chorizo, and a Duck Prosciutto. 

We were treated to a bit of everything, and it was a huge smorgasbord of meaty goodness. And you can help yourself, going back for some of your favourites. 

This was my first (of a few) plates, and I tried to get a bit of everything. I liked the Duck Prosciutto the best, but it was a bit fatty. The Toscano Prosciutto was a bit leaner and just as tender. 

All their charcuterie boards are served with a Grainy and a non-Grainy Mustard (made in-house), some Pickled Capers and Gherkins. The tang of the veggies and mild heat of the mustard complement the meats very well. 

They also have a selection of seafood; the first one I sampled was their Prawn Cocktail. Served in individual plates with just a touch of Seafood Sauce, these prawns were plump and very sweet! I felt guilty but I think I inhaled about four of them, in about a minute. 

And the other amazing seafood appetizer they offered up were Freshly Shucked Oysters. Who can say now to these. Look how cleanly these are shucked, not a speck of shell anywhere!

This is my favourite cocktail of the evening, Vanilla Sky. Although the base is Canadian Club Whisky, this drink was surpringly light. I think the lemon juice really lightens it up, and the vanilla extract give it a rich sweetness. I think my favourite ingredient of them all if this Egg White. I'm in love with cocktails with egg whites lately, and this is a prime reason why. Try it for yourself, you'll love it!

And this is the chef that is overseeing all of the food, Chef Heinrich. My next post? His epic Chef's Table at Mosaic. Stay tuned!

Take Note:

• Give their Ginger Pear Martini a try, perfect for a hot day!
• Like it Spicy? Try the Kiwi's Big Adventure, with fresh jalapeno.
• Best deal for lunch? Prime Rib Salad with a 64 degree egg for just $14 

Brunch at Black and Blue

In April, The Roof opened at the Third Floor of Black and Blue on Alberni and it quickly became the place to be. See my highlights of their media launch here. With the weather being sunnier in recent weeks, this patio quickly because the "it" place . To my delight, they announced that they would be starting brunch service on weekends! 
 The start date for brunch was May 3, and that's when I decided to give them a try! They already serve lunch on weekdays, but I was eager to see what brunch items they would showcase. The above is the small, focused menu. There are the Brunch staples of Eggs Florentine, Omelette and two Eggs Benny. I'm probably looking for something a bit more interesting, wouldn't you agree?
Here is Chef Ryan Gauthier, the corporate chef for Glowbal Group, working the line on The Roof's first ever Brunch service. 

 

Sitting on a sunny patio practically begs for you to have a beverage, coffee just doesn't cut it, even at brunch time. We opted for a few cold ones, one Prosecco and a well-garnished Caesar. The prosecco is cold and bubbly, and the garnish on the Caesar is insane, a stuffed olive, pepperoni and a pickled pepper (I guess now we know Where's the peck of pickled peppers that Peter Piper picked?!)

 

This Phyllo Prawn is an appetizer on their lunch menu, but is also available for brunch. These are a spinoff of the Noodle Wrapped Prawns at Urban Thai in Yaletown. They are different though, instead of being wrapped in a denser noodle, the phyllo pastry surrounding these larger prawns are light and super crunchy. 
It's a huge messy affair, but super fun at the same time. The prawns sit on a slightly tangy chili sauce which offer a pleasant tang to the sweetness of the prawns. It's probably one of the more fun dishes I've had in a while.
Here is a close up, and although the phyllo might look a bit greasy, you certainly don't taste it.
So, let's dig into the brunch menu. We opted for the Breakfast Flatbread. I mean after all, it contains the brunch staples of Double Smoked Bacon and Eggs. In addition, there are some diced potatoes, halved gem tomatoes and two cheese, with aged white cheddar and mozzarella. 
This was insanely good, I loved the runny egg, the charred crust and the cheesy goodness from the two blends of cheese. T he potatoes and tomatoes are diced finely and complemented the chewy bread. It's so much fun playing with a softly cooked egg, trying to avoid popping the yolk, but welcoming the inevitable when it happens. 
Next up? The Steak and Eggs. We opted for Soft-Poached Eggs, again tempting fate with the runny yolk, but you can choose to have your eggs anyway you like. You also get two Tenderloin Medallions and everything is served with Blistered Tomatoes and Roasted Potatoes, with a Lightly Dressed Salad. All this food combined for quite a filling dish with a wide variety of tastes, textures and flavours. This was one of the two priciest items on the menu at $18, but they do have more affordable options. 
For example, they have the Roof Breakfast for just $12, and comes with sausage, bacon, eggs and more. It's a great price for the stunning rooftop dining atmosphere. Afterall, the Nat's Hearty at White Spot will run you $10.49.

Happy Hour at Urban Thai

Urban Thai, a 12-year staple in Yaletown recently underwent a two-week renovation. I haven't been in  recent memory and had a hard time remember what the space looked like before. I was eager to check out the new digs! The space is now filled with imported Gold Buddhas, rich wood tones as well as sleek metal accents. This is the sight that greets you upon entry.

 

I didn't do a count of how many statues there are, but there were a lot of them, in all shapes and sizes too.
In addition to the renovations inside, they also drastically spruced up their Outdoor Patio too. Although they reduced the space by two tables, the banquettes are delightful offers much more comfortable seating. This will surely be a popular Yaletown patio this summer. 
Onto the food! We arrived around 6 just before the Canucks game. Previously, their happy hour specials lasted until 5pm, but post-renos, the hours are now extended to 6:30, perfect for Pre-Game or Pre-Theatre eats! This is their Chicken Lettuce Wrap, stir-fried with peppers, onions, carrots and basil. There is a bit of fried vermicelli, but not so much as to call it filler. Served with a few slices of iceberg, these do it yourself appies are fun, healthy and tasty. I liked a bit more heat with mine, but they are ready to supply you with sriracha as needed. And during Happy Hour, these are only $6. 
This is the second Happy Hour item we tried, their Chicken Wings. The option is to have them with Ginger Sauce or Red Curry. We opted for the Red Curry, as you can see. These were good, juicy and tasty. Keep in mind that these aren't the breaded crunchy chicken wings you might expect, due to the creamy curry sauce. Give them a try though and you might find them a nice change. Oh, and a great deal for just $5! 
Looking for crunch? Then you've got to give these a try! Although not part of the Happy Hour menu (Reg. price is $8.95 for 4), these are Deep Fried Noodle Wrapped Tiger Prawns (Goong Noon Hea). The presentation is cute, but what hits you is the crunch. The shrimp are nicely protected by the noodles and are moist despite the deep frying process.  It's pretty unique. There is a similar version at Glowbal's Black + Blue, at The Roof, see my review here.
I think our most disappointing dish was the Salad Roll for $4.95. This was average, with your usual vermicelli, greens, sprouts and Thai Basil with a few sliced prawns. I would go for something a bit more exotic on my next visit.
The staff here have changed and the new servers are quite attentive. Waters were being filled, and staff came by frequently to ask us how everything was. It's definitely a good spot for their Happy Hour menu, but they also have a very popular $9 lunch menu for weekdays that I will definitely have to come back and try.

Take Note:

• Happy Hours also offers cheap beers, just $3!
• Be sure to tell staff about any allergies, they are eager to accommodate
• Lots of Appies if you want to try a bit of everything, over 15 items! 

Dark Table - what the food really looks like!

There are lots of reviews for Dark Table online, but not very many with pictures. Here I am going to demystify the experience for you! But don't keep reading if you want to be surprised. Their menu changes frequently, and there are specials as well, so it's probable that the food you see below will not be the food you actually eat.

You place your order with the hostess outside and are then told to wait until one of the servers comes out to guide you inside. You place your hand on your server's shoulder and are led to your table. You are given a Bread Roll, Butter and water (they weren't licensed when I went, not sure if they are now). A knife and for are also at your table. This is where it gets interesting...try to butter the roll! We managed to put our fingers into the butter dish, getting more butter on our hands than on the roll.

You have a choice of two ($33) or three ($39) courses, and we decided on doing the three course version. The appetizer is a surprise, and it's the same or everyone. On the night we went, it was a Green Salad. Trying to figure out what you are eating, while trying to stab at little pieces of lettuce and arugula is very difficult! Several times, I would bring the fork to my mouth only to realize that I had nothing on my fork! No picture of this because I actually finished it.  This was their Surprise Entree, and it's actually a Stuffed Chicken Breast with some potatoes, carrots and some beets. The sauce was creamy and garlicy and quite rich. I couldn't finish it all. And no, the chicken isn't raw, that tinge of pink is from the beets. I would say that the temperature of the dish was a bit too cool for my taste, especially with such a creamy sauce.  This next item is a regular on their menu, and it's the Beef Tenderloin. Unlike the chicken, which was served more or less whole, the beef is sliced into bite sized pieces for you. The vegetables are a repeat of the ones accompanying the chicken. We asked for a medium rare, and it seemed a touch over, but certainly nothing to really complain about. In fact, because I couldn't see the steak, it made it hard for me to judge just how cooked it really was. The serving size was decent, but again, it arrived lukewarm. Perhaps it's a safety feature so you don't burn yourself while trying to eat in the dark. Hmm, wonder if they serve soup here? The dessert was a Fruitcake and was quite moist, despite appearances. There were nuts and fruit embedded throughout but the flavour was more bland than sweet. Overall, it was interesting and gives you a short-lived glimpse of what it's like to be blind. Unfortunately, the food doesn't add much to the experience. It's something you might want to try as a novelty but I can't imagine there being too many repeat customers.  

The Roof is Open!

On Wednesday, the doors of The Roof (at Glowbal Group's Black and Blue) were flung open and Vancouver got a glimpse into a new patio to party on!

 

When you do go, be sure to ask them about the Josper Charcoal Broiler Oven by Wood Stone! It is amazing and they are so proud of its awesomeness, it's actually quite endearing. But what I actually admired was the lighting fixtures, yes, I'm a geek.  

The first bite I had that night was the Ahi Tuna Blini, soft potato pancakes topped with creme fraiche and some tuna. These were a perfect little bite! Oh, and total props to Michael Moore and that ring!  

Next up? Bacon Wrapped Scallops! Perfectly grilled on the outside and super succulent on the inside.  

Oh, but the star of the show was the Prince Edward Island Blue Ribbon steak was also a feature...here is a cut fresh from the grill!  

Thanks to Kevin for this picture of Michael Moore and I!

But the star of the evening is this! A whole Leg of Beef, grilled, bone-in! Served thinly sliced with mini Yorkshire Puddings, these soft fluffy puddings were a perfect holder for the beef. Add a bit of spicy horseradish and you've got a winner!  

See how well seasoned this leg is? You can see the herbs, the garlic and peppers! The flavours of this meat is so complex and the beef itself is so tender. This is a must-try!   

 

Here is a fun pic of me hanging out with Mr. Eligible himself, Rick Chung! And to finish things off! A plethora of desserts! There were Pavlovas, Mini Creme Brulees, a Lemon Bar as well as Apple Tarts! Something for everyone! The space is amazing and it's high time Vancouver got a new patio to rave about! This is going to be t he place to be seen this summer!

Dishcrawl - Silk Road on Commercial Drive

I attended my very first Dishcrawl event last week after being invited to it by the new Vancouver Dishcrawl ambassador, Yana Kim. 

I didn't know what Dishcrawl was, so I did some research and found out that they guide you to four restaurants in a cool part of town over the course of an evening.

To add an aura of mystery, we were not told where to meet until 48 hours before the event began. Our event was themed Silk Road, and all we knew was that we would visit four restaurants within walking distance, all on Commercial Drive but that was about it!

Our group of 30 met at Siddhartha's for our first tasting. We sampled traditional Indian fare, such as naan, aloo tikka and more. Read the review here.

Next stop? A short stroll to Carthage Cafe for some Tunisian and French cuisine. We had salads, something called Fatima's Fingers (!), and amazing merguez sausages. Read the review here.

The third stop took us to Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria, where we were served an amazingly rich tomato bisque and a refreshing Caprese Salad. Read the review here.

Our final stop of the nice brought us to Italy in the form of Caffe Calabria, where we helped ourselves to a trio of sorbetto in fun decorated space. Read the the review here.

All food, taxes and tips are included in the price, but any additional beverages are subject to extra charges. To learn about future Dishcrawl events, visit: http://www.dishcrawl.com/vancouver/