Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Irashai Grill
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Dutch Wooden Shoe Cafe
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Goldfish Pacific Kitchen
King Crab Tempura ~ ($6) - king crab tempura with avocado and bacon in it. Being that it was fried, it was most excellent. It's normally close to $19 so I imagine that if you got this regularly, you'd get at least 3 pieces but can't say for sure. Very good but pricey.
Tuna poke ~ ($6) - chopped ahi, scallop and hamachi with taro chips. It's bigger than it looks and is very refreshing and the taro chips are excellent. It's normally $14 so maybe you get 2? In terms of taste, I like the king crab more but this is a great dish which offers more value.
Bison Flat Iron Steak ~ ($25) - 6 oz. bison steak with coriander potatoes and broccolini. The steak was very good and tender. I'm not a big fan of broccolini but I liked the potatoes. It's normally $28 so what you see is what you get.
Creme Brulee ~ ($6) - it's infused with white chocolate and jasmine which is interesting and the tastes are very distinct. However, I'm more partial to the traditional creme brulee. Also note the neat goldfish they drew on the plate! Normally $8.
Chocolate lava cake ~ ($6) - lava cake with vanilla bean gelato seems to be a staple for desserts at most restaurant these days. It's a tad on the small side and I'd say I still prefer Joey's lava cake over every place I've had lava cake at. Also normally $8.
Banana spring rolls ~ ($8) - Not part of the normal dine out menu but too tantalizing to pass up (per our waitress' suggestion) are these warm banana spring rolls with hazelnut butter and pieces of lychee. It comes with two dips: caramel and creme anglaise but I found myself only using the caramel. Very good if not a rip off for 4 pieces of very yummy deep fried banana.
Overall: 8/10. The whole place is very nice with a great decor and atmosphere. It's quite big so it'd be great for parties. I had the dineout menu so all of the above (except the banana) cost $35 plus gratuity and tax. For most of these places, it's quality over quantity so I knew what to expect and while most places suck during Dine Out, it was very good here. It didn't look like a lot but I was quite full but at their regular prices, I find the cost to be a little steep. Our waitress was very friendly and prompt and I think it's always a nice touch when the owner/manager asks you if you're enjoying your dining experience. Goldfish is a place I'll go there for promotional dine outs or for parties, and while the value isn't quite there for regular dining relative to other nearby restaurants, I'd still check it out again.
Goldfish Pacific Kitchen
1118 Mainland Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 2T9
604-689-8318
Monday, October 4, 2010
La Terrazza
Overall rating: 7/10 - the decor and atmosphere were incredible and that was probably the best part of the restaurant for me. For an Italian restaurant, their pasta selection was limited so that was a little disappointing. Personally, I enjoyed the appetizers more than the entrees but I would definitely be willing to go back and try out different dishes.
La Terrazza
Vancouver, BC V6B 6J5
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Hub Restaurant and Lounge
Rating - 5/10 - Maybe I'd go back to chill afterward since they have $6 appies from 4 to 6 but for main meals, I'd probably look elsewhere and that's mainly because my dish sucked but everyone else's was just ok. I think there are better restaurants around here but they just happen to be super close to the skytrain. One other thing is that if you'd like the waitresses to take a group pic of you, you're better off setting up your own because it's like they've never used a camera before. Harsh? Yes, but so were my fish and chips.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Les Faux Bourgeois Bistro
Overall rating - 8 - I would definitely return as there are a number of other things that I'd live to try on the menu. For a French restaurant, it doesn't break the bank and it tastes good too. The service was very good and attentive as the waiter always came to check up on us. The atmosphere was lively but not loud enough that I couldn't have a normal conversation. Perhaps the only thing I wish were that the desserts were just as tantalizing as the rest of the menu.