Going out to dinner at a nice independent restaurant (no joeys, cactus, earls, Keg) is a treat. Especially when you know the owner operator is involved in the daily business. It is his/her baby and a reflection of their personality. I personally think chain restaurants are a rip off. You get generic food that a monkey can prepare and they charge you premium pricing. IMHO, I look at "real" trained chefs like artists, their canvas happens to be food. Some of my most memorable experiences are over a nice dinner with family and friends. Could be a hole in the wall Chinese restaurant or at Joe Fortes. Their is something that is really kool about sharing a great dining experience with people you care about it. The meaning of good value is different for everyone, for me, having a great dining experience is one of life's great joys :)

I would agree to a certain extent as I think typically people go to chains is for the consistency no matter what location you go to. Whether if the food is consistent or not, thats a different question.

And most of the times using chinese restaurants as an example, those are not chains. Yet it can be a hit or miss, I have been to Bamboo Grove in Richmond, and it has been the worst experience I had. Food was mediocre and service was poor, and in the end the waiter/owner came out to the open and ask for more tip compensation and when we refused we they go defensive and started to yell at us.

What I like about chains is that they have a corporate image to uphold. But with these hole in the wall places is a hit or miss for me.

Yes, I will have one drink and one drink only because it costs fucking $14 to get a 1/8 glass pour of house wine. Oh and when I tip 10% PRE-TAX on my Discouver Card* don't be giving me no sass Muka-muk!

* not affiliated in any way to the Discover Card

Nobody would treat you with sass because of what you tip. They don't know what you are tipping until they already gave you the service. They probably just don't like dealing with miserable people.
What is a 1/8th glass? Where are you going that you are getting a 1oz pour of wine for 14 bucks? You must be ballin....

you are that guy......:awwyeah: lol!!

ballin' outta control. When I spend my hourly wage on a drink I betta be gettin' Cristal in that pour fool!

Apparently restaurateurs have no sense of humour . I'll move along :pokerface:

This is what going out for dinner is all about. The wife and I rarely go out, but when we do it's for the experience. (In my opinion) People who go out to eat all the time lose that experience, as they frequently get meals prepared for them and it becomes less special.

Nothing's better than having a chef put his soul into a plate, and having a server who cares about what you are eating/drinking, to make a dinner experience special. Unfortunately, it's been a while since I've felt that in Vancouver. To be honest, I've had better culinary experiences on the island and in Seattle.

LOL I was just about to comment until I read "Vancouver" at the end. It couldn't be more truthful. There's a total lack of consistency in the restaurant dining experience and makes it difficult for repeat visits if one is looking for the whole experience. I've long given up on that aspect and yet even the food, solely on its own can be horribly inconsistent.

I think the most dining patrons in Vancouver proper doesn't know shit for food. Maybe the industry sees no need to bump up standards outside the hype train this city lusts for.

It's easy to pick on the price of alcohol because consumers know the cost. It is much harder to complain about the price of an entree.

Do I enjoy paying $80 for a bottle of wine I can buy at a store for $20? Of course not. I totally feel ripped off because I can see the margins.

But unfortunately that's the cost of dining out at a nicer restaurant. And when we do buy a bottle, we sure appreciate it. (It's like having a $9 beer at the Canucks game always tastes better than drinking it from the can at home).

Yes; there's only 12 + seats. No kids, no sushi rolls, just omakase style.
You can order 30,50,70 type price range.
I suggest you go yourself. You sit by the bar, and you order the 70 one and he'll ask you if you want to take pictures. That means he'll plate all the dishes for you; if not he'll make each one for you. It's actually pretty cool to have him make each piece for you. Yet it's also tad weird cause he won't really make eye contact to watch you chew.

I enjoyed it a lot, yes it's a bit expensive, you just gotta try it once on what's it's like.


Went there Friday, 6:30, holy fuck, the streets were empty, yet when you walk up, it's jam pack.
1) stood by the waiting area and waited for people to leave. It's a smaller place and it's nicely done to be honest (given it's china town).
2) Sat by the far, had a cocktail which wasn't bad. Yes it's $13+ dollars, but please guys, understand we are comparing standards that's 8 years ago...
3)
Gnocco Fritto $6.50
olive oil crackers, kombu dashi, braised onion, ricotta salata, greens
-2 pieces, VERY refreshing and light. really good to be honest.

Tajarin $25
butter, roasted mushrooms, miso cured yolk
https://7f9c61237bd6e732e57e-5fa1883....jpg?bg=A3957A
not my pic but it's a good simple dish.
very light, tad smaller in portion but the flavors were there.

Croquette $7
parmesan, ginger, chili, plum curry sauce
this was just meh, compared to croquettes like Guu, this would be a pass.

Daily Fish Crudo $21
shiso vinaigrette, radishes, Tokyo leek, capers, pickled almonds, Castelvetrano olives, mustard greens

-this was really refreshing, smaller dish, but super well balanced flavors and just so so smooth.

lastly; this is the kicker:

Fish - market price
flash-fried whole fish, daikon soy dipping sauce

Whole fish, deep fried, nicely done, normally shared with 2 people. Honestly, this is more like an asian dish for someone to appreciate. it's around $42-45
https://s3-media3.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...LS_Uw/258s.jpg
not my pic but it's pretty cool to see people picking at this.

Overall, a smaller restaurant, the flavors are there, I would go back. Portions are a bit smaller. Service was great, then again, we did sit by the bar. 8/10

How many pieces was the $70 omakase? Or is it a similar number to the others, just more expensive items?

Restaurant seats 10 people
-reservations from 3-5:30pm.
-no alcohol
-must order from their omakase menu,
-They only have 3 seatings: at 6pm, 7:30pm and 9pm. ...

it was 10 pieces for $40 or 12 for $60
might have changed since last time I've been there.

I vaguely remember there were times before where I had ordered more; winter months there are osme more exotic stuff like Cod sperm (smelt) etc.

Cacao 70, because gf and her instagram places.

5/10

Tasted like chocolate. No better or worse than any other chocolate I've had at any other dessert place tbh. Maybe I have a shitty palate? Hot chocolate was nice, for $9.25 though.

Service was pretty slow and had to ask twice for them to light our fire for our marshmallows, but both servers were extremely nice and friendly.

gordon ramsay bread street kitchen and bar in Hong Kong Lan kwai Fong

had the risotto which took almost an hour to make?!!? best mushroom risotto I had though, roughly $25 Canadian

lobster bisque was good but too much pepper, would not buy this soup again



7/10 , service was alright, server never gave much eye contact



Din Tai Fung

Went to mira mall and silvercord locations, the xiao long baos weren't as good as my last visits in 2011, quality is shit now..... barely any soup in their buns. Would never go back. It use too be amazing.... like I can pick it up with my fingers and bounce it like a big ass and shake it.


4/10

Urban Fare chicken strips and fries
10/10

These have to be the best chicken strips in the world.

D.H Crab @ Quarry Bay, Hong Kong

great owner, name was Jeff, Caucasian male and I spoke with him for quite a while on his journey on opening his restaurant and moving from detroit to hong kong.

made a new friend and taught me a lot about seafood


tried the lobster roll which its famous for, it was a little bit less than 100 HKD which is around $16-$17 CAD? Most delicious roll I have had in my life....

you know those chinese bread thats white in the inside and shiny brown on the outside? imagine that... and buttered up inside. Super super soft and loved it.

texture of bread was like this, super moist and heated up on the grill and buttered :)

https://cdn.instructables.com/F2X/RF...BMV.MEDIUM.jpg

would go back!

not my photos but great ones from the same place

http://cfcdn3.azsg.opensnap.com/hk/u...C9E0E1F3sx.jpg


http://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51...ODQzOQ%3D%3D.2

Pho Express Angkor Noodle House

What the flying fuck? Thai/Vietnamese restaurant near work.

Didn't get pho since I know it'll be a disappointment. Got the lemongrass chicken and pork dish.. absolutely no lemongrass flavour. Fish sauce lacks depth.


2/10

Head one block east to Viet Sub. Seating's not the most comfortable/spacious, but at least the food's decent.

Italian Kitchen - 1/10

Can't comment on service as I got my brother to take-out their "famous" Truffled Spaghetti & Signature Meatballs - $24.95

The meatballs were very dry and flavourless. The pasta was barely any better, dry and way overcooked to mush. I had to double check that I got the "truffle" spaghetti because I could not taste any truffle, at all. Just barely seasoned tomato sauce.
At this point I honestly prefer the "Meat Bolognaise" at a random HK cafe for $9 ...

Couple years back I went to Coast and did not like it - service was slow and food was below average.
Black & Blue also underwhelming - for a steakhouse experience I'd rather go Hy's or even Keg.

I don't know why I bother. I rarely knock on a business, but the Glowbal group in general has consistently been a huge disappointment. Never again.

I love VietSub. Really underrated place. Server really friendly too.

you can follow them on fb..they just renovated and prices went up another $5.
you can order more after the omakase but min requirement is one omakase per person.

Anyone reserve dine out this year?

:rukidding: :heckno:

$24.95 for spaghetti and meatballs. :pokerface:

That is an insane price to pay for an Italian staple. $11.95 - okay. I get it. But not for $25.