skip to main |
skip to sidebar
My Asian buffet adventures in the States have been well-documented on this blog. The variety and sheer massive amount of food are rarely duplicated in Canada. Call it operating costs and more likely consumer demands that dictate the lack of such establishments locally. However, there is one new spot out in Langley that tries to emulate that type of buffet offering a mix of Japanese, Korean and Chinese. Nikita and Bluebeard, who live nearby, were curious about the place, so we met up along with Herbie the Lovebug and Lana Banana.
Considering the cost of $27.99 per adult (on weekends), there was not a lot of selection in terms of food.I tackled the hot food section first and it was a mish mash of Asian food with such items as Bulgogi, Spring Rolls, Chicken Karaage, Tempura, Short Ribs, Dungeness Crab and Broccoli Beef. The temperature of the food was the one thing that was quite troubling from the start - everything was stone cold. Despite being set in chaffing trays, the food must've been sitting there for who knows how long. For the record, we were there at 5:00pm. As surprised as I was to see dungeness crab, I wasn't shocked to find out it was really dead/frozen crab as the meat was mush. At least the fried items were not half bad.
The real draw here is the serve-yourself Sushi Bar and it was more or less acceptable given the venue. There was an okay selection of rolls, nigiri sushi and sashimi. Naturally, the rice was not exactly great, but it was alright with a slight chew albeit dry and somewhat mild tasting. The fish wasn't the best quality, but at the very least, it looked okay. I did find the salmon a bit too soft for my tastes while the tai was really chewy. One thing I liked was the saran wrap atop all of the sushi and sashimi as it kept things from drying out (despite the fact it made it hard to pick up items). Unlike the hot food section, the sushi was adequately stocked each time I went up. For example, they only had 5 pieces of prawn tempura available at anytime and that lasted all of 10 seconds.
Tucked at the back, there was a quasi "Salad" section with a few random desserts (including cubed Costco cheesecake). Back to the salads, there Banchan, Japchae, Kimbap, Sunomono, Spinach Gomae, Salad Roll and some strange Smoked Oyster appie. Nothing particularly exciting about this section but at the very least, everything was edible. However, the Kimbap had this weird cheese sauce on it that made it taste funny. Off to the right of the desserts, there was a beverage station that included various soft drinks and surprisingly a Sun Rype juice dispenser. Yet for $27.99, one would expect drinks to be included. Now this brings everything back to what is perceived value. For us, that was far too expensive for the variety and quality of food. I do realize it is impossible for a Canadian buffet to even come close to an American version. However, if this is the only attempt we've seen so far up here, then I'm much rather make a quick trip across the border.
The Good:
- Only one of its kind at the moment as the rest have come and gone
- Okay service
- Clean and modern
The Bad:
- Hot food was cold
- Lack of selection for the price
- Mediocre eats
I've been asked why there are no recommendations for Indian restaurants on my blog. Fair question. Well, the reason for that is simple, there are still so many more Indian restaurants I need to try first. And really, anyone who knows will tell you, Indian food made at home is going to be better. But I can't recommend a friend's house as the best Indian food in town (unless they want random visitors). So continuing down my Scott Road food adventures, it has brought me to Rama (formerly Raja, but with an "M" pasted over the J).
For a small little place, the Butter Chicken was pretty good. We liked the consistency as it was just thick and creamy enough. The dollop of ghee on top added to the richness. There was a nice balance of flavours as there was enough tomato to balance out the cream with a hint of tartness. To top it all off, there was a slow rumble of spice to go along with the tender chunks of chicken. Unfortunately, the Palak Paneer was not nearly as successful. First of all, it was not even lukewarm which was a turnoff. Second, there was only a modest amount of paneer. Lastly, the sauce itself was overly mild bordering on bland.
Our favourite of the bunch had to be the Lamb Vindaloo as it was a veritable explosion of flavours. There was a noticeable spice level where it hit on the first bite and lingered past the last. In addition, the amount of onions added a caramelized sweetness to accent the ginger and vinegar hits. Completing this dish was large tender chunks of lamb. Of course we got an order of Naan as well and it was good. On the bottom, it was crispy while the rest of the naan was soft and chewy with nice blistering. Except for the palak paneer, everything we had was pretty good. Not bad for a little place hidden in the corner of a strip mall.
The Good:
- 3 out of 4 items were well-executed
- Friendly people
The Bad:
- Didn't like the palak paneer
- Place is small and a bit dingy
Remember the nursery rhyme where it starts off as "this little piggy went to the market"? Well, it is not a stretch to say that I have finally found that piggy. At Giovane Cafe & Market, it can be found as smoky cheese in the display case. In fact, looking over the rest of the market, I think I found the other piggies as well - prosciutto, sausages and so on... Joking aside, Chef Darren Brown has created a high-end market consisting of exclusive and rare products sourced from Italy (with some locally).
Grace and I were invited to check out the market as well as sticking around for dinner at the wine bar afterwards. The first thing that struck me was that I didn't recognize many of the products for sale. The reason being is that many of the items are directly imported from Italy. In fact, they carry a line of Vianova flavoured olive oils that are a direct partnership with the manufacturer. On that note, we were treated to an olive oil tasting that featured 4 different samples. Depending on the region, each had their own distinctive taste. If you are every in the market, I suggest you try some for yourself.
After our tour of the market, we sat at the wine bar and were treated to food that was sourced from the market itself. We started with a selection of cheese including Burrata flown in from Italy (since it should be consumed within 48 hours). The cheese held up exhibiting a creamy stringy interior. We also sampled the Stracciatella and by virtue of it being directly related to burrata, it shared the same stringy qualities. We added some sweet balsamic and it went really well with the bread. Lastly, we had the Scamorza Affumicata which was shaped as little piggies in the display (as mentioned earlier). This cheese was smoky and firm. Onto the next items, we sampled some house-made Charcuterie consisting of Lardo, Coppa and Duck Prosciutto. Served with each was Quince Pineapple Mostarda, Fig and Grainy Mustard. I particularly liked the duck as it was a pleasant salty with a smooth, chewy texture.
Moving on, we tried their Bianco flatbread with mozzarella, fontina, fingerling potato, garlic, rosemary. The crust was lightly crispy with a nice chewiness. It wasn't oversaturated with ingredients which meant it didn't become soggy. Furthermore, the simple ingredients enabled the natural flavours to shine including a nice drizzle of EVOO. Onto a couple of pastas, we had the Rigatoni al Norma first. The combination of tomatoes, eggplant, capers and basil created a wealth of flavours which was pretty sweet. However, the acidity from the capers helped balance it somewhat. Next, we had the Bucatini Amatriciana which featured very al dente pasta tossed in guanciale and a spicy tomato sauce. We found that the heat escalated with every chew, yet was balanced by the acidic and sweet tomatoes.
We ended up trying the Ling Cod Puttanesca as our final savoury dish. The fish was beautifully seared with a crisp exterior leading into a moist and flaky interior. There was a good level of acidity and saltiness from the olives and tomatoes. Finishing off the meal, we shared 2 desserts including the Tiramisu and Dulce de Leche Caramel Budino. The tiramisu was creamy and sweet while the budino was very sweet due to the caramelized condensed milk. Yet, we weren't here for the desserts (although they do have some good ones). Rather, we were treated to carefully prepared food which used products sold at the market. Definitely a place to check out if one was looking for that special ingredient to elevate their home-cooking.
*Note - this was an invited dinner where all food was comped
The Good:
- Rare and unique items at the market
- Solid, casual fare at the wine bar
The Bad:
- It comes at a price
For awhile there, I was doing the late night rounds of the slice pizza joints along and around Commerical Drive. I forgot about it somewhat, only to return when I really had no one to eat with. Having not visited Pizza Garden in 4 years, it was good as any other time to head back. Interestingly, the pizza has moved towards a Neapolitan-style thin crust. So I grabbed some slices to see what it was all about. On a side note, it was almost impossible to take a picture of the front due to the bus stop... I hope they get a discount in rent!
Seeing all the available choices, I got one of each to go. After a brief stint in the toaster oven, I gave both the Pepperoni and the Prosciutto Funghi a try first. I found the crust sufficiently thin, yet not super thin. Despite the use of a wood-fired oven, there was only the slightest hint of leoparding. Therefore, the crust was crunchy while not smoky nor super flavourful. On the other hand, the salty meat toppings made up for it while the mild tomato sauce hid in the background. There wasn't a whole lot of cheese, but that is not the point of this type of pizza anyways.
Moving on, I tried the Pollo Eccellente consisting of alfredo sauce, fior di latte, grano padano, grilled chicken, spinach, red onions and roasted red peppers. As expected, the slice was not devoid of various flavours due to the amount of ingredients. It could've done with a few less peppers though. The last 2 slices consisted of Amante Spinaci (mozzarella, fior di latte, grano padano, pomodoro, spinach, black olives, ricotta, and pesto) and Hawaiian. The veggie slice benefited from the olives and feta where it added the necessary flavours. As seen in the picture, the Hawaiian was covered in ham. For a slice pizza joint, it is nice to see that they are doing something different with the crust. However, it could've benefited from more charring and leoparding for a Neapolitan pizza.
The Good:
- Thin crust Neapolitan-style pizza in a slice pizza joint
- Open late
- Plenty of toppings
The Bad:
- Not enough leoparding
- Could be thinner
Although I don't have anything against shopping mall food fairs, it is not really something that I am overly anxious writing about. Don't get me wrong, I eat at food fairs every now and then because it is convenient and really, the kids like it. However, I'm sure most people have tried most of the food stalls that are common with practically every food fair. One that may not be as well-known is Koryo in Brentwood Mall. Serving up Korean BBQ and a selection of sides, this has to be one of the best values I've seen.
Now to get things straight (for those food snobs out there), I'm not implying that Koryo could even be compared to an actual Korean BBQ restaurant, but it serves a purpose for where it is located. I've actually eaten there many times and finally felt the need to blog about it. Cutting right to the chase, their signature item is the Jumbo Combo for $10.49. This massive plate of food includes short ribs, chicken, beef, fried dumplings, rice and 3 choices of sides (in this case, japchae, kimchi and broccoli). Honestly, it can easily feed 2 people easily. Although the meats are dry (in particular the chicken) and the sauce is teriyaki, the food is okay for a food fair. For those less hungry, there is the Lunch Special that includes chicken, beef, rice, choice of 2 sides and a soft drink for $8.69.
Now I wouldn't recommend the Ginger Salmon ($9.49) though. The pink salmon filet is dry and flavourless. However, the ginger dressing is nice though. Also, for takeout joint, the kimchi is flavourful and aesthetically-pleasing. I've had the side of fried potatoes a few times and I have to say you will either love it or hate it. I'm not a huge fan because they are super-greasy and overly sweet. Whatever the case, if you goal is to get really full and on the cheap at the mall food fair, Koryo is a good bet.
The Good:
- Massive portions
- Good choices of sides (Banchan)
- Good value
The Bad:
- Meats are dry (since they are reheated)
- Flavours are too sweet (teriyaki sauce)
There is no doubt that we have a wealth of Asian cuisine in the GVRD. However, there are some that are poorly represented. One of which is Indian Chinese food. This cuisine originated out of Kolkata, India as there was a significant Hakka population prior to the second Sino-Indian War. Many left and immigrated to places such as Australia, the US and Canada. Therefore, we are lucky for the exposure to this cuisine from restaurants that include the Green Lettuce, Chili Pepper House, Asian Spice, Indian Wok and Hakka Masti. Now we can add another, Chili House, which is located near the border between Surrey and Langley.
I was invited by the owner to try the place out and since this type of food is best shared, I brought some eating assistants in Furniture Guy and Furniture Girl. We started with the Spicy Green Beans which were the beneficiary of good wok heat and just enough oil-blanching. Hence, they were vibrant and still crunchy despite being cooked all the way through. With a generous amount of garlic and chilis, there was noticeable spice and aromatics. Onto our next dish, we had the Spicy Ginger & Garlic Beef. There was not much filler to this dish as it consisted mainly of fried beef. By virtue of the double-cooking process, the beef was more firm than moist (which is typical of this type of dish anyways). Again, with a good wok toss of onion, ginger, garlic, chilis and vinegar, the flavours were purposeful and apparent.
Moving on, we tried the Haaji Prawns which were fried in a light batter and wok tossed with chili flakes, garlic and green onion. Naturally, this meant bold flavours which went really well together. Again, there was a definite spice to the dish, yet not overpowering. The prawns themselves were meaty with a slight snap. A familiar dish arrived next being the Singapore Fried Noodles. This was again, the beneficiary of intense wok heat as the flavours were caramelized. The peppers and onions were still crunchy while the shrimp had a cold-water snap. On the other hand, I found the noodles slightly too dry (even though it is supposed to be, just drier than usual). There was just enough curry and spice without causing a firestorm in my mouth.
Continuing on with the feast, we were served a non-spicy dish (for the kiddies) being the Mix Fried Rice consisting of shrimp, chicken, peas, carrots, onion and egg. Consistent with the other dishes, the ample wok heat ensured dry, chewy rice with caramelized flavours. This was a good side to all the other spicy dishes, especially the Garlic Fish. Okay, by looking at the picture, one would assume it was sweet n' sour fish, but the flavours were much more than that. It was a combination of a mild sweet n' sour with garlic and a good dose of heat. As for the fish itself, it was moist with a slightly gummy batter due to the ample amount of moisture on the plate.
We actually got 2 versions of the Hakka Chow Mein with one being spicy and the other without (once again for the kiddies). With elements similar to Shanghainese fried noodles, this dish consisted of chewy wok fried noodles with rich dark soy and a balanced amount of spiciness. There was also a noticeable smokiness as it was evidently touched by a flaming hot wok. Onto a familiar sounding dish, we had the Kung Pao Chicken (but the Indian Chinese version of course). Now, unlike the North Americanized version, this was not subjected to a sweet goopy sauce. Rather, it was a drier and spicier. Now, in terms of spicier, I also mean more spices as well. Hence, the flavours were more intense and caramelized.
Onto a second chicken dish, we had the House Special Chicken which was included a host of veggies. As such, the flavours were similar, yet different than the previous dish. Despite the veggies, there was no residual moisture at the bottom of the plate. Once again, there was a noted spiciness to the dish. We finished off the meal with Fried Banana with ice cream. Unlike Szechuan cuisine, where the heat level can be tongue-numbing (thanks to the peppercorns and depending on how hot you like it), Indian-Chinese food exhibits purposeful heat. Hence, we could still taste the other spices, in particularly cumin. At Chili House, the food was good and benefited from high wok heat. It now joins the ranks of Green Lettuce and Chili Pepper House as great places to get Indian Chinese food.
*Note - this was an invited dinner where all food was comped except for gratuities
The Good:
- Good wok heat
- Purposeful spice
The Bad:
- Meats were a bit drier than I'm used to
Okay, you know those restaurants that are way, way down on your "to dine at" list? Yup, I have many of those. I see them all the time and figure I'd get to them eventually, but I really wouldn't make much of an effort to do so. One of those is Days Thai out on Edmonds. There have been some close calls as I have almost stopped to eat there and in fact, one time I was at the 7-11 next door. It was that close! Finally, Viv and I were out-of-ideas and took the plunge.
Looking over the menu, I kept flipping back to the set meals due the "better deal" it offered. In reality, it just meant we would get spring rolls, satay and rice included in the package. With that, that's what we started with. I thought the Chicken Satay was pretty good where each skewer was packed with moist chicken meat. There was a good char as well as a decent curry marinade. I wasn't a huge fan of the overly peanut buttery sauce though. As for the Spring Rolls, they were plenty crunchy but lacked filling. It was like eating hollow rolls.
In addition to overhearing the staff speak Mandarin, the size of the next dish was a dead giveaway that this was not authentic Thai. The Basil Beef was large enough to make 4 dishes at other Thai restaurants (very Chinese portion size). Thirdly, the beef was tenderized which is indicative of Cantonese-style cooking rather than Thai. With those things being said, the dish wasn't bad as there was good wok heat affording crunchy peppers and caramelized meat. They were a bit heavy handed with the palm sugar though.
Next up was the Chicken Green Curry that featured large slices of breast meat. It was sufficiently tender, yet probably would've been best if they cut it up into smaller pieces. The sauce was a bit too thin for our tastes as it was very mild and lacking in any strong flavours. Lastly, we had the Pad Thai which was easily 3 times larger than most. As you can clearly see, they used ketchup which made the whole thing yearning for zip. On the positive side, they did use pressed tofu and pickled turnip while the rice noodles were toothsome. Now if it wasn't apparent to you while reading this post, I'll spell it out - this was not really Thai food. Rather, it was a Chinese interpretation. With that being said, it was edible and the portion size, ridiculous.
The Good:
- Really large portions
- Decent value
The Bad:
- Not really Thai food
- We got decent service, but witnessed a take out customer being treated with impatience
Posts
