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Are there any restaurants that you've been meaning to try for awhile and every time you try, they are either too busy or closed randomly? Well for myself, that particular restaurant is Malay Curry House. For the 3rd time, it was an epic fail since they were closed once again for the long weekend (last time, it was Summer holidays). Hey, I don't blame them since everyone deserves a vacation, but it doesn't do much for my food adventures. Furthermore, with Costanza, Elaine and the kiddies joining us, we had to choose a backup plan quick. So we ended up heading over to Benss Cafe on Victoria instead.
Interestingly, despite being a "Hong Kong-style cafe", their menu includes hot pot rice much like The One Spot down the road and build-you-own-noodle much like the somewhat nearby Deer Garden on Fraser. Can one place do it all? To test this theory, we started with Vermicelli in Laksa Broth with chive dumplings and beef brisket. This was a fairly mild and watery version where it was more coconutty than fragrant and spicy. The noodles were cooked right while the brisket was fatty and decently tender. The dumplings were a bit doughy but okay. We also got an Udon in Original Fish Broth with
fish tofu and luncheon meat (the kids wanted it). Well, the broth was pretty tasteless and completely lacking in body. I wouldn't recommend anyone ordering this. We also got 2 sides consisting of Fried Chicken Wings and Fried Pork Chop. These were deep-fried properly being crisp on the outside. However, the wings were a little dry compared to the fairly moist pork chop. Both were seasoned enough with garlic, chilis and the very apparent MSG.
Onto their other "specialty" we got one each of the Sparerib Hot Pot Rice and Chinese Sausage & Preserved Meat Hot Pot Rice. Compared with the soups, these were much more pleasing. Since the spareribs were more wet, the rice in that hot pot wasn't as chewy. However, there was still a decent rice crust which was not burnt or too hard to eat. There was plenty of flavourful spareribs which were easy to chew while exhibiting some bounce texture. For the "Lap Mei Fan", the rice was much nuttier and chewier (with the help of the fat from the sausage). The rice crust was even more crunchy here due to the fat as well.
Moving to a staple of HK-style cafes, we had the 3-Item Meal. But first, it came with a choice of Borscht or Cream of Corn & Chicken. I had the cream soup and it was a fairly large steaming hot bowl. Although loaded with sweet corn and chunks of chicken, the soup itself was rather bland. Of course it was more starch-thickened than creamy, which didn't add much flavour as well. For our 3 proteins, we chose Chicken Steak, Fried Pork Cutlet and Beef Short Ribs with a side of spaghetti and black pepper sauce. The best way to describe this dish would be "home-style" because everything lacked finesse. The chicken steak was not really all that juicy while the skin was not crispy. The pork cutlet was crunchy, but lacking in flavour while the short rib was too chewy and missing any sear. As for the sauce, it had no impact.
Lastly, we tried the BBQ Duck & Preserved Vegetable Vermicelli. As with many of the other dishes, this was not very tasty. Considering the ingredients, it was a bit strange to taste barely anything other than the onions. Beyond that, the noodles were not overcooked while the amount of duck was fair. Overall, as you can probably guess, the food at Benss Cafe is average at best. Nothing was particularly terrible, yet at the same time, the food didn't elicit any feelings of a return visit either.
The Good:
- Decent portions
- Okay service
- Lots of choice
The Bad:
- Food lacks finesse
- Flavours are a bit off
There is no question that I will travel for food. But hey, one must get out of their comfort zone every now and then right? I hear the usual moans and groans when I suggest we eat in the 'burbs. Geez, it's not like I'm asking people to head to a foreign country for eats. So whenever I get a chance, I take it upon myself to make the journey in search of good eats. Hence, when it was time to take my mom out for her birthday, I made it a point to resist going into Downtown Vancouver. Rather, we made the trek out to White Rock for some French at Le Vol au Vent.
This little bistro is a mom n' pop operation which somewhat resembles a smaller version of La Regalade out in West Van. They started us off with an Amuse Bouche consisting of chicken liver pate on bread. Silky smooth and buttery with a hint of cognac, the liver pate was sweet and mildly salted. For me, I really wished that the bread was either softer or crunchier rather than being hard and chewy. Our first appie was somewhat on the same theme being the Rillettes de Canard (Duck Pate) served with gherkins and olives. The texture was a good combination of smooth elements mixed in with the meatiness of the duck. It was fairly mild with a natural duck flavour accented by a good amount of pepper.
Next up, we had the Calamari sauteed with olive oil and garlic. Sizzling on a hot plate, the tender squid was battered in a rustic fashion (which means it was not uniformly in this case). Hence, there was alternating textures of just squid combined with bites of crunchiness from the nuggets of batter. If it weren't for the lemon wedges, the dish was would've been lacking in impact since it was a bit underseasoned. We tried to entice the kids into trying the Escargots a la Perigourdine to no avail. Even the ample butter and garlic didn't work since it was quite obvious what these were. Hey we liked them as they were tender and not rubbery. And as mentioned, the ample flavour from the garlic, herbs and butter didn't hurt things.
My mom decided to try the Lobster Bisque which was a whole lot different than what she has been used to. Rather than a rich and creamy concoction, this one was quite thin and very peppery. Hence, the lobster essence was somewhat lost. On the other hand, I could definitely get some cognac at the finish of each spoonful. For her main, she went for the Carre D'agneau Roti Garlic and Rosemary (Rack of Lamb). This was nicely prepared where the meat was medium-rare (closer to the medium side) and super moist. It was crusted in rosemary and garlic which was evident in every bite. She actually got the last order as the table beside us found out. Good to see they keep things fresh.
Viv and I decided to share the Paella for 2 since we knew the kiddies would be game as well. Now if this made you wonder why we ordered a Spanish (particularly Valencian) dish at a French restaurant... Relax, the French do this dish too, but unlike traditional Valencian paella, there is a mix of meat and seafood. The one we tried consisted of pork ribs, chicken drumstick, chorizo, scallops, clams, mussels and shrimp. All the proteins were on point except for the scallops as they were rubbery. As for the rice, it was chewy, yet moist exhibiting a mild spice and light saffron. Most importantly, there was a nice burnt crust on the bottom. Prior and during our meal, the kids were served up 2 complimentary servings of Frites. As you can see, they devoured it before I could get a good picture. They were crunchy and light (almost like shoestring fries).
My dad started with the French Onion Soup and it was fairly light as well as maintaining a rich sweet onion flavour. It wasn't salty, which afflicts many versions of this soup. With a dark colour, there was definitely depth as well. Finishing it off, there was a nice layer of melted gruyere atop the crouton. For his main, he had the Bouillabaisse (Seafood Stew) complete with the same seafood found in our paella except with the addition of fish. The seafood was not overcooked while the broth was like a water-down version of the lobster bisque. Hence, there was similar flavours with the addition of more white wine. Not bad while not extraordinary either.
We decided to share 2 desserts from their impressive counter top display (much like La Regalade). Of course, I predictably chose the Lemon Tart. It featured a softer-style crust which somewhat blended into the same texture as the lemon curd. It wasn't overly sweet nor tart. Instead it was mild and subdued. Lastly, we had the Berry Tart topped with chocolate sauce and served with ice cream. This was flaky and crispy with the tartness of the berries which was offset by the chocolate and ice cream. Overall, we found the food to be hit and miss, especially considering the prices. However, when there was a hit, it was pretty good. On the other hand, the warm and humourous shtick from the owners was definitely a hit though. That alone could entice me to return.
The Good:
- Simple and to the point food
- Wonderful people
- Quaint
The Bad:
- Somewhat hit and miss
- Pricey
With Sunday morning hockey starting up once again, I was looking forward to my weekly lunches with Milhouse and JuJu afterwards. However, with Vanfoodster's Scavenger Hunt on the sched for the afternoon, it meant I only had minimal time to scarf down some food. My solution? Eat at Little Saigon in Yaletown due to its proximity to the starting point of the scavenger hunt (at Xoxolat). Since Whipping Girl was joining me for the event, she ended up meeting us at the restaurant.
We began with the Saigon Platter consisting of Salad Rolls, Spring Rolls, Dumplings, Grilled Pork and Salad. The salad rolls were a touch loose, but the textures were spot on. Despite the use of wheat wrappers, the spring rolls were crispy while the filling was moist and well-seasoned. I liked crunchy chicken dumplings, but the filling was a bit bland. Although a bit salty, the grilled pork was tender with a good char. For myself, I had to order Tom's Special which was an extra large bowl of pho with meatballs, brisket and rare beef. This was large, but not exceptionally large for the price. I found the broth to be on the lighter side, but pleasant enough. I wouldn't say it had a lot of distinguishing flavours being neither too sweet nor salty. It was fairly clean though and scorching hot (a good thing). I did like the rare beef as it was really tender. As a side note, I asked for no green onions, but with cilantro and as you see in the picture, it was plain.
Milhouse had the Saigon Satay with meatballs, brisket and rare beef in a spicy broth. I gave it a try and it wasn't particularly hot (spice-wise), but it was aromatic. The meats were the same as the regular Pho which was a good thing. Lastly, JuJu had the Lemongrass Chicken on Rice. This was a fairly decent portion on top of a large mound of chewy rice. Although the chicken was tender and sufficiently marinated with enough sugar and lemongrass, it was longing for some char which could've added smokiness and caramelization. Overall, we didn't mind the food at Little Saigon, especially since there are very few choices for Vietnamese food in Downtown (especially rare in Yaletown). Prices are fairly reasonable given the location and the service we received was courteous.
The Good:
- Decent for Yaletown
- Okay pricing for the location
- Above-average service
The Bad:
- Okay pricing, but it is still a bit more
- Food is okay for Yaletown, but naturally, you can get better elsewhere
Who doesn't like a good meaty burger? A vegetarian I suppose, but then again, there are meatless burgers. Some are actually quite good, but for Burger Palooza (presented by Vanfoodster), it was all about the meat. I was invited to sample creations from 5 different spots in and around Downtown on a very rainy day in Vancouver. Interestingly, the weather has mostly cooperated with these events so far. I guess Mother Nature is a vegetarian? To help me with the eating, Snake slithered along while Alvin joined us as well.
Our first stop was at Milestones on Robson. We were presented with a Stacked Burger with a mini-version of their Tuna Taco. Consisting of a Prime Rib burger on a Brioche Bun, stacked with smoked meat, bacon strips, button mushrooms, caramelized onions, cheddar and horseradish cream, there was no lack of flavour or textures. Typical of Milestones burgers, the meat was super moist, yet somewhat overprocessed where it lacked meatiness. We then moved onto Kobob Burger where we tried a Mini-Bulgogi Rice Burger with marinated pork and veggies complimented by a slice of Korean pancake and Kimchi. I liked the meat as it was really moist and not overly sweet. The rice bun was a bit difficult to manage, but I found eating the scraps with a fork easier. The kimchi was pretty legit with a good crunch with just enough spiciness.
Over at the Bismarck, we were treated to a Chorizo Prawn Slider consisting of a chorizo patty, tiger prawn, goat cheese, house-pickled onion, iceberg lettuce and paprika aioli on a brioche slider bun. I like this concoction as there was a pleasant spiciness tempered by the cold-water snap of the tiger prawn. The patty itself was moist and went well with the crunchy acidic onions and creamy goat cheese. Continuing on, we had the Famous Cowburger at Yagger's (Alvin had the Chorizo Burger). This was made of an organic beef & pork patty seasoned with chipotle peppers, peppercorn mayo, aged white cheddar and double smoked bacon. I found this burger to be flavourful and meaty. The spice came through while the sharpness of the aged cheddar and smokiness of the bacon added more elements. My only wish was the bacon be crispier.
Our final burger was at Buckstop. It was made with Venison stuffed with blue cheese and mushrooms. Served on the side was house-made potato chips with horseradish aioli. Despite being a lean meat, the venison was moist and juicy benefiting from the blue cheese. Hence, the meat was flavourful from the cheese as well. The chips were a firm crunchy and was amped by the horseradish mayo. We ended off our adventure with Deebee's Teapops at a kiosk setup in front of Whole Foods. I sampled the Minty Mint made with organic mint leaves and freshly-brewed mint and Rooibos herbal tea. It was only slightly minty while not being too sweet - definitely a refreshing end to the meat-filled adventure.
*All food was comped*
The Good:
- Pretty decent eats across the board
- Okay value if tickets are purchased early
The Bad:
- Locations a bit scattered
- Some variety (ie. Vegetarian, yes really) would've been nice
Quick, what is the first thing that comes to mind when I say "Neapolitan-style pizza in Vancouver"? The usual suspects would be Nicli Antica, Farina, Via Tevere, Pizzeria Barbarella, Famoso and even the newly opened Carano. However, what about Novo Pizzeria and Wine Bar? Yah, even Whipping Girl wasn't aware of the place even though it has been around for awhile. Hence, with an invite to revisit the place, I got Whipping Girl to join me in trying some ol' favourites as well as some new ones.
With free reign with the menu, it seemed tempting to order it all, but Whipping Girl and I couldn't challenge the appetite of Mijune, so we kept it reasonable. We started with a favourite of mine being the Sicilian Meatballs accented with currants, pine nuts, reggiano and marinara. These were nicely browned on the outside while soft, moist and slightly loose on the inside. The flavours were well-thought out where the sweetness of the currants, the tartness of the tomato sauce and the saltiness of the cheese provided balance. Next up, we got the Burrata with arugula, oven-dried tomatoes and grilled house-made bread. Since the burrata is imported from Italy, timing is everything since it should be consumed within 48 hours. For us, the cheese was still creamy and buttery, so whatever the case, it was fine.
We also had the Winter Caprese with fior di latte, oven roasted tomatoes, balsamic pearls and pesto. Beautifully plated, there a nice balance of sweet and acidic notes from the tomatoes and balsamic pearls. The addition of EVOO and the pesto afforded extra aromatics. Since the cheese was essentially a blank canvas, these flavours were needed to bring it alive. Apparently, the pizza dough had changed since my last visit. However, the ample leoparding had not - as clearly illustrated in the picture of the DOP Margherita (DOP = Denominazione di Origine Protetta or Protected Designation of Origin). That meant there was a smoky-nuttiness to the properly seasoned crust. Texturally, it was crispy on the outside and underneath all the way nearly to the centre where it was a touch soggy. Generally, a Neapolitan pizza should have a soft centre, but this could've been a little less so. As for the San Marzano tomato sauce, it was good with a nice balance of acidity and sweetness.
Onto some pastas, we had the Ravioli consisting of roasted pecans, gorgonzola pear balsamic cream sauce and prosciutto. Personally, I'm more into savoury items, so I found the dish on the sweeter side. However, the prosciutto did its thing to help balance the out the sweet pear as well as the balsamic. We thought the roasted pecans were a nice touch as it added both texture and another layer of flavour. On the recommendation of our server, we decided to try the Orecchiette with Italian sausage and fennel pollen in a rose sauce rather than plain olive oil like my last visit. Well, she was completely right as the flavours popped. The double dose of fennel added a licorice-Earthiness which blended well with the creaminess. As for the pasta, it was a firm and toothsome.
For dessert, we tried the Sicilian Cannoli first. Made with buffalo ricotta, candied oranges & lemons, pistachios and orange blossom water, the flavours were pleasant with a mild sweetness accented by a muted acidity. The pastry itself was thin and crisp. However, the filling was not smooth enough in our opinion where it was rather gritty. On the other hand, the Toasted Hazelnut Creme Brulee (Frangelico ganache, rosemary and pine nut cookies with orange granita) was the bomb. We could see why it won the recent creme brulee challenge. Aromatic and smooth while purposefully sweet, the custard lay beneath a nicely torched hard top. The granita added a refreshing slant to the dessert. This was a fine end to a good meal at Novo. The 3 common dishes of both visits didn't disappoint.
*All food excluding tips was comped*
The Good:
- Generally solid eats
- Spacious and inviting dining space
The Bad:
- Fairly small menu
- Pizza crust is good, but the bottom could be a bit drier
Ever since I bought my new goalie skates, I've needed to sharpen them more frequently. You see, they have the Bauer Vertexx system where I can push off while in the butterfly position, hence the need for sharper skates (if you care to know...). So, while waiting for that to be done at the Hockey Shop, I figured it was a good time to get some eats (in particular, takeout). Hence, I made the short drive over to Sushi Plus out on University Drive. With only one table, Sushi Plus is purely takeout.
I decided to try the Red Dragon Roll and for a specialty roll, it was not exactly that impressive to look at. I guess the portion size fit the price. It was essentially a dynamite roll with salmon and spicy sauce on top. I found the rice to be rather dry and tasteless, but the roll as a whole was okay. The ample amount of sauce ensured that there was no absence of spice and moisture. Being inexpensive as well, the Chirashi Don featured strangely sliced pieces of fish. Despite this, textures were okay and nothing tasted amiss. However, the rice was terrible. It was dry and mealy while being almost devoid of any vinegar.
Lastly, for $6.95, I wasn't expecting much from the Assorted Tempura. As it turned out, the portion size was plain massive. The batter was a touch thick, but still crispy while a touch doughy inside. This was a meal in itself as there were many pieces of squash and yam. As you can see, the food ain't anything special at Sushi Plus, but for the price, it does the job.
The Good:
- Inexpensive
- Quick for takeout
The Bad:
- Average eats
- Depending what you order, portion size varies
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