Showshaa - The Modern Taproom

Wow, the third South Surrey post in a row!  This must be some sort of record...  Well, it wasn't smooth sailing this time around as not only we hit rush hour traffic, there was an overturned car on Hwy 99.  Yah, that took us a long time to get there.  Also, I accidentally deleted the picture of the restaurant, so the one here is from Foodology (who is nice enough to let me use it!).  As you can see, the restaurant is Showshaa and they are yet another bougie Indian restaurant that offers up modern dishes within a classy dining space.

Since we were here during Happy Hour, we sampled a few items from that menu including the Sesame Paneer Fingers with a sweet and spicy chili sauce.  Nice presentation being served in its own shot glasses and dip.  It was practical too since we could double-dip to our hearts content.  I found the dip necessary too as the sticks themselves were all about texture and needed something something.  About that texture, the outside was crunchy while the inside was the usual soft squishiness of paneer.

Next up, we had the Mumbai Spiced Prawns served with a creamy dip.  Honestly, I didn't even use the dip as the prawns themselves were a flavour bomb.  The red chili powder not only gave the prawns an appealing colour, there was some earthy spice to them.  I did use the lemon wedge to bring some brightness to the dish though.  Prawn texture was on point too with a meaty snap and a slight exterior crunch.

Staying with small fried bites, we got the Fish Pakora served with tartar sauce and creamy mint chutney.  The large chunks of Pacific cod were moist and flaky while the batter was crispy and light.  Nice earthiness from the marinade and the spices in the batter.  I did dip these in the chutney and it was creamy with definite herb notes while being bright as well.

Yes, here is another fried item in the Chicken Lollipops but believe me, they fry things beautifully at Showshaa!  These "Frenched" chicken drumettes had all of the meat bunched up at the end and that created a pocket of juiciness while the outside was supremely crunchy.  These were good on their own, but dunking them into the hot garlic sauce on the side meant there was some real flavour going on.

One of the more interesting dishes was the Showshaa Signature Sizzler with chicken tikka, cheesy Szechuan sauce, rice, fries and vegetables.  This was a mess of food figuratively and literally.  Such zestiness with sweet, tang and spice combined with tender pieces of chicken.  Not only was the rice a nice way to enjoy the sauce, the fries were equally enjoyable in a poutine-like manner.

One of their best Happy Hour deals is the Butter Chicken Combo complete with naan and rice for only $16.99!  How many places can you get a complete meal for that price these days?  Well, price is one thing, but how about execution?  As you can see, the naan was nicely blistered with a crispy bottom while the rest of it was soft with an appealing chew.  The butter chicken featured tender chunks of thigh meat while the sauce was creamy and rich.  It had mild tomato notes, smokiness and a medium spice level.

Attractively-plated, the Mixed Grill Board featured Soya Chaap, Chicken Tikka, Tandoori Fish, and Malai Chicken Tikka.  We found naan sticks in the middle as well as a host of sauces.  I found most of the meats to be nicely charred and marinated while tender.  However, the fish was a bit over done.  Loved the naan sticks as they were crispy with some pleasant elasticity.  This was a very good sharing platter that had curb appeal.

We finished strong with a host of curries including Lamb Rogen Josh, Chicken Korma, Coconut Fish Curry,  Mata Malai Methi and   Amritsari Cholay.  These were on point and delicious.  I particularly loved the fish curry as it was aromatic and sweet.  The lamb was tender with plenty of the usual fall-flavour spices.  Chicken korma was nutty and sweet while the chickpea curry was sweet with some spice.  Finally, the mata malai methi was full of sweet peas in a creamy mild curry.  Overall, the food at Showshaa is good and well-portioned.  Love the dining space and they really like to put on a show with their drinks and plating of the food.  Good option out in South Surrey for Northern Indian cuisine.

*All food and beverages were complimentary for this blog post*

The Good:

- Solid eats

- Well-portioned

- A little bit of glitz

The Bad:

- Many dishes are not authentic and won't please the authenticity police, but I find the fusion to be quite good

Chakura Tea Cafe

Now after a filling and delicious brunch at The Wooden Spoon, Jackie and I made our way down the street to a cute lil' Japanese spot going by the name of Chakura Tea Cafe.  In addition to hot and cold beverages, they feature some cakes and treats as well as a selection of hot items.  For all of the Japanese restaurants we have in the GVRD, we don't have many that serve the things that Chakura offer, let alone one in South Surrey/White Rock.

Getting right to it, we were first served the Pork Katsu Bowl.  This was a healthy portion of perfectly cooked rice that was chewy but not dry topped with a salad and a thick pork cutlet.  It was coated with panko and fried just enough that it was crunchy on the outside while still moist and juicy on the inside.  Don't be alarmed with the modest drizzle of tonkatsu sauce on the top because there was a side of it to make it more saucy to your heart's content!

Next, we had the Spicy Chicken Karaage Bowl with the same chewy short grain rice.  Yep, we had the same fresh salad with greens, tomatoes and edamame.  The dressing was typical Japanese being sweet, tangy and slightly salty.  Onto the chicken, they were in large chunks of dark meat with a crispy coating.  Like the pork katsu, the chicken was juicy and dressed with a sweet and tangy sauce that did have a noticeable kick.

Staying with the same protein, we had the Curry Chicken Karaage.  Unlike the other 2 items, this was served on a plate (so that the curry didn't drench everything).  Of course the chicken karaage was the same as the previous dish, but with the curry, this ate very differently.  The curry softened up the outside of the chicken more so and provided an aromatic and subtle flavour.  In typical Japanese fashion, the curry was not spicy and trended towards the sweeter side.  However, I found this one to be not as sweet.  Nice viscosity where it sauced the rice without making it soggy.

For those who aren't into the fried meats, the next bowl might be your fancy.  We had the Shrimp & Avocado Poké Bowl that was significantly lighter than the previous dishes.  In addition to the same rice and salad, we found fresh avocado, wakame salad and of course sautéed shrimp.  They were cooked just right where they had a buttery snap.  The seasoning was sufficient to seasoned the shrimp but more sauce was need for the rice.

Another use of the pork katsu was for the Pork Katsu Sando that featured a substantial amount of cabbage.  I do believe that there was a bit too much of it and it obscured the pork.  I would've also liked the bread to be toasted a bit less as it become a bit hard.  However, the pork was just as good as the first bowl we had where it was juicy with a crunchy exterior.  I believe with a few tweaks, this sando would be really good.

Same could be said about the Egg Salad Croissant.  It was quite good and would've been perfect except for one detail.  They used processed cheese in it that made the entire thing salty.  However, I did mention that to them and I believe that will be changed.  As for the croissant, it was crispy and buttery.  The egg salad was creamy with enough seasoning.  Fresh greens completed this sandwich.

Of course we had to also try all of their Roll Cakes including the blueberry, chocolate, mango and strawberry.  These were super light and airy where eating one wouldn't be very hard to do.  However, I thought they were a little on the dry side, but the fresh cream did help alleviate that problem.  I found the sweetness to be on point where it was just right.

Lastly, we also tried some of their drinks including the Hojicha Pearl Milk Tea.  This was good with balanced sweetness while being a bit smoky and aromatic.  Nice creaminess too while the pearls were perfectly textured being chewy, yet soft.  Overall, the food at Chakura was pretty solid and in significant portions.  I think the roll cakes could use a bit of work, otherwise, definitely a great place to grab some lunch and a drink.

*All food and beverages were complimentary for this blog post*

The Good:

- Unique for the area

- Good portions

- Well-prepared hot food

The Bad:

- Roll cakes could be more moist

The Wooden Spoon

Wow, we are on a roll with restaurants I have not revisited in a long time.  This is especially true with spots in South Surrey/White Rock (there will be some more upcoming ones from this area!).  I originally dined at the Wooden Spoon over 10 years ago and then a few more times since then.  I always thought their brunch was very good and could challenge for the best in the GVRD.  We were invited back to try some classics as well as many new favourites. No, they didn't have to ask twice!

Going in order from the menu, we went for a Benny in the Bay Benny with crispy Cajun prawns, tomato jam, guacamole and smoked paprika.  This was very delicious where 

the Champagne 

Hollandaise was velvety and surprisingly bright-tasting.  Mind you, with the spiced prawns, these were the main flavouring agent in this dish.  Loved the chive cheddar biscuit as the base since it was buttery and soft with a crispy shell.  Egg was soft-poached and added moisture to soften the crispy parts.  Side of herb & garlic baby potatoes were soft and creamy on the inside with an aromatic taste.

Next up was the Pulled Pork Hash with house-made BBQ sauce, roasted bell peppers & onion, pulled pork, crisp baby potatoes, crispy shallots, chive gremolata and sunny side eggs.  This was a fulfilling and almost zesty-tasting concoction.  I say almost because it really wasn't spicy per se, but it was flavourful in an intensely sweet and tangy way.  The perfectly sunny side eggs added the silkiness of the yolks while the gremolata provided an herbed brightness.

Possibly their most classic brunch offering is the Sweet & Salty featuring French loaf, aged cheddar, double-smoked bacon, poached

eggs, Champagne Hollandaise, Maple syrup and chive gremolata.  As its name suggests, the whole premise behind this dish is that it meshes savoury with sweet.  It was completely achieved with the syrup mixing with the smoky saltiness of the bacon.  Moreover, the Hollandaise made the entire dish creamy, yet not heavy.  Nice textures were at play too with the crispiness of the bacon, crunch from the crust and also the stringiness of the cheese.

Onto the breakie sammie section of the menu, we decided to try the Sausage & Biscuit sporting pork sausage patty, scrambled egg, aged cheddar, garlic mayo and cheddar chive biscuit.  Looking at the picture, this had Pine State written all over it, except I liked the biscuit at Wooden Spoon more.  This was crispy on the outside, while full-flavoured and soft on the inside.  Add in the meaty home-style pork sausage with the melted cheese and creamy eggs, there was no shortage of classic breakfast flavours and textures.  You would be full on this sammie.

Looking quite inconspicuous, the Steak & Egg brioche bun hid shaved ribeye, house-made BBQ sauce, sunny egg, aged cheddar and horseradish mayo.  Unlike most breakfast sandwiches on brioche, this one had more richness due to the fatty ribeye.  The popped egg yolk provided the necessary moisture to soften the thinly sliced meat.  Horseradish mayo did its job providing a tangy creamy heat.  Side of fresh-cut fries were good too being crispy.

Off to something sweet, we tried Nana's House French Toast with banana mascarpone, caramel, whipped cream, chocolate chips and sliced banana.  We made it a Dad's Plate and added 2 slices of double-smoked bacon and a chicken apple sausage.  Yah, this was pretty awesome as the bread was properly soaked where it was custardy in the middle while the outside was aromatic and slightly crispy.  The banana aroma permeated through the entire dish while the sweetness was just right.

Going in a completely different direction in relation to the other dishes we had, the Smoothie Bowl brought back memories of Carioca Bowls in Portland.  It was a combination of fresh berries, coconut milk, almonds, pumpkin seeds and granola with a side of vegan banana bread.  It was almost like a palate cleanser with a cold and refreshing fruitiness.  Nice texture from the nuts, seeds and granola.  Oh and that banana bread... So freakin' awesome!  Super moist with a balance sweetness and a smoky caramelized bark.

From there, we ordered off the lunch menu with the BBQ Smoked Meat Poutine firmly in our sights.  This was made up of BBQ Montreal smoked meat ends, cheese curds, homestyle gravy, fries, crispy shallots and chive gremolata.  Oh yes, this was even better than it sounded!  With a base of the same crispy fries, it was a nice canvas for the rich (not salty) gravy and melted cheese curds.  Naturally, the tender smoked meat was the star.

Of course we were going to ordered the OG Spoon Burger as well!  This thing was pretty large with 2 smashed beef patties, aged cheddar, Co Sauce, double smoked bacon, crispy onion ring, pickle and arugula on brioche.  Yah, this was no sissy burger because they loaded up with the thick bacon and there was no shortage of moist beef.  The soft brioche formed to hug all the ingredients so we had a little of everything in each bite.

Completing our selections from the lunch section, we had the Mac & Cheese topped with breadcrumbs and parmesan.  We added bacon for good measure.  This featured al dente noodles that held onto the cheese sauce quite well.  There was enough of it to keep things saucy and cheesy.  I would've liked a bit more sharpness, but it was still well-seasoned and the bacon didn't hurt either.

So we ended things on a sweet note with the Cinnamon Bun and also the Sticky Toffee Pudding.  With a cream cheese frosting, the cinnamon bun was full of sweetness and of course, cinnamon.  It was soft and best shared (which we did) after such a filling brunch.  As for the sticky toffee pudding, it was moist and full of rich smoky sweetness.  It wasn't crazy sweet though compared to other versions I've had.

Our final item was something we were looking forward to since walking in the door.  They had 2 featured Malasadas that were as good as the ones I've had at Leonard's in Oahu.  They were light but still had an appealing chewiness.  They have rotating flavours, so be sure to call ahead to check.  Oh and don't go too late in the day as they sell out fast!  Gotta say this visit to the Wooden Spoon exceeded my expectations.  As mentioned, I've been here several times in the past and this time was even better.  Worth the drive out to White Rock!

*All food and beverages were complimentary for this post*

The Good:

- Delicious food across the board

- Good portion sizes

- Those malasadas!

The Bad:

- Well, far for most people, but worth it!

- It gets rather busy, but yah, it is good duh...

Koto Izakaya

Here we go once again with a place that I visited quite some time ago but got lost in the new restaurant shuffle.  Hence, I never got a chance to return despite it being the appealing combination of decent eats, large portions and fair pricing.  The place is Koto Izakaya in Richmond.  This time around, it is the same story where an invite has both reminded me this place still exists and also gives me a chance to see if they have changed in any way.

We started with a pair of small dishes including the Tako Wasabi and an Appetizer Sashimi.  I thought the tako wasabi was pretty textbook with tender little pieces of octopus mixed with crunchy pickled veg while dressed lightly with wasabi.  This came with nori sheets as per usual.  As for the sashimi, you can clearly see in the picture that it was vibrant, colourful and had a fresh sheen.  I particularly enjoyed the hamachi.

Continuing on with some fried items, we had the Chicken Karaage as well as the Assorted Tempura.  Presented in large chunks of dark meat, the chicken karaage was tender and juicy.  I found the batter to be just a hair thicker than I would've liked, but it was still crunchy and well-seasoned.  The tempura was neatly plated and was also flawless in execution.  The batter was crispy and light while the veggies were not overcooked.  Ebi was buttery and had a nice light snap.

Onto some Aburi with the Aburi Salmon Oshi as well as the Aburi Nigiri Combo.  Despite being quite good, the oshi needed a bit more colour on the top from the torching.  I guess we eat with our eyes and it just would've looked more appealing.  But the rice was good, fish was buttery and the sauce was flavourful without being greasy.  As for the nigiri, there was more colour and hence, they looked more appealing.  These were pretty solid with vibrant fish and chewy seasoned sushi rice.

We got a bit fancier with the A5 Wagyu Beef Roll with avocado and asparagus on the inside with some green onion on top. This was a fairly straightforward roll that featured a soft texture with the butteriness of Wagyu beef.  One of the biggest treats was the Uni & Ikura Don.  Sometimes, uni can be a crapshoot, but this bowl was sweet and creamy with pops of brininess from the ikura.  The sushi rice also on point with an appealing chewiness.

We also got a selection of Robata including Beef Short Rib, Unagi, Angus Beef and Chicken Yakitori.  As you can see, the portion size was fair while the meat exhibited charring.  They were seasoned well with the short rib being my favourite.  The chicken and beef was also good with a nice marinade while being juicy.  Overall, the food at Koto Izakaya is a good value.  Prices are completely fair and the food is quite good.  Portion sizes are also decent.

*All food and beverages were complimentary for this post*

The Good:

- Fair pricing

- Good portions

- Overall good food

The Bad:

- Charring on the salmon oshi could've been more aggressive

- Parking can be limited

Match Eatery & Public House Burger Bender 2024

Here we are again...  Another year, another Burger Bender!  Yep, I look forward to this every time Match Eatery & Public House invite me to try all, and I mean all of their featured burgers for this event (which runs until February 25th).  I believe that Match serves some of the best burgers amongst the chain restaurants in the Lower Mainland.  Actually, they compete pretty well with all burgers in general.  I visited the Ladner location in Delta as usual since this is the newest of the bunch.

Let's start off real strong with their ode to Anthony Bourdain with the "No Reservations" Burger with a 6oz smashed patty, griddled mortadella, white ribbon cheese, dijonnaise, lettuce and red onion on a croissant roll.  This was so delicious with a nicely charred patty that was still moist inside.  The mortadella did its best impression of bacon while cheese was definitely noticeable.  What brought the whole thing together was the croissant roll as it was crispy, flaky and light.  For the side, we had the Breaded Onion Rings (thick cut too) and they were on point as usual.  I feel this is the only way to do onion rings because the breading is crunchy while the onion still retains its shape and texture.

Close behind in our favourites of the bunch was the Seared Tuna Burger with lemongrass seared rare ahi tuna, Asian slaw, avocado, wasabi aioli, sprouts and wonton crisps on a black sesame brioche bun.  The large and thick piece of tuna was cooked to perfection being rare in the middle while charred crispy on the outside.  It was smoky and aromatic while the Asian flavours such as the sesame oil in the slaw and the wasabi were the right compliments for the fish.

So another winner was the Italian Stallion Chicken Parm featuring 2 pieces of crispy breaded chicken thighs with spicy marinara, fresh mozzarella, pesto, butter lettuce and roasted garlic mayo on a herbed parmesan panini.  This was a properly executed sandwich where the chicken was super juicy while the breading was crispy.  Nice tang and spice from the marinara while the cheesiness really came through.  The bun was nicely toasted with a crunch but also soft and flavourful.  We had a Green Goddess Salad served on the side and the dressing was creamy and herbaceous.

The hits kept coming with the Mighty Mushroom with the same 6oz smashed patty with sauteed cremini & button mushrooms, Boursin, dijonnaise, tomato, red onion and lettuce on a brioche bun. This was not devoid of impact since there was plenty of woodsiness from the mushrooms while the boursin did its cheesy herb thing.  Lots of crunch from the fresh veggies and all encapsulated in a aggressively toasted bun.  The side of fresh-cut fries were crispy and plenty potatoey. 

Onto the Burger Bender 2023 Champion, we had the French Onion Big Dipper.  This thing sported the same smash patty with a crispy onion ring, caramelized onions, double Swiss, dijonnaise and arugula on brioche.  However, the one thing that put this over the top was the side of French onion soup serving as a dip for the burger.  Beyond the already deliciously cheesey and onion-forward burger, the dip was rich and sweet without the usual saltiness associated with the soup.  The side of Yam Fries were crispy and sweet.

Lastly, we had the Veg Head and yes, I know what you are all thinking...  But really, I enjoyed this!  The house-made wild rice and black bean patty was super crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.  Compliments included avocado, red onion, tomato, jack cheese, sprouts and house mayo on a multigrain bun.  The side of Dirty Fries was a meal in itself with cheese sauce and bacon bits.  As you can see, there is a little of something for everyone at Match's Burger Bender.  Nice job on creating 3 new ones for this year with my favourite being the "No Reservations".  That one is definitely worth trying.

*All food and beverages were complimentary for this post*

The Good:

- They put in the effort to create some unique burgers

- Each one is very distinct from each other

- On point execution

The Bad:

- Still longing for their donut burger from 2 years ago, are they bringing it back?