The Good Customer

WHAT? : Japanese-style prawn curry.  (Confession: This dish is actually served with 5 prawns, not 4, as shown in the above picture. I was so hungry that day that I had a prawn before remembering to take this shot. OOOPPS!)

WHY? : Entree was part of a “lunch set”. Served with coffee or tea. Delicious and well prepared with little extras such as almond silvers and pickled ginger.

HOW MUCH? : $11.99 for the set. An excellent deal!

WHERE? :

MORE: Formerly known as UCC Cafe Plaza, Aoyama Cafe is renowned for their UCC coffee blends – a brand that has been developed over the past 70 years. Choose your own individually “siphoned coffee” from a variety of coffee blends such as No. 1 Jamaican Blue Mountain, Hawaii Kona, and Sumiyaki (charcoal roast). Food is a fusion of Japanese and European - pastas, rice dishes, sandwiches, and desserts.

NOTES:  Had a wonderful experience at this location. Staff were exceptionally attentive and gracious.  Restaurant is divided into 2 sections – dining room and cafe. There is a minimum charge of $10 per person in the dining room. The airy and comfortable dining section is decorated with sleek, modern furniture. A lovely environment indeed!

Popularity: 19% [?]

WHAT? : Bento box – tuna & salmon sashimi, vegetable & prawn tempera, potato croquette, salad, rice.

WHY? : Delicious and affordable. If you frequent this restaurant, then you are probably familiar with it’s loyal following of patrons. Don’t be surprised if you have to wait for a table during their dinner hours. On this particular visit, I’ve discovered that “lunch” is the perfect time to enjoy their delicious Japanese fare. Minimal wait times plus wonderful lunch box (bento) specials.

HOW MUCH? : $8.50

WHEN? : Lunch hours only

OTHER : There are 6 other bento box combinations to choose from  – $8.50 to $11.99.

WHERE? : SHIRO Japanese Restaurant;  3096 Cambie Street, Vancouver BC, V5Z 2V9, 604-874-0027

Popularity: 15% [?]

~Not From Your Toaster~

 

 

What?: Asian-style french toast. Perfect slice of buttered toast topped with vanilla ice cream, red bean paste, and fresh whipped cream. Lightly dusted with powdered sugar and matcha green tea powder.

 

Why? : The bread is absurdly wonderful! This Japanese style cafe is famous for their artisan Danish bread – made with the unique technique of forming 81 layers after folding the dough. The result is a gorgeous marble textured loaf that is crispy on the outside but soft and moist in the centre. Popularized throughout Japan after it was first made in Kyoto, Japan. Also known as the ‘magical bread’ in Japan.

How Much? :  $75 hkd – includes coffee or tea ($10 usd)

Where? : Bo-lo’Gne ; shop1,G/F,41-49 Aberdreen Street,Hong Kong

Popularity: 1% [?]

What? : Japanese Tapas

Why? : Being one of my favourite Izakaya’s in Vancouver, we treated our out-of-town guest to a night of gastronomic pleasure.  To our delight, the restaurant had fresh sea urchin (uni) flown in from Japan that morning.  Yuji’s offers inventive Japanese tapas, fresh seafood and delicate desserts. Never fails to please the palate!

Where? : Yuji’s Japanese Tapas

~Scallop & Habanero Nori Wrap~

~Fresh Uni Sashimi~

~Homemade Cheese Pudding~

 

 

Popularity: 2% [?]

~Nice People, Nice Food, Nice Restaurant...~

I was enjoying an evening of exquisite Japanese food at a local restaurant in Vancouver. The customer service began at a 3.5 stars level but definitely finished at 5 stars by the end of the night.

Shortly after ordering our food, I noticed a single patron walk into the restaurant. She was seated close to our table and was in my line of sight. It became apparent that this was her first sushi experience. The owner/server came around to her and spent a considerable amount of time deconstructing the menu. She was patient and offered many suggestions to the customer. Not once did the owner/server make the customer feel uncomfortable. I was briefly touched when I witnessed this exchange. Although the restaurant was full and busy, the owner/server would check on this customer periodically to see if she was enjoying her food.

How sweet it is to be in the presence of genuine kindness. Although I did not experience this amazing service myself, I did leave the restaurant with a smile in my heart.

Popularity: 1% [?]

~The Gates of Ramen Heaven~

As you saunter pass the red curtains outside entrance…. you can’t help but wonder, why are all these people standing on the street? What is it? Why are they waiting?. It’s ramen! Throughout the years there have been a number of Japanese noodle places popping up all over the city of Vancouver. But Kintaro has stood the test of time… being one of the older establishments, it still boasts a line up during the meal hours every day.

Waiting for food usually deters me from visiting a food establishment. But unable to shake my intense craving for ramen, I gave in and made my way down to this institution during lunch hour, on a weekend, no less…. Yikes!

While waiting in line, one of the servers came out and started passing out menus to the customers. As you progress in the line, the server then comes to take your order. When you get a table and sit down, your food arrives shortly thereafter. Excellent! I love efficiency!

I applaud Kintaro for making the “line-up” process as painless as possible. Getting in the orders of the customers waiting in line speeds up the turnover in tables. Customers spend less time at the tables therefore customers waiting spend less time in line. What more can we ask for?

Popularity: 1% [?]