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Posts Tagged ‘Hotspot’

THE MAC SHACK

January 24th, 2012 admin

5395 West Boulevard, Vancouver

Tel: 604-267-4225

Web: www.themacshack.ca

Twitter: @the_mac_shack

Advice: If you are going with a friend and having any of the Mac & Cheese dishes then share a medium size or get 2 smalls and share.

West Coast Salad

Having a Mac & Cheese growing up was never as fun as my recent visit to The Mac Shack for dinner. My friend Cassandra Anderton joined me to indulge in Mac & Cheese oooey gooey cheesy goodness! We started with some greens and each had a small West Coast Salad ($5) with tossed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, mushrooms and honey roasted pecans served with a light raspberry vinaigrette.

Lobster Mac

The Ultimate

Build Your Own

Bread Dippers

Next, we shared 3 of the Ultimate size of Mac & Cheese, all were served in large cast iron pans, the first was the outstanding Lobster Mac ($18) with asiago & Canadian cheddar, lobster meat, oyster mushrooms, lemon, dill, truffle oil and roasted garlic in a cream sauce. The second was The Ultimate ($16) with bacon, bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, chicken, chorizo, shrimp, with Mozzarella and Gruyere cheese in a tomato sauce. Third, was a Build Your Own ($16), which I built using the healthiest of ingredients on offer, ours had Aged cheddar and Asiago, along with whole wheat pasta, broccoli, caramelized onions, and mushrooms in a tomato sauce. We also added an order of Bread Dippers ($ .90) that perhaps was adding more carbs into the mix that we could have done without.

The Squish

The Skillet Brownie

We both thought dessert was in order to round up our comforting meal. We both shared The Squish ($4.75) double chocolate chip cookies filled with vanilla ice cream with a raspberry coulis, however it was the 2nd dessert that was the clear favourite for us both, The Skillet Brownie ($5.90) double chocolate brownie warmed in a skillet topped with vanilla bean gelato and drizzled with raspberry coulis.

The Mac Shack has taken Mac & Cheese to a new level, with the best cheese and quality ingredients this is surely Mac & Cheese that you are going to want to eat time and time again.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Kerrisdale Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

SUIKA

September 21st, 2011 admin

1626 W Broadway, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 730-1678

Web: http://suika-snackbar.com/

Twitter: @SUIKA_IZAKAYA

Advice: Make a reservation as its often busy, bring a friend as sharing is a good idea to taste more dishes.

Sometimes the wait is worth it and after 11 months I finally visited for a very tasty supper. Specializing in Japanese Izakaya, Suika is quite different than their sister restaurant Kingyo, though the flavours are similar. This is a place to socialize over great food and drink, in a lively room that’s fairly noisy with chatter. I loved the ceiling collage of lights as well as the tempting menu and good service.

Snowcrab Sushi

 

Beef Filet Fried Rice

 

Corn Kakiage

Grilled Black Cod Cheek

Matcha Brulee

I shared a few dishes with my friend, starting off with the Snowcrab Sushi ($13.80) followed by the flavourful Beef Filet Fried Rice ($11) and the outstanding and crunchy Corn Kakiage ($4.80). Unfortunately the Grilled Black Cod Cheek ($9.80) was disappointing as it was difficult to eat and wasn’t as tender as I had expected. The outstanding frozen Matcha Brulee ($4.80) was the perfect finish to the meal.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Latest, South Granville, West Side Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

SIDECUT

June 29th, 2010 admin

4591 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC (located inside the Four Seasons Resort)

Tel: 604-966-5280


Twitter: FSWhistler

Advice: Make an advance reservation for dinner.

Bread Basket

I went on an excursion to Whistler recently and to have dinner at Sidecut, the server brought us the menus and the Somelier served us a complimentary glass of the Blue Mountain Brut to welcome us to their restaurant. Toasting to new friends and connections we then browsed the menu along with the extensive wine list which offers more than 200 bottles of wine and 30 wines by the glass. Although there is a large selection of International varietals on the list, several boutique British Columbia wines are also available. We ordered the starter and eventually the rest of the dishes. A basket arrived to the table with cheese buns which were kind of like mini brioches along with Bannock bread, this was a real treat and one that I enjoyed throughout the meal having the basket refilled a couple of times.

Qualicum Scallops

Steakhouse 'sushi' Kobe Roll

Maple Bourbon Cured Fois Gras

Belgian Endive & Watercress

Artisan Lettuces

My appetizer arrived, I had the Qualicum Scallops ($12) a beautiful presentation of celiriac, black garlic, and crispy apple chips, my dining companion had the Steakhouse ‘sushi’ Kobe Roll ($32) a dish that was made to look like sushi, this outstanding beef was grilled rare, served with avocado, dried tomato and sweet soy. We were then treated to another appetizer one of their house specialties, it was the Maple Bourbon Cured Fois Gras ($19), the Fois Gras was served in a round in the centre with the grilled house marinated pork belly in squares around, with tasty figs in a solera elixer. After a little break, our salads arrived, I had the Belgian Endive & Watercress ($12) with shaved ‘montana’ cheese, spicy pecans, backed apple, lillooet honey vinaigrette. My friend had the Artisan Lettuces ($11) with roasted pear, half an avocado, and blackberry vinaigrette.

Peace River Rack of Venison

New Zealand Rack of Lamb

Double Dipped Onion Rings

Steakhouse Sauces

I left the wine selection up to Somelier David Foran to serve me the best matched wine to my Venison and that he did a glass of red, Les Brunnelles Rozes Hermitage 2006 from France. Moving on to the stars of the dining experience, the entrees, I had the Peace River Rack of Venison ($36) made with Chef Edisons Blueberry Hill rub served with truffled white beans, this was an outstandingly flavoured dish and quite large. It was accompanied by their 6 signature sauces of which I enjoyed the Wasabi Mustard and the Mushroom Bordelaise for dipping. My friend had the New Zealand Rack of Lamb ($34) another large dish that was delicious. We ordered along some sides, perhaps we ordered to many, as our eyes took on their own pleasing role. A side of Aged Cheddar & Potato Gratin ($6), Creamed Spinach ($6), Roof Top Carrots ($6) and the Double dipped Onion Rings ($6) stack served, these rings were awesome! I was rather full after this flavorful eating experience, however since dessert is my passion as well as the passion of my dining companion we both thought we must try. Sidecut is a new restaurant having recently opened and their concept is to offer the best meats, poultry and fish. Their beef and game is aged for 40 days and then grilled at 1800 degrees on an infrared grill, they are recognized for their unique spice rubs and rich flavours. All cuts are served a la carte with a selected rub and accompanied by all six sauces.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

4 Cheesecakes

For dessert, I had the signature Pineapple Upside Down Cake ($11) served with Pink Peppercorn Sorbet and a cliantro/lime sauce as well as a caramel sauce. Of course I had to also have a scoop of their popular Maple Bourbon Ice Cream that is made with Makers Mark Bourbon. My friend had the 4 Cheesecakes ($12) served on a platter with 4 mini cheesecakes, I tasted a couple and my favourite was the Skor Cheesecake – Yum! After dinner I finished off with a nightcap, a glass of Penfolds ‘Grandfather’ fine old tawny from Australia while my friend had a Chamomile Tea.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Excursions, Restaurant Reviews Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments »

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