Mosaic Bar & Grille - Thank You Chef Thomas

For our 4 year anniversary, I surprised Meta Knight by going to Mosaic Bar & Grille at the Hyatt Hotel. With my Vaneats package in hand, I was incredibly excited since I saw how beautiful the courses were from other food blogger's experience. Just a heads up, this post is compilation of two visits at Mosaic within a span of a week.

Executive Chef Thomas Heinrich is the culinary genius behind Mosaic Bar & Grille located on the second floor and Grain Tasting Bar on the first floor of Hyatt hotel.

I've heard such amazing praise regarding Chef Thomas' dishes and how they always look like a work of art. Heck, the Vaneats package is called "Art of Taste"!

[1st Visit]

The complimentary Smoked Salt Biscuits were so incredibly soft and buttery. Even with my willpower, I devoured them pretty quickly.

After much deliberation, Meta Knight enjoyed the Caesar ($8) while I chose the Kits Cooler ($8). His was made with absolut vodka, clamato juice, worcestershire sauce, and tabasco sauce.

I absolutely loved the fresh rosemary in my drink since it gave the raspberry taste an earthy robust flavour. I might have to start putting rosemary in all of my fruit drinks from now on. :P

So having read a billion reviews on the vaneats package and seeing all the amazing pictures, this Warm a la Minute Smoked Skuna Bay Salmon was by far my most anticipated dish of the night. When it arrived, I was quite taken back because it didn't resemble anything like the pictures. The components were there - salmon, avocado terrine, and maple bourbon vinegar. But it looked so poorly executed. I didn't want to be a nagging customer just because the presentation looked off so we didn't tell our server. After I got home, I posted a picture on Instagram of this dish and mentioned how disappointed I was. My fellow foodie friend Sean from Sean's Adventures in Flavour Town and Chef Thomas Heinrich reached out to me via twitter and Chef Thomas asked us to come back again to show us what the salmon dish SHOULD have looked like. He apologized and said that dish should not have gone out. Thus, that is why this post is a compilation of two visits.

This is the other appetizer offered with the package called Local Season Spring Salad. I also thought this was not as nicely executed as it should have been. 

I chose the Grilled Long Line Caught BC Ling Cod with baby bok chow, shiitake mushroom, and a dashi broth on the side. 

The ling cod was tender and very flaky. I really enjoyed the light dashi broth and almost wish I asked for a spoon to drink it like soup.

The 24 Hour Braised Spring Creek Short Ribs came with roasted root vegetable puree, garlic, morel mushrooms (LOVE!), and tarragon jus.

A picture is worth a thousand words so I don't even think I have to explain how incredibly soft and moist the meat was. It literally melted in my mouth with ease. 

By this point, we were both bursting at the seams so we packed almost all of the Triple Layer Mosaic Chocolate Cake. Kirbro had a taste of the cake when I got home and said the fudge was incredibly velvety and smooth. 

If you don't come for anything else, come for their Banana Split. With caramelized bananas, vanilla ice-cream, almond brittle, fresh berries, and chocolate sauce, and pistachio dust on top, its anything but your childhood banana split.

This adult version of a banana split evaporated within moments of it landing our table. We felt like kids again eating this. 

[2nd Visit]

As mentioned, to make up for the poorly executed salmon appetizer, Chef Thomas invited us back again for dinner in the same week. I just want to mention that the service at Mosaic is top notch. Our server and hostess were amazing both times (they even remembered us!).

We had no idea what to expect since we were not given a menu. I loved the Kits Cooler so much last time, I just had to order it again. It was just as delicious as last time.

Smoked Salt Biscuits again but this time, Meta Knight thought they were even fluffier than last time. Thumbs up.

Now this ladies and gentlemen, is what the salmon dish is suppose to look like. It is truly a work of art and is the first time I really got to experience a dish that was meant to be consumed visually as well as through the palate.

We couldn't stop staring at this dish and feeling flabbergasted by the difference from last time. 

The Spring Creek Beef Carpaccio with 64 degree Capella Farms egg yolk garnished with fried capers and chives completely blew our mind! 

I loved how each ingredient had a purpose and either added a textural or flavourful component to the dish. The crispy capers and chives added crunch while the egg yolk lava caressed the tender meat. We both though the egg yolk resembled the soft yolky egg you get at ramen restaurants.  I highly recommend this.

Next up was Salmon Sashimi with cucumber gelee, citrus dressing, fish roe, saffron, and crispy fish skin. When I was eating this, I felt like I was a judge on Iron Chef America having the luxury of eating food prepared using molecular gastronomy. 

Our waitress raved about this Seared Scallop Salad dish and said it was her favourite. Indeed it was very delicious. We finally know what successfully seared scallops taste like after having unsuccessfully tried searing them at home.

For our first of two entrees, we had the Grilled Galbi Marinated Pork Jowl with radish, snow peas, crispy lotus root, and asian pear. The fatty jowl reminded me of pork belly and while I very much enjoyed the dish, it got a little too fatty for me so I just set some of it aside. 

The lotus root chips as I'd like to call them were sliced oh so thinly and gave a spectacular crunch. I ate them like chips before I even started my meal.

These Lamb Medallions were served with the same root vegetable puree from before, morel mushrooms, and deep fried spring onions. 

It was cooked perfectly medium rare and extremely tender. We couldn't stop saying 'oh my god... this is SO good...' the entire time we were eating. I actually tried eating the green onion too but I think they were more for garnish than anything because I had to gnaw on it pretty hard. Not attractive on my part. 

Last but not least is the Green Tea Panna Cotta with ginger streusel, and seaweed sesame chocolate. I didn't expect the strong concentrated matcha flavour because i find that most times, restaurants use very little because they are afraid it will overwhelm their customers. However, this was awesome and right up my alley in the green tea department.

All in all, though our experience the first time around was subpar due to the appetizers (and ONLY because of the appys, everything else was great), it was quickly rectified by the fast response and generosity of Chef Thomas. He treated us like we were in his own kitchen, whipping up whatever he thought we would enjoy the most. Thank you again Chef for your hospitality and for making our 4 year anniversary experience complete.

Service Rating: 5/5
Food Rating: 4.5/5
Price: $$$

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Happy Eating!

<-- haha
courtesy of http://diylol.com/meme-generator/fu/memes/to-all-the-people-who-posts-pictures-of-their-delicious-food-when-im-starving

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Guu Original - Am I The Only Person Who Likes Oden?

In search of a fast and light meal whilst frolicking on the streets of downtown Vancouver, Meta Knight and I decided upon Guu. The original one. 

With Guu expanding in the downtown core like wild fire, it was hard for us to choose which one to go to.  I've heard good things about the original one so I knew it was going to be good going in.

We arrived around 6pm and there were already a few parties waiting.

Always check out their fresh sheet because they have a lot of good seasonal items on there. The 'Crispy Chicken Gizzard' and 'Crispy Baby Octopus' really stood out to me but surprisingly we didn't order either of those two. Can't remember why. Maybe Meta Knight didn't want innards or cephalopods that day. 

I believe this menu is the same at all Guu locations so if you have favourites, don't worry about not being able to get them at another Guu location.

Feeling particularly girly and pink that day, Meta Knight I chose the Lychee Lychee ($6) made with soho, vodka, and lychee juice. This is a dangerous drink because it didn't taste alcoholic at all. I drank it like juice. :P

I am a big lover of Oden-6 pcs ($6.80) but I noticed that this is a very hard item to share if you order this in a group environment. I took advantage of our twosome status that day and ordered this to share between us. I chose the daikon, hanpen (puffed fish cake), konnyaku, mochikin x2 (tofu bag stuffed with mochi), and ika-ten (fish cake rolled around squid).

The flavour of the broth was awesome. I wish I could buy some home so I can make udon soup with it. I'm a sucker for anything mochi so needless to say, the mochikin was my favourite item. Hint: use the Japanese mustard on the side of the bowl. It really enhances the flavour of the broth and makes it taste more dynamic.

The Salmon Yukke ($5.20) is an item I've come across before and enjoyed. The quail egg that it comes with nicely coats the sashimi and is a delicate binder for all the other ingredients (green onions, pine nuts, garlic sauce). Overall, good dish.

I thought the Gyu Tan ($5.20) was a little lackluster considering they were working with a very tender piece of meat... the tongue. The tongue dried out a bit during the grilling process but this might be a one off thing.

And of course, you can't forget the Takoyaki ($4.50). A common Richmond Night Market staple, this takoyaki was similar but executed better. It had a harder crust which made it easier to hold onto and consume. I would definitely recommend this.

Based on these reasons:

• would recommend the takoyaki, oden, and salmon yukke
• small restaurant so waiting in line is pretty much mandatory
• if you don't like loud noises, don't come here 

Service Rating: 2.5/5

Food Rating: 3.5/5

Price: $$

Overall Rating: 3/5

Happy Eating!

<-- so much oden!!!! <3

courtesy of http://www.nihonsun.com/2008/11/20/an-ode-to-oden-comfort-food-from-japan/

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[Guest Post] The Diamond - Mingle. Drink. Drink More.

Hi everyone, I'm officially hijacking Kirby's blog for a quick guest post! Those of you that follow her posts regularly (and if you aren't, why not!) might know me as "FW", but that is neither fun nor easy to remember, so I will introduce myself here as Fon.

Amongst the many things Kirby and I have in common (our birthday being one of them), is an affinity for good food and novel restaurants. Needless to say, I've promised her many guest blogs that never quite materialized until this one, so hope you enjoy it!

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A couple of nights ago, following a long discussion of where to go for dinner, I found myself in Gastown with the idea that the area is a pretty fail-safe bet for reliable food and creative drinks. We headed toward The Diamond as we had heard good things about their cocktail menu.

The entrance to The Diamond is easy to miss if you aren't looking - we walked right past and didn't find it until we looped around the block. Beyond the big green doors lies a dark set of stairs that opens out into a brightly lit dining room with lots of windows and a view of Water Street below.

Colin's Lawn: Sake, Lillet, Lemon, Mint, Ginger, Sparkling Wine

The Diamond boasts an ample list of creative cocktails and ordering drinks was a no-brainer as it was one of the main reasons we had come here. I ordered a Colin's Lawn upon the recommendation of the waitress for a light refreshing drink, and it was exactly what I had in mind! I love mint, sake, and sparkling wine, and this went down very easy - I could easily have downed a couple of these. 

New Toronto: Bourbon, Italian Vermouth, Fernet Branca, Honey, Lemon Twist

My companion for the night ordered the New Toronto. It came in a very small glass the size of a tennis ball, but did not skimp on the liquor as it packed quite a punch. Not bad if you like your drinks strong.

Yucca fries with Chipotle aioli

Food at The Diamond comes in the form of tapas to share. We ordered three between the two of us and could easily have had more. The first item we tried was the yuca fries. Yuca is also known as cassava, and is a starchy tuber that is actually used to make tapioca! The taste and texture was very subtle, and yet undeniably different from potato. I really enjoyed these - worth a try if you've never had it before (they are only $4.50, after all).

4 Cheese dip, White bean and artichoke hearts

The four cheese dip was warm and creamy, satisfying my love of warm and gooey foods. This was very hearty, filled with beans and giant chunks of artichoke hearts. The tortilla chips were pretty standard and we ran out long before the dip was gone, but that didn't stop us from polishing off the rest with our forks.

Soft tacos with Ancho spiced chicken

The soft shelled tacos came in a minimum order of two, and we went with the Ancho spiced chicken as our filling. The chicken was tender and adequately spiced - no complaints here.

The Diamond embodies the Gastown vibe and was exactly what you would expect from an establishment in the area. Drinks are priced in the range of $10-12, and here is their tapas menu for you to view. I would definitely recommend it as a fun place for drinks and a small bite, but if you are looking for a full meal, there are plenty of other options nearby.

One last note - rumour has it that a secret room lies behind the brick walls at The Diamond. If you've been lucky enough to see it, I'd love to hear about its mysteries - perhaps the dining experience hidden there is the true diamond in the rough!

Service Rating: 4.5/5
Food Rating: 3.5/5
Price: $$$ ($20-30)

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Happy Eating!


courtesy of http://chronicle.com/blognetwork/tenuredradical/2011/09/drinking-again-forget-the-sats-how-many-days-was-your-kid-drunk-last-week/

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Two Chefs and a Table - Lamb Burger. Pulled Pork. Duck Fat Tater Tots.

I'm sure it's safe to say that Richmond has no shortage of amazing and truly authentic Asian food. But, for people who want to enjoy a great burger from time to time, there honestly aren't many places to choose from. 

But people, don't fret! I have found one. It's called 'Two Chefs and a Table'. Cool name, eh? When I was dining there, I actually counted the number of chefs behind the counter and indeed, there WERE two chefs!!

Two Chefs is only open for lunch from Monday to Friday so unfortunately if you don't work or live in Richmond, it will be quite difficult to dine here. They do have another location in Gastown though that is open for dinner.

If you have been reading my posts regularly, you know I'm a chicken-and-waffles kinda girl. So guess my excitement level when I discovered they serve chicken and waffles here! :D I didn't order it on this particular visit though because I had just worked out earlier in the day and didn't want to sabotage my healthy day.

Meta Knight has been on a bit of a 'pulled pork' streak so he ordered the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich ($11) which was made with in house smoked pork with bbq apple sauce and granny smith coleslaw.

The pulled pork sandwich was absolutely amazing and is definitely a two hander. You would think apple and pork don't mix, but in reality, the tartness of the granny smiths balanced the bold BBQ flavours out beautifully.

I opted for the In House Made Lamb Burger ($11.75) + sub Duck Fat Tater Tots ($1.50). At first we were just going to order tater tots on the side as an appy but the waitress kindly suggested us to sub our fries for them instead because it'll be a lot cheaper. I LOVE when employees do things like that because it makes me feel like they truly care about their customers.

The purpose of frying tater tots in duck fat is to establish a crispier crust and a more savoury flavour. Meta Knight and I couldn't stop poppin' these in our mouths. Too delish. The lamb burger was surprisingly huge and didn't have that gamey lamb taste most people detest. The patty was a little too charred on the outside for my liking but some people might actually enjoy that.

Based on these reasons:

• too bad they aren't open on the weekdays or in the evenings
• try their chicken and waffles!!
• unique menu items at reasonable prices

Service Rating: 4/5

Food Rating: 3.5/5

Price: $$

Overall Rating: 4/5

Happy Eating!

courtesy of http://www.stuffistumbledupon.com/2012/08/28/mcdonalds-lamb-burger-mary-had-a-little-lamb-fries-and-a-coke/

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Raw Canvas - Brought Back the Creativity In Me

Raw Canvas is located in Yaletown and is essentially a wine and cheese bar with a twist. The beauty of this experience is that you not only get to enjoy delicious food and wine, but you get to paint as well! 

We saw a Social Shopper coupon for this, so Rae, FW, and I all bought one for an awesome girls night out.

Their moto is "eat, drink, make art". I like it. :)

Paintings on the wall to get you inspired.

This is a set menu specifically for the Social Shopper coupon holders. You can choose from the meat tasting plate, cheese tasting plate, or the mixed tasting plate. Since we had three people, we just chose one of each.

The Paint Pit: where your creativity and imagination can go wild! Angry at someone? Let it out in painting! Love someone? Draw a million abstract hearts!

Rae and I also shared a bottle of Riesling. It was sweet, crisp, and refreshing.

In addition to the platters, we got two bowls of sliced white baguette. I loved using the bread to make mini meat and cheese sandwiches.

The Mixed Tasting Plate came with french pepper salami, parrano, pheasant & pistachio terrine, cornichons, pear rosemary (jam), and apricots. My favourite items included the terrine and cornichons (which tasted pretty much like tiny dill pickles).

The Cheese Tasting Plate included the parrano again, bleu d'Auvergne (which apparently won many awards), St. Mature Caprifeuille, pear rosemary jam, dijon, and figs. The figs balanced out the strong cheese flavour beautifully.

The Meat Tasting Plate included the french pepper salami, chorizo rioja, phesant & pistachio terrine, cornichons, castlevetr. olives, and apricots. These bright green olives were amazing! Such light and buttery notes with only a mild 'olive' taste... if you know what I mean.

After sipping on wine and dining on meats and cheeses, we went down to the pit to get our paintin' on. They had such a large variety of coloured paint and they never made us feel rushed. We spent a good 3 hours alone painting! These were our masterpieces of the night. Not too shabby right? Guess which one is mine!

Based on these reasons:

• hint to guys: bring a girl here on your first date and you'll woo them for sure!
• very expensive if you don't have a coupon (I spent $60 but if I didn't have the coupon it would have been roughly $120 for everything)
• amazing experience overall no matter who you come with
• brings out the creative kid in you

Service Rating: 5/5
Food Rating: 4/5
Price: $$$$$$$ ($60-$120) 

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Happy Eating (and Painting)!


courtesy of http://www.trolino.com/meme/close-enoughhh-10777

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