Food Review: Pho Hong Vietnamese Restaurant

5975 Kingsway, Burnaby [map]

Food:  Tasty.  At least the noodles that I’ve had.  I’m not a fan of the meat balls though.  Good place for a quick lunch.

Service:  Usually quick but not usually personable.  The second you step in the front door, someone will ask you how many people and then point you to a table.  Your order will be taken minutes later followed by your food quite quickly.  Drinks at times may arrive much late though.  Don’t expect the waitresses to check up on you, but don’t be afraid to flag one down if you need to.  The bleached-blonde woman is always angry looking.  I think every day is the worst day of her life.

Ambiance:  I think there used to be a Greek restaurant there.  Cleanliness?  Let’s not go there. 

Posted by tastethehappy Posted in: 30-Second Food Reviews 4 Comments » June 2008

30-second Food Reviews!

I’m horrible at writing, always have been since elementary school.  So I will leave the more elaborate reviews to those who have talent!  Any restaurant I review from now on will remain short and sweet.  Anything that stands out from my experience will then go into detail. 

Hmm, my blogroll seems to have disappeared with this new layout… I’ll need to sort that out…

Posted by tastethehappy Posted in: 30-Second Food Reviews No Comments » June 2008

Japadogs!

Ahh, Vancouver, where east meets west so deliciously! On Saturday I was wandering around downtown and met up briefly with a co-worker at the Art Gallery to witness the annual pillow fight. I was pretty hungry by that time and my co-worker informed me of a hotdog vendor at Burrard and Smithe that sells “Japadogs.” What the heck is a Japadog? Well, it’s basically a hotdog with a Japanese twist! So I hurried myself over there and found the vendor, a kitty corner across the Scotiabank Theatre.

At the moment they have three different specialty dogs, but I think you can pretty much mix and match what you want. I tried out the Terimayo dog and was pleasantly surprised that the seaweed worked so well. I also have to recommend trying some of their wasabi mayo (it’s not that strong, so don’t worry about putting too much on), it definitely gives a nice kick to it. I found this place to be a nice change to the tasty smokie and totally worth a try. They even have a website!

Posted by tastethehappy Posted in: 30-Second Food Reviews 7 Comments » March 2008

Red Bean Around Vancouver #1

So my boyfriend and one of my friends have this obsession regarding finding the best red bean dessert in Vancouver.  Specifically red bean topped with shaved ice, milk (hopefully condensed), and maybe a scoop of ice cream.  If you ask me though, it’s pretty tough to find something really authentic.  Your best bet for finding red bean here in town is at a Chinese café or a Vietnamese restaurant.

Years ago we used to frequent Gold Train Express for a quick bite and there we would often get the red bean drink and orange milk shake (this was the best I’d had).  However, the place has gone downhill.  We’ve been to a number of places since then, but my boyfriend and friend have yet to actually blog about any of this, lol.  Not that it’s a very big or popular topic to blog about.  But I will include this in my food section anyway. 

Tonight we went to Tropika in Richmond for a late snack.  I went there a few months ago with my family and would definitely recommend the coconutty drink they have.  But our goal was red bean.

First up was the simplified Cendol which comprised of red bean, green pandan noodles, condensed milk and shaved ice.  I thought it was quite tasty, though not as good as the first time I had it at this restaurant.  The beans were soft enough, the noodles were good, and it was definitely sweet.  My biggest complaint about this was that there weren’t enough beans or noodles.  I would however like to add that home-made cendol is always tastier. 

The second red bean treat was the red bean with coconut milk, shaved ice and ice cream.  I didn’t have too much of a taste since it was my boyfriend’s order and I’m a little sick at the moment.  The bites that I did have though were very coconutty, again the red bean was also of a good softness.  But could’ve used more beans.  I believe my boyfriend rated this to be one of the better red bean drinks he’s had.

There was a third red bean item on Tropika’s menu, the Ice Kachang, but none of us gave it a shot. Overall, I would say Tropika’s take on the red bean desserts was quite decent and slightly better than what you would find in a café.

Posted by tastethehappy Posted in: 30-Second Food Reviews 4 Comments » February 2008

Fish On Rice Sushi: The Worst Maybe.

Back during my college days, a group of us would often go out for all-you-can-eat sushi as it provided a lot of food for a set price.  Plus the group was mostly guys with big appetites.  It was fun times.

Over the last few years though I’ve grown more weary of going to AYCE restaurants.  Vancouver is filled with these places, and even though we are all aware that the quality of the food is usually on the lower end, we still go for a getogether once in a while.  Last night, nine of us decided to return to Fish On Rice in Burnaby.  I was fairly reluctant, as its quality and service has greatly diminished since its opening, but it’s close-by and could accomodate that many of us.

It was quite the dinner…  Four of us got there first so we put in an order.  It took probably 15 minutes though to find a server to pass the order to though.  No one had come to check on us after we were seated.  As the rest of our party arrived, it probably took about 30 minutes to start getting our food.  We didn’t even get our drinks first, those came much later.  Trying to get extra order forms also took a while, and the second round of drinks was also slow.  In the past they’d give us pitchers of pop, but for some reason this time they didn’t.  I also never got my oyster motoyaki.

However, the worst part was soon to come.  A round of miso soups arrived and the first bowl the server placed on the table, he spilled some onto one of the girls’ knees.  Apparently it was quite hot, but she didn’t make a fuss about it.  But right after that, a round of pop came and as the server placed the tray down by the seats, he spilled one of the glasses all over the seat and got one of the guys’ pants wet.  Not good.  Our friend left to get cleaned up (his shoe was also filled with pop, and phased by it, when he poured out the pop from his shoe, he poured it right into two other friends’ shoes, lol) while the employees came to wipe up the mess.

It seems to be a running thing within Vancouver regarding Asian restaurants…  None of the servers are properly trained in good customer service.  They don’t greet you that warmly, they don’t often check on you…  They just get you your food.  I guess maybe that’s how we are just like, haha.  But it probably shouldn’t be an excuse for shoddy service.

When our bill came, we noticed that they left the 10% gratuity charge on, and no discount or any form of compensation was given to us our even our two friends who were mostly affected.  We had to get them to remove the gratuity, but didn’t demand that our friends’ meals be paid for or anything.  We’re pretty passive that way.  Anyway, I don’t think we’ll be going back there again anymore.

Posted by tastethehappy Posted in: 30-Second Food Reviews 5 Comments » February 2008

Material World

I’m excited because my Restoration Hardware hand towels arrived yesterday.  I’m still waiting for the bath towels.  I’m not even planning on using these until I move out.  Silly to be excited over towels.

Last night we went to Hy’s Encore Steakhouse.  A fairly high-end restaurant.  My bill came to $75 after everything.  But the steak was the softest I’ve ever had.  I could’ve probably have done without the sauce though.  The caesar salad was quite tasty, although maybe too much dressing.  The frozen yogourt with berries was a nice closer.  They also did iced tea the American way, where you have to add your own sugar.

I however gave $4 on a bum outside ’cause the parking lot we parked in closed at 10pm and it was already 11:30pm.  He said he’d bring us to the security guy for the mall who’d let us in.  But my boyfriend said that he saw a sign saying to go to the building anyway if you were locked out.  Lousy bum.  He was very pushy about it all too, just constantly yapping about how everyone knows who he is and he watches all the cars, but not letting us have a second to even think about the situation and figure it out on our own.

Posted by tastethehappy Posted in: 30-Second Food Reviews No Comments » December 2007

Shiro Sushi

Shiro Sushi has become my new favourite sushi restaurant, thanks to one of my friends.  It’s a pretty small place, but I have been impressed with the food so far.  Wild salmon sashimi, California rolls with real crab…  The portions may be smaller than a lot of other restaurants, but I think it’s still worth it.  Better than gorging yourself on the all-you-can-eat stuff.

The staff is also Japanese, so you’re welcomed by a barrage of irashaimasens.  The second time I was there, the staff seemed to be joking around with each other as well.  One employee was constantly moving about the place, doing odd jobs here and there, I’m sure.  But as a couple was leaving and they were all saying goodbye to them, the employee pretended to be with the couple and waved goodbye to the sushi-makers.  That definitely gave a light mood to the place.  Also, after your meal, you’re given a small package of Pocky (flavour is random) which is a nice little touch.

Be prepared to probably spend $30 for a filling meal.  Depending on your appetite I suppose.  I believe my meal that second visit was about $20-25, which comprised of the wild salmon sashimi appetizer (5 pieces), 2 pieces of saba, 1 piece of fatty tuna I think, grilled octopus in garlic, appetizer prawn tempure, and one scoop of green tea ice cream.  I don’t eat as much compared to the average person, so expect to spend a bit more.

Posted by tastethehappy Posted in: 30-Second Food Reviews 1 Comment » November 2007