Bars/Lounges · Beer · Patio · Restaurants

High Line – Veggie Dogs & Craft Brews

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Lululemon and I met up for brunch on Saturday. As I was already in Inglewood getting my hair lopped off, she met me at the salon, and from there, we looked for a suitable eatery for our mood. Let’s listen to “Goodbye Earl” by the Dixie Chicks for this post.

Lately, Lululemon has been a big influence on what I eat. She’s introduced me to Vegan Street, DJ’s Market, Italian Centre Shop, and a soon-to-be-sampled bean curd banh mi at Nhu Y Sub. Lululemon suggested we get hot dogs and beer at High Line Brewing. I was game because there’s nothing better than the simplicity of a dog on a bun.

High Line Brewing is larger than it appears from the outside. Once you pass the front bar section, there are several rooms to sit and sip the afternoon away. You pay at the bar, grab your beer and then find a table. We first sat inside in a nook under a large tree before moving to the patio.

We ordered a vegetarian Chicago Doggo ($11) with chips and some beer.
I sampled four beers: CLUB MATE+, Dadge, Wabi Sabi, and Heartless Romantic. What I liked about these beers was that they felt like an eclectic sampling of sodas and cocktails. The Dadge, a cucumber ale, had a fresh, mild melon taste that reminded me of the refreshing cucumber water you get after an Eucalyptus steam.

The Club Mate+ reminded me of a cherry cola but sweeter. The hard tea and yerba mate were so mild that I could hardly detect them, though I’ll be the first to admit I don’t have a sensitive palate.

The Wabi Sabi was my favourite of the flight. It reminded me of all the sparkling lemon sours I consumed in Tokyo. The sour tasted like bright, tart lemon and tea. The Wabi Sabi was also noticeably bubbly, which I prefer over the more softly carbonated beers.

The Heartless Romantic was another cherry sour but more tart and less sweet than Club Mate+. I would order this one again, but I preferred the Wabi Sabi.

The outside of the bun was grilled and crunchy, while the interior was soft and fluffy. The temperature of all the ingredients was perfect. Warm bun, steaming hot dog and cold, crisp condiments. The vegetarian weiner tasted like a regular hot dog but lacked that elastic snap. Proportionally, the ratios were perfect. Each bite has some sausage, bun, and a delicious hit of mustard, pickles, onion, and banana pepper. The tomato was fresh and juicy, the sweet flavour highlighted by the hit of celery salt and the heat and crunch from the banana peppers. Oh, this dog just hit right.

Though I was full, I insisted on getting the next round of drinks and some chips and salsa ($9) because I know Lululemon likes to snack while she drinks. The corn tortilla chips were gluten-free, cut thick, and crunchy. Salty and well-seasoned, the corn chips paired wonderfully with the tangy pineapple salsa. There were way more chips to dip, so next time, I’ll request more salsa and sour cream so we don’t run out. I also made a mental note of the selection of gluten-friendly beers for my celiac friends.

Lululemon sipped on Zing, a ginger beer infused with lemongrass, lemon, and lime. The lemongrass flavour was particularly noticeable. I tried Honeybush ($7) from Ol’ Beautiful, and it was one of the best hard teas I’ve ever tasted. I loved the dry, rich notes from the black tea.

Thank you, Lululemon, for lunch and your excellent company. I look forward to our next vegetarian and gluten-friendly adventure.

Banh Mi · Restaurants · Vietnamese

Banh Mi Date #16: Banh Mi Cay

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Chew Steel and I were out grocery shopping when he suggested we get a banh mi for lunch. Shwing! Since we were 12 minutes away from Forest Lawn, he asked me to find a place I like. For this post, let’s listen to “Feed My Frankenstein” by Alice Cooper.

I remembered a Facebook post by Maro Ezz who owns a Mediterranean bakery near Banh Mi Cay. Maro came in to order a banh mi and chatted with the owner, who mentioned business was slow. Concerned and wanting to support her, he wrote about the friendly service and excellent food and recommended that other people check it out.

I ordered a House Special Cold Cut ($8.50) and a Beef Sate ($8.50) for Chew Steel. The subs took a few minutes to make because the owner is meticulous. I watched, memorized as she gently layered the meats and deftly arranged the toppings. I noticed that my cold cuts were popped in the toaster, so the meat is warmed up. Before we left the plaza, I picked up plain rice rolls from Lang Cao ($10) for breakfast the next day. Lang Cao is a cash-only spot that sells freshly made banh cuon.

I took a bite of Chew Steel’s beef sate. The beef was saucy with a pleasant heat, and I loved the prominent lemongrass flavour in the soft meat. Chew Steel mentioned the bread was light and didn’t cut into the roof of his mouth. I was impressed with the amount of beef. I would get this again.

I counted four layers of cold cuts in my assorted sub. The meat had a rougher texture than Thai Tai and Thi Thien, and its natural taste stood out against the smoothness of more processed cold cuts. The pate was more subtle than Saigon Deli and Banh Mi Nhu Y. I liked how, occasionally, a drip of mayonnaise mingled with Maggi sauce and pate would drip down on my parchment paper.

My banh mi came with two slender stalks of cucumbers, sweet, pickled carrots and raw onions. The subs are bigger than Kim Anh and Thi Thi, but less girthy than My Tho BBQ or My My Subs. I enjoyed my assorted cold cuts but I preferred the sate beef because it was so freaking good.

The banh mis are excellent value and delicious. If Banh Mi Cay would pickle their onions and slice them a bit thinner, it would be near perfection. Thanks to the kind owner of a nearby Mediterranean shop for recommending this hidden gem. Hitting the Sauce gives Banh Mi Cay two phat thumbs up.

Chinese · Pubs · Wings

Lennox Pub and Hot’ N Fast

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On Wednesday, Bobbino and G-mah invited us to Lennox Pub. When Chew Steel and I entered, it took me a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. When my vision focused, I admired the pub’s polished wood fixtures and finishes. Let’s listen “Hot N Cold” by Katie Perry to this post.

Since it was happy hour, we drank tall skinny sleeves of lager ($4.50) and ordered happy hour wings ($5.00). I added ranch dip, and Bobbino wanted carrots and celery. While we drank, Bobbino regaled me with a story about the great wor wonton he and G-Mah ate from Hot’ N Fast, a Chinese takeout-only spot near their home.

The wings are baked rather than fried, resulting in a less crispy wing. However, that didn’t detract from the juicy, tender meat. The tang from the hot wings was delicious, though the salt and pepper flavouring wasn’t noticeable. The vegetables were crisp and tasted fresh. I would order the hot wings again.

For a whole bunch of alcoholic drinks, two Diet Cokes, and three orders of wings and veggies, the bill was only $68! G-Mah only ate two wings, and I was still hungry, so I suggested I pick up a snack from Hot’ N Fast. Bobbino started to suggest items, and G-Mah scoffed at him, stating, “She knows what to get; she doesn’t need recommendations from you.” Of course, I already looked up all the reviews and knew what I wanted. I looked for Asian reviewers and based my decision on their comments and restaurant history. I also learned from Bobbino’s past stories what they ordered: chicken balls, lemon chicken, fried rice, beef and broccoli, and some vegetable dishes for Veggie Girl, my sister-in-law. I wanted to order something they never tried.

I called Hot’ N Fast before we left the pub, and when I got to the store, three customers were waiting for the food. The female owner was packing the orders while her husband cooked a storm in the back. One customer who couldn’t read the room said loudly to another person, “My wife saw our credit card bill and asked me what the hell I got that was hot and fast?” While he chuckled at his lewd joke, the other male customer looked uncomfortable, and the other customer and I looked away. Based on the female owner expressionless reaction, I gathered she didn’t care or just wanted those orders and customers out of her shop.

I ordered Salt and Pepper Squid ($15.95), Honey Garlic Ribs ($13.50), and Sliced Beef Ho Fun ($13.95). The dishes are inexpensive; you’re paying 2011 prices. Of the three, G-Mah and I loved the beef noodles. So freaking delicious. The noodles and beef had that mouth-watering smoky flavour you only get from a super hot wok. The beef was tender, and the noodles were glossy and toothsome. Even the bean sprouts tasted fresh. I would order this again, as it is as good as I can get in Vancouver.

Bobbino enjoyed the honey garlic ribs the most. I thought the ribs were tasty, but I would have liked more garlic and honey in the sauce. I found Hot and Fast’s version more soy-based, and the batter was a tad soft.

Chew Steel’s favourite dish was the salt and pepper squid. The squid itself was cooked perfectly, not rubbery at all. Hot’ N Fast’s version contained crisp green peppers, onions, and carrots. I liked the heat in the spicy seasoning, and I noticed none of the food was overly salty.

I would return for the beef rice noodles, and I hear the Singapore noodles are good. With the chef’s obvious wok hei skills, I would also order a fried rice dish. For inexpensive, Westernized Chinese takeout, I dig Hot’ N Fast. To be continued.

Restaurants · Special Occasion · Steakhouse

Chairman’s Steakhouse – Wednesday Deal

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On Calgary Food—FoodYYC! A Group for foodies’ Facebook page, there are many reviews about the Wednesday special at Chairman’s Steakhouse, I had to check it out. For only $110, you get one 18-ounce ribeye, cheese bread, two salads, two side dishes, and a cheesecake to share. Let’s listen to “She’s Got You” by Patsy Cline for this post.

Our reservation was for 6:30 p.m., and most of the tables were occupied, except for the best seats in the house, which are right up the window, facing the pond. I noticed those tables were empty for most of the night. Our table was near the kitchen entrance.

We started with cocktails, Chew Steel with a Fig Old-Fashion (2.5oz, $18), and myself with a Pink Elegance (2 oz, $23). I appreciated how the restaurant categorizes the cocktails with tags, such as “fruity” or “herby”.

My cocktail was tart than sweet and mainly tasted of strawberries and lemon juice. The ice cube in the old-fashioned sparkled with glitter, glistening with the steakhouse’s initials. The branding is pretty slick, and Chew Steel said it was one smooth cocktail.

The Chairman’s cheese toast is as good as Hy’s Steakhouse but not as oily. The layer of aged white cheddar, Quebec cheese curd and Sylvan Star Gouda was thin and broiled. The bread itself was soft, fluffy, and decadent.

Chew Steel opted for a Waldorf Salad (upgrade $3) while I chose a Caesar salad. His salad was chockful of apples, candied walnuts, grapes, celery and a sprinkling of arugula. He enjoyed the tang from the Stilton cheese.

My Caesar salad was yummy. Smoky bacon punctuated every bite of the chilled, garlicky lettuce. The leaves were generously coated with a blanket of cheese.

Our server, Alec, a former Red Seal chef, gave us very good recommendations. He suggested adding the Ruby Port Jus ($7) for our steak and a glass of 2021 Giusti, Massimo, Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon ($18) for our meal. I liked the wine’s finish, which disappeared on my tongue. Alec mentioned that the wine’s blueberry notes and acidity would pair well with fatty meats like ribeye.

Alec suggested ordering our ribeye medium, and a beautiful medium it was! The middle slices were ruby red. The outside pieces reminded me a little of yakitori because of the smoky flavour and charred fat.

The beef was so flavourful, but I was impressed with the ruby port. Alec said it took 48 hours to reduce. I never ordered steak with sauces, but it was better with it. I would get the ruby port again.

I upgraded our sides: Black Truffle Double Stuffed Potato ($9) and the Black Truffle Gnocchi ($10). The gnocchi had a nice chew, but I forgot to mix up the sauce, peas and parmesan, so the first few bites were dry.

L said it was the best stuffed potato cheese he’d ever eaten. I liked how the truffle flavouring wasn’t overpowering.

Before dessert, I saw a woman with glazed eyes try to enter the kitchen. The manager, wearing a blue suit, immediately escorted her to the washroom and waited for her outside and then walked her to her table. She looked like she was having a good time.

The New York-style cheesecake was nice and light. The graham crust was thin and had a nice crumble. The berry gel and orange curd provided a nice burst of freshness. The almond florentine was a nice decorative touch.

When we finished our meal, most of the tables had turned. A guest walked in and was brought to the best table in the restaurant, right by the water. L recognized him and mentioned that he was the developer of Westman Village.

I recommend checking out Chairman’s Steakhouse. The Wednesday special is an affordable way to test the waters before splurging on a regular night. Hitting the Sauce gives Chairman’s and Alec two phat thumbs up.

Cheap Eats · Tokyo

Harajuku Gyoza Lou

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There was a famous gyoza joint I was planning to take Chew Steel to, but when I looked the location up, it wasn’t convenient enough to fit into our schedule. Instead, we went to Harajuku Gyoza Lou, a restaurant his student recommended to his other student, who then took me years ago. Let’s listen to “Like a Surgeon” for this post.

Harajuku Gyoza Lou is very popular with tourists, most likely due to its location and ease of ordering from their picture friendly menus. The prices are dirt cheap, too.

When we waited in line, a gaggle of female tourists came skipping over. They were my age but wearing pigtails and eye-catching dresses. One of the women came over asked the guy ahead of me if this was the waiting line for gyoza. He nodded. Her friends lined while she sat on the stairs outside the restaurant, opened her colouring book and began drawing. Her friend came over and snapped pictures while she looked up, her forty-year-old plus face smiling coyly to the camera. I noticed all her friends wielded selfie sticks.

Once I got a seat and took a long gulp of my drink, my mood improved. My bubbly lemon sour was refreshing and potent; and it was only 530 ¥. Chew Steel’s draft beer was 580 ¥. How could you not be happy under these conditions?

You can order the dumplings fried or steamed. We tried all three dumplings: chives and garlic, plain, and shiso. An order comes with six dumplings (¥ 390), and when all the damage was done, Chew Steel and I averaged about a dozen each. We watched as the gyoza master lined up trays of dumplings and monitored the massive sizzling cooking process.

We ordered our dumplings fried. To me, that’s the only way to go. The crispness of the wrapper was part of the appeal, when your teeth broke into the thin skin. Chew Steel made me a dipping sauce, combining the chili oil, vinegar and soy sauce on the counter. The shiso in the gyoza dumpling was fragrant and sweet, reminding me a little of fresh basil.

My favourite version was the garlic and chive, while Chew Steel preferred the simplicity of the regular filling. Chew Steel recommended popping the entire dumpling in your mouth, so the juices would remain in your mouth and not the plate.

I loved the cucumber with miso sauce (￥290) so much that I ordered a second helping to go with my last order of dumplings. The chilled cucumbers were ultra-crunchy and intensely melon-like. With the tangy, nutty and buttery miso, I thought the cucumber could spar with the gyoza for the best snack of the trip. We liked the food so much that we returned on the last day of our trip.

Hitting the Sauce gives Harajuku Gyoza Lou two phat thumbs up and her startling rage at Instagrammers who should know better two phat thumbs down. “Yoisho! Yoisho! Yoisho!”

Tokyo

Iroriya Higashiginzaten

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I spent months looking for new places to eat in Tokyo, but my prerequisite was no lineups, eliminating many good restaurants. While waiting for great food can be worth it, I wanted to avoid all the super-hyped spots that TikTok made inaccessible. Tokyo is so busy and crowded that the last thing I wanted to do was stand outside a restaurant for hours. Let’s listen to “Who Hoo” for this post.

I picked Iroriya Higashiginzaten because I could make an online reservation. What appealed to me were the reviews about their famous ikura bowl. If you order it, the staff comes out with taiko drums and chant as they heap scoop after scoop of shiny roe until it overflows into your bowl. I also liked that the restaurant was located in central Tokyo. Many of the restaurants I wanted to try were out of the way, which meant Chew Steel would have to navigate through a couple of stations to get us there.

Iroriya is located in the basement, off the side streets of Ginza. I read that seafood is caught in the morning and brought in daily, and the vegetables are from a local farm. Their specialty dish, funajo meshi (salmon roe), comes from Hokkaido.

Iroriya charges a seating fee, which comes with the most delicious bowl of beef stew. The clear broth tasted like gravy, and the homey blend of tender beef and onions was so good that I wanted to order another bowl.

We ordered grilled shiitake mushrooms (280 ¥), salmon roe don (37000 ¥), chicken karrage (900 ¥) and seafood salad (900 ¥).

The shiitake was grilled and served with a soy sauce broth. Our server warned us not to eat the stem. Meaty and soft, the mushroom could have been cooked longer, as it wasn’t piping hot. After our server took away our dish and commented on the leftover broth, I realized we should drink the sauce.

The chicken karrage was super crunchy and juicy. The meat had some pull as I bit into the hot morsel. Chew Steel loved the karrage, and while I liked the crunchiness, I preferred Sukiyaki House’s more seasoned meat. However, I would order the chicken again. It was delicious, just less refined than Sukiyaki House’s version.

When our salmon roe came out of the kitchen, the staff turned up the music and dimmed the lights. Two staff came out, one pounding on his drum and the other shouting, “Yoisho! Yoisho! Yoisho!” The female tourist beside me said she wanted to order the salmon roe as well, but it would be too much to eat.

She’s right; the salmon, though so fresh and glistening like orange jewels, was rich and salty. Despite trying it in various ways, on its own, with broth, or mixed with rice, seaweed, wasabi and a dash of soy, we couldn’t finish our bowl. I’m glad we tried it, but if we come again, I will skip it unless I share it with a group.

The seafood salad was my favourite dish of the night. The dressing was tangy and peppery. There was a ton of assorted seafood, like salmon, tuna, and ebi, all tossed with buttery avocado pieces. The tomatoes, onions and lettuce were spanking fresh. I would order the salad again. Next time Chew Steel and I are in Tokyo, I’d return and try some of the fresh seafood.

My neighbour asked the head guy in the kitchen if he spoke English. I wasn’t paying attention to their banter until he bought out a round of beers. She had bought everyone working in the kitchen a drink and shouted that they were awesome. One thing I admire about Americans is they know how to party. Yoisho! Yoisho! Yoisho!

Tokyo

Yakitori Sanki – Bib Gourmand

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One of my best-ever dining experiences was at Yakitori Sanka in Tokyo. I found this tiny spot when looking through the Michelin guide. The owner uses specialty local chickens and dusts each piece with sun-dried salt from the eastern Kochi Prefecture over Tosa binchotan charcoal. Not only was this the best yakitori and sake I consumed, but the service from the entire staff was bar none. For this post, let’s listen to “That Certain Female”.

I booked online via Table Check as soon as reservations opened, a month before our visit. I pre-ordered the eight-course yakitori course (6270 ¥), which included four appetizers and several chicken and vegetable skewers. The cost of the food and wine was more than reasonable for the quality and deliciousness we experienced.

The restaurant is hidden upstairs on the second floor. The room is clean and modern, showcasing a large charcoal grill that smoked and flared throughout the night. All the seats surround the open kitchen so that everyone can view the action.

I started with a sparkling wine. I read the owner is a sommelier. We noticed the chef would try all the wines before they were served to guests to test their quality. The wine itself was nice and mellow, with fruit-forward notes. I knew right away I had to try some of the other wines and sake because I felt I would appreciate the line-up.

Our set of appetizers included the most delicious warm custard. The nugget of braised beef and tomatoes exploded with rich flavour on our tongue. Chew Steel noted the salt texture in our green salad and commented that everything was perfectly seasoned.

The first skewer was the chicken shoulder, speckled with wasabi. The meat was soft and plump, with a clean flavour. L and I tried a fruity sake, which smelled like melons and was so smooth that I couldn’t even taste the alcohol. What I loved about this sake was that it was easy to drink and went well with the food.

The next chicken skewer was magnificent. The skin was thick and crunchy, and the meat was salty and juicy. I chewed as slowly as possible to enjoy the flavour. I noticed the chef intently dusting each skewer with salt and watching the smoke from the charcoal. Once every while, he would poke or add more charcoal to the grill.

One of my favourite pieces was the chicken gizzard. I loved the crunch, as the interesting texture reminded me of a cross between celery and cabbage. Each bite filled your mouth with the most delicious charcoal fragrance.

One of Chew Steel’s favourite bites were the chicken and green onion and grilled cabbage, which we could watch cooking for a lengthy time on the grill, more than twice that of the chicken. The cabbage was crunchy, with an explosion of refreshing, onion-like bite.

We then supped on super hot fried tofu. The room holds about 14 seats, and by 7:00 p.m., each spot was filled. Though Yakitori Sanka is tourist-friendly, it was frequented by native-speaking Japanese customers on Saturday.

The mushroom was so delicious it tasted like beef but ever so tender. I could feel my eyes rolling into the back of my head as I sucked the juices from the morsel. Chew Steel said this place would ruin us because other yakitori places couldn’t compare with it. He’s correct.

For our second sake, I wanted to try the drier one. I appreciated how the staff communicated all the details of the food and sake, using adjectives to describe each item. They were attentive all evening and it was clear that wanted us to have a positive experience and not miss any particular detail.

The meatball was unique—clear white juices from chicken. There was something very Canadian about the simplicity of flavour. The chicken was fluffy and clean.

We were given a soul-satisfying chicken broth at the end of our courses. The soup was nourishing and comforted my stomach, a nice touch to end the night. After we finished our soup, we were handed a cup of tea to sip on.

Yakitori Sanki is a special spot we plan to revisit in Tokyo. You can tell by watching the owner cook and the professionalism of the staff that they exemplify excellence in both craft and service. This restaurant ranks as one of the best that I’ve ever experienced. Hitting the Sauce gives Yakitori Sanki two phat thumbs up!

French · Restaurants · Special Occasion

Chic Soirée – Francine’s

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Kournikova, Lululemon, 47, and I met at Francine’s for a long-overdue dinner. Francine’s is a French pop-up bar housed in Meat & Bread. I’ve meant to check out this bar for ages, but circumstances prevented me until our girls’ night. Let’s listen to “Cherry Pie” by Sade for this post.

The bartender makes a mean cocktail! These weren’t the watered-down concoctions from a dive bar. I ordered a Francine’s 75 ($16), Lululemon picked the Bois Sacre Margarita ($17), and I forgot what Kournikova and 47 selected. Our drinks were excellent. The flavour in each drink was smooth and fruity, and it tasted like it was from fresh ingredients rather than concentrated juice. For example, I could taste the passionfruit in the margarita and the basil in my cocktail. The cocktails at Francine’s are on par with Klein/Harris and Paper Lantern. 

Forty-seven wanted to try the cheese puffs ($4 each). The little puffs were so delicate that the warm, soft innards melted in my mouth. The butter, with the addition of honey, was surprisingly light and sweet. 

The Smoked Sturgeon ($19) was a nice bite, a rich, mousse-like dip that was invigorating to the tongue. A fresh cucumber topping tied well with the sturgeon’s smokiness and the Ritz crackers’ sweetness. 

Kournikova suggested we get a salad, and we landed on the Baby Romaine ($16) because the other option had bacon, which Lululemon doesn’t eat. I was shocked at how much I loved this dish. This isn’t your chain restaurant Caesar salad, but an impressive array of flavours. I enjoyed the ripeness of the olive and the addition of fennel, juicy orange slices and garlic crumbles. The layers of crunchy lettuce were cold and crunchy, gloriously refreshing. I would get the salad again. 

The girls ordered a glass of prosecco, but I asked our server for a recommendation for a wine that would pair well with the steak. She suggested the Altugnanc Pinot Noir ($18) to complement the beef and gnocchi. Generally, I’m not too fond of pinot noir, but this wine was delicious. It was very grapey.

I didn’t want to eat the Parisienne Gnocchi ($32) because I wanted to leave it for the vegetarian and 47. However, both were light eaters and insisted I try some. The texture of the little nuggets was pillowy despite the seared edges. I liked the addition of slivered pea pods, as it brought out the buttery, herby sauce. 

The Steak Au Poivre ($46) was so good that I wanted to bring my brother here to try it. Each piece of beef was tender and succulent. The meat was soft, and the flavour was intense, like rich caramelized fat. The pepper in it was phenomenal. In my minimal steak-eating experience, Francine makes the best steak in the city, beating Caesar’s Steakhouse and Hy’s and nudging past Cassis by millimetres. 

Lululemon ordered French Toast ($17) and insisted everyone try a bite. She pressured Kournikova to try some, but Kournikova was firm. Both are persistent individuals, and Lululemon was motivated to share the deliciousness. However, I know Kournikova’s resolve is as firm as her posture, and I advised Lululemon that her attempts were fruitless. 

Lululemon ate the first bite and sighed how the toast went well with the aged cream cheese and honey ice cream. I tried her dessert because my resolve dissolved when I heard Lululemon’s exclamations of delight. Yes, it is worth it, even if you are lactose intolerant.

We split the bill, and only after did I realize Lululemon overpaid, as she didn’t eat any of the steak and put the dessert on her tab. I’ll have to get her an extra delicious treat from my upcoming trip to compensate for the discrepancy. Hitting the Sauce gives Francine’s two phat thumbs up. 

Bars/Lounges · Vietnamese

Paper Lantern – Twice Lit

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Friday was my last day at my job, leaving me an entire weekend of unemployment before I started my new position. Chew Steel wanted to mark the occasion by going out for dinner. I picked Paper Lantern as I wanted to relive my experience with Danni and the Olympian two days earlier. Let’s listen to “Kokomo” by the Beach Boys for this post.

Chew Steel asked our server for a recommendation and mentioned he enjoys rum. She suggested the Zombie Milk Punch ($18), which consists of three rums, lime, falernum cinnamon, grapefruit, grenadine, absinthe, bitters and clarified milk. I enjoyed my Mai Tai ($12), but his cocktail was even better. He remarked that he’d never had a drink that he enjoyed this much. I could taste cinnamon and lime. Chew Steel said it was smooth with the right balance of sweet, tart, and booze. I made a mental note to bring my friends Kournikova and Lululemon to Paper Lantern for cocktails. 

The Mango Salad ($14) didn’t disappoint. I was worried it wouldn’t be as good as Wednesday. The dressing isn’t too sweet and has a warm, lingering heat. I love the zing of the mint and the toothsome texture of the mango and papaya. The only other salad that compares to Paper Lantern’s is Lulu Bar’s Sichuan noodle salad. 

Chew Steel enjoyed the Beef Stew ($14). The beef and carrots were so soft that chewing wasn’t necessary. The rich gravy complemented the crusty baguette. The beef stew is the dish if you are craving a “meat and potatoes” type of meal. 

I wanted to order the “What’s the Kitchen Having ($14),” a rotating dish the kitchen makes for dinner. The salad greens were so fresh. The noodles were light and springy. Eating the greens with the noodles and meat reminded me of a Vietnamese bun with a different Asian twist, as the noodles were thicker, and the sweet char sui reminded me of Chinese food.

The soup tasted like it took a long time to prepare, as it had that wholesome flavour to it. Chew Steel thought there might have been shrimp in the base.

My favourite dish was the Crispy Crepes ($14). I tried a version of this dish at Cuty in Dalhousie, and I wasn’t a fan. However, Paper Lantern’s version has converted me. Our order came with two golden brown turmeric crepes. As I bit into it, the crepe gave way to a steamy pile of pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and mung beans. The roasted sprouts, fragrant from the wok, added a smoky note that elevated every bite. Wrapped in lettuce and dunked in fish sauce, these crepes have texture, freshness, and umami. I would order them again.

Chew Steel and I found a new hangout. He was impressed with the cocktails and food. This is my third visit, and knowing who runs the kitchen, I know we can expect the same consistency in the future. As we left, I glanced through the kitchen window to catch an admiring glimpse of the female chef responsible for our delicious meal. Hitting the Sauce gives Danni’s parents two phat thumbs up. 

Banh Mi · Chinatown · Vietnamese

Banh Mi Date #15: Paper Lantern

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For the past year, I’ve corresponded with Danni on Instagram. We share similar tastes in food, and we’ve even been to the same restaurants at the same time, though we weren’t aware then. We decided to meet up officially. I invited my friend, the Olympian. Divine Offering isn’t accessible on Wednesdays so that she couldn’t make it. Lovegastrogirl was in Tokyo; otherwise, she would have also come along. Let’s listen to “New Attitude” by Patti LaBelle for this post. 

We hemmed and hawed about where to go, and finally, I suggested Paper Lantern. It is a small world; as it turns out, Danni is the proud sister of the owner of Paper Lantern and Prosperity Bar. Her parents previously owned Orchid Room in Bankers Hall. I’ve never eaten there, but I heard the food was elevated Vietnamese cuisine and popular with the downtown crew. The Olympian and I asked her where she eats Vietnamese food, as we were curious where she would eat if it weren’t her family’s restaurant. She recommended Rau Bistro, Noodle World (#52 rice platter or coconut beef pho), Pho Uncle Ten, and Basil Ultimate. 

I ordered the PL Daiquiri ($12), Danni ordered a Mai Tai, and Olympian picked a non-alcoholic pina colada. My cocktail was light and breezy, with a tart tropical zing from the pineapple. For food, Danni picked some appetizers for us to share. I appreciated the water pitcher on the table, as I was parched that night. 

First up was the Sweet Nuoc Mam Chicken Wings ($12). Damn, the wings were saucy and crispy, the sauce was sticky and sweet. I was happy to see the wings and drums were five times the size of any pub wings. I want to try the shrimp salt and pepper version when I return. 

There was a lot of beef in the carpaccio ($12). I liked how the peanuts and onions gave some textural contrast to the soft, raw meat. The beef itself had a nice flavour. I didn’t realize there was cilantro in this dish. Had I known, I would have omitted the herb, as I’m one of the unlucky ones with the soap gene.  

The pork belly banh mi ($10) was a winner! The special sauce and house mayonnaise were savoury and rich. The braised pork belly was so soft and warm that it melted right into the light, crusty bread. The pickled vegetables added a lovely crunch to each bite. Danni recommended trying the chicken roti banh mi next time. Her eyes lit up as she described how the chicken was caramelized. 

The Pineapple Stir fry ($12) was as good as I remembered it from my last visit. The rice bowl contained ample sweet pork belly, shrimp, and pineapple. If you are hungry, I recommend ordering a rice bowl, as it is filling.

My favourite dish was the Mango Salad ($14). It takes a lot for me to like a salad over wings, so the chef back there is performing a miracle. The mango and papaya strands were chilled, crunchy from the peanuts and herby from the fresh mint leaves. I liked scooping up the refreshing salad on top of the shrimp cracker. 

When the bill came, I was surprised to see how affordable it was. My bill, including one cocktail, was only thirty dollars. In today’s economy, that’s incredible. I informed Danni I was bringing Chew Steel to Paper Lantern for our next date night. She suggested I try the Beef Stew ($14) and Crispy Crepes ($15). I already know what I want—a repeat of the mango salad, banh mi, and the shrimp salt wings.

We plan to do another girls’ outing, this time at Prosperity Bar, to try the Big Mac egg rolls, Philly Cheese Banh Mi, and some dumplings. Next time, we’ll be sure to include Lovegastrogirl and Divine Offering. Perhaps I’ll have to start my supper club again, No Man’s Dinner, with the president, Loaf2go.