The Exchange in Eau Claire

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On Saturday, Québécoise, Sirski, Deal and No Deal met us for dinner at the Exchange in Eau Claire. This dinner was particularly epic because we got to meet one of the chefs at the Exchange, Carla. Let’s listen to “Work It”.

Chef Carla stopped by our table to let us know one of the dishes we ordered wasn’t available. I was excited to meet her, as some of our favourite dishes have been her creations. She was humble and warm, speaking passionately about her food philosophy and love of food. I learned she moved from Peru to Calgary a few years ago and previously worked at Shokunin and Eight, which is owned by Chef Darren MacLean. It’s always impressive to meet a chef who has worked at MacLean’s restaurants, as I imagine the expectations there are not exactly laxydaisy. I’ve never eaten at Eight, but to get a sense of the experience, read food writer Elizabeth Chorney-Booth’s article.

If Québécoise hadn’t been with us, I would have happily asked our server, Liam, to choose the wine as he has great taste. I tend to order based on what I recognize, which isn’t always the smartest strategy when my wine knowledge is limited. Québécoise, on the other hand, approaches a list strategically, by region, vintage, style, and price. She buys enough wine to know retail pricing versus restaurant markup, which is a skill in itself. She spotted the Chablis Servin Les Pargues ($75) and immediately said it was a steal by restaurant standards.

The Chablis isn’t the buttery, oaky style often associated with California chardonnay. It’s clean, crisp, and bright, with a refreshing citrus note. Chew Steel was a big fan. Speaking of value, I forgot to tell Québécoise that our friends took us out to dinner at the Argyle Restaurant. The Glencoe Club recently started offering 750 mL wine bottles at retail price plus $20. That’s practically philanthropic, perhaps to take the bite out of a membership waitlist that feels more than generational.

Whenever there’s a feature with Peruvian influences at the Exchange, we get it because the flavours are incredible. I still remember the lomo saltado with buttered rice ($50), the pork belly sandwich ($23), and, most recently, the halibut with squid-ink risotto ($27). I asked our server, Liam, if the halibut was better than my usual order of Chicken Tenders ($15). Fighting a laugh, he confidently announced the risotto’s deep, umami flavour was off the charts.

The risotto was silky and buttery, coated in a squid-ink sauce that tasted earthy and savoury. The halibut was meaty and juicy. I loved flaking the firm fish into the risotto and dragging each bite through the sauce. The halibut’s clean, wholesome flavour balanced the dish’s rich creaminess. Chew Steel especially liked the bright pop from the cilantro drizzle dotting the plate.

Side note. Liam is friends with Francine’s chef-owner Garrett Martin, and sous chef Jordan Anderson. We bonded over similar dining experiences eating the French toast, steak frites, and trout crêpes at Francine’s. He said the amount of thought that went into both the food and the drinks there is kind of wild.

With Deal and No Deal dining with us, both with a shared sweet tooth, dessert was non-negotiable. I’ve sampled three desserts at Exchange so far, and the Carrot Cake ($11) stands out. Gently spiced and moist, it’s elevated by a tangy yogurt-cream cheese spread, generously garnished pistachios and candied Beck Farm carrots for texture and sweetness. I’d order it again, which says a lot, as I’m not usually a dessert person.

Chef talent, off-the-charts savoury depth, smart wine picks, and carrot cake worth breaking the scale over? Yes, the Exchange worked it again. Thank you, Chef Carla, for a great meal.

Salt & Brick – Girls’ Night

February 26, 2024February 26, 2024 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

For our monthly girls’ night, we picked Salt & Brick, a hot spot that just opened up. Unfortunately, Betty was sick, so it was just Kournikova, Quebecoise and me. Let’s listen to “Confident” by Demi Lovato for this post.

We were seated on the main floor, near the front door. I liked our spacious table and comfy seats, which looked more comfortable than the low-riding tables in the lounge. We started with cocktails ($17) and admired the high ceiling and fun vibe.

Based on our server’s recommendation, we tried the Beef Picanha ($42), Okonomiyaki Cabbage ($20), Brussel Sprouts ($23), Scallops ($35), and Cod Cheek Tempura ($28). Quebecoise selected an easy drinking white wine ($60), which went well with all the dishes we tried.

The now closed Foreign Concept made the best Brussels sprouts I’ve ever tried, and Salt and Brick come in a close second. The sprouts were charred, salty, juicy, and sweet from the pickled grapes. The beer cheese sauce was rich. Kournikova commented that she could do without the buttery popcorn, which she thought didn’t add anything to the dish. The next set of pictures are better, as Quebecoise had the good sense shed some light from her phone for the photos.

Next was the okonomiyaki cabbage. The softness of the cabbage and the creaminess of the sesame aioli and bulldog sauce were delicious, reminding me a little of Pigeonhole’s version, as both are decadent. Kournikova preferred the cabbage over the Brussels sprouts because she found Salt & Brick’s version unique.

The scallops were large and meaty. I enjoyed the sweetness of the heirloom carrots, while Quebecoise noted the smokiness from the bacon. Kournikova moaned that all the dishes were so rich. Of the three of us, I’m the least healthy and happiest from the night’s overindulgence of cream, butter and oil.

The green papaya salad accompanying the cod cheek tempura stole the show. The nuac cham dressing was refreshing and tart, while the roasted peanuts added a pleasantly dry crunch. Wholesome, so simple, but so good. We all raved about that salad.

My favourite dish was the beef picanha. The edges of the steak were smoky and charred, and I enjoyed chewing the little niblets of hot fat. The steak itself was nicely spiced and tender. The mashed potatoes were thick and creamy, heavy and well-seasoned. I would order this again.

Service was attentive and knowledgeable, and always on hand to discuss the food and wine we ordered in detail. I’m glad we checked it out, and I can see why Salt & Brick is such a popular spot. I’m looking forward to our next outing, perhaps hitting up an oldie but a goodie like Klein/Harris.

Seafood · Special Occasion

Klein / Harris – Work lunch

October 15, 2023October 17, 2023 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

This week, our department had our team-building activities. I picked Klein / Harris for our lunch because Care Bear is celiac, Aphrodite is vegan, and Happy has a peanut allergy. If you have dietary restrictions, Klein / Harris is the place to go, as they offer so many options for everyone. For this post, let’s listen to The Scrantones.

We started with an assortment of mocktails. My drink was spicy from the ginger and fruity from the fresh bulb of orange at the bottom. Dimples, our recently onboarded social media specialist, took a video of our celebratory toast and suggested that we recreate it in reverse, commencing with the glasses touching and then moving them back. I complained it felt ingenuine to make a reverse toast, but she disclosed that it would actually create a more seamless and engaging visual when edited into a reel. I trust her as she is the expert. Please note that all the images showcased below were skillfully and quickly photographed by Dimples.

Aphrodite ordered the grilled Humboldt squid ($19) for the table to share. Happy didn’t know this and picked the squid as her main. Care Bear requested the butternut squash soup ($10) and the smoked duck ($19). Aphrodite picked a heritage green salad ($12) with a filet of salmon. Dimples and I both ordered the daily special, coho salmon with potatoes.

Everyone loved the squid. The texture was soft as butter. Dimples raved about the tenderness while Happy’s eyes rolled to the back of her as she ate her squid. I also liked the sweet sauce and soft potatoes nestled underneath the seafood. No one makes better calamari than Klein / Harris.

Care Bear enjoyed his soup, stating it was terrific. He said he makes good butternut squash soup, and this version is even better than what he makes at home.

The coho salmon was a winner. Holy smokes – that skin was crunchy and perfectly seasoned. The salmon was buttery and juicy, and the middle was glossier than the exterior. The center tasted richer and fattier and melted in my mouth. I would get this again.

Care Bear ordered frozen cheesecake mousse ($10) for dessert, as it was gluten-free. Aphrodite and I also ordered the mousse but with the graham crackers. Happy picked the mint chocolate sandwich ($10), and Dimples ordered the best dessert of the group, the K/H butter tart ($8). She insisted I try some of her pastry. Oh wow – the crust was warm and flaky, while the combination of the whipped cream and sweetness from the ice cream was just good old-fashioned comfort food.

My frozen cheesecake was yummy. The sweetness from the rhubarb preserves served as the perfect foil to the tangy, yogurt-like mousse. Dimples loved the dusting of the butter graham crumbs.

When it comes to enjoying a lunch along Stephen Avenue, I can’t envision a better spot. The atmosphere around me affirmed that I wasn’t the only one, as every table was filled with happy customers. Thanks, Klein / Harris, for delivering another exceptional dining experience.

Restaurants

Bostonia Public House

August 13, 2023 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

L had a conference in Boston last week. I came along as flights were cheap, and I’ve always wanted to check out the east coast. We landed late in the evening, dropped our luggage into our hotel, and Ubered out for a bite. The only place I could find a reservation was the Bostonia Public House. For this post, let’s listen to “More Than a Feeling” by Boston.

The pub is a popular spot with families. Even at 8:00 p.m., groups were waiting for a table. One baby was wailing across the room, but it didn’t bother us. The Bostonia Public House is not a place you come to for a hot date; you come here if you have kids but still want a tasty meal.

L ordered a beer, and I opted for a spicy Bloody Mary ($11), different from my beloved Canadian drink, the Caesar. The tomato mixture was slightly bitter and cloudy with what I assumed was pulp.

We ordered a dozen of the Island Creek Oysters ($36). Our oysters came first, and I noticed each one was mangled. The oyster flesh was jagged and at room temperature. Our server came over just as I ate one and asked how the oysters tasted. I pulled out the oyster from my mouth because I felt something stringy, which turned out to be dark hair. I was shocked and disgusted, then realized it was possibly my hair, as I recognized a tint in the colour. I told our server not to worry and tossed the offensive item to the ground.

Before we left for Boston, everyone told us to try the clam chowder. The BPH Clam Chowder ($13.00) was worth every calorie. Each super thick spoonful contained chunks of meaty clams. We enjoyed the smoky, salty flavour from the bacon and creamy pieces of potatoes. L proclaimed this the best soup he’s ever eaten. I would order this again.

We shared the Lobster Mac & Cheese ($38.00), which was big enough for four people to share as a small side. The noodles were so hot that I burned the roof of my mouth. The tubes were soft and covered in a light cream sauce and thyme. The best part of the dish was the crunchy cheese top layer and the generous chunks of lobster meat.

When our bill came, our server took our oysters off the bill. L said it was completely unnecessary, and I felt guilty because I still wasn’t sure if the hair was mine. However, the server said not to worry, so we added an extra tip to the gratuity.

We ended the night walking around the harbour and downtown core. L had a big day on Sunday, so we wanted to take it easy and leave the shenanigans for later in the week.

Greece

Athens – Last night

August 6, 2022August 6, 2022 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

L and I departed Naxos to Athens for our last day before heading back to Calgary. I love Naxos, but I also enjoyed my time in Athens. The mix of different architectural styles amongst ancient ruins creates an incredible backdrop to explore. For this post, let’s listen to Billy Joel’s “Longest Time.”

We checked into our hotel and then walked around the neighbourhood. I noticed several permanently closed stores with Asian names. The buildings themselves looked old and historic, reminding me a little of Hastings Street in the downtown eastside of Vancouver. We grabbed a gyro and cold glass of beer for lunch, then ducked back into our hotel to cool off. It felt like such a shame to stay in our hotel room due to the overbearing heat.

I looked up restaurants in Athens, and one in particular stood out – Atlantikos. I almost exploded with unbridled delight when I found out we were within walking distance of this seafood restaurant. I told L I had to eat here.

Psiri is an offbeat, bohemian neighbourhood. We enjoyed walking around, admiring the quaint-looking streets. L picked a place for a pint of beer and a glass of wine for me. Then, after the evening cooled down, we made our way over to Atlantikos. Located in an alley, customers lined up to the busy restaurant all night. Oh my Cod, the food here is my idea of perfection. The seafood is fresh, simple and inexpensive.

We shared a Greek Salad (€6.50), Fried Calamari (€7.50), Mussels Saganaki (€6), and Grilled Shrimp (€11). The salad was huge. The feta was creamy and smooth. I noticed the tomatoes were bright red and juicy.

I just learned that calamari is a type of squid, and the “calamari” I’ve always eaten before is squid. The difference in texture is calamari is thinner, and there’s a delightful bulb-like air bubble that makes for satisfying munching.

The mussels were tasty morsels – fat and fresh. Perfectly cooked – each mussel was soft and hot. I would use the crusty pieces of bread to mop up the rich, tomatoey sauce.

The meat in the shrimp was delicately crunchy, sweet and juicy. The shrimp shells were so blisteringly hot that I burnt the tips of my impatient fingers.

I told L that one day, we have to return to Greece. I would go back to Naxos and Athens in a heartbeat as they are both on the top of my list of favourite places to visit.

Greece · Seafood

Naxos – Day two

July 30, 2022August 1, 2022 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

For breakfast, L suggested we find a cafe randomly, just like people did before the Internet. I felt uneasy about this decision, but I was a good sport and agreed to go old-school. For this post, let’s listen to “Denial.”

We ordered a latte (€2.70), a cheese, and a meat pie (€3.90). Unfortunately, the latte was too hot, and as a result, the milk tasted off. I worked at Starbucks in my younger days, so I knew the milk was oversteamed. There was too much foam, so it was more of a cappuccino than a latte.

L’s cheese pastry was tasteless and, for the portion, overpriced. On the other hand, my meat pie was tasty. The filling reminded me of the fried glutinous rice dumplings (ham sui gok) I ordered at dim sum. I would order this again.

L booked a car for two days. First, we checked out historical points of interest, such as the Temple Demeter and a few defunct churches.

For lunch, we planned to drive to a beach in an area known for its seafood. L navigated through the tight, steep one-lane roads that wind along the mountain. I felt a little like I was in a James Bond movie. He was excited to drive, and while the views were breathtaking, seeing all the roadside memorial sites spooked me.

We chose a busy beachside spot and ordered an octopus salad (€15), grilled calamari (€11), and tzatziki (€5).

Our server proudly proclaimed that the squid was the best in Naxos. I loved it! The calamari was silky and smooth, with a nice bouncy texture. I would order this again.

L enjoys octopus more than I do, and he was crazy about the sweet, tender chunks in the salad. Everything was simple but so good. I thought this was one of the best meals we had eaten.

After lunch, we drove to several villages and other landmarks. We returned to our hotel and stepped out for a Kitron cocktail in Old Town. Afterwards, we did one of my favourite things to do in Naxos: wander around Kastro Castle. Not only did the thick marble walls offer shade from the hot sun, but it was so delightful to get lost in the nooks and alleys of the fortress. At night it offered a different experience, as the castle’s passages became lit with restaurants buzzing with activity.

For dinner, I wanted something light. We checked out To Soulvlaki, for pork gyros (€3.50) and a mega pint of white wine (€3.30). After eating so many gyros, they all start to taste the same. I did notice the meat was seared, and the portion was more generous than their competition next door, Ya Souvlaki. We left full and eager to start the day again on this glorious island.

Greece · Restaurants · Seafood

Naxos – Day one

July 20, 2022July 29, 2022 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

Early in the morning, L and I booked a taxi to take us to the ferry to Naxos. When we arrived, a restaurant owner hustled us over to his patio and invited us to stay while we waited for the ferry. Right away, I knew we should continue walking and check out the other cafes. However, he struck up a conversation with L about when our ferry would arrive. His winning sales pitch that we could see our ferry come and only be obligated to purchase a coffee. For this post, let’s listen to Maria Farantouri ‘s “To the Little Wind.”

Our americanos (€5) tasted like instant Nabob coffee. When we gagged down our drinks, L purchased two large cans of Mythos beer (€6) for our ferry ride. I thanked L and noted that we probably could have bought the beers for cheaper at another store. He agreed so good-naturedly that I felt guilty. I really need to stop hen-pecking him over nickels.

We arrived in Naxos and stopped by Ya Souvlaki for gyros on the way to our hotel. We sat by the pier and devoured our pork gyros (€3.50) in minutes. We always eat the fries first because if you eat don’t, the flavour of the meat gets muted by the potatoes.

Usually, I’m full after a gyro, but since we skipped breakfast, I was still hungry. I ordered a lamb skewer (€3.50), and L ordered a chicken skewer (€2.50). Our server told us it would take a while, as the skewers are made fresh. Our skewers came with fries and pita bread. What a wicked price!

The lamb was killer – so juicy and almost grassy in flavour. L said he could taste the flavour of the charcoal in his chicken skewer. When we finished, L left to pay. I knew they were happy with their tip because our server came over with complimentary booze. L didn’t want to drink a shot at noon, so I happily took one for the team.

After we checked into our hotel, we toured around Old Town. We walked over to the Portara, the marble gate of an unfinished temple of Apollo. I had seen pictures of the gate before visiting. I wished I didn’t, as while the marble ruin was unique, it didn’t look nearly as impressive as the online pictures. Instagram filters ruin real life. I guess this is what people feel like on dating apps.

For our first night, I booked a table at Scirocco, located in the town centre. I relished the over-the-top polite service. I noticed the older British guests were known customers and were given the royal VIP treatment by all the staff.

I ordered a glass of bubbles that was pretty average (€7). I sipped a white wine with our dinner, which reminded me of citrus (€ 6). When I noticed guests drinking rosé wine (€7), I ordered one for dessert, though it seemed to cause our server some concern. I’m pretty sure the issue is the rosé is typically ordered by the bottle, not by the glass, but an exception was made for me. This was a real Goldilocks moment. The rosé wasn’t too sweet or generic, and it tasted a little like strawberries. I would order this again.

L and I shared an order of Sagankaki (€ 10) and the mixed seafood platter (€30). The fried cheese was crispy and topped with honey and black sesame seeds. The flavour of the toasted sesame and the mild, nutty flavour of the cheese reminded me of a dim sum dish – rice-wrapped Chinese doughnut. I would order this again.

Of the seafood medley, I enjoyed the salmon the most. The creamy lemon sauce paired beautifully with the fatty layers of the salmon. The shrimp was sweet and juicy. I also enjoyed the calamari, as the texture was smooth and firm. The marinated octopus was thick, meaty and succulent. I could tell all the seafood was fresh and not previously frozen because the consistency was unlike what I’m accustomed to in Calgary.

The service at Sciroco was an easy 10/10, the food was 8/10, and the wine was a 6/10, though the rosé was a 9/10. The dessert was so bad it is not even worthy of a tactfully worded description because it was so piss poor. In any case, Naxos is a hit.

Chinese · Restaurants · Seafood

Emerald Garden Restaurant

August 24, 2021September 1, 2021 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

I had to cancel our trip to Vancouver due to L’s work schedule. I was disappointed as my family had planned a feast at Ludwig’s favourite restaurant – Fisherman’s Terrace. My brother Narc sent photos of my father’s 79th birthday dinner – Peking duck carved at the table, fresh lobster in green onion and ginger sauce, duck lettuce wraps, fried stuffed taro, almond chicken, pea tips, fresh whole fish, deep-fried pumpkin, e-fu noodles, beef chow fun, green beans, and a bunch of other dishes I didn’t recognize. As I gazed at the photos, a small moan escaped from my mouth. For a moment, I missed my former life as a glutton. My younger brother Jacuzzi would always say to me whenever we got out of hand that it tastes good to be a pig. I concur.

Since I was missing the action back home, I told L we had to try out Emerald Garden for the more traditional Chinese dishes. I didn’t want ginger beef, salt and pepper squid, or chicken balls. He was game, even though he prefers westernized Chinese food. For this post, let’s listen to “If” by Janet Jackson.

When we arrived at Emerald Garden, we were surprised to see the constant stream of customers dining in, as well as the takeout orders flying out of the kitchen. Based on my friend Fung Ling’s recommendation, I ordered: Fried Stuffed Treasures ($19.95, 煎釀三寶 Eggplant, Green Peppers and Crispy Tofu Stuffed with Shrimp); Beef Tendon Casserole ($17.95, 牛筋腩煲 Beef Shank, Tendon and Tofu); Cod Fillets ($24.99, Fried Cod with Tofu and Chinese Mushrooms); Dried Scallop and Egg White Fried Rice ($14.95 瑤柱蛋白炒飯 Tobiko, Green Onions, Egg Whites and Dried Scallops); and Fried Dumplings ($13.95).

The scallops and fluffy egg whites in the fried rice tasted subtle and fresh, which accentuated the pops of flavour from the tobiko, green onions and crunchy onion garnish. The portion of fried rice is generous. I found Emerald Garden’s seafood fried rice better than Sun’s BBQ version.

I was looking forward to the beef tendon and I wasn’t disappointed. Each piece of tendon was soft and chewy. The beef shank was tender and tasty, marbled with a thin layer of fat. The daikon was juicy and delicate in flavour. I could tell the gravy in the casserole was fattening because the flavour was so rich and smooth.

The highlight of the night was the fish casserole. The pot arrived bubbling and sizzling, filled with battered fish fillets, fried tofu puffs, Chinese mushrooms and tofu skin. The cod tasted fresh and the texture of the fillet was thick and fluffy. I would order this again, though next time, I want to try the fish steamed or pan fried.

The shrimp stuffed eggplant, peppers and tofu came with a special sauce. We found the shrimp filling a little dry. However, I enjoyed the silky texture of the eggplant and the soft innards of the fried tofu.

The dumplings are deep fried and chewy. The wrapper on the dumplings was thick, puffy and gummy. Proportionally, the wrapping was about double the filling. For the dipping sauce, I added soy sauce, chili oil and vinegar.

The portions are generous and the prices are affordable. Our feast cost $100 and there was more than enough food for four people. I noticed later on in the evening and the next day, I didn’t feel dehydrated, which I think indicates Emerald Palace isn’t heavy handed when it comes to the salt and seasoning of the dishes.

I noticed the clientele at Emerald Palace are split into three camps. I saw customers who spoke fluent Cantonese order the more traditional dishes for a banquet style dinner. There is also an obviously loyal clientele of English-speaking customers who ordered the more westernized dishes, like salt and pepper squid and hot and sour soup. Then there’s me – someone who has the Chinese vocabulary of a two-year old.

Part of the charm of Emerald Garden is watching how all the customers interact with the staff. There was a young teenage employee who spoke fluent Cantonese and English. He was clearly working hard answering the phone, taking orders, bringing dishes out, serving drinks, and packing up food. An older man got up to leave and as he passed the reception area, he bellowed to the kid, “Bye Brian!” Another table of two women questioned what vegetable was in a certain dish. There was some confusion and back and forth with the customers and the server. The customer said, “Hey, I don’t mean to be a bitch. I’m just curious, so don’t worry about it.” The server confirmed with the chef and it turned out the vegetable was indeed zucchini. A Chinese speaking customer looked like another regular. He seemed right at home, cutting directly through the staff only section to his table. No one even blinked an eye.

The atmosphere reminds me of the past Chinese banquets I’ve attended. The background noise consists of a blended murmur of a screaming baby, laughter, and the happy clink of dishes. L wants to return to Emerald Garden try the westernized dishes, like the sizzling beef and sweet and sour pork. I’m fine with that as long as I can order the chef’s specials and signature dishes. I have my eye on the deep-fried egg yolk bitter melon and shredded chicken with jellyfish. Hitting the Sauce gives Emerald Garden two fat thumbs up.

Seafood · Special Occasion

Von Der Fels – The Last Supper

June 27, 2021June 29, 2021 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

After July 31, Von Der Fels will be no more. Lovegastrogirl and I had to dine one last time before chef Douglas King‪ and owner Will Trow move on to greener pastures to The Ranchmen’s Club. For this post, let’s listen to “Say It Ain’t So” by Weezer.

I’m going to miss Von Der Fels for the wines. This is the only place in the city where I’m impressed with the wines by the glass. I’m normally a red wine drinker but due to the heat, I wanted to try a glass of white. Our server recommend Miser Riesling 2020 ($16). This one was lovely – I enjoyed how the wine sparkled on my tongue. However, my favourite wine of the night was De Collette 2019 ($18). There was just something soft and mellow about it that made me want to keep on sipping.

The only reservation I was able to score was at 8:45 p.m. I couldn’t wait that long to eat and as a result, I was full when I arrived. However, we had to order food because you can’t come here and not eat. The food is just too good to pass up.

Our first dish was the Crispy Pork Belly with Lettuce Wraps ($43). The fragrance of the smoky sweetness of the pork was intoxicating. The crunchy fat on the pork belly reminds of me of Peking duck, but with a more complex flavour profile. I liked how the pickled cucumbers and fresh mint help to cut into the richness of the pork belly and sauces.

The second dish we tried was the Miso Sablefish with Tempura Shrimp ($49). Holy mackerel, this dish is a visual stunner. I felt like my eyes were eating as well. There was so much fried goodness in this plate that I felt giddy just looking at it. I could literally feel my inner fat kid transfer out of my body to hug this dish.

Each layer of the artichoke was silky soft, drenched in a light citrusy matsutake beurre blanc sauce. The shrimp was delightful – the batter was as light as tempura. My favourite part of the dish was the miso sablefish. The fish was so tender and flaky, with an incredible buttery texture. I would order this again but I can’t unless I become a member of The Ranchmen’s Club.

As a parting gift, Lovegastrogirl brought a bottle of champagne for the staff to enjoy. When her hubby Gpomp dropped us off at the restaurant, he asked me now that Von Der Fels is no longer assessable by the general public, what other restaurant could offer a similar experience? There’s only a handful of restaurants I have frequented in Calgary, so based on my limited exposure, and in terms of food, consistency, wine, service and value, I would say Sukiyaki House and Klein & Harris.

I have to talk to L about getting a membership at The Ranchmen’s Club. There’s a stellar negotiation course at the Haskayne School of Business that I’m considering taking to help me with my persuasion skills. Perhaps the mere threat of going back to school will encourage L to explore the new happenings occurring at The Ranchmen’s Club now that Douglas and Will have taken over the culinary reins.

I’ll always remember Von Der Fels as the spot to bring friends and family. This was a restaurant that you could depend on to consistently deliver, visit after visit. I wish the owner and chef the very best in their new roles and future at The Ranchmen’s Club.

Japanese · Restaurants · Seafood · Sushi · Vancouver/Richmond

Richmond – Sushi Hachi – L’s birthday dinner

November 29, 2019December 8, 2019 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

I booked L’s birthday dinner at Sushi Hachi Japanese Restaurant. Run by a husband and wife team, Sushi Hachi is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Reservations are required, as the small restaurant is perpetually booked.

Sign

I invited N and Beep Beep to L’s dinner. N asked if she could bring her new gentleman friend A-OK. When I spoke to the owner to request an extra seat, I confided to the owner that I was excited to dine at his restaurant. He sounded pleased, but cautiously mentioned that he only serves sushi and sashimi. There is no teriyaki or tempura on the menu. I told him that was fine with me, as I’ve been to Japan before and I’m aware of the difference between real sushi and the North American version. He sounded worried and humbly stated that he didn’t want to get my my hopes up, as his sushi is not as good as what you can get in Japan. For this post, let’s listen to “Saw You in a Dream” by The Japanese House.

When we were seated, L commented that he knew Sushi Hachi was a good restaurant based on the tantalizing smells wafting from the kitchen and sushi bar. Unfortunately, the description of the food we ate won’t be as detailed as I would have preferred. Beep Beep and I were too busy sizing up A-OK. I usually hate the guys N dates, but A-OK was a refreshing break from the norm.

A-OK and I shared a bottle of cold sake – Hakutsuru Nigori ($17). The flavour was floral, lush and milky in texture. L, Beep Beep and N refrained from drinking alcohol. Beep Beep was driving. L wanted a good sleep. N just came back from her second ayahuasca trip in Peru. Her shaman said she could eat seafood again, but not alcohol, meat or soy sauce. I asked A-OK if the next time, he could slip the shaman an extra twenty bucks so N could eat meat again.

miso soup

The Miso Soup ($2) was subtly different from the norm. I read in other reviews that the female owner makes her fish miso in small batches. Each bowl contained a collarbone.

nigiri

I ordered four Chef’s Special ($120) – a selection of ten pieces of nigiri and tuna maki. We were given a description of each fish, but I didn’t have time to write any of the names of the fish down.

The balance of vinegar and sugar in the rice was perfect. The temperature of the rice was neither cool or warm. I noticed the rice was a bit softer than I’m used to. L and I liked the proportion of fish to rice.

piece

My favourite piece was the bright white glossy piece – it was both crunchy and creamy. The simplicity of garnishes on the nigiri still let the freshness of the seafood shine through.

The scallops were tender and sweet. My favourite version was the chopped scallop. There’s just something so winning about the combination of delicate scallops and the rich egg flavor of velvety Kewpie mayonnaise.

I enjoyed crunching into the raw prawn ($3.50). Cold, sweet and with a texture that was both gooey and crunchy. The uni ($4.00) was the most buttery and briniest I’ve ever had. I’d order this again. L ordered an extra piece of his favourite sushi – tako ($2.50).

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L noted he’s never tried so many pieces of white fish, each with its own unique flavour. All the seafood tasted pure and clean.

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A-OK and N ordered a plate of Toro ($18) and Sockeye Salmon ($14). No comment as we didn’t try any of it.

A-OK also ordered the Grilled Squid ($10.50). The squid was tender and the juices were reminiscent of charcoal. This dish was simple and delicious.

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N ordered a Tempura Roll ($6) because she was still hungry. She took one piece and announced she was full. I ate a couple of pieces. The roll was crunchy and warm from the tempura, made even tastier with a generous slathering of mayonnaise.

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N mentioned that while she can eat fish, she only wants to eat white fish. She felt that the fish with a pink tinge was closer to meat. I disagreed but didn’t feel the urge to argue with her. I’m not a hot shot shaman.

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My favourite part of the night was when L thanked the sushi chef. In Japan, locals go crazy over my husband’s enunciation while I am generally frowned upon for breaking protocol. After L broke out his perfect Japanese, the chef’s expression didn’t change and he simply nodded to L. When I went to thank the sushi chef in English, he beamed and bestowed me with a big grin. Take that L.

Sushi Hachi is a gem. Now that L and I are no longer going on our annual trip to Japan, we can look forward to dining at Sushi Hachi. I’m eager to try more of the adventurous seafood on their sushi menu. Hitting the Sauce gives Sushi Hachi two fat thumbs up.