Meat & Bread

http://meatandbread.ca/

After a short walking tour around downtown Vancouver we ended up in Gastown and were highly recommended this place by out tour guide.

APPEARANCE
clean, bold
The line up on a Saturday afternoon starts from the door.
An all windowed wall with a thin black frame is invaded by the narrow, bold, white word-mark on the glass.

NOSE
delicate, pear aroma
Inside it is warm, full of life and light. It is a long space - small tables by the window, a big main social table for anyone/everyone and then a few more small tables near the back. Chairs, lights, frames, menus all back, while the back wall is old white-painted brick that looks like its falling apart. Cheri lined up quite I fetched us a tiny table, as they are scarce. Of course this happened after we checked out their washrooms, which had vintage furniture and details as well as interesting framings ( like a poster explaining the parts of a cow).

SWIRL
lively, light smoke and oak hints
This place has little selection, so on can't get to picky/confused and is well worth the wait. I decided we are getting the Porchetta, the Turkey Confit and the Grilled Cheese (that our tour guide talked so enthusiastically about) with two of their Phoenix beers. While in line, you get to watch them make the sandwiches - it really works on your appetite. Saying that, anyone vegetarian will be scarred for life. I took a few photos and a man with an Australian accent came to talk to me (I think the owner). For a sec I though I was in trouble but he soon said he just wants to make sure the guys look good and there are no funny faces.

PALATE
medium-bodied, smooth, intriguing
Soon enough the sandwiches were each loaded on charming thin wooden boards, with a strip of wax paper and with a blob of the appropriate sauce on the side (usually mustard). The grilled cheese took longer though.
The Porchetta was great. The meat had a bit too much fatty pieces for my liking, but the salsa verde inside and the crispy skins were amazing. The Turkey confit was quite interesting combination of flavours - chipotle glaze, fennel, red onion, and a yogurt-base sauce. It had a strange smell to it, I did not mind right then but I know some days I would definitely not want that smell even close to me. The grilled cheese was brought out for us, it was light and melting in my mouth.

FINISH
evolving, living
Loved the lively ambiance, the light rock music in the background, the cozy lightness and simple interior and menu.

Overall a unique Chardonnay

Shu Raku

http://www.shuraku.net/

So we just landed in Vancouver and it was only 10pm there, so we decided to not stay in on our first night - especially as this place was a 15min walk from our hotel. On top of that it was highly recommended by a colleague and furthermore re-enforced by Urbanspoon

APPEARANCE
yellow-green color with hints of gold
Granville with its neon reflections off the wet paving was quite gorgeous and this little place, was also adding to all the life on the street.

NOSE
crisp, some floral nuances
So we entered and were quickly sat. Perhaps too quickly to take a good look at the natural curving wood counter or the adorable line of lamps with wooden sticks. So the second part of the restaurant, the back long room, is where the late-night snackers were lead to. There was an easy vibe, with spanish-sounding music (rather out of place), a blank lit-up wall on one side and an illuminating sushi bar on the other.

SWIRL

yellow plum, honey melon

The long menus came along with their playful-traditional wordmark everywhere, but most elegantly placed on the black chopsticks pockets. Our waiter was great. A Japanese guy who spoke with a Brit accent. He squat down to speak to us coming to our height - very polite. Due to our interest but lack of Sake knowledge we went with the Hot Sake Flight -  2 kinds of sake of the day. Cheri was curious to try their Beef Asparagus and I was really craving a Volcano Roll. I asked for his roll recommendations, he talked about the Roulette Roll which we decided to give a go the second time around.

PALATE
balanced, delicate, supple
The Sakes came in their traditional clay thermoses keeping them warm, and right in front there were little laminated coasters of taste notes on the back, whoa.. it is like wine/whiskey. One was Yuki Hotaru (Niigata): off-dry, light, refreshing, crisp and floral on the nose. The next one was Kagatobi Gokkan Jaumai (Ishikawa): full-bodied, with delicate flavours of nuts and tropical fruits. Both were lovely and easy to sip on. The Beef Asparagus came, elegantly presented, barbecued and not overwhelming in any particular flavour. Next came out our bowl of Volcano Roll - covered with tempura flakes and dry crispy sticks coming out. As I dug in, the fresh tuna melted in my mouth while the red spicy sauce really heated me up. Last but not least, the Roulette Roll is definitely popular for more than its classy presentation - with a long line of black seaweed soy sauce and lotus root chips crowning the roll. To be honest, neither of us are anything close to scallops enthusiast, but I did not even feel it, it mixed beautifully with the tuna, onion, avocado, and cucumber parts.


FINISH
pleasant with a long finish
We lingered on, sipping our sake and nibbling on the gorgeously delicious dishes. We sank into this fusion of trendy and traditional from the interior and vibe to our waiter and the dishes. The victim of our great evening was one little clay sake cup, which managed to jump as we built a cup column.. but again it was dealt with graciously and quietly.
A must go-back-to place!




overall.. a charming Beaujolais Blanc