Rhino’s Kitchen

January 8, 2012May 4, 2013Leave a comment

Deep Fried Stuffed Chicken Wing

Ham and Cheese French Bun

It came to my realization when I went past Lansdowne Mall that California Cafe had closed down and became Rhino’s Kitchen. Not that I liked California Cafe much, but I guess I was just a little surprised. Curious what Rhino’s Kitchen was like, I ended up going in for a small dinner. I have to say, I couldn’t stop laughing upon entering the restaurant. They literally had pictures of rhinos all over the wall, with trees depicting the wildlife, and even a rhino statue at the entrance. My friend and I agreed they had a creative theme but it was still pretty funny. They even had their washroom doors painted with rhinos! I decided to just get some snacks since I wasn’t too hungry. I saw the stuffed chicken wing on the menu and thought it sounded really cool so gave it a try! I have to say the outer coating was really oily and wasn’t really crispy. But it was really interesting how the sticky rice was filled inside the wing beneath the meat! Not bad I guess, and it was quite large and filling too. Next, I had their ham and cheese french bun. Turned out completely different from what I had imagined. They were more like bruschetta with ham and cheese on them. Tasted pretty good, with something like sun-dried tomatoes in between and topped with olives. Actually, come to think of it, it almost tasted like pizza. They were also having a holiday special which was a set menu with lobster and steak. Sounded tempting and everyone was eating it in the restaurant, but I really didn’t have a big enough appetite to devour all of it! Guess their food is just really similar to what California Cafe had to offer, and I don’t think it was that great. It’s like white food at a HK style cafe so you can’t expect much. I have to say that their service was quite good though, but I felt like they were overstaffed so that might be the reason why.

Tsukiji

January 8, 2012May 4, 2013Leave a comment

Assorted Sashimi (Salmon, Tuna, Hamachi, Tako, Hokki, Hotate) and Uni (Sea Urchin)

Chopped Scallop Roll and House Roll (Prawn Tempura Roll Topped with Unagi, Avocado and Masago)

Nabeyaki Udon – Thick Noodle in Soup with Prawn Tempura, chicken, and Vegetables (Forgot to take the one in the big bowl!)

Negitoro Maki (Chopped Tuna Belly with Green Onion)

Unagi Don (Grilled BBQ Eel)

Karubi (Beef Short Ribs)

Went to Tsukiji for Christmas Eve Dinner since my family didn’t want to crowd at other restaurants, but Tsukiji was actually quite full too. They brought us to rooms where we actually had to take off our shoes and sit on mats, so it gave us a little Japanese ambiance to it. Food was quite good with good quality, but I have to say the portions are quite small for the price. We had to keep ordering after our first orders of food came since we were all still hungry! Place is still great though, and I’ll probably come back again!

The Edge Social Grill and Lounge

January 6, 2012May 4, 2013Leave a comment

Hot Chocolate

Sweet Potato Fries with Parmesan Aioli

Honey Garlic Wings

BBQ Wings

Mac & Cheese with Caesar Salad

Eating at The Edge was actually by random as we were planning to go to The Twisted Fork, just very close by, except they didn’t take reservations and was very full by the time we got there. Can’t say it was anything out of the extraordinary, but it’s not bad for the price and service. Food, did however take extremely long to be served. The yam fries were great, but maybe it was because I was hungry. The wings are just average – I didn’t really like the honey garlic ones as it almost tasted bland. Mac & Cheese is one of my favourite comfort foods, but this one was definitely not up to par. It didn’t have that cheddar taste to it, and tasted almost like alfredo. I really only enjoyed the crusted top, but it still wasn’t that great. I could get a better Mac & Cheese at Boston Pizza or somewhere else. Service and ambiance was great, although it was very empty, but maybe it was because it was a weekday. I just wish the food would’ve came out a little quicker. Okay food at a decent price, but probably wouldn’t go back again.

Kumare

December 20, 2011May 4, 2013Leave a comment

Lumpiang Shanghai
Deep fried bite sized pork spring rolls

Beef Mami
Beef, egg, spring onions, and vegetables

Inihaw na Pusit
Grilled squid

Pancit Langlang
Stir-fried vermicelli and egg noodles, diced chicken and pork, and assorted vegetables.

Leche Flan

Ube Macapuno Cake
Ube chiffon cake and cream cheese icing

This is my second time at Kumare now! First time, I have to admit that I had no idea what I was ordering and wasn’t ordering the right “Filipino” food, so this time, I brought a Filipino friend with me for lunch! First off, we got some spring rolls that were filled with pork. They were really good and the filling was quite different from the ones I normally eat. Then, there was the soup, which I found quite interesting. It had a lot of vegetables and it had a sour taste to it. Not something I would normally order, but it wasn’t too bad. The squid was really interesting, as it was filled with green and red peppers, and then it was grilled. I have never tried something like this before! It was delicious other than the parts that were grilled a little too much. Those parts had a burnt taste to it. This time, my friend ordered noodles that were supposed to be Filipino – not those Pad Thai noodles I ordered last time that clearly were originated from the Malaysian and Thai Cuisine. The noodles were like vermicelli and had an interesting flavour to it. Quite delicious! And last but not least, I finally got to try their desserts, since Kumare also has a bakery section to the restaurant. I insisted on trying the Taro Chiffon Cake as I wanted to for the longest time, but my friend also suggested the Leche Flan, which is basically like a caramel pudding. So glad she ordered that because it was so delicious! Definitely one of my favourite desserts now! The Taro Cake was also not bad, as it had a nice taro flavour to it and the cream wasn’t too thick. It was also topped with some coconut that seemed to be freshly peeled off! Overall, it was a great experience having Filipino food. I think I might have a better idea of what to order next time and I’m definitely coming back!

Curry Point at UBC

December 18, 2011May 4, 2013Leave a comment

Curry Chicken

Another late night at UBC means looking for food for dinner! A friend ended up grabbing me some take out at Curry Point which is in University Village.
Can’t comment much about the place since I wasn’t there but the food was just okay. The curry was much better than the one from the Delly, but the rice was kind of soggy. Still need to find a better curry place at UBC!

Tokyo Joe Ramen Okawari

December 15, 2011May 4, 2013Leave a comment

Salmon and Tuna Sashimi

Assorted Sushi

Curry Ramen

Okawari Ramen – Japanese style Cha Shu Ginseng Noodle Soup

Tokyo Joe opened their ramen chain a few months ago in the save on foods mall in Richmond, just across from their sushi chain! I haven’t actually tried the sushi chain, but decided to try their ramen first. Upon entering, we were greeted by enthusiastic Japanese waitresses and the restaurant was quite empty. But a few minutes after sitting down, the place became full! They have specials every week and this week was the Curry Ramen so I decided to try that. The ramen wasn’t actually soaked in a curry soup base, but instead, the fried pork was drizzled with curry sauce, so it was just enough curry flavour without taking over the flavour of the ramen soup. The Okawari Ramen is basically like their house ramen, but it is different from other ramen, where they actually have ginseng in this one! I never got a chance to try it, but it looks delicious! Now I want to try the Tokyo Joe sushi factory across the street!

Delly at UBC

December 11, 2011May 4, 2013Leave a comment

Curry Chicken with Rice

If you go to school at UBC, you know how it sucks to stay late at night just to do a presentation. Not only that, but finding food after 5pm is a headache with almost everything closed! Well I guess there are options, but they’re just really far and walking in the cold weather is not exactly something you would want to do! So I end up at the SUB (Student Union Building) with most stores already closed. Sushi is basically sold out, and not really feeling like Subway, so I end up at the Delly. I’ve tried their pastries like samosas and other phyllo pastries and they were really delicious! Always my go to place for a small snack. They also have a section with butter chicken and a variety of curry, so I decided to get a filling dinner and chose the Curry Chicken with Rice. To my disappointment, it tasted terrible! I usually can’t take spice, but I can guarantee you that this curry has no spice to it at all, and the flavour is bland and not even close to the typical curry flavour. The pieces of chicken were huge and all had bones in it. It was literally a whole chicken but chopped up. Not exactly something I want to eat when I’m out. Only good part were the potatoes. It was however a huge portion for the price, but I still wouldn’t go back for it. Perhaps the butter chicken might be better. And for sure, those pastries are delicious, so go for those instead!

Zakkushi Charcoal Grill

December 10, 2011May 4, 2013Leave a comment

Uzura – Quail Egg wrapped with Sliced Pork & Garlic Beef – AAA Beef with Teriyaki Sauce and Garlic Chips

Kobe Beef Tsukune (Meatball) & Shitake – Shitake Mushroom with Grated Radish, Daikon and Ponzu Sauce

Momo – Chicken Thighs & Yaki Ebi – Prawns with Butter Soy Sauce and Garlic Chips

Teba – Chicken Wing

Nori Maya – Terriyaki Sauce, Mayo and Seaweed Chicken Meatball & Tsukune – Teriyaki Sauce and Garlic Chicken Meatball

Mmmm! Zakkushi Charcoal Grill is all about grilled skewers! They do however have salads, sashimi and other tapas, but I just ordered a bunch of skewers since there were so many to choose from! Prices range from about $1.40 to $2.90 per skewer and they are all really delicious! Cannot decide which one is my favourite! Zakkushi also has 3 locations in total. This one was at the Denman and Robson location. There are also ones on West 4th and Main. Don’t know how the service is at those locations, but service was prompt and satisfying at this location. Definitely going to go back again to try the other skewers! Too many to choose from!