Tasting Journey #40 - Stone Grill

Stone Grill
1661 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC
604.637.0388
http://www.stonegrillvancouver.ca/index.php?pg=home

Nice view, quality food.
Portion is small, and the price is high.

Perfect for a date night, maybe awkward for family dine out.
Minimal traffic in the restaurant (probably due to its price range).

Some people may question why pay so much for cooking your own food.
I say it's the experience that makes it interesting. 

Food is prepared on a hot sizzling stone with herbs, and as it cooks, the aroma of the herb well marinates the steak/fish. Salt sprinkles as flavouring is all that is needed to compliment the quality ingredient.

Stone Grill is located right by the waters overlooking Granville Island.  Beautiful view, but don't forget that once the sun goes down, water becomes pitch dark, and you see nothing. Dawn is probably the perfect time to go.

Price: $$$
Quality: $$
Would I go again: Not really

Tasting Journey #39 - Nanchuu (南廚)

Nanchuu (南廚)
1160-8391 Alexandra Road
Richmond, BC
604.276.8391
http://www.gyokingroup.com/gyozaking/group.html


I think I've been here before, a few years back.  Interior remains unchanged with wooden stalls and tables.
The menu selection however, seemed to be different. I remembered the menu selection used to be more tapas focus, like Guu, but now, their selections included ramen, and salads.  I guess this type of menu widens their guest-base, as it can now be catered towards people who works in the neighbourhood; popping in for a quick and filling lunch at a reasonable price.

We ordered quite a few dishes. As usual, our eyes had bigger bigger appetite than our stomachs can allow.   I must say that all the dishes were fairly tasty. Price is actually quite decent when compared to other tapas.  Maybe because we had a filler - ramen, so we were extremely stuffed after our meal.  We ended up paying $50 (after tax, excluding tips) for 5 dishes.

trio appetizer

salmon carpaccio

chili shrimp

shio ramen

beef yukke

Price: $$
Ambiance: Great
Quality: Great
Would I visit again: Yes!

Tasting Journey #38 - Avenue Grill

Avenue Grill
2114 West 41st St.
Vancouver, BC
604.266.8183
http://dinehere.ca/vancouver/avenue-grill-the

Mediterranean Calamari

This place has been around for over 20 years since when I was back in elementary school. It is a family diner located in Kerrisdale.  I've walked/drived by it a countless number of times, always noticing the neon signs, but never ever thought of stopping by.  Browsing on Groupon's daily deal, I noticed that there was deal at Avenue Grill where it is $30 for $15. So I bought it.  My thought is that if it can exist for 20 years, it can't be bad right? I had mentioned this deal to my colleague who also lives in that neighbourhood.  She said she would sometimes go there for brunch.  The deal I bought was for dinner. 

I've always thought that this is a burger joint, but now glancing at the options on the menu, it is possibly Italian or Mexican - Pasta, Calamari, Risotto, Jambalaya, Veal...

French Onion Soup with bread & cheese

 
We ordered two appetizers, and one entree to share. Total cost - $38
     Appetizer: French Onion Soup ($10), Mediterranean style Calamari ($11)
     Entree: Jambalaya with Fettuccine ($17)

Jambalaya

I can't say that the food is to my liking because I find it all very salty. However, having tried multiple french onion soups when I was Paris, I am inclined to think that it is quite authentic (though I don't think it's a French restaurant) because the onion soups I had in Paris were just as salty. 
Calamari was salty & spicy. Jambalaya was salty as well.

The portions are quite fair for its price.  The two of us couldn't even finish the Jambalaya.

Based on this visit, I have to say that this restaurant would go into the "been there, done that" bucket.  It's been in operation long enough for me to have to try it, but not to my preference where I will want to go back.

Maybe brunch is better.