604 Just Eat: Japanese Cuisine @ Black Rice Izakaya

April 9th , 2016

Black Rice Izakaya @ Yaletown

Food:  3/5   Service:  3.5/5   Atmosphere:  3.5/5   Price:  Avg. $45/person

We have hit to so many izakaya places already so we wanted to look for a new place to try on Saturday night.  We found Black Rice on Zomato and we hesitated a while since there were both good and bad reviews at it.  Black Rice is a Japanese Izakaya restaurant located in Yaletown area.  I was a lil disappointed at the food menu as I expected more izakaya dishes and Black Rice is not a traditional Izakaya.  I think it is operated by Korean, not Japanese.  I like the sake menu, they have a good selection of sake.  Food quality was so so, nothing is impressive.  Price range is on the high side especially the nigiri sushi.  In this price range, I definitely can have some real good authentic sushi at other Japanese restaurants.  The place is great, nice environment and relaxing atmosphere which unlike the typical izakayas.      

604 Just Eat: Cantonese Cafe @ Smart and Save Cafe

April 2nd , 2016

Smart and Save Cafe @ Richmond

Food:  3/5   Service:  3/5   Atmosphere:  2.5/5   Price:  Avg. $7.5/person

I heard some raving comments of Smart and Save Café, specialized in Hong Kong style local street food or snacks.  We decided to check it out on Saturday for late lunch.

We wanted to order the Chinese sticky rice and deep fried prawn paste toast but they were sold out already!  I was mad craving for the HK style fish paste siu mai but again it was sold out too.  OMG it was only 1pm when we got there and I heard these dishes were so good too….  Now I got the idea why granny always said “early birds catch the worm”.  Oh well, I was lil disappointed but there were other food we could try.  We ordered the waffle and the mixed sauce plain rice roll with the HK style milk tea. 

Hong Kong style milk tea @ $2.50

 Pretty good, smooth and tasty but not strong tea flavor enough.