Guu Otokomae in Gastown

Guu Otokomae Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - ZomatoI know Guu is really popular, and their food is good. However, I just can’t stand all the yelling and hustle and bustle of Guu’s atmosphere. It’s just not my thing. Nor is it Sheepie’s. But we were invited to a friend’s birthday dinner being hosted there, so of course we went. It was also the first time that I would go since becoming a food blogger, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to really assess the restaurant.

idearabbit_guu_otokomae1I started off with the Ebi Mayo $8.20. Very crunchy on the outside, and plumpy shrimps inside.

The staff was shouting out orders, and since the place was so noisy, people at our table were talking really loud. I had ringing in my right ear afterwards.

Unlike most ‘Western’ style restaurants where the server remembers what you ordered, dishes were placed randomly where there was space on the table. This made it a bit cumbersome since there were 13 of us at the table, and we had to figure out who ordered what.

idearabbit_guu_otokomae2The Takoyaki $5 had negi (green onions) which I had not seen on this dish before. The sauce was a bit runny, but the flavour was good.

idearabbit_guu_otokomae3Spicy Calamari $6.30 This wasn’t too crunchy, and there were too much guck.

idearabbit_guu_otokomae4Agedashi Tofu $5.50 was unusual in that it was drowning in soup. So the tofu were soggy, not with the crispy outside that I had become accustomed to. It was more like tofu soup. I wouldn’t order it again, though that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t eat it.

Overall assessment? The noise is the number one thing for me. I just don’t like all the shouting, and also having to talk with others at the table by raising my voice, or not really hearing what others were saying. The food was mediocre. Pricey for the quality. It could be because I don’t drink (at all) that I’m not a fan of the izakaya style – though I wouldn’t say that I don’t like izakaya food. For Guu though, despite the popularity, I would personally not return.

Taste: carrotcarrotcarrot    Price for Value: carrotcarrot

Atmosphere:  carrotcarrot   Service:  carrotcarrot
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