Tag Archives: dining out

Thai House on 7th

Thai House Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato Working in the neighbourhood and always trying to find a new place to try out, I decided to try out Thai House for lunch. I was expecting prices to be in the $12-16 per dish – which they were, but they have a lunch special only available during the weekdays for only $9.50 (served from 11:30am-2:30pm). I ordered the Traditional Pad Thai with no peanuts. (Zomato menu price lists it as $8.95, take-out pamphlet says $9.50, but the bill was $9.95+tax).

idearabbit_thaihouse_7th_1When I called in, service was fine. But when I was there to pick-up my order, it was quite the opposite.I sensed that the restaurant was busy for the lunch hour and while the lady was handling both cashier and the phone calls, which was ringing off the hook. She was super rude. She spoke with just a bit under the threshold of the ambient noise level so it was hard to hear her. She also seem to mumble more than talk outward. She pulled out a bill, and I thought it was mine, as she twirled around to grab the food behind her. She mumbled something, ‘what?’ I pointed to the bill. “This is not your bill!” she said hastly. She then put down a take-out bag with a receipt taped on it. “This is your order!” I was appalled.

idearabbit_thaihouse_7th_2The food on the other hand was excellent! For under $10, you got a decent amount of Pad Thai that I would have to say it has been the best (though I am a bit biased since I haven’t eaten a lot of Pad Thai…) It came with a small soup and spring roll! I couldn’t even finish all the noodles…

Great deal, and great food. I will definitely be returning despite the the service being a turn-off. I understand it can be busy, but I know what it’s like working in a restaurant. And I never gave customers such rude service even if it got hectic. Anyways…it was only her that unpleasant.

Return

Second time, the phone order as well as the pick up at the cashier went smoothly. The food again was really good.

idearabbit-thaihouse_burrard1For the third time, I met up with Sheepie for lunch to dine in. The restaurant is quite spacious. The ceiling is neat. The bathrooms are a little bit fancier than most restaurants. Love the faucet.

idearabbit-thaihouse_burrard3Anyways, I had the same thing (not too adventurous, lol), the Traditional Phad Thai with no peanuts (lunch special) $9.95. The portion of the noodles seemed a bit less, but it’s probably an illusion because I wasn’t able to finish it. Unlike for take out, it had a small side salad and the lime and fresh bean sprouts were also a bonus for dining i

idearabbit-thaihouse_burrard2 idearabbit-thaihouse_burrard4We sat by the window and it was nice and bright. Not much of a ‘view’ per say, but still fun to watch people walking by or parking on the streets.

Sheepie complained that the ambient noise was too high, which I thought wasn’t too bad – unusual for me, as we are both usually sensitive to noise level – unless I’m going deaf :P

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Sheepie had Chicken Green Curry with Rice $9.50. The rice had a strong coconut flavour, and the chicken was super soft. Really good! :D

Service was very good. The lunch specials are great deals! I highly recommend them!

Taste: carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot    Price for Value: carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot

Atmosphere:  carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot  Service:  carrotcarrotcarrot
Location: carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot

White Spot on Georgia

White Spot Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - ZomatoIt’s great for those that drive a car and need parking to dine anywhere in downtown. It is almost near to impossible to find a restaurant offering free parking in downtown.

The place is open and spacious. Kept clean (especially after our experience in Richmond). I often ordered the Chicken, Broccoli & Cheese, but thought I’d try something new. I ordered the Chicken Pot Pie $12.99 with chicken, potato, carrot, celery and peas in a creamy broth with baked with a flaky puff pastry.

idearabbit_whitespot_georgia1It came with a decent sized The Spot’s salad (I ordered it without nuts. I think for those who are allergic to nuts, they should really state in their menu that there are almonds in the salad – as I found out the first time I ordered a side salad).

I’m always quite satisfied with White Spot’s portions. The salad was fresh, and the additions of dried cranberries were really nice to counter balance the subtle sour dressing. The puffy pastry was easy to get through, and I dipped them into the broth to soften and to add flavour. The broth was creamy, and the veggies and chicken were soft yet not mushy. It is ‘comfort’ food. The broth wasn’t too salty, which I was happy with. idearabbit_whitespot_georgia2

Sheepie ordered The Legendary Burger with their traditional 1/4 lb. beef burger with signature Triple “O” sauce. Their beef is 100% Canadian beef (less carbon foot print and support local farms). You have the choice of either a Caesar Salad or The Spot’s Salad or Creamy coleslaw. Sheepie chose the coleslaw. It also came with ‘Endless’ fries.

Since the fries were unlimited (which I think is awesome – though perhaps not so awesome for your waist :P ) I had quite a bit of it. They were thick, crispy and not salty (which I prefer). We had seconds :)

They were renovating a bit and replacing the seats for the booths. It wasn’t too bothersome as they started when we were close to leaving, but still, it was still 8:30pm and they were going to be open till 11pm. However, being Sunday evening, it was quiet empty by then on the west side where we were dining.

Service was good. Friendly staff. Nice warm fireplace in the middle which made it very cozy.

When I crave for ‘Western’ food that is affordable, comfy, good food with good portions, I seem to lean towards White Spot. I used to go to Denny’s but now I find their food way too greasy and heavy.

 

Taste: carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot    Price for Value: carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot

Atmosphere:  carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot   Service:  carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot
Location: carrotcarrotcarrot

 

Kirin Seafood Restaurant at CitySquare

Kirin Seafood Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - ZomatoKnown for high quality Chinese food, I was excited to try this place for our co-worker’s farewell feast. It was the first time that I had been to a restaurant where they placed seat covers on each chair. Kept the coats on our seats clean and maybe protect it from greasy smells.

Service was excellent. My co-worker told me that when the hot water and tea pot were separate, it meant that they were a Cantonese restaurant. We were all offered individual hot wet towels to clean our hands. Every time our plates became full and ‘used’, it was replaced with a clean one. The interior was decorated nicely and the lively atmosphere created excitement for the food to arrive.

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Covers on seatsidearabbit_kirin_citysquare4

Even the tea pots have nice place mats.idearabbit_kirin_citysquare3 idearabbit_kirin_citysquare2

idearabbit_kirin_citysquare13 The main was the Lobster. It was difficult to eat as the shell was on it… I suppose this is how it is in Asian dishes, but I’m not a fan of using the hands and trying to peck at it like some vulture with the chopsticks in my other hand, especially for a high-end restaurant. I know that Sheepie isn’t fond of this style either, but I guess it’s the culture. For that reason, I picked up parts that had the meat already exposed and very little shell to pick through. It had a creamy sauce which were quite bland. The lobsters came mixed with noodles. Even though I love noodles, this felt almost like having linguine in a really bland alfredo sauce. I am not sure if it’s the clash with the idea that it reminded me of Italian food, that I didn’t really find the flavour captivating, or I’m starting to find that maybe I don’t lean towards noodles in really thick sauce (like Korean’s Jajangmyeon), I didn’t eat much of it. idearabbit_kirin_citysquare15However, the lobster was plumpy, and there were quite a bit of good chunks of meat. The co-worker who was leaving loved it as he was a huge lobster fan.

idearabbit_kirin_citysquare10Spring Rolls $5 (2 rols) were crispy and average.

idearabbit_kirin_citysquare11The deep fried flaky spring rolls were creamy, yet light in flavour. Despite my comment for creamy sauce above, I did very much like the contrast of the crispy outer case and the creamy inside. Very good! (sorry I don’t know the exact names…I didn’t order them, and I’m still not good with Chinese cuisine names… T_T If anyone knows, please let me know! Thanks!)

idearabbit_kirin_citysquare6Squid Calamari was super crispy, though a bit chewy, and the portion was a bit smaller than other places I’ve been to.

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Green beans had a delicate, but richer flavour. However, I did agree with one staff that it was way too salty. It would go great with plain rice.

idearabbit_kirin_citysquare12The Pancakes weren’t rubbery, and it was fresh. Cut up into pieces, which made it easier to eat.

idearabbit_kirin_citysquare7Rice Roll $5.38 were smaller in portion compared to other Chinese restaurants, but were quite tasty.

idearabbit_kirin_citysquare9Shrimp Dumplings were hot, tasty and delicious.

idearabbit_kirin_citysquare8Fresh greens! I do have a pet peeve of how this dish is severed everywhere. Most often, it’s hard to chew off a bite from these… I wish they’d cut them into 3 sections, allowing for better table manners. Other than the Flaky Spring Rolls, nothing really jumped out at me. One staff told me that it was much better before and that she wasn’t that impressed this time.

With many other pretty good Chinese places that I’ve discovered for much cheaper, I don’t think I’d return with my own wallet.

Taste: carrotcarrotcarrot    Price for Value: carrotcarrotcarrot

Atmosphere:  carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot   Service:  carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot
Location: carrotcarrotcarrotcarrot