Vij's

Food: * * * * *

Service: * * * *

Busy trendy Indian eatery. No reso's; be prepared to wait for upwards of 2 hours depending on your arrival time and day. Small bar at the back of the restaurant is basically a waiting room for hungry patrons, and servers kindly make the rounds with amusees bouches as a foreshadow of the entrees to come. Seating is crowded since the space isn't big. Vij is often there greeting and mingling with waiting diners, which adds a nice welcome touch. Food is unique, though distinctively Indian in flavour; local ingredients blended with jazzed up versions of traditional curries and spices make the dining experience memorable and distinct. Leave your notions of "Indian food" behind and open yourself up to a taste adventure. :)

Rangoli by Vij's

Food: * * * * 1/2

Service: * * * *

A more affordable, casual alternative to the sister restaurant. This one doesn't require as long a time from arrival to seating, but expect to wait a few minutes if you head over during peak hours. Seating is limited. Tasty menu, mid-range pricing for quality, and they have lassis (yogurt drinks)! Food is flavourful and offers a modern twist on what you'd traditionally consider to be Indian cuisine. Service is relatively prompt and polite. A great place to go for quality Indian at reasonable costs.

Monk McQueen's

Food: * * * * 1/2

Service: * * * *

Don't be misled by the tourist mags touting this place a little too eagerly; this really is a good restaurant for seafood. Parking was non-existent (wear shoes you can walk a few blocks in) save for paid lots a few blocks out of the cul-de-sac. Prices were standard for west-coast contemporary fare, and food was delicious, especially the deep-fried oysters served in mini tortilla shells. The view was breath-taking, so ask for a window seat if possible; we didn't do the patio but it would be uber-romantic to do so if weather permitted. Busy place on weekends and probably some evenings during the week, too; make reso's and be prepared to wait a little for your food. Good for romantic dates and small groups doing a dinner party out.

Shiang Garden

Food: * * * 1/2

Service: * 1/2

Update: Pretty tasty dim sum, especially the har gow and siu mai. Some of the traditional dishes take on a new twist, like the sticky rice that isn't wrapped in lotus leaves but some sort of edible crepe instead. Dim sum menu is a bit limited in variety, but good quality for what you get. Ambiance is strangely pseudo-Victorian, complete with high ceilings, gilded fixtures, and paintings that look like they should have hung on Queen Victoria's walls. Service is horrifying; we did not get our food for over 30 minutes, despite the fact that the place was half-empty. When the dishes finally came, one server tried to take our food away to give to another waiting table. Mid-range affordability; not the priciest but not discount pricing either. Don't go here unless you've got some masochist blood running through your veins; the food is good but it's not worth the misery of the service.

Shanghai Chinese Bistro

Food: * * * * 1/2

Service: * * * * 1/2

Surprisingly awesome service at a Chinese restaurant; attentive and polite. Try their Peking duck; the servers will attempt to wrap them for you (nice, but not necessary, really). All the dishes here were tasty, and of course the handmade noodles are a must. Portions are not huge and prices are heftier than normal for the size you get. However, if you're about quality and not quantity this is a good place to get some tasty Chinese.

Ho Yuen Kee

Food: * * * 1/2

Service: * * *

As with most Chinese eateries, don't even think about receiving great service. Line-ups were insanely long so expect to wait if you go at night. Food was good but not stellar; someone forgot to add salt to our fish maw soup, and all the other dishes tasted okay but were forgettable. Prices were affordable (explains the line-up) and setting was casual. Not sure what the hype was about; maybe I'm too spoiled by my dad's expertise in Cantonese wok-cooking.

Golden Ocean

Food: * * * *

Service: * * *


Going off-peak hours (20% off) on a Saturday, we found the dim sum to be very tasty. Not a huge variety but all of the basics were covered. Definitely as good as the more expensive alternatives. Push-carts and circulating trays were a good reminder of the old fashioned dim sum we know and love. Ignore the holes in the tablecloths and worn out upholstery on the chairs; it's about the food and it's solid. Might get noisy and crowded during peak hours though, so go early!

Samba Brazilian Steakhouse Churrascaria

Food: * * 1/2

Service: * * *

Though initially impressed with the sangria (it is very good) and AYCE meat, quality control has really taken a nose-dive here and I was actually *embarrassed* to have brought my family to such a cheap-feeling place. Oversalted meats, a lack of Rodizio variety when dining on weekdays, and a generally campy feel to the whole dining experience. The buffet lacks originality and is all about fillers. Go if you want a lot of red meat, and if you want tasty drinks (love their drink menu). Otherwise, skip it in favour of something worthy of your tastebuds.

Las Margaritas

Food: * * *

Service: * * * *

Standard Mexican fare that's popular with the masses (think fajitas and burritos and heaping plates of nachos). Big line-ups on weekends. Crowded and noisy, but good for a group out for a drink and some casual grub. Not my favourite, but Hubbs enjoys the occasional visit.

Don Guacamole's

Food: * * * *

Service: * * * * *

Tasty authentic food, not the standard faux-Mexican fare. Prices are affordable and dishes are abundant in size. Crowded, casual restaurant - expect line-ups and no reso's. Loved their unique beverages and the abundance of meat in the items we ordered. Come in a group, expect to share, and bring cash.

New Format, No Time

It has come to my attention that I haven't updated this blog in more than half a year. That suggests to me that I no longer have the time to do big essay-style write-ups on every culinary adventure that I take (and I do venture out every week, at minimum). I have had to choose between completely obliterating this blog (which I am loathe to do) or altering its format into something that is a bit easier to manage. As you may have guessed, I'm opting for the latter, at least for now. If you don't hear from me again for another 8 months, then perhaps it will be time to bid adios to Aftertastes. Until then, enjoy the new and abridged format!