Seok Gi Si Dae 석기시대

Men like meat. That's kind of an unavoidable fact of life. My brother chose to celebrate his commencement with a dinner at Korean barbeque. Seok Gi Si Dae is a very homey restaurant run by a family of three near Koreatown that specializes in samkyeopsal (pork belly) and galbi (boneless beef rib). The parents prep in the kitchen and the son serves the guests.

We made a reservation at 6pm and found only two other tables eating at the time of our arrival on a Sunday evening. Originally, we were reserved a table in the larger area where you are seated on the ground. The tables are longer there and can fit more people. However, my grandparents were also coming and they are unable to sit on the floor. So we had to all squish at a small table with chairs. This resulted in my sitting right in front of the stove. It can get pretty warm and beware of the splashing oil. I had to put my cardigan back on to avoid getting tiny burns all over my arms... This is probably a benefit of having a longer table. I want to sit on the floor next time, more traditional and adds to the experience!

The menu is small, very small. There are only two choices of meet on the menu, and I believe they now have bulgogi as well for about $25 per serving. I've read that their servings are very plentiful and can fill much more than just one belly. It comes with unlimited side dishes and accompaniments to wrap the grilled meat, one small stone pot of soup, and kimchi fried rice at the very end. It's the full package with the price printed on the menu. The waiter said for our table of seven, a minimum order of six servings is needed. So we went with 4 galbi and 2 samkyeopsal. I think we enjoyed the beef more than the pork, as the pork gets pretty oily... Next time I would order one less pork.

Seok Gi Si Dae Menu

After ordering, all the side dishes (banchan) and wrapping ingredients were served. My family is so funny, we thought the lettuce with julienned green onions and hot sauce was a salad and started eating it before the meat came. Turns out it is supposed to go into the wrap...whoops. The kimchi and picked bean sprouts are put on the grill at the beginning to heat and crisp up. The hot plate is on a tilt, allowing the oils from the meats to flow down, through the kimchi, and into a little bowl under the opening at the end of the board. The kimchi and bean sprouts are also wrapped with some of the meat, but don't eat it all! It'll be used to make the kimchi fried rice at the end. The waiter had to come refill our grilled kimchi a few times since we kept eating it all. Warning: Do not come here if you're on a diet. This meal is full of fat, mwahahaha!

Side Dishes

Bean Sauce & Sesame Oil

Mosaic Bar & Grille: Coconut Crumpet's Turn

What time is it? SUMMER TIME! Coconut Crumpet has finally been freed from school (for two months), and what better way to start my vacation than with some fancy food?

I managed to convince my parents to bring me downtown to have dinner right after I took my last exam. Factors that helped me convince them were that my aunt was in town for the week, and my brother's prom was in Downtown and we had to drive him there anyways. After much consultation, suggestions, and research, I made a reservation at Mosaic Bar & Grille inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Burrard Street, as recommended by Peanut Crumpet. Her review can be found here.

Traffic was horrendous that evening; roads were blocked off, it was rush hour, and it was Friday night. It took almost one and a half hours to reach Downtown, by then my stomach was growling. Before leaving the house, I called Hyatt to ask about their parking prices. It is extremely expensive, probably going to cost $30, so park at Pacific Centre instead for $6 during after-hours (i.e. dinnertime), it's only a few blocks away.

Mosaic Bar & Grille is on the second level of the hotel. We were seated by the window with great natural lighting for food photography and a view of the street to do some people watching. The menu isn't very vast, but the ingredients are seasonal. On one side are appetizers and main courses, and the other side is build-your-own main course. You can choose a protein (either 4 oz or 8 oz), two vegetable sides, a starch, a sauce, and a broth(?) There is also a tasting menu for $45, it's a good deal but I didn't try it this time. 

Bella Gelateria

The best gelato in the world? Possibly found right at home at Bella Gelateria. 

Black Sesame and To Die For Banana Bread Gelato ($6.43)

This is my third encounter with Bella Gelateria, and it definitely won't be my last! Especially since the summer season has just begun. After a very enjoyable experience at Mosaic Bar & Grille, we decided to find dessert elsewhere. My aunt is quite like me, loves to shop and eat sweets. Bella Gelateria was not only close by, but also an ideal place to bring my visiting aunt. We arrived at around 8pm and there was only a short line up that led out the door (don't worry, the door is very close to the counter). We also snagged a table as soon as we saw one. There isn't a lot of seating indoors, but in the summer, many people take their ice cream outside where there are quite a few benches on the sidewalk. You can do some people watching as you enjoy eating this creamy deliciousness.

Nutella-stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea Salt and Brown Butter

A classic with a classic-Can we call this a double classy cookie? 

Sushi California with Two Nutty Crumpets

Schools out and the sun's shining, it would be a pity to waste it at home. After writing numerous paragraphs in fellow classmates' yearbooks, Peanut Crumpet and Coconut Crumpet went to fill their growling tummies with some sushi. And Sushi California was the closest stop that also fits our student budget.

Peanut Crumpet had an Avocado Roll ($2.95) and Coconut Crumpet an Unagi Roll ($3.95). A review on the unagi roll and other items from Sushi California can be found here. There isn't much to say about these two rolls, as they are both very simple. 

Gomae Salad ($3.25)

We shared two appetizers, both of which we really enjoyed. The Gomae Salad is fresh seaweed with sesame oil. This is sold at T&T Supermarket or in a large tub from Costco. Nevertheless it's an aromatic and delicious dish of fresh algae. 

Wakama Salad ($3.50)

The second appetizer we shared was the Wakama Salad. It's cooked spinach smothered in a peanut sauce. We dipped pieces of rice into the remaining peanut sauce. I'm pretty sure its the same sauce they drizzle on the Spinach Crab Roll. Obviously Peanut Crumpet loves this.

In addition to the Fried Oysters, these two appetizers are worth ordering if you're wanting some extra food to nibble one between bites of sushi.



Love from Coconut Crumpet & Peanut Crumpet

Joe Forte's Seafood & Chop House

My love for brunch is beginning to rub off on my best friend; smoked salmon has become one of her new favourite foods. At the beginning of 2013, Joe Forte's had a $10 eggs benny special. I took advantage of the awesome deal and had my birthday brunch there with this very best friend of mine. The most recent trip on Sunday was to celebrate her graduation; her mom booked a large table for 12 at Joe Forte's knowing she really enjoyed the smoked salmon eggs benedict from the last visit. It is time to stuff myself silly with eggs and hollandaise sauce again. This will be a compiled review of my two visits so far this year; please excuse my jumping back and forth of events. 

Complimentary Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

Sushi California

For an early Father's Day celebration, we met up with my grandparents at their favourite sushi restaurant, Sushi California. Located across from Lougheed Town Centre and the Skytrain station, it's a bustling little restaurant with many customers. I've been visiting Sushi California every now and then for the past few years. The cheap price and decent portions are what draws most customers back.

California Roll ($2.95) & Alaska Roll ($3.95)