Chamber Restaurant (3rd Visit/Mother's Day Brunch)

Happy Mother's Day! Who else took their mamas to brunch today?! I set up a movie date with Mama and Sister Lu at Cineplex Odeon which is only a 2 minute walk from Chambar! Thought I wouldn't get a spot since I made the reservation at 10pm the night before, but luckily I got one at 2:15pm and everything worked out fine! This is my third time at Chambar, the vibe just keeps dragging me back!

Click here to read my previous visits:

First Visit (Dine out Vancouver)

Second Visit (Brunch #1)

My first brunch experience at chambar wasn't exactly great. I was so amazed by their dinner dishes thus I had extreme high hopes for their brunch menu as well. But I never give up on a restaurant till I've had at least 2-3 visits! therefore I chose to bring my mom and sister here for a nice mother's day brunch. 

Waffles ($3.15/ea 4/5) & Toppings ($1/ea 5/5)

Overall 4.5/5

Of course we had to order some waffles to start! This time I selected the Mixed Berry Compote and Salted Caramel toppings. They compliment very well with the waffles and were much better than the Milk Chocolate Lavender and Rose Water Pistachio I had last time. The waffles were still soft, but a lot chewyer this time. I heard from lots of food bloggers that Cafe Medina has better waffles! I will definitely visit soon to make a comparison. For now, I think Chambar's waffles are not bad. 

Canard Confit ($16 4/5)

Duck confit, quinoa, red cabbage, apple, arugula, feta, 

candied pecans, pomegranate vinaigrette.

Didn't expect this dish to be in a salad form but it was pretty great, and the portion was huge compared to Mama and Sister Lu's dishes. The candied pecans were a nice addition to the mix, I especially enjoyed those nutty bites. But here comes the sad part... although the apple and arugula were a nice refreshment, the duck confit dressing still overruled most of the flavours so the dish was overall heavy and I couldn't finish it without some water. I also had a similar dish like this at The Hasting's Warehouse. Their quinoa salad tasted almost identical to Chambar's but they only cost half the price and they had more ingredients like avocado slices, sweet corn and cucumber. This confit was still a great dish, and I do love quinoa salad with any source of meat. However, now that I have had cheaper and better quiona salads, the value of Chambar's just dropped (would've gave it a 3/5 if compared to The Warehouse's salad, but I try not to compare the prices, only the quality of each dishes and how they taste.  Chambar's cheapest brunch dish is $9 so $16 is a typical price, it's called casual fine dining for a reason! We also pay for its nice service and vibes.)

Brochette de Porc ($17 3.5/5)

Barbequed bacon, mortadella, andouille, saucisson de Paris, fried eggs, tomatillo & pineapple salsa, spiced potatoes

I know I just said that I don't include the value of the prices to my ratings, but I do compare the portion with the prices. The presentation of this dish looked great, but I highly doubt that it can fill up my stomach. Since I was sick, I only had a piece of each components. Those spiced potato first surprised me with their nicely crisped skin, but after a few more bites I realized that only very little parts of the skin were crisp. The fried eggs were once again alright, but the yolk was still great though, it's hard to make a sunny side ups without breaking the yolk so props to the yolk! and the chef! Now on to the important part of this dish... The skewer! Decent meats, I liked how they put together different types of pork in one brochette. But I'd like to see more veggies! and I didn't sample the salsa but my sister said it was a nice side. 

Gaufre au Samon ($19 4/5)

Hot smoked Haida Gwaii Chinook salmon, savory waffle, 

yuzu dill hollandaise, poached eggs, pea tips. 

Since I didnt sample my mom's dish, I only asked for her rating. According to her, the salmon was tender, but the pea tips were an awkward add on?!(Since in Chinese restaurants stir fried garlic pea tips is a famous dish and we usually don't eat raw pea tips) Anyways... who doesn't like poached eggs aka eggs benny? I'd love to have them with beef or pork but sadly Chambar doesn't offer poached eggs with other types of meat, or else I would 100% order. (Time to hit up Catch 122 soon!)

Overall Experience:

Definitely in between my last two experiences. Better than my first brunch visit, but still not comparable to that dine out night. So far I have seen 5 of Chambar's brunch dishes and sampled 4 of them. Nothing special for me to spend an average of $18 a dish but I would still come back to try their famous paella and maybe their omelette before I say no to their brunch items! Chambar is still one of my famous restaurants, but maybe they are only good at mastering their dinner dishes! Oh, and maybe lunch too! Many more revisits to come!

Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House (Happy Hour)

So… I thought it would be a good idea to start writing this blogpost after school today but the wifi at Starbucks is down and shaw open isn’t working so i guess i have to use Notes… Oh well, I’m 10 blogs behind so.....yeah......

Anyways, remember my Joe Fortes experience on my parent’s anniversary? It left great memories but the food didn’t impress me. (especially the steak) But I never judge a restaurant till I have had around 2-3, sometimes 4 different experiences with it so I decided to revisit with my bff E.W.

The intentions were to visit Fortes’ patio since they recently opened and it would be amazing if we get to enjoy their Happy Hour menu (everyday from 4-6pm). Unfortunately the patio was closed due to the rain… (Of course Raincouver decided to rain only on the day I visited that week…)

I was going to make a reservation but Happy Hour is only served at the bar plus it's first come first serve so make sure you don't bring a huge group of people! We were seated right away. 

Happy Hour Menu

Once again, the restaurant was packed with people on a Friday afternoon, it had a more relaxing vibe than the last time I went since the whole space was bright and we were seated at the main area rather than the "elegant little corner". (I liked it there though, but for lunch/brunch it would be kind of dark.) 

We were greeted by the nicest gentlemen (As far as I remember, he was probably one of the best servers that I've ever had). Since we already "investigated" the menu before we came, we quickly ordered 2 dishes to share, and 1 dish for each. 

We decided to share the 

Truffle Parmesan Fries ($4.95 3.5/5*)

grana padano, herbs, sea salt

I had this with my steak last time and it was seasoned so well that I had to order it again and it's also half off! But unfortunately the fries were kind of soggy this time and the flavours weren't strong enough. But it was discounted so for around $5 it was still alright. 

*Explains why I gave it a 3.5, if they tasted exactly like last time's than I would definitely rate it  5 out of 5

Mini Lobster & Shrimp Rolls shrimp ($8.95 4.5/5)

Atlantic lobster meat, classic remoulade 

Can you believe that this seafood dish is only $8.95? The cheapest lobster dish that i've had was at Red Lobster in the states and I'm so glad to have lobster under $10 in Vancouver as well. They may look mini, but the portions were actually quite large (goes to every single dish). Coleslaw side was a nice addition. The lobster and shrimp meat were fresh, but I couldn't really distinguish the difference between lobster meat and shrimp meat because they were mashed together with the sauce. (Not a big problem for me though, and plus I'm not a seafood expert so maybe it was just me). Good eats to start, but I think it'd taste better if served hot. 

Oyster Rockefeller ($11.95 3.5/5)

local oysters, spinach, pernod, hollandaise

The oysters were at least 2 times bigger than what I expected! they were for sure fresh, but a little under cooked. I usually don't like seafood because if the sauce/cream was not added to the meat, the seafood itself would have the weird fishy flavour that I don't like. (A lot of people actually like it though, but it's too strong for me). This one had some too, but thank god the sauce was rich and creamy enough to cover it. I would probably not order it again. Will try fried oyster though! 

Beef Carpaccio ($8.95 5/5)

grainy mustard, roasted garlic, grana padano, crispy capers

Last but not least, E.W's Beef Carpaccio was the highlight of our visit! I was scared to try raw beef or beef tataki because my parents had a friend that died from mad cow disease and beef is way harder to sanitize than sashimi! But as an adventurous foodie, I know i had to try it at some point. The side ingredients lightly act as an embellishment for the beef. I suggest you to get every parts in one bite and slowly enjoy the mixture of the flavours. (Wuduppp, Party in the mouth!) The only regret was that I didn't order this dish so I only had a few bites from E.W...Thankfully, Fortes serves Happy Hour everyday so I can totally see myself order it countless times in the future. 

Overall Experience:

Food quality was some what better than my last visit. (Although a few dishes were quite on point last time). The service was amazing too; I ordered hot water, and the server was constantly pouring water in my cup and asking if i wanted extra lemons. Once again, loved the vibe there. I definitely need to visit their beautiful patio next time!!! with beef carpaccio by my side of course! 

The Hastings Warehouse

I initially found out about this place through my best friend L.T , and of course what surprised me the most was its everything for $4.95 menu. We went there with friends to enjoy some cheap lunch while watching the World Cup semi final game. 

Braised Beef Dip (Picture Not A/V)

 ($4.95 +$1.75 for yam fries 4/5) 

L.T and I shared a beef dip with yam fries, the beef dip was tender and filling, but I thought there was something missing, or maybe I was just focusing on the game instead of the food. Yam fries were okay, they were too skinny the time I had them, I would rather order the $8 ones at Joey or Cactus. (plus they charge you extra for chipotle mayo, but they don't actually tell you) 

However the price is still relatively cheap, and I liked the vibe there. So I suggested to go again for dinner while we were debating where to eat. 

The atmosphere was quite relaxed in the morning/afternoon, but pub like at night with loud music and bright lights. (But it's not a legit pub, or else they wouldn't let minors in?!) 

For my second trip, I was on a mini diet before my vacation to Florida, therefore I ordered the 

                                    Quinoa & Green Apple Salad with an addition of braised beef   

                                                                       ($4.95 +$2.25 5/5) 

     Crisp apple, organic greens, sweet corn, cucumber, toasted almonds, 

 avocado, mint and cilantro with soy honey & lime dressing

I'm not a frequent quinoa eater, but after this meal I think i fell in love with quinoa. I'd never thought the ingredients listed would taste amazing together. The braised beef was a little salty at first, but tasted fine when mixed with everything else. My salad tasted ALOT like a Chipotle beef bowl, which was strange but in a really good way. It's actually a bit cheaper and healthier than the chipotle bowl, and it's pretty filling for a girl. I was really happy with my decision. (it might look kind of gross but trust me it was delish!)

L.T got the Broccoli Pasta 

($4.95 3.5/5)

I had a few bites of her pasta, It was creamy and flavourful, but the portion was less filling than my salad even though pasta is full of carbs! It was overall a boring dish, they could have added more ingredients to create more power. 

*Did not sample this dish, opinion entirely based off my friend.

Mushroom Swiss Burger with Yam Fries ( $4.95 +$1.75 4.5/5)

My fried A.C said it was good, better than its price (I know it's not too helpful, but at least the picture looked good...the bun looked nicely warmed too... ) 

Plus a Mushroom Monte Burger is over $10 at white spot, this was less than half of the price. Less ingredients in this burger, but personally, I like burgers that can actually fit in my mouth since I always make a mess when I eat gourmet burgers. 

Overall Experience (#2): 

Way too happy about my dish, I managed to eat some what clean but still had an enjoyable full meal. It's a nice little place to chill with your friends during any time of the day. Loved the vibe there, seats are tight but comfortable. It'd be kind of loud for families, especially if you have little kids. But if you must go, try before 4/5pm. They don't accept debit, but there's an ATM available right inside of the restaurant. 

Chambar Restaurant (2nd Visit/Brunch)

Remember that I went to Chambar during DOVF and got a $10 coupon to spend on their Breakfast, Lunch or Brunch? Well on the first weekend of spring break, I decided to destress with my bff L by going to a Sunday brunch! What's better than brunch dates with your girlfriends? Well a discounted one! But was their brunch as good as their dinner?

DOVF Visit 

If you have read my first article, you would know that I really like Chambr's interior designs and vintage decors, as well as its relaxing/lively fine dining vibe. The restaurant was just as gorgeous in the day as it was the night I went for dovf.
Tip 1*: ALWAYS make a reservation if you decide to dine at Chambar, it's legit busy 24/7, and you won't be able to get a seat right away.
Tip 2*:They serve the exact same brunch menu as Cafe Medina since CM used to be right next door, I have never been to CM so I don't know its dining vibe, however I do know that the lineup's insane. Check their website to see if reservation is available, if not, Chambar is the same substitute.

Liege Waffles ($3.15/ea+$1 for toppings 4/5)

with Pistachio Rose Water and Milk Chocolate Lavendar sauce 

The waffles were warm and chewy, however I have had better ones. (It would probably taste better if I had them earlier, I waited a bit for all my food to come so I could take a "group" photo.)
I only ordered their waffles so I could try their toppings! They have some of the most creative toppings/sauce I've had.

I had a bite of my friend's Pistachio Rose Water waffle. I could definitely taste the pistachio and the rose, but the white sauce tasted just like condense milk.

My choice of topping was the milk chocolate lavender, I really like the smell and the flavour of lavender, and it was nicely infused with milk chocolate. (Since Chambar features Belgian cuisine, I assume that the milk chocolate is also Belgian?) I still think that lavender would be a better pair with white sauce (for ex white chocolate and earl grey cream) than dark/chocolate sauces though.

Fricasse ($17 3.5/5)

Braised short ribs, balsamic cipollini onions, potatoes, watercress, fried eggs, applewood smoked cheddar. 

The braised ribs were tender and juicy when I took my first bite to it, but after a few more bites, I was sick by how salty the ribs and the sauce were. The ribs would have been perfect if they weren't over marinated in the sauce. The eggs were fried alright, but the yolk wasn't gooey enough and the eggs were flavourless while the ribs were overly salty. To balance the flavours, you could eat it with the bread or the egg, but for a $17 dish, every detail should have been on point by itself. It was still a some what tasty dish (that's why I wasn't so harsh on the rating + the ribs were actually very tender and enjoyable to chew), but judging from the restaurant status and its price, it lacked preciseness and the "wow" factor. 

Granola, fruits & Yogurt ($9 3.5/5)

I only sampled this dish because it wasn't mine, I thought it was mixed all right. An easy breakfast/snack you could make at home. Nothing special.  However, L thought it was terrible, and the ratio of the granola and fruits were unreasonable. She didn't even finish it. I don't understand why she disliked it so much, maybe she expected more from Chambar, but by being the cheapest meal off the menu, the portion and the flavour met my requirements. 

Overall Experience:

This brunch experience was definitely not as mind blowing as the dovf one. We would probably feel ripped off if we didn't have the $10 coupon. Nonetheless, I'm still attracted by the amazing vibe and space it has as well as the beautiful platings of the dishes. I would still come by someday to try one more brunch dish before I put it on my "black list" for brunch. 

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka 山頭火

Back in the summer when I wasn't such a big foodie, I had no idea how famous Ramen Santouka is world wide. My first experience here was literally because I was attracted by the huge line ups and the window displays of the noodle bowls, and luckily a friend that was with me had been and she told me that it's worth the line up. So Ta-da, my ramen adventure had begun.

This review will be based on 2 visits!

First Experience:

Since I love creamy broths, I decided to order the Ikura combo with Shio Ramen,  Ikura Gohan (fish roe on rice) and half a boiled egg. (Since Santouka is always so busy, I never got the chance to remember the price, but it's in the range of $15-$16 4/5) I recommend getting a combo, it's a nice portion for guys that eat alot or for 2 girls to share.

However, the ramen was quite disappointing. I hated the broth, It was EXTREMELY salty, thus it overpowered all the good flavours that was suppose to come out. The noodle was mediocre, the 2 pieces of cha shu was the only good part, tender and well marinated. Thankfully, the rice bowl saved me, the fish roe was SO fresh and juicy, they mixed very well with the rice and the tamago strips. The boiled egg was just a soy marinated egg, I still prefer the oilier ones. 

Overall Experience (1):

I was honestly a little upset that day because I lined up for more than 45 minutes and it was not what I expected, not even close.  But I would still come back (which i did) to try out 1 or 2 more broths. They are famous for a reason, and I wanted to find out. 

I came back once again for 2 reasons, One to give Santouka another chance and Two, to bring a friend since he really wanted to try it. 

They just reopened recently so they are currently offering HALF PRICED GYOZAS ($2.98/5 pcs 4.5/5) till March.9th!  I had to order them, 5 pieces for under $3 is an amazing deal.  Their gyozas are always on point, skin is pan fried perfectly, and meat is juicy and flavourful! I would think they are a little too expensive if they weren't half priced, but nonetheless, try one if you've never ordered gyoza at Santouka before. 

Due to my love and obsession with milky and creamy broths, I still wanted to order Shio, but this time I learned my lesson. I asked for Shio Cha Shu Ramen and requested less salt. ($12.?5 4.5/5) 

I ordered cha shu because I remembered how good their cha shu slices were so naturally I wanted more! The broth is SO much better with less salt, I can actually drink the broth and enjoy its real flavours.  The noodles were cooked much better as well, chewy and al dente. 

Overall Experience (2):

I was so happy that I finally got to discover the magic of Santouka, and I'm eager to try more ramen joints for comparisons! The service was so much better as well, maybe it was just bad luck the first time I came! Since they just re opened less than a month ago, hurry up before the long line ups and full priced gyozas come back again!

Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House

My parents asked me to to choose a fine dining restaurant prior to their 20th anniversary, and I really didn't know where to go. I know ... one of those foodie fail moments, but it was an important event so I didn't want to mess things up. Thankfully, my foodie friend Michael suggested us to go to Joe Fortes! and apparently if you live in Vancouver, you have to go to JF at least once since it's such a classic restaurant in town.

With high hopes, we arrived at Joe Fortes, and were instantly amazed by the restaurant vibe. A fine dining restaurant/cafe can't just make good food, if the atmosphere feels weird, then it's a major fail for them! In terms of Joe Fortes, the environment is still busy and lively, some what like Chambar's, but with an elegant feel to it. Loved the live piano by the way!

We were seated at a classy and some what isolated area with nice vintage decors and wine filled wall! (too cute!) It was the perfect area to celebrate an anniversary! and guess what appeared when we opened our menu?

When I made my reservation online, I told them that it's for my parents' anniversary, so they printed out our special menu! Such a simple yet sweet thing they did to enhance our dining experience!! (and good marketing strategy too!)

First off, We decided to order some appetizers to share!
*Forgot to take a photo of our complimentary bread, it was typical. The lobster oil + balsamic vinegar tasted quite unique though.

Fresh Oysters,  Left we had Gem from Read Island, ($2.60/each 3.5/5) and right, Kusshi from Baynes Sound ($3.60 3.5/5)  *Not a big fan of seafood, especially raw seafood, so they all tasted okay to me! My judgement here probably doesn't apply to most people! But thankfully, Joe Fortes offers Happy Hour with $1 oysters from 4-6pm EVERYDAY! If you are a big fan of oysters, I strongly encourage you to try the variety of oysters they offer!

Then we shared the daily trio of fresh fish. ($41.95 4.5/5)
The portion looked minimal, but it was actually quite filling. Since each of our entree was so huge, we could't even finish the mashed potato. Each fish/prawn was cooked perfectly, and paired up well with their sauces. I strongly recommend this dish! but it's prepared with different seafood daily, so I hope their other fishes are consistent!

I ordered the 10oz Flat Iron Steak with chimichurri, truffle parmesan fries and market vegetables. ($36.95 3.5/5) 

The veggies were undercooked in a good way, they were seasoned very well, and the truffle fries were amazing. (Must Order!) The steak was not as good as I expected. Prepared Medium Rare, the steak itself was juicy and flavourful, but most pieces had gristles and tendons attached and they were extremely hard to chew on. I had a hard time chewing and swallowing. My jaw was hurting... 

* Sorry for the blurry photos! We were starving so I couldn't take steady pictures of other people's food. 

My dad had the Manhattan Steak (8 oz.) bacon horseradish mashed potatoes, market vegetables ($37.95 4/5)

I had a piece of this steak, it was more tender than mine. But once again, hard to chew on due to the gristles and stuff. 

My aunt ordered the Fish & Chips pacific cod, classic tartar sauce, coleslaw. ($19.95 4/5)

Decent cod with huge pieces. But Pajo still make the best fish&chips in Vancouver! 

*My mom had the Arctic char (Chef's creation of the day, Market Price) and I couldn't take a photo since she was sitting across from me! (round tables make it harder to take pictures of food across from you.)

According to her, the fish was too dry and she didn't really like it.

*Sister had the $38 special, didn't sample any of her food!

DESSERT TIME! 

Our server brought us lava cake with a cute candle to celebrate my parents' anniversary! Common thing to do for restaurants, but it never gets old! plus who doesn't like free desserts?

Love the combination of vanilla ice cream and chocolate lava cake, but the inside of the cake was not gooey at all, there was no lava!! (Even I can make lava cake with lava!)
*Joey make the best ones out of all the lava cakes I've had!
-Not worth it unless it's free!

Pavlova ($9.50 4.5/5) crisp meringue, fresh fruit, lemon curd, cream 

Really liked this one! Sweet and Sour Sensation! (Alliteration eh?) I don't think guys will like it? Cause you know it's a girly dessert when there are pink marshmallow, pink meringue and pink berries... but you never know!

Oh, Actually I lied earlier, I did have some of my sister's $38 dinner set. But only a bite of her tiramisu and I gave up. It was too bitter and stiff... the plating was nice but that's pretty much it..

Lastly! Lets talk about this Bailey infused coffee...

Damnit.. It's not listed on the online menu, but I believe it was around $7?

One word Bitter! Two words add sugar! Not bad, but it was too ordinary...and for $7 I could get better ones at corner cafes.

Overall Experience:

-The food could obviously improve, they don't match the price listed (at least the ones that we ordered).
-Saw a lot of people ordering sea food tower on ice and platters, so I'm guessing these are their better dishes. Seafood>Steak
-Was still a pleasant experience with lots of sweet surprises.
-The atmosphere was so nice that we just didn't want to leave.
-The pavlova was simply amazing and I got my girly sweets fix!
-Equal pros and cons! I will be back during happy hour to visit their patio!

Chambar Restaurant (DOVF Stop #3)

Looks like my life only consists of school and food these days, I'm either at school, out eating, or studying at cafes.... Since Dine out is over, I'm sort of on a mini diet, so I won't be visiting a lot of restaurants, only occasionally with my parents or healthy ones. Meanwhile, I can start writing all those reviews that I haven't had time to work on.

On the second last day (Saturday too .__.) of this year's dine out fest, my friend and I called at least 10 restaurants but we failed to make any reservations... damn, It's true that every story starts with a reservation! or else you would have a hard time getting a table during dine out season... I've learned my lesson.. Fortunately, We eventually got a spot at Chambar, but tables are only available after 9:00pm. Oh well, better than nothing! We studied untill 8:40pm and headed straight to Chambar.

When we arrived, my friend and I immediately regretted not going home and change to a some what formal attire. I think people were giving us the awkward look since we were carrying heavy backpacks with textbooks...We both felt out of place.. Haha, this should give you an idea of the restaurant vibe. The atmosphere was lively and busy. Not the elegant type of fine dining, but more of a pub-like environment.

Since it was past 9pm when we seated. we decided to share one menu. ($38)

This Year's Dine Out Menu

I started off with a Lavendar Fizz (Mocktail $5.00 4.5/5)
Very refreshing from the sweet and sour taste with a hint of lavender flavour. Although the serving was kind of small, it was still a nice drink to start off with.

For appetizer, we got the COQUILLES ST. JACQUES A LA ‘BOB’ (5/5)
-Pan seared scallops, mint pea puree, tandoori papadum, pickled grapes.

Completely shocked by how tender the scallops were (not rubbery at all), perfectly cooked and paired nicely with the side ingredients, I could alone eat at least 10 of them.

For entree, we went for the CURRY D’OMBLE DE L’ARCTIQUE (4.5/5)
-Roasted arctic char, parsnip & miso curry, kale, sorrel, fresh pomegranate, pine nuts.

If you follow my blogposts or Instagram, you would know that I'm not a big fan of seafood, I was originally going to order the trio de porc, but my friend really wanted to try this dish, so I agreed.
The surface was crispy. and the Arctic char was once again, prepared and cooked perfectly. The miso curry was light but unique, combined well with the char. The nuts and pomegranates added an interesting taste to it, however I didn't like the veggies.

Lastly, dessert!

We were actually sick of cheesecake, and the other selection was cheese and crackers, so LA BARRE DE CHOCOLATE (3.5/5) was our only choice.

-Hazelnut praline chocolate mousse bar, sherry vinegar, burnt cinnamon milk foam. 

The chocolate was not overly sweet, but it didn't taste special to me. It was just a normal chocolate bar stuffed with some sourly fruity mousse and sided with whip cream. Good, but not good enough for a $38 menu dessert. 

Overall Experience:

My favourite type of fine dining, I don't need to be overly cautious with what I do. Very Satisfied, although the portions were minimal, but their appetizers and entrees blew my mind. Even if they are famous for mussels, their other dishes are still phenomenal. Everyone that visited also got a $10 coupon to use before 3pm everyday. I'm definitely going back to get some eggs benny and waffles. Sunday Brunch anyone?

The Old Spaghetti Factory Gastown (DOVF Stop #2)

TGIF! Sorry for being fashionably late! As I mentioned on my Instagram, it's midterm season and grade 12s are extremely sensitive during this period of the time with countless exams and university applications to complete. But thank goodness for these occasional food therapies to destress the pain!(by the way, the dates that I scheduled here are the actual dates of me visiting the restaurants not the dates that my reviews are posted!)

Well Well Well, The Old Spag; A classic, "home style" Italian chain restaurant in Canada. Known for it's pasta of course. When I first visited around 6 years ago, I was honestly not impressed by the quality of their food, and after that I didn't revisit until this new years eve. Since it was the second dinner of the night for my family and I, we didn't order a lot, but I enjoyed every dish. Not to mention the price of their food!  >>> Fast forward to Dine out 2015, I know that the Old Spag participates in DOVF every year, but I normally don't go to restaurants that carry $18 menus, but after Nando's I was quite satisfied! Always have faith in $18 menus, sometimes they even top $38 menus.

On a Thursday night studying at Starbucks, I bumped into my best friend and one of her peers, we instantly agreed to get dinner together. (I seriously love random food trips)  We all needed fuel so we can stress more! (lmao, uni students are probably thinking why high schoolers are so stressed) Anyways, long story short! we all wanted (more like needed) to pig out and the Old Spag was in the the area and it was dine out season so BINGO. We went to hunt down some good pastas!
(and we got to sit in the train! How cute!!! damn, girls are easily amused...)

We ordered 2 sets to share among 3 girls , and we were planning to order a flatbread as an addition, but little did we know, we were too full to even finish the desserts...

This year's Dine Out Menu

Yay for complimentary bread! I'm not a big fan of sourdough, but their garlic butter never disappoints!

For Appetizers we shared the good old caesar salad (4/5) and sweet potato (Yam) fries with chipotle mayo sauce (3.5/5). First of all! round of applause for the size of their portion! The caesar salad was really creamy and cheesy, if you like strong flavoured salads then you'd like this one! but again, there's nothing much to say about caesar, it's just a basic S (get it? it's like basic B but with S? okay I know It's 3 am in the morning, I'm not making sense...) Yam fries were nice and crispy,  I prefer thick yam fries, but for $18, It was good enough.

Okay, now on to dee pastas!

Pesto Linguine (3.5/5)
- homemade pesto sauce with fresh basil and pine nuts is mixed with a touch of cream and served over linguine noodles.

This one was too starchy, instead of smooth and creamy. I thought the noodle was going to be soaked in pesto sauce, but it was rather dry. However my bff really liked this one. Opinions do differ!

Penne with Chicken (5/5)
Tender pieces of chicken breast, penne noodles, mushrooms, peppers and fresh tomatoes tossed in a rich basil cream sauce.

Oh my, I don't even know where to start! The fact that I can still remember its flavours from a week ago as I'm writing this definitely means that this one's a keeper! The basil sauce was so rich and creamy, spices were strong but they hit my tastebuds in a very tender way. (did I just create a paradox?) My friend said this dish reminded her of bacon, and the chicken pieces apparently tasted like bacon as well?! haha, I guess they kinda did! Smoky, smooth, rich, creamy, tender,pasta cooked al dante, etc etc!! Too many good things were going on under its simple name!

Finally, every girl's favourite part of the meal! Dessert timeeee!

We were actually SO full when the dessert came,  and had to pack half of each slices home!

Ultimate Cheesecake (4/5)
 - New York Style Cheesecake, subtle vanilla flavours.

A very basic New York cheesecake, but it was still a cheesecake, so it had to be good!

Choca-block Torte (5/5) (LOL my friend had a hard time pronouncing the name, it was hilarious)
- A moist chocolate cake layer cradles milk chocolate ganache covered with a dense dark chocolate mousse.

This one was more unique than the cheesecake, It had a layer of sponge cake, a layer of mousse and a layer of brownie/ganache. I loved the difference of the densities, It was also very rich, but not too sweet. Some may argue that It is but I thought it was just right.

Overall Experience:

Very satisfied! I repeat! We shared 2 dine out menus among 3 people, so it was around $15 per person and we were stuffed!!! Their menu was SO worth, and it's still relatively cheap if you visit during the rest of the year. The service was great, the restaurant vibe was calm and warm. A great come back for a girl who used to dislike the restaurant!