Hungry to help the Downtown Eastside? Sometimes the heart of a restaurant goes beyond its food. Ambiance? Good. Service? Attentive. Value? Affordable. Food? Great. Now where is the line about corporate social responsibility? The restaurant world used to be about bringing good food to the table, but tables are turning and social change is important.
Metro Vancouver
Surrey Restaurant Week is May 24 to June 2 (10 days) and is presented by BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA) and Tourism Surrey. Restaurants are offering 3 course set menus at $20, $30 and $40. Enter to win $100 to dine out in Surrey from Follow Me Foodie!
I am constantly asked “What’s the best restaurant in Vancouver?”, “What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten?” and to be honest, I don’t know. How could I? I haven’t tried everything in the world yet. Also, taste is not only highly subjective, but purely personal.
I got to drive the boat, have spot prawn sashimi for breakfast, kiss a live octopus, and then eat one cooked 5 ways for lunch… next to the 24 lbs of spot prawns we caught that morning. And between the docking of the boat and lunch I got to see a mother goose hatch her eggs! Last Saturday was hard to beat.
Come with an open mind and don’t come seeking authenticity, although they don’t take you for an idiot. This is more French style Vietnamese food with modern Canadian flair. Vietnam was a French owned colony and her inspiration also comes from living in Canada for over thirty years. The style is different, so come with the right mind set.
The desserts at Broken Rice are traditional and modern, but made with care and thought. Some are original to the restaurant and I would recommend trying some because they are different, but I’m not sure if it is something I would have to order again. All ice cream and sorbets are made in house.
There are no short cuts here. Their passion to do something different and creative may come across as “fusion” or “Western”, but there is a lot of thought and professional execution going into their recipes, quality of ingredients and end presentation. The dinner menu offers more creativity.
This is more French style Vietnamese food with modern Canadian flair. Vietnam was a French owned colony and Chef Yen’s inspiration also comes from living in Canada for over thirty years. The style is different, so come with the right mind set. This is worth a try.
