The Crab King

Ever since Crab Pot in Seattle, Michael has been on a mission to find somewhere that offers the same service - Food scattered on your table in front of your face, and using a hammer and smashing away.

It doesn't look big, but there's seats enough for dozens

We found Crab King literally on the water at 3540 Bayview St in Richmond, just steps away from the heart of popular weekend destination Steveston village. We checked out their menu online first and it seemed a lot simpler compared than its Seattle counterpart.

You order food at the counter, they bring it to you

The Crab King is an outdoors restaurant on a floating platform. It has the concept of a fast food place where you order food at the stand and they will bring your food to you at your table. Michael and I both agree that Crab King has a wonderful view. The outdoors restaurant is located right on the water, but when the sun goes down you better have a lamp next to you. It's dark, but also gives a romantic vibe.

Crab poutine

I saw that they served crab poutine ($8.95) and I was dying to try it. Michael's family were joining us for dinner but were running late and we were both starving. We ordered it as a snack. The french fries were crunchy and very fluffy in the inside, and even with the gravy, it didn't feel very heavy. We both agree there could have been a little more gravy and crab though. We thought the gravy could do with a touch more flavour too, but the crab was very sweet and tasted fresh, coming straight from their live tank.

Bib, mini fork and clamp

Michael's family finally arrived and we decided to share two of the Taste of the West Coast meals ($49.95). This feast wasn't dumped on the table like at Crab Pot. It arrived in a giant metal bowl, filled with dungeness crab, clams, shrimp, mussels, Yukon potatoes, corn on the cob and sausages. There was a choice of having the crab served steamed or fried and we got both. We didn't get mallets to go with the meal though, just metal clamps.  

The steamed bowl

I thought the steamed crab tasted very simple but really nice. Nothing fancy was added on except a light sprinkling of herbs. The mussels and clams tasted very fresh and the crab meat was very sweet. I thought the view of the water right affront of us was suited so well while we were dining.  Michael was amazed at how much meat was inside the crab, since dungeness crabs aren't known to be particularly meaty. 

The fried, spicy bowl

The Thai fried crab had a light sweet and sour taste at first, but there was a little heat to it that sneaks up on you that makes you want to chug a pitcher of water. The flavouring was delicious. The only bad thing would be that the heat and marinade does kind of hide the sweetness and freshness of the actual seafood. Michael like the steamed variety more since it wasn't so hot. His favourite part is getting an excuse to dip food in butter anyways. 

Crab King definitely wins on its waterfront view

We both agree that there are hits and misses between the Pot and the King. Crab Pot served bigger portions without breaking the bank and comes with three types of crab, no less. I thought Crab King had the fresher food of the two and the two types of flavour was a good bonus, but they cost a little more.

Follow me on Twitter!
Follow @Allizon_Liu

Thierry

Thierry, a cafe known for desserts, pastries, coffee, and lots of other decadent sweets for the heart's desire. Located at 1059 Alberni St in downtown,  a lot of people really enjoy going to this dessert heaven for its sweet and cozy ambiance, big cafe and plenty of seats. Walking in, you'll notice they have a fancy glass fence where you can see their desserts and a pastries when you line up to the cashier.

Their cafe does have a very elegant look

I think Thierry is joining the fad of Parisian cafe that serves cute desserts, and that's why I think people enjoying going to the place so much. For myself, though, I think the effort is there in trying to live up to this wonderful concept, but I felt the idea wasn't fully realized.

Michael's Americano

Pain au Chocolate is something my best friend and I love eating together, it reminds us of being in Europe again. Pain au Chocolate is like a croissant wrapped up in a chocolate inside. Creamy chocolate in the inside and flakey goodness on the outside. I had my first Pain au Chocolate at Thierry last winter when I went with a girlfriend of mine. I was a bit disappointed though, it had barely any chocolate inside and tasted a little dry.

Tiramisu

Michael wanted to eat their Tiramisu cake. If it wasn't for Michael wanting his cake, I don't think I would have went out of my way to the cafe. The only plus was a few boutiques close by. When we arrived at Thierry seemed it was pretty busy, Michael and I had a difficult time finding a table to sit.  Michael of course got his Tiramisu($4), and he thought the thing was pretty delicious. The cake itself was moist and its creamy coffee flavour was blended perfectly. The dark chocolate lining the edges was a bit much though, and left a slightly bitter aftertaste.

Eclair and macaroon

When I was lining up with Michael I saw the chocolate eclair ($6) and I knew right away I was going to gobble that little devil up. I usually enjoy eclairs with the classic whipped cream, but at Thierry it was served with chocolate. I thought it was a little too overdosed on the chocolate this time around.

Apple iced tea

Michael got an Americano coffee and I got an apple iced tea. Michael enjoyed his drink since he was craving coffee that day, but I thought mine was so-so. Perhaps Thierry just isn't my cup of tea.

I do agree that the concept of French pastry cafes are getting really popular, and they still give off the posh vibe to the cafe and people enjoy going. But that hype of artisan desserts also serve to drive the price up in North America. I just don't think it's necessary. Part of what makes these cafes attractive in France is their affordability.  I don't think Michael is as vocal about Thierry as I am though, all he wants is Tiramisu cake.

Follow me on Twitter!
Follow @Allizon_Liu

Guu Original

Many people rave about Guu but I hesitated going with Michael because their dishes are quite small. Guu serves many Japanese tapas that taste spectacular, but the most of the time when I go with friends I leave the restaurant still hungry.

There are a few Guu locations throughout Vancouver and one in Richmond. Michael and I didn't know where to eat after a brief shopping trip in Downtown, and we wanted to go to a place that served good food without burning a hole in the wallet. We couldn't think of any better place to go than Guu on 838 Thurlow St, just steps away from the heart of Downtown.

Front and centre!

Guu's Thurlow location is a complete Japanese experience, the staff are so full of energy, we usually sit right front and centre at the bar area, where we can see the chefs in action. We love seeing the chefs when they cook. It was a good thing we came a few minutes early, since there was already a small line up beginning to form outside.

Chicken karaage

Since it was a Japanese tapas restaurant, Michael and I shared our food. First I ordered the karaage ($5.40), fried chicken served with mayo on the side. The chicken was crispy on the outside and was a crunchy delight. The inside was moist and the meat was so smooth. I love Japanese mayo, it tastes a little different from western mayo by being a little more tangy and creamy with a stronger aroma than western mayo.

Kimchi udon

The first time I went to Guu in Gastown, my best friend ordered the kimchi udon ($7.80), and it looked fabulous, especially since she gobbled it so fast, I assume it has to be good. I ordered it this time and it arrived in a mentaiko type of sauce, which is a cod roe served with salt and red peppers. It tasted super creamy and rich. Perfect balance with the spicy kimchi. Michael and I both agreed it was delicious.

Beef short ribs

Michael also ordered his beef short rib ($5.80), no surprise there. He thought the beef was a little too salty though. It came with about six small pieces, but the flavour was a bit overwhelming for him.

Grilled scallops on bread

The best thing about tapas bars are you get to try a bit of everything, we then got into our seafood groove and ordered the hotate butter, grilled garlic and buttered scallop on onion and a bread biscuit ($5.60). It came with four small but delicious pieces of scallop and plenty of flavour from its toppings. We did have trouble keeping the scallop on the bread while picking it up though.

Takoyaki

Next up, an order of Takoyaki ($4), dough battered balls of deep-fried octopus, something Michael and I love sharing together. I thought it tasted just like any other Takoyaki should taste like. Soft and flavourful and rolled up in a gentle ball with diced octopus inside. I liked that at Guu instead of the drizzle mayo they served a mustard drizzle. It was sour and tangy, and just tasted different.

Ochazuke

Lastly Michael ordered the ochazuke ($4.30), which is traditionally rice and tea with flavoured toppings. Ours arrived with seaweed, flaked fish, onions, bits of pork and wasabi. The soup certainly tasted different, Michael and I both agreed it was very refreshing and light.

I think Guu is a fun place to go with friends, the more the merrier, that way there are more things to share together. We noticed many other things on the menu worth coming back for.

Follow me on Twitter!
Follow @AllizonLiu

Nooch

Nooch, we finally meet you. Michael and I found about this place from the Tourism Richmond blogger awhile ago and for the longest time we've wanted to try Nooch. But I guess they're only open for lunch hours since it was always closed when we came by. We nearly gave up.

Instead, we purposefully went out early to see Nooch, located at 6900 No. 3 road right across from Richmond City Hall, to find out what all the fuss is about. Nooch seemed more like it was a little cafe than a restaurant, offering soups, sandwiches, salads and a small selections of breakfast. Feels like a perfect summer place to hang out with your friends with its bright windows and simple paintings hung here around the eatery.

When Michael and I sat down, our waitress explained to us that Nooch offers fresh and local ingredients, but they ran out of a lot of supplies just before the long weekend. The menu was very limited. Michael and I was a little disappointed because it felt like there was nothing to choose from. We both got the Soup and Panini Combination ($10), with the Caribbean Yellow Lentils soup of the day. Michael got the Ham 'N' Swiss panini, served with thin sliced ham, lemon aioli and swiss cheese.

Pesto turkey sandwich with soup

For myself, I wanted to get the spaghetti bolognaise with parmesan but no surprise, they weren't serving it. So I went with Michael's choice, the Soup and Panini combination. I got the Pesto Turkey which was served with mozzarella, and because they didn't have spinach that day, they substituted for lettuce instead.  I thought the panini was light, it wasn't filling for a hot summer day. The mozzarella wasn't overwhelming, and was just enough with the ooey gooeniess. The Turkey was thinly sliced and served nice and warm. I wouldn't say that the pesto was as flavourful as I wanted to be though.

I thought the soup wasn't too heavy and had all the natural flavors happening from the corn and lentils. But it was a little too natural and bland, so I loaded up with the salt and pepper. Michael thought the soup had a delicious blend of flavours even though it was just vegetables in the bowl.

Ham 'N' Swiss sandwich combo

Michael and I both agree that we were disappointed with Nooch, we waited for all this time to go and the menu was just not up to par when we finally got there. The menu also doesn't call out for me to return for as well. Farewell Nooch. 

Follow me on Twitter!
Follow @AllizonLiu