Nobu

Palm Jumeirah

Dubai, UAE

+971.4.426.2626

📝

Make reservations

There's always parking - valet

🎩🎩🎩🎩.

🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽.

✈  DXB

We would try all the restaurants in Dubai, if we could.  Honestly, there are some restaurants which just have priority over others in a city.  Nobu is the brain child of chef Nobu Matsuhisa.  Nobu Dubai is on par with Nobu Las Vegas, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City & Waikiki.

SPICY TUNA ROLL (45dhs) 👍👍

vermicelli & shredded vegetables topped w/ spring roll, sugarcane bbq pork, fried onions, shredded pork & fried onions.

EEL & CUCUMBER (60dhs) 👍👍👍

beef stock w/ rice noodles, onions, parsley, fatty flank & extra rare beef

SOFT SHELL CRAB (65dhs)👍👍👍👍

sugar BBQ'ed beef w/ vermicelli & assorted vegetables

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Krua Thai Family Kitchen

2515 NE 55th Street 

Seattle WA 98105

+1.206.985.4398

www.kruaseattle.com

📝

Relaxed family owned environment

Parking is adequate

Great for takeouts

🎩🎩🎩.

🚽🚽.

✈  SEA

We were hungry and wandered up the road.  We found this gem on YELP and decided to give it a try.  The owner served us personally and checked up on us.  The food was delicious and we're definitely returning.

PORK PENANG CURRY ($9.25) 👍👍

spices in a red curry paste to create a sweet, smooth, creamy curry freshly prepared with coconut milk with bell peppers and basil leaves

GRILLED PORK SKEWERS ($8.25) 👍👍👍👍

skewers of marinated pork, grilled to perfection

THREE JEWELS ($10.25)👍👍👍

egg tofu lightly deep fried with minced chicken, served over tender spinach leaves

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Ruth's Chris Steak House

565 Bellevue Square 

Bellevue WA

+1.425.451.1550

📝

Busy and arrogant

Make resos or risk being turned away

🎩.

🚽🚽.

✈  SEA

We will not return.  Service was lousy and slow.  Bread arrived only after we asked for it, after halfway through our mains.  The two steak dishes were nice; however the tuna was COLD.  Essentially, we thought that they had pre grilled AHI TUNA in the fridge and brought it out when they need.  The steak on the other hand was very good.  Certainly not the best we've had, but best in the good ol' USA.

STEAK FRITES ($22.95) 👍👍👍

new york strip w/ julienne fries

RIBEYE ($43) 👍👍👍👍

Well marbled USDA prime for peak flavor, deliciously juicy

AHI TUNA SALAD ($16)👍👍

fresh field greens, red onions and crunchy vegetables tossed with vinaigrette and served with slices of our blackened ahi tuna

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We were down and around the Seattle area and met up with a gem of a realtor, Kimberlee Stewart.  She had made us some cookies; however, they were so delicious that there was no photo taken.  In place, is a photo of what the cookies looked like, except not as delicious.  Kimberlee's cookies were so soft and gooey.  It was mucho delicious.

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Guu Thurlow

838 Thurlow Street 

Vancouver BC

+1.604.685.8817

guu-izakaya.com

📝 

Make a reservation then go for a coffee

Great for sharing with a few friends

Don't come here if you're on a diet

🎩🎩🎩.

🚽🚽.

✈  YVR

We war here the other day and tried some dishes.  It was not very good money for value and the food took a little while to get here, but boy were they savory!  

BBQ EEL RICE GRATIN ($7.80) 👍👍

vermicelli & shredded vegetables topped w/ spring roll, sugarcane bbq pork, fried onions, shredded pork & fried onions.

YAKI-DON ($7.80) 👍👍👍

pan fried udon w/ beef, mushroom, green onion, soy sauce & butter

KAHUNI ($6.30)👍👍👍👍

stewed pork belly, daikon & poached egg w/ steamed bun

GIN DARA ($8.50)👍👍👍

grilled miso marinated black cod w/ miso mayo

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Urban Sushi

562 Granville Street 

Vancouver BC

+1.604.806.6218

📝

Relaxed sushi environment

Close proximity to downtown offices

🎩🎩.

🚽🚽.

✈  YVR

This is the place we go to when around Pacific Centre.  The food is generally quite good.  When it's really busy, sometimes they forget to bring certain foods to you.  For example, we usually go for the combos at lunch and when they're really busy, they'll double up on the rolls or forget to bring you miso soup.  Naturally we found them to be very apologetic once they have realized their error.  

COMBO #3 ($9.95) 👍👍👍👍

chicken teriyaki, miso soup, california rolls, prawn & yam tempura

URBAN SUSHI COMBO ($9.5) 👍👍👍

Sockeye Sashimi, Tuna Sashimi & Urban Roll

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Zen Sushi

#103, 414-3RD STREET SW 

Calgary AB

+1.403.237.8884

📝

Relaxed sushi environment

Best to arrive via C-train

🎩🎩🎩.

🚽🚽🚽.

✈  YYC

We came here for 1 reason.  The first bluefin tuna caught in Canadian waters was purchased by a Calgarian restaurant and shared the spoils with Zen Sushi.  According to the manager, the fish was so big that there were not facilities to butcher it, so the had to create a kitchen specifically for it.

BLUE FIN TUNA ($125) 👍👍👍👍👍

cheeks, fatty belly, assorted cuts

PRAWN FLAMBE (Amuse Bouche) 👍👍👍👍

miso prawn flambé

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Boston Pizza

190 1333 West Broadway

Vancouver BC

+1.604.730.2822

www.bostonpizza.ca

📝

Good for casual dining with a few friends

Try to get there by foot or cab

There is limited parking underground

🎩🎩.

🚽🚽🚽.

✈  YVR

A friend had a gathering here.  Apparently, they were the only ones who could accommodate 20+ people on a Friday night, with reservation.  The service was slow, the food average.  There were many servers walking around, doing their thing, but we were never able to actually get anyone's attention for more water, to order or to get our bill.  Having the gratuity built in to the bill, was a disadvantage since the servers knew they would not have to work for it.  The NEW YORK STRIP STEAK was not garnished and actually looked unfinished, when it was presented.  Your mileage may vary.

SMOKED HAM & CHICKEN STROMBOLI ($10.99) 👍👍👍

tender chicken breast, smoked ham, pizza mozzarella & alfredo sauce folded in signature pizza dough

NEW YORK STRIP STEAK ($14.79) 👍👍

served w/ potato mash & garlic bread

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Sahn Eddar

Burj Al Arab

Dubai UAE 

+971.4.301.7777

📝

Afternoon tea w/ an Arabian twist

Make reservations

🎩🎩🎩🎩.

🚽🚽🚽🚽🚽.

✈  DXB

You can't just walk in to the hotel for tea.  In fact, it's a gated island with security so make sure you make reservations to get on the list.  There are other ways to get in to the hotel, but we won't be discussing those techniques.  In a nutshell, this is an experience.  There is a live cellist and pianist to entertain you while you enjoy your hour with your friends.

AFTERNOON TEA (395AED) 👍👍👍👍

a tower of traditional finger sandwiches, mulled wine, champagne & tea

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Thai Sun

2800 1 Avenue East 

Vancouver BC

+1.604.255.6436

📝

Relaxed family owned environment

Parking is limited during busy periods

🎩🎩.

🚽🚽.

✈  YVR

We've been here a few times and let me tell you, we rave about the PHO.  The BBQ meats from the BUN & BBQ BEEF is also pretty amazing.  The service is about average for a casual place.  The clientele is mostly Asian and it is in an Asian complex with T&T.  The way we see it is, if it wasn't good; it would have been out of business a long time ago.

BUN ($6.99) 👍👍👍👍

vermicelli & shredded vegetables topped w/ spring roll, sugarcane bbq pork, fried onions, shredded pork & fried onions.

PHO ($7.99) 👍👍👍👍👍

beef stock w/ rice noodles, onions, parsley, fatty flank & extra rare beef

BBQ BEEF ($5.99)👍👍👍👍

sugar BBQ'ed beef w/ vermicelli & assorted vegetables

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Romano's Macaroni Grill

401 Northeast Northgate Way 

Seattle WA

+1.206.838.6009

📝

American Italian restaurant, not authentic Italian

Wood fired oven in the lounge area

🎩.

🚽🚽🚽.

✈  SEA

We were not sure where to go and this was just off the freeway.  From the outside, it looked like a regular chain restaurant, but it was fairly nice on the inside.  There was a wood fired oven in the bar/lounge area.  On seating, the servers write their names down with crayons on paper.  We suspect the paper doubles up as easier clean up for most guests.  They also serve you a small loaf of bread with olive oil and pepper.  The issue is that the loaf of bread is not sliced at all.  After our food was served, we had to request for parmesan cheese and salt.  Unlike other tables, someone forgot to put a salt shaker.  They really should do such things as the CHICKEN FETTUCINI ALFREDO had no taste to it.  After a decent amount of parmesan cheese and a minute of salt shaking, it was perfect.  We just wonder if the chef actually tastes what they put on the plate.  Whatever happen to the concept "salt to taste" ?  The pasta should be al dente, but sadly it was too soft and sticking to each other.  "Globs" were forming with the pasta.  Apparently the chef has not heard of refreshing the pasta, after cooking.  Luckily the sliders were much better!

CHICKEN FETTUCINI ALFREDO ($12) 👍👍

pieces of chicken in a cream based sauce w/ over cooked fettucini

RICOTTA MEATBALL SLIDERS ($9) 👍👍👍

ricotta meatballs, tomato sauce, crushed red chile, parmesan in butter rolls

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Tengu

311 NE Thornton Place 

Seattle WA

+1.206.525.9999

📝

Casual japanese restaurant

Parking is extremely limited

🎩🎩.

🚽🚽.

✈  SEA

Service here is quick, but a little rushed.  There are about 15 tables scattered around the room, but only one or two servers and they do a lot of take out.

RAINBOW ROLL ($4) 👍👍👍

assorted fish on top of a california roll

DRAGON ROLL ($4) 👍👍👍👍

eel on top of a california roll

DEVIL ROLL ($4)👍👍👍

deep fried olympic roll

GYOZA ($3.95)👍👍👍👍

potstickers

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the Polish Deli

Covent Gardens Market

London UK

📝

Tasty take home meats

🎩🎩.

🚽🚽.

✈  LHR

I'm not much for sausages deli sausages, but these were pretty good for munching on the go or to put on top of pizza.  It was a pretty busy area with lots of shoppers around and everyone seemed content.  There was even a lady who was really in to the KINDZIUK SAUSAGE.  The stall minders recognized her and she was talking about using it on pizza this week.

KINDZIUK SAUSAGE (£2.95/100g) 👍👍👍

long maturing product, cold smoked, made from top quality selected pork cuts

CRACOVIAN DRYEZ SAUSAGE (£2.40/100g) 👍👍

luxury sausage from large cuts of pork with a traditional flavor and a distant pepper and caraway overtone

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The Flour Station

Selfridges Food Hall

400 Oxford Street

London UK

www.hapaizakaya.com

📝

Good for casual dining

Try to get there by foot or cab

Lots of different breads and pastries to try

🎩🎩🎩.

🚽🚽.

✈  LHR

We decided to head to Selfridges to look around at their famous Food Hall.  Albeit, it's not as famous as the Harrods Food Hall, but this is more everyday and less touristy.  It's dead smack in the middle of the shopping district, so it still gets fairly busy.  In side the Food Hall, there is about 10 different places to get food.  It's mostly salads, coffee shops and take away places at the end of the day.  The Flour Station has a large selection of freshly baked breads.  They even do wholesale and you can order directly from them.  The bread is good, but I didn't have space in my suitcase to fit all the loaves I wanted to bring.  Besides, I'm sure Dubai customs would have a field day with it!

OLIVE FOCACCIA (£3.5) 👍👍👍

seared AAA beef carpaccio w/ chili-sesame sauce topped with fried onions, horseradish, lemon & shallots.

TOMATO SPINACH FOCACCIA (£3.5) 👍👍👍

fried morsels of battered squid w/ lemon

CHEVRE ONION FOCACCIA (£3.5)👍👍👍

fried crab cakes swimming on spicy mayo

ROSEMARY CHEESE FOCACCIA (£3.5)👍👍👍

korean hot stone bowl w/ chives, egg, lettuce, minced pork, rice, tomato & spicy-miso

CHOCOLATE & WHITE CHOCOLATE MUFFIN (£2.5)👍👍👍

chocolate cake w/ dark chocolate inside & side of vanilla bean ice cream

BANANA CHOCOLATE MUFFIN (£2.5)👍👍

chocolate cake w/ dark chocolate inside & side of vanilla bean ice cream

STRAWBERRY STRUDEL (£2)👍👍

chocolate cake w/ dark chocolate inside & side of vanilla bean ice cream

WALNUT BROWNIE (£2)👍👍👍

chocolate cake w/ dark chocolate inside & side of vanilla bean ice cream

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Pink Elephant Thai

1152 Alberni Street 

Vancouver BC

+1.604.646.8899

www.pinkelephantthai.com/

📝

Modern décor & pink booths

Portion size isn't big, but it's delicious

🎩🎩🎩.

🚽🚽🚽.

✈  YVR

We were here for a gathering of Vancouver's tweeps.  It was a good venue for this.  They still utilized some of the booths for regular customers, but we took over most of the space.  The service doesn't really feel very rush, but is prompt.  The interesting thing is the kitchen is upstairs, so you can actually smell and feel some of the heat from the cooking.  We thing it brings a bit more authenticity to the place.

THAI SATAY ($9) 👍👍👍👍

marinated in a mixture of thai spices & coconut milk w/ peanut sauce

SPRING ROLLS ($8) 👍👍👍

thai style minced pork

LYCHEE-TINI ($5) 👍👍👍👍

lychees in a lychee-tini

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Din Tai Fung

700 Bellevue Way NE

Bellevue, WA 98004

+1.425.698.1095

www.dintaifungusa.com

📝

They are known for their XIAO LONG BAO

Part of an international chain

Can get really pricey, if you're really hungry

🎩🎩🎩.

🚽🚽🚽.

✈  SEA

Spotted on NE 8th Avenue while driving, I had to try the food out.  Earlier this year, we were reviewing the different Din Tai Fung in Asia.  Here, they give you a sauce plate with ginger.  You can add your favorite ratio of vinegar and soy sauce to liking.  

TRUFFLE XIAO LONG BAO ($25) 👍👍👍

steamed pork dumplings w/ gelatinous broth & truffle

XIAO LONG BAO ($11.25) 👍👍

steamed pork dumplings w/ gelatinous broth

PORK BUN ($4.25)👍👍👍

steamed pork & onion bun

SHRIMP FRIED RICE ($9)👍👍

shrimp, onions & egg fried rice

SHRIMP DUMPLING ($9.50)👍👍

steamed shrimp dumplings

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Bandidas Taqueria

2781 Commercial Drive

Vancouver BC

+1.604.568.8224

www.bandidastaqueria.com

📝

Good for big groups, if you arrive early.

Brunch is served until late lunch!

No reservations so get there early, lines form.

🎩🎩.

🚽🚽.

✈  YVR

My first foray in to the #YVRBreakfastClub resulted in a group of 8 foodies, all together enjoying a little Mexican food.  We arrived early, so no wait.  We did try to call ahead, but the restaurant refused to take reservations.  When we arrived, they put together deuces together so we could all sit at one big table.  The service was attentive and the food took 20+ minutes to arrive.  Quality of the food is good.

BREAKFAST BURRITO ($7.50) 👍👍

scrambled free-range eggs, fresh salsa, pinto beans, sour cream & cheese in a whole wheat tortilla

MEXICAN BREAKFAST ($8) 👍👍👍

two free-range eggs, 2 corn tortillas, pinto beans, fresh salsa, purple cabbage salad & guacamole

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Darchin Restaurant

801 Pacific Street

Vancouver BC

+1 604-632-1717

www.darchin.ca

📝

Good for an authentic Persian food experience

Try to get there by foot or cab

🎩.

🚽🚽🚽.

✈  YVR

We emailed to make a reservation, but they never responded, so we called.  Apparently they are having difficulties with their online reservation system, so we had to be entered in manually.  Upon arrival, we were a little shocked at the Christmas tree on the side, but the décor was nice & very moody.  The server we had was new, and the service was lackluster.  We waited five minutes at a time for water refills, checks.  We had a table next to us who arrived and ordered after us, but had eaten their food and left before we received ours.  From my days in Persia, I found the SHIRAZI SALAD to be fantastic.  The ROYAL was only served with the two toned rice, but I requested that barberries be put on top to complete the dish.  The DOOGH was an interesting salty drink.  You expect it to be sweet, but it's salty.  It also tastes like bubbly water with a little bit of milk and salt.

KUBIDEH ($12.95) 👍👍👍

two skewers of ground beef & persian herbs and spices

SMALL SHIRAZI SALAD ($6.95) 👍👍👍👍

cucumber, tomato, onion, lemon juice & dried mint & olive oil

ROYAL W/ BARBERRIES ($27.50)👍👍👍👍👍

one skewer of boneless chicken breast & one skewer of thin layer steak

DOOGH ($2.95)👍

yogurt based persian beverage (mint flavored)

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Stepho's Souvlaki Greek Taverna

1124 Davie Street

Vancouver BC  V6E 1N1

+1.604.683.2555

📝

Arrive early, take out or prepare for long lines

Inexpensive liquor and food

🎩🎩🎩.

🚽🚽🚽.

✈  YVR

We were a little reluctant on going to Stepho's.  We're not really Greek food people, but after some fantastic moukasa at the Dubai Yacht Club, I was convinced to try it.  On inspection, the Moukasa was not a meat and cheese dish, so we opted for the daily special: Red Snapper & a pair of lamb chops.  To begin, the red wine needs to be aired out a lot.  To be fair, we are vinophiles and enjoy good wine.  We have often been heard saying "We prefer to go dry all year and spend it all on one night".  The MELITZANO was delicious.  It is very similar to moutabal.  The DOLMATHES were pretty standard.  The tables all around me had at least one dish of this.  We tried the ROAST LAMB, but it was too gamey for our liking.  The red snapper was good and enjoyed.  There was an onion béarnaise like sauce on top which fit the dish very well.  The rice pilaf made us a little nauseating as it was made with a lot of oil and butter - there was adequate flavor.  The green salad was good.

MELITZANO ($4.75) 👍👍👍

eggplant dip served w/ olives, beets, peppers, cucumbers & naan

DOLMATHES ($5.45) 👍👍

rice & ground beef stuffed grape vine leaves

ROAST LAMB ($10.95)👍👍

served w/ roast potatoes, rice pilaf, vege briami & greek salad

RED SNAPPER ($7.95)👍👍👍

served w/ rice pilaf, potatoes & pita

CANTINA TOLLO ROSSO  ($18.95)👍

red house table wine

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BluWater Bistro Leschi

102 Lakeside Avenue

Seattle, WA  98122

+1.206.328.2233

📝

Great views

Casual waterfront location

If you live on the lake, you can dock at the pier.

Can get loud with young families

🎩🎩🎩🎩🎩.

🚽🚽🚽.

✈  SEA

We were driving by and ran in to the restaurant.  It's a restored dark brown wood boathouse.  The interior had the feel of a pub, but gentrified.  The atmosphere was casual, but food selection was pretty amazing.  Our waitress was incredible.  The food arrived quickly.  The most intriguing part of dining there, was watching a couple depart by boat to their house across the lake.

NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER ($8.99) 👍👍

clams, cream, celery and not very thick

DUNGENESS CRAB ARTICHOKE DIP ($4.49) 👍👍

roasted green chilies & aged parmesan w/ warm pita topped w/ dungeness crab

GRILLED WILD SALMON ($18.95)👍👍👍👍

médium fillet brushed with ancho, honey lemon glaze & served w/ sautéed spinach w/ lemon beurre blanc & baby red potatoes

DUNGENESS CRAB STUFF MAHI MAHI ($22.50)👍👍👍

oven-roasted and drizzled w/ macadamia nut beurre blanc & mango chili coulis w/ potato mash & beans

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