New site!


Right, so back by popular demand, the restaurant review site, but in a new format. Many of these reviews are old, just haven't gotten around to posting them until now. I'll try to date them where I can. You can still check out the old site here

Unlike other foodie bloggers, I however don't own any fancy camera gear - just an old Sony digital camera that works. Maybe if it breaks I'll look at getting something else, but likely just another simple point and shoot type thing that I won't break easily!

So here we go!

"Vegetarians, and their Hezbollah-like splinter-faction, the vegans, are a persistent irritant to any chef worth a damn.

To me, life without veal stock, pork fat, sausage, organ meat, demi-glace, or even stinky cheese is a life not worth living.

Vegetarians are the enemy of everything good and decent in the human spirit, an affront to all I stand for, the pure enjoyment of food. The body, these waterheads imagine, is a temple that should not be polluted by animal protein. It's healthier, they insist, though every vegetarian waiter I've worked with is brought down by any rumor of a cold.

Oh, I'll accomodate them, I'll rummage around for something to feed them, for a 'vegetarian plate', if called on to do so. Fourteen dollars for a few slices of grilled eggplant and zucchini suits my food cost fine."
― Anthony Bourdain

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Smugglers' Inn - Brunch

Smugglers' Inn

A few members of my floor hockey team and I decided to go for brunch after the final game of the season, and after looking around for one, decided upon Smugglers' Inn, previously known to have a good brunch.   With the replacement of some of the front portions of Smugglers' Inn with Tango Bistro, the menu for the brunch had also apparently changed, during a brief hiatus.


After a short wait that felt longer than it was, we were seated - but no wait staff came by, so we helped ourselves to the coffee and water on the bar right beside us.  Of course, the instant we'd completed that, a server did indeed show up.

We trundled off to the buffet, only to find 75-85% of the trays empty.   We picked and pulled at the remaining items, and returned with some decent fare.   Of the eggs benedicts that are sat in trays instead of made fresh, these were quite superb.   The prime rib was cooked excellently, to a rare/medium rare level, and the fresh fruit included other normally-unseen items as carambola (star fruit). 

With that said, we had to watch eagle-eyed for the trays to be filled - and that was a slow process.  Each tray was quickly demolished by hungry patrons waiting for any semblance of good food.   With that said, for the price ($22), the buffet surprised me with having a large pile of steamed snow crab legs, and other high-quality items.   I can't say the sausages were my favourite (as usual), but the bacon was crispy and delicious.   The team also enjoyed their belgian waffles, if their plates were any indication.  Unfortunately, the prime rib that was good had run out, and the next one was cooked to well done - who does that?   It's such a waste!

The desserts were also a bit sparse, especially compared to the large spread found at the Coast Plaza Hotel, but what they did have was again, top notch in quality.   The black forest cake was moist and had I been more hungry, would have rated a second slice. 

All in all, I wasn't unhappy, but wasn't that happy with the overall buffet - the lack of food and service really shone, in comparison to the quality of the food itself.   I'd go back - but probably on a Saturday, where there would be less of a competition to attain proper victuals.

Taste:   8.0 - Of the food that I did have, I have no real complaints.   That comes from the lack of full trays.

Presentation:  N/A - unless I'm marking myself for plating!

Ambiance:   7.0 - It's brighter and airier than the old Smugglers' side, that's for sure. 

Prices:   $22, including coffee/tea/juices if you can find a server to bring you some!
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