Guu Izakaya

Kakimayo (baked oysters with cheese), Unagi Doria

Staple orders (not pictured): Salmon Tataki, Gyu Carpaccio, Takoyaki. A bit disappointed with the first two as it didn't have garlic chips, which is my favorite part of the dish (Sakabar better). The best dish of the night was the takoyaki - crispy and hot outside topped with sweet tonkatsu sauce, mayo and seaweed, good sized piece of real octopus inside. I liked the small mushrooms in the oyster but found it a bit sour and it was very creamy/filling. The eel rice was very sweet, soft and cheesy but I prefer the mushroom bibimbap as that one is served hotter in a stone bowl.

Sake Mojito

For drinks, I had the Matcha Coco and Sake Mojito. The Matcha tastes like green tea frappucino but with alcohol and a bit heavier tasting. The Mojito was refreshing and light, not much alcohol taste.
Second visit to this Guu location. We arrived before 5pm so no line up, but for a Monday, it was still quite full by 6-7 pm. Total bill came to $37/person.

More from Guu Izakaya (Summer 2010)

Salmon Tataki

Mushroom Cheese Bibimbap - Must Try 

Okonomiyaki

Tofu Cheesecake

The Keg

Warm, soft bread to start. Tastes a bit like sourdough (not sure)

French onion soup

Crab and Shrimp Sirloin

Sister's order - a bit of everything - 2 shrimp, cluster of dungeness crab smothered in Bernaise sauce, smaller cut of sirloin. Mashed potatoes were really good and creamy but a bit salty. Sirloin was very tender and flavorful - I liked it more than the filet mignon.

Filet mignon with twice baked potato

I always remembered filet mignon to be my favorite cut of steak, but this time the sirloin was better as the filet wasn't as tender. Got a tip from Foursquare and tried the twice baked potato - soft inside with bits of green onion, crsipy top. All orders come with asparagus and red pepper; better than plain broccoli and carrots.

Creme brulee

Cheers to finishing undergrad and a very good dinner c/o dad's $200 gift card!


 

Recipe | Banana Bread

Ingredients 1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup water
2 to 3 ripe bananas

1. Put dry ingredients in medium sized bowl.
2. Mash bananas and mix in wet ingredients.
3. Add (2) to (1) and mix until incorporated.
4. Bake in preheated 350C oven for 40 minutes. For muffins, reduce baking time to about 20-25 minutes.

Quick and easy recipe for fluffy banana bread every time.

井井屋

 in-house made lemon tea

+1 for the grilled chicken - tender with a slightly sweet sauce and fragrant sesame seeds. 

Hokkaido Butter Ramen

Not the biggest fan of ramen, but I wanted to try this new place at Liberty Square. It's a really small restaurant with only a few two-person tables. They serve bentos, noodles (ramen, udon) and rice bowls, which come with Coke and seaweed salad. I also saw someone order some sort of fish burger. The ramen and meat were a bit bland. I liked the soup but it wasn't as buttery and rich as other ramen places. Overall, no 'wow' factor, but I did like the seaweed salad, chicken and tea.

Takura Bune

Takura Bune Roll (mango, pickled ginger, wrapped in salmon)

 Something I order every time~ The spiciness of the ginger really complements the sweetness of the mango.

In the background: Hamachi 3 ways

Thick, rich Hamachi sashimi, maki (with bits of green onion) and grilled hamachi.

From previous occasions: 

Sashimi - fresh, quality, thick-cut

Braised (?) mackerel and daikon in a slightly sweet sauce, topped with green onion and ginger. 

More pictures from previous visits here and here.

Takura Bune is a Japanese restaurant I visit frequently for its fresh, quality fish, unique dishes and comfortable, cozy atmosphere. One of my favourites!