Hapa Izakaya: small plates, big taste.

It was a patio evening in Kitsilano: the sun had just slipped behind Bowen Island, the breeze was slow and cool, and we’d had a busy day. Time for some “tapanese” food and sake at Hapa Izakaya!

Small Plates at Hapa Izakaya by Bill Stillwell

An izakaya is a sit-down sake shop, rather like a Japanese pub. The servers are quick and pleasant, and soon enough, someone places a tall slice of bamboo on our table, chilled and full of cold sake. Conversation is easy. There is no talk of work or responsibilities.

We refill each other’s little bamboo cups full as the plates arrive. The food is fresh and not overly complicated, delighting the eye and pleasing the palate. Halfway through the bamboo tube of sake, we’re full of easy smiles and laughter. The plates come and go, until dessert and a cocktail round out our evening. The chocolate caramel mousse is a little piece of heaven. I feel unwound, relaxed, and happy. The breezy summer weather is perfect for a seaside stroll, so we take the long way home.

About Hapa Izakaya:

Lea and Justin Ault introduced Hapa Izakaya to Vancouver diners in 2003. Now, three locations offer a variety of scrumptious Japanese tapas, plus cocktails, beer, wine, and premium sake. The decor is simple and clean, and the atmosphere is casual, with plenty of intimate tables for two. Interior seating can easily accomodate groups—perfect for sharing a little bit of everything.

Robson, Kitsilano, and Yaletown Hapa locations are open from 5:30 PM to 1 AM on Friday/Saturday and until midnight from Sunday to Thursday.

Website: http://hapaizakaya.com
Twitter: @hapaizakaya

Prices are reasonable, the sake selection is excellent, and the food has never disappointed me. There’s always something good on the Fresh Sheet menu—go when BC Spot Prawns are in season if you can! New things are fun, but I must always have the Ebi Mayo or Negitoro and a Harajuku Girl.

Harajuku Denizens by Jacob Ehnmark

I did not take snapshots of my meal, but you can see lovely pictures of several dishes and the restaurant interiors at Hapa’s online photo gallery. Lately, I find that taking pictures of food at a restaurant detracts from my enjoyment of the meal, so I quit doing it. All the fussiness of photography is distracting when really I just want to eat, drink, and have a good time.

things we love @ HAPA

• Sake ~ served chilled in a bamboo tube pitcher
• Harajuku Girl ~ Vodka, Sourpuss Raspberry, Butter Ripple Schnapps, Calpis, soda
• Ebi Mayo ~ crisp, fat, juicy prawns tossed in spicy mayo
• Renkon Gyoza ~ tempura of lotus root with savoury pork filling
• Salmon Risotto Croquettes ~ crisp balls of creamy rice and salmon
• Gindara ~ baked sablefish in a sake-miso marinade
• Negitoro ~ luscious tuna belly and spring onion on garlic toast
• Chocolate Caramel Mousse with poached pears ~ wonderful and rich
• Caramel Pudding ~ light, creamy, and delicious

Flickr Creative Commons
enhmark ~ Jacob Ehnmark
icathing ~ Bill Stillwell

Leaving a comment? I’m curious . . . what makes a meal memorable for you?

The Barnyard Burger @ The Wolf & Hound

Once upon a time, Patty O’Lamb went out upon an Irish green and landed upon its buns. And so barely blushed inside, under a blanket of crisp wavy bacon and creamy cheese of yon goat, was drizzled with BBQ sauce. Verily, it was delicious. And so was my Manhattan. Did I mention there was live music and hockey on big TV’s?

The Wolf & Hound

3617 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC

Nando’s: Spicy Peri Peri Chicken

Take-out always digs a big hole in my pocketbook, so I try to avoid the urge to splurge when one meal can cost as much as a bag of groceries. However, Ginger Man and I had a busy weekend, so I didn’t cook much. I can’t say it wasn’t worth it, though, as I’ve eaten delicious Thai red curry, sushi, and a spicy chicken dinner in one weekend.

Saturday afternoon, we took a long walk down Cornwall past Kits Beach hoping to have brunch at new cafe we hadn’t tried yet, but unfortunately, it was closed. Neither of us felt like vegetarian, and we stopped to oogle the poster introducing Vera’s Sliders. Now, Vera’s is a burger joint, and that’s food I can make at home, so even though the sliders promised to be delicious and I know they make good fries, we walked on by and decided to have some roast chicken at Nando’s instead. I’d been meaning to try out the place, plus it smelled good, so it seemed like the right time.

This is about half of our Variety Pack.

Nando’s is a franchise that specializes in Portugese-style spicy roasted chicken, marinated overnight and flame-grilled to perfection. Their Peri-Peri spices really pack a punch, but you can order to your tastes. If you don’t like spicy food, not to worry; try the Lemon & Herb chicken. It’s just as tasty, but without the firey tingle. We had the Variety Pack (for two, but really it could feed four) which includes 1/2 a chicken (1 breast cut in half, one leg, one thigh) plus 8 wings, two chicken kebabs, and any two sides (we had Peri Fries and Spiced Rice). Place your order at the counter, then take a seat. They’ll bring your food when it’s ready.

Bird's Eye chili peppers are firey!

The wings were great, and so were the chicken pieces (tender and meaty). The kebabs were good, but slightly drier. The meat itself is not spicy, but there were two sauces available. Peri Peri Hot Sauce was very spicy, hot, and tingly with longlasting  effect—excellent with the wings. The Peri Peri Garlic Sauce was less spicy (but not what I’d call “mild”) with less tingle and a bit more sweetness. The Peri Fries were tossed with powdered spice, and the taste was addictive. So tingly and hot, but I couldn’t stop eating them (you can get them plain, too). The rice was flavourful and only mildly spiced, not hot. Altogether, a good meal. Nando’s also offers Hearty Coleslaw, Peri Veggies, Baked Potato, Pineapple, and several salads to round out your meal.

The cost of food is reasonable considering the quantity. A half chicken with one side would be enough to feed two and could easily be supplemented with veggies and a side of yogurt dip at home. I’d definitely reccommend it for quick family dinner or a picnic. Leftovers are excellent made into a wrap next day.

P.S. The Kitislano location has a flat screen TV! A good place to watch the Canucks play.

Leaving a comment? I’m curious. How spicy do you like your food?