Zakkushi, Amazing Izikaya

After a late swim, we headed out for dinner away from campus. Our usual late night menu includes a Vietnamese Pho place a few km's away from campus, True Confections at Alma or The Village. Wanting a change of scenary (eating to suffocating fish, and fruit flies is not always desired), we hopped on the 99 and rode out to Granville. The bus was full of drunk-ish concert goers (Black Sabbath) and the conversation was far from being dull.

We got off at Granville/Broadway and first took at peek in at Rangoli - not seating, Posh - closing a little too soon, so we walked to Burrard/4th. I had the tinniest hunch that a small izikaya might be open. And HALLELUJAH! It was open, and we were seated and allowed only 1 order because the restaurant was closing soon. We had a variety of Yakitori, Nikomi, Tuna Sashimi, Agedashi Tofu and Asahi "Super" Dry! Our favorite dish, hands down was the Agedashi Tofu in a brown gravy with portebello, shitaki and inoki mushrooms and seaweed. The sashimi was soft and buttery (instead of the cold and chewey variety at the village). The Yakitori took me back to Nishinomiya (circa 2007), and the yakitori restaurant under the bridge where we spent 3 hours consuming meat on a stick, Asahi, edamame and cheese filled wontons. Stephen's favorite was the Nikomi (beef stew) with turnips, winter melon, carrots and bamboo. The beer really hit the spot for me.

I highly recommend Zakkushi as a must-eat-at spot in Vancouver. Make a reservation so you have a little while to eat and enjoy the ambiance. If you've ever

been to Japan, the izikaya was be nostalgic of eating in over crowded (but clean), loud, fast paced (but slow eating), and chatting/eating with locals in a tiny space. Since we were the last customers, we had the restaurant most to ourselves. Note: The bathroom is quite amazing, especially the bamboo tap and a sink full of bamboo coals. They also provide a bottle of mouthwash in a sake tumbler and tiny cups so you can happily kiss your date after a divine meal.

PS: We didn't try the dessert - but the black sesame ice-cream and banana gyoza seem are possibly two interesting alternatives to cake and pie.