Foursquare Adventure (African Restaurant): Simba's Grill

As part of my World Food Tour series, hubby and I went to Simba's Grill Vancouver. They are an African Restaurant according to Foursquare. It's our first time to try African cuisine. Here's our experience!

African Restaurant Category

There are 7 restaurants categorized in Foursquare as 'African Restaurant' and I searched the description for the top 3 and decide from there.

Foursquare City Guide's African Restaurant in Vancouver

I would prefer to go to the first suggestion BUT in this case Jambo grill is a fusion of four countries, Iran, India, Africa and Canada which is why I decided to go to Simba's Grill. They described their cuisine as 'East African Fusion Cuisine'. That's good enough for my food tour since they're combining favorites from East Africa.

Simba's Grill

We arrived at West End at around 6:30pm and we didn't know that there's an abundance of restaurant along Denman Street. There are even line up to a Ramen place nearby.

It's easy to spot Simba's Grill because it has a yellow awning in front with its name printed. We entered and requested a table for two and we were seated by the entrance with a view of the street and with our backs against the other guest. I really liked it because this way I won't be conscious since we tend to order too much and get judgmental and amusing looks from people.

We received our menu and I asked for a glass of water because we were really thirsty, they gave it right away. Service was excellent! The chef and owner went to our table to ask if we have any questions. I told him that it's our first time and we weren't sure what to get. He asked if we prefer barbecue or curry. I said hubby prefers barbecue and I love curry. He gave his recommendation but told us that we could take as long as we need to decide. Such a nice guy!

Muhogo for Appetizer

For appetizer, we ordered Muhogo. It's deep fried casava root. In Tagalog, we call this kamoteng kahoy.

Muhogo. Deep fried casava root.

The server asked us if we want it plain or spicy. Of course, spicy. She placed a small container of mango spicy sauce and oh boy was it really spicy. I wished the Muhogo was crunchier but it's still excellent.

Kuku Muchuzi  and Beef Mishkaki for Main Course

I ordered Naan and Kuku (chicken) Muchuzi while hubby ordered the Beef Mishkaki. Serving is good for sharing and we even had leftovers to go.

Naan was great. I wished I ordered more. The Muchuzi is tasty with tender chicken breast. Comparing it to the Afghan cuisine, this has stronger flavor.

Kuku Muchuzi. A traditional curry cooked the East African way using Simba's special spices.

Meanwhile, the Mishkaki melts in your mouth with how tender it is. In the Afghan kebab, you can still taste the spices they use (pepper, salt, etc.). On the other hand, in the Mishkaki you can really taste the marinade they used on every bite and it's really obvious that it was marinated for so long with how juicy it was.

Beef Mishkaki. Beef cubes marinated in special spices barbecued served with rice.

Dessert

Another regret... we should have ordered 2 Raas Malai instead of sharing 1 because it was so good! Now, I am curious what the Lemu Cheesecake tastes like. Really happy with the dessert.

Raas Malai. Baked Ricotta Cheese soaked in cream topped with pistachio and almonds.

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I am food coma! :) Looking forward to the next country we visit while staying in Vancouver.

Foursquare Adventure (Afghan Restaurant): Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner

In celebration of Foursquare Day, I am starting a world tour (while staying in Metro Vancouver) with food based on the Food categories of Foursquare!

Afghan Restaurants in Vancouver 

First on the Foursquare alphabetical list of categories is Afghan Restaurants. According to Foursquare, four restaurants are categorized under Afghan Restaurants.

Foursquare Map

We decided to try Afghan Chopan from the list because it's affordable, and it's accessible. "East is East" is closer to our home and has a higher rating, but the food is a mixture of Indian and Afghan cuisine, so we went to Afghan Chopan instead.

Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner

It's a small place (with about 9 chairs and 3 tables), but the branch on No. 3 Road is closing permanently on April 20, 2018. They have a new branch around a 10-minute walk near the Richmond Public Market at Westminster Highway.

Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner Menu

Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner Menu

Ashak for Appetizer 

They have three choices for appetizer - Bolani, Mantu, and Ashak. Before going here, I was reading Wikipedia about Afghan food, and because of that, I decided to get Ashak. I initially want Mantu, but I thought it's close to Korean Mandu, so I went for something different.

Ashak for Appetizer
Menu Description: A very delightful and common Afghan recipe, steamed dough with leeks topped with sauce and yogurt.

The dumpling itself is cooked well, and it wasn't chewy, and it's not fried, so it's not crunchy either. The sauce on top is delicious. I love beans. The sauce shows more of the personality of the cuisine. In the Philippines, we have soy sauce and chilli flakes as we like our food saltier. It seems like Afghan cuisine, loves their spices and well, tomato-based dishes.

Pallow and Kebab for Main Meal

I chose Afghan Chopan because I think it's affordable and oh boy was I blown away. Jomar ordered Assorted Kebab while I got the Pallow Special. There was so much food! I think it's suitable for 3 people. Everything is so good! I will go back just for the Pallow! It's mildly spicy and incredibly flavorful. Meanwhile, the Kebab was seasoned well, tender, and melts in your mouth.

Pallow Special
Menu Description: Tender pieces of beef shank beneath Afghan steamed basmati rice served with side vegetable.

Assorted Kebab with side salad
Menu Description: One skewer each of chicken, shami (ground beef), and tekka (beef tenderloin) kebab

We finished everything, just the two of us.

Ferny for Dessert 

Based on the food we've tried, it's evident that Afghan food isn't into extreme. I mean so far, nothing we've had is TOO spicy or salty, so I wasn't expecting the only dessert in the menu to be sweet. It's called Ferney, and I was right that it wasn't delicious.

Ferny
Menu Description: Milk Pudding made with a hint of cardamon and topped with Pistachios.

It was soft, and when we started digging in, it slowly lost its form. The pistachios on top provided crunch and texture to the whole thing.


Have you tried Afghan food before? How was it?

Foursquare City Guide Food Adventure

I plan to try one new restaurant per week but to make it more interesting for each week it should be from one of the Foursquare category. For example, on week 1 we will try an Afghan Restaurant then the following week it will be African Restaurant. It's not just one new restaurant; it will be one different category as well.

Partial list of Foursquare category

Why Foursquare? Because I love it!

The Goal

Why do I want to do this? Well, obviously I love to eat. Next, I love to travel and by trying out different cuisines every week is like getting to know that country and culture through their food. Lastly, I want to explore more of Greater Vancouver area. Actually, this adventure only works because Vancouver (and Canada) is such a diverse city (and country).

The Pick

How do I pick which restaurant to try? I consider the following:

• Distance from home and work. I don't want to travel too far if there's one nearby.
• It should be our first time there.
• Foursquare rating. I read this article from a Foursquare data engineer and I appreciate how she broke down how their rating system works which makes me trust it more.
• Budget. It should be reasonable for two people to dine in.

I actually have picked the first 3 restaurants I want to try - Afghan, African, and Ethiopian. 

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What do you think of this plan?

UPDATE! June 2, 2018. The challenge has changed. We did it once a month instead of weekly because it makes sense from a budget stand point and we sometimes just didn't have time.