Umami Restaurant

[SBonner]

Umami... the fifth element of wine and food pairing 28th April 2005

Helen and I enjoyed another (of many) late night dinners at Chef/Sommelier Hiro Shintaku's Umami restuarant on Davie Street.

Tonight we did four courses:

1st course:

Albacore tuna spring rolls $10

cooked rare and wrapped with Nori and shisho leaves with a thin light tempura batter coating. Accompanied by a wasabi-soy dip and balsamic red wine drizzle on the plate. Perfect pair witha glass of Blue Mountian Brut (B.C.'s best bubble) for $9 a glass.

2nd course:

Dungeness Crab Rolls $10

2 sticks of phyllo wrapped crab accompanied by a wasabi mayo and soy dip and amazing avocado and tomato salad. Paired with a couple of glasses of Yaluma Viognier $9 ...stellar match.

3rd course:

Braised eel and foie gras $15 or in North American terms "surf and turf" or as they say in Spain " Montana y Mer" a great combination of Quebec organic foie gras with West coast eel on a bed of poached Diakon with a rich and fresh dashi broth. Great with the Wynns Coonawarra Shiraz (Australia) and Township 7 Merlot (BC)

4th course:

Cheese plate 3 choices for $9 or 5 for $14.

We opted for the 3 cheeses: St. Andre (pungent and Brie like), Manchego (Spain), and Poplar Grove Tiger Blue (mild creamy blue) paired up with the Lustau Amontillado Sherry "nice match for $6"

Hiro graciously opened a bottle of Adora estate late harvest wine (Viognier, chenin blanc, Gewurztraminer, and pinot blanc) to finish off the cheeses....nice!!!

Umami has 18 wines by the glass ($6-$10) that constantly change and each works well with the whole "umami concept" . Venta, the most visible server, is a Canadian with an Aussi accent. who offers great service, engaging conversationion, and also works part time at Chi.

Okay... we spent $120 plus $25 on tip to have a great evening here; but there were only 3 other couples there from 8:00pm to 10:00pm... E-Gullet readers...check this place out!!!! If you have not you are missing out on a great wine and food experience. Umami received great press last year....but what happened? This place deserves so much more foodie attention. Andrew... are you reading? Let's do a dinner here!!!

Cheers,

Stephen and Helen Bonner

[snacky_cat]

Umami is a fantastic little place, "little" being the operative word. I think if we were to do a dinner there, we'd have to go in 3 shifts

The tuna spring rolls have got to be one of my favourite dishes in town and I agree - the place has a great selection of wines. It's less "wines by the glass" and more "wines by the bowl" - they were pretty generous with the pours on my last visit.

I second Stephen's motion and encourage all eGulleters to try this little gem out. The plates are perfect for sharing so even if you're not in the mood for a massive dinner (though let's face it, who on this board isn't?) it's a great place to stop in for a glass of wine and a quick bite.

[nwyles]

Sad to say but I have not set foot in this place and it is in my area. I go by it all the time and always think I should check it out.

How does it compare to Hapa Izakaya ? I realize they are different but this is my only reference of a new Japanese restaurant in thelast couple of years.

I'm up for a dinner there is Andrew is into planning it !

[SBonner]

Sad to say but I have not set foot in this place and it is in my area. I go by it all the time and always think I should check it out.

How does it compare to Hapa Izakaya ? I realize they are different but this is my only reference of a new Japanese restaurant in thelast couple of years.

I'm up for a dinner there is Andrew is into planning it !

←

This wine and food oriented restaurant compared to Hapa...which I like... has an slighltly older and more educated clientele who are into wine and food pairing and the drinks selection blows Hapa away. I'm more than willing to do a wine presentation if Andrew wants to set it up.

Stephen

[Mooshmouse]

Well posted Stephen.

Umami is a gem of a restaurant, one that I consistently recommend to friends (or anyone who asks for that matter). Elegant yet comfortable in its atmosphere, plating and flavours. It's one of our restaurants of choice when we're up for cool jazz, great wine and excellent, inventive food that isn't over the top.

[Andrew Morrison]

Mr. Bonner, I am at your disposal.

[seanw]

Stephen,

Menu you had looks nice can you tell me how it tasted?

Thanks Sean

[Ling]

The albacore tuna spring rolls, the foie gras and eel on daikon, and the blue cheese creme brulee (is this still on the menu?) are some of the best-tasting dishes in town. I would love to attend an Egullet event there!

[lauraf]

Sad to say but I have not set foot in this place and it is in my area. I go by it all the time and always think I should check it out.

How does it compare to Hapa Izakaya ? I realize they are different but this is my only reference of a new Japanese restaurant in thelast couple of years.

I'm up for a dinner there is Andrew is into planning it !

←

Umami doesn't really compare to Hapa in terms of cuisine style, but price and quality are similar. Umami has a Japanese owner/sommelier, and certainly many Japanese influences, by the cuisine is more Mediterranean. One of my favourites, for sure!

(Disclosure: I work with Umami. But they really are great.)

[Zucchini Mama]

Stephen,

I'm interested in the Adora Late Harvest you had. How does it compare to other B.C. late harvest wines you've had? Do you know if the winery has a web site? I googled, but no go.

I dined solo one night at Umami. Perfect for a quick relaxing bite after a conference at the Roundhouse. It was a very simple dish-a light Asian-style mushroom sauce with (I think I remember it as porcini mushrooms) over rice noodles.

Zuke

P.S. Last night we had The Hillside Estate 2004 Muscat Ottanel with sushi (as suggested on the bottle). What a great match. Does Moscato d'Asti pair with sushi? That would be an Umami type pairing!

[Xando Head]

One question about Umami -- I just did a search but couldn't find an online menu. Are there a sufficient number of non-seafood items on their menu? I have been dying to try this place out, but my partner doesn't eat seafood and has been reluctant.

[SBonner]

One question about Umami -- I just did a search but couldn't find an online menu.  Are there a sufficient number of non-seafood items on their menu?  I have been dying to try this place out, but my partner doesn't eat seafood and has been reluctant.

←

Yes... there are lamb and beef dishes as well as some pasta's with an Asian twist.

Cheers,

Stephen

[SBonner]

Stephen,

I'm interested in the Adora Late Harvest you had. How does it compare to other B.C. late harvest wines you've had? Do you know if the winery has a web site? I googled, but no go.

I dined solo one night at Umami. Perfect for a quick relaxing bite after a conference at the Roundhouse. It was a very simple dish-a light Asian-style mushroom sauce with (I think I remember it as porcini mushrooms) over rice noodles.

Zuke

P.S. Last night we had The Hillside Estate 2004 Muscat Ottanel with sushi (as suggested on the bottle). What a great match. Does Moscato d'Asti pair with sushi? That would be an Umami type pairing!

←

The Adore late harvest wine was given to Hiro by the winemaker; unfortuntaley it was un-labled so Hiro and I were making educated guesses as to what it was made from...none the less it was delightful.

Stephen