Fat on a Stick Report.
My addiction to chicken wings.

Lure Bar – Victoria BC
Sesame Breaded Chicken Drummettes, Teriyaki Sweet Chilli Sauce
Rating: 6/10

Wings trying to go upscale. Big fresh drummettes. Good. Nicely breaded not overdone. Also good. In this case, the sauce was the issue. Just a generic, off the shelf, somewhat watery sweet chilli sauce. It really lacked a whole lot of flavour. A note to Lure, come up with your own in house, big flavour sauce and I think you have a winner. Also, there was no dipping sauce. What is up with that? Come up with a unique dip that compliments the sauce on the wings and you have an even bigger hit. This consultation is free of charge.
Check out Lure at: http://www.lurevictoria.com/

Market by Jean George is the newest trendy restaurant to hit Vancouver.

According to the restaurant web site.

“Internationally acclaimed, three-star Michelin chef, entrepreneur and author of numerous cookbooks, Jean-Georges Vongerichten will bring his 'vibrant cuisine' approach to MARKET by Jean-Georges.”

OK, I’ve heard the name. I’ve, seen him on the food network. I know he’s the guy that invented the molten chocolate lava cake. Although to be honest, do you think it was him or his pastry chef? Doesn’t matter, he’s famous. I’m going for lunch.

I love web site marketing.

“MARKET by Jean-Georges is a "destination" restaurant with four distinct dining experiences; a cozy and casual bistro with fireplace; a heated outdoor terrace with city views; an enticing bar complete with raw bar; and a sophisticated fine-dining room featuring two private rooms, one for 10 and the other 12. The culinary focus of this Jean-Georges restaurant will be on seasonal, regional ingredients with particular emphasis on fresh, local seafood.”

By the way what makes a destination restaurant? If I lived in San Francisco, would I come up to Vancouver just to eat at Market. I’m thinking no. This is not by any means a slight on the food and the restaurant. But come on, a destination?
The place does look great. As with most new trendy restaurant now a day they must cost a fortune to get up and running. Also standard, tons of good looking staff running around. The clientele is also, shall we say, very well kept. I wore a clean blue shirt I was ok. Until my dining friend told me I “dripted” and then it was game over.

OK, to the food. There was three of us we all shared. We got a pretty good idea of the food. Right off the bat I would give the meal a solid B+. Not great great, but really good. So,back to the destination dining thing. Maybe if you live, let’s say driving distance away, you may want to come in for a pretty good meal.

Appetizers:
Tuna Tartare, Spicy Radish, Ginger Dressing
Dungeness Crab Cake, Ginger – Lime jus, Marinated Cucumber
Black Truffle Pizza, Fontina Cheese
The standouts were the Pizza and the Tuna Tartare. The Pizza crust was a bit soggy but it had great potential. The Tuna, light, very subtle flavours. Usually with tuna tartar, chefs go a bit overboard with the sesame oil. Not here, really nice a delicate.

Mains:

Sablefish, Nut and Seed Crust, Sweet and Sour Broth.
Pacific Halibut, Snow Peas, Almond Broth Chili Oil
Soy Glazed Short Ribs, Apple-Jalapeno Puree,Rosemary Crumbs

The Glazed Short Ribs were really good. Decedent, big rich flavours. But I pretty much expect that. It seems that every restaurant in the city does short ribs and most of them do it pretty good. As good as these were, they really didn’t stand out from many of the others I’ve had around town. The rosemary crumbs were really good. Rosemary crumbs with the sauce and dipping bread and I’m happy. Maybe just a bit of red wine as well. And since I’m on that topic, the pre dinner bread service was outstanding. The bread was super fresh and tasted great. I forgot to ask if they baked the rolls in house.

The Pacific Halibut was I hate to say it just that. Halibut. Well prepared. Maybe if you are within walking distance it is now a “destination restaurant”. The sauce was kind of interesting. A hint of cheese. Nice.

The Sablefish had an awesome sauce. 99.9 % butter. Awesome. My friend just wanted a bowl of sauce and a crusty roll. I admit, that was one of the best sauces I’ve ever tasted. OK, the “destination restaurant” just got promoted to driving distance.

Dessert:
No Lava chocolate cake. For dinner service only. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to go back for dinner.

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/vancouver/shangrila/dining/restaurant/market