DINING

Wide variety of Japanese cuisine served

Frout previous pane

Ochi’s menu has ambitions
far beyond the aforemen-
tioned sushi /sashimi two-
step.

Isobe Age. for example,
combines the rich creamy
meat of Albacore tuna with
red chilies in a fine pate rolled
in dec »-fried nori (seaweed ).

(sa compact marvel of
flavours and textures: subtly
spicy with a crisp exterior and

a soft savoury centre.

Seafood Butter Yaki is a
simple dish of grilled prawns
and scallops. Zen's kitchen
wraps the prawns discreetly
around the scallops, fixes the
two on skewers and finishes
both in a butter-lemon sauce
that strikes an expert balance
between the richness of but-
ter and the citric tartness of
lemon.

Diners seeking an interest-
ing and varied meal need not
venture beyond the restau-
rant’s appetizer selection
where smal] dishes of barbe-
cued eel in ponzu sauce,
Japanese dumplings, fried

" soft-shell crab and marinated

- octopus are only a few of the
options available.

Bur there’s much more to
explore at Zen:

Sashimi, sushi and tempu-
ra, of course. Add in a full

- Robata (grill) selection that
includes barbecued black cod,
grilled Japanese smelt, grilled
freshwater cel and mixed
Japanese mushrooms steamed
in butter. ;

’. But add also such ala
carte dishes as New York
Steak Teriyaki and Ika

. Karrage to the mix along with
‘a daily fresh sheet. The fatter
includes the Seawall Roll,

. which combines crisp yam
tempura with assorted vegeta-
bles all wrapped ina fine egg-
based crepe.”

It's finished with a slightly
sweet mango compote.

Zen appetizer plates go for —

‘between $4 and $14.
Sushi will run you any-

La Carte choices range any-

where from $7 to 524.
Unlike most Japanese

restaurants, Zen has a good

wine list ($23 to $65). There

are close to 20 selections and
all are available by the glass
($5.50 to $14.25). Most are

tion benveen customers and
sushi chefs. It adds in a com-
pact sake bar with bar stools
and a large private room for
families and other party com-
binations.

Zen delivers much more
than sushi and sashimi.

from California, but there are
also bottles from France,
Australia and B.C.

You'll also tind some good

7s and sake.

As with any good Japanese
restaurant, Zen has sushi bar
seating that promotes interac-

uled to host another fundrais-
ec for the North Vancouver
Chrisumas Bureau. This year
it’s set for Monday, Dec. 1,
and will include a five-course
meal complete with wine, all

It delivers one of the best
Japanese dining experiences
on the North Shore.

waa
The Moustache Cafe, 1265
Marine Dr., North
Vancouver, 987-8461.

_ The Moustache is sched- See Fundraiser following page

eg SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

ke

with live music & dancing
every Saturday night

WHARF RATS DEC 9
SILVERLODE ; DEC 16
KENNY ‘sues soss WAYNE DEC 23
20° Wings-Daily 4-7pm
plus great drink specials?

HAPPY HOURS

COMPLIMENTARY HOT APPIES
THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS 4-6PM

where from $3 to $14 . NEWS photo Paul McGrath
*,. depending on the complexity
~, of ingredient.

"Tempura, Robata and A

EBI cocktail and a plate of Zen Tuna prepared at Zen Japanese Restaurant i inWest | 11970 Spicer Road, Nan 4

Vancouver. he

PUB.

othe thousands of
‘St. John Ambulance Volunteers:

BONELESS —

Outside round roast

GOLD SEAL
FLAKED LiGHT
TUNA |

EXTRA LEAN
GROUND BEEF

SUN RYPE
FRUIT JUICES

Asst. 1i Plus Deposit

IN WATER
for $4 48 2 for $46 68
Prices effective Dec. 6-Dec 9, 2000

. (while supplies Jast’- we reserve the right to limit quantities.)

_ StJohn Ambulance

you are interested inbecoming a St. John Ambulance volunteer please
contact youriocal St. John Ambulance branch,

Peri re rs tte