New Izakaya opened on W. Broadway

[ck1234]

It's called Japas Bistro. It opened where Favorito was. I've noticed how slow Favorito has been these past few years and wondered how he's managed to stay open. Opening reviews sound promising. I will be checking it out on Tuesday!

http://japasbistro.com/

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Favorito's Restaurant
552W Broadway W, Vancouver, BC V5Z1E9, CA

[ck1234]

Just came back from lunch. They have 3 items for lunch so I TOFTT! You have a choice of chicken teryaki, beef or veggie patty served on a rice bun, with miso soup (it was warm, not hot), french fries (served with 1 cm of ketchup in soy sauce container) and green salad (dry with no dressing whatsoever) for $7.50. The burger was flavourful but it certainly wasn't something to rush back for so I think that will be our one and only lunch visit...

Waitress said owners are Japanese and everyone working inside the restaurant appeared to be too. She had very little english. She stood and watched me right at our table until I finished my miso soup so she could take the bowl away because my partner was finished his. (I didn't finish it, I just handed it over to her)! She was very sweet though. Our tea was refilled every minute! It made me laugh at the end when she asked if we wanted anything else. I said, "There is nothing else"...

[betterthanbourdain]

You took one for the team eh!. hehe.... doesnt sound like a very appetizing lunch. hopefully the dinner is better. the service sounds a little too attentive. :-D
the dinner menu looks very lacking in items too. seems like only a handful of items to choose from.

[LotusRapper]

Waitaminit, were you talking about Maruliu above or Japas ?

[ck1234]

Japas.

[lunchslut]

Wish I had read your review before we suffered through the same lunch time experience. Owner came up to us and commented "Very unique, yes?" All I could do was politely nod. How else could you describe a sit down restaurant serving flavourless food fair quality food complete with McCain's style fries and partially rotted Mesculun salad? Did I mention that the watery miso soup is bottomless? Feel sorry for the waiting staff who are aggressively hawking the restaurant to every passerby. It is painful to watch a restaurant open and slowly die.

[LotusRapper]

I took a good look at the menu on their website. Hate to say it, but ....... YAWN.

Those of you who TOFTT ..... we thank you. Let see if Japas sticks around through the summer.

Now, if only Menya or Maruliu whipped up some creative tapas ................

[flowbee]

Hmmm, we should all TELL them this...so they can improve?

[LotusRapper]

Il Favorito is gone ?? Sad. They were old-school, honest Italian cooking. I haven't been for many years (shame on me) but I did start wondering how they stayed in business given all the changes in the area, especially after the Canada Line opening.

I like the idea of a izakaya in my neighbourhood of W. Broadway/Cambie. But the loss of a family Italian joint seems bigger, considering the plethora of Asian restaurants in the area, or just on that block between Cambie and Ash.

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Favorito's Restaurant
552W Broadway W, Vancouver, BC V5Z1E9, CA

[ck1234]

Yes it is sad. I have been going to Favoritos as long as twenty years ago. He just lost the business and couldn't pick it up. Yes, there is probably 6 Japanese places on each block in the area. OT: I went to Menya last week and they now have a Tan Tan - men. It was good, but not really spicy though it said 3 chile peppers hot on the menu.

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Favorito's Restaurant
552W Broadway W, Vancouver, BC V5Z1E9, CA

[fmed]

Do you happen to know if it is Japanese run?

[ck1234]

All I know is the GM is named Jason Chen but I will ask on Tuesday when I check it out. I hear they are experimenting with the menu still. There is a new bubble tea place that opened beside Menya too.

[mh0408]

Went to go eat at Marulilu Cafe last week and passed by the new bubble tea place. Looked at the menu and the menu seems very westernized and quite empty looking inside. Marulilu was a big disappointment. We ordered Katsu-don and Omu-rice - both not being good.

Walked by Japas last night when I went for a coffee at Blenz. It looks a bit different than your typical izakaya you would find in downtown. Very open and again very Westernized feel to it. Maybe because of the area? Interested to see what it's like though. Make sure to let us know what it's like once you go!

[ck1234]

My co-worker & I go to Marulilu Cafe for coffee pretty regularly. The reason being is because all of our nerdy co-workers are at Elysian Room, Starbucks, Cafe Artigiano, etc - et all! So, we like it there. Americanos are good. My coffee partner often has the pastries. They have savoury Japanese pastry too that he also says is good. Works for us plus the 3 Japanese ladies that work there are sweet as can be!

I'll report back with Japas Bistro.

[LotusRapper]

I must have driven by Maruliu gazillion times and never once stopped to go in. What is their genre ? Price range ? Overall quality ?

[betterthanbourdain]

Marulilu info:
http://en.vancouver.keizai.biz/headli...

was thinking of TOFFT on the japas bistro tonight.... will report back if i make it there...

[betterthanbourdain]

oops sorry..

it is closed on sunday. bummer!

ended up at Wanoma Izakaya on Denman(beside Kingyo).

was at Kimura the previous nite. IMHO, worthy recomendation. IMHO-in my humble opinion.... he he..

[LotusRapper]

So that's Kimura FTW ? (for the win, hehehe)