likebyregina It was the grand opening for Blossom Dim Sum & Grill yesterday. And until now, I am still surprised by the concept of having dim sum, sushi, and Western grill all in one restaurant. It makes me wonder “is this restaurant authentic, or is it just hype?”. I tagged along Andrew to answer my question, and the answer is…
The red-carpet covered stairwell, next to Breka, leads us to the main entrance of the restaurant. It is spacious, with different vibes – cozy raw bar, elegant lounge with plush velour booths, chic dining room, and a 40-seat patio that oversees the busy Robson Street.
A Gin & Tonic bar is waiting for us in the patio. Guests are free to customize the cocktail with toppings, like fruits and mint.
The event is a canapé-style event, where I tried a bit of everything. I first tried the Salmon Oshi, and it was delicious. A thin layer of torched house made mayo is laid on top of the sockeye salmon. The proportion of rice and salmon is good, which feels like the piece just melts in my mouth. The sashimi tastes fresh, but it is still on the frozen side.
I am happy to try the Slow Cooked Pork Belly when it just came out fresh. It is lack of tenderness. instead, it is oily and tough.
I’m amazed to see the process of making xiao long bao (XLB) from scratch. They are Hot & Sour Soup Dumplings. It is a popular dish in the event, as they are tiny, pillowy dumpling laid on a small bamboo tray specially made for each piece. It is photogenic, but the skin for the soup dumplings is quite thick, and the soup inside is more sour than hot. I definitely prefer the regular XLB from any Shanghainese restaurant..
Overall Impression
I am impressed by the quality of the Japanese side of the restaurant, yet the dim sum definitely is on the weaker side. One reason could be most dim sum tastes best when served hot, and I wasn’t able to try this type of experience in last night’s event. However, if it is based solely on the texture and taste of the dim sum, they would need improvement to meet the expectation as a restaurant that serves authentic Chinese dim sum. I love the service and ambiance here, and the price is fair for what they serve. I might return to Blossom again, just to try the Western side of this restaurant.
Taste : 3.5/5 • Service: N/A • Ambiance: 4.5/5 • Quality-Price: N/A
| Blossom Dim Sum & Grill | Instagram | Facebook |
| Address: 808 Bute Street Vancouver, BC V6E 1Y4 |
| Hours: Mon to Sun: 5 PM – 11 PM |
Disclosure: media tasting
