No… Not the car. I’m talking about beautiful food prepared by beautiful people.
Nestled down a flight of stairs next to its sister restaurant, El Camino, Matthew Carmichael has created something I would consider my best kept secret.
The storefront isn’t seen from the road but make your way down the stairs to experience what dreams are made of.
Maybe I sound excited but that’s because I am.
You enter a big room filled with many tables, some communal, and some bar stools overlooking the kitchen or the bar.
Music is playing in the background and the alternative vibe shines through.
I asked to be seated at the stools overlooking the kitchen – obviously.
My visit was on a Monday night after 9PM, which is Industry Night. Deals on Baos and Beers. How could I go wrong?
I looked over the menu and my server Jared offered some suggestions.
There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to be downing some amazing pork belly!
To start 2 beautiful Pork Belly Steamed Baos.
Where do I begin, stained for 24 hours and then braised, the belly transforms into a fatty mess of deliciousness.
Topped with some fresh cucumber and some broad bean sauce, you just can’t stop eating it.
The bao or steamed bun, was light fluffy and the perfect delivery system for the pork belly!
Up next was the Tonkotsu Ramen.
This isn’t your average ramen, no no, 4 big cubes of braised pork shoulder, a perfectly 52 Celsius sous-vide egg, fantastic noodles and phenomenal broth.
The only thing lacking for me was a bit of salt to help kick up those flavours.
Last but not least were the Spicy Chicken Wings.
Call your local wing place and tell them they ain’t got nothing on these bad boys.
Flavours and aromas of fish sauce, honey, yuzu and chilli fill the air and are killer on the palate.
A shout out to the kitchen crew who made my experience a fantastic one.
Emmaly, Will & Luc were prepping and plating amazing food in the utmost style.
The food was spectacular, the staff was amazing, a little more salt in the ramen and it’s pure perfection!
Well done Mr. Carmichael. You nailed it!