Sunday, March 4, 2012

Simmer Hot Pot Restaurant

Last weekend we went out to celebrate our friend Alaina's 30th birthday.

Alaina
We tried a new restaurant in town called Simmer.  It is a hot pot restaurant so the food is brought to the table raw and then it is cooked in broth.  


The server brought us each a bun which was one of the best buns I have ever tasted.  It looked like a simple sesame seed bun ...


But, it was a cinnamon bun!

 

We also got some garlic and some kind of pickled vegetable.  The hubby and I shared a few pots of oolong tea.

 

Each person got their own little pot of broth and the hubby and I shared the dinner for two.  We got a selection of meatballs, thinly sliced beef and chicken, an assortment of veggies and some rice noodles.  We cooked the food in the simmering broth (only about 20 seconds), and then dipped it in the sauce we were given.  

 
 
 
 
 
 

At the end of the meal the server brought out a creamy, refreshing dessert.  


I was stuffed but I managed to eat a couple bites and really enjoyed it.  

Things I love about this restaurant:
  • The food is very reasonably priced
  • The buns are ridiculously good, and I think they could sell them for people to take-home
  • The meat is full of flavour and is fantastic in the broth
  • The decor is gorgeous and the seats are really comfortable
  • Each person gets their own pot 
Recommendations:
  •  I would prefer a different type of noodle than the rice noodles, as they got lost in the pot and it was difficult to fish them out ... they also didn't have much flavour
  • I wish the broth was more flavourful (maybe with garlic or peppercorns or something that people could add to it themselves)
  • I would have liked there to be at least 2 sauces instead of just the one
 After dinner we went and sang our hearts out in a karaoke room.  Soooo much fun!


Have you ever eaten at a hot pot restaurant?  
Do you like karaoke?  Have you sang in a private karaoke room?

9 comments:

Simply Life said...

yum! what a great meal! those rolls do look incredible!

Anonymous said...

I freaking LOVE hot pot!! It's pretty basic food but it's just FUN.

Allysia said...

Cool, I didn't know we had a new hot pot restaurant here! On the last night of recording, my band/producers/friends got a private karaoke room at Sake, and it was a ridiculously fun night - so fun that we're doing it again in a couple of weeks! If your karaoke party was at Sake (which it looks like it was), I just have to say, aren't the videos friggin' hilarious??

Anonymous said...

Looks like you had so much fun! I love karaoke but have never sang in front of strangers. I'd definitely do it now though!

Kacy said...

That restaurant sounds interesting! Glad you had a good time!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I have never eaten at a hot pot restaurant! What a cool concept, though! I have done karaoke but only after alot of prodding (and drinks).

sophia said...

What kind of hot pot was that, I wonder? It looks Japanese?

Why am I here??? said...

I'm totally taking Sung Hyun there. I think he'd love it!

Amanda Brown said...

That looks like such a fun night! It still blows my mind that you know Alaina, and I went to high school with her and sang at our grad with her. Small, small world. :)