Hapa Umi

Hapa Umi is now open at 909 West Cordova in Vancouver, looking out over Coal Harbour and Canada Place. It’s the “big sister” restaurant to the beloved Hapa Izakayas around town (on Robson, in Yaletown, and in Kitsilano) that serves up full dinner items that are big enough for one and plenty enough sharing family-style.

The lounge area has television screens (and last night they had a $3 Sapporo special during the Canucks game) while the main part of the restaurant has comfortable booths or bar seating in front of the open kitchen area. I missed the group media tasting on Monday so they invited me down for a dinner that included samples of some of their best menu items (as such this is not a review post, it’s a recap).

Cocktails
Hapa Umi offers some of the same signature cocktails found at other Hapa locations. With fruit, citrus, and crisp, refreshing ingredients.

Start
Halibut Ceviche
lemon-lime soy marinade, shiso-infused olive oil

Edamame Ravioli
edamame and ricotta-stuffed housemade pasta with yuzu brown butter, truffle oil

Mains
Sablefish Yuanzuke
yuzu-miso marinade, koshi-hikari rice, marinated baby bok choy

Peach Country Lamb
braised lamb shank, pommes puree, yuzu-shio gremolata, umeboshi emulsion

Soy-Glazed Chicken Breast
Maple Hills organic chicken, soy sake butter, fondant potatoes, sautéed wild mushrooms

Desserts
Green tea opera cake, Yuzu tart, Blackberry sorbet

I have heard online that it’s a popular place for the business lunch crowd and based on our experience last night, it’s worth checking out after work hours as well. The prices are as-expected for a restaurant that’s a notch above your everyday Izakaya but once again allow for sharing with others. Our favourite dishes of the night were the edamame ravioli (we could have each enjoyed a bowl of our own), the chicken, and the lamb.

Follow @HapaUmi on Twitter for updates and daily specials.

Disclosure: cmp.ly/2 I missed the media tasting luncheon so Hapa Umi hosted us for dinner.