thecafsuxVancouverSince January 2, 20086 Reviews
(3.3)- Food
(3.8) - Service
(3.3) - Value (4.2)
- Ambiance
(2.8)
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(3.3) (3.8) (3.3) (4.2) (2.8)I think the previous reviewers had some rough moments with the service here, and that is to be expected with the fairly new crew after their relaunch not so long ago. However, the food should not be passed off as lacking, because you can do much worse for Japanese in the Burnaby area....take for example the place a few steps east of Nao on the same block...I won't mention any names.
Their rolls are large and is meant to be that way. Its one of their attractions that's been carried from the previous incarnation. Their fish is fresh and dishes are prepared with decent quality. With the quality and price of Japanese food rising across the city, this restaurant can be considered to be in the middle range, i.e. good value.
If you're shocked that a restaurant doesn't take credit or debit, try to never step foot into Richmond.
If you wonder what a majority of street side restaurants are like in Taiwan (and most of Asia for that matter), this is a pretty good example. Family run, serving simple, honest food that's been refined over decades. Beef noodles are the absolute best in the area. Try to arrive early as they are often busy.
Amazingly prepared food where care was taken on every single ingredient. If you order any of the house combos you'll get an amazing 4 course meal that looks Japanese but with a French twist. Special sauces are prepared for every single item (down to the lotus root side dishes) to enhance their individual flavor.
The service was impeccable. Patient attentive staff that really make you feel you are personally welcome. Atmosphere is romantic with a bistro like styling.
Reservations are rewarded with a special appetizer, and on our visit we were given a seasonal snack of dried fish with chestnuts.
The food really put me to sleep, and its not just the carbs.
We had several of the house specials, and though they are really not bad, they aren't that good either. Taste is rather bland on everything, so ask for some sauce.
On the up side, head waiter is quite friendly, and the place looks clean and brand spanking new, which it is at the new location.
Visited Rikka on a saturday night and found ourselves in a nearly empty restaurant. Usually that's enough to deter people from even entering in the first place, but if I had followed my usual instinct and walked away I would've made a terrible mistake.
The lone japanese chef does a great job at making sushi both palatable and presentable. We had several rolls, spider, house, dragon, futomaki, and each was a hit.
The server girl (presumably daughter of the chef?) was genuinely friendly and patient.
The food does take more time to get to you than other restaurants due to there being only one cook, but you can be sure he isn't rushing anything.
My suggestion is to bring a few friends to chat while you wait and take the opportunity to grab a take out menu. Rikka truly is a restaurant deserving of much more recognition.
Within a minute of stepping in this restaurant, I saw only 2 out of 10 tables with any sign of food on it, a couple left their table frustrated that they were not even greeted after an hour of sitting down, and another table furious that their food did not arrive within a hour of ordering.
Needless to say, I did not stay long either.
