{"id":20953,"date":"2021-01-25T20:18:04","date_gmt":"2021-01-26T04:18:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/?p=20953"},"modified":"2021-01-25T20:18:17","modified_gmt":"2021-01-26T04:18:17","slug":"sai-woo-relaunched-with-a-new-ownership-and-opening-discount","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/sai-woo-relaunched-with-a-new-ownership-and-opening-discount\/","title":{"rendered":"Sai Woo relaunched with a new ownership and opening discount"},"content":{"rendered":"

I visited\u00a0Sai Woo<\/strong> on Friday with my new roommate Fei. However, we came here with different goals – I wanted a hearty cocktail and Fei was craving some good fried rice.\u00a0 Hence I picked Sai Woo. I had been a fan of their\u00a0cocktail called the Smoking Gun and I also like the Sai Woo Fried Rice.<\/p>\n

But when we arrived, I noticed the restaurant, both the front and the kitchen, was attended by unfamiliar faces.\u00a0 Our server told us about a change of ownership and new one has been on for only 2 weeks. Salli Pateman and chef Issac Ko are not no longer running the restaurant. The Korean restaurant Kosoo, with 2 locations in the West End, is the show runner of this Chinatown landmark spot now.<\/p>\n

I didn’t find out about the new owner from the server though. The “Kosoo Fried Chicken” on the food menu kind of gave that away.<\/p>\n

\"Sai<\/a>
Sai Woo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I am glad that all that beautiful interior design has stayed. Even the new food menu is similar. However,\u00a0 no “Smoking Gun” on the cocktail menu.<\/p>\n

But I do like what I see on the cocktail menu, name liquor brands, unique components and good affordability. My “Tsunami ” was made with Seaside gin, perilla leaf lillet, grapefruit zest and long pepper. Together, these components made up a smooth martini with different little tasty bits dancing on the palate.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The new Sai Woo Fried Rice<\/strong> ($12) was much lighter but it came out in a very elegant way. Most of the flavours are from preserved olives and egg.\u00a0 It was tasty but could use a bit of seasoning, such as xo sauce or something. But then that will be the old Sai Woo Fried Rice.\u00a0 So maybe more preserved olives?<\/p>\n

The Fresh Ideas Start Here Grilled Octopus<\/strong> ($26) has a long name but was presented simple and effective with freshness and flavours, and served with gochujang glaze, pickled zucchini, puffed rice, tender greens. The dish is definitely Korean-inspired, and I really enjoyed the 2 different textures of octopus.<\/p>\n

To round up the tasting, the\u00a0Oyster King Mushroom and Tofu Dumplings<\/strong> ($10) was my favourite dish of the evening.\u00a0 There as so much umami flavour and I could eat a few more of these little dumplings.<\/p>\n

\"Sai<\/a>
Sai Woo Fried Rice<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fresh<\/a>
Fresh Ideas Start Here Grilled Octopus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Oyster<\/a>
Oyster King Mushroom and Tofu Dumplings<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We received a 30% off on food as an opening discount, which was nice. And I definitely need to come back to try more dishes and check out the other cocktails<\/p>\n

$$-$$$<\/strong><\/p>\n

rating: 4\/5<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saiwoo<\/em><\/h3>\n

158 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T3;<\/em>
\n(604) 568-1117 or\u00a0saiwoo.ca<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n