[2015 BD] Steamworks Dinner Celebration

Yeah, yeah, I got busy, so I didn't write about this till now lol.

I haven't had such a big, nice birthday celebration since ... I don't even know how long, since my parents left Canada, I think. And I haven't been celebrating it with friends much anyways :P

I love making friends and I am quite a welcoming person, so when I was inviting people I see on a daily basis as well as people I hang out with a lot, I got like 2X people in the chat O_O" Apparently the social butterfly method that didn't quite work out in highschool for me, somehow worked out this year. - Well, I've started making efforts to hang out, so I guess that is quite nice :)

The first big challenge was finding a place that will actually be able to host around 15 people. During my chat with Lillian and Karen at Tap and Barrel near Science world, I decided Steamworks is the best choice - it's transit accessible, big, and food was said to be quite good. (plus, they brew beer :P)

Quite some people bailed on the day of, but I don't blame them, they have their reasons... it saddened me a little, though, but like my friends said, be happy for I am still surrounded by a bunch of friends on this day :D. AND I know although they have other commitments or situations, they still love me and wishes me a happy BD :') Thanks, everyone <3




It is quite a popular restaurant that has a capacity of 700 people, but is always quite booked O_O- so reserve early if your group is more than 4! They are located in Gastown right outside of the Waterfront station which made it quite a tourist hot spot. Especially in the summer. (info from the waiter)

Taste ★★★★☆

Portion ★★★☆☆

Service ★★★★☆

Cost $$$

Recommended for nice dinners with large group of people. Not really if you value CP value (=money to quality and quantity ratio). 

The food was pretty tasty, none of the dish I've had my hands on (which was almost everyone's except the burger Yi got LOL - but they are known for them, so it should be quite good.
Pricing is one notch up from Cactus and about the same as Milestone. Check their menu from their website (http://steamworks.com/brew-pub).

The must try my friend said was the "Fish Bowl" (which on the bill it says "bird bowl") whatever, it's basically just like a pretty big cup of cocktail - I don't think there's enough in there though hahaha - but that's just me, it is about 2 cups of cocktails I think, you have choices of Sangria, Snapps w/ Rum and another one I can't remember. Ask the server for details hahaha

Bf got the lobster ravioli, I'm not a big fan of ravioli as pasta. He loves lobster ( I think lol) he was gonna get mussels, but we just had that not long ago at Milestone... The lobster shreds in this was kinda small O_O. The taste is pretty good, though, creamy but not too rich. Portion was a bit too small though, he was not filled.

Because there were too many choices, I went with a safe bet - Sirloin Steak (Yes, that would be me in the picture). The steak was very thick and cooked just right (for me, medium rare) red inside, slightly crunchy outside. I think it was really good. Might have been the best steak I've had all in all (about the same as Milestone steak). The mashed potato was cooked with cream, milk and garlic for sure. Tasted really good.

My bestie ordered this appetizer "Baked Spinach & Crab Dip", it was too creamy and cheesy to have alone, but served perfectly as a shared dish. :D I really enjoyed this dish

I did not try the hamburger or fries, but I could assume it was decent :P

Their salad looks really good (and healthy) think the beef salad comes with blue cheese, be sure to ask your server about what is actually in there- my friend didn't want blue cheese hahaha. The one in the picture here is the chicken one- Karen had to be specific that she wants her chicken hot (as in heated) hahaha :D

My birthday gift/perk from the restaurant was a dessert of my choice, being me, I'd choose ice cream over cakes any day :P although cakes might worth more O_O" This is their chocolate sundae with brownies.

Side story, Bf choked on the fake/marinated cherry from the fish bowl, so I had the cherry. It actually isn't as bad as it normally would be lol

Decent Yam fries with what we assumed to be plum sauce on top :D

Last but not least, thanks to Jenny for a wonderful BD gift :D - next year, we will start our No Gift Policy ;)

P.S. No Gift Policy - it is a deal I made (or most of us assumed) about NOT gifting each other on BD so we'll never have to worry about gift shopping hahaha. The only requirement is that we are good enough friends <3