Mis Trucos

Mis Trucos is a little mediterranean tapas bar located on Davie Street in Downtown Vancouver.  I don't recommend you go here if you're very hungry and looking for something filling but it you're just looking for a cool little place to hang out, have a couple of drinks and sample some interesting little creations, check out Mis Trucos.

The place is on the second floor of a building that looks like someone's house.  And that's just how they make you feel, at home.

They've got a little patio for those warm summer nights out in the back.

My buddy Todd waiting for food.

Mis Trucos' current menu.  The menu apparently changes every once in a while because the chef uses a lot of seasonal foods.  Foie Gras was on this particular menu and I was as happy as a pig in sugar.

They didn't have any Scotch on the menu, but our server was kind enough to write out their Scotch selection. I'm still quite a beginner when it comes to Scotch so I tried  the Glenmorangie.  I don't know good Scotch, but of all the brands I've tried, I like Chivas and Glennfidich the most.....after that, maybe Johnny Red, then this and finally Jameson's. 

 

Polenta Fries + Fonduta - $6

These weren't exactly your run-of-the-mill potato fries.  They really remined me of the fries from Ocean Terrace in Japan.  A nice crispy coating and a moist inside.  Actually, these ones had a cheese filling mixed in with the potatoes.  To me, the coating tasted like it had cornflour in it....maybe not, but regardless it tasted really good.

Frisee + Potato Salad, Braised Octopus, Chorizo, Olive Powder - $10

The salad is an assortment of mixed greens, potatoes, sausage and some very tasty octopus, cooked just right - not rubbery at all. 

Fresh Baked Baguette Portuguese  XVOO + Maldon Sea Salt - $4.  The baquette came with olive oil and sea salt, but I was really hungry and wished it came with something a bit heavier like a cheese or foie gras, haha!

Tuna Tartare, Creme Fraiche + Quail Egg - $3 each or 4 for $9.5

The Tuna Tartare blended surprisingly well with the quail egg. 

Foie Gras Mousse on Crostini + Onion Jam $3.2 each or 4 for $10.  Mis Trucos has given me a reason to go back.  I love foie gras and I have to say that this was the highlight of the evening for me.  The caramelized onion went really well with the foie gras, but I wasn't crazy about the pickle.  It was a little overpowering and took away from the foie gras experience.  It didn't stop me from ordering more though.

Qualicum Scallop Ceviche, Citrus + Radish $3.2 each or 4 for $10.  The scallop was a nice attempt, it looked really good, but the citrus was a bit overpowering for me.  It probably would have been better with a ponzu sauce, but that wouldn't be medaterranean anymore.  This dish probably works for a lot of people, just not me.

Crispy Bread Wrapped Wild Prawn + Alioli - $2.5 each 4 for $8.  We were calling these spring rolls, but they were nothing at all the same.  These rolls came with a garlic mayonaise dip that I found using over and over again, and later, even on our second order of baguette.  Delicious.

Yep, I ordered more foie gras.

Between the four of us, I was the only one who ate foie gras.  It's not that they didn't like the dish itself, they just didn't like foie gras.......savages.  This time, I ate the pickle first...sort of my own little plalet cleanser (washed down with a mouthful of scotch!).  The Foie Gras Mousse that they made was mind-blowing.  Every single bite put me in another plain of existance.  I could have been hit by a freight train and probably wouldn't have noticed.  It really is one of the best things to eat on the entire planet.  I'm planning on going back to Mis Trucos just to order this dish.

White Truffle + Lobster Risotto - $15

Now, I'm still a complete novice when it comes to fine dining, so please forgive me here - I've never had truffles before.  This dish was made with white truffles, but I had no reference to compare it by.  There was something defintely different about the aroma of the risotto, and it wasn't the lobster.  Something different, and something definetly tasty.  I'd like to try truffles again for more experience.

Tagliatelle Carbonara, Free Range Egg Yolk, Housemade Panchetta - $12

The carbonara was awesome.  It was rich and creamy, and the housemade panchetta was really, really good.  I wonder if this could have been a meal just for me though, because we shared it amongst the four of us, but I could easily have eaten it all by myself. 

So, by reading this, you know that I really, really liked the food here.  But what about the service?  I'd have to say it was pretty damn good.  Our server was friendly, attentive, and though she wasn't familiar with the new menu, she was very quick to make sure that whatever questions we had were answered straight away.  I think the picture above shows the true nature of Mis Trucos and basically says "Welcome to my home, enjoy the food, and have a good time!"