MetroVan Independent News September 2015 | Page 19

MetroVanIndependent.com

September 2015

19

Food

The Grandt Experience
By Luisa Marshall
A friend brought me to this little Filipino
restaurant that just opened recently. It's
off the beaten track and along Industrial
Road in Whalley/Surrey. Driving there, I was
surprised to find a colorful and cozy looking
restaurant after passing long blocks of bare
properties and buildings.
As soon as we walked in, Grandt’s
gracious staff welcomed us with a big
smile. Now that was a good sign.
Feeling like a 5 year old kid looking
up the board where the specials were
boldly written, I was confused on what to
order. Why? Because I was actually pretty
full. But the words Halo-Halo suddenly
jumped at me! Now that was easy. I had
tried this popular dessert in many Filipino
restaurants all over the world. Different
presentations, different ingredients,
different shaved ice. After being completely
satisfied and happy with Grandt’s Kitchen
Halo-Halo, I promised them that I would
come back for hot food next time around.
It didn’t take long, yours truly went back
to Grandt Kitchen with my family. This time
for dinner.
On the way I was able to check their
menu online. It literally took us 30 minutes
to reach our destination all the way from
Vancouver. The menu is simple but I
couldn’t decide. I wanted to try everything!
There was a big table of customers
when we got there and I tried not to stare
at what they were eating. I could tell that
they enjoyed every bite of it.
We ordered the special Binagoongang

Spareribs (shrimp paste sauce based
with spices), my favorite Pancit Palabok,
Lumpiang Shanghai (Spring Roll), Laing
(Taro leaves and shrimp paste in coconut
milk), Bangsilog (Marinated fish with fried
rice, fried egg and pickled vegetable),
Chopsuey (sautéed assor tment of
vegetable), Garlic Fried Rice, Sago at
Gulaman drink and of course, Halo-Halo.
The fun part was each dish was served
in the all too familiar Filipino pots and pans
that brought back memories of our little
kitchenware in Manila. And yes, I tried all
the dishes we ordered. I took pictures of
all except for Lumpiang Shanghai which
was completely consumed in one minute
and the Pancit Palabok, I was entirely
hypnotized to devour. All tasted pretty
authentic to me.
My family and I were pleased with the
good service by one of the owners Neil
Molenderas who attended to our many
requests, and even gave us samples of
their delicious Fried Chicken to try. Worried
that there would