I haven’t seen my friend in a while, so we decided to reunite somewhere nicer for dinner. Our options were plentiful, so the choice careful. But sadly sometimes the best intentions don’t pan out.
We choose Team Lab as our destination based on what we have seen and heard about it bringing a new dining experience, like no other to Richmond. The exterior entrance with its digital screens that strobed and sparkled spoke to this.
Once inside the space opens up and the room screams for your attention. To your immediate right is a large screen that seemed to be playing a Microsoft Windows screen saver on loop. Above you, a bevy of dangling terrariums shaped like light bulbs. We were lead into the dining room, where the most coveted window tables, with unique throne-like rattan seats, were all reserved. Just as well, seeing as our table at the centre of the room gave us the ideal vantage point to take everything above in, and then some. Here a screen semi-circled the room. It brought you underwater with a backdrop of coral and tropical marine life. Schools of fish that ebbed and flower, jellyfish that bobbed and weaved, and a giant manta ray that commanded above them all. However as great this was the first time around, it got tired quick as soon as you realize the projection was on loop. I am unsure of the logistics of this, but it would have been nice to have this scene longer than 30 seconds on repeat, and maybe to have it play more than one type video.
Similarly, the more you sat and took the room in, the more questions you had. As a whole there was no theme, the room didn’t match. Like the interior designer just assembled elements they liked and brought them together without any inspiration. They seemed to be collecting antique chairs and pulled it out of storage to use here. Some aged and upholstered with faded animals portraits, others were leather loungers more suited to a study or office setting, and the booths were red dimpled leather with a style more common of a pool hall. Overall, the themes of hanging plants, 80’s laser light, and underwater exploration didn’t match the traditional Chinese menu or the tropical island fruity cocktail offerings. It was all different individually, and too much together.
What I liked the most was the washroom experience. I always say, a thoughtful restaurant puts time into their facilities. The pathway to the back is an exploding scene of projected fire and light, you follow it to strange row of what appears to be junk food vending machines. Upon further inspection and actually reading the signs, the four backlit showcases are actually individual toilet stalls. Each wall papered with a tropical scene, one outfitted with a random cartoon painting of Wonder Woman enjoying the John. Once again, unique and fun individually, head scratching all together.
As for the food, they are known for their barbecue skewers so we ordered a couple of those. After you pull meat from stick, each table is even set with a cup that you can gather them upright in.
The Spicy ribs skewers delivered on the heat. It was a tough chew that had us crunching through cartilage.
The Crispy intestine skewers were slightly different from the last, despite us being able to make out similar spices being used. The pieces felt fatty and the dish wasn’t spicy, but pungent with plenty of garlic. The garlic helped to accent the more earthy flavours of the chewy ring.
I liked the Chicken heart skewers the most. They didn’t taste gamey, and if you didn’t know, you would not be able to tell this was organ meat, but regular chunks of chicken instead.
Not having their food previously or hearing much chatter regarding it, we were more caution with the rest of our order. We went for the menu items that were more moderately priced, smaller plates and bites to discern if we wanted to order more after it.
The Chicken lollipop appetizer was nice enough. The presentation fun, but having to work around the tiny bones that presented itself, due to the way it was cut down, less fun. There isn’t much meat on each, less than a full bite of spicy sweet chilli. Pretty standard in taste as well.
To ensure we left full and to have something to accompany all our meat dishes, we went for the Tobiko and seafood fried rice. Although, it came well after all of the above so we had it as is; and as such is was pretty standard as well.
We also ordered a pricer dish in the Tom-yang gong seafood hot pot, but despite our server confirming our request, this never came. Given how lack lustre all of the food was thus far, for the price to pay; and how long we waited for the frozen virgin drink we ordered initially, and had to remind the staff of, we decided to call our meal quits and ask for the bill.
Where the staff were available but inattentive, three now swarmed our table. We felt so rushed through having to pack the food, clean ourselves, and pay for the bill; that I had to tell the staff we felt like they were pushing us out. Or maybe because the band was starting up, and they expected more customers will be joining them for the live music portion of the evening; so they needed our table. Either way we were happy to give it up.
Honestly I never count any experience out, I always believe everything is worth trying and you ought to do so yourself, to cast your own opinion. However, given that I have more constructive feedback than praise, this goes on my no need to revisit list, and it won’t be one I recommend for either setting or food.
Team Lab
#1008-8300 Capstan Way, Richmond, BC
(778) 297-0089
teamlabvan.com
