Valentine’s Day is a great reason to celebrate the relationship and steal a few precious moments together from the rushed everyday life.  We have a tradition, where we celebrate the actual day of February 14th by making an elegant dinner at home, which we’ll usually follow by a movie and a chocolate fondue for dessert.  A weekend after, when the restaurant rush around Valentine’s dates is over we’ll do the actual Valentine’s date and dinner out.  This time the destination was Miku – modern Japanese fine dining restaurant.

Located along the Burrard Inlet and next to Fairmont Waterfront and Pan Pacific Hotels, it offers the view of the ocean and North Shore from almost any point of the dining room.  Even on stormy and rainy night, we were amazed by the view of the ocean contrasted by the welcoming yet clean decor inside. We were smart to have reservations, as the waiting line even for a bar seat was close to an hour.  From drinks, to changing courses, to introducing elements of every dish, the service was fast and impeccable – they’ve never missed a beat.  Cocktail menu was unique, with oriental influences and unique spirits featured as well as a selection of Sake.

Stunning Smoky Quartz Earrings

And then there was food. Shrimp croquettes, tuna tataki were taken to a completely different level in texture, sauces and presentation.  Every bite memorable and perfectly balanced.  Miku is known for its unique preparation of sushi – Aburi style – torch seared and matched with its individual sauce for ever type of fish.   i could not avoid their Chef’s sushi selection.  The combinations of taste matching and textures of the dish made me never look at sushi plate the same way again.  I looked wishfully at every plate and presentation served at the tables around us.  I’ve also sampled “melt in your mouth prime rib” dish my date ordered and it was also exceptional.

Miku gave us an extraordinary experience – lighting, view, incredible food, skillful service made for a perfect date experience we were looking for at our Valentine’s dinner.  This is definitely a special occasion restaurant and it delivers on every promise. If you are looking for a gift that matches the refined minimalistic feel of the date, smoky quartz delivers the dreamy, magical reminder of the special  date.