THE GENERAL PUBLIC | MISO HORNY

Welcome to the funkiest place for Japanese food. Well, perhaps after its sister restaurant, The Eatery—the infamous "Miso Horny", funky sushi house—The General Public has opened its doors on Main Street, Vancouver.

"Food is meant to be enjoyed with friends, in a great atmosphere, with lots of surprises and amusements everywhere you look," is what the Eatery 'miso culture' is all about, and The General Public does not disappoint. With creative sushi rolls and a twist on Japanese dishes, The General Public provides an extensive menu to satisfy any taste buds.

We had the pleasure of having our belated ION crew holiday gathering at The GP this past week, and owner, Randy Lum, along with his amazing staff, hosted us with many delicious dishes, drinks, and even a tour of the building that houses the newest restaurant to hit Mount Pleasant (which by the way, the apartments above are to die for).

Lum refers to the space as a "psychedelic lounge," which we would have to agree. It is covered from wall-to-wall with sculptures of some of pop culture's favourite characters' heads with horns attached like trophy deer head mounts. Instead of your typical hunted mammals, you will see the heads of Homer Simpson, Astro Boy, Hello Kitty, the Pink Panther, Popeye, and a Star Wars Storm Trooper to name a few.

We were stuffed with too many awesome dishes to list them all, but some of our favourites were the Pyramid Tuna, tartare with chips; Maguro Droplets, tuna wrapped in nori flash fried and drizzled with unagi mayo; Sushi Pizza Bites, crispy rice discs topped with spicy tuna; The Fat Elvis, tempura avocado frites; and The Yoko Roll, tamago, agedashi tofu, avocado, cucumber, topped with inari named after Lum's dog, not the artist.

Although known for their creative sushi, The General Public's drinks are not to be shafted. We had flavoured mojitos, lychee was a strong favourite, served in extra large mason jars, and Lum suggests the tequila infused caesars.

Sitting down with us dressed in jeans, a plaid flannel with a leather motorcycle jacket topped off with a The Hundreds cap, we asked our "ION SHOP SERIES" questions to Randy Lum, or as we like to call him, The Sushi Ninja—due to a Mr. Miyagi moment, where his fifth sense somehow knew that our Editor-in-Chief dropped a chopstick on the ground; even though you could barely hear it over the music, and he wasn't close to her. Lum saved the day with a new set of chopsticks in seconds.

What is the inspiration behind The General Public?
I've always had a fascination for antlers...I use them to decorate my house/buildings/apartments...and now the second location. The byline "Miso Horny" has made the Eatery infamous/famous. The antlers now have made The General Public Miso "Horn"y! That is my inspiration and subtle marketing strategy. A little controversial but always a conversation piece.

What does this location mean to you?
I've been eyeing and planning the location for a long time. I purchased the building almost a decade ago with the intention of building another cool Eatery. I guess the patience paid off. The area has since gentrified beyond anyone's expectations. I'd be lying to you if I said I knew what I know now about Main Street 10 years ago. But hey, gimme credit for taking that chance.

What is your favourite piece in the restaurant?
My fave piece is still yet to come! I've got an 11-foot hunter as a lightbox/chandelier hovering over one of the main tables in the restaurant coming soon. Woah!!!

What music is on The General Public's playlist?
Everything any "cool, snotty music buff" will want to hear is playing at The GP. I think I'm a cool, snotty music buff who will play from every generation of coolness. No need to list...that would be so uncool.

Side note: Live DJ's supply the tunes on Friday and Saturday nights.

What are your top three places to go to in Vancouver?
Hmmm, tough one...as I virtually eat out every day and every night. I like Havana's for breakfast/lunch, El Camino's for dinner and McDonald's drive through for everything past midnight!!! For drinks...The Keefer Bar, Cascade and my own bar..

The General Public
3289 Main Street, Vancouver

thegeneralpublic.ca


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