WHO MADE IT: Chef Robert Belcham at Fuel

IN THE BOWL: A rich, deep-coloured broth of slow cooked caramelized onions, served with a frico cheese wafer (fried manchego cheese) dusted with paprika.

THE LOW DOWN:

What a relief from all that square-shaped dinnerware! Fuel co-owner Tom Doughty came across this graceful, clear glass bowl in a Paris flower shop. Later he was able to track down a supplier on the internet and ordered a few to serve as soup bowls at the restaurant.

Doughty and Chef Robert had originally planned to use Japanese origami paper under the bowl as a liner, but when that proved ridiculously expensive, the partners came up with this funky alternative.

Rob, with his eye for off beat style, had been rummaging through Daiso, a 10,000 square-foot Japanese store of inexpensive craft items in Richmond (sort of an upscale Asian Loonie Bin), when he came across a stack of Chinese comic books. At 150 sheets of zippy graphics for $2, they were a Hell of a deal. And they suited the purpose perfectly, except for one thing, which they discovered only just in time – some of the drawings were highly violent or pornographic.

They’ve put some of the more risqué samples aside for a prank on their friends when they innocently order the consommé, but we suggested they might also be a good test for visiting food media – to see just how closely they are paying attention to what they are eating.

WHAT IT WILL COST TO TRY IT: $9.50 (lunch) / $12.50 (dinner) (extra if you specifically want the x-rated plate liners.)

At Fuel: 1944 West 4th Ave., Vancouver. 604-288-7905

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