November 2016 - Foodology

In Fusion

Poké Time on Robson: More Poké, No Problem

November 30, 2016

Continuing my poké adventures in Vancouver, another poké shop is Poké Time on Robson Street. I came here during my lunch break to grab a bowl to go with my coworkers. You can have you poke on a bed of rice, salad, nachos or eat it as a burrito. What I like about them is that you can do pick up or delivery and put your order in advance.

Interior

There are single seats by the walls of the shop, but you won’t find any tables here. Most people do take out.

I also love this pineapple wall. Very cute.

Build your own bowl

I find that getting the bowl is worth the price. I got the poké bowl and you can choose 2 scoops of protein, salad or rice or half, mixers, sauce, toppings, garnishes, and crunchies.

It was hard to figure out what to add on, but I got a little bit of everything and the staff are very generous with how much they put in it.

It’s so huge! I was surprised how they were able to close the lid on top.

Eating the Poke Bowl

I got salmon and tuna as my protein and then seaweed salad, crab meat, mandarin oranges, edamame, corn, carrots, cabbage, greens, onion crisps, cucumber, masago, green onion, nori. I got the tarty ponzu sauce and it was nice that it lightly marinated the protein so it wasn’t overpowering the fresh fish.

We Rate Poké Time:

Address:
1258 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC

Website:
http://www.poketime.ca/

In Happy Hour

Los Cuervos: Happy Hour of Tacos and Drinks

November 29, 2016

Los Cuervos is a Taqueria and Cantina near Kingsway and Fraser St in Vancouver. A few of us went after work to enjoy their Happy Hour special. 2 Tacos and a beer for $10. A pretty good deal.

We came at 5:30pm and just made it in time before 6pm.

There are 2 dining areas, but we were seated in the area closer to the entrance with the bar. Dimly lit and cozy.

Happy Hour

2 tacos and a draft beer cost $10, which is pretty good compared to our regular menu as tacos are around $4 each.

I got:

Lomo Cantinero Taco with Cantina-style slow-roasted pork shoulder, pineapple pico de dallo salsa.

Suadero Taco has beef brisket marinated in a beer achiote, with pickled poblano pico.

Both were delicious and the poblano pico added a lot of kick. It’s pretty spicy. The beer was good and refreshing. They have a few beers to choose from.

Tostadas

Ceviche tostada has local ling cod, shrimp, cucumber and poblanos. Delicious and the heat from the poblanos was good.

Churros

Churros come with a bunch of them. It comes with a chocolate and cajeta sauce. Definitely an item that everyone at the table needs to share. Crisp on the outside and not overly sugary.

Happy Hour here is pretty good and I’ll be back.

We Rate Los Cuervos:

Address:
603 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/LosCuervosTaqueria/

In European

Cow Girl Creamery’s Sidekick Cafe: Weekend Raclette in San Francisco

November 28, 2016

I came to the San Francisco Ferry Terminal on a weekend and Cowgirl Creamery’s Sidekick Cafe sells Raclettes on the weekends on Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 3pm. I’ve been dying to have a good raclette, so when I saw it, I just had to have it.

Rachlette is a Swiss dish of melted cheese. Typically it can be on top of potatoes or bread.

The smell at the ferry terminal was intoxicating and it drew a large crowd. Its such a nice feeling watching them scrape the melted cheese onto the plate. I waited about 20 minutes for my order to be ready.

All the gooey cheese on some pickled veggies and 2 slice of fresh bread. This Rachelette was delicious. Simple, but there is no denying melted gooey cheese.

We Rate Sidekick Cafe:

Address:
Ferry Building, Level 1, 1 Ferry Plaza, San Francisco, CA

Website:
https://www.cowgirlcreamery.com/sidekick-cafe-milk-bar

In Filipino

Bao Down Snack Bar: Filipino Style Tapas in Gastown

November 27, 2016

Bao Down Snack Bar is the 3rd location to open up from the minds behind Bao Down. This particular location features Filipino Style Tapas. I’ve been to the other 2 locations and I’m always surprised how each location has a different menu and concept.

The interior has the classic Gastown bricks and then the beautiful mural from a local artist.

Drinks

They have a pretty good cocktail menu with a bit of Philipino inspiration.

Taka has Suntory Toki Japanese whiskey, Taylor Fladgae white port, Shoju, and angostura bitters

Bagyo has dark, white and overproof rum, passion fruit syrup, agave syrup, and fresh lemon juice.

Calamasita has a mix of hornitos plata tequila, sweet and sour shrub, cointreau, egg white, calamansi limes, and agave syrup. A good amount of sweetness in this drink. It is even garnished with a small calamani lime.

Dinner

Lumpia is a Filipino spring roll. You can choose from either:

Free range chicken and Water Chestnuts
Local pork and garlic

It is served with a sweet chili sauce and plum sauce. It is crisp on the outside with the savoury filling inside.

Empanada Bao comes with 2 deep-fried bao buns with either:

Lechon Palsiw, chicharon, onions and garlic
Organic, local, Gluten-free BBQ Chicken, Inasal, and a basting sauce
Adobo eggplant, onions, garlic, and Tamari

We had the lechon version and it was really good. The bun is crisp and warm with the delectable pork filling.

Charcuterie Plate isn’t like your typical plate, it has a Filipino twist. It has:

Tocino
Longanisa
Chorizo
Fried Quail Eggs
Garlic Mayo Sauce

Nice little bites to pick at while having drinks. When it comes to the taste, it was ok compared to other places I’ve been to.

Pork Belly Lechon was a beast. It’s a slow roasted crispy pork belly with ultra crispy skin. It is served with a sarsa sauce. I wasn’t a fan of the sauce as it was a bit sweet, but I would have preferred another sauce to break up the fatty taste.

House Blended Rice is purple in colour due to the wild rice. Great texture and it has a bit of garlic to it too.

Adobo Fried Chicken uses Gluten-free flour, a buttermilk marinade, adobo glaze and a banana sauce. It’s great that they cater to those who are Celiac or are avoiding gluten.

It tasted great and has a nice crunchy skin.

Eggplant Torta is a roasted eggplant omelette with tamarind, and a charred tomato. It was ok, but it wasn’t my favourite dish.

Okoy Yam Fritter was really good. It has crispy fried yams, local greens and veggie with prawns. I would get this again. Super crispy and addictive.

Overall, the food was good and you can see the Filipino inspiration in the food. They have a good beer and cocktail menu and its great to pair it with the snacks on the menu. Good items to share.

We Rate Bao Down Snack Bar:

Address:
221 Carrall Street, Vancouver, BC

Website:
http://baodown.net/menu/bao-down-snackbar/

In Event

Cornucopia 2016: The Culinary Stage – Pembytopia

November 26, 2016

Look no further than just a 2-hour drive to Whistler, BC for an immersive 11-day (November 10 – 20, 2016) celebration of food and drink, and a much-needed fall getaway.

2016 marks Cornucopia’s 20th anniversary dinners, grand tastings, culinary workshops and more. With range of events to pick and choose from, all you have to do is determine how many days you’ll want to stay and which events you’d like to attend.

With events and accommodation packages based out of Whistler Village, the location makes everything within walking distance. You’ll be able to enjoy all that Cornucopia and the village has to offer.

We were recently invited to take part in a few of their events over the Remembrance Day long weekend.

The Culinary Stage series at Cornucopia 2016 was held on the festival mainstage at the Whistler Conference Centre and provided a space for both culinary demonstrations and fantastic meals.

We attended Pembytopia, a 4-course lunch event (with drink pairings), featuring the tastes of Pemberton with hosts Randy Jones, owner and Chef at Mile One Eating House and Tyler Schramm, owner and Master Distiller at Pemberton. Showing off a passion for the region, the hosts tag teamed and took us through an informative experience of both the food and drink of what they call Pembytopia.

To start the event off, Tyler Schramm prepared a Meadows Punch waiting for us at the table – Organic gin, summerschnops, Hare’s Farm blueberry and hibiscus syrup, Coast Mountain brewing saison, lemon, and absinthe mist.

Tatlayoko braised beef ravioli with Gremolata, ricotta, tomato whisky ragu – paired with a shot of Schramm vodka, the world’s only organic potato Vodka.

Highlights were the perfectly braised beef and interesting pairing of vodka. The vodka was very smooth, cool and cleanses the palette.

Second course: Sablefish slider with scallion chutney, pancetta, citrus ginger liqueur mayo. Paired with Farma C Mule a cocktail with organic hemp vodka, hopped Farma C Ginger beer, lime, and fresh finger leaf.

Yum! The sablefish was perfectly crisp, moist, and was balanced by the mayo and chutney. The cocktail also paired perfectly with the ingredients in the slider and was very refreshing. You could tell that lots of care was taken to present a drink that would complement the dish.

BBQ Yarrow Meadows duck leg, apple cabbage arugula slaw, plum liqueur glaze. Paired with a Riley Creek Sour, a cocktail with organic whisky, plum liqueur, roasted plum syrup, and lemon bitters.

By the third course, I was starting to get full but my tablemates were determined to savour every bite. The duck confit with glaze was fall off the bone and the richness was balanced by the slaw on the dish. The drink pairing was again complementary through the use of roasted plum syrup and whisky. The plum syrup in the drink matched well with the sweetness of the glaze and whisky matched well with the duck.

Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream and nocino caramel. Paired with the Aged Nut Nog with vanilla infused vodka, nocino, Hazelnut liqueur, farm eggs, milk and cream, cane sugar, chocolate bitters, and fresh nutmeg.

This has everything I love about dessert! The sticky toffee pudding was warm, drizzled in caramel and contrasted with the cold ice cream. Nocino, a walnut liqueur, was used in the caramel and Aged Nut Nog – both were aromatic and had a warmth like a subtle sweet whisky candy with a nuttiness to it. I’ve never had nocino on its own before but am going to try incorporating it into my Christmas dinner menu this year.

Overall, I was amazed by this event. For $42, you get a lot of food and drink. You’ll walk away feeling like you got your money’s worth and that you learned a few new things. Randy and Tyler were also great hosts. They kept us entertained and informed us of every ingredient and forethought that went into the dishes and cocktails.

In Home

Kenmore Pro Blender: Review

November 25, 2016

The Kenmore Pro Blender by Sears Canada just released last week and this blender delivers all the functionality you’d expect from competitors, at a fraction of the price. It retails for $149.97, which is pretty good compared to some other models that are $550+.

Sears Canada sent me a blender to review and try out a few different recipes to really test the limits of this blender. Smoothies, soups, and sauces are some of the more usual items to make with blenders.

In the box, you will find:

2L jug
jug lid
lid plug
tamper
recipe book

Spaghetti Bolognese

Instead of getting pasta sauce straight out of a jar, I thought it would be fun to make it from scratch.

[tabs tab1=”Bolognaise Sauce” ]

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Ingredients:

1 medium brown onion, peeled and quartered
2 cloves of garlic
2 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
800g of diced tomatoes (I used a mix of tined and fresh)
500g ground lean pork
250ml beef stock
Handful of basil and Italian herbs
Salt & Pepper

Instructions:

Place onion and garlic into blender and blend on medium speed until roughly chopped.
Add to sauce and olive oil in pan on medium heat until softened.
Place tomato and herbs in blender on medium and blend until smooth.
Add mixture into sauce pan with ground pork.
Let simmer for 30 minutes until sauce thickens.
Season with salt and pepper.

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Putting together the bolognese sauce wasn’t too difficult at all. The hardest part was waiting for it to simmer down to a thicker consistency. After 30 minutes, the sauce started firming up and it looked more like pasta sauce.

Then, I quickly cook the pasta and begin plating the dish. I also made some croutons in the oven just for some extra texture.

Potato and Leek Soup

I wanted to try a soup recipe as well since it can chop, blend, purée, and even heat up soups in a flash.

[tabs tab1=”Potato and Leek Soup” ]

[tab id=1]

Ingredients:

2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 stalk of Celery, roughly chopped
600g potato, peeled and roughly chopped
800 ml veggie stalk
4 tbsp cream
Salt & Pepper

Instructions:

Add celery and leek into blender and chop at medium speed.
In a pan, add olive oil and soften leek and celery mixture.
In the blender add stock, potato, and the celery and leek mixture.
Increase speed gradually to maximum for approx. 5 minutes until steaming.
Add cream, salt and pepper to taste.
Transfer to a pot on stove top to continue heating.

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The blender actually did a really good job at blending all the ingredients together.

I gradually turned it up to the maximum and I was surprised that the soup got hotter and hotter.

You can tell by the steam collecting at the top that the blades are spinning so fast that its heating up the soup.

I placed the soup on the stove top to cook some more as I like it super hot. The soup was very smooth

Final Thoughts

Overall, it’s a pretty awesome blender and I love how it’s a really good price and still has a strong and powerful engine to chop up all shorts of items in the blender.

It’s sold exclusively at Sears Canada and they have free shipping for purchases over $99, earn points for the Sears Club Rewards, and easy returns.

Website: http://bit.ly/2goi3AI

In British Columbia

Notch8: Old Fashioned Dice Game

November 24, 2016

Notch8 Restaurant & Bar is at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The interior has a luxurious and contemporary design inspired by the romance of travel in the 1930’s. Named after a train’s top speed, achieved only by the most skilled conductors, the restaurant pays homage to the hotel’s storied history and legacy as a luxury hotel along the Canadian Pacific railway.

Behind the bar, vibrant cocktails made popular during pre and post prohibition times are being shaken up.

Old Fashioned Dice Game

Stumped on what cocktail to have? Design your own with a throw of the dice.

Three coloured dice mean:

red for whisky
white for syrup
blue for bitters

There is the possibility of 216 distinct drinks with unique flavour profiles depending on what you roll.

[one_third last=”no”]

Red for Whiskey

Jameson
Lot 40
Rittenhouse Rye
Dewar’s
Royal Challenge
Bulleit Bourbon

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[one_third last=”no”]

White for Housemade Syrups

Banana Bread
Strawberry Basil Mint
Salted Caramel
Masala Chai
Cinnamon Green Tea
Scottish Spiced

[/one_third]

[one_third last=”yes”]

Blue for Bitters

Plum and Rootbeer
Malagasy Chocolate
Zingiber Crabapple
Moondog Aromatic
Clingstone Peach
Cascade Celery

[/one_third]

For my drink I rolled a 4 Red, 5 white and 6 blue, which corresponds to:

Dewar’s
Cinnamon Green Tea
Cascade Celery

It was a surprising combination, but it worked. I tried the other combinations that Dee and Amy rolled and they are all great cocktails. All 3 ingredients worked well with each other.

If you are looking for something unique, then give the Old Fashioned Dice Game a try at Notch8 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

Website: http://www.notch8-dining.com/

In Anaheim

Exploring Anaheim: Food, Drinks, Shows and Disney

November 24, 2016

Photo Credit: Visit Anaheim

From revitalized neighbourhoods and cultural hubs to a burgeoning brewery and culinary scene, there is more to discover in Anaheim than what meets the eye. A lot of people visit Anaheim to experience the best place on earth – Disneyland and California Adventure Park. I went to Anaheim a few years ago for my Bachelorette party we had a really great time.

Below are a few fun places to go to explore the city and indulge a little.

Anaheim Brewery

Photo Credit: Visit Anaheim

However, as the saying goes “It takes a lot of good beer to make great wine,” Anaheim was once home to a number of historic breweries now the boom is back and is quickly evolving into a world-class brewery destination; with a dozen open now and more to come.

Leading the city’s craft beer movement are Anaheim Brewery, Bottle Logic Brewing, Noble Ale Works, Phantom Ales, Hoparazzi Brewing Co., and Golden Road Brewing.

Since Disney Land doesn’t have a drop of alcohol, drop the kids off somewhere and enjoy a nice cold brew.

Website: http://www.anaheimbrew.com/

Anaheim Packing House

Photo Credit: Anaheim Packing House

Anaheim has revitalized historic buildings for modern uses such as the famous and historic Anaheim Packing House, a stunning contemporary food hall that used to serve as a citrus packing plant for Sunkist.

The two level Packing House features a large central atrium with communal dining surrounded by cafes and kiosks of varying sizes as well as outdoor picnic gardens and a building-length dining porch looking out to the outdoor marketplace, Farmers’ Park.

Some popular merchants inside include:

The Kroft
Pop Bar
Cafecito Organico

Website: http://anaheimpackingdistrict.com/

Anaheim GardenWalk

Photo Credit: Visit California

Anaheim GardenWalk is an outdoor dining, entertainment and shopping destination situated in the heart of the Anaheim Resort District just steps from the Disneyland Resort and Anaheim Convention Center. I came here a few time to eat dinner at some of the more popular American chain restaurants. As a Canadian, we don’t have those chain restaurants available to us unless we go to the states.

Some restaurants:

The Cheesecake Factory
California Pizza Kitchen
P.F. Chang’s
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
McCormick & Schmick’s

Website: http://www.anaheimgardenwalk.com/

Center Street Promenade

Photo Credit: Visit Anaheim

The outdoor cafes, trendy boutiques and Good Food Hall in this hipster hangout in downtown Anaheim will surprise you. Savor Pour Vida Latin Flavor’s chef-driven concept. Dine at the Gypsy Den vegan-friendly eatery. Go literary with the Ink & Bean coffee saloon and workshop. Even the barbershop, Barbeer, serves beer.

Website: http://centerstreetanaheim.com/

Honda Centre

Photo Credit: NHL.com

Honda Center is the premier sports and entertainment venue in Southern California. It is home to the NHL Anaheim Ducks and hosts a variety of family shows, top-billed concerts, popular sports and entertainment events throughout the year.

Check ahead of time if there are going to be any games or concerts playing when you’re in Anaheim.

Website: http://www.hondacenter.com/

Angel Stadium of Anaheim

Photo Credit: Visit Anaheim

Angel Stadium is baseball’s fourth-oldest active Major League Baseball stadium, behind Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and Dodger Stadium. It has been the home of the Angels since their move from Los Angeles following the 1965 season. The stadium is often referred to by its unofficial nickname The Big A and has hosted the 1967, 1989, and 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Games.

They are open for tours for 75 minutes that include:

A trip down to the field at Angel Stadium
A visit into the Angels Dugout
Walk through the Visitors’ Clubhouse
A close up look at the Mike Scioscia interview room
An exclusive look at the Gene Autry Suite, Broadcasting booth, the Press Conference room, as well as a Dugout Suite

A fun tour for baseball fans no matter which team you cheer for.

Website: http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/

Disneyland

For young and old, big and small – it’s the happiest place on earth. Its fun building memories with your family that last a lifetime as you discover the wonder of this magical, fantastical world. When you enter one of the Lands that comprise Disneyland Park, stories come to life around you, immersing you in tales from some of your favourite Disney films.

My favourite rides:

Indiana Jones Adventure
Jungle Cruise
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain

Website: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/destinations/disneyland/

California Adventure Park

Discover the Disney stories and characters you love in ways you’ve never imagined. Supercharge your Disney experience in this engaging park where new adventures with familiar faces are constantly unfolding before you. Of the two Disney Parks, this one is my favourite because the rides are more thrilling.

My favourite rides:

California Screamin’
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Mickey’s Fun Wheel

I remember us going back and forth between California Screamin’ and Tower of Terror. Also, make sure you don’t leave without a churro, corn dog and turkey leg.

Website: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/destinations/disney-california-adventure/

There’s definitely lots to see and do in Anaheim, so check out all these cool places when you book your trip.

For more inspiration, check out Visit Anaheim.

In Downtown

Salchicha: North African and Middle Eastern cuisine in Vancouver

November 23, 2016

Salchicha on Granville Street serves up Northern African and Middle Eastern cuisine in Vancouver. Pretty unique since there isn’t many places that serve that type of food.

I was invited to try a few of their signature items on the menu.

They use good ingredients in their dishes like preservative-free, premium free range meats and BC produce where possible.

You order at the counter and you can serve yourself. There is water by the wall. Alternatively, they can also serve you at your table.

Appetizers

Salada Platter has Tabbouleh salad, Hummus, Arabic salad and Baba ganoush with a side of focaccia bread.

There are a few dips you can add to the platter for a few dollars extra -Harrisa, Sahuog, and Tahini Dips.

Grilled Marinated Chicken Breast Skewers is served with a chipotle mayo house sauce. The skewers were ok but a tad dry.

Antipasti comes with roasted eggplant, bell peppers, yam, carrot,and zucchini topped a sprinkle of with EVOO and balsamic.

Sweet Liver Pate was an interesting item on the menu. The presentation wasn’t pleasant either. It has stir fried liver and onion and sweetened with cherry tomatoes and cinnamon.

Cherry Salad has 3 kinds of cherry tomatoes, lettuce, mint, red onion and a sprinkling of feta cheese. I really liked the salad as it was fresh and the mint paired very nicely. I would get this again.

Mains

Beef Kababs are pierced with a cinnamon stick and there is also potato cream purée under each kebab. I found this a bit dry.

Shakshouka with Maraguez Sausage is served on a hot skillet with tomato sauce, and poached eggs.

Couscous with Maraguez Sausage has spicy lamb sausage with a reduced Harissa sauce. Pretty good hearty dish with a hint of spice.

Spring Chicken with date molasses, and rice. The dish was ok, but not as interesting as the other dishes for the mains.

Dessert

Malabi was the dessert to finish off the meal. It is a milk custard thickened with corn flour and topped with rose water and maple syrup, coconut shavings and crushed peanuts.

Really good dessert with a hint of floral from the rose water.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the food was decent but it’s hard to figure out what will tickle your taste buds.

We Rate Salchicha:

Address:
1065 Granville St, Vancouver, BC

Website:
http://www.salchicha.ca/

In Japanese

Pepper Lunch on Cambie: Gyozas, Yaki Udon and Grilled Meats

November 22, 2016

Pepper Lunch launched a few items on their menu a few month ago. We went to their Cambie location to try a few of these items. I’ve been a big fan of their restaurant ever since I had it in Asia. The 2 Canadian locations are a lot better than the ones in Asia but to the sourcing of their ingredients.

The space has high ceilings with natural night during the day. Narrow space, but has spaces for small to large groups. They have a second floor that accommodates larger groups.

Gyoza

Gyoza is their new side dish and it comes in beef or chicken. There are 12 pieces per order. Both types were delicious but the chicken was very moist and addictive. Nice grill marks on the outside too.

Maple Flavoured Sliced Pork Steak

Maple Flavoured Sliced Pork Steak has sliced pork steak, bean sprouts, green beans, carrots and a bowl of rice on the side. This was surprisingly very good. The maple caramelized on the outside of the pork and added a touch of sweetness that isn’t over powering.

Dinner Specials – Prawns and Sliced Angus

Prawns and sliced angus comes with veggies, bowl of rice, miso soup, a drink and mochi ice cream.

I love hearing the meat sizzle on the hot plate from the cooking meat. Delicious and tender angus beef with lots of flavour.

Dinner Specials – 300g Kobe Burger

The 300g Kobe Burger comes with veggies, bowl of rice, miso soup, a drink and mochi ice cream. It’s a pretty big slab of burger. Super delicious and great for people who want a little extra food compared to the regular menu.

Veggie Mushroom Burger

Veggie Mushroom Burger also has bean sprouts, green beans, carrots and a bowl of rice. I usually don’t like veggie burgers but they did a good job making these and the savoury mushrooms really made it taste great.

Yaki Udon

They also introduced yaki udon and you have the choice between beef or pork. It also has green beans, carrots and topped with bonito flakes and green onions.

Stir it around and it cooks all the items in the skillet.

Mochi Ice Cream

They also have a variety of mochi ice cream. I enjoyed the vanilla and black sesame ice cream mochi. All of them were pretty decent and its a nice sweet touch to the end of the meal.

Final Thoughts

Overall, its great to have a few more additional items on the menu. I usually have my go to dishes at Pepper Lunch, but I really enjoyed the Veggie Mushroom Burger and the Maple Flavoured Sliced Pork Steak.

We Rate Pepper Lunch:

Address:
2323 Cambie St. Vancouver

Website:
http://www.pepperlunchcanada.com/

In British Columbia

McDonald’s: Waffle Fries and Potato Roti & Bacon Burger

November 21, 2016

McDonalds Canada just introduced a few holiday items for a limited time only. I work across the street from McDonalds and their new Waffle Cut Fries lured me in.

They also have:

Potato Rosti & Bacon Burger
Waffle Cut Fries
Turtles Sundae with Pecans
Peppermint Mocha / Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Salted Caramel Latte

I came with Amy and Dee to get a late night snack to try the Potato Rosti & Bacon Burger and the Waffle Cut Fries.

Waffle Cut Fries

Who doesn’t love a childhood classic – the waffle cut fries? The fries seem awesome, but aren’t as crisp as I would have liked them to be.

A lot of the waffle fries stuck together, so it was one big chunk. We only found one really nice waffle cut fry.

Potato Rosti & Bacon Burger

The new Potato Rosti & Bacon Burger has a thick beef patty, hickory smoked bacon, cheese, creamy parmesan sauce and a crispy potato rosti. It reminded me of an Angus burger with a hash brown inside.

This is all sandwiched between a new bun topped with flakes of oatmeal that resembles snowflakes.

Surprisingly, the burger was really good and satisfying. The creamy parmesan sauce worked really well.

Overall, these items are pretty awesome for the McDonald lovers out there.

Website: http://www4.mcdonalds.ca/seasonscravings/

In British Columbia

Lagostina Artiste 3-Ply Hand Hammered Knife Set Review

November 21, 2016

As a foodie, an important aspect of the kitchen are having amazing knives that can cut through anything and of course have an amazing aesthetic look. I’ve been browsing around for a knife set for the past year waiting for some knives to drop in price as it gets closer to the Winter holidays. I got them at Canadian Tire for 75% off. $329.99 sounds a lot better than $1,399.99. The sale is on till Nov 24th.

I was stalking various knife brands but Lagostina Artiste 3-Ply Hand Hammered Knife Set stood out to me since it has a sleep one piece look rather than the black handles like other knives.

These are made from Japanese 3-ply stainless steel and blades are hand-hammered to create air pockets that prevent food from sticking. Plus, they match my appliances.

The blades for all the knives are very sharp, so there is a little bit of plastic at the ends to protect yourself as you unpack them.

Whats in the box?

The set comes with:

3.5″ pairing knife
4.5″ utility knife
7″ santoku knife
8″ chef knife
8″ bread knife
set of six 4.5″ steak knives
sharpening steel
shears
wooden block

Performance

The knives are curvy, smooth feeling and has a good balance to them when holding. Easy to cut through meat, veggies and fruit. The Santoku is the ideal multi-function knife out of all the knives in the set. A great everyday knife.

They advise you to hand wash only, do not soak, and dry with clean towel before storage. Never put them in a dishwasher as the heat could warp and dull the blades.

We had them in our Thanksgiving meal this year too as my parents have the same set of knives. I was just a bit behind to purchase them myself. it cut through all the roast with ease and looked great.

Final Thoughts

For the price, it’s definitely worth it if you can catch it at 75% off. I’ve seen knives sell for the price of this entire block set. I’m in love with these set of knives, but you have to make sure you take care of them so it prolongs their life. If they end up warping within a year, Canadian Tire offers a free 1 year exchange warranty redeemable at any of their stores.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/lagostina-artiste-3-ply-hand-hammered-knife-set-14-pc-1428331p.html

In Izakaya

Kibo Restaurant and Lounge: Drink in Yaletown

November 20, 2016

It’s been a while since my last visit to Kibo. They are a modern Japanese restaurant which is popular among larger groups celebrating birthdays or other milestones.

We came here to grab a few bites and get some drinks in the evening.

Drinks

A pitcher of Sapporo comes with frosted and chilled mugs. Sapporo is my preferred beer to go with Japanese food as it balances the flavours very well.

Sake is my friends drink of choice. Cold sake comes in a cute little dispenser.

Kibo Ball has Whiskey, Melon liquer, and Peach Schnapps. An easy drink shooter and they have a good deal for 5 for $20.

Aburi Block Sushi has pressed rice, salmon and their chef’s signature sauce. A very saucy item, but of course it’s not as good as Miku’s version.

Ika sugatayaki is a grilled and marinated whole squid. Served with a lemon and a mayo sauce. THis was pretty good and an easy item to share.

Assorted Tempura is decent here too. A few pieces of yams and prawns with a dipping sauce.

Short Ribs are marinated and grilled. Tender and not chewy at all.

Overall, the food is decent, but a lot of people come here for drinks and a few bites in the evening.

We Rate Kibo:

Address:
1261 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

Website:
https://www.facebook.com/kibo.yaletown/

In Cafe

Nero: Waffles in Yaletown

November 19, 2016

Nero has opened their second location in Yaletown. Unlike their Robson Street location, they have more seats, a patio, a different menu, and alcohol.

Everyone loves a good Brussels or Liege waffle.

Interior

A lot of the seating is great for groups for 4 people. It has a cozy atmosphere too.

Beer

Four Winds Saison was what I ordered. It’s one of their 2 BC Craft beers on the menu. They also have a few Belgian Beers on the menu too.

Waffles

Fruity Waffle is one of Nero’s classic items on the menu. It has their chef’s selection of fruit and topped with whipped cream.

We had it on their brussels waffles. I love the ones with fruit as it’s just so nice to munch on or share with friends.

Liege au fromages has a grilled 4 cheese savoury liege waffles with a spicy tomato chutney. An interesting changes as it is a savoury item. I never imagined waffles as a grilled cheese sandwich.

Brussels Tapas Board has 2 pieces of brussels waffle with goat cheese brulee, East van jam, bresaola and arugula. Another savoury item. It was like a cheese board but with waffles instead of crackers.

Overall, it was interesting to see their new item with more savoury items and drinks. Definitely a change from their Robson location. It’s a good place for less line ups and seating.

We Rate Nero:

Address:
1002 Seymour Street, Vancouver

Website:
http://www.nerowafflebar.com/

In Airplane Meals

Air Canada: YVR to SFO Review (AC 562)

November 18, 2016

The flight I booked through United Airlines going from Vancouver to San Francisco was operated by Air Canada on flight AC 562. Perhaps they have code sharing or some sort of agreement. I was using Google Flights to get the lowest flight heading down for around $350 round trip. The flight lasts for about 2 hours and 30 mins.

We boarded quite promptly and was ready to take off soon after. It was very orderly and loaded very fast that we almost missed boarding.

We sat pretty close up to the front of economy. I am pretty short at 5″3, so the economy seats are good enough for me.

There is a USB plug, an outlet for other devices like laptops, and a touch screen entertainment system. I didn’t use the screen very much, but they usually have pretty good movies and shows to watch free of charge. I spend most of my time on my laptop.

We got one complimentary beverage and I got tomato juice as it tastes a lot better in the air. True story according to CBC.

We arrived 30 minutes early but no gate was available, so we sat until our gate was available. It was great we arrived early but too bad we couldn’t get off the plane. SFO is such a busy airport, so we just have to wait our turn.

Website: http://www.aircanada.com/

In Downtown

Showcase: An Evening with Poplar Grove Winery

November 18, 2016

Showcase Restaurant inside the Marriott Pinnacle Hotel had a special event featuring a 8 course meal highlighting the wines at Poplar Grove Winery in Penticton. As usual, Executive Chef Jesse Hochhausen and Executive Sous Chef Westley Feist crafted an amazing dinner.

Matthew Holler of Poplar Grove Winery shared with us the rich history of their winery and his family’s passion for producing wine. Each course was paired with one of their wines.

Salt block seared scallop

Salt block seared scallop with corn puree, chili crumble, corn and poblano hash with cilantro. Beautiful dish and the scallop was really fresh.

It was served with chambord, champagne, and raspberry sugar.

Strawberry gazpacho

Strawberry gazpacho has strawberry confit, fermented strawberry, and roof-top cucumber.

It is served with Poplar Grove Pinot Gris 2015.

Tuna Tataki

Tuna Tataki has pea shoots, yuzu, sea foam, and sesame seeds served in a tin sardine can. A cute presentation and I love when they use the tin cans.

It is also paired with the Poplar Grove Pinot Gris 2015.

Fresh baked bread

Fresh baked bread with house focaccia, parmesan flatbread, black garlic whipped butter and citrus salt. Their black garlic whipped butter is so good that they even gave us some to take home.

Oven Roasted Haida Gwaii Halibut

Oven Roasted Haida Gwaii Halibut with chorizo vinaigrette, english peas, and heirloom tomatoes. The halibut was moist and very flavourful.

It is paired with Poplar Grove Chardonnay 2016.

Brohme Lake Duck Breast

Brohme Lake Duck Breast with haruki turnips, fermented & puffed barley, and blackberry. Beautifully cooked!

It is served with Poplar Grove Merlot 2013.

Nut Fed Pork Loin

Nut Fed Pork Loin with smoked pork belly, sole food farms vegetables, peaches, candied hazelnut, and spiced bearnaise.

It is paired with the Poplar Grove Legacy 2011.

Chocolate Eclair

Chocolate Eclair with chocolate pudding, caramelized banana, peanut butter chocolate ice cream.

Final Thoughts

The dinner was really good and paired well with the Poplar Grove Wines. My favourites were the duck, tuna, and halibut dishes.

We Rate Showcase:

Address:
1122 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC

Website:
http://www.showcaserestaurant.com/

In Cafe

Red Door: Hidden Cafe in San Francisco

November 17, 2016

Every day was an early morning for us when we were in San Francisco and I needed coffee and toast to start off my day. After doing a quick search, I found a nice cafe a few blocks away from our hotel.

Red Door Cafe is located in an alley or on the main street depending on how Google Maps tells you to walk. It told me to walk down an alley till I found a red door.

You know you’re there when you find the bright red door.

Half of the space is a coffee shop where people line up for their delicious coffee in the mornings.

The other half is seating and art from the gallery.

Cappuccino was nice and strong made of Four Barrel coffee beans. They made a lovely heart to start the day right.

Avocado Toast has avocado, salt, pepper, and cholula on top of your choice of bread. Very delicious but it was pricey. I got mine on sourdough.

Overall, a good start to the day.

We Rate Red Door Cafe:

Address:
111 Minna Street, San Francisco
Website:
http://reddoorcoffeesf.com/

In Event

Cornucopia 2016: Cellar Door Grand Tasting

November 17, 2016

Look no further than just a 2-hour drive to Whistler, BC for an immersive 11-day (November 10 – 20, 2016) celebration of food and drink, and a much-needed fall getaway.

2016 marks Cornucopia’s 20th anniversary and features winery dinners, grand tastings, culinary workshops and more. With range of events to pick and choose from, all you have to do is determine how many days you’ll want to stay and which events you’d like to attend.

We were recently invited to take part in a few of their events over the Remembrance Day long weekend.

One of a few signature tasting events at Cornucopia 2016 in Whistler, Cellar Door featured fine wines each priced at over $35 from more than 30 wineries. The event took place from 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm in an intimate setting where you’re able to connect to the winemakers directly without feeling too rushed or intimidated.

New to wine or don’t know where to start? We recommend joining one of their 45 minute guided Sommelier tours for the inside scoop on how to make the best of your night. We found a few new favourites on this tour!

Tantalus Chardonnay

Tantalus Chardonnay 2014: We really enjoyed this chardonnay because of its subtlety. In comparison to some of its more in your face oakey cousins, this chardonnay had an elegant buttery smoothness, hint of oak, and was also refreshing at the same time.

Foxtrot Pinor Noir

Foxtrot Pinor Noir: I’m not typically a pinot noir fan but it might be because I’ve never tasted what it could be like! If you’re a pinot noir fan, this one is special. It’s more of a full-bodied pinot noir on the spectrum with a beautiful smooth balance of flavours. It’s a juicy and fruity red with a well-balanced earthiness that reminds me of the smell of raisins.

Craggy Range Le Sol

Craggy Range Le Sol: This winery was new to me and their Syrah blew me away! It was medium bodied and incredibly well-balanced with dark red fruitiness and fine tannins.

To learn more about Cornucopia, Whistler’s celebration of food and drink, visit http://whistlercornucopia.com/.