Foodology
Author

Foodology

Browsing
In Gastown

Balila Vancouver: Rainbow Hummus, Wraps and Lamb Shanks

Hummus for your thoughts? My friends and I have been having hummus cravings for the last little while. The taste is just delicious when used as a dip or incorporated into other dishes like a wrap.

Balila is a Mediterranean and Hummus restaurant in Gastown. They have 9 flavours of hummus on their menu and you can’t just have one. 4 of us came to give their menu a try to see what they offer besides hummus. This family run business has a big heart that stands behind their food and community.

Interior

There is a long table, seats by the window and some smaller tables for customers to dine.

Rainbow Hummus

If you want a taste of all their different hummus options, you need to get the rainbow hummus. It comes with all the flavours:

  • Original
  • Garlic
  • Olive
  • Spicy
  • Yam
  • Pest0
  • Beetroot
  • Avocado Mint

There is also another flavour but it contains walnuts and my friend is allergic. It’s a great thing they point that out in the menu to help those with dietary restrictions.

All of the hummus were very good but the olive, spicy, and avocado mint stood out to use the most. Unique flavours that is harder to find around town. Highly recommend the rainbow hummus as it’s a great way to taste all their varieties of hummus.

Garlic Chicken Wrap

In the wrap, there is lettuce, tomatoes, hummus and the delicious garlic chicken. The chicken is delicious and full of that garlic flavour. You can’t go wrong with chicken and hummus in a wrap.

Sirloin Cube Wrap

Their sirloin cubes are marinated with a secret sauce and paired with lettuce, tomatoes, and hummus The steak cubes were tender and has good flavour from the marinade.

Mediterranean Veggie Wrap

If you want something a bit different without meat, check this out. It has different grilled veggies flavoured with olive oil and spices to create a good flavour combination.

Cauliflower Wrap

Another veggie option with hummus, roasted cauliflower, tahini-lemon mix and spices. This is definitely packed with flavour and it might just surprise you. So saucy and so good.

Lamb Shank and Fattoush Salad

This was their special for the day it has a beautifully braised spiced lamb shank with saffron rice and a fattoush salad. The lamb shank was tender and the combination of spices was yummy.

The fattoush salad has lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, spring onions, parsley, radishes, pita chips and their lemon-sumac dressing. A good fresh and crisp salad that goes with the lamb very well.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I was impressed by the dishes. It makes for a good delicious quick lunch stop. They also do delivery in the Downtown area, so if you’re looking for something healthier, this is a great option.

Address:
47 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC

Website:
https://www.balilahummus.com/

by
Read More
In Italian

AJ’s Brooklyn Pizza Joint: Pizza Pies and Sicilian Squares in Vancouver

AJ’s Brooklyn Pizza Joint recently opened up in Vancouver on Broadway. Having Brooklyn-style pizza in Vancouver will remind you of the times in New York searching for the best slice. They specialize in traditional NYC pizza that is served throughout for the five boroughs – Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island, and Manhattan.

We came for their grand opening and dined with other wonderful foodies in town. The atmosphere of this Pizza Joint is very casual and great for pizza lovers.

Menu

Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie board of assorted meats and cheese is a good way to start the meal to have something to pick at before the rest of the dishes arrive. Delicious and a great sharing item for the table.

Classic Caesar Salad

This has romaine lettuce and croutons, served with Caesar dressing, Pparmesan cheese, and seasonings. A good classic salad that you can’t go wrong.

Sicilian Square Pizzas

These were cut up into square unlike triangular pizza slices. Grab your spatula and pick them up. It’s fun to see all the cheese being stretched. We had the New York and Brooklyn choices.

The New York Sicilian has mozzarella cheese, Sicilian tomato sauce, and fresh basil. This is 16″ and there were 20 slices to it. The Brooklyn has pepperoni, spicy Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, Sicilian tomato sauce, olive oil and basil. You’ll notice the crust is about 1″ thick with a crunchy bottom and airy interior.

John’s Pepperoni Pie

They created this pizza because of John’s on Bleaker Street in New York City. We’ve been there and you can’t go wrong with a classic pepperoni pizza. This version has mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Grimaldi’s Classic Margherita Pizza

If you’re heard of Grimaldi’s, they are one of the popular pizza restaurants in Brooklyn and there are long lines because tourists like me need a taste of the best. You will find AJ’s version of their Margherita Pizza with mozzarella cheese, cured tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese, and basil.

The Spicy Vesuvio Pizza

This has mozzarella cheese, spicy Italian sausage, mushrooms, chili flakes, and Parmesan cheese.

Suzanne’s Red Pepper Pesto Pizza

This has artichoke, pesto, shredded mozza, and roasted red pepper.

Final Thoughts

The slices are huge and the prices are very reasonable. If you’re getting a whole pizza, you’ll want to come here with a few friends. Don’t forget to fold the pizza over just like a Brooklyn slice since it’s so wide. The pizza pie’s were our favourite as it was a bit thinner. All the pizza’s were tasty and not greasy at all compared to other places.

 Address:
325 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC

Website:
ajsbrooklynpizzajoint.com

by
Read More
In Chinese

[Sneak Peek] Vitasoy Summer Dessert Collaboration with 720 Sweets

Are you a Vitasoy fan? Growing up, we have always had this treat in our household since I can remember. It’s very nostalgic and Vitasoy is partnering up with 4 dessert shops in NYC, LA, Vancouver, and Toronto this Summer. Together, they will be bringing you unique summer Vitasoy desserts from June 30th to August 19, 2018. Some dates do vary.

These are the locations revealed so far:

  • Vancouver – 720 Sweets (July 7 to Aug 5)
  • New York – New Territories (June 30 to July 29)
  • Los Angles – ?
  • Toronto- Matcha Tea and Dessert (July 14 – Aug 12)

As I am in Vancouver, we were given a sneak peek of the Vitasoy x 720 Sweets collaboration prior to the launch, so lets see what you can expect on July 7th.

720 Sweets: Vancouver

720 Sweets have been known for their whimsical soft serve that was an instant hit when it open many years ago and has since opened various locations across the Lower Mainland. Their desserts are always stunning and the dry ice effect make it very photogenic.

The Special Vitasoy Creations

There are two options to choose from – Soy Good! and Oh Malt Goodness! Both are made with the 2 classic Vitasoy flavours – Original and Malt. They are so pun worthy with the naming of their desserts.

Soy Good!

A soy-milk soft serve with cornflakes, red bean, chocolate stick and condensed milk drizzle.

Oh Malt Goodness!

A malt soy-milk soft serve with maltesers, crushed almonds, Pepero sticks and caramel drizzle.

Behind the Scenes

The magic happens in their open kitchen where you can see the desserts being made. You have original soft serve on one side and then malt on the other. Once they pour in the delicious soft serve into the cups, it’s time for all the toppings.

Soy Good!

This soy-milk soft serve is topped with crushed up cornflakes, red bean, a chocolate stick and condensed milk drizzle. The Vitasoy is very subtle, but one it hits your tongue, it will bring you back to your childhood. Of the two, this was my favourite. The cornflakes were a nice touch to add texture and crunch.

Oh Malt Goodness!

This has malt soy-milk soft serve with maltesers, crushed almonds, Pepero sticks and caramel drizzle. Similar in look with the dreamy dry ice effect. The malt soy milk isn’t as strong in the soft serve, so you really need to concentrate to connect the flavours. Toppings complimented well and wasn’t too sweet.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the desserts were fun and it’s a great collaboration. With the subtle flavours of the soy milks, they did a good job incorporating the flavours and pairing with the toppings. If you’re a huge Vitasoy fan, you won’t want to miss this as it won’t be available for too long.

Also, from July 16 -22, 720 Sweets has a promo where if you purchase their Vitasoy creations, you can buy a 6-pack of Vitasoy for $1. Great deal!

Address:
3278 West Broadway, Vancouver

Website:
http://720sweets.com/

by
Read More
In Airplane Meals

WestJet: Vancouver to Edmonton (WS 160) Review

When deciding to travel to Edmonton, we went with WestJet as it was one of the cheapest options at the time. I don’t get the chance to fly with them that often, but when I do, it’s always a great time. We flew out of Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Edmonton International Airport (YEG) at 9am from gate B14. The flight was an hour and 15 minutes and was a quick and comfortable flight.

Interior

As we got on the plane, we noticed it was a 3 and 3 seat configuration. The flight wasn’t very full, so there was tons of space for carry on luggage. The overhead bins were large, so it fits all sizes of carry on luggage unlike some other airplanes.

This particular plane did not have an entertainment system built into the seats. There are some reading materials, tray and an outlet. You can tell this is a newer plane on the fleet.

The outlet has lots of inputs, so whether you have a cellphones, tablet or laptop, you can charge it all without worrying about battery life.

WestJet App

For this particular plane, we had to use the WestJet app on our phones to connect to the flight information and access movies and tv shows. It’s pretty useful, but you just need to know ahead of time to download the app as each plane is a bit different. For their movies and shows, they have current and older options. As the flight is so short, you won’t have time to finish a movie.

Complimentary beverages and snacks

The great things about WestJet is that they still provide complementary snacks onboard. They will ask you if you want cookies or pretzels, but you can ask for both. Biscoff is delicious!! They have partnered with McDonalds to offer coffee on all their flights, which is great because their coffee is not bad at all. On the cup, don’t forget to grab the sticker and card if you’re already a regular customer.

Onboard Menu

If you are still hungry, they have a few other options to purchase food onboard.

Final Thoughts

Overall, it was a good flight. Very simple, comfortable and no delays. For me, the biggest decision factor is price for a flight and glad we were ale to fly with them this time. I like how they haven’t cheaped out completely and give you some snacks on the ride.

Website:
https://www.westjet.com/

by
Read More
In Regina

Regina Rolling Robot Tours: Exploring Historic Sites of Wascana

Regina Rolling Robot Tours was highly recommended to us on our trip to Regina. It’s not like everyday we get to ride in style along Wascana Centre on Segways. I’ve been on similar tours around the world and it’s a great way to see the city. For those with mobility issues, it’s actually a really good option as all you need to do is gently lean forward to move straight ahead.

Historic Sites of Wascana Tour

They currently offer 2 tours that last 1.5 hours that are attractive to both locals and tourists – Nature Conservation Tour and Historic Sites of Wascana Tour. As first time visitors to Regina, Historic Sites of Wascana Tour suited us better to learn more about the history of Saskatchewan’s Provincial Government and it’s home in Regina.

This tour would take us to:

  • Saskatchewan Legislative Building
  • Pine Island
  • Albert Street Memorial Bridge
  • Speaker’s Corner
  • Wascana Bandstand
  • Lakeshore Park Kwakiutl Totem Pole
  • Holodomor Statue

As we were on a private tour with the 2 of from Foodology, Jamine made us feel very comfortable and would make any stops if we were wanting to see something in-particular.

Training

Before we began the tour, Jasmine – the Owner and Tour Guide gave us a crash course on how to operate the Segways. My friend was very nervous at first as it was a completely new experience. Within 10 – 15 minutes, she was able to get a hang of operating it but still wasn’t too comfortable going full speed. Jasmine was very encouraging and help her gain more confidence.

Let’s Go

On the other hand, I just observed the training as this wasn’t my first time on a Segway. I ended up trying the Ninebot, which is more compact than a Segway, but it felt great. Safety is a #1 priority, so using cellphones or cameras while on the devices are prohibited. There are plenty of stops on the tour to grab great photos in and around Wascana Centre.

It was actually really nice to keep the devices away. We just enjoy the natural beauty of Wascana Centre and learned more about Regina’s rich history. Did you know, this entire lake is man made? Neither did we!

We lucked out on the weather when we arrived. Our tour was originally on a day where there were thunderstorms and strong wind, so it was cancelled for safety reasons. Fortunately, we were able to be rebooked for the next day before we headed out of town. It was worth the wait.

Lots of great sights along the way especially by the legislature building and garden.

Wrap Up

As we finished our tour, we were given pouches of bird seeds if we wanted to feed the birds around the area. Overall, it was a really fun tour and I would highly recommend it. Great for beginners and expert level Segway riders.

Website: https://rrrtours.ca/

Looking for more recommendations?

A big thanks to Tourism Regina for helping us make the most out of our trip to Regina. Check out their website to help plan your trip to Regina. There are a plethora of activities to do.

by
Read More
In Izakaya

Izakaya Gon’s on Denman Street

Izakaya Gon’s is a new Japanese restaurant that opened up in the West End of Downtown Vancouver. I was quite curious to see how this would compare to the other options in the area. I came after work with my friend to see they stack up. On the menu, you will find traditional izakaya dishes.

Interior

There are a lot of seats inside and it wasn’t too busy as they recently opened. It can fit small to large parties. They also take reservations too.

Iced Green Tea

We both got iced green tea to go with our meals for an extra $2.50. It was unsweetened, but was refreshing to go with the items we ordered.

Fried Squid Legs Kara-age

It is beautifully battered and crisp. It is served with a lemon wedge and a sprig of dill. This was my favourite dish of the evening.

Aburi  Unagi Oshi Sushi

This comes in 5 pieces of pressed unagi on rice with eel sauce. This was executed poorly as it was pretty expensive for what you get. The rice was very warm and didn’t have time to cool down before turning it into this sushi.

Tempura Curry Udon

This huge bowl of udon has prawn and veggies assorted tempura, udon noodles and their curry broth. We shared this big bowl and was tasty, but we did notice is was quite oily and rich.

Gon’s Special Matcha Green Tea Tiramisu

There are layers of cream, matcha and sponge cake. It is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, berries, and whipped cream. The dessert looks beautiful but the taste fell short as it was rather bitter.

Match Green Tea Cake Roll

We did not like this dish at all. The matcha green tea cake roll was dry and dense.

Final Thoughts

The food here was mostly miss with the only dish that we would get again would be the Fried Squid Legs Kara-age, which isn’t saying much. I really wanted to like this place, but a lot of their dishes need more refinement. The desserts also need more thought too as it felt like they cut corners.

Address:
854 Denman St, Vancouver, BC

Website:
https://izakaya-gons.com/denman/

by
Read More
In British Columbia

Starbucks: Chicken Chorizo & Tortilla Sous Vide Egg Bites Review

I love the Sous Vide Egg Bites when they first launched at Starbucks. A third flavour has just been released – Chicken Chorizo & Tortilla Sous Vide Egg Bites. The other 2 are Bacon & Gruyere and Egg White & Red Pepper, which have both been fan-favourites since their introduction this year.

Chicken Chorizo & Tortilla Sous Vide Egg Bites

Inside, you will find it packed with chicken chorizo, chipotle salsa and corn tortilla strips inside the egg base. As it is heated up before serving to customers, all texture of the tortilla strips are long gone. Mine had a good amount of chicken chorizo and the chipotle salsa taste really emanated throughout the egg bites.

Of the 3 different flavours of Sous Vide Egg Bites, this would come in last. That’s not saying it is was bad or anything like that. The Bacon & Gruyere Sous Vide Egg Bites are still my favourite even though it has the most calories out of all of them. Then I get the Egg White & Red Pepper Sous Vide Egg Bites for something on the lighter side. It’s not a bad thing to have more choices to suit different tastebuds.

If you’re a fan of Starbucks Sous Vide Egg Bites, you may like the Chicken Chorizo & Tortilla Sous Vide Egg Bites and it’s Mexican-inspired flavour profile.

Website:
https://www.starbucks.ca

by
Read More
In Pub/Bar

Cathedral Social Hall: Pub Fare in Saskatoon

Cathedral Social Hall in Saskatoon serves up elevated Saskatchewan Pub classics. There are 30 beers on tap with a variety of local beers, Canadian beers, and International beers. As its located right in the heart of Downtown Saskatoon, it’s close to all the popular spots along the river. I wanted to try out some Saskatchewan beers all in one spot, have a quick bite and watch the game.

Interior

The big feature inside is their bar with all the beers listen on the wall and all the taps. There are also lots of long tables and a patio to suit small to really large groups. It makes it a perfect venue for

Drinks Menu

Beer Flight

I got a flight with all Saskatchewan beers – Crossmount Apple Cider, Great Western Radler, Great Western Prairie White, and Rebellion Lentil Cream. I went with lighter beers and I am not as keen on hoppy beers.

Salt and Pepper Wings

To pair with beer, what better item to have than salt and pepper wings. It was beautifully fried with a crispy exterior and the right ration of salt and pepper so it isn’t too salty.

Social Salad

If you are looking for something a little more healthy, they have salad. This particular salad comes in 2 sizes and my friend went with the smaller option as we have been eating all day. It has greens, radishes, tomatoes, goat cheese, cucumber, Saskatoon berries, and a vinaigrette.

Dessert in a Jar

Now this is one massive dessert. It has chocolate stout cake, chocolate sauce, bananas, sponge toffee, ice cream, and berries. You’ll definitely want to share this big dessert.

Final Thoughts

Overall, it was a good place for drinks and pub fare that showcases Saskatchewan produce where possible. It’s a good place to watch the game too.

Address:
608 Spadina Crescent E, Saskatoon, SK

Website:
http://www.cathedralsocialhall.com

by
Read More
In Home

Weber Spirit II E-210: Liquid Propane Gas Grill Review

Summer is here and that means we need to get grilling outdoors. It was Father’s Day and we wanted to do something different and we really never have BBQs in the backyard. The family debated which BBQ to get and we finally settled on the Weber Spirit II E-210, which uses liquid propane gas as it’s source of fuel. We had 2 previous charcoal BBQs, but it was time to move to propane and get something a bit fancier. Just remember, the propane tank is separate so you’ll need to buy this in addition.

Weber Spirit II E-210

This two-burner grill is built to fit small spaces, but there is the larger E-310 version with three burners. The grill has 450 square centimetre of total cooking space, which is good for 3 -4 people. We had 7 people and didn’t find this an issue at all since we were all taking our time and casually eating through the evening. We used the warming rack to cook our tinfoil packs of veggies. With side tables for placing spices, containers and whatever else you need, it’s convenient to have the extra space. One of the side tables is collapsable if you want to make it more compact for storage or to fit it into an even smaller space.

The burners were very strong and we were able to preheat the grill to 500 degrees. With the built in lid thermometer, this was easy to keep track of. Preheating is key as you want to get beautiful grill marks on your food and helps create a nice crust on your steak. One thing we found a bit problematic is that you can’t turn on the secondary burner (right side) on its own, the primary burner (left side) needs to be on at all times.

Some Assembly Required

When we got the BBQ home, there is some assembly required. With my mom and I, we spent about 1.5 hours on it. I dubbed it adult Lego. There were so many parts, that we had to be organized and read the instructions carefully. You can’t be half paying attention or else, you have to redo steps like what we found out several times. Sometimes hardware stores will provide free delivery and assembly, but we opted for no tax since we couldn’t wait almost a week for it to be delivered from the local store. We wanted to make sure we had it ready for Fathers Day.

Grill, Grill, Grill the Food

The Weber Spirit II E-210 was a great upgrade to what we had previously. We got it for $549 CDN at Lowe’s, which is a good price and we didn’t have to pay tax as there was a promo going on. No regrets getting this as we will be using it for years to come in the Summers.

Website:
https://www.weber.com/CA/en/grills/gas-barbecues/spirit-ii-series/

by
Read More
In Cafe

Living Sky Cafe: Quick Morning Bites

Living Sky Cafe is located in Downtown Saskatoon and we came here early in the morning for a quick bite before continuing on our adventure. We chose this spot as it was highly recommended to us, plus very close to our hotel and most places Downtown.

Interior

When you walk deeper in to the cafe, there are a few seat with booth style seating.

Latte

I ordered at latte and it was good as they used local Venn Roastery beans. The latte art could have been improved but other than that, it was what I needed in the morning.

BBQ Pork Buns

I wanted something simple in the morning, so I just grabbed a bun to go with my coffee. It is round and topped with black sesame seeds, the gem of the pork is hiding inside.

The pork bun has delicious and had some much filling. I really enjoyed it as it reminded me of similar pastries I had as a kid.

Yogurt Parfait

My friend ordered a yogurt parfait with granola, berries and yogurt. A good size in the morning but would have been better if it had a bit more granola to balance out the ratio.

Final Thoughts

A good start to the morning without filling up too much. I highly recommend the BBQ pork buns!

Address:
245 3 Ave S, Saskatoon, SK

Website:
http://mwlfoods.ca/index.html

by
Read More
In British Columbia

Starbucks: Mango Dragonfruit Refreshers Review

Starbucks Canada just introduced their new Mango Dragonfruit Refreshers onto their permanent menu. A perfect drink for the Summer for its vibrant look, tropical flavours and a kick of caffeine. With the days of Summer getting longer, its nice to add an extra step in your day so you can do as much as possible. We went to our closest Starbucks to give it a try because I do enjoy dragonfruit when its in season.

 Mango Dragonfruit Refreshers

You’ll notice the deep magenta colour and tropical flavours with no artificial colours or sweeteners. In addition to the taste and colour, there are a few pieces of freeze-dried real red-fleshed dragon fruit. The listed ingredients are Ice, Mango Dragonfruit Refreshers Base (Water, Sugar, White Grape Juice Concentrate, Natural Flavours, Citric Acid, Natural Green Coffee Flavour, Rebaudiside-a), and Freeze Dried Dragonfruit Pieces.

The dragonfruit isn’t fresh as it is freeze-dried, but it makes the drink seem like it gets pinker the longer you leave it. It truly is a natural dye. As for the taste, it’s good that the dragonfruit is paired with mango as dragonfruit doesn’t have a strong taste at all. The drink does have a tropical taste to it and it enjoyable in the sun. You can customize this drink as well, actually 170,000 ways to be exact. They recommend you try it as a lemonade or use coconut beverage instead of water.

The taste was good, so if you’re looking for a caffeinated beverage that is also refreshing in the Summer heat, this is recommended.

Website:
https://www.starbucks.ca

 

by
Read More
In British Columbia

1000 Stories: Bourbon Barrel Aged Zinfandel

1000 Stories Wines just launched in British Columbia and we got a chance to try their 2016 Bourbon Barrel Aged Zinfandel. If you’re unfamiliar with 1000 Stories, they are a small-lot winery from California, specializing in bourbon barrel-aged Zinfandel. They decided to focus on Zinfandel as it grows well in Californian soil and it flavours are accentuated by the bourbon barrels. The winery is founded by winemaker, Bob Blue as a nod to the way things were by utilizing bourbon barrels instead of American and French oak wine barrels to enhance the complexity of the Zinfandel.

You can find this in BC Liquor stores and retails for around $29.99.

2016 Bourbon Barrel Aged Zinfandel

To be honest, I am not a red wine drinker, but I like to try things in hopes that one day a red wine agrees with my palate. It is a dry wine and I enjoyed the smooth tannins. I could sense the fruity aroma of cherries, berries and a hint of spice at the end.

It can be paired with BBQ meats, aged cheeses, and of course anything with chocolate. A well-priced wine for an occasion and I would get this again.

Conservation Efforts

The winery supports the Wildlife Conservation Society in an effort to restore natural habitats for the bison population. Even though the bison population has been rising due to great conservation efforts, there are still not a large population that range freely. With each purchase, you are supporting programs to reintroduce bison into sustainable healthy environments where they may thrive and contribute to the different ecosystems.

Website: http://www.1000storieswines.com/

by
Read More
In British Columbia

McDonalds Canada: Mexican Bacon Queso More-ning McWrap Review

Breakfast is awesome at McDonalds as my go to is usually Sausage McMuffin with a hashbrown. When there are new menu items, it’s pretty darn exciting.

Mexican Bacon Queso More-ning McWrap

The third item we review from McDonalds Canada’s Word Taste Tour menu is the Mexican Bacon Queso More-ning McWrap.You can find this on the menu from June 18th to July 29th. This is only available in the morning and won’t be found on the menu in the afternoon. I thought it was on the menu, but I accidentally ordered a Thai Chili Chicken Wrap instead, which isn’t part of the World Taste Tour.

If you order from their machines, it will give you options if you want to customize it with more sauce or bacon or whatever else you want.

Inside the wrap is crispy bacon, spicy queso sauce, egg, lettuce and tomatoes. With McWraps, I find that all the ingredients are trapped near the bottom due to gravity. The queso sauce wasn’t as prominent but perhaps they didn’t add much to it. The eggs an bacon are classic for any breakfast. The overall experience was ok but didn’t really stand out too much as being Mexican. Perhaps it needed some salsa like their breakfast burritos.

Don’t forget, this isn’t the only new International inspired menu at McDonalds over the next month as they take customers on a World Taste Tour.

Website:
https://www.mcdonalds.ca/

 

by
Read More
In British Columbia

Everything you wanted to know about the Chinese Szechuan Sauce from McDonald’s Canada

McDonald’s Canada exclusively launched 300 bottles of the Chinese Szechuan Sauce to promote the World Taste Tour new menu offerings and we were one of the lucky recipients of a bottle. I blog a lot about McDonalds and it’s something nostalgic that always brings me back to my childhood. When I started my blog back in 2010, McDonalds items were always so fun to write about, plus it made for some very popular content. Even last year when I wrote about the bottled McChicken, Filet-o-fish and Big Mac Sauce coming to Canadian grocery stores, the whole world went bonkers.

With the arrival of the Chinese Szechuan Sauce, the first question on everyone’s mind is if this is the same sauce as what the United States got. McDonalds Canada states that this is not the same Szechuan sauce and is a unique Canadian recipe. I’ve never tried the US version, so I wouldn’t know if its similar or not. Take a look at the ingredients and maybe one of you can help identify it through the ingredients list. The sauce comes straight from McDonalds Canada if you look closely at the label and can’t be found in any retail store.

I contemplated for a weekend if I should open this or not and I realized I’m not a true fan if I didn’t eat it and share it. So I got my 10 pack of McNuggets and ate it all by myself. To my surprise, the sauce was good. It is like an elevated version of the sweet and sour sauce with more garlic, ginger, a kick of spice.

A majority of people will be enjoying the Chinese Szechuan Sauce in the Chinese Szechuan Burger only available until July 1st. There are 80 bottles of this sauce up for grabs at Daily Hive Canada if you enter their contest.

I’ll be personally keeping my bottle and sharing it around this Summer for all the BBQ parties with friends and family. If you want to come all the way to Vancouver to have some, I’ll be happy to share. 🙂

by
Read More
In British Columbia

McDonald’s Canada: French Crème Brûlée McFlurry Review

A new dessert is at McDonalds Canada this Summer inspired by France for their World Taste Tour.

French Crème Brûlée McFlurry

The French Crème Brûlée McFlurry is available from June 18th to July 29th. This is your regular vanilla soft serve with caramelized sugar pieces and crème brûlée syrup. You can get this in regular size or snack size. I went with the snack size since did weren’t quite sure if we would like it or not.

When it arrived at the tables, it looked like there was a sprinkling of the caramelized sugar pieces on top and integrated throughout. Upon the first few bites, it is pretty sweet and left me a bit thirsty. The sugar pieces added some texture but not the type of texture that we wanted for dessert. It was a little bit hard and distracting. The crème brûlée syrup really added to the extra sweetness, but thats what is to be expected with a Crème Brûlée McFlurry.

We both wouldn’t order this again and would stick to our usual Oreo McFlurry.

Don’t forget, this isn’t the only new International inspired menu at McDonalds over the next month as they take customers on a World Taste Tour.

Website:
https://www.mcdonalds.ca/

by
Read More
In British Columbia

McDonald’s Canada: Chinese Szechuan Burger Review

I love it when McDonalds comes up with new menu items throughout the year. With their World Taste Tour launching from June 18 till July 29 with 5 new items.

Chinese Szechuan Burger

The Chinese Szechuan Burger is available June 18th to July 1st. It has 100% Canadian beef topped with Szechuan sauce, crispy wontons, tomato, leaf lettuce, grilled onions, and mayo, on a toasted black and white sesame seed bun.

A lot of people are going crazy over the Szechuan sauce as it was popular in the United States and popularized by Rick and Morty. McDonalds Canada states that this is not the same Szechuan sauce and is a unique Canadian recipe. I’ve never tried the US version, so I wouldn’t know if its similar or not.

I liked the larger beef patty, crispy wontons and that Szechuan sauce, which makes this burger stand out.

Don’t forget, this isn’t the only new International inspired menu at McDonalds over the next month as they take customers on a World Taste Tour.

Website:
https://www.mcdonalds.ca/

by
Read More
In Afternoon Tea

La Petite Cuillere: Brunch and High Tea in Mount Pleasant

La Petite Cuillere in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood has undergone a little transformation after the change of ownership. Owner Cathy Lai and Chef Frankie partnered back in November 2017 to focus on quality ingredients, cooking from scratch, rotating menu and better tea and food pairings. They recently launched a new menu with brunch being served daily from 10am – 2:30pm.

Interior

Since the ownership changeover, there have been some changes to the interior. The seating is more extravagant and fancy. If you have a particular seat in mind, it’s best to reserve and ask for that spot. They can accommodate parties up to 23 people and private events of up to 45 people.

These two east are extra fancy and so boujee.

I like how they kept the tea cups as a focus at the back of the cafe. I’m even impressed that it’s colour coordinated too.

Menu

Afternoon Tea

We started with the afternoon tea, which is always a stunner. You get all the sweets and savouries, plus a pot of tea. Our beautiful tower came with:

  • Cupcake
  • Tea Cake
  • Macaron
  • Scone with preserves and Devonshire cream
  • Crème Brule
  • Soup of the day
  • Darjeeling Roasted Chicken Tartlet with Cranberry Chutney
  • Lapsang Tea Egg Salad Croissant
  • Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Quiche
  • Spring Salad with Green Tea Goddess Dressing

The flavours change daily, so you never know what flavours of items it will be. Always best to call ahead and let them know of any dietary restrictions. They can also make a vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free versions too.

Of the set we had, I felt that the savoury items were stronger than the sweet ones, but that is also my personal preference too. The quiche and croissant were my favourite.

For my pot of team, I went with Earl Grey. It’s classic for any afternoon tea and goes well by itself or with milk and sugar.

Chai Tea French Toast

The Chai Tea French Toast is topped with candied hazelnuts, blueberry compote, and chamomile mascarpone cream. A twist on a classic with 4 layers of french toast. The Chai isn’t too strong and pairs nicely with the blueberry compote.

Vegan Buckwheat Waffles

The waffles is topped with dark chocolate salted caramel, earl grey butter, and raspberry compote. It’s good to have vegan options for brunch but felt this was a bit lacking compared to the other dishes on the menu.

Croque Madame

This has darjeeling béchamel, leek jam, swiss cheese, ham, and egg. It was interesting to see how they incorporated tea into the béchamel. Can’t go wrong with a sandwich covered in cheese and sauce.

Smoked Salmon Hash

It has crispy potatoes, lentils, dill, soft boiled tea egg, and a Ceylon lemon aioli. This was a fun dish and I liked the smoked salmon and the egg.

Breakfast Quiche

Despite its look, I enjoyed it. It has creamed oolong spinach, mushroom, squash, caramelized onion, and mozzarella.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the brunch and afternoon tea items were ok. None of the dishes stood out too much, but its still a fun place to hang out with friends and enjoy some tea and treats while catch up on life.

Address:
55 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC

Website:
https://www.lapetitecuillere.ca/

by
Read More
In Cafe

Faubourg: Lavender Tea, Lavender Latte, Lavender Pastries and More

Are you a fan of lavender? Faubourg in Vancouver has launched their lavender collection containing  new items that will tempt lavender lovers. Through these new items, they are taking guests to the lavender fields of Provence France. If you love lavender, you definitely want to check out these treats and drinks.

As we came here for a tasting, all the pastries we tried were sample sizes and do not represent the normal portion sizes.

Lavender and Strawberry Pastry

This has lavender honey and sage mousse paired with a sweet strawberry gelee and a lavender vanilla sponge cake.

Blueberry and Lavender Opera Cake

It has layers of blueberry infused almond sponge cake, blueberry jam, lavender ganache, finished with a blueberry gelée.

Lavender Earl Grey Macaron

Macaron infused with lavender and earl grey.

Blueberry and Lavender Chausson

This flakey pastry is filled with a blueberry and lavender jam.

Lavender Black Tea Latte

Lavender Latte

Final Thoughts

The introduction of all these lavender items are actually really delicious. My two favourite items were the lavender latte and the blueberry and lavender opera cake. The other items were good too, but if I had to choose one drink and one treat, those would be it. You can find these new menu items in their lavender collection at all locations – West Vancouver, Downtown, and Kerrisdale.

Address:
769 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC

Website:
http://faubourg.com/

by
Read More
Load More