Foodology
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British Columbia

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In Korean

Chung Chun Rice Hot Dog: Korean Hot Dogs in Downtown Vancouver

Chung Chun Rice Hot Dog is an global chain for the popular Korean street food – Korean rice dog. They have a wide range of deep-fried rice hot dogs that are stuffed with sausages, mozzarella, or other items surrounded by a rice batter.

They recently opened on the corner of Robson and Denman serving up these addictive hot dogs. There aren’t a lot of places doing this, so they have been very popular since their opening.

With Covid-19 pandemic, they have been offering take out options. When you get to the store, there is a line up to order and then another line up to wait for your order outside. They do a great job making sure everyone is socially distant and wearing masks.

Menu

The menu has 16 different items and so many hot dogs to choose from. There are different toppings you can add to it too like honey butter, sugar, ketchup, and mustard among many.

When you get your order, a lot of the hot dog will look very similar, so they colour coat the bottom so you can see which one is which.

Chung Chun Rice Hot Dog Taste Test

We ordered 5 different rice hot dogs – jumbo, double cheese, sausage tteok, Squid ink cheese hot dog, and ramen chip hot dog.

If you’re doing take out and have to drive a fair distance to go home and eat, make sure you don’t sauce up your hot dog with ketchup or mustard and it will make the exterior of the hot dog a bit soggy by the time you get home. I also make sure to keep the box open so condensation doesn’t build up in the box.

I actually prefer having not too much cheese in my hot dog, so we gravitate towards the jumbo, squid ink cheese dog, and the ramen chip hot dog as there was more hot dog. With the thicker rice batter, I felt that the sausage add a lot more flavour to the experience. When paired with ketchup and mustard, its great. It’s like a corn dog but with rice instead. With the double cheese hot dog, it was 2/3 cheese and then 1/3 sausage.

Reheating

If your hot dog does need to be reheated, I put mine in a toaster oven for a few minutes. Simple and you only need a few minutes. It will also help crisp up the outside too.

Final Thoughts

For the price and what you get, it’s solid. We ate 2 each and were super stuffed. We love all the ones that have lots of sausage like the jumbo, squid ink cheese dog, and the ramen chip hot dog.

Check out Chung Chun Rice Hot Dog if you love Korean street food.

Address:
1795 Robson St, Vancouver, BC

Website:
https://chungchunricedog.ca/

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In Meal Kits

Rocky Mountain Flatbread: Frying Pan Pizza Kits and the Cosmonaut Cocktail Kit

With this crazy pandemic, Rocky Mountain Flatbread has pivoted their business during this time to offer their new frying pan pizza kits to keep your family safe this Fall. You can have a taste of fresh Rocky Mountain Flatbread straight from your home.

They created these kits for families, foodies and businesses who are looking for fun and fabulous ways to connect over the holidays. With more people cooking at home during the pandemic and looking for fun ways to celebrate virtually over the holidays, the Rocky Mountain Flatbread team has designed a pizza kit that replicates a forno-fired pizza for home kitchens in minutes.

Each Frying Pan Pizza Kit contains two 10″ pizzas and includes fresh local ingredients from their restaurant kitchens. The step by step cooking instructions demonstrate the frying pan pizza method which cooks the base of the pizza on the stove top and finishes it off under the broiler for that forno-fired pizza taste that is so loved at Rocky Mountain Flatbread restaurants.

The Greater Vancouver Food Bank will receive a $1 donation for each pizza kit ordered for take out at Rocky’s two Vancouver restaurants, Main Street and Kitsilano.

Kids Frying Pan Pizza Kit, for Little Chefs

The Kids Frying Pan Pizza Kit guides little chefs to create two 8″ mozza pizzas at home. The kit contains Rocky’s favourite ingredients – organic flour and pizza dough, house made organic tomato sauce, and all Canadian shredded mozzarella along with easy to follow instructions. It also comes with double chocolate brownies for dessert.

My little on is almost 2, but we had fun in the kitchen stretching out the dough, putting on sauce, and throwing the cheese on top. Then, I took care of the cooking portion as she watched.

Dessert was all eaten by mommy, but I won’t tell her what she missed out on. hahaha.

Margherita Frying Pan Pizza Kit

The Rocky Mountain Flatbread team has assembled a Frying Pan Pizza Kit to create two delicious 10″ margherita pizzas using a frying pan in your home kitchen. Rocky’s double fermented organic dough, house made tomato sauce, Canadian cheeses and fresh basil are included along with easy to follow step by step instructions.

I made my kid assemble this also. She was there anyways and she was already having so much fun.

Cooking on the stove top was very easy and simple, but make sure to test your broiler ahead of time. I didn’t realize my broiler turns off when the door is left open as a safety precaution. Luckily, we were able to find another oven to use.

Cosmonaut Cocktail Kits

The Cosmonaut is a cross between a Moscow Mule and Cosmopolitan. Grab a few ice cubes from the freezer before rolling up your sleeves for some cocktail shaking fun. The kit comes with 2 servings.

Ordering

Frying Pan Pizza Kits and Cosmonaut Cocktail Kits will be available via Doordash, and for takeout and online ordering from Rocky’s website at www.rockymountainflatbread.ca

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of Rocky Mountain Flatbread and want a fun family activity to keep the kids busy, check out their Frying Pan Pizza Kit. For the parents that need a little something extra just for themselves, grab the Cosmonaut Cocktail Kits to pair.

It was the first time my kid made pizza and she enjoyed it a lot more seeing the effort that went into it.

The kits are great as it has everything you need. Just make sure you have a large pan and a oven.

Website:
https://www.rockymountainflatbread.ca/frying-pan-pizza-kits/

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In product

Potters: Western Canada’s largest Christmas store now open

With this pandemic, we have eagerly been awaiting the Christmas festivities to begin while staying safe. For us, our tree went up on November 1st to bring more warmth into our living room. With our little one almost turning 2, we wanted to make sure the holidays is the best. I needed to pick up a few more items to complete our home, so I headed to Potters, Western Canada’s largest Christmas store located in South Surrey, BC.

The Christmas Store at Potters has tens of thousands of holiday-related items in their 28,000-square-foot space. They are open now through December 24 for all your holiday needs. You’ll find things from ornaments, designer trees and collectibles, to stocking stuffers, food items and much more.

Safety

They are implemented a series of safety protocols to keep everyone safe during the pandemic.

Store management and staff have implemented safe shopping protocols, including reduced occupancy, temperature checks, hand-sanitizing stations placed throughout the store, widened and one-way aisles, check-out lanes with clearly marked distancing lines, and Plexiglas screens at every cashier desk. All visitors are requested to wear a mask and respect physical-distancing guidelines.

Store Layout

An annual holiday shopping tradition for many, The Christmas Store at Potters is guaranteed to put visitors into a holiday frame of mind. But this is about more than just shopping.

Come and marvel at intricate displays, such as the Enchanted Fairy Garden that greets all who enter. Venture into the 3,000-square-foot Dark Room, illuminated by more than 75 different Christmas-themed canvas paintings and more than 60 different Christmas-themed water lanterns. 

And check out the brand new Bee Tree (an upside-down tree featuring a giant honeycomb and bee-themed ornaments) and the returning Ice Cream Tree (a white tree with a three-foot scoop of “ice cream” at the top, complemented by ornaments in the shape of ice cream cones, donuts, cupcakes and more).

Also returning this year is WhoVille, an entire section devoted to Grinch-themed items, including teddy bears, ornaments, mugs and snow globes.

For the foodies in your life (or for yourself!), the Gourmet Food area offers thousands of rare and special products, including hot chocolate from Montreal’s Gourmet Village (available in seven different colours and flavours); dessert toppings (including ice cream sauces in tasty flavours such as Banana Bread); locally-made jellies and syrups from Krause Berry Farms and The Preservatory; maple syrup and maple butter from Muskoka Lodge; and for the first time this year, Dr. Henry Whisky BBQ Sauce, created by local Chef Ann Kirsebom in honour of Dr. Bonnie Henry (100% of proceeds from every bottle will go to the BC COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund). 

Cool Finds

Potters has an incredible inventory of toys, jigsaw puzzles, games, Coca-Cola collectibles (including ornaments and figures), Christmas stockings (more than 50 styles), and unique items for those hard-to-buy for adults. 

I spent more time and money than I thought, but it was so worth it. I ended up getting a train set, some decor, and a dancing Santa. I never knew I needed a dancing Santa until now.

Address:
19158 48th Avenue, Surrey, BC

Website:
potters.ca/christmas

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In Mexican

Don Oso’s Restaurant: Mexican Cuisine in North Burnaby

Don Oso’s Restaurant is Burnaby’s newest restaurant in Burnaby Heights on Hastings. There really aren’t many Mexican restaurants in the area, so it was so good to see more diversity in the neighbourhood.

I heard from a few friends that it opened a few days ago and the neighbourhood is really excited to see them open up.

Interior

There are 3 tables inside, so the space isn’t large so it’s hard to social distance properly. They do clean all tables after every use, but when it’s busy, it will feel cramped.

Don Cevichote

This has diced sole filet cooked in a lime bath, then tossed together with tomatoes, onion, and cilantro. It is then mixed with more lime and seasoning. It also comes with chips.

Can’t go wrong with their ceviche. It was pretty good with the right amount of acidity. It’s also one of their most popular items.

Tacos

I ordered one of each taco but I found all of them pretty dry except for the pollo taco. Definitely ask for some extra salsa to add to them or ask them to have extra juicy meat.

Pollo Taco
Shredded chicken slow cooked in tomato, white wine and seasonings.

Carne Asada Taco
Well done sirloin pieces topped with onions, cilantro and radish.

Barbacoa Taco
Slow cooked beer in red wine and spices topped with slaw and cilantro.

Carnitas Taco
Pork shoulder slow cooked and shredded alongside onion, cilantro and pickled onions.

Barros Luco with Palta

This sandwich has thinly sliced grilled beef, melted white cheese, tomato and mayo. I also asked for avocado to be added to it and it was pretty good. The texture of the bun is very soft and goes well with the ingredients inside.

Quesadilla

This has a flour tortilla folded with lots of cheese, peppers and onions served with pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole. You can also add meat to it for an additional charge. I went with just the cheese and they weren’t kidding when they said there would be lots of cheese. Next time, I’ll definitely add some meat to it.

Final Thoughts

Don Oso’s restaurant is very new, so they are working out the kinks. There is definitely room for improvement, but I’ll be back to try more of their menu. I think it’ll be a local favourite as they were pretty busy for a Friday lunch rush. Barros Luco and their Don Cevichote is a must!

When you do take out, make sure they add extra salsa. I was sad I didn’t get some extra spicy sauce, but I should have asked.

Address:
4421 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC 

Website:
https://donososrestaurant.square.site/

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In Granville Island

Granville Island Delivery Co: Curated Gift Packs to Support Granville Island Small Businesses

Granville Island Delivery Co. has always been about supporting and giving back to the Granville Island community. This holiday, Granville Island Delivery Co. is sure to impress with lots of covid-safe options to support local businesses. Offerings include thoughtfully curated gift baskets & kits, gift cards, and stocking stuffers to wow everyone on your list, all while collecting online donations to benefit the hard-working merchants on Granville Island.

Gift Baskets

The beautiful gift packages include popular products from Granville Island merchants, including Lee’s Donuts, Granville Island Brewery, Benton Brothers Fine Cheese, Oyama Sausage, and more. Donations to benefit Granville Island Merchants can be made on the website, and gift packs sold directly support Granville Island artisans.

The gift packs range from $49.99 to $129.99 and contain a curated selection of items from top Granville Island artisans. Each gift basket supports several local businesses. In addition $5 from featured baskets will aid Granville Island merchants who have been affected by the pandemic. Customers can further support these merchants by making #GranvilleIslandLuv donation directly on the website.

Gift Guide

Granville Island Delivery Co. has put together a handy Gift Guide of their top gift packs including The Charcuterie, Cheese, & Wine Celebration; Beer o’Clock Kit; Chocola-Tea Basket; and the Donut Christmas Tree Kit.

Gift Cards

Gift Cards are also a popular and practical gift, and with so much on offer from the most popular vendors of Granville Island, the giftee is sure to find something they’ll love at Granville Island Delivery Co.

Corporate Gifts

Granville Island Delivery Co. has many options to make corporate gifting easy. Businesses looking to impress their clients, send holiday gift packages to their employees, or hold virtual holiday parties can contact Granville Island Delivery Co. about Clientele Gifts, Team Appreciation, and Virtual Events packages.

Delivery

The delivery service offers free shipping for orders $99 and over in Vancouver, or $10 discount on flat rate shipping in Greater Vancouver.

Website:
https://granvilleislanddelivery.co/

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In Downtown

Tacofino x Beetbox Launches Plant-based ‘Not Today, Seitan’ Burrito in Vancouver

Vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians alike can get a fresh new fix when Tacofino and Beetbox team up to flex a new limited-time-only, plant-based ‘Not Today, Seitan’ burrito feature launching on World Vegan Day, Sunday, November 1.

Where and when can I get it?

Available at Beetbox (1074 Davie St.) and Tacofino’s Gastown Burrito Bar (15 W Cordova St.) from Sunday, November 1 to Saturday, November 7, 2020.

What’s in it?

The ‘Not Today, Seitan’ burrito offers a tasty spin on Beetbox’s signature Fried Chick-Un Sandwich and comprises breaded and fried seitan, pumpkin-seed macha, cashew-lime crema, white-cucumber kimchi, lettuce and lime chilaquiles wrapped in a Tacofino flour tortilla for $11.

Tacofino x Beetbox Collab

The creative burrito collab comes about as the result of a meeting of two like-minded culinary talents in Bryan Satterford, Chef and Co-Owner of Vancouver plant-based hotspot Beetbox, and Jason Sussman, Chef and Co-Founder of the beloved Baja-by-way-of-West-Coast Tacofino family of restaurants. Beetbox offers a 100% plant-based menu, while Tacofino prides itself on offering an array of vegan- and vegetarian-friendly fare at all of its brick-and-mortar restaurants across Vancouver and its roaming fleet of food trucks.

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In Fusion

Food Affare: Red Seal Chef creates dishes with Italian, Korean and Japanese Influences

There’s a lot of small businesses popping up all over Instagram. I usually decline, but my friends highly recommended the different Food Affare dishes.

Leah of Food Affare is a Red Seal Certified Chef with up to date food safe certifications. All the dishes are created in her home, but I felt safe knowing she has extensive knowledge in the food industry. She started in the hotel industry specializing in Italian cuisine, but a few years ago, she took a step back to focus on balancing family life. She continued working as a chef in the school system, but itching to do something more her style.

With the pandemic, she got the chance to experiment with creating new dishes for friends and family. They nudged her to get Food Affare going and that how it was born.

Menu

How to Order and Pick Up

You can contact them via Direct Message on Instagram or email foodaffare@gmail.com. Then you let them know your details, order, and pick up date.

They do require an e-transfer ahead of the pick up.

Their pick up is Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Richmond near No 5 Road and Steveston.

Mushroom Ravioli

It is on Buerre Noisette with blistered tomatoes, parmesan petals, reduced wine couli, fried capers and olive oil. It’s a pretty solid ravioli dish. Love love love the mushrooms.

Mentaiko Kimchi Udon

The dish has pork belly, onsen egg, and topped with Katsuboshi and scallions. That onsen egg was so good. It adds extra creaminess to the udon.

Slowly Simmered Classic Beef Bolognese

I really enjoyed this dish a lot. So classic but executed very well. It is topped with shaved Regianno in Rigatoni pasta al dente. Great portion size too.

If you have kids, this will be a smash hit with them. My little kid enjoyed it a lot.

Final Thoughts

I would recommend eating it right when you get home for maximum enjoyment when the dish is warm and doesn’t need to be reheated. We had 3 dishes and we enjoyed them a lot. You can tell she doesn’t cut corners at all. Everything is fresh and very flavourful.

The prices are very fair, so it’s you are close to No 5 and Steveston, definitely check them out.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/foodaffare/

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In Cafe

Basak Cafe: Waffles and Coffee in Burquitlam

Basak Cafe recently opened up and I was fortunate to have a passionate foodie follower let me know about them. With the pandemic, it’s never easy to open a restaurant or cafe with the reduce capacity for social distancing. Basak mean crispy in Korean and their waffles have a crunch to them when you bite into it.

As I’m usually in the area, I had to check it out. They are located beside House of Tofu Soup, a few meters away from Han Nam Supermarket and Hanin Village. They are most popular for their waffles and coffee.

The people behind Basak Cafe have worked at many notable restaurants and cafes in Vancouver. They have travelled the world and have been influenced by different tastes and cultures. As they were planning to open a restaurant, they worked hard on developing Korean style hotdogs, but with this location, they decided to start off with waffles for now. I absolutely love Korean corndogs, so I hope they add that on their menu soon.

Interior

There are a few tables inside for small groups and they are all spaced apart and blocked off with clear curtains. I usually do take out, but I felt very safe here, so I dined in here as it was just myself.

Menu

Half and Half Chubby Waffle

I went with the half and half waffle which has matcha and red bean, as well as strawberry. It’s the best option to taste both flavours.

I like how it’s not too sweet and they use real strawberries in their cream, so it’s very very fresh and enjoyable. The matcha is strong and the red bean isn’t too sweet either. Good if you love matcha. If I had to choose a flavour, it would have to be the strawberry.

The waffle itself is a bit darker in colour but it holds up very well the cream and doesn’t go soggy. I ended up doing takeout afterwards for my husband and no issues at all.

Iced Dalgona Latte

I really like their version of the iced Dalgona latte with the dalgona pieces. Very different than the viral trend of whipping up instant coffee.

It was strong and slightly sweet, so it was enjoyed with the waffle.

Final Thoughts

It’s a great cafe to hang out with a few friends that are in your bubble. They are going to have more menu options once they work out any kinks, but I’m excited to see those new items.

If you’re in the area, definitely give them a visit.

Address:
4563 North Road, Burnaby, BC

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/basakcafe2020/

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In Cafe

Remi Patisserie: Storefront Now Open in Vancouver

Remi Patisserie has their official storefront open in Vancouver after doing a series of pop-ups all over the Lower Mainland. Even in the middle of a pandemic, we can’t resist a sweet taste of Remi’s delectable treats. Remi was the head Barista and Pastry Chef at Origo Club in Richmond and after doing pop-ups, he gained quite a fan-base for his Asian-inspired baked goods.

You can find Remi Patisserie nestled on W 7th Ave near Cambie Street. It’s a few minutes walk from Olympic Village Skytrain or Broadway City Hall Skytrain.

Pre-Orders

I was passing by the area and decided to line up to get a few of their treats. I didn’t pre-order ahead of time, so I had to try my luck. Good thing I got a few of the last items before it was all gone. I kid you not, if I waited 15 more minutes, there would be nothing left in the display cases.

If you’ve had Remi’s baked goods before, you know that pre-orders are a must. To pre-order, you just message them on Instagram. If you don’t have Instagram, you will have to order at the shop. Not the most inclusive option, but that’s what they have at the moment.

Line ups

There are 2 line ups at the shop. One of the left for pre-orders and on the right are the walk-ins. If it’s your first time here, it is a bit confusing.

Small Stuff

A majority of the items left in their store was the small stuff. That’s what they call their bite sized pastries.

We managed to pick up:

  • Cloud Cake
  • Mango Mochi 2.0
  • Hojicha Mochi
  • Almond Plum Flan
  • Crispy Choco Hazel Financier
  • Matcha Mochi Eclair
  • Tonka Pecan Eclair

All the flavours were very nice, but the ones that really stood out to me were the matcha mochi eclair, crispy choco hazel financier, and the almond plum flan. Don’t get me wrong, the other items are really great too, but these ones are more unique to Remi Patisserie.

Large Cakes

They have large cakes if you are celebrating something special. This does include their roll cakes as well. The items rotate seasonally, so make sure to check their Instagram to see what is available.

Final Thoughts

All of his creations sell out in a few hours, so you will want to put in a pre-order to ensure you get all the delicious treats you want.

Overall, everything we tried was solid. Sometimes it’s fun to buy a bunch of items and not know what it is. We were very impressed and we will be back for more. Next time, I’ll preorder.

Address:
511 W 7th Ave #109, Vancouver, BC

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/remi.patisserie/

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In Event

A Taste of McArthurGlen Food Festival: Discounts and Deals for a Cause Throughout October

With everything that has happened in 2020, I love when I see companies do good especially for those in need. I pass by my local food bank every week and it’s very sad to see my neighbours not having enough funds to make ends meet. With rising food prices and hours being cut, we need to find ways to be there for one another without judgement.

McArthurGlen Outlet in Vancouver has created a month long food festival called A Taste of McArthurGlen Food Festival with discounts and deals in October from 4pm – 8pm.

This festival is in support of Richmond Food Bank Society. Guests are invited to drop off non-perishable food items in designated blue bins.

Deals

  • Caffè Artigiano  
    • Enjoy 20% off our Pumpkin Spice Latte for participating guests from 4-8pm during the month of October
  • Bibo Pizzeria 
    • Enjoy 20% off your entire bill between 4pm – 8pm during the month of October
  • Food Folk Eatery 
    • “Buy One, Get One” including Poke bowls from Hula Poke, Salads from Dirtbelly and Sandwiches from Chachi’s between 4pm – 8pm during the month of October
  • Freshly Squeezed 
    • We would like to offer 25% off any drinks on our Bubble Tea Menu and Veggie Smoothies Menu from 4pm onwards
  • Hugo’s Churros
    •  Buy 1 Churro, get 1 free! between 4pm – 8pm during the month of October
  • Japadog 
    • Enjoy 40% off Kobe terimayo + Bombo (a bag of fries with your choice of flavour & medium size drink) between 4pm – 8pm during the month of October
  • Neptune Wonton Noodle 
    • Enjoy 15% off between 4pm – 8pm during the month of October
  • Ryuu Japanese Kitchen 
    • Enjoy 15% off between 4pm – 8pm during the month of October
  • The Praguery
    •  New pumpkin spice chimney cake for October. Buy one, get one 50% off any item between 4pm – 8pm during the month of October

Website:
https://www.mcarthurglen.com/outlets/en/ca/designer-outlet-vancouver/whats-on/taste-of-mcarthurglen/

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In British Columbia

Virtual Happy Hour at Home

After going back to work from my maternity leave, a lot has changed as we now have a pandemic and majority of my colleagues are working from home. What once was happy hour right after work has becoming Virtual Happy Hours once a month to bring everyone together. It’s definitely a strange time, but we make it work.

I put together a charcuterie board of my favourite items from my local grocery stores to put together the perfect Virtual Happy Hour for one.

Choose your favourite drink

I love light beers, so I went with Coors Organic as it just launched. We were gifted this a while ago, but I decided to crack it open for a taste test. Very refreshing and has a clean taste so it balances well with the charcuterie board. Simple and not overly complicated.

Some times I do wine, but beer is more of my go to beverage.

Visit you local market

I love going to our local butcher in the neighbourhood as there is always good selection of meats and cheeses for your board. I went with a salami, habanero cheddar, and a regular cheddar.

While I was there I also picked up some crackers grapes, pistachios, artichoke hearts and olives to round out the board.

Spice it up

Condiments are a must, but I went with mustard this time as Smak Dab’s Canadian Maple mustard goes well with meats and cheeses. It has a smokiness and sweetness that pairs nicely.

Other condiments we usually enjoy are raspberry jams, hummus, and tzatziki.

Enjoy

I hope everyone has doing well as much as they can during the pandemic. There has been a lot of negative news in the last year, but we have to count our blessings as there has been some positive aspects.

There’s more and more delivery and pick up options available for groceries and take out. A lot of technology issues that we’re possible and now possible! Families have been spending more time together where possible and we are lucky to have our health.

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In British Columbia

A&W Canada: Truffle Mozzarella Burgers Review

A&W Canada always comes out with new burgers for a limited time only. I saw an ad for their new Truffle Mozzarella Burgers and I had to give it a try.

They’ve never offered this flavour before, but how can you go wrong with truffle and mozzarella? This is available across Canada except for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

What’s inside?

The Truffle Mozzarella Burgers has a grass-fed beef patty, topped with real mozzarella cheese, grilled onions, fresh lettuce and tomato, and truffle aioli.

What variations does it come in?

They offer the burgers as a buddy burger, mama burger, or Uncle Burger. The size of the patty differs.

Taste Test

We ordered all three sizes as I wanted the Truffle Mozzarella Mama Burger and the hubby was hungry so he got the Truffle Mozzarella Uncle Burger and the Truffle Mozzarella Buddy Burger.

A&W does a great job with the addition of their real mozzarella cheese and fresh veggies in their burgers. What not a lot of people talk about is their amazing sauces. In the past, they get the sauces spot on. The Truffle aioli is very nice and not over powering at all. It compliments the burger nicely.

They did a great job and we love it.

Pro-Tip

If you love their truffle aioli sauce, you can add it on the side to your fries or onion rings for a small add-on.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of A&W already, they do a great job with the quality of their burgers. You’ll definitely love the Truffle Mozzarella Burgers like we do.

It’s only available for a limited time, so grab it for take out soon.

Website:
https://web.aw.ca/en/home

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In British Columbia

Burger King Canada: Kraft Dinner (KD) Bites Review

Kraft Dinner and Burger King have launched their KD Bites a few months ago. I saw this on the menu and had to get it. Kraft Dinner is very iconic to those who grew up in the 90s and early 2000s.

The KD Bites are available for a limited time only and are available exclusively at select Burger King locations and can be ordered through Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes and DoorDash. 

Taste Test

The KD Bites are small and are definitely 1 or 2 bite pieces. it’s the classic Kraft Dinner Mac and Cheese that is breaded and fried. When you bite into it, you can see the macaroni inside with lots of the cheese. It’s a bit boring on it’s own, but if you add a bit of ketchup, it’ll per perfect.

The little bag of it was around $2, so it’s not a large portion. It’s a nice addition to their regular Burger King Whopper.

Final Thoughts

The taste of the KD Bites isn’t ground breaking and it’s fast food quality. Very nostalgic for those Kraft Dinner fans. My husband loved it and he would get it again.

Would you try the KD Bites from Burger King?

Website:
https://www.burgerking.ca/

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In burger

Chicken World: Fried Chicken in Downtown Vancouver

Chicken World just opened their newest location in Downtown Vancouver near English Bay. Their first two locations are in Surrey and now, they have expanded. You don’t have to travel to Surrey to get a taste of Chicken World.

We were invited to give it a try to see how it compares to other fried chicken shops in town.

Menu

Gabbar Chicken Burger

This beast of a burger has two pieces of chicken, lettuce, and sauce. You get to choose between mild or spicy. We went with mild to get a good taste of the chicken. The chicken was fried nicely and remained juicy. It’s a pretty solid chicken burger and we would highly recommend it.

Bewafa Beef Burger

Another double beef patty burger and it comes with melted cheese, lettuce, mayo and tomato. You can choose between mild and spicy, but it’s recommended to get mild. It was decent but their chicken burgers are superior.

Fried Chicken

The fried chicken is nicely battered and fried to a crispy perfection. The inside is very juicy.

Peri Peri Oven Roasted Chicken

This has a nice kick of spice to it and it is a touch more dry than the fried chicken.

Chicken Poutine

The fries have a nice texture and flavour. The gravy consistency is thick and a touch on the salty side. The chicken bites have a nice kick of spice but all together its a bit salty for our personal preferences.

Arabian Rice

It’s a nice side to accompany the chicken if you want the meal to be more filling.

Chicken Wings in Honey Garlic

The wings have a nice batter and fried well. The sauce is very thick and sticky so it coats all over the chicken. There was a touch too much sauce. These wings go well with rice.

Mango Ice Cream Sheikhs

It’s a pretty sweet ending to the meal. As there is a caramel drizzle on the sides of the cup, it is sweeter than we would like.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the chicken is fried well and has a great batter. The flow of traffic at this new location is quite steady so the food stays fresh. This is major comfort food and it’s a great addition to the neighbourhood. Great for fried chicken.

Address:
1181 Denman St. Vancouver, BC

Website:
http://chickenworldbc.com/

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In New Westminster

[News] El Santo’s Amaranthus-Inspired Thanksgiving Feasts

This Thanksgiving is going to look drastically different for many, but what will stay the same is the emphasis on gratitude. Managing Director, Alejandro Diaz, and Executive Chef, Sam Fabbro, are thankful for all the support they’ve received from the community.

“We know how difficult it has been for everyone, and we are extremely thankful for the community’s positivity and continued support. This has been a challenging year, and we think the best way to give our thanks is by doing what we know best – sharing food and creating memorable culinary experiences”, explains Alejandro.

El Santo will be offering two take-home, Amaranthus-inspired Thanksgiving feasts that include all the fixings as well as simple heating instructions for pick up in-restaurant on Sunday, October 11th. Both options generously feed four with a high probability of leftovers.

For $150 plus taxes, the meat option features an achiote rubbed turkey galantine with sides including house made chips and salsa, Amaranthus’ fried Brussels Sprouts with gremolata and pumpkin seed hummus, creamy mushroom risotto, and crispy potato pavé. Dessert is a Mexican favourite: golden churros paired with a decadent dulce de leche. And for those who miss Amaranthus, Chef Sam has also created a vegetarian version of the Thanksgiving spread at $95 that includes a caramelized sunchoke terrine, the well-loved fried Brussels Sprouts with gremolata and pumpkin seed hummus, coffee roasted beets with pickled beet stems and a beet top chimichurri, crispy potato pavé with rosemary and thyme, creamy mushroom risotto, and golden churros to end the night.

Upgrade your feast by adding the el Santo Tequila Kit. Due to popular demand, el Santo is bringing back the sought-after tequila kit comprised of your choice of tequila, el Santo margarita mix, a bottle of Cointreau, a cocktail shaker, and house made garnishes. Choose between the Cazadores Tequila Blanco or the Sombra Mezcal Artesanal priced at $100 and $130 respectively.

In the spirit of giving thanks, el Santo is also donating one turkey and one vegetarian Thanksgiving feast to a family by means of community nominations. Nominations will be accepted through email at orders@elsanto.ca and the selected families will be contacted directly for pick up.

The Thanksgiving feast is available for take out or dine-in on Sunday, October 11th. For those who prefer to dine-in, a plated individual version of the Thanksgiving feature, minus the mushroom risotto, will be available for dinner service on Sunday, October 11th at $28 and $26.

Order the take-home feast via email at orders@elsanto.ca or by phone at 604-727-8176. The order cut-off is Thursday, October 8th at 1pm with pick up available on Sunday, October 11th between the hours of 2pm and 5pm.

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In Indian

Mumbai Local: Authentic Mumbai Street Food in Downtown Vancouver

Mumbai Local is been a local favourite on Davie Street for their fun and authentic Mumbai street food. The spices and flavour combinations of their dishes are very addictive and will be leaving you wanting more. Executive Chef Shreyash Kulkarni wanted to keep their dishes as authentic as possible, thus why the menu has a lot of traditional Indian names. You won’t find the usual butter chicken on the menu! A lot of dishes on the menu have a rich history from the British colonization of India.

With the Covid-19 pandemic, they have made sure to keep safety a top priority while keeping their customers fed. Their patio is open and you can enjoy your meal there. Their indoor dining is still open as well.

You can also call them directly for takeout and delivery. They are listed on UberEats and DoorDash.

Patio

The newly built patio is on David Street and it was interesting to sit right in the middle of the street. It wasn’t weird or too loud at all. On a nice hot sunny day, the patio is perfect with bites and a drink.

Interior

I love the main wall of the restaurant as it shows imagery of Mumbai. The dining area is open and everyone is spaces a table apart.

Menu

Chaat Sampler

This dish is really fun and a great way to try out different items. You get 2 pieces of each chaat (Shev Puri, Pani Puri, Dahi Puri) and a bowl of Bhel Puri.

  • Pani Puri
    Hollow crackers served with lightly spiced chickpeas, spicy mint and chilli water, sweet tamarind and dates water. You fill the hollow crackers with the different items.
  • Shev Puri
    Flat cracker loaded with potato, tamarind chutney, garlic chutney, shev, onion and cilantro. We enjoyed the potatoes and sweetness of the tamarind chutney.
  • Dahi Puri
    Hollow crackers filled with spiced yogurt, potato, red spicy chutney, tamarind chutney, shev, onion and cilantro
  • Bhel Puri
    A savoury mixture of puffed rice, fried dal, crackers, onion, sweet tamarind – date chutney, spicy chilli chutney and cilantro. It is spicier compared to the other ones.

It’s really good and a one bite dish. Absolutely love the flavours and texture. A great item to share among 2 people.

Mumbai Special Chilli Cheese Toast

This is a butter toasted sandwich stuffed with spiced potato, mixed peppers, green chillies, cheese, served with a side of mint chutney, ketchup and cheese. The bread is nicely grilled and reminds us of a samosa. We were surprised sandwiches with cheese is such a popular street food in India.

Masala Pav

The masala pav has butter pav tossed with onions and butter masala bhaji , garnished with cilantro. This was addictive. The bun is very soft and covered in all that delectable sauce. We could keep on eating this over and over again.

Chicken Malai Kebab

The chicken malai kebab has is made with tender boneless chicken cooked with cream, cheese, ghee and green chillies. This dish was stellar. The chicken is very tender as its cooked in a special Japanese grill and then finished off on a char grill. Really good flavours.

Kombadi Vade

This dish has chicken leg cooked with caramelized onion, fresh grated coconut and coastal spice. It is served with a side of steamed rice and vade.

The chicken leg was very tender and we were very impressed with how they cook their meats. The curry is very flavourful with a hint of spice.

Railway Mutton Curry

This is a newer item on the menu with goat meat cooked in house made meat spice blend, yogurt and coconut milk. It is served with side of chapati and rice. It has a kick of spice and the goat was nice and tender.

Falooda

It is made with rose milk, vermicelli, chia seeds, pistachio, almonds, and vanilla ice cream. It’s a really delicious treat with a good amount of texture and and fragance.

Final Thoughts

Mumbai Local is an awesome place to hang out with friends over some tasty dishes. We loved the dishes and would definitely be back again. Highly recommended.

Address:
1148 Davie St, Vancouver, BC

Website:
https://www.mumbailocal.ca/

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Kitchen by Maji: Chinese Meal Prep Kits in Greater Vancouver

Kitchen by Maji creates delicious Chinese meal prep kits for those who want a quick meal without the fuss. The owners behind Kitchen by Maji had a restaurant in Richmond called Maji, but decided to go the route of high quality meal prep kits to fill the need in the market for Chinese comfort food. I’ve seen a lot of meal prep kits around town, but its great to see more Chinese options that are really really delicious.

Everything is made at their Oak street location in Vancouver and they use high quality ingredients to craft these delicious meals. All items are freezer-friendly and have a good shelf life, so you can order a lot and not worry.

They aim to create these meal for those who want to prep their meals quickly and with little to no kitchen skills.

What I love about their packaging is that there are many ways to heat of the meals in their ready-to-serve packaging. Some dishes require a bit more time than others, but you won’t be disappointed.

They sent me a few kits to check out.

Delivery

They currently do free delivery if your order is over $120 for the Greater Vancouver area.

They are able to deliver to Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Delta, New Westminster, Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Tsawwassen, and White Rock.

If you don’t live in those cities, just contact them to see what’s possible.

Taste Test

We didn’t try everything on the menu, but I do prefer the saucy dishes where you can just pair it with rice. A lot of the kits feed 2 people, so that’s perfect for our little family of 3.

The noodle dishes were great as well. Love the handmade noodles that have a fantastic taste and texture. Each noodle dish does feed 1 person and you can stretch it out to 2 people if you want, but you may need something else with the meal to get full.

Don’t forget to add their spreads to your order as they are really good. A nice treat!

Beefy Beef Noodle
Chicken Laksa Soup
Deluxe Seafood Congee
Curry Braised Brisket
Milky Custard Paste

Top Selling Dishes

I reached out to them to ask what are the top 5 selling dishes so far and here is their answer.

  • Asian Style Beef Brisket
  • Taiwanese Traditional Braised Pork Belly
  • Curry Braised Brisket
  • Beefy Beef Noodle
  • Chicken Laksa Soup

All great choices!

Final Thoughts

I loved how easy the meals were to prepare and the cost is very reasonable. We enjoyed it so much that we put in a big order. Now I’ll have a freezer full of delicious food ready to go whenever I get lazy to cook lunch or dinner.

I highly recommend them if you want to give it as a gift. Great for new parents, grandparents, or just anyone who wants a good quick comforting Chinese meal.

Address:
8335 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6P

Website:
https://kitchenbymaji.com/en/

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In British Columbia

White Spot: Impossible Burger Review

White Spot and Triple O’s have become the first restaurant chains in Canada to launch the Impossible Burger. As most restaurants and fast food chains offer up Beyond Meat. Last year, White Spot launched their Avocado Beyond Burger for a limited time. They no longer have this burger on the menu.

We haven’t had the Impossible burger patty before, so we were really really keen to see how the taste compares.

The Avocado Impossible Burger

The Avocado Impossible Burger is their signature item on the menu and it has fresh avocado, pickled onions, crisp lettuce, vine-ripened tomatoes, jalapeño ranch. It is served with a choice of Caesar salad, The Spot’s Salad, or creamy coleslaw and ‘endless’ Kennebec fries. 

You can sub the Impossible patty to any burger on the menu.

My husband got the Avocado Impossible Burger and started making his own substitutions. He added bacon strips and cheddar cheese.

Monty Mushroom Bigger Burger with Impossible Burger Patty

This has a Impossible burger patty with Jack cheese, roasted mushrooms, lettuce, tomato and their signature Triple “O” sauce. It definitely wasn’t ‘bigger’ and very minimal mushrooms. Not sure if it was the location that we got it from, but if you want more mushrooms, you can always add more for a small fee.

Impossible Burger Patty Taste Test

The Impossible Burger Patty is very well done and we wouldn’t have noticed it was plant based. It has the right amount of spices, good texture, and look. With the addition of the tomato, it looks like it ‘bleeds’.

Overall, we were impressed with the Impossible Burger patty as it wasn’t dry. If you’re looking for a plant-based alternative on the White Spot menu, definitely consider it. We really enjoyed it and didn’t miss the beef patty.

The Impossible Burger is made from proteins, flavors, fats, and binders.

  • Protein from soy and potatoes
  • Flavor from heme (the molecule that makes meat taste, well, meaty)
  • Fat from coconut and sunflower oils make it sizzle on the griddle
  • Binders, methylcellulose and food starch, hold it together so you can make anything you want — meatballs, kebabs, patties, and more.

You can read more about the Impossible burger on their website.

Website:
https://www.whitespot.ca/

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