Foodology, Author at Foodology

In Burnaby Central

KFC Canada: Boneless Original Tenders Review

May 13, 2017

KFC Canada has just introduced their boneless original recipe chicken tenders and I made the mistake of posting about the crispy tenders when I thought I ordered the original recipe chicken tenders. After they kindly told me I had the wrong product, I made it a mission to go out to another location to get the correct tenders. It turns out that some mall locations don’t have the space to create boneless original recipe chicken tenders due to the space constraints. You will have better luck at the stand alone locations. I went to the one near Broadway and Fraser in Vancouver.

Boneless original recipe chicken tenders

We got 8 pieces of original recipe tender, popcorn chicken and lots of honey mustard sauce. The tenders are made with real Canadian farm-raised chicken. The honey mustard sauce is pretty good with a subtle hint of sweetness. We made sure to get lots of it.

All the pieces are different shapes, but very plump and moist. I really like the breading, which KFC is best known for their secret 11 herbs and spices.

Overall, these were delicious tenders. Between the crispy tenders and the boneless original recipe chicken tenders, I would have to go with boneless original recipe chicken tenders. I would definitely get these again.

Website: http://www.kfc.ca/

In British Columbia

Tim Hortons: Perfectly Uncomplicated Latte

May 12, 2017

Nothing is more Canadian than Tim Hortons. They recently released their new look for their cups with a bunch of super iconic Canadian things illustrated on the cup. That’s not the only thing new at Tim Hortons, they just launched their ‘Perfectly Uncomplicated Latte’.

The hand-crafted beverage is made with a balance of espresso and freshly steamed milk to deliver a premium coffee experience. Over 3,500 Tim Hortons across Canada have new espresso machines, so customers from coast-to-coast can experience the same perfectly uncomplicated latte. Some smaller locations won’t have these lattes.

As a coffee lover, I found it interesting that Tim Hortons would up their game on lattes as their last iteration was pretty lacklustre. I started drinking coffee when I was in Vienna spending a semester studying and the 2 simple ingredients really spoke to me and also kept me awake for many nights of late night studying. So I like a strong cappuccino or latte.

After having the Perfectly Uncomplicated Latte as well as their cappuccinos, it’s a good cheap option that will satisfy your coffee cravings. Of course this won’t beat the artisan hipster coffee that will run you about $4 – $5.

Tim Hortons new lattes will be available in one size (medium) across Canada for $2.99 before taxes. It’s a good price and great to grab if you’re in a hurry.

Website: http://www.timhortons.com/ca/en/index.php

In Chinese

Mr Chili Noodle House: Chongqing Cuisine in Burnaby

May 11, 2017

Mr. Chili Noodle House in Burnaby specialized in Chongqing cuisine. Sherman had a coupon he had to use up before it expired, so he was nice enough to invite myself and some other foodie friends to check out this place. I’ve passed by this restaurant so many times, but never though about coming here till now.

Interior

The interior is beautiful. It reminded me of a cafe, but with no coffee. I didn’t expect this place to look so nice and modern.

Drinks

You can ask for tea or water when you get a seat. The cups are really cute too.

Spicy Pig Ear

The pig ears were thinly sliced and had a good amount of spice to them. It was really good.

Chicken with Chili

So damn good. This is their smaller size and the chicken was so moist and flavourful. Even if you took the chili sauce away, the chicken would be fantastic on its own. I would highly recommend this.

Hot and Sour Potato Vermicelli

This was definitely spicy and it had a good balance of spice and sourness. There is minced meat and peanuts in here too.

Beef Noodle Soup

There are chunks of beef in this soup with nice marbling of fat. The broth was clean and not overly salty. They don’t use any MSG in their dishes. A good sold beef noodle but I felt like it was missing something.

Spicy Fish Tofu in Soup

This is one badass dish with tons of Szechuan peppercorn and the fish and tofu hiding inside. We tried not to eat the peppercorns as it would numb our mouth. The soup wasn’t very spicy at all.

Curry Beef Brisket Pot

Here is a pretty big bowl of curry to share with the table. You probably want to order this with some rice.

Stir Fried Green Beans

The stir fried green beans were ok, but we found it to be a bit old as it didn’t have a nice crispness to it.

Kung Pao Prawns

This dis was ok as well. You need to grab a piece of chili to go with the prawns to balance out the sweeter sauce with the pepper.

Final Thoughts

The spicy dishes were super delicious but a few other dishes were a miss. Its still really good to have a Chongqing restaurant in North Burnaby as its hard to find.

We rate Mr Chili:

Address:
3760 Hastings Street, Burnaby

Website: http://www.mrchilinoodlehouse.ca/

In product

Walter Caesar Mix: Review

May 10, 2017

The Caesar is as Canadian as it gets, some say it’s Canada’s national cocktail. It is essentially a Bloody Mary, but we use Clamato juice – a mixture of clam and tomato juice. Walter Chell created the caesar in 1969 as a signature drink for the opening of new new Italian restaurant to reflect spaghetti alla vongole – spaghetti with clams and tomato sauce.

A cool product that I saw at my local grocery store is Walter – Canada’s first all-natural craft Caesar mix, which is made in small batches with vine-ripened tomatoes, select spices, grated horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, & clam juice from the North Atlantic. Walter doesn’t contain added MSG, colouring, or high-fructose corn syrup. Also, they are Canada’s first Ocean Wise recommended Caesar Mix. This product may seem familiar because it was on Dragon’s Den.

I am very hit and mix with caesars, but this caesar mix is so easy to put together and I didn’t need to worry about other ingredients to add to this. I just needed vodka, caesar mix, caesar rim and garnish. Over the weekend, my friends and I spent a day drinking caesars and playing board games. The classic spice and mild spice were both good but it comes down to personal preference. I gravitated towards the classic spice for an added kick. The thick consistency is great if you add other ingredients into the mix. If you are looking for something different this Summer, definitely pick this up as it’s super tasty.

Website: http://waltercaesar.com/

In Cafe

Starbucks Reserve Coffee Bar Now in Vancouver

May 9, 2017

Did you know the first Starbucks store in Canada opened at the Waterfront Skytrain Station in 1987? Starbucks is celebrating 30 years in Vancouver by opening the doors to its renovated Mount Pleasant location – its first Western Canada store to feature an experiential Reserve coffee bar. We were given a sneak peek before the official opening.

This elevated coffee experience encourages customers to immerse themselves in various brewing methods, and witness the expert craftsmanship that goes into each cup of coffee.

With seating surrounding the experience bar, customers have a front row view to the theatrics of these up-level brewing methods, including Siphon and Clover brewing techniques, and the smooth pour of Starbucks new Nitro Draft. Seriously, so much fun watching them.

Interior

This location was designed to be a favourite destination for this vibrant neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. Brick walls and concrete floors contrasted with golden blonde oak and walnut, warm the space creating a comfortable and conversational atmosphere.

The space showcases sketches and photography of the flagship Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle, as well as artwork by local artist – Diane Nelson of Brandon Johnson Art & Design. The woodwork was all hand crafted by a local millworker and the loose furniture was primarily produced by a local furniture shop, celebrating local Vancouver talent and connecting with the community.

Siphon Brewing

Siphon brewing method brings out the intense flavours of the coffee. This uses halogen lights or butane flames to produce heat for boiling water and the movement of coffee through chambers. Vapor pressure pushes water upward to brew coffee in the top glass globe, then filtered coffee cascades back down into a glass carafe. This process makes a rewarding cup for those who enjoy well-defined flavours dominating the coffee.

We tried the Rwanda Abakundakawa and the Malawi Sable Farms with the Siphon brewing and it really brought out the flavour of both coffees.

Pour over coffee with Chemex

For a rich-bodied and flavourful cup of brewed coffee, you can use the Chemex method. This combines elegance and function using a pour over method with a glass decanter. Ground coffee is immersed in hot water for all or most of the brew, and then filtered at the end. The Chemex amplifies the coffee’s body but produces the cleanest cup with complex flavors, meaning, no single characteristic will dominate and will eventually wash away clean.

Starbucks Reserve Beverages

You can find some unique items here outside of the regular menu and the reserve coffee. They can make Iced Hazelnut Bianco Latte, Iced Dark Chocolate Mocha and a House Affogato. This location really has it all if you really want to be immersed in the Starbucks experience.

Nitro Cold Brew

Nitro Cold Brew is Starbucks’ take on its signature Cold Brew, infused with nitrogen for a smooth, creamy texture. It is cold right out of the tap so it is served without ice and is unsweetened to highlight the flavour the cold brewing process brings out in the coffee.

I’ve had this before and it’s really good but a grande really gives me the jitters afterwards.

House Affogato

One large scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a shot of espresso is freaking delicious.

If you’re ever looking for something to cool you down in the Summer, this is it.

The classics

The reserve bar area is only half the experience, the other half has all their regular items too. Lattes, black coffee, cappuccinos, frappuccinos…it’s all still here.

Final Thoughts

Adding to the elevated experience, all partners are Coffee Masters or currently working on their designation. This designation is the highest level of coffee education for Starbucks where baristas have perfected their craft through coursework and exploration of all Starbucks coffees and are awarded the honour of wearing the black apron. I loved the experience here because it’s like coffee lovers meeting other coffee lovers.

It’s more than just a cup of coffee as you really get immersed in the Starbucks experience. I left learning a lot more about coffee. Seriously, there are so many ways of brewing coffee. If you’re looking for a unique Starbucks to hang out at and you have some time, definitely come here.

Address:
2980 Main Street, Vancouver

Website: https://www.starbucks.ca/

In Car

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV: Review

May 8, 2017

The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is a fully electric vehicle and has been growing in popularity in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. Government incentives are provided to those who purchase electric vehicle, thus making the price of electric vehicles very alluring. Some employers will even match the savings, to encourage employees to go green.

I spent a day with Chevrolet Canada to test drive the Bolt EV up and down Highway 1 to test the range of the vehicle to bust any myths about electric vehicles. We made it to and from Squamish from Downtown Vancouver without sweating.

Exterior

This car is in the small wagon vehicle class, but this car was anything but small. It has a clean-sheet design with crossover-like proportions.

Flat battery pack spans the entire length of the vehicle’s floor. Since the batteries are located underneath the car, this leaves plenty of trunk space. There is a false floor, so you can remove it and get more vertical height. If you push the back seats down, you have more space to carry more things around.

Interior

There’s lots of storage space between the driver and the passenger in the front seats. The “Floating” instrument panel and multipurpose, connected centre console has wireless phone charging and a compartment large enough to stow a tablet device. There are also 2 USB ports to enable Apple Car Play/ Android Auto.

The interface of the infotainment system is highly customizable and easy to use. The Bolt EV also is loaded with exterior facing cameras to help you park and see your surroundings clearly.

The vehicle is very well equipped with push-start ignition, it creates it’s own wi-fi hot spot, Bose sound system, active-safety technology, and heated rear seats. Some things that are missed are power seats and a sun roof, but it didn’t bother us.

One thing I noticed with the ample amount of leg room and head space in the back seat. If you’re tall, you don’t have to worry about your legs or head banging into the car.

There are 2 additional USB ports for the backseat for passengers to recharge any of their devices. It really comes in handy especially for road trips or when someone needs an emergency charge for their phone.

One of the other things I noticed was the texture and the panels in the car. It has many triangular patterns and when the light hits it, it gives it a shimmery effect.

Drive

On a full battery charge, you will get 383 km of range, which is amazing. With electric cars, you will notice how quiet the ride really is. Acceleration was smooth as well. Going up and down the highway with a quiet engine didn’t feel like we were going fast until I looked at the km/h.

One another cool feature that took me a while to understand is the Regen on Demand function. There is a paddle on the back of the steering wheel and it helps you break without wearing down on the breaks.

When you press down on it, it helps capture kinetic energy normally wasted during stopping situations and send energy back to the battery.

The electric shifter was very hard to use at first. There’s a button on the left side that you need to press to move the stick. To park, you just press the ‘P’ button. When you put the vehicle into Low mode, you have the ability to bring the vehicle to a complete stop without pressing the break. They call this one pedal driving. It will maintain a zero speed until the accelerator pedal is pressed.

At the end of your trip, you can see how efficiently you were driving the vehicle.

Charging

You can change the Bolt EV at home, at public charging stations or Super Fast DC charging station that can recharge the vehicle in 30 minutes. The first 2 options will take a few hours. You’ll still save money instead of purchasing gas, but you will have to plan trips more carefully to figure out where public charging stations are located. Infrastructure for charging stations is continually growing.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the range of 383 km on a full charge is very impressive compared to some other EVs out there. It starts at $37,795 MSRP, but with provincial incentives, it makes the Bolt EV even more affordable. If you are looking for a more eco-friendly vehicle, the Bolt EV is definitely it. It is packed with lots of technology feature to keep the kids entertained and stay very comfortable no matter how long the trips are. I really really enjoyed this vehicle and I would definitely recommend it to those who are in the market for an electric vehicle.

Website: http://www.chevrolet.ca/bolt-ev-electric-vehicle.html

In Gastown

Chambar: Belgian Cuisine in Vancouver

May 7, 2017

It’s been a while since my last visit to Chambar for dinner. Usually I come in the morning to get a waffle and a lavender latte. Today was special occasion as it was my sister’s bridal shower. What better restaurant to indulge in? They are one of Vancouver’s top restaurants specializing in Belgian cuisine. We made a reservation for dinner and the service was superb.

Interior

The interior is absolutely stunning with the beautiful furniture, cool lighting and rustic wooden accents. Tacofino has similar lights too. I love the look of it.

Drinks

We had a mysterious friend call Chambar ahead of time to buy us our first round of drinks. Pretty awesome and surprising! Our server was tight-lipped about who it was.

Lind’s Lemonade

The cocktail menu is a good size and you can also request drinks that aren’t on the menu too. I went with Lind’s Lemonade, which has Matusalem Platino rum, housemade limoncello, hibiscus, fresh lemon, Talisman Pale Ale, and thyme. It was delicious and refreshing. With Summer coming quite quickly, this is perfect.

Poulpe

The dish is composed of octopus tiradito, chimichurri, tamarind, and chipotle. Very good sauce to go with the octopus. The best part of this dish was the super tender octopus.

Le Bison

This has a line of Buffalo tartare, “vichyssoise”, fried leek, quail eggs and crostini. This was our favourite appetizer. The tartare was very fresh and the vichyssoise balanced so well with it.

Calamars Farcis

We have veal stuffed calamari, taro chips, with a chili aioli. The squid was tender and delicious with the stuffed veal.

Foie De Canard “villa Lorraine”

This has a spiced foie gras terrine, port reduction, kriek granita, and 2 pieces of truffled brioche french toast.

Canard et Gnocchi

The dish has spice rubbed duck breast, gnocchi, goat cheese, celery and apple salad, hazelnuts, and sauce bigarade. The duck was delicious but the gnocchi was starchy and gritty compared to other gnocchi we’ve had in the past.

Fletan aux Trois Façons

There are 3 tasters to this dish:

Roasted Halibut, black garlic coulis, nori
Halibut beignet, coconut jalapeño rémoulade
Halibut and fine herbes mousse, tomato & curry leaf sauce

The concept sounded great, but when we dug into it, we did not like it. The tastes of all 3 items fell flat. There were 3 of us that ordered it and it was definitely not a hit. We all wished we got the mussels instead. None of us would recommend this dish.

Congolaise Moules Frites

There are 3 types of broths that go with the mussels. The Congolaise Moules Frites has a hot pot of mussels and a broth made of tomato coconut cream, smoked chili, lime, and cilantro. The size of the dish seems to have gotten a bit smaller over the years.

It’s delicious and what our friend did was take the extra sauce home. She wanted to reuse the sauce to make some pasta for the following day. That was her pro tip to share with everyone.

Desserts

They knew we were celebrating something special, so they put together a plate of petit fours at the end of the meal. A very nice touch.

Mama Rizk

This is beautifully presented and has caramelized honey custard, orange chiffon, and pistachio ice cream.

Final Thoughts

Chambar has changed a bit since my last visit several years ago. Some food items are a hit and miss especially the Fletan aux Trois Façons. The staple items like the Moules Frites are always on point. The service is still fantastic.

We rate Chambar:

Address:
568 Beatty St, Vancouver

Website:
https://www.chambar.com

In Bubble Tea

45 Degree Bubble Tea House in Coal Harbour

May 6, 2017

45 Degree Bubble Tea House in Coal Harbour is a new bubble tea shop close to Stanley Park. M told me about this place, so one day when I was waiting for him to get off work, I came here to get a drink. I love bubble tea, so I’m always on the look out for the best bubble tea out in Metro Vancouver.

Interior

The space is nice and simple with a few tables for groups. I came at 3pm on a Monday, so it was pretty dead. The staff were very nice to guide me through the menu since my order seemed pretty basic. They made a lot of suggestions for me.

Sakura Oolong Mousse

The sakura oolong mousse was very floral and light. It complimented the mousse on top very well. It kinda reminded me of beer because of the colour. It was interesting trying to find the best way to drink this but it seems like they instruct everyone on how to drink it. You press you lips into the cup and tilt it 45 degrees to drink the you get a good ratio of the cream and tea in each sip. If you lift the tab up on the drink, you get too much foam.

Black Tea Mousse

I grabbed this to go. It was delicious but it was stronger because its black tea. A good option if you straight up asian tea without the floral taste. When I ordered this I found it was funny how they tried suggesting other drinks to me too.

Final Thoughts

They have a good selection of coffees and teas. Even a few items were sold out. The teas are great here and brewed fresh, which is awesome. I would definitely come back to try more.

We Rate 45 Degree Bubble Tea House:

Address:
1467 W Pender Street, Vancouver

Website:
https://www.facebook.com/45-Degree-Bubble-Tea-House-1394743023927257/

In Cafe

Flying Rose: Asian Dessert on Robson Street

May 5, 2017

Flying Rose is an Asian dessert cafe on Robson Street. I was passing by and noticed it since they serve things like mango desserts. I came with a few friends to give it a try since all other cafes were super busy.

Interior

The interior is bright, colourful and has large tables for big groups. We came around 8pm, so it was still early in the evening. You order and pay up at the counter instead of at the table.

Sago, coconut milk, mango puree, fresh mango and pomelo

We were looking forward to this, but it was pricey for what we got. There was barely any mango and pomelo in this and it was super gritty tasting from the coconut milk. Very disappointing.

Fresh Mango Crepe

Each order has one piece and for some reason came out separately even when we ordered 2. It took a long time for them to put this together. There was about a ten minute gap between each crepe arriving at the table.

Once we got both, it was delicious. The crepe was thin and had the right texture. The fresh mango and the whipped cream were great, but still pricey.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the experience was pretty meh as the service and execution was pretty poor. Desserts from the kitchen came out really slowly and I’m sure one of our desserts were made incorrectly. They definitely have some kinks to work out.

We Rate Flying Rose:

Address:
1517 Robson Street, Vancouver

Website:
http://www.flyingrose.ca/

In Cafe

Passion8 Dessert Cafe: Shaved Ice in Vancouver

May 4, 2017

Passion8 Dessert Cafe on Cambie Street is a hot spot for shaved ice, drinks and other treats. I came here after dinner with some foodie friends to give this a try since they all heard that I haven’t been here yet. We were 10 minutes away and we called ahead to see how busy it was here. It wasn’t too busy yet, so they were able to set aside a table for 5. Definitely nice of them to do so.

Interior

You order up at the counter and then you find a seat. There are a few tables in the cafe, but when it’s super busy, you’ll be waiting a little bit. The interior is nice and a good place to chill with friends over desserts.

Maldive Latte

There are 3 distinct layers to this drink – espresso, milk, and some blue liquid. You then stir it up and enjoy.

Honey Cream Cheese Toastery

We got the Honey Cream Cheese Toastery. it has delicious flakey layers like a croissant. Very buttery but super delicious. Very unique kinda like a cronut on toast.

Real Tiramisu Milk Shaved Ice

This has a slab of tiramisu on top of the milk shaved ice topped with cocoa powder and chocolate bits. There is also a container of espresso to pour over all of it. I really like this and would order again to share with friends.

Matchacha Milk Shaved Ice

The milk shaved ice is topped with Japanese matcha powder, mochi, red bean, almonds and a dehydrated orange. This is another one of their popular flavours. It was good, but since I love chocolate, I naturally gravitated towards to tiramisu instead.

Final Thoughts

Overall, there’s a good variety of desserts and drinks here. You definitely want to come early or call ahead to see if there is a line up. The shaved ice is delicious.

We Rate Passion8:

Address:
3010 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Website:
https://www.passion8cafe.com

In American

Monarch Burger at The American in Vancouver

May 3, 2017

Monarch Burger is a completely made from scratch burger restaurant. They are currently operating out of the American on Main St. close to Torafuku, Pizza Farina, and Campagnolo. I tagged along with a friend for their opening night to try these burgers. I am a huge fan of the Dirty Burger at Campagnolo Upstairs, which was originally create by Robert Belcham. When I heard Robert was starting up Monarch Burger, I had to see if the burgers held up to it’s name. They have a happy hour special where you can get a beer and burger for only $12 during 5 – 7pm.

Interior

The space is huge and there are 150 seats in The American. There’s a live DJ, pool tables, foosball, skeeball, and other arcade games. This is the ultimate place to hang out with your friends over some drinks…and now some burgers too.

The mid part of the restaurant has long tables to fit a lot of people. One one side of the restaurant, there is booth seating if you want to be in a more private seating area.

On the other side, there is a whole line up of pinball machines.

There are so many pinball games to play and they are $1 per play, which isn’t too bad, so make sure you bring some spare change.

Familar pinball games like Game of Thrones, Star Trek and Simpsons can be found.

Great for novices and experts. Lights. Lights. Lights.

We even saw a skeeball machine.

Monarch Burger

The menu is pretty simple. Choose your burger and put any add-ons and sides. This place has bar service, so you need to go to the bar to order your drinks and food.

Once you put in your order, they give you a number. Once it’s ready, they will bring out all the food.

Gotta add some drinks to the mix. We went with something lighter instead of cocktails, so we had beer and cider.

Cheeseburger

We got the cheeseburger and it comes with lettuce, tomato, pickles and their secret special sauce. Their beef is sourced from local farmers who pasture raise and tend their animals with care. They then age the beef for 45 days, grind it fresh daily and hand form every burger. It came to the table very greasy and the cheese was just everywhere. This was definitely a messy burger to eat. The patty was more cooked compared to the Dirty Burger at Campagnolo Upstairs. It was a solid burger but it still doesn’t out do Campagnolo Upstairs.

Double Cheeseburger

Go big or go home. We got the double cheeseburger with an egg and bacon. The fried egg was cooked thoroughly, so there wasn’t as much drippage. Similar with the first burger we had, it was very greasy and you needed a handful of napkins to keep somewhat clean.

Poutine

The poutine was decent but it was a bit heavy handed on the salt.

Kale Caesar Salad

This was delicious. The croutons were airy and crisp. The kale was lightly dressed and topped with parm to give it more dimension. I really enjoyed this and it pairs with the burger nicely.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the burgers could have been less greasy and heavy. I appreciate the use of good fresh ingredients, but it didn’t hit the mark this time. I still prefer Campagnolo Upstairs for their Dirty Burger. The one thing that stood out to me was the Kale Caesar Salad. I still love The American for their awesome space with all the games around the venue.

We Rate Monarch Burger:

Address:
928 Main St, Vancouver

Website:
https://www.monarchburger.com/

In Downtown

Yui Japanese Bistro: Affordable Aburi in Vancouver

May 2, 2017

Yui Japanese Bistro recently opened in Downtown Vancouver and is a hidden gem tucked away in a business building. They pride themselves of making aburi sushi at affordable prices. Yui is located on the first floor. The restaurant is pretty small, so go for dinner earlier in the evening. They are open daily from 11am – 8pm except Sunday. I came with Dee for a visit at 7pm and there was a wait of about 20 minutes.

Tea

Before the meal begins, they bring over cups of tea. You can also ask for a small pot of tea.

Aburi Oshi

My favourite spot is at the bar, so you can see all the action of them putting each dish together.

They have 3 kinds on their menu – ebi, saba and salmon. Each sushi is torched with charcoal.

Salmon Aburi Oshi

They use sockeye salmon on top of the sushi and one embedded inside the rice. They apply the house-made sauce and then torched for added flavour. It is then topped with pepper and a jalapeno. So delicious and made to perfection. Also it’s only $10.25, which is very affordable.

Ebi Aburi Oshi

A block of rice topped with Shrimp, ume sauce and lime zest. The lime was a very interesting addition to the pressed rolls to bring more freshness and liven the flavour. The flame really transforms that ume sauce to add some smokiness.

Saba Aburi Oshi

It is topped with mackerel, shiso, and a miso sauce. The charcoal flame also lightly kisses the mackerel and miso sauce. Delicious as well.

Karai Rice Bowl

Bincho toro, okra, spicy kimchi cabbage, amakuchi soy, and some greens sits on top of white rice. You mix it all together with the soy and it makes a great dish for lunch. Very healthy too.

Salmon Carpaccio

The salmon carpaccio is beautifully cut and they use sockeye salmon.

Each order has 5 pieces and then its torched with some charcoal. They then top it off with some decadent garnish and sauce.

It was all really good and we just wanted more. hahaha. There are some black dried olives on top that balanced nicely.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I loved my experience at Yui Japanese Bistro. This small restaurant is bursting with flavour and it’s very affordable compared to some other places out there in Vancouver. I’ll be back!

We Rate Yui Japanese Bistro:

Address:
1185 W Georgia St, Unit 102, Vancouver

Website:
http://eatatyui.com/

In British Columbia

Big Mac, Filet-O-Fish, and McChicken Sauces: Review

May 1, 2017

I found the Big Mac, McChicken and Filet-O-Fish Sauce on sale at Safeway Canada for $3.99 each. You can also find this at the Real Canadian Superstore too.

I’ve heard that the stock is still quite low and not easily found at all grocery stores. It took me a little while to find these too. After the 5th grocery store, I was able to get my hands on these. I saw these about a month ago at a grocery convention and now it’s real!

Here is the proof. The weird thing was that I wasn’t able to find these on the store shelves, but it was at the check out counter. Very sneaky.

Big Mac Sauce

The Big Mac sauce is the most sought after and it tasted very accurate to the real thing. This has egg, mustard, soy and wheat, so if you are allergic to any of those 4 things, you probably shouldn’t get this. Of all 3 bottles of sauce, this one didn’t have nutrition facts. They tell you to call a 1-800 number for more info.

Filet-O-Fish Sauce

This is essentially tartar sauce, but they add their own twist to it. It also tastes authentic. I really wanted to get this because it can go well with some of the frozen fish sticks in my freezer.

McChicken Sauce

Last but not least, the McChicken sauce. A lot of people says it’s just mayo, but it isn’t. There is a bit of mustard inside, so it gives it a little tang to the taste.

Final Thoughts

Very authentic sauces from McDonald’s is now in stores and made by Kraft Heinz. If you are a big fan of McDonald’s you’ll love these sauces. All of them were good and would be great for a Summer BBQ on hot dogs or burgers.

In Cafe

Yama Cafe: Japanese Cafe in Vancouver

April 30, 2017

Yama Cafe has taken over Basho Cafe a few months ago. Everyone was so sad that Basho closed their doors, but Yama has kept the essence of Basho and put his spin on the menu. I came here with a few foodie friends to check out the space and have a treat. They serve up drinks, rice bowls, salad bowls, bread, and soup.

Interior

The interior is still the same with their wooden rustic look and bunting spread across the room. There were lots of people inside here, but if you come at off-times, there are tables.

Treats

They have a selection of treats like brownies, moffins (made with mochi), and other treats. You can’t go wrong with any of them as they are very well made. They are delicious and it’s just the right amount of sweetness to go with their drinks.

Matcha Latte

Their matcha lattes can be sweet or unsweetened, I went with the unsweetened kind as I don’t like to much sugar in my drinks. It was delicious and they did a very pretty latte art on top.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I love this space. It’s so cozy and great for hanging out with friends. Their drinks and baked goods are delicious too. I’ll definitely be back.

We Rate Yama Cafe:

Address:
2007 E Hastings Street, Vancouver

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Yama-Cafe-699753386865794/

In Cafe

L’Éclair de Génie Canada is Now Open in Vancouver

April 29, 2017

L’Éclair de Génie has officially opened their first location in Canada. It is located on Robson Street in Vancouver. L’Éclair de Génie is a pastry concept started by renowned chef Christophe Adam. Christophe has dedicated the last 14 years to creating a chic snacking version of the French pastry landmark, the éclair, and the store now offers over 250 flavours. L’Éclair de Génie is adored worldwide with 25 boutiques throughout France, Japan, Hong Kong, Italy, and now here in Canada.

They specialize in eye-catching eclairs. There are also other treats and beverages here. I was invited for a sneak peek to try a few different items. Paris-trained, Vancouver-based local chef, Melanie Patricio is behind this magic to keep Christophe Adam’s concept to standard.

Vanille Framboise

This has vanilla cream, raspberry confit, fresh raspberries and white chocolate. Very refreshing with the raspberry on top.

Chocolat Grand Cru

This is filled with chocolate cream inside and topped with chocolate on top. Great for chocolate lovers.

Vanille Pecan

This is stuffed with vanilla cream and topped with caramelized pecans. I really like the vanilla cream in the centre and those crunchy pecans.

Framboise Passion

This is filled with passionfruit cream, raspberry confit and topped fresh raspberries and a passion fruit jelly.

Pistache Framboise

This eclair is stuffed with raspberry confit, then pistachio chantilly, fresh raspberries and roasted pistachios.

Caramel Beurre Salé

This has salted caramel and mascarpone cream. It’s really delicious and I love the shiny top to this eclair. One of my favourites.

Praline Noisette

This is stuffed with caramelized mascarpone cream, hazelnut praline and topped with caramelized hazelnuts. So good. I love the contrasting texture of the hazelnuts. I would recommend this too.

Matcha Bambou

This is stuffed with matcha cream and white chocolate. It has a sweet white chocolate that dominates the matcha.

Siroup D’erable

This is made just for their Canadian store and it is stuffed with maple cream and its surprisingly not that sweet at all. A good balance. On top, I <3 Vancouver is written on top.

Citron Yuzu

This has lemon yuzu cream inside and topped with crispy meringue dots.

Anastasia Tea

This is a blend of earl grey, lemon and orange blossom. You can also get this as a hot beverage too.

Detox

The detox is a blend of maté, green tea and lemon grass.

Cappuccino

If you want something a bit stronger, they have espresso-based beverages. I got a cappuccino with a strong espresso topped with light airy foam. Goes well with eclairs too.

Iced Caffé Latte

They also have iced cold espresso drinks too. With hotter days coming to Vancouver, a good iced beverage perfect for the Summer.

If you aren’t into eclairs, they also have pastries and chocolates.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the eclairs are delicious. They will costs you between$5.85 – $6.75 depending on which kind you get. The price point is good for a few bites of decadent eclairs. I’m really excited to see L’Éclair de Génie opening up in Vancouver and giving us a taste of Parisian eclairs by chef Christophe Adam.

We rate L’Éclair de Génie Canada:

Address:
1210 Robson St, Vancouver

Website:
http://leclairdegenie.ca/

In Chinese

Pink Pearl: 4 Decades of Dim Sum

April 28, 2017

We were invited to Vancouver’s longest-running Chinese restaurant – Pink Pearl for a culinary journey of Dim Sum. Signature dim sum dishes representing different decades at Pink Pearl was prepared by Dim Sum Chef F.K. Jiang and his team. We were taken on a tour of 4 decades of items featured in past menus from the 1980’s to 2010’s.

13 different dim sum dishes were featured and some dishes brought me back to my childhood. The event was co-hosted by Gojoy Berries, Stephanie Yuen and Chinese Bites.

1980s

I remember the good ol days when there were more carts roaming around Chinese restaurants and all the guests were scarily fighting over the last sui mai. Lots have changed since then and there are only a handful of restaurants left where they will push around the carts. Pink Pearl still has push carts, which is great.

Liver & Pork Dumplings

This was an interesting dish and I felt like it should have stayed in the 80s. The chalky taste of the liver with the dumpling didn’t blend too well, but yet again, I’m not a big fan of liver.

Duck Web Wrap

The webbed duck feet were wrapped in a sheet of bean curd and there was also ham and mushrooms inside. It was ok, but it was tricky to eat as the duck feet would slide out of the wrapper.

Shrimp Toast

This was another item you don’t see as often. You have the shrimp paste on top of toast and then deep fried. The toast did get a bit oily.

Pan-Fried Half-Moon Dumpling

The dumpling is served with a light refreshing broth. The dumpling was ok but it had minimal filling.

1990s

Mini Steamed Pork Bun

A classic item and you can’t go wrong with a mini steamed pork bun. I liked it.

Black and White Sweet Sesame Roll

This really brought me back to my childhood. I don’t see this as much anymore. As a kid we would pretend they were film canisters and unroll the “film” and then eat it. It was a tradition and I totally forgot about it until now.

Lotus Wrapped Stuffed Sticky Rice

The sticky rice was really packed full of ingredients and it was pretty good. It was easy for 2-4 people to share one basket.

2000s

Steamed Shrimp Dumpling

A very popular item ordered for dim sum. A classic and you can’t deny this.

Steamed sticky rice roll

This is an item that I normally don’t order, it’s like carb on carb. It tasted good.

2010s

Steamed beef rice roll

Steamed beef rice roll is something we are all so familiar with. The minced beef in the centre is delicious. You add some sauce on top of the rice rolls to add more balanced flavour.

Steamed shrimp rice roll

Similar item to the above but with shrimp instead of beef.

Wok-fried lotus roots & fresh mushrooms

A decent dish but it didn’t mesh too well with the other dim sum dishes. It was a good way to incorporate the gojiberries, but I was more use to the dried gojiberries.

Gojoy gojiberries gelle

A nice sweet touch to the end of the meal with this gelle, which was pretty good.

Final Thoughts

Overall, it was good to see some of the different dim sum dishes thought out the decades and there were some interesting dishes that stayed in the 1980s. Starting May 1st, Pink Pearl is showcasing their ‘4-decades of Chinese dinner’ with a 4-month long campaign to benefit Food Bank and Sowers Society. You can find more information on their special dinner menu on their website.

We Rate Pink Pearl:

Address:
1132 E Hastings St, Vancouver

Website:
http://www.pinkpearl.com/index.php/en/

In Bubble Tea

MYST Asian Fusion in Burnaby

April 27, 2017

MYST Asian Fusion just opened in Burnaby and they are serving up many different kinds of Asian cuisine. We were invited for a tasting of their menu to see what they offer. There is a parking lot but it can be quite full at peak hours, but there is free street parking too.

The restaurant is a bit hidden but just look out for the bright blue sign.

Interior

They have lots of seating inside with booth style configurations. This location took over Lester’s Arcade, so they really did a lot of renovations to get this look.

Drinks

Taiwanese Beer

They have a selection of Taiwanese Beer on the menu. It’s sweeter than the average beer and infused with fruity flavours.

Uchikinoki ice cream smoothie

A green tea drink with ice cream, mochi and red bean.

Slushies

They have huge slushies with marshmallow and chocolate eyeballs. This particular one was green apple flavour.

Pea Flower Tea

They have a series of pea flower tea, which have been quite popular among bubble tea shops around town. These 2 particular drinks were Calpis butterfly pea flower tea and the Strawberry lemon butterfly pea flower tea.

Potted Milk Tea

The milk tea base to topped with a cookie crumble and a green leaf. it was a really cool concept, but I didn’t like the gritty texture of the cookie crumble.

Takoyaki

It comes with 6 pieces and has a piece of cooked octopus inside. It is topped with mayo, teriyaki sauce, and shredded seaweed. It was interesting to see this on the menu, but tasted decent.

Fried green beans with minced pork

It has a good portion size for a table to share this. It had a nice caramelization from the hot pan. It was good.

Steamed sticky rice dumplings

7 pieces to an order in a steamed bamboo basket. The wrapper is filled with all the delicious sticky rice. It was an interesting dish but it was too carb heavy for my personal liking.

Skewers

They have a large variety of skewers on the menu. They were all pretty meh I would have wanted more char for added flavour.

Pork intestine
Lamb
Pork
Chicken
Fish cake
Chicken gizzard

Japanese style egg fried rice

There is a good amount of seafood in the fried rice and it’s topped with a fried egg, seaweed and mayo. My kind of comfort food.

Golden sand prawns with salted egg yolk sauce

Very delicious and the egg yolk crust is so addictive. I peeled the head off and at the rest with the shell on. Some people hate it with the shell but I oddly like it with the crunchy texture.

Chives & shrimp spring rolls

Mediocre spring rolls and nothing was special about them.

Pan fried beef pancake

The green onion pancake is rolled with beef, green onions and some sauce. 4 pieces some in an order and they are big pieces.

House special spicy lamb hot pot

This was my favourite dish of the evening. It is lit underneath with some fire to keep it nice and hot as you eat the meal. It is served with rice and 2 side dishes.

The hot pot was packed full of ingredients like spam, tofu, fish cake, bean curd, and imitation crab.

Deep fried ginger flavour chicken whole wings

This is their large order and each wing was perfectly fried. The exterior was crisp and golden brown.

Fried chicken in chili pepper

The pieces had a lot of bones so it wasn’t as enjoyable to eat. Meh.

Sandwiches

The sandwiches are pretty basic. Egg, tomato, ham and cucumber are inside the slices of white bread.

Chives, shrimp & pork dumplings

Pretty decent for dumplings and there is 10 pieces to the order and some sauce on the side.

Taiwanese style fried rice vermicelli

Soft vermicelli noodles with some veggies and meat mixed throughout.

Assorted deep fried basket

This basked had squid tentacles, salt and peppery chicken, blood sausage, and other deep fried items.

MYST beef noodle soup

Inside, we added beef shank, tripe, and tendon. It was decent and filling.

Marinated 3 item combo

This had dried tofu, seaweed and pork ear string. It was served cold on this dish and we slowly picked at it.

TaiNan style egg noodle soup

This was an ok dish but it didn’t compare to the other soupy dishes on the menu.

Myst deluxe marinated pork with rice

This dish had a lot of ingredients in it. Just mix it all together and enjoy.

Preserved cabbage with shredded pork fried rice cake

It was a good dish for sharing around the table. The chewy rice cakes with the preserved cabbage and pork were a nice combination.

Hakka style sweet rice cake

Nope. The dates gave it an odd bitter preserved flavour to the dish. No one likes it, but maybe you have to have an acquired taste.

Myst Jelly

This is a Winter Melon Jelly and has a consistency of a harder jello. It was very sweet and I didn’t really like this either.

Shaved Snowflake

They have this in either strawberry or mango flavours. We got the strawberry version and it sit on top of dry ice that makes the fog underneath. The strawberry shaved ice and the ice cream have a sweet artificial taste to it, kinda like Pocky. The strawberry slices were fresh.

Myst Taiyaki

The taiyaki sits in a ice cream cone bowl, matcha ice cream, mochi, red bean sauce, chocolate drizzle and a chocolate wafer stick. It was a dessert fit for a kid.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the food was so-so, but there is quite a variety that you’ll find something to enjoy. My favourite were the House special spicy lamb hot pot, deep fried chicken wings, and the golden sand prawns with salted egg yolk sauce.

We Rate MYST:

Address:
6400 Kingsway, Burnaby

Website:
http://www.myst6400.com/

In Brunch

Prado Cafe Launches Brunch on West Hastings

April 26, 2017

Prado Café on 100 West Hastings Street has just launched an expanded menu that includes made-to-order breakfast items, cakes, and sandwiches. The enhanced menu will be in addition to Prado’s signature offerings and follows the Café+Kitchen concept made popular at its Fraserhood location, and available at the newly opened Fir Street location in Kitsilano.

Think poached eggs, pea and avocado smash on toast, a daily selection of house-made scones and coffeecakes, as well as a feature sandwich. Plans are in the works to roll out the Café+Kitchen concept to the original Commercial Drive location soon.

Mint Pea Avocado Smash

This comes on two slices of toast and is a pretty good size for brunch. Easily shared between 2 people too if you just want a snack. They also have gluten-free options as well.

It was filling but the addition of the mint did throw me off a bit. Nonetheless, the peas and avocado were great together.

Prado Breakfast

This has poached egg, mint pea avocado smash, arugula, and prosciutto. It’s like an elevated mint pea avocado toast. It comes with only one slice of toast but it is filling.

Waffles

If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, they have waffles. We got the Ricotta, honey, and pecan waffle.

Sunrise Salad

This has arugula, marinated artichokes, olives, cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, sweety drop peppers, house-made balsamic, and poached egg on top. A healthy option indeed.

Coffee

Coffee is a perfect pairing especially in the morning when caffeine is needed. A cappuccino is just what I needed.

The cookie without a name

This has peanut butter, chocolate chips, marshmallows and other items packed into this cookie.

Final Thoughts

Overall, they have great coffee but the brunch items are decent but nothing mind blowing. They definitely give customers more options with their new brunch menu from healthy to more decadent items.

We Rate Prado Cafe:

Address:
100 West Hastings, Vancouver

Website:
https://pradocafevancouver.com