british columbia Archives

In British Columbia

Family Road Trip to Victoria, BC with the 2024 BMW X5

August 23, 2023

When it comes to finding the perfect family car, safety, comfort, and practicality are of utmost importance for us. Combining the elegance and luxury of a premium SUV with family-friendly features, the BMW X5 stands out as a versatile and reliable choice for families of all sizes.

We worked with BMW Canada to craft a beautiful getaway through Victoria, BC and enjoy family-time together while having a smooth ride. We spent a few days testing why the BMW X5 is great for families and how it delivers an unmatched driving experience that caters to both parents and children alike.

We started off our journey leaving Vancouver, BC and heading off to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal to make our way to Victoria. We got on the ferry and it was a smooth ride.

Spacious and Versatile Interior

With 3 adults and a toddler in the car, we felt like there was plenty of space for our luggage as well as personal bags to keep beside us. As we are only about 5’7, there was plenty of leg and head room.

Driving long distances, it was great to have the driver seat with power adjustable lumbar support as the lower back can get tired.

Ease of Parking and Getting into Tight Spaces

The front and rear parking sensors as well as the rear view camera are essential features for our family especially getting into tight spots like the ferry or narrower parking stalls. We were always able to make sure we had enough space to get in and out of the car. Especially with my round pregnant belly. I needed some extra space to get in and out of the car.

Right off the ferry, we headed to The Butchart Gardens as that’s were I really wanted to see as I haven’t been back since I was a kid. It’s an exquisite garden, which you can spend hours adoring through all the different seasons. It has over 100 years of history and it’s a must for locals and tourists.

We spent a good amount of time at The Butchart Gardens, so it was time to head to Prestige Oceanfront Resort in Sooke, BC. Traffic on the highway was pretty bad during rush hour, so Google Maps too us on some smaller side roads and we loved how the BMW X5 handled on high turns through the forest. It was very smooth and even our toddler fell asleep.

We picked Prestige Oceanfront Resort because it was very affordable and was away from the city, so we could relax and enjoy the views of the water. Our toddler loved seeing the seals basking in the sun on the rocks without a care in the world.

We had dinner close by at Stoked Pizzeria and wow, their pizza was so crispy and flavourful. The place was bumping in the evening. For breakfast, we checked out the new cafe inside Prestige Oceanfront Resort called Island Tarts Cafe & Catering, which is a local small business selling the most amazing coffee and treats.

As we checked out, we packed up our bags and put everything in the trunk. We loved the 2 piece tailgate was great to quickly grab items from the trunk, but if there was something that started rolling around in the back, nothing would fall out.

The rear window sunshades were fantastic for the kiddo in the backseat as it would be very sunny and having it up would help her relax and take longer naps on this road trip.

For the second day of our trip, we focused more of kid friendly activities since the kiddo wanted to get out of the car to see some animals. First stop was Beacon Hill Children’s Farm. It’s by donation and there’s even lots of goats to pet and brush. We stayed about 30 minutes and then headed off to brunch at Eva for some German cuisine.

We needed to get a bit closer to the Ferry, so we stopped at Sydney, BC which was a few minutes away from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. We all made sure we did something a little different so we can enjoy the sights and sounds of Sydney. My husband went to visit Victoria Distillers for a gin tasting and they are best known for their Empress Gin. The kiddo spent some time at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Seas to learn more about the local animals in the area. The rest of the time, we spent wandering the pier before it was time to head to the ferry.

Getting to all these locations was easy because of the Apple CarPlay feature. We just connect our iPhones and we have our music and maps all ready with a touch of a button.

Final Thoughts

A family road trip with the 2024 BMW X5 is an exciting and comfortable adventure to help us get to our different destinations with ease. It’s known for it’s performance, spacious interior, and advanced features. Our family had a great little getaway and felt very safe. Definitely check out the vehicle if you and your family go on local getaways throughout the year.

This blog post was sponsored by BMW Canada but the opinions are all my own.

In British Columbia

Granville Island Brewing Launches Heroes Sip Easy Contest

March 7, 2021

Essential workers on the frontlines deserve a break…help them sit back and sip easy!

Keeping with the “take it easy” mindset of its latest brew, Sip Easy, Granville Island Brewing (GIB) wants to help recognize and honour five essential workers across the Lower Mainland by rewarding them a well-deserved break to sit back, relax and sip easy. Whether you are a grocery store employee, transit driver, construction worker, teacher, healthcare worker, retail or service industry employee or a delivery person, you deserve a break and Granville Island Brewing wants to help.

Granville Island Brewing presents the Heroes Sip Easy contest because taking it easy is essential. Nominate an essential worker in your life who is in need of a well-deserved break so we can treat them to the sip easy experience they deserve.

Two Grand Prize Winners will win a taproom experience at Granville Island Brewing for them and their household/bubble valued at $1000. Three Runner-Ups will win an exclusive sip easy take home experience pack to relax at home with your household valued at $350.
To nominate an essential worker in your life, visit http://gibcontest.ca/herossipeasy/ by March 31, 2021.

In British Columbia

Starbucks Canada: Brown Sugar Oat Americano Review

March 4, 2021

As the days become brighter, Starbucks Canada is adding a new oat-based beverages to its menu – the Canadian-exclusive Brown Sugar Oat Americano to provide customers with more delicious plant-based beverages.

At under 200 calories for a grande-size, the beverage features Starbucks Blonde Espresso, brown sugar syrup and water, topped with steamed oat beverage and cinnamon.

Taste Test

A good drink that works very well together, but it a touch sweet, so I would recommend going with one pump less brown sugar. If you order from their app, it’s easily adjustable, plus you can see how many shots and pumps of syrups are in each drink.

Other than that, it was very enjoyable and would get again.

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

In British Columbia

Starbucks Canada: Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso Review

March 4, 2021

Starbucks is adding a new line of espresso drinks to the core menu—the perfect iced duo will help coffee lovers embrace their day and introduce more plant-based choices into their diet. We give the Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso a try.

Combining the trends of cold coffee and oat beverage, Starbucks baristas shake Starbucks Blonde espresso, brown sugar and cinnamon together with ice, and then top it off with oat beverage for a cool lift to help cold coffee lovers power through their day.

Taste Test

The drink is pretty good and I love the combination of espresso, brown sugar and oat milk. The espresso and brown sugar compliment very well, but it is still a touch sweet. It would be good to get one pump of brown sugar less.

All it is missing is some pearls to compare to the offerings of Starbucks in Asia.

Final Thoughts

Definitely worth a try if you love espresso, oat milk, ad brown sugar.

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

In British Columbia

Thomakis Real Greek Yogurt in Vancouver: Review

February 28, 2021

Thomakis Real Greek Yogurt has been a hit since they launched during the pandemic in Vancouver. Months into the business, customers can’t get enough of their Greek Yogurt. They sell out within seconds!

Their goal is to give their customers a taste of real Greek yogurt that is far superior than any of the Greek yogurt found in grocery store shelves. Upon first bite, we were hooked on Thomakis Real Greek Yogurt.

As demand for their yogurt surpasses what they can currently produce, they have leverage a lottery system where every Sunday at 8:30pm on Instagram ONLY, customers can put their name in for a chance to buy the yogurt for the week. Their flavours rotate regularly and you never know what they will create until a few hours before the lottery opens. Once your order is in, it gets delivered on Saturday morning.

They have plans to move into a larger commercial kitchen to increase production but for now, this is the system they have set up.

If you’re not on Instagram, they stock their yogurt on Legends Haul and Lee’s Market.

We have been fortunate to be able to have gotten into the lottery a few times and here are our ranking of their flavours. Do note, everyone’s personal tastes are different and I tend to go toward flavour’s that aren’t as tart.

Autumn Apple

This is essentially apple cinnamon and we loved how the stewed apples are enrobed in the sweet cinnamon sauce and paired with the yogurt. Absolutely addictive.

Vanilla Nice

A classic flavour and you can see all the vanilla seeds inside. Love how they use real vanilla. You can eat this on it’s own, with their crumble, or any other topping.

Love (Strawberry) and Hibiscus

What a great flavour combination of strawberry and hibiscus. We love the sweetness of the strawberries in the sauce and pairs great with their yogurt.

Momma’s Bak

This is essentially baklava made with roasted pistachios, roasted walnuts, a secret syrup infused with citus and spices. Also it comes with a filo crumble.

Passion Statement

This is a popular flavour featuring passionfruit on the bottom. It’s great but I personally find it a bit tart. My sister gobbles this flavour up.

Blueberry Bliss

Full of blueberry goodness on the bottom and is another classic flavour that they carry.

Lemon Curdilicious

When you mix this flavour with their crumble, it tastes like a lemon meringue pie. Another very popular flavour but it’s the tartness that gets to me.

Plainly Pretty

This is a great yogurt if you’re pairing it with fruits and granola. Not sweet at all and kinda cheesy.

Final Thoughts

Thomakis Real Greek Yogurt is one of those great ventures that started during the pandemic where people fell in love with. In under a year, they’ve managed to keep their customers wanting more and it’s worth the hype. It’s creamy, sweet, favourful, tart and made with so much love. Highly recommended.

Website:
https://www.thomakis.com/

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

In British Columbia

Cogo BOOM: Vancouver’s Hot Chocolate Bomb Kits

January 8, 2021

Cogo BOOM is a local Vancouver company specializing in Hot Chocolate Bomb Kits with various types and customization. We chatted with the owners to learn more about their Cogo Boom.

Cogo BOOM started in October 2020 as Hot Chocolate Bombs were starting to get trendy, but there wasn’t a one stop shop to find everything you need to create those Hot Chocolate Bombs. The owner knew people sould just buy already assembled hot chocolate bombs, but there is something special about finding the joy in the entire process of create it all from start to finish. It’s not for everyone, but I personally love these kits to get the family to gather around the kitchen. “It took a lot of research and planning but we are more than happy with the end result” says the owners of Cogo BOOM.

Hot Chocolate Bomb Kits

Right now, they offer 4 different Hot Chocolate Bomb Kits – Grinch, Vegan, Unicorn, and Bear options. Plus, highly customizable with the type of chocolate and hot chocolate mix.

We got sent the bear kit and it’s absolutely adorable. It’s a great family activity and the kids will love to see their Hot Chocolate Bombs go BOOM. I love the dark chocolate chocolate and the hot cocoa mix!

If you don’t need a whole kit, they do offer the items separately like the moulds.

Starting Cogo BOOM during a global pandemic

With 2020 being a slower and stressful year, a lot of small businesses have popped up. I love seeing the creativity, the ups, and the downs. It’s stressful running a business especially when there are external factors beyond control.

“The hardest part about running our business through a pandemic would be the shipping times and delivery times. We ship our products via Canada Post and there has been some delays due to high volumes of shipments due to online shopping. That’s why we recommend everyone to shop early so their product will arrive on time! Luckily for our local customers we do have free pick up in the Victoria and 41st area in East Vancouver, B.C.” says the owners of Cogo BOOM.

Of course, it’s all not sad. Customer feedback keeps them going, that why feedback and reviews are so so important for small businesses.

“What makes us happiest is when people enjoy assembling the bombs. It’s not about perfection, it’s about having fun. It’s about the whole experience. From opening the kit and seeing all the possibilities, to pouring the hot milk over it and seeing your creation melt into deliciousness. There’s nothing more satisfying to us than to hear people say, “that was fun!”.”says the owners of Cogo BOOM.

What’s next?

Cogo BOOM will be launching a lot of new products in 2021. There will be new hot cocoa flavours such as lavender hot cocoa and matcha white Chocolate hot cocoa. They are also experimenting with a Detox Masala Chai Cocoa Mix and among many other flavours. There will also be new kits and new moulds. Make sure to follow them on Instagram for the latest information.

Website:
https://www.cogoboom.com/

In British Columbia

Burger King Canada: Kraft Dinner (KD) Bites Review

October 12, 2020

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/

In British Columbia

White Spot: Impossible Burger Review

September 21, 2020

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/

In British Columbia

Popeyes Canada: New Chicken Sandwich Review

September 15, 2020

Popeyes Canada has been teasing us with the release of their new Chicken Sandwich for about a week now. KFC Canada just released their new KFC Famous Chicken Chicken Sandwich, which uses similar ingredients too.

We had to get Popeyes Canada’s new Chicken Sandwich as it launched today to see how it compares for a better chicken sandwich.

What’s in the New Chicken Sandwich?

It is made with tender all-white meat chicken breast fillet, marinated in an authentic blend of Louisiana seasonings, then hand battered and breaded in our all new buttermilk coating. Served with crisp barrel-cured pickles and Classic or Spicy Mayonnaise, served on a warm and toasted buttery brioche bun.

Classic Chicken Sandwich Taste Test

The brioche bun was very pillowy and soft. The chicken breast fillet was actually still crispy even though we got it for take out and drove 35 mins back home. The pickles were nice and meaty slices, which was nice. There could have been a bit more mayo.

Spicy Chicken Sandwich Taste Test

It’s only the spicy mayo that is different. We did like the extra kick of flavour but it wasn’t too spicy. Our personal taste preferences gravitate to spicy when eating fried chicken.

This was always really good and you can’t go wrong with either classic or spicy.

Final Thoughts

We were pleasantly surprised how good it was for fast food chicken burger. We highly recommend giving it a try. We are a fan of their other menu items and glad this one lived up to the expectation too.

Website:
https://www.thesandwich.ca/

In British Columbia

KFC Famous Chicken Chicken Sandwich: Review

September 7, 2020

KFC Canada launched their KFC Famous Chicken Chicken Sandwich in original and spicy options. It features KFC’s extra crispy seasoning and Canadian ingredients that set the standard for what a truly famous fried chicken sandwich should taste like.

The KFC Famous Chicken Chicken Sandwich is available in Canada only.

When we saw the news that it launched, we had to put in an order right away to see how it is. If it has the word ‘famous’ in the title, it’s worth a try. We love trying new fast food items to see how it compares.

What’s in the KFC Famous Chicken Chicken Sandwich?

It is made with 100 per cent Canadian farm raised chicken; it is buttermilk marinated and hand breaded in KFC’s famous Extra Crispy seasoning, and is then topped with sweet chunky pickles, creamy mayonnaise and sandwiched between a lightly toasted potato bun.

Original KFC Famous Chicken Chicken Sandwich

The KFC Famous Chicken Chicken Sandwich was pretty good. The mayonnaise and pickles really compliment it very well. As for the chicken, it was juicy and flavourful. The only complaint was the batter around the chicken. By the time we got home, the batter wasn’t as crisp.

As for a fast food chicken sandwich, it’s pretty good because it’s actually chicken meat.

Spicy KFC Famous Chicken Chicken Sandwich

The sandwich also comes in spicy. The chicken itself isn’t spicy, but they use a double spicy mayo instead of regular mayo. It’s not very spicy but it adds more dimension to the sandwich. Both were great and one wasn’t better than the other. It just comes down to personal preference.

We did notice that this chicken was HUGE compared to the other.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a KFC fan, you’ll love this. It’s a solid chicken sandwich for a fast food company. Everything was great but that batter needs to be crispier.

Website:
https://www.kfc.ca/

In British Columbia

Canucks Marketplace: Culinary Experience for Fans and Foodies

September 2, 2020

The Canucks Marketplace is a new culinary experience that celebrates favourite local food brands, gives Canucks fans access delicious meal kits, provisions and team apparel, for a premium hockey celebration in the comforts of home. As the Canucks are back on the ice, you can enjoy meal from Rogers Arena delivered to your door or you can do pick up and enjoy a fun fan experience grabbing your meal.

We opted to pick up our order and experience the drive in.

They have partnered up with Top Table Group for offer their line of TopTable2U line of meal kits, Grasse Floral, Nightingale, Dirty Apron, Medina Cafe, Sportsbar, Earnest Ice Cream, Glory Juice, Uncommon Cake, and Farm + Home Grocery. A great selection to get a taste of all those eateries in one place.

We tried a few different items that they had available from their marketplace:

Elisa Burger Kit
Fin’s Party Pack for 4
Banana Cream Pie
Prawn and Scallop Paella with Lemon Aioli

There’s a nice selection for all occasions and for all cooking skill sets. There are some TopTable2U kits that can take a while to prepare.

A few of my favourite things you should consider getting is Earnest Ice Cream, Prawn and Scallop Paella with Lemon Aioli, Banana Cream Pie, Truffle Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Lasagna, and Burrata and Heirloom Beet Salad.

Prices are fair and there is lots of variety.

Website:
https://marketplace.canucks.com/

In British Columbia

Starbucks Canada: Apple Oat Flat White Review

August 25, 2020

Starbucks just launched their Oat Beverage on the menu. They announced it months ago, but can’t believe it’s here already since so many loyal customers have been wanting this option for years.

They launched it today featuring the Oat latte and the Apple Oat Flat White. Two great hot beverage options. You can also have the oat beverage customized in other drinks if you want to keep it dairy free.

The Apple Oat Flat White is a Canada exclusive, which combines their signature espresso with steamed Oat beverage and Apple syrup, topped with Clove Sugar topping.

What Oat Milk/Beverage are they using?

When I as observing them making the Apple Oat Flat White, they are using the Earth’s Own Oat Barista Blend, which is actually my favourite out of all the oat milks out there.

Taste Test

The Apple Oat Flat White definitely represents the Fall reminds me of the sights of the Apple Orchards in October. The apple syrup doesn’t dominate the drink and works well paired with the espresso and clove sugar. If you want it more subtle, you can always ask for less apple syrup.

You can still taste the creamy texture of the oat milk and stands out.

I like it and I will get it again.

Fall 2020 Starbucks Line up:

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Our signature espresso and milk, with flavourful notes of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg creates this incredible beverage that’s a fall favourite. Enjoy it topped with whipped cream and real pumpkin-pie spices.

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Starbucks® Cold Brew sweetened with vanilla, then topped with a pumpkin cream cold foam and a dusting of pumpkin spice—a super-smooth fall treat.

Apple Oat Flat White

This Canada exclusive combines our signature espresso with steamed Oat beverage and Apple syrup, topped with Clove Sugar topping. A new Fall favourite!

Oat Latte

Perfectly steamed Oat beverage and signature espresso combine to craft a cozy latte.

Salted Caramel Mocha

We combine espresso and milk with mocha sauce and toffee nut flavoured syrup, topped with sweetened whipped cream, caramel sauce, and a mixture of turbinado sugar and sea salt for the best of both worlds.

Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino

We combine mocha sauce and toffee nut flavoured syrup with coffee, milk, and ice, then finish it off with sweetened whipped cream, caramel sauce, and a blend of turbinado sugar and sea salt for an explosion of flavour in every sip.

Pumpkin Scone

A spiced pumpkin scone topped with sweet icing: deliciously and perfectly created for pumpkin lovers.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin

This moist, perfectly spiced pumpkin muffin—topped with a sweet cream-cheese filling and a sprinkling of chopped, spiced pepitas—offers a delightful balance of salty and sweet.

Pumpkin Bread

A gently spiced bread with pumpkin flavours and pepitas. There’s no doubt this tasty seasonal favourite will get you in the mood for fall

Ways to order

Customers have several options to choose from to enjoy their favourite fall beverages this year, while practicing safe social distancing, including:

Drive Thru
Curbside pickup
Starbucks Delivers (Check the Uber Eats app for availability and restrictions)
Mobile ordering

In British Columbia

Takenaka Food Truck: Japanese Izakaya on Wheels in Vancouver

August 23, 2020

Takenaka Food Truck has hit the road serving up Japanese Izakaya in Vancouver. If you love places like Suika, Rajio, Kingyo, or Raisu, you’ll also love Takenaka Food Truck.

They have been very very popular since they just opened, so be prepared for a bit of a line up, but it’s worth it. Takenaka Food Truck is usually located outside a brewery on Fridays to Sundays. It is always best to follow them on Instagram to see where they will be next.

We were invited to check out a few items from their food truck menu.

Chicken Karaage

The crispy chicken karaage is mixed with their special spice mixture. It was beautifully fried, so it had a nice crisp exterior. The chicken was very tender and full of flavour.

Ebimayo

The ebimayo is made with large plump tiger prawns in a rich and creamy Japanese chilli mayo. We felt like there was a bit too much batter to it, so it took a way from the prawns.

Snow Crab Roll

This roll has snow crab meat, avocado, and tobiko wrapped in rice and seaweed. It was a solid roll and you can really taste the quality.

Wagyu Shabu Shabu Udon

This bowl of comforting udon has thinly sliced boiled beef, radish sprouts. seasoned boiled egg, yuzu zest, Sanuki udon noodle, and their original udon broth. It was a pretty good bowl of udon and that wagyu is really soft and tender.

Wagyu Foie Gras Aburi Nigiri

This has a slice of wagyu nigiri topped with foie gras, truffle salt, and SANSHO sauce. It was so damn good! It was fatty and so tasty that it just melt in your mouth.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we find this is a fantastic option for Japanese Izakaya if you’re ever at a brewery or special event. The food is fantastic and pairs so well with beer. Highly recommend you check it out.

Best to go early before the large rush arrives so you aren’t waiting in line for too long.

Website:
https://takenakavancouver.com/menus/menu-food-truck/

In British Columbia

KFC Canada: Plant-based ‘Chicken’ Sandwich and Popcorn ‘Chicken’ Review

August 10, 2020

KFC Canada now has launched their new plant-based chicken sandwich and popcorn chicken across Canada. It is 100% Canadian and made by LightLife, which also supplies other fast food chains like A&W with their nuggets.

The ‘chicken’ patty and popcorn chicken are made with soy, wheat and fava beans. It’s the first plant-based chicken substitute to be served at a chicken chain in Canada. KFC did have a veggie sandwich, but has now been replaced with the plant-based Chicken Sandwich.

After an incredibly successful pilot with plant-based partner Lightlife in 2019, vegetarians and flexitarians everywhere can now experience KFC’s delicious taste at their local restaurant starting August 10, 2020. It is permanently on the menu and isn’t going away. Plant-Based KFC Popcorn will be available for a limited time while quantities last. The duo can be ordered individually, as part of a combo, or as part of a box meal.

Taste Test

KFC chicken sandwiches have always been very very average for us, so we were very excited to try out the Plant-Based sandwich and KFC Popcorn. Upon first look, they both look like a regular chicken sandwich and popcorn nuggets.

Both the nuggets and the chicken patty were very very similar, just different sizes. The exterior is crispy and has the signature KFC spices embedded throughout. The texture is a bit on the dry side, but it didn’t turn me off.

We’ve had a lot of plant-based sandwiches and this was actually pretty good for KFC. It won’t be the best sandwich you’ve ever eaten, but it satisfies the KFC cravings.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by both the Plant-based Chicken Sandwich and KFC Popcorn. We definitely recommend it if you’re curious about them. Best to get the box meal so you can try both items.

Website:
https://www.kfc.ca/

In British Columbia

Santapan Indonesian Grill: Food Truck in Vancouver

July 21, 2020

Santapan Indonesian Grill is the latest food truck to launch in Vancouver. They are currently just waiting for a few permits before hitting the road, but we got a sneak peak of the truck and the menu.

Once they get all their permits, they are planning to be in Kitsilano on West 4th. As they have a commercial kitchen to prep all their food, their dishes and drinks are available for pick up and delivery through UberEats, DoorDash, and FanTuan 饭团.

Sustainability is top of mind, so all their bowls and utensils are compostable/recyclable. The menu is simple and customizable to your taste. love how they use healthier ingredients like fresh vegetables, olive oil (instead of canola), Himalayan pink salt, organic chicken, and no MSG to name a few.

Bali Bowl

The Bali Bowl is the works with coconut rice. It also has romaine lettuce, carrots, edamame, cucumber, green beans, baked potato, radish coins, boiled egg, and standard sauces (Peanut Parti, Sumatra Spice, and Surabaya Citrus).

It’s bigger and more filling compared to the salad. The coconut rice is so good and fragrant. Everything was cooked perfectly.

Gado Gado Salad

The Gado Gado Salad is the works on salad. It also has romaine lettuce, carrots, edamame, cucumber, green beans, baked potato, radish coins, boiled egg, and standard sauces (Peanut Parti, Sumatra Spice, and Surabaya Citrus).

It’s the healthier option compared to the Bali Bowl. Still tastes great.

Roti Wrap

The roti wrap has everything in a whole wheat wrap minus the baked potato. If you’re looking for a grab and go option that isn’t messy, this is it. It’s handheld with no mess. You’ll probably be about the same fullness from the Bali Bowl too.

Chicken and Steak Skewers

Both the chicken and steak skewers are nicely seasoned in bite-sized pieces. During our visit, we did find it was a touch overdone as we would have liked it to be softer and tender.

Tempeh Skewers

This is the vegan option if you do not want any meat. It’s essentially fermented soybeans. It’s not bad at all. Good texture and flavour to go with your meal.

Indo Ice Coffee

This drink has cold brew coffee, coconut milk, and lightly sweetened. Very light and refreshing. The layers are very distinct and the green pandan syrup give is an excellent aroma that pairs with the coffee.

Jakarta Jelly

This dink has organic Indonesian cold brew coffee, coconut milk, grass jelly, and lightly sweetened. It’s a unique drink that you don’t see often. This drink has the addition of the grass jelly.

Final Thoughts

I love seeing the new wave of food trucks opening in Vancouver. Santapan Indonesian Grill gives us a new twist on Indonesian flavours for the West Coast all packaged in a compact food truck.

The sauces can have a kick of spice to it, so if you want a different spice level, definitely ask them for their recommendation.

If you see them rolling around town, definitely give them a try.

Website:
https://www.santapan.ca/

In British Columbia

Locvl Delivery: Florals, Cakes, Baked Goods, and Gifts Delivered in Vancouver

July 20, 2020

Locvl Delivery is a local delivery company based out of Richmond, BC and they deliver fresh florals, cakes, baked goods and other local gifts to your door. With the pandemic, it’s a much needed service to continue celebrating milestones whether it be a birthday, anniversary, wedding, etc.

We just reached 20,000+ followers on Instagram. Something I never imagined when I started this whole foodie journey a decade ago. Thanks for being part of this journey as we eat our way across the city. Locvl Delivery sent us a little gift to celebrate with balloons and The Graze Company’s Graze Box full of delicious goodies.

Delivery

Before your delivery arrives, they will text you before arrival. There is also a link that will let you know exactly where they exactly are. If you’re not home or you’re gifting it to a friend, thats enough time to alter someone to grab the delivery.

Hearts Confetti Balloons

They have different balloons to choose from on their website. You can get the ones with big letters and numbers filled with helium or more simple balloons like these.

This particular one is their Hearts Confetti balloon set.

The Graze Company – Small Original Graze Box

They sent us the The Graze Company‘s Small Original Graze Box for us to munch on. The small size feeds 2 people, but more people can definitely snack on it. It makes a lovely gift as there is a good amount of variety.

There were fruits, veggies, cheeses, meats, dips and even honeycomb.

When it arrived, it was nice and cool. If you aren’t consuming it right away, put it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat it.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Locvl Delivery has some very nice things in their local marketplace to help make someone’s day a little extra special. The cakes from Buttermere and L’otus Cake Boutique are very popular and the delivery fee isn’t too high.

If you want $10 off your first delivery, use the promo code ‘FOODOLOGY10’.

Website:
https://www.locvldelivery.com/

In British Columbia

Earthling Gluten Free Foods: Almond Meringue Dacquoise Patisserie in Vancouver

July 19, 2020

I was recently introduced to Earthling Gluten Free Foods for their Almond Meringue Dacquois. They have put their own twist to this treat with Korean flavour influences and tea flavours too.

They starting making dacquoise during the pandemic as they really missed having them back in Korea. After many trial and error making their ideal Dacquoise, Earthling Gluten Free Foods was born. Their secret is rice flour, which gives it a crispier and chewier texture.

They produce all these Dacquois in a 100% gluten-free commissary kitchen in Vancouver.

Free Delivery and Pick Up

You can get free delivery if you have a minimum order of $40 or more. They delivery to the Greater Vancouver Regional District from Monday to Fridays.

You can also pick up your order at Bobacabana in New Westminster.

Follow them on social media as they do have pop-up events once in a while. See where they will be next.

Injeolmi

This Dacquoise has soybean powder (Kong Garu) dusted shell and kong-garu (injeolmi) buttercream center. This was our favourite flavour of the flavours we tried. Highly highly recommended.

Mugwort

This is a very unique flavour using Korean mugwort herb (Ssuk) infused shell and mugwort buttercream center. It’s very interesting and definitely has an earthly flavour. I was very indifferent about the flavour but my sister was really really into it.

Hojicha Matcha

I love the colours of the Hojicha infused buttercream and matcha infused buttercream. They use the Paragon Tea Room Hojicha and Matcha tea powder in the buttercream. I would have preferred the flavours seperately to be able to taste the tea better.

Vanilla Bean

If you’re not into tea of Korean flavours, they have it with fresh vanilla bean, thus creating a classic french buttercream. Back to the basics is always good.

Lemon Creme

Hiding in the centre is their fresh lemon zested curd center and cream cheese buttercream. Love the vibrant lemon flavour.

Final Thoughts

I was pleasantly surprised by their Almond Meringue Dacquoise. It was my first time trying and it’s a nice snack that pairs well with tea or coffee. If you’re looking for something different to give a friend or family member, this might be it.

Website:
https://www.earthlingfoods.ca/

In British Columbia

Starbucks Canada: Cold Brew with Cinnamon Almond Foam Review

July 14, 2020

Starbucks Canada is expanding its summer-inspired menu by adding Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew with Cinnamon Almond foam to it’s line up. We’re definitely more fans of their coffee than their other beverages, so we had to give it a try.

These new beverages are intended as a lighter-tasting, subtly sweet option with coffee-forward notes. The non-dairy cold foam layer is made from flavourful ingredients like almond beverage, vanilla syrup, and cinnamon. ~~Their regular cold foam has egg in it.~~

Cold foam is frothed cold instead of hot and blended until smooth, creating layers of creamy texture and flavour without the cream. Cinnamon Almond Foam is airier than other cold foam options and can also be modified with soy.

Cold Brew with Cinnamon Almond Foam Taste Test

Upon first sip, you can taste the cinnamon in the foam. The foam is very light and does dissipate quickly. There is a bit of sweetness from the vanilla syrup, but I wasn’t a fan of the almond beverage. That paired with the cold brew just didn’t jive as well with my personal taste preference.

It’s a great option for non-dairy drinkers, but not for me.

Other plant-based options at Starbucks

Here are some other plant-based options as well as non-dairy drinks they have on the menu.